Multi-phase power converter with daisy chain control circuit and method of controlling the same

Abstract

A multi-phase power converter with daisy chain control circuit and a control method thereof are disclosed. A master control circuit outputs a pulse width modulation signal with a plurality of initial pulses. One of a plurality of slave control circuits is connected to the output of the master control circuit and outputs a pulse width modulation signal according to the initial pulse width modulation signal received from the master control circuit. Each of the other slave control circuits outputs a next pulse width modulation signal to a next slave control circuit or the master control circuit according to the pulse width modulation signal received from a previous slave control circuit. The master control circuit automatically counts the number of control circuits according to the received pulse width modulation signal and the output initial pulse width modulation signal.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to multiphase power converters, and in particular, to a multiphase power converter with daisy chain control circuit and a control method thereof. BACKGROUND

[0002] Multiphase power converters are configured to convert a plurality of input voltages into a plurality of output voltages to provide to a load. Each power converter has an upper bridge switch and a lower bridge switch. The on-time of the upper bridge switch and the lower bridge switch of the power converter affects the current of the load. However, the conventional control circuit of the power converter cannot well control the operation of the upper bridge switch and the lower bridge switch, resulting in too large or too small current flowing through the load and the circuit components within the power converter. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention provides a multiphase power converter with daisy chain control circuit to solve the problems of the prior art. The multiphase power converter includes a plurality of power converters. Each power converter has a control circuit. The plurality of control circuits are arranged in sequence. The input terminal of each control circuit is connected to the output terminal of the previous control circuit. The output terminal of each control circuit is connected to the input terminal of the next control circuit. The plurality of power converters include a master power converter and a plurality of slave power converters. The control circuit of the master power converter is defined as a master control circuit. The master control circuit is configured to output an initial pulse width modulation signal having a plurality of initial pulses. The control circuit of each slave power converter is defined as a slave control circuit. The slave control circuit connected to the output terminal of the master control circuit receives the initial pulse width modulation signal from the master control circuit, and then removes one initial pulse from the received initial pulse width modulation signal to output a pulse width modulation signal. Each slave control circuit not directly connected to the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from the previous slave control circuit, and removes one initial pulse from the received pulse width modulation signal to output the next pulse width modulation signal to the next slave control circuit. The slave control circuit connected to the input terminal of the master control circuit removes one initial pulse from the received pulse width modulation signal to output the pulse width modulation signal to the master control circuit. The master control circuit automatically counts the number of control circuits according to the initial pulse width modulation signal and the received pulse width modulation signal.

[0004] In an embodiment, after the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from the connected slave control circuit, the master control circuit outputs a count signal and automatically counts the number of control circuits within a period of the count signal.

[0005] In an embodiment, after the period of the count signal ends, the master control circuit outputs a pulse synchronization signal to sequentially transmit to each slave control circuit to control the plurality of power converters to operate synchronously.

[0006] In one embodiment, after the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal, the master control circuit outputs a pulse synchronization signal, which is sequentially transmitted to each slave control circuit, to control the plurality of power converters to operate synchronously.

[0007] In one embodiment, after the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits are synchronized, the pulse width of the pulse synchronization signal is different from the width of each initial pulse of the initial pulse width modulation signal.

[0008] In one embodiment, after the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits are synchronized, the master control circuit outputs a pulse control signal, and each pulse of the pulse control signal triggers the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits to operate.

[0009] In one embodiment, an output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits is connected to a resistor to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

[0010] In one embodiment, an output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits is coupled to a reference potential to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

[0011] In addition, the present application provides a control method of a daisy chain control circuit of a multiphase power converter, comprising the following steps: arranging a plurality of power converters, each of which has a control circuit; sequentially arranging the plurality of control circuits; connecting an input terminal of each control circuit to an output terminal of a previous control circuit, and connecting an output terminal of each control circuit to an input terminal of a next control circuit; setting one of the plurality of control circuits as a master control circuit, and setting the other plurality of control circuits as a plurality of slave control circuits; outputting, by the master control circuit, an initial pulse width modulation signal having a plurality of initial pulses; receiving, by a slave control circuit connected to the output terminal of the master control circuit, the initial pulse width modulation signal from the master control circuit, and removing one initial pulse from the received initial pulse width modulation signal to output a pulse width modulation signal; receiving, by each slave control circuit not directly connected to the master control circuit, the pulse width modulation signal from a previous slave control circuit, and removing one initial pulse from the received pulse width modulation signal to output a next pulse width modulation signal to a next slave control circuit; receiving, by a slave control circuit connected to the input terminal of the master control circuit, the pulse width modulation signal from the master control circuit, and removing one initial pulse from the received pulse width modulation signal to output a pulse width modulation signal to the master control circuit; and counting, by the master control circuit, the number of the plurality of control circuits automatically according to the initial pulse width modulation signal and the received pulse width modulation signal.

