Multi-phase hybrid converter

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a multiphase hybrid converter. A multiphase hybrid DC-DC converter using switching capacitor technology is described. The multiphase hybrid converter can reduce the volt-seconds across the converter's inductors, thereby reducing the inductor size. Furthermore, the multiphase hybrid converter can utilize the inductor as a current source to charge and discharge the flying capacitor, which can reduce the size of the intermediate capacitor and increase the solution density. Since the charging and discharging operations are performed by the inductor, the multiphase hybrid converter can eliminate capacitor-to-capacitor charge transfer. Therefore, the multiphase hybrid converter does not require high capacitance to achieve efficient operation, which further increases the solution density.

Description

[0001] Priority requirements

[0002] This application is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 152,065, filed January 19, 2021, entitled “Dual-Phase Hybrid Converter”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to, but is not limited to, power converter circuits. Background Technology

[0004] Hybrid power converter circuits offer an efficient power solution for power supply designs. A hybrid power converter provides DC-DC voltage conversion for a power supply that combines a capacitor-based converter with an inductor-based converter. The hybrid power converter includes one or more switching elements (e.g., one or more transistors) and reactive elements (e.g., capacitors and inductors), which, in conjunction with the periodic switching of the switching elements, provide a DC output voltage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure describes a multiphase hybrid DC-DC converter circuit topology using switching capacitor technology, including a two-phase hybrid DC-DC converter circuit and an N-phase hybrid DC-DC converter circuit (also referred to herein as a "hybrid converter"). The multiphase hybrid converter of this disclosure can reduce the volt-second across the converter's inductors, thereby reducing the inductor size. Furthermore, the multiphase hybrid converter can utilize the inductors as a current source to charge and discharge flying capacitors (similar to ideal lossless charge transfer), which can reduce the size of intermediate capacitors and increase solution density. Since the charging and discharging actions are performed by the inductors, the multiphase hybrid converter of this disclosure can eliminate capacitor-to-capacitor charge transfer. Therefore, the multiphase hybrid converter does not require high capacitance to achieve efficient operation, which can further increase solution density. Finally, by using the gate drive technology of this invention, the multiphase hybrid converter can operate at a higher duty cycle compared to other methods.

[0006] In some aspects, this disclosure relates to a multiphase hybrid converter comprising: a first switching capacitor circuit including a first switching element, a second switching element, and a first capacitor; a first switching converter circuit including a third switching element, a fourth switching element, and a first inductor, wherein the second switching element is coupled to the third switching element; a second switching capacitor circuit including a fifth switching element, a sixth switching element, and a second capacitor; a second switching converter circuit including a seventh switching element, an eighth switching element, and a second inductor, wherein the sixth switching element is coupled to the seventh switching element; and control circuitry for controlling the operation of the first switching converter circuit using a first timing phase and controlling the operation of the second switching converter circuit using a second timing phase, wherein the first capacitor is cross-coupled between the first switching capacitor circuit and the second switching converter circuit.

[0007] In some aspects, this disclosure relates to a method of operating a multiphase hybrid converter, the method comprising the steps of: generating complementary first control signals to turn on and off switching elements of a first switch-converter circuit, wherein a first timing phase includes the complementary first control signals; generating complementary second control signals to turn on and off switching elements of a second switch-converter circuit, wherein a second timing phase includes the complementary second control signals; generating a third control signal using one of the complementary first control signals and one of the complementary second control signals to turn on and off switching elements of a first switching capacitor circuit and a second switching capacitor circuit; applying the complementary first control signals, the complementary second control signals, and the third control signals according to a switching period having a switching frequency and a duty cycle, the switching period including the first timing phase and the second timing phase; generating a series of pulses to at least one LC circuit including at least one capacitor and at least one inductor through the first switch-converter circuit, the second switch-converter circuit, the first switching capacitor circuit, and the second switching capacitor circuit; adjusting the duty cycle of the switching signals to adjust the series of pulses to set an output voltage on an output capacitor; and providing an output voltage on the output capacitor as the output voltage of the multiphase hybrid converter.

[0008] In some aspects, this disclosure relates to a multiphase hybrid converter comprising: a first switching capacitor circuit including a first switching element, a second switching element, and a first capacitor; a first switching converter circuit including a third switching element, a fourth switching element, and a first inductor, wherein the second switching element is coupled to the third switching element; a second switching capacitor circuit including a fifth switching element, a sixth switching element, and a second capacitor; a second switching converter circuit including a seventh switching element, an eighth switching element, and a second inductor, wherein the sixth switching element is coupled to the seventh switching element; and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the first switching converter circuit using a first timing phase and controlling the operation of the second switching converter circuit using a second timing phase, the control circuit being configured to perform the following steps: generating a complementary first control signal to turn on and off the switching elements of the first switching converter circuit; generating a complementary second control signal to turn on and off the switching elements of the second switching converter circuit; and generating a third control signal using one of the complementary first control signal and one of the complementary second control signal to turn on and off the switching elements of the first switching capacitor circuit and the second switching capacitor circuit. Attached Figure Description

[0009] In the accompanying drawings, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and similar component symbols may describe similar parts in different views. Component symbols with different letter suffixes may represent different examples of similar parts. The accompanying drawings generally illustrate, by way of example and not limitation, the various embodiments discussed in this document.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an example of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0011] Figure 2 For use Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the control logic circuit system of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0012] Figure 3 for Figure 1 An example of a timing diagram for the control signals of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0013] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Another example of a timing diagram for the control signals of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0014] Figure 5A For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the first operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0015] Figure 5B For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the second operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0016] Figure 5C For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the third operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0017] Figure 6A For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the first operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0018] Figure 6B For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the second operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0019] Figure 6C For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the third operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0020] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another example of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another example of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another example of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0023] Figure 10 For coupling as a buck converter Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0024] Figure 11 For coupling as a boost converter Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0025] Figure 12A For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the first operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0026] Figure 12B For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the second operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0027] Figure 12C For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the third operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0028] Figure 12D For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the fourth operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of an example of an N-phase hybrid converter.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another example of an N-phase hybrid converter.

[0031] Figure 15 For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 13 An example of a timing diagram for the control signals of an N-phase hybrid converter.

[0032] Figure 16 For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 13 Another example of a timing diagram of the control signals for an N-phase hybrid converter.

[0033] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of an example of an N-phase hybrid converter system. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This disclosure describes a multiphase hybrid DC-DC converter circuit topology using switching capacitor technology, including a two-phase hybrid DC-DC converter circuit and an N-phase hybrid DC-DC converter circuit (also referred to herein as a "hybrid converter"). The multiphase hybrid converter of this disclosure can reduce the volt-second across the converter's inductors, thereby reducing the inductor size. Furthermore, the multiphase hybrid converter can utilize the inductors as a current source to charge and discharge flying capacitors (similar to ideal lossless charge transfer), which can reduce the size of intermediate capacitors and increase solution density. Since the charging and discharging actions are performed by the inductors, the multiphase hybrid converter of this disclosure can eliminate capacitor-to-capacitor charge transfer. Therefore, the multiphase hybrid converter does not require high capacitance to achieve efficient operation, which can further increase solution density. Finally, by using the gate drive technology of this invention, the multiphase hybrid converter can operate at a higher duty cycle compared to other methods.

