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.