[0012] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: after the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from the slave control circuit, outputting a count signal from the master control circuit, and automatically counting the number of control circuits in a period of the count signal.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: after the period of the count signal ends, outputting a pulse synchronization signal from the master control circuit, and sequentially transmitting the pulse synchronization signal to each slave control circuit to control the plurality of power converters to operate synchronously.

[0014] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: after the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal, outputting a pulse synchronization signal from the master control circuit, and sequentially transmitting the pulse synchronization signal to each slave control circuit to control the plurality of power converters to operate synchronously.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: after the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits are synchronized, outputting a pulse control signal from the master control circuit, and using the plurality of pulses of the pulse control signal to trigger the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits to operate.

[0016] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: connecting an output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits to a resistor to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: connecting an output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits to a reference potential to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

[0018] As described above, the present application provides a multi-phase power converter with daisy chain control circuits and a control method. After the power is turned on, the method can automatically determine which control circuit of the daisy chain control circuits is the master control circuit and which control circuits are slave control circuits, and automatically count the number of power converters. The master control circuit controls the operation of the slave control circuits to provide appropriate current to the load.

[0019] In order to enable further understanding of the features and technical contents of the present application, please refer to the following detailed description of the present application and the accompanying drawings. However, the accompanying drawings provided are only for reference and illustration, and are not intended to limit the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 Flow chart of steps of the control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter of the embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 Block diagram of the multiphase power converter of the embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 3 Circuit layout diagram of the multiphase power converter of the embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 4 Circuit layout diagram of the connection of the output end of the main control circuit of the multiphase power converter of the embodiment of the present application to the resistance.

[0024] Figure 5 Circuit layout diagram of the internal circuit components of the daisy chain control circuit of the embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 6 Circuit layout diagram of the multiphase power converter of the embodiment of the present application.

[0026] Figure 7 Signal waveform diagram of the daisy chain control circuit of the embodiment of the present application.

[0027] Figure 8 Signal waveform diagram of the daisy chain control circuit of the embodiment of the present application.

[0028] Figure 9 Signal waveform diagram of the daisy chain control circuit of the embodiment of the present application.

[0029] Figure 10 Signal waveform diagram of the daisy chain control circuit of the embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail by specific embodiments, and the advantages and effects of the present application can be understood by the content disclosed in the present specification. The present application can be implemented or applied by other different embodiments, and the details in the present specification can be modified and changed in various ways based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of the present application. In addition, the drawings of the present application are only simple schematic illustrations, and are not the depiction according to the actual size, which is declared in advance. The following embodiments will further illustrate the related technical content of the present application in detail, but the disclosed content is not used to limit the protection scope of the present application. In addition, the term "or" used herein may, as appropriate, include any one or a combination of the associated listed items.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figures 7 to 10 , wherein Figure 1A flowchart of steps of a control method for a daisy chain control circuit of a multiphase power converter according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 A block diagram of a multiphase power converter according to an embodiment of the present application; Figures 7 to 10 A signal waveform diagram of a daisy chain control circuit according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] The method according to the embodiment can comprise steps S101-S111 as shown in Figure 1 The daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter according to the embodiment is applicable to a multiphase power converter as shown in Figure 2 The multiphase power converter comprises a plurality of power converters, each of which has a control circuit. As shown in Figure 2 The daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter can comprise N control circuits, i.e. a master control circuit CT1 and a plurality of slave control circuits CT2-CTn, where N represents any suitable integer value. The plurality of control circuits are arranged in sequence. The input of each control circuit is connected to the output of the previous control circuit. The output of each control circuit is connected to the input of the next control circuit.

[0033] In step S101, the power supply of the multiphase power converter is turned on.

[0034] In step S103, it is detected whether the parameter of a certain pin of each control circuit of each power converter meets the parameter of the default master control circuit, so as to determine whether the control circuit of each power converter is the master control circuit CT1. If not, step S105 is performed to determine that the control circuit is a slave control circuit CT2-CTn, and then step S103 is performed on other control circuits. If yes, it is determined that the control circuit is the master control circuit CT1, and other power converters are determined to be slave control circuits CT2-CTn, and then step S107 is performed.

[0035] In step S107, the master control circuit CT1 outputs an initial pulse width modulation signal with a plurality of initial pulses, such as the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in Figure 7 to the slave control circuit CT2 connected to the output of the master control circuit CT1.

[0036] In addition, in step S107, the slave control circuit CT2 obtains the first initial pulse from the received initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1, so as to output a pulse width modulation signal PWM2 as shown in Figure 7The pulse width modulation signal PWM2 is shown to be connected to the output terminal of the slave control circuit CT3. Then, the slave control circuit CT3 takes out a second initial pulse from the received pulse width modulation signal PWM2 to output a pulse width modulation signal PWM3. That is, the pulse width modulation signal PWM3 lacks one pulse compared to the previous pulse width modulation signal PWM2, and lacks two pulses compared to the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1.