[0035] As used in this disclosure, the term "converter" includes, but is not limited to, any one or any combination of "regulator," "DC regulator," "voltage regulator," "DC voltage regulator," "DC-DC converter," "DC converter," and "converter," and includes, but is not limited to, the simple meaning of any one or more of these terms.

[0036] A multiphase hybrid converter can include both two-phase hybrid converters and N-phase hybrid converters. See below for reference. Figures 1 to 12D Various examples of two-phase hybrid converters are described below, and references are made below. Figures 13 to 17 Describe various examples of N-phase hybrid converters.

[0037] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of an example of a two-phase hybrid converter 100. The two-phase hybrid converter 100 may include a front-end power stage P1, which includes a first switching element Q1, a second switching element Q2, a third switching element Q3, a fourth switching element Q4, a first inductor L1, and a first switching capacitor C. fly1 (Also referred to herein as a flying capacitor). The biphase hybrid converter 100 may further include a rear half-power stage P2, which includes a fifth switching element Q5, a sixth switching element Q6, a seventh switching element Q7, an eighth switching element Q8, a second inductor L2, and a second switching capacitor C. fly2 (also referred to as a flying capacitor in this disclosure). Figure 1 The switching element can be a transistor, such as a power transistor.

[0038] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the first switching element Q1 and the second switching element Q2 are connected at the input voltage V. IN It is connected in series with the first intermediate node MID1. The fifth switching element Q5 and the sixth switching element Q6 are connected in series with the input voltage V. IN It is connected in series with the second intermediate node MID2.

[0039] The two-phase hybrid converter 100 can use at least one switching capacitor circuit and at least one switching converter circuit to provide regulation, and is therefore a hybrid converter. For example, the first half-power stage P1 may include a first switching converter circuit and a first switching converter circuit. The first switching converter circuit may include a first switching element Q1, a second switching element Q2, and a first flying capacitor C. fly1 And a first switch-converter circuit including a third switching element Q3, a fourth switching element Q4, and a first inductor L1. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the second switching element Q2 and the third switching element Q3 are coupled in series.

[0040] Similarly, the latter half-power stage P2 may include a second switching converter circuit and a second switching converter circuit. The second switching converter circuit may include a fifth switching element Q5, a sixth switching element Q6, and a second flying capacitor C. fly2 The circuit includes a seventh switching element Q7, an eighth switching element Q8, and a second inductor L2. The sixth switching element Q6 is coupled in series with the seventh switching element Q7.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the flying capacitor C of the two-phase hybrid converter 100 fly1 With C fly2 Cross-coupling. More specifically, the first flying capacitor (C fly1The second flying capacitor C can be connected between the second switching capacitor circuit and the first switching converter circuit. fly2 It can be connected between the first switching capacitor circuit and the second switching converter circuit.

[0042] The two-phase hybrid converter 100 can receive input voltage V from the input terminal. IN and connected to the output capacitor C OUT The output terminal provides the output voltage V O In some instances, the output terminals of the two-phase hybrid converter 100 can be coupled to any desired load. The two-phase hybrid converter 100 can operate at a duty cycle "D" relative to 2V. O / V IN (Duty cycle = D = 2V) O / V IN The ratio varies.

[0043] Control circuit 102 can output control signals to corresponding control nodes of the switching elements of the two-phase hybrid converter 100, such as outputting to the gate terminals of transistors. Control circuit 102 may include a logic circuit system to generate control signals A, A', B, B', C, and D. For example, the control signals may be square wave signals. In some instances, control circuit 102 can control the frequency and duty cycle of the control signals.

[0044] In some instances, control circuitry 102 may include a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller that generates PWM signals to power stages P1, P2 to turn switching elements Q1-Q8 on or off according to the switching frequency and / or duty cycle. Control circuitry 102 may include an input / output (I / O) interface and may be programmed via the I / O interface, for example, with the switching frequency and / or duty cycle (e.g., before converter startup).

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, the first to eighth switching elements Q1 to Q8 are controlled by control signals A, A', B, B', C, and D, where A' is the complementary control signal of A, and B' is the complementary control signal of B. Because Figure 1 The example shown uses an n-type transistor (such as an n-type field-effect transistor) to implement the switching element, which is turned on when a given control signal is high. However, implementations using p-type transistors, n-type and p-type transistors, and / or other types of switches are also possible.

[0046] about Figure 2An example of a logic circuit system for generating control signals C and D is shown and described. Control signal D can be generated using a first AND gate 104 via (B AND A'), and control signal C can be generated using a second AND gate 106 via (A AND B').

[0047] As described in detail below, the control circuit 102 can use the first timing phase. Control the operation of the first switch converter circuit (Q3, Q4, L1) and use the second timing phase. Controls the operation of the second switch-converter circuit (Q7, Q8, L2). Therefore, Figure 1 The hybrid converter 100 is a "two-phase" hybrid converter.

[0048] In some instances, the two-phase hybrid converter circuit 100 may include a first capacitor C coupled between a first node MID1 between the second switching element Q2 and the third switching element Q3 and a reference voltage node (such as a ground node). mid1 Similarly, the two-phase hybrid converter circuit 100 may include a second capacitor C coupled between the second node MID2, which is between the sixth switching element Q6 and the seventh switching element Q7, and the reference voltage node. mid2 .

[0049] Including the first capacitor C mid1 Second capacitor C mid2 It may be advantageous. For example, capacitor C mid1 C mid2 This can reduce the parasitic inductance of long hot loops in the design. Shortening the hot loop and reducing parasitic inductance can also reduce high-frequency ringing. Furthermore, this includes capacitor C. mid1 C mid2 This ensures that the voltage stress of switching elements Q2, Q3, Q6 and Q7 is Vin / 2.

[0050] As described above, the flying capacitor C fly1 and C fly2 Cross-coupling is possible. By using a flying capacitor for cross-coupling, it is not necessary to share a voltage between the two power stages P1 and P2. That is, the first node MID1 between the second switching element Q2 and the third switching element Q3, and the second node MID2 between the sixth switching element Q6 and the seventh switching element Q7, do not need to be connected. By eliminating the connection, the efficiency of the two-phase hybrid converter 100 can be improved because there is no DC current flowing back and forth between the two power stages P1 and P2.

[0051] Figure 2 For use Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the control logic circuit system for a two-phase hybrid converter. For example... Figure 2As shown in the example, control signal C can be generated using the first AND gate 104 via (A' AND B), and control signal D can be generated using the second AND gate 106 via (A AND B').

