Abstract:
A digital low dropout regulator is disclosed. The digital low dropout regulator includes a switch, a resistive element, a capacitive element coupled to the resistive element at a node, and a switch controller. The switch controller is configured to: couple to the node to receive an output voltage, compare the output voltage to a reference voltage, and control the switch based on a comparison of the output voltage and the reference voltage. The switch is configured to selectively provide a supply voltage to the node via the resistive element.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/022,702, filed on Jan. 22, 2008. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to power management systems, and more particularly to power management systems for integrated circuits (ICs) and systems on chip (SOCs). 
     BACKGROUND 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     Both linear voltage regulators and DC/DC converters have been used to supply regulated power to circuits of a device. Linear voltage regulators typically include a transistor that drops an input voltage to a regulated output voltage. DC/DC converters typically include one or more diodes, switches, capacitances and/or inductances that store and release power. DC/DC converters can provide regulated output voltage both above and below the input voltage. 
     Low-dropout (LDO) regulators are one type of linear voltage regulator. Dropout refers to a minimum difference between input and output voltage that sustains regulation. Although the efficiency of the LDO regulator is generally lower than the DC/DC converter, it may be offset by the relatively low cost of the LDO regulator. 
     When systems employ both LDO regulators and DC/DC converters to supply power to the circuits of the device, there can be situations when the LDO regulator will experience voltage droop. The droop in voltage may fall below a voltage or power level floor required for the circuit. 
       FIG. 1A  is a diagram showing ideal output voltage as a function of time based on output of a DC/DC converter and a LDO regulator that are used to drive a circuit. During an active or high power (HP) mode, the DC/DC converter supplies power to a target level as shown at  80 . During a standby or low power (LP) mode, the DC/DC converter is generally or substantially turned off. During this period, the LDO regulator takes over and ensures that a minimum average voltage (or power) is maintained at a minimum level as identified by  82 . The minimum average power may allow the modules of a driven circuit to maintain states and/or to reduce start-up delay that may otherwise occur if power was not supplied during the standby mode. 
     Consequently, the DC/DC converter supplies power during the active mode while the LDO regulator maintains the floor during the standby mode. During a period t 0  prior to transitioning to the active mode, the driven circuit may start using a little more power to initiate turning-on one or more of the other modules of the circuit so that they can be ready to operate in the active mode. During the period t 0 , the LDO regulator is operating to ensure that minimum power or the floor  82  is supplied to the circuit. As a result of the increase in power supplied to the circuit, V out  may droop below the floor  82  to be maintained by the LDO regulator. 
       FIG. 1B  is a diagram showing a typical output voltage V out  as a function of time based on the output of the DC/DC converter and the LDO regulator. The voltage is maintained at the floor  82  as shown at  84  by the LDO regulator. Then, the voltage droops below the floor  82  as shown at  86  during the period t 0 . Then, the voltage increases at  88  due to the output of the DC/DC converter increasing and supplying an active voltage level. Then, the voltage falls after the active mode ends and the DC/DC converter is off. A rate or time constant of the falloff may be based on values of components of the impedance (and possibly other circuit impedances) and a rate of power consumption by the driven circuit. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, a digital low dropout regulator is disclosed. The digital low dropout regulator includes a switch, a resistive element, a capacitive element coupled to the resistive element at a node, and a switch controller. The switch controller is configured to: couple to the node to receive an output voltage, compare the output voltage to a reference voltage, and control the switch based on a comparison of the output voltage and the reference voltage. The switch is configured to selectively provide a supply voltage to the node via the resistive element. 
     In another aspect, a power management system is disclosed. The power management system includes an active path comprising a DC/DC converter, a standby path comprising a comparator coupled to a node to receive an output voltage, and a pulse generator. The comparator is configured to control the pulse generator based on comparison of the output voltage to a reference voltage. The power management system further includes one or more switches, and a multiplexer coupled to the active path and the standby path and configured to selectively control the one or more switches using one of the active path and the standby path. The power management system also includes an impedance circuit comprising an inductive element coupled to the one or more switches, and a capacitive element coupled to inductive element and the node. The impedance circuit is coupled to the one or more switches. 
     Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a graph of ideal output voltage as a function of time based on the output of a DC/DC converter and a LDO regulator; 
         FIG. 1B  is a graph of typical output voltage as a function of time based on the DC/DC converter and the LDO regulator; 
         FIG. 2  is a functional block diagram illustrating a power management system including a digital LDO regulator and a DC/DC converter that supply power to a system on chip (SOC), an integrated circuit (IC) or other circuits; 
         FIG. 3A  is a functional block diagram illustrating the power management system in further detail; 
         FIG. 3B  is an electrical schematic of an exemplary digital LDO regulator; 
         FIG. 3C  is an electrical schematic of another exemplary digital LDO regulator; 
         FIG. 3D  is an electrical schematic of another exemplary digital LDO regulator; 
         FIG. 3E  is an electrical schematic of a circuit configuration that includes the DC/DC converter, the digital LDO regulator and an impedance circuit; 
         FIG. 4A  is a graph of ideal voltage as a function of time for the output of the DC/DC converter and the digital LDO regulator according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4B  is a graph of empirical voltage output as a function of time for both the DC/DC converter and the digital LDO regulator in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary method for operating the power management system; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary method for operating the power management module; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary method for operating the SOC, IC or other circuit; 
         FIG. 8A  is a functional block diagram of a hard disk drive; 
         FIG. 8B  is a functional block diagram of a DVD drive; 
         FIG. 8C  is a functional block diagram of a high definition television; 
         FIG. 8D  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system; 
         FIG. 8E  is a functional block diagram of a cellular phone; 
         FIG. 8F  is a functional block diagram of a set top box; and 
         FIG. 8G  is a functional block diagram of a mobile device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure. 
     As used herein, the term module refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. 
     The power management system according to the present disclosure temporarily powers the DC/DC converter one or more times during an standby mode of a device (such as an SOC, IC or other circuit) to increase supply voltage and to prevent voltage droop below a floor maintained by the digital LDO regulator. The DC/DC converter may generate a minimum pulse sufficient to prevent voltage droop. After temporarily being powered during the standby mode, the DC/DC converter is turned off until the active mode begins. An impedance circuit may provide temporary power storage until the active mode begins. More efficient operation of the power management system may tend to reduce power consumption. This may be particularly desirable for battery-powered devices. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a power management module  10  supplies power to a system on chip (SOC), an integrated circuit (IC) or other circuit generally identified at  12 . The circuit  12  may include a mode control module  14  and other modules  16 . The mode control module  14  generates mode control signals that control a power mode of the circuit  12 , as will be described further below. The power management module  10  may receive a supply voltage V supply  from a power supply  18 . The power supply  18  may be powered by line voltage, a battery and/or other power source. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , the power management module  10  is illustrated in further detail. The power management module  10  includes a DC/DC converter  30 , a digital LDO regulator  32  and a power control module  34 . The DC/DC converter  30  may comprise any suitable DC/DC converter. The power control module  34  receives a power supply voltage V supply  and outputs a converter voltage V converter  and a digital LDO voltage V LDO  to the DC/DC converter  30  and the digital LDO regulator  32 , respectively. The power control module  34  also turns the DC/DC converter  30  on and off via a mode signal and turns the digital LDO regulator on and off via the sw_ctrl signal as will be described below. 
     Outputs of the DC/DC converter  30  and the digital LDO regulator  32  communicate with an impedance  36  that may include one or more inductances, resistances and/or capacitances. For example only, the impedance  36  may comprise an inductance L 1  and a capacitance C 1 . For example only, an output of the DC/DC converter  30  may communicate with one end of the inductance L 1 . Another end of the inductance L 1  may communicate with an output of the digital LDO regulator  32  and with one end of a capacitance C 1 . Alternately, the digital LDO regulator  32  may communicate with the one end of the inductance L 1  instead of the other end as shown by dotted line  39 . A voltage V out  is supplied to the circuit  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3B and 3C , exemplary digital LDO regulators are shown. In  FIG. 3B , a digital LDO regulator  32 - 1  includes a switch  41  that receives a switch control signal and that connects a resistance R with a voltage source providing V supply . The digital LDO regulator  32 - 1  outputs digital LDO regulator current I LDO     —     out . The resistance R and capacitor C 1  are used collectively to control any ripple effects on voltage V out . In  FIG. 3C , another exemplary digital LDO regulator  32 - 2  includes a switch  43  that selectively connects a current source I LDO  with an output of the digital LDO regulator  32 - 2 . The digital LDO regulator  32 - 2  outputs digital LDO regulator current I LDO     —     out . 
