Electricity: power supply or regulation systems – Output level responsive – Using a three or more terminal semiconductive device as the...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-01-23
Wong, Peter S. (Department: 2838)
Electricity: power supply or regulation systems
Output level responsive
Using a three or more terminal semiconductive device as the...
C323S282000, C363S065000, C363S079000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06177783
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and, in particular, to an arrangement for current balancing for a voltage regulator having inputs from multiple power supplies.
BACKGROUND
Power supplies are typically used with electronic circuits. These devices provide the electronic circuits with voltage and current needed for proper operation. In most systems, many circuit packs or modules are powered from a common power supply. The circuit packs or modules each include a functional circuit that performs a specific function within the system. These functional circuits draw current from the power supply in order to perform their specified function.
Conventionally, a power supply can provide at most a specified amount of current. Unfortunately, as a system evolves over time, its current and voltage requirements might also change. In some instances, this may mean that the power supplies used in prior generations of the system may not be able to provide sufficient current for later generations of the system. Thus, it is often necessary when modifying a system to replace existing power supplies with new power supplies that can deliver sufficient current for the new system. This increases the costs associated with upgrading an electronic system.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a method for providing sufficient current from a power supply when system requirements change.
SUMMARY
The above mentioned problems with telecommunications systems and other problems are addressed by the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. A current balancing arrangement is described which uses a single control signal to regulate current flow in a voltage regulator for a plurality of power supplies. By regulating the currents with the same control signal, the total current flow for the regulator can be balanced between the plurality of power supplies in any selected ratio.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a block diagram of an embodiment of a voltage regulator that balances current for multiple power supplies according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2A
is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a voltage regulator that balances current drawn from multiple power supplies according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 2B
is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an auxiliary power supply for the voltage regulator of FIG.
2
A.
FIG. 3
is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a voltage regulator that balances current for multiple power supplies according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram of a soft-start circuit according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a block diagram of an electronic system that includes a circuit pack that balances current from a number of power supplies according to the teachings of the present invention.
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patent: 5338994 (1994-08-01), Lezan et al.
patent: 5428523 (1995-06-01), McDonnal
patent: 5428524 (1995-06-01), Massie
patent: 5521809 (1996-05-01), Ashley et al.
patent: 5724237 (1998-03-01), Hunter
patent: 5982677 (1999-11-01), Fontana et al.
patent: 6014322 (2000-01-01), Higashi et al.
ADC Telecommunications Inc.
Fogg Slifer & Polglaze, P.A.
Vu Bao Q.
Wong Peter S.
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