[0052] In this way, Figure 2 The control logic circuit system can generate a third control signal (C) using one of a complementary first control signal (A') and one of a complementary second control signal (B). Control signal C can control the second switching capacitor circuit (Q5, Q6, C...). fly1 ) operation.

[0053] Similarly, Figure 2 The control logic circuit system can generate another third control signal (D) using one of the complementary first control signals (A) and one of the complementary second control signals (B'). Control signal D can control the first switching capacitor circuit (Q1, Q2, C...). fly2 ) operation.

[0054] In some instances, the first and second AND gates 104 and 106 can be formed Figure 1 It is part of the control circuit 102.

[0055] Figure 3 For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 An example of a timing diagram for the control signals of a two-phase hybrid converter. The switching period is T. SW and including and Where D is the duty cycle, and * represents the mathematical operation of multiplication. Time (1-D*T) SW ) can represent the first timing phase (Displayed as complementary control signals B, B'), and time D*T SW This can represent the second timing phase. (Displayed as complementary control signals A, A'). For example... Figure 3 As shown in the example, the first timing phase (Specifically, control signal B) and the second timing phase (Specifically, control signals A) do not overlap. Control circuits, such as... Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can generate first and second timing phases based on a switching cycle having a switching frequency and a duty cycle, wherein the duty cycle is less than 50%.

[0056] In some non-limiting instances, control signals A and B can be 180 degrees out of phase, such as by setting the time between the rising edge of logic high of control signal A and the rising edge of logic high of control signal B at the halfway point of the switching cycle, or T. SW / 2.

[0057] Figure 4 For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 Another example of a timing diagram for the control signals of a two-phase hybrid converter. The switching period is T. SW and including and Where D is the duty cycle, and * represents the mathematical operation of multiplication. Time (1-D*T) SW ) can represent the first timing phase (Displayed as complementary control signals B, B'), and time D*T SW This can represent the second timing phase. (Displayed as complementary control signals A, A'). For example... Figure 4 As shown in the example, the first timing phase (Specifically, control signal B) and the second timing phase (Specifically, control signal A) can overlap. Control circuits, such as Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can generate first and second timing phases based on a switching cycle having a switching frequency and a duty cycle, wherein the duty cycle is greater than 50%.

[0058] Control circuits, such as Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can generate, for example, Figure 3 or Figure 4 The control signals shown are applied, and complementary first control signals, complementary second control signals, and complementary third control signals are applied according to the switching period having a switching frequency and duty cycle, wherein the switching period includes a first timing phase. Second timing phase In response, the first switch-converter circuit, the second switch-converter circuit, the first switching capacitor circuit, and the second switching capacitor circuit can generate a series of pulses to at least one LC circuit, said LC circuit including at least one capacitor, for example... Figure 11 Output capacitor C OUT Or input capacitor C IN and at least one inductor, for example, at least one of inductors L1 and L2.

[0059] Subsequently, the control circuit can adjust the duty cycle of the switching signals (specifically control signals A and B) to adjust the series of pulses, thereby setting the output voltage across the output capacitor to a predefined and substantially constant amplitude. The two-phase hybrid converter can then adjust the output capacitor C... OUT The output voltage is provided as the output voltage of the two-phase hybrid converter. If the output capacitor C... OUT As part of an LC circuit, such as Figure 1As shown, this is configured as a buck converter where the output voltage is lower than the input voltage. However, if the capacitor is not part of an LC circuit, such as... Figure 11 The output capacitor C OUT If so, it is configured as a boost converter with an output voltage greater than the input voltage.

[0060] In some non-limiting instances, control signals A and B can be 180 degrees out of phase, such as by setting the time between the rising edge of logic high of control signal A and the rising edge of logic high of control signal B at the halfway point of the switching cycle, or T. SW / 2.

[0061] Figure 5A For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the first operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Control circuitry, such as... Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can output various control signals to connect and disconnect. Figures 5A to 5C Various switching elements. Switching elements Q1, Q4, Q6, and Q7 are turned on, while switching elements Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 are turned off. Capacitor C fly1 Coupled to ground, it supplies half of the inductor current to inductor L2. The control circuit turns on switching element Q1, and the input voltage VIN is applied to capacitor C. fly2 The current is charged, and the other half of the inductor current is supplied to inductor L2. Inductor L1 is free to rotate. Furthermore, the current through inductor L1 slopes down, while the current through inductor L2 slopes up. Figure 5A In the first operating phase, the first timing phase From (1-D*T) SW This indicates that the second timing phase... By D*T SW express.

[0062] Figure 5B For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the second operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Switching elements Q4 and Q8 are turned on, while switching elements Q1-Q3 and Q5-Q7 are turned off. Inductors L1 and L2 are both freely rotating. Figure 5B In the second operating phase, the first timing phase From (1-D*T) SW This indicates that the second timing phase... Also from (1-D*T) SW )express.

[0063] Figure 5C For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1A schematic diagram of an example of the third operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Switching elements Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 are turned on, while switching elements Q1, Q4, Q6, and Q7 are turned off. Capacitor C fly2 Coupled to ground, it supplies half of the inductor current to inductor L1. The control circuit turns on switching element Q5, and the input voltage VIN is applied to capacitor C. fly1 The inductor is charged, and half of the inductor current is supplied to inductor L1. Inductor L2 is free to rotate. Figure 5C In the third operating phase, the first timing phase By D*T SW This indicates that the second timing phase From (1-D*T) SW )express.

[0064] Once the third operation is completed, the operation cycle returns to normal. Figure 5B The second operational phase, then returning to Figure 5A The first operating phase begins here. During operation, switching element Q7 follows switching element Q1, switching element Q2 follows switching element Q8, switching element Q3 follows switching element Q5, and switching element Q6 follows switching element Q4. Both flying capacitors are charged and discharged through inductors.

[0065] Figures 12A to 12D Depicting a duty cycle of less than 50% Figure 1 Alternative examples of operating phases for the two-phase hybrid converter are detailed below.

[0066] Figure 6A For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the first operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Control circuitry, such as... Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can output various control signals to connect and disconnect. Figures 6A to 6C Various switching elements. Switching elements Q1, Q4, Q6, and Q7 are turned on, while switching elements Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 are turned off. Figure 6A The operation in is similar to Figure 5A The operation in the capacitor C. fly1 Coupled to ground, it supplies half of the inductor current to inductor L2. The control circuit turns on switching element Q1, and the input voltage VIN is applied to capacitor C. fly2 The inductor is charged, and half of the current from the inductor is supplied to inductor L2. Inductor L1 is free to rotate. Figure 6A In the first operating phase, the first timing phase From (1-D*T) SW This indicates that the second timing phase... By D*T SW express.