       FIG. 3D  illustrates another exemplary digital LDO regulator  32 - 3  which includes a switch  47  that selectively connects voltage V supply  to voltage V out  via resistance R. V supply  may be any voltage that is greater than V out . The switch  47  is controlled by a switch controller  45  based on a comparison of the voltage V out  with a reference voltage V LDO . The switch controller  45  may include a low power comparator. When in inactive (standby) or low power mode, the switch controller  45  determines whether V out  is less than or equal to the reference voltage V LDO . If Vout is less than or equal to the reference voltage V LDO , then the switch controller  45  turns on the switch  47 , thereby bringing up V out . Capacitance C 2  is sufficiently large such that the ripple voltage V ripple  at V out  should be less than 100 mV. The value of capacitance C 2  is determined based on the relative value of resistance R. Resistance R may be implemented in a number of ways, e.g., by using a resistor, a capacitor or any other current-limiting element(s) or configuration(s). 
       FIG. 3E  illustrates a circuit configuration  33  that includes the DC/DC converter  30 . The circuit configuration  33  includes a standby path and an active path. The standby path includes a comparator  49  that is low power and a pulse generator  50 . The comparator  49  controls the pulse generator  50  based on a comparison of a reference voltage V ref  and the voltage V out . For example, during the standby mode, the comparator  49  may determine whether V out  is less than or equal to a reference voltage V ref . The pulse generator  50 , in turn, generates pulses to control the switches  51  via the multiplexer  52 . During the standby or low power mode, the pulse generator  51  utilizes minimum pulses which are narrow thereby consuming minimal energy. Furthermore, the gap between adjacent pulses is longer than usual. The standby path is used when the standby mode is engaged. 
     The active path includes the DC/DC converter  30 . The active path is used when the active mode is engaged. The multiplexer  52  is used to selectively engage the standby path and the active path. 
     Output of the multiplexer  52  is used to control two or more switches  51 . One or more of the switches  51  may be switched on providing the appropriate voltage level to V out . The circuit configuration  33  also includes a number of components constituting an impedance circuit. The impedance circuit includes a diode emulator D, an inductor L, a capacitor C 3  and a current source. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , voltage is shown as a function of time for the output of the DC/DC converter  30  and the digital LDO regulator  32  according to exemplary implementations of the present disclosure as shown in  FIGS. 3A ,  3 D and  3 E. The mode control module  14  of the circuit  12  may generate a pre-active mode signal during the standby or inactive mode before the predetermined period t 0 . This time is before the circuit  12  transitions to a high power (HP) mode. The pre-active mode signal may be generated before the circuit  12  starts powering circuits to transition one or more of the other control modules  16  to the active mode. 
     The mode control module  14  may also generate an active mode signal to transition the circuit  12  to the active mode. The active mode signal may also be de-asserted to end the active mode. Alternately, the active mode may end a predetermined period after it is initiated. 
     The control module  34  turns on the digital LDO regulator  32  at  100 - 1  for a predetermined period based on the pre-active mode signal to increase V out  and then turns off the digital LDO regulator  32  before the active mode. As can be appreciated, the predetermined period may be calibrated to provide a minimum pulse width and/or height that is sufficient to provide enough power to prevent droop. As a result, the minimum amount of power may be dissipated by the digital LDO regulator  32 . Alternatively, the digital LDO regulator  32  may bring the voltage to a level that is sufficient to operate the circuit  12  in the active mode on a temporary basis. This allows time for the DC/DC converter  30  to wake up and engage in the active mode. The digital LDO regulator  32  may also be kept operational during the standby mode or a portion thereof. 
     The voltage increases can be performed one or more times at spaced intervals to increase or bump the voltage above the floor. For example only, V out  may increase by approximately 100 mV. The predetermined period may be less than the period t 0 . Then, the control module  34  later turns on the DC/DC converter at  80 - 1  for the active mode based on the active mode signal. The process may be repeated as shown at  100 - 3  and  80 - 2 . 
