Power arbitration method and apparatus having a control logic circuit for assessing and selecting power supplies

摘要

A power selector for switching power supplies is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement provides power to a circuit by selecting between a first supply and a second supply. The first power circuit provides a regulated level of power to the integrated circuit (IC) having an operating power level specified as a circuit operating level for providing power to the IC. The second power circuit provides power to the IC. A power-signal arbitration circuit for assessing VDDREG and whether the second power circuit is to provide power to the IC as an alternative to the first power circuit providing power to the IC is based on a threshold power level indicative of the specified operating power level and the regulated level of power. Based on the power-signal arbitration circuit's assessment, providing an arbitration-control signal to the power-signal switching circuit.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a first power circuit for providing a regulated voltage to and for powering an integrated circuit (IC) having an operating voltage level; a second power circuit configured and arranged for providing power to and for powering the IC; a control logic circuit that includes: a compare circuit that is configured and arranged for assessing, based on the regulated voltage and a first threshold voltage level, the first threshold voltage being indicative of the operating voltage level, whether the second power circuit is to provide power to the IC as an alternative to the first power circuit providing power to the IC, and in response thereto, for providing an arbitration-control signal, and an over-rule circuit that is configured and arranged for assessing, based on a comparison between the regulated voltage and a second threshold voltage level that is lower than the first threshold, and in response to the assessment, for disabling the compare circuit; and a power-signal switching circuit, responsive to the control logic circuit and connected to receive power from each of the first and the second power circuits for providing power to the powered integrated circuit, configured and arranged for enabling, in response to the arbitration-control signal, power to be provided to the powered integrated circuit from a selected one of the first power circuit and the second power circuit.