Hybrid power filter for high-speed processors
This technology improves how voltage regulators handle sudden spikes in power demand from fast-switching chips like processors. It adds a small, efficient linear circuit in parallel with the main switching regulator that only kicks in when the primary regulator can't respond fast enough to rapid load changes. The two circuits are tuned to match each other's electrical characteristics, so the helper circuit uses minimal power and only operates briefly. The net result is that expensive, bulky filter capacitors can be dramatically reduced or replaced entirely by tiny capacitors built into the chip package or die itself.
What you could build
A power management integrated circuit or reference design for CPU/GPU voltage regulator modules (VRMs), sold to server motherboard manufacturers, PC OEMs, and semiconductor companies designing power delivery for high-performance processors.
Who in Virginia should care
Northern Virginia's dense concentration of hyperscale data center operators and defense electronics integrators would have direct interest in efficient, compact power delivery for high-performance computing hardware.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Ming Xu, Yuancheng Ren, Fred C. Lee, Andrew P. Schmit
- Granted
- July 14, 2009
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7560912
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.