     Alternatively, the digital LDO regulator  32  may increase the voltage above the floor by monitoring V out  against a threshold. For example, referring to  FIG. 3D , the digital LDO regulator  32 - 1  may compare V out  to the reference voltage V LDO  and control the switch  47  to increase V out  accordingly. The voltage increase may be shown schematically as  100 - 2  in FIGS.  4 A and  108 - 2  in  FIG. 4B . Similarly, the standby path in  FIG. 3E  may also increase the voltage above the floor by monitoring V out  against V ref  and using the pulse generator  50  to control the switches  51  accordingly. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4B , V out  is shown as a function of time for the output of the DC/DC converter  30  and the digital LDO regulator  32  according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. The voltage V out  is maintained at the floor at  104 - 1  by the digital LDO regulator  32 . The voltage V out  increases at  106 - 1  due to the digital LDO regulator  32  monitoring the floor  82  to prevent droop below the floor  82 . The voltage V out  then decreases at  108 - 1  due to the power drained by the circuit  12 . The power may be drained due to circuits in one or more of the other modules  16  being turned on in anticipation of the active mode. Alternatively, the digital LDO regulator  32  may bring the voltage to a level that is sufficient to operate the circuit  12  in the active mode on a temporary basis. This allows time for the DC/DC converter  30  to wake up and engage in the active mode. The voltage V out  then increases at  110 - 1  due to the output of the DC/DC converter  30  being in the active mode. The voltage V out  then falls at  112 - 1  after the active mode ends. The falloff may be at a rate determined by components of the impedance  36  (and other impedances). The foregoing process may also be repeated at  104 - 2 ,  106 - 2 ,  108 - 2 ,  106 - 3 ,  108 - 3 ,  110 - 2  and  112 - 2 . 
     By further adjusting the values of the impedances and the duration and/or number of times that the digital LDO regulator  32  is turned on and off during the standby mode, V out  can remain above the floor to significantly reduce power dissipation that would otherwise occur in the digital LDO regulator  32  during the standby mode. Additionally, the digital LDO regulator  32  may be turned on and off at spaced intervals during the standby mode to provide several voltage bumps and droops to maintain the voltage above the floor. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an exemplary method  150  for operating the control module  34  is shown. Control begins in step  154  and proceeds to step  158 . In step  158 , the power management module  10  turns on the DC/DC converter  30 . In step  162 , the power management module  10  determines whether the standby mode signal is received. If step  162  is false, control returns to step  162 . If step  162  is true, control turns off the DC/DC converter  30  in step  166 . In step  170 , the power management module  10  determines whether the pre-active mode signal has been received. If false, control returns to step  170 . If true, control continues with step  174  and turns on the digital LDO regulator  32  for a first predetermined period and then off before the active mode. In step  178 , control determines whether the active mode signal is received. If step  178  is true, control returns to step  158 . Otherwise if step  178  is false, control returns to step  178 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , another exemplary method  170  for operating the power management module is shown. The power management module  10  may include a timer that determines the start of the active mode based on the pre-active mode signal. In other words, the timer times a period after the pre-active mode signal is received and then transitions to the active mode. Steps  154 - 170  of  FIG. 6  are shown and not described again. In step  180 , the digital LDO regulator  32  is turned on. In step  184 , a first timer (Timer 1 ) and a second timer (Timer 2 ) are started. Timer  185  in  FIG. 3A  may be used to implement Timer 1  and Timer 2 . In step  188 , the power management module  10  determines whether Timer 1  is up. If Timer 1  is up, then the digital LDO regulator  32  is turned off in step  192 . In step  196 , the power management module  10  determines whether Timer 2  is up. If Timer 2  is up, then the power management module  10  transitions to the HP or active mode and control returns to step  158 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , an exemplary method  250  for operating the circuit  12  is shown. Control begins in step  254  and proceeds to step  258 . In step  258 , the circuit  12  operates in active mode. In step  262 , the circuit  12  determines whether it is time to transition to standby mode. If step  262  is false, control returns to step  262 . If step  262  is true, the circuit  12  transitions one or more modules  16  to the standby mode in step  266 . In step  270 , the circuit  12  determines whether it is time to begin turning on circuits in one or more of the other control modules  16  prior to entering the active mode. If false, control returns to step  270 . If true, the circuit  12  continues with step  274  and sends the pre-active mode signal to the power management module  10 . When the timer is used in the power management module  10 , the active mode signal need not be transmitted to the power management module  10  and control returns to step  258 . 
