Patent ID: 7793005
Filing Date: 2010-09-07
Classification: G06F,H02M

Abstract:
1. A method for performing distributed power management, the method comprising: programming each POL regulator of a plurality of POL regulators belonging to a first address group by coupling at least a subset of a plurality of pins of each POL regulator to predefined voltage levels, each POL regulator thereby having a respective pinstrapping configuration and operating in a prescribed manner defined at least in part by the respective pinstrapping configuration, wherein the pinstrapping configuration of each POL regulator defines: coupling the plurality of POL regulators to a bus; at least a first one of the plurality of POL regulators becoming a bus master according to its pinstrapping configuration, and initiating a first bus operation over the bus by transmitting its assigned address onto the bus; and each POL regulator monitoring the bus and responding to the first bus operation according to its pinstrapping configuration, comprising at least a second one of the plurality of POL regulators identifying the first portion of the assigned address of the first one of the plurality of POL regulators, and performing at least one function according to its pinstrapping configuration in response to said identifying the first portion of the assigned address of the first one of the plurality of POL regulators.