[0067] Figure 6B For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the second operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Control circuitry, such as... Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can simultaneously turn on switching elements Q1 and Q5. To prevent any cross-conduction, the control circuit can turn off switching elements Q2 and Q6. In some instances, switching elements Q3 and Q7 can be turned on, such as... Figure 6B As shown. In other examples, switching elements Q3 and Q7 can be disconnected.

[0068] When switching element Q1 is turned on, the capacitor C passes through... fly2 Inductor L2 is charged. Similarly, when switching element Q5 is turned on, capacitor C is charged. fly1 Inductor L1 is charged. Figure 6B In the second operating phase, the first timing phase By D*T SW This indicates that the second timing phase Also by (D*T) SW This indicates that the first timing phase is... Second timing phase overlapping.

[0069] Figure 6C For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an example of the third operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Switching elements Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 are turned on, while switching elements Q1, Q4, Q6, and Q7 are turned off. Figure 6C The operation in is similar to Figure 5C The operation in the capacitor C. fly2 Coupled to ground, it supplies half of the inductor current to inductor L1. The control circuit turns on switching element Q5, and the input voltage VIN is applied to capacitor C. fly1 The inductor is charged, and half of the inductor current is supplied to inductor L1. Inductor L2 is free to rotate. Figure 6C In the third operating phase, the first timing phase By D*T SW This indicates that the second timing phase From (1-D*T) SW )express.

[0070] Once the third operation is completed, the operation cycle returns to normal. Figure 6B The second operational phase, then returning to Figure 6A The first operating phase begins here. During operation, switching element Q6 follows switching elements Q1 and Q4, and switching element Q2 follows switching elements Q5 and Q8. This operation widens the input voltage range, thus allowing for greater fluctuations in the input voltage.

[0071] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another example of a two-phase hybrid converter. In some examples, the two-phase hybrid converter 200 may include a network circuit 202 coupled between a midpoint node 204 of the first half-power stage P1 and a midpoint node 206 of the second half-power stage P2. The midpoint node 204 is located between the second switching element Q2 and the third switching element Q3, and the midpoint node 206 is located between the sixth switching element Q6 and the seventh switching element Q7.

[0072] Network circuit 202 may include at least one of an electrical short circuit (e.g., a low-impedance element directly connecting two nodes), a resistive element, a capacitive element, or an inductive element. For example, network circuit 202 may include a resistor, a capacitor, or an inductor. As another example, network circuit 202 may include a resistor and a capacitor, a resistor and an inductor, or a capacitor and an inductor. As yet another example, network circuit 202 may include a resistor, a capacitor, and an inductor.

[0073] If a mismatch exists between the two flying capacitors during a transient period, including a network circuit may be advantageous. Furthermore, if a voltage difference exists between the two flying capacitors, the network circuit can be matched to it.

[0074] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of another example of a two-phase hybrid converter. Figure 8 The inductors L1 and L2 of the two-phase hybrid converter 300 can be coupled inductors, unlike... Figure 1 The middle section represents a separate inductor. Using coupled inductors allows for smaller size and higher efficiency.

[0075] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another example of a two-phase hybrid converter. Figure 8 The inductors L1 and L2 of the two-phase hybrid converter 300 can be transformers, unlike... Figure 1 The middle section is a separate inductor. Additionally, the two-phase hybrid converter 300 may include a transformer coupled to the output capacitor C formed by L1 and L2. OUT The small inductor L3 is located between the two. Using a transformer allows for a smaller size and higher efficiency.

[0076] Figure 10 For coupling as a buck converter Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a two-phase hybrid converter. Figure 10 The two-phase hybrid converter 500 can receive the input voltage V at the node between the first switching element Q1 and the fifth switching element Q5. IN And generate output voltage V OUTIt is less than the input voltage at the node between the first inductor L1 and the second inductor L2.

[0077] Figure 11 For coupling as a boost converter Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a two-phase hybrid converter. Figure 10 The two-phase hybrid converter 600 can receive the input voltage V at the node between the first inductor L1 and the second inductor L2. IN And generate output voltage V OUT It is greater than the input voltage at the node between the first switching element Q1 and the fifth switching element Q5.

[0078] Figure 12A For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the first operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Control circuitry, such as... Figure 1 The control circuit 102 can output various control signals to connect and disconnect. Figures 5A to 5C Various switching elements. Switching elements Q1, Q4, Q6, and Q7 are turned on, while switching elements Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 are turned off. Capacitor C fly1 Coupled to ground, it supplies half of the inductor current to inductor L2. The control circuit turns on switching element Q1, and the input voltage VIN is applied to capacitor C. fly2 The current is charged, and the other half of the inductor current is supplied to inductor L2. Inductor L1 is free to rotate. Furthermore, the current through inductor L1 slopes down, while the current through inductor L2 slopes up. Figure 12A In the first operating phase, the first timing phase From (1-D*T) SW This indicates that the second timing phase... By D*T SW express.

[0079] Figure 12B For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the second operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Switching elements Q4 and Q8 are on, while switching elements Q1-Q3 and Q5 and Q7 are off. Switching element Q6 is on and can remain on until switching element Q5 is off. Figure 12C The third operation continues until the circuit is switched on. Switching on element Q6 can improve capacitor C. fly1 With capacitor C mid1 C mid2 Voltage balance between them, especially under low duty cycle conditions. Both inductors L1 and L2 are free-rotating. Figure 12B In the second operating phase, the first timing phase From (1-D*T) SW This indicates that the second timing phase... Also from (1-D*T) SW )express.

[0080] Figure 12C For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram of another example of the third operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Switching elements Q2, Q3, Q5, and Q8 are turned on, while switching elements Q1, Q4, Q6, and Q7 are turned off. Capacitor C fly2 Coupled to ground, it supplies half of the inductor current to inductor L1. The control circuit turns on switching element Q5, and the input voltage VIN is applied to capacitor C. fly1 The inductor is charged, and half of the inductor current is supplied to inductor L1. Inductor L2 is free to rotate. Figure 12C In the third operating phase, the first timing phase By D*T SW This indicates that the second timing phase From (1-D*T) SW )express.

[0081] Figure 12D For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating an example of the fourth operating phase of a two-phase hybrid converter. Switching elements Q4 and Q8 are on, while switching elements Q1-Q3 and Q5 and Q7 are off. Switching element Q2 is on and can remain on until switching element Q1 is off. Figure 12A The first operation continues until the circuit is switched on. Switching on element Q2 can improve capacitor C. fly2 With capacitor C mid1 C mid2 Voltage balance between them, especially under low duty cycle conditions. Both inductors L1 and L2 are free-rotating. Figure 12B In the second operating phase, the first timing phase From (1-D*T) SW This indicates that the second timing phase... Also from (1-D*T) SW )express.