     When the timer is not used in the power management module  10 , the active mode signal may be transmitted to the power management module  10 . In step  278 , the circuit  12  determines whether it is time to send the active mode signal. If step  278  is true, control sends the active mode signal to the power management module  10  and then control returns to step  258 . Otherwise if step  278  is false, control returns to step  278 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8G , various exemplary implementations incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure are shown. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8A , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a hard disk drive (HDD)  900 . The HDD  900  includes a hard disk assembly (HDA)  901  and an HDD printed circuit board (PCB)  902 . The HDA  901  may include a magnetic medium  903 , such as one or more platters that store data, and a read/write device  904 . The read/write device  904  may be arranged on an actuator arm  905  and may read and write data on the magnetic medium  903 . Additionally, the HDA  901  includes a spindle motor  906  that rotates the magnetic medium  903  and a voice-coil motor (VCM)  907  that actuates the actuator arm  905 . A preamplifier device  908  amplifies signals generated by the read/write device  904  during read operations and provides signals to the read/write device  904  during write operations. 
     The HDD PCB  902  includes a read/write channel module (hereinafter, “read channel”)  909 , a hard disk controller (HDC) module  910 , a buffer  911 , nonvolatile memory  912 , a processor  913 , and a spindle/VCM driver module  914 . The read channel  909  processes data received from and transmitted to the preamplifier device  908 . The HDC module  910  controls components of the HDA  901  and communicates with an external device (not shown) via an I/O interface  915 . The external device may include a computer, a multimedia device, a mobile computing device, etc. The I/O interface  915  may include wireline and/or wireless communication links. 
     The HDC module  910  may receive data from the HDA  901 , the read channel  909 , the buffer  911 , nonvolatile memory  912 , the processor  913 , the spindle/VCM driver module  914 , and/or the I/O interface  915 . The processor  913  may process the data, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting. The processed data may be output to the HDA  901 , the read channel  909 , the buffer  911 , nonvolatile memory  912 , the processor  913 , the spindle/VCM driver module  914 , and/or the I/O interface  915 . 
     The HDC module  910  may use the buffer  911  and/or nonvolatile memory  912  to store data related to the control and operation of the HDD  900 . The buffer  911  may include DRAM, SDRAM, etc. Nonvolatile memory  912  may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The spindle/VCM driver module  914  controls the spindle motor  906  and the VCM  907 . The HDD PCB  902  includes a power supply  916  that provides power to the components of the HDD  900 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8B , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a DVD drive  918  or of a CD drive (not shown). The DVD drive  918  includes a DVD PCB  919  and a DVD assembly (DVDA)  920 . The DVD PCB  919  includes a DVD control module  921 , a buffer  922 , nonvolatile memory  923 , a processor  924 , a spindle/FM (feed motor) driver module  925 , an analog front-end module  926 , a write strategy module  927 , and a DSP module  928 . 
     The DVD control module  921  controls components of the DVDA  920  and communicates with an external device (not shown) via an I/O interface  929 . The external device may include a computer, a multimedia device, a mobile computing device, etc. The I/O interface  929  may include wireline and/or wireless communication links. 
     The DVD control module  921  may receive data from the buffer  922 , nonvolatile memory  923 , the processor  924 , the spindle/FM driver module  925 , the analog front-end module  926 , the write strategy module  927 , the DSP module  928 , and/or the I/O interface  929 . The processor  924  may process the data, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting. The DSP module  928  performs signal processing, such as video and/or audio coding/decoding. The processed data may be output to the buffer  922 , nonvolatile memory  923 , the processor  924 , the spindle/FM driver module  925 , the analog front-end module  926 , the write strategy module  927 , the DSP module  928 , and/or the I/O interface  929 . 
     The DVD control module  921  may use the buffer  922  and/or nonvolatile memory  923  to store data related to the control and operation of the DVD drive  918 . The buffer  922  may include DRAM, SDRAM, etc. Nonvolatile memory  923  may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The DVD PCB  919  includes a power supply  930  that provides power to the components of the DVD drive  918 . 
     The DVDA  920  may include a preamplifier device  931 , a laser driver  932 , and an optical device  933 , which may be an optical read/write (ORW) device or an optical read-only (OR) device. A spindle motor  934  rotates an optical storage medium  935 , and a feed motor  936  actuates the optical device  933  relative to the optical storage medium  935 . 
     When reading data from the optical storage medium  935 , the laser driver provides a read power to the optical device  933 . The optical device  933  detects data from the optical storage medium  935 , and transmits the data to the preamplifier device  931 . The analog front-end module  926  receives data from the preamplifier device  931  and performs such functions as filtering and A/D conversion. To write to the optical storage medium  935 , the write strategy module  927  transmits power level and timing data to the laser driver  932 . The laser driver  932  controls the optical device  933  to write data to the optical storage medium  935 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8C , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a high definition television (HDTV)  937 . The HDTV  937  includes an HDTV control module  938 , a display  939 , a power supply  940 , memory  941 , a storage device  942 , a network interface  943 , and an external interface  945 . If the network interface  943  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The HDTV  937  can receive input signals from the network interface  943  and/or the external interface  945 , which can send and receive data via cable, broadband Internet, and/or satellite. The HDTV control module  938  may process the input signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may be communicated to one or more of the display  939 , memory  941 , the storage device  942 , the network interface  943 , and the external interface  945 . 
