A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least
one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL
regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and
adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL
regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus
carrying programming and control information between the system
controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may
also include a second data bus carrying fault management information
between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The
power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an
intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an
intermediate voltage bus.