[0082] Once the fourth operation is completed, the operation cycle returns to normal. Figure 12A The first operating phase begins here. During operation, switching element Q7 follows switching element Q1, switching element Q2 follows switching element Q8, switching element Q3 follows switching element Q5, and switching element Q6 follows switching element Q4. Both flying capacitors are charged and discharged through inductors.

[0083] The technology disclosed herein is not limited to two-phase hybrid converters. Rather, the technology can be extended to N-phase hybrid converters, where N is greater than 2. The inventors have recognized that it is desirable to add two or more phases in parallel to reduce thermal stress and reduce input and output ripple.

[0084] The inventors have recognized that, in some embodiments, it is desirable to be able to add one phase at a time to increase power output compared to methods that require adding two or more phases. Similarly, the inventors have recognized that, for improved efficiency, it is desirable to deactivate one phase at a time, such as under lighter load conditions. In other words, the operation of one (or more) phases can be disabled for a period of time, otherwise the operation will be enabled.

[0085] An N-phase hybrid converter may include multiple inductors (“coupled inductors”) that can be discretely or coupled to a shared magnetic core.

[0086] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of an example of an N-phase hybrid converter 700. The N-phase hybrid converter 700 may include a first-phase circuit system, a second-phase circuit system, a third-phase circuit system, etc., up to an N-phase circuit system.

[0087] The first phase circuit system may include a first switching element Q1, a second switching element Q2, a third switching element Q3, a fourth switching element Q4, a first inductor L1, and a first switching capacitor C. fly1 (also referred to as a flying capacitor in this disclosure). Figure 13 The switching element can be a transistor, such as a power transistor.

[0088] The second phase circuit may include a fifth switching element Q5, a sixth switching element Q6, a seventh switching element Q7, an eighth switching element Q8, a second inductor L2, and a second switching capacitor C. fly2 (also referred to as a flying capacitor in this disclosure).

[0089] The N-phase circuit may include a ninth switching element Q9 and a tenth switching element Q. 10 Eleventh switching element Q 11 The twelfth switching element Q 13 The third inductor L3 and the third switching capacitor C fly3 (Also referred to in this disclosure as a flying capacitor). Additional phase circuit systems, such as third, fourth, and fifth phase circuit systems, may be included between the second phase circuit system and the N-phase circuit system.

[0090] exist Figure 13 In the example shown, the first switching element Q1 and the second switching element Q2 are connected at the input voltage V. INConnected in series with intermediate node MID. The fifth switching element Q5 and the sixth switching element Q6, as well as the ninth switching element Q9 and the tenth switching element Q... 10 Similarly, connect them.

[0091] The N-phase hybrid converter 700 can provide regulation using at least one switching capacitor circuit and at least one switching converter circuit, and is therefore a hybrid converter. For example, the first phase circuit system may include a first switching converter circuit and a first switching converter circuit. The first switching converter circuit may include a first switching element Q1, a second switching element Q2, and a first flying capacitor C. fly1 And a first switch-converter circuit including a third switching element Q3, a fourth switching element Q4, and a first inductor L1. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the second switching element Q2 and the third switching element Q3 are coupled in series.

[0092] Similarly, the second-phase circuit system may include a second switching converter circuit and a second switching converter circuit. The second switching converter circuit may include a fifth switching element Q5, a sixth switching element Q6, and a second flying capacitor C. fly2 The circuit includes a seventh switching element Q7, an eighth switching element Q8, and a second inductor L2. The sixth switching element Q6 is coupled in series with the seventh switching element Q7.

[0093] Similarly, an N-phase circuit system may include a third switching converter circuit and a third switching converter circuit. The third switching converter circuit may include a ninth switching element Q9 and a tenth switching element Q. 10 and the third flying capacitor C fly3 And including the eleventh switching element Q 11 The twelfth switching element Q 12 The third switch-converter circuit with the third inductor L2. The tenth switching element Q. 10 With the eleventh switching element Q 11 Series coupling. Although only three switching converter circuits and three switching converter circuits are shown, the technique can be extended to N phases.

[0094] The N-phase hybrid converter 700 can receive an input voltage V from the input terminal. IN and connected to the output capacitor C OUT The output terminal provides the output voltage V O In some instances, the output terminals of the N-phase hybrid converter 700 can be coupled to any desired load. The N-phase hybrid converter 700 can operate at a duty cycle "D" relative to 2V. O / V IN (Duty cycle = D = 2V) O / VIN The ratio varies.

[0095] Control circuit 702 can output control signals to corresponding control nodes of the switching elements of the two-phase hybrid converter 700, such as outputting to the gate terminals of transistors. For example, control circuit 702 can receive PWM signals from a PWM control circuit system. For example, the PWM control circuit system may include pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuitry, such as... Figure 17 The PWM control circuit 902 generates PWM signals to turn on or off switching elements Q1 to Q2 according to the switching frequency and / or duty cycle. 12 The control circuit 702 or other control circuit system may include an input / output (I / O) interface and may be programmed, for example, via the I / O interface with switching frequency and / or duty cycle (e.g., before the converter is started).

[0096] The control circuit 702 can receive voltages at nodes SW1, MID, and GND, and may include a logic circuit system to generate a phase one (first timing phase) applicable to the gates of switching elements Q1-Q4. The gate driver control signals are A, AM, A3, and AP. In other words, the control circuit 702 may be or include a gate driver circuit shared with the first switching element, the second switching element, the third switching element, and the fourth switching element.

[0097] For example, control circuit 702 or one or more additional control circuits may include methods for generating phase two (second timing phase). Control signals B, BM, B3, BP and phase N control signals C, CM, C3 and CP (Nth timing phase) The control circuit 702 is a logic circuit system. For example, the control signal can be a square wave signal. In some instances, the control circuit 702 can control the frequency and duty cycle of the control signal.

[0098] like Figure 13 As shown, the first to twelfth switching elements Q1 to Q2 12 It is controlled by various control signals, where AP = A', A3 = A, AM = C&A', BP = B', B3 = B, BM = A&B', CP = C', C3 = C, and CM = B&C', where A' is the complementary control signal of A, B' is the complementary control signal of B, and C' is the complementary control signal of C. Because Figure 13 The example shown uses an n-type transistor (such as an n-type field-effect transistor) to implement the switching element, which is turned on when a given control signal is high. However, implementations using p-type transistors, n-type and p-type transistors, and / or other types of switches are also possible.

[0099] As described in detail below, the control circuit 702 can use the first timing phase. The operation of the first switch-converter circuit (Q3, Q4, L1) can be controlled using a second timing phase. Controls the operation of the second switch converter circuit (Q7, Q8, L2), and can use the Nth timing phase. Controlling the Nth switch converter circuit (Q) 11 Q 12 The operations of L3). Therefore, Figure 13 The 700 hybrid converter is an "N-phase" hybrid converter.