     Memory  941  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  942  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The HDTV control module  938  communicates externally via the network interface  943  and/or the external interface  945 . The power supply  940  provides power to the components of the HDTV  937 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8D , the teachings of the disclosure may be implemented in a power supply of a vehicle  946 . The vehicle  946  may include a vehicle control system  947 , a power supply  948 , memory  949 , a storage device  950 , and a network interface  952 . If the network interface  952  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. The vehicle control system  947  may be a powertrain control system, a body control system, an entertainment control system, an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, etc. 
     The vehicle control system  947  may communicate with one or more sensors  954  and generate one or more output signals  956 . The sensors  954  may include temperature sensors, acceleration sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors, etc. The output signals  956  may control engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, suspension parameters, etc. 
     The power supply  948  provides power to the components of the vehicle  946 . The vehicle control system  947  may store data in memory  949  and/or the storage device  950 . Memory  949  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  950  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The vehicle control system  947  may communicate externally using the network interface  952 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8E , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a cellular phone  958 . The cellular phone  958  includes a phone control module  960 , a power supply  962 , memory  964 , a storage device  966 , and a cellular network interface  967 . The cellular phone  958  may include a network interface  968 , a microphone  970 , an audio output  972  such as a speaker and/or output jack, a display  974 , and a user input device  976  such as a keypad and/or pointing device. If the network interface  968  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The phone control module  960  may receive input signals from the cellular network interface  967 , the network interface  968 , the microphone  970 , and/or the user input device  976 . The phone control module  960  may process signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may be communicated to one or more of memory  964 , the storage device  966 , the cellular network interface  967 , the network interface  968 , and the audio output  972 . 
     Memory  964  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  966  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The power supply  962  provides power to the components of the cellular phone  958 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8F , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a set top box  978 . The set top box  978  includes a set top control module  980 , a display  981 , a power supply  982 , memory  983 , a storage device  984 , and a network interface  985 . If the network interface  985  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The set top control module  980  may receive input signals from the network interface  985  and an external interface  987 , which can send and receive data via cable, broadband Internet, and/or satellite. The set top control module  980  may process signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. The output signals may include audio and/or video signals in standard and/or high definition formats. The output signals may be communicated to the network interface  985  and/or to the display  981 . The display  981  may include a television, a projector, and/or a monitor. 
     The power supply  982  provides power to the components of the set top box  978 . Memory  983  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  984  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8G , the teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a power supply of a mobile device  989 . The mobile device  989  may include a mobile device control module  990 , a power supply  991 , memory  992 , a storage device  993 , a network interface  994 , and an external interface  999 . If the network interface  994  includes a wireless local area network interface, an antenna (not shown) may be included. 
     The mobile device control module  990  may receive input signals from the network interface  994  and/or the external interface  999 . The external interface  999  may include USB, infrared, and/or Ethernet. The input signals may include compressed audio and/or video, and may be compliant with the MP3 format. Additionally, the mobile device control module  990  may receive input from a user input  996  such as a keypad, touchpad, or individual buttons. The mobile device control module  990  may process input signals, including encoding, decoding, filtering, and/or formatting, and generate output signals. 
     The mobile device control module  990  may output audio signals to an audio output  997  and video signals to a display  998 . The audio output  997  may include a speaker and/or an output jack. The display  998  may present a graphical user interface, which may include menus, icons, etc. The power supply  991  provides power to the components of the mobile device  989 . Memory  992  may include random access memory (RAM) and/or nonvolatile memory. 
     Nonvolatile memory may include any suitable type of semiconductor or solid-state memory, such as flash memory (including NAND and NOR flash memory), phase change memory, magnetic RAM, and multi-state memory, in which each memory cell has more than two states. The storage device  993  may include an optical storage drive, such as a DVD drive, and/or a hard disk drive (HDD). The mobile device may include a personal digital assistant, a media player, a laptop computer, a gaming console, or other mobile computing device. 
     Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.