A power management system may be configured to allow digital information
relating to the power management functions of sequencing and fault
spreading to be passed between POL regulators using a standard
multi-master multi-slave interface such as I.sup.2C bus interface or
SMBus interface. POL regulators may be configured via pin strapping, and
coupled to a serial data bus where they may monitor bus transactions
initiated by other similar POL regulators. Each POL regulator may respond
to the bus transactions initiated by other POL regulators according to
its configuration, and may perform a variety of tasks associated with
sequencing and fault spreading in addition to regulating its own voltage
output. When configured with a standard multi-master/multi-slave
interface such as an I.sup.2C bus interface or SMBus interface, the POL
regulators may report information to multiple other POL regulators while
maintaining compatibility with non-POL devices also connected to the bus.