[0100] Figure 13 The inductors L1, L2, and L3 of the N-phase hybrid converter 700 can be coupled inductors with a shared magnetic core, or they can be separate inductors. Using coupled inductors allows for smaller size and higher efficiency.

[0101] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of another example of an N-phase hybrid converter 800. The N-phase hybrid converter 800 may include a first-phase circuit system, a second-phase circuit system, a third-phase circuit system, etc., up to an N-phase circuit system. Figure 14 Many features are similar to Figure 13 Its features will not be described in detail elsewhere for the sake of brevity.

[0102] and Figure 13 The N-phase hybrid converter 700, on the contrary, flies across capacitor C fly1 and C fly2 It is possible Figure 14 Cross-coupling in the middle. For example, the first capacitor C fly1 In the first switching capacitor circuit (Q1, Q2, C) fly1 The second capacitor C is cross-coupled with the second switching converter circuit (Q7, Q8, L2). Similarly, the second capacitor C... fly1 In the second switching capacitor circuit (Q5, Q6, C) fly2 ) and the third switch converter circuit (Q 11 Q 12 Cross-coupling is performed between phases L1, Q2, and L3, and so on, for all N phases. The flying capacitor of the last phase can then be coupled to the first switching converter circuit (Q3, Q4, L1). By cross-coupling the flying capacitors, adjacent circuit systems do not need to share a voltage.

[0103] Figure 14 The inductors L1, L2, and L3 of the N-phase hybrid converter 800 can be coupled inductors with a shared magnetic core, or they can be separate inductors. Using coupled inductors allows for smaller size and higher efficiency.

[0104] In some implementations, it is desirable to add one phase at a time to increase power output. For example, suppose... Figure 14 N-phase hybrid converter 800 (or Figure 13 The N-phase hybrid converter 700 operates in two-phase mode, wherein switching elements Q1-Q8 are configured to be on and off, and switching elements Q9-12 are off. Using various techniques disclosed herein, if the load increases, the N-phase hybrid converter 800 can add another phase by turning on and off switching elements Q9-12. This can be inefficient compared to other methods in which phases must be added in groups of two to support additional load.

[0105] Similarly, to improve efficiency, it may be desirable to offload one phase at a time, such as under lighter load conditions. For example, if the load decreases, the N-phase hybrid converter 800 (or Figure 13 The N-phase hybrid converter 700 can disconnect switching elements Q9-12 while continuing to connect and disconnect switching elements Q1-Q8, thereby reducing the power output of the N-phase hybrid converter 700. In other words, the operation of one or more phases can be disabled for a period of time, otherwise the operation will be enabled.

[0106] Figure 15 For duty cycle less than 50% Figure 13 Examples of timing diagrams for the control signals of an N-phase hybrid converter. Figures 1 to 4 show the control signals A, AM, A3, and AP for the first timing phase. Figures 5 to 8 show the control signals B, BM, B3, and BP for the second timing phase. Figures 9 to 12 show the control signals C, CM, C3, and CP for the third timing phase. Figure 13 shows the current through inductors L1, L2, and L3. The bottom figure, Figure 14, shows the output voltage VOUT.

[0107] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, signal V(ap) is a complementary control signal of signals V(a), V(a3) = V(a), and V(am) = V(c) & V(ap). Signal V(a) is applied to the gate of Q1 in the first phase. Signal V(am) is applied to the gate of Q2 in the first phase. Signal V(a3) is applied to the gate of Q3 in the first phase. Signal V(ap) is applied to the gate of Q4 in the first phase. The switching period is T. SW .

[0108] Referring to Figures 5 to 8, signal V(bp) is a complementary control signal of signals V(b), V(b3) = V(b), and V(bm) = V(a) & V(bp). Signal V(b) is applied to the gate of Q5 in the second phase. Signal V(bm) is applied to the gate of Q6 in the second phase. Signal V(b3) is applied to the gate of Q7 in the second phase. Signal V(bp) is applied to the gate of Q8 in the second phase.

[0109] Referring to Figures 9 to 12, signal V(cp) is a complementary control signal to signals V(c), V(c3) = V(c), and V(cm) = V(b) & V(cp). Signal V(c) is applied to the gate of Q9 in the third phase. Signal V(cm) is applied to the gate of Q10 in the third phase. Signal V(c3) is applied to the gate of Q11 in the third phase. Signal V(cp) is applied to the gate of Q12 in the third phase.

[0110] Control circuits, such as Figure 13 The control circuit 802 can generate first, second, and third timing phases based on the switching cycle with switching frequency and duty cycle, wherein the duty cycle is less than 50%.

[0111] Figure 16 For duty cycles greater than 50% Figure 13 Another example of a timing diagram for the control signals of an N-phase hybrid converter. Figures 1 through 4 show the control signals A, AM, A3, and AP for the first timing phase. Figures 5 through 8 show the control signals B, BM, B3, and BP for the second timing phase. Figures 9 through 12 show the control signals C, CM, C3, and CP for the third timing phase. Figure 13 shows the current through inductors L1, L2, and L3. The bottom figure, Figure 14, shows the output voltage VOUT. Figure 16 Signals and Figure 15 The signals are similar, and for the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail.

[0112] Control circuits, such as Figure 13 The control circuit 702 can generate control signals A, B, C (and other control signals from signals A, B, and C), such as... Figure 15 or Figure 16 As shown, complementary first control signals, complementary second control signals, and complementary third control signals are applied according to the switching period having a switching frequency and duty cycle, wherein the switching period includes a first timing phase. Second timing phase and the third timing phase In response, the switch converter circuit and the switching capacitor circuit can generate a series of pulses to at least one LC circuit, said LC circuit including at least one capacitor, for example Figure 13 and Figure 14 Output capacitor C OUT Or input capacitor C IN and at least one inductor, such as at least one of inductors L1, L2, and L3.

[0113] Subsequently, the control circuit can adjust the duty cycle of the switching signals (such as control signals A, B, and C) to adjust the series of pulses, thereby setting the output voltage across the output capacitor to a predefined and substantially constant amplitude. The N-phase hybrid converter can then provide the output capacitor C... OUT The output voltage on the capacitor is used as the output voltage of the N-phase hybrid converter. If the output capacitor C... OUT As part of an LC circuit, such as Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, it is configured as a buck converter where the output voltage is lower than the input voltage. However, if the capacitor is not part of the LC circuit, it is configured as a boost converter where the output voltage is higher than the input voltage.

[0114] Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of an example of an N-phase hybrid converter system. The N-phase hybrid converter system 900 includes an N-phase hybrid converter and a PWM control circuit 902. Figure 17 The N-phase hybrid converter 900 is similar to Figure 13 The N-phase hybrid converter 700.

[0115] In the example shown, the PWM control circuit 902 includes a first resistor R1, a second resistor R2, an error amplifier EA, a half-range limiter 904, a controlled voltage source 906, an amplifier stabilization network 908, a first comparator CMP1, a second comparator CMP2, a second comparator CMP3, a first set / reset (S / R) latch RS1, a second S / R latch RS2, a third S / R latch RS3, a top voltage divider resistor R3, a bottom voltage divider resistor R3, a differential amplifier DIFF1, and a gain circuit GAIN1. Although one example of the PWM control circuit 902 has been described, the teachings herein apply to PWM controllers implemented in various ways. Therefore, other implementations are also possible.

[0116] like Figure 17 As shown, the top voltage divider resistor R3 and the bottom voltage divider resistor R4 are connected as a resistive voltage divider, which generates a voltage signal HALFVIN that is approximately half the input voltage VIN. Therefore, R3 and R4 can have nominally equal resistance values.

[0117] Differential amplifier DIFF1 amplifies the voltage difference between the node between switching elements Q1 and Q2 and the node between switching elements Q3 and Q4, which is then applied to gain circuit GAIN1 along with the voltage signal HALFVIN. Half-amplitude limiter 904 limits the output of gain circuit GAIN1. Specifically, when the output of gain circuit GAIN1 is negative, the output of half-amplitude limiter 904 is zero. However, when the output of gain circuit GAIN1 is positive, the output of half-amplitude limiter 904 follows the input of half-amplitude limiter 904 until the maximum permissible output value is reached. The output of half-amplitude limiter 904 controls controlled voltage source 906 to adjust the threshold ITH generated by error amplifier EA. Therefore, controlled voltage source 906 generates an adjusted threshold ITH1 equal to approximately ITH minus the adjustment voltage set by half-amplitude limiter 904. In this way, PWM control circuit 902 may include threshold adjustment circuitry configured to generate an adjusted threshold signal ITH1 by adjusting the threshold signal ITH based on the input voltage VIN of multiphase hybrid converter 900.

[0118] A resistor divider, consisting of the first resistor R1 and the second resistor R2, is used to divide the output voltage V. O A voltage divider is used to generate a feedback signal FB. The feedback signal FB is coupled to the non-inverting input of an error amplifier EA, which can be implemented as a transconductance amplifier. A reference DC voltage REF is coupled to the inverting input of the error amplifier EA, and the error between FB and REF is converted into a current output used to set the threshold ITH. In this way, the PWM control circuit 902 may include a threshold generation circuit configured to generate the threshold signal ITH based on the regulated output voltage of the multiphase hybrid converter 900. The amplifier stabilization network 908 can be implemented in various ways, such as using a resistor-capacitor (RC) compensation network to provide stabilization compensation.

[0119] The first comparator CMP1 compares the current indication of the first inductor L1 with the adjustment threshold ITH1. The second comparator CMP2 compares the current indication of the second inductor L2 with the threshold ITH, and the third comparator CMP3 compares the current indication of the third inductor L3 with the threshold ITH.

[0120] The first SR latch RS1 outputs a first PWM control signal A set when the first clock signal CLK1 is applied. When the first sensed inductor current signal is higher than ITH1, the output of the first comparator CMP1 resets the first PWM control signal A, which is the control signal for the first switching element Q1 and the third switching element Q3. Furthermore, the first PWM control signal A can be logically inverted to control the fourth switching element Q4.

[0121] The output of the second SR latch RS2 sets the second PWM control signal B when the second clock signal CLK2 is applied. The phase shift of the second clock signal CLK2 relative to the first clock signal CLK1 depends on the number of N phases in the system 900. When the second sensed inductor current signal is higher than ITH, the output of the second comparator CMP2 resets the second PWM control signal B, which is the control signal for the fifth switching element Q5 and the seventh switching element Q7. Furthermore, the second PWM control signal B can be logically inverted to control the eighth switching element Q8.

[0122] The third SR latch RS2 outputs the third PWM control signal C, set when the third clock signal CLK3 is applied. When the third sensed inductor current signal is higher than ITH, the output of the third comparator CMP3 resets the third PWM control signal B, which is the control signal for the ninth switching element Q5 and the seventh switching element Q7. Furthermore, the second PWM control signal B can be logically inverted to control the eighth switching element Q8.

[0123] Various annotations

[0124] Each of the non-limiting aspects or instances described herein may exist independently or may be combined with one or more other instances in various permutations or combinations.

[0125] The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate, in an illustrative manner, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples may also include elements other than those shown or described. However, the inventors also contemplate providing only examples of the elements shown or described. Furthermore, the inventors contemplate examples using any combination or arrangement of the elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples shown or described herein (or one or more aspects thereof).

[0126] If there is any inconsistency between the usage of this file and any other file merged by reference, the usage in this file shall prevail.

[0127] In this document, the term "a" or "one," as is common in patent documents, includes one or more, and is unrelated to any other instance or use of "at least one" or "one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a non-exclusive "or," thus "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise stated. In this document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as concise English equivalents to the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Furthermore, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, meaning that in one aspect, a system, apparatus, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements other than those listed is still considered to be within the scope of that aspect. Furthermore, in other aspects, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0128] The methods described herein can be implemented, at least partially, by a machine or computer. Some examples may include computer-readable media or machine-readable media encoded with instructions operable to configure electronic devices to perform the methods described in the examples above. Implementations of such methods may include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, high-level language code, etc. Such code may include computer-readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form part of a computer program product. Furthermore, in one example, the code may be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transient, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of such tangible computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable disks, removable optical discs (e.g., optical discs and digital video discs), magnetic tape cassettes, memory cards or memory sticks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), etc.

[0129] The foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the foregoing examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments may be used by those skilled in the art after reviewing the foregoing description. An abstract is provided to conform to 37C.FR §1.72(b) to enable the reader to quickly determine the nature of the technical disclosure. It should be understood that this document is not intended to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of any aspect. Furthermore, in the foregoing detailed description, various features may be combined to simplify this disclosure. This should not be construed as an indication that any unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any aspect. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may not be limited to all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Therefore, the following aspects are incorporated herein as examples or embodiments, each existing independently as a separate embodiment, and such embodiments are contemplated to be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended aspects and the full scope of equivalents enjoyed by such aspects.

Claims

1. A multiphase hybrid converter, comprising: The first switching capacitor circuit includes a first switching element, a second switching element, and a first capacitor; A first switch converter circuit includes a third switch element, a fourth switch element, and a first inductor, wherein the second switch element is coupled to the third switch element; The second switching capacitor circuit includes a fifth switching element, a sixth switching element, and a second capacitor; The second switch converter circuit includes a seventh switch element, an eighth switch element, and a second inductor, wherein the sixth switch element is coupled to the seventh switch element. as well as Control circuit, used for: The operation of the first switching converter circuit is controlled by a first timing phase, and the operation of the second switching converter circuit is controlled by a second timing phase, wherein the first timing phase includes a complementary first control signal, and wherein the second timing phase includes a complementary second control signal; and The operation of the first and second switch-converter circuits is controlled using a third control signal, wherein the control circuit is configured to generate the third control signal using one of the complementary first control signals and one of the complementary second control signals. The control circuit includes: A first logic circuit is configured to generate the first of the third control signals using the first of the complementary first control signals and the second of the complementary second control signals; as well as A second logic circuit is configured to generate the second of the third control signals using the second of the complementary first control signals and the first of the complementary second control signals. The first capacitor is cross-coupled between the first switching capacitor circuit and the second switching converter circuit.

2. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 1, wherein the second capacitor is connected between the second switching capacitor circuit and the first switching converter circuit.

3. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 1, further comprising: The input terminal is coupled to and used to provide an input voltage to the first switching capacitor circuit and the second switching capacitor circuit.

4. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 1, comprising: The third switching capacitor circuit includes a ninth switching element, a tenth switching element, and a third capacitor; The third switch converter circuit includes an eleventh switch element, a twelfth switch element, and a third inductor, wherein the tenth switch element is coupled to the eleventh switch element. The second capacitor is connected between the second switching capacitor circuit and the third switching converter circuit. The third capacitor is connected between the third switching capacitor circuit and the first switching converter circuit. The control circuit is used to perform the following steps: The operation of the third switch-converter circuit is controlled by a third timing phase.

5. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 4, wherein the first inductor shares a magnetic core with the second inductor.

6. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 5, further comprising: A third inductor configured to share the magnetic core.

7. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 4, wherein the control circuit is used for: The operation of at least the third switch converter circuit is disabled for a certain period of time; otherwise, the operation of the third switch converter circuit will be enabled during that period of time.

8. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 1, comprising: A fourth capacitor is coupled between a reference voltage node and a first node, the first node being located between the second switching element and the third switching element; as well as A fifth capacitor is coupled between the reference voltage node and the second node, which is between the sixth switching element and the seventh switching element.

9. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 8, comprising: A network circuit is coupled between the first node and the second node.

10. The multiphase hybrid converter of claim 9, wherein the network circuitry includes an electrical short circuit coupled between the first node and the second node.

11. The multiphase hybrid converter of claim 9, wherein the network circuitry includes at least one element selected from the group consisting of resistive elements, capacitive elements, and inductive elements.

12. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 1, wherein the multiphase hybrid converter is used to generate an output voltage less than the input voltage.

13. The multiphase hybrid converter according to claim 1, comprising: Pulse width modulation control circuit, including: A threshold generation circuit is configured to generate a threshold signal based on the adjusted output voltage of the multiphase hybrid converter; A threshold adjustment circuit is configured to generate an adjusted threshold signal by adjusting the threshold signal based on the input voltage of the multiphase hybrid converter; A first comparator is configured to compare the first inductor current of the multiphase hybrid converter with the adjustment threshold signal; and A first latching circuit is configured to generate at least one first switch control signal based on the output of the first comparator.

14. The multiphase hybrid converter of claim 13, wherein the pulse width modulation control circuit further comprises: A second comparator is configured to compare the second inductor current of the multiphase hybrid converter with the threshold signal; The second latching circuit is configured to generate at least one second switch control signal based on the output of the second comparator; A third comparator is configured to compare the third inductor current of the multiphase hybrid converter with the threshold signal; as well as The third latching circuit is configured to generate at least one third switch control signal based on the output of the third comparator.

15. A method of operating a multiphase hybrid converter, the method comprising the following steps: A complementary first control signal is generated to turn on and off the switching elements of the first switch converter circuit, wherein the first timing phase includes the complementary first control signal; A complementary second control signal is generated to turn on and off the switching elements of the second switch converter circuit, wherein the second timing phase includes the complementary second control signal; A third control signal is generated to connect and disconnect the switching elements of the first and second switching capacitor circuits, including: Using a first logic circuit, the first of the third control signals is generated by utilizing the first of the complementary first control signals and the second of the complementary second control signals; and Using the second logic circuit, the second of the third control signal is generated by utilizing the second of the complementary first control signal and the first of the complementary second control signal; Based on a switching cycle having a switching frequency and a duty cycle, the complementary first control signal, the complementary second control signal, and the third control signal are applied, wherein the switching cycle includes the first timing phase and the second timing phase; A series of pulses are generated in at least one LC circuit, including at least one of an output capacitor and an input capacitor and at least one inductor, through the first switch converter circuit, the second switch converter circuit, the first switching capacitor circuit and the second switching capacitor circuit. Adjusting the duty cycle of the switching signal to adjust the series of pulses to set the output voltage on the output capacitor; and The output voltage is provided on the output capacitor as the output voltage of the multiphase hybrid converter.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising the following steps: Generate a complementary fourth control signal to turn the switching elements of the third switch-converter circuit on and off, wherein the third timing phase includes the complementary third control signal; and A fifth control signal is generated using one of the complementary second control signals and one of the complementary third control signals to turn the switching elements of the third switching capacitor circuit on and off.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the method comprises the following steps: During the period in which the operation of the third switch converter circuit would otherwise be activated, the operation of at least the third switch converter circuit is disabled.

18. A multiphase hybrid converter, comprising: The first switching capacitor circuit includes a first switching element, a second switching element, and a first capacitor; A first switch converter circuit includes a third switch element, a fourth switch element, and a first inductor, wherein the second switch element is coupled to the third switch element; The second switching capacitor circuit includes a fifth switching element, a sixth switching element, and a second capacitor; The second switch converter circuit includes a seventh switch element, an eighth switch element, and a second inductor, wherein the sixth switch element is coupled to the seventh switch element. as well as A control circuit is configured to control the operation of the first switching converter circuit using a first timing phase and to control the operation of the second switching converter circuit using a second timing phase, the control circuit being configured to: Generate complementary first control signals to turn on and off the switching elements of the first switch converter circuit; Generate complementary second control signals to turn the switching elements of the second switch converter circuit on and off; as well as A third control signal is generated using one of the complementary first control signals and one of the complementary second control signals to switch the switching elements of the first and second switching capacitor circuits on and off. The control circuit includes: A first logic circuit is configured to generate the first of the third control signals using the first of the complementary first control signals and the second of the complementary second control signals; as well as A second logic circuit is used to generate the second of the third control signals using the second of the complementary first control signals and the first of the complementary second control signals.

19. The multiphase hybrid converter of claim 18, comprising: The third switching capacitor circuit includes a ninth switching element, a tenth switching element, and a third capacitor; as well as The third switch-converter circuit includes an eleventh switch element, a twelfth switch element, and a third inductor, wherein the tenth switch element is coupled to the eleventh switch element. The control circuit is used for: A complementary fourth control signal is generated to turn the switching elements of the third switch converter circuit on and off.

20. The multiphase hybrid converter of claim 18, wherein the first inductor shares a magnetic core with the second inductor.

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