[0037] In step S109, it is determined whether the master control circuit CT1 receives a pulse width modulation signal PWMn from the slave control circuit CTn connected to the input terminal of the master control circuit CT1, where n can be any integer value. If not, return to step S109 to wait for the slave control circuit CTn to output the pulse width modulation signal PWMn. If yes, proceed to the next step S111.

[0038] In step S111, the master control circuit CT1 automatically counts the number of control circuits provided in the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter according to the received pulse width modulation signal PWMn and the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1.

[0039] In detail, the master control circuit CT1 can calculate the difference between the number of pulses of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 and the number of pulses of the pulse width modulation signal PWMn to calculate the number of slave control circuits CT2 to CTn. The master control circuit CT1 adds the number of slave control circuits CT2 to CTn to the number of the master control circuit CT1 to obtain the number of control circuits provided in the daisy chain control circuit.

[0040] That is, if n control circuits are provided, the number of pulses of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 output by the master control circuit CT1 is n pulses per cycle. The master control circuit CT1 being the first control circuit, can output a pulse of the switch control signal PWMS1 according to the first pulse of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in FIG. 4. Figure 7 That is, if n control circuits are provided, the number of pulses of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 output by the master control circuit CT1 is n pulses per cycle. The master control circuit CT1 being the first control circuit, can output a pulse of the switch control signal PWMS1 according to the first pulse of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in FIG. 4. Figure 8 That is, if n control circuits are provided, the number of pulses of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 output by the master control circuit CT1 is n pulses per cycle. The master control circuit CT1 being the first control circuit, can output a pulse of the switch control signal PWMS1 according to the first pulse of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in FIG. 4. Figure 3 That is, if n control circuits are provided, the number of pulses of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 output by the master control circuit CT1 is n pulses per cycle. The master control circuit CT1 being the first control circuit, can output a pulse of the switch control signal PWMS1 according to the first pulse of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in FIG. 4.

[0041] The slave control circuit CT2 being the second control circuit, can output a pulse of the switch control signal PWMS2 according to the second pulse of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in FIG. 5. Figure 7 The slave control circuit CT2 being the second control circuit, can output a pulse of the switch control signal PWMS2 according to the second pulse of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1 as shown in FIG. 5. Figure 8The pulse of the switch control signal PWMS2 is shown. The slave control circuit CT2 can output this switch control signal PWMS2 to... Figure 3 The drive circuit DR2 shown is used to control the operation of the upper bridge switch UG2 and the lower bridge switch LG2.

[0042] The subordinate control circuit CT3 is the third control circuit, which can be based on, for example... Figure 7 The third pulse output of each cycle of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1, as shown, is... Figure 8 The pulse of the switch control signal PWMS3 is shown. The slave control circuit CT3 can output this switch control signal PWMS3 to... Figure 3 The drive circuit DR3 shown is used to control the operation of the upper bridge switch UG3 and the lower bridge switch LG3.

[0043] After the main control circuit CT1 receives the pulse width modulation signal PWn from the slave control circuit CTn, or the slave control circuit CTn outputs the switch control signal PWMSn, the main control circuit CT1 can output a counting signal, which may have a pulse. Within the (operating) cycle time UT of the counting signal, the main control circuit CT1 automatically counts the number of multiple control circuits configured in the daisy-chained control circuit. Or, as... Figure 9 As shown, the pulse of the output counting signal can be omitted.

[0044] After the period UT of the counting signal ends or the main control circuit CT1 receives the pulse width modulation signal CTn, the main control circuit CT1 can output a pulse synchronization signal, which is sequentially transmitted to multiple slave control circuits CT2 to CTn, so that the main control circuit CT1 and the multiple slave control circuits CT2 to CTn operate synchronously. The pulse of the pulse synchronization signal can be continuous in... Figure 8 After the periodic time UT shown ends, if it continues in the following... Figure 9 The initial pulse width modulation signal CK1 and each pulse width modulation signal CK2 to CKn are shown after n cycles.

[0045] like Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the pulse width of the pulse synchronization signal is greater than the width of each pulse of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1, but this invention is not limited thereto. In practice, the pulse width of the pulse synchronization signal can be less than or equal to the width of each pulse of the initial pulse width modulation signal PWM1.

[0046] After the master control circuit CT1 is synchronized with the plurality of slave control circuits CT2 to CTn, the master control circuit CT1 can output a pulse control signal, sequentially transmitted to the slave control circuits CT2 to CTn, respectively denoted as pulse control signals PT1 to PTn. The number of pulses of each pulse control signal PT1 to PTn is equal to the number of counted control circuits. The plurality of pulses of the pulse control signals PT1 to PTn respectively trigger the plurality of slave control circuits to operate, for example, output switch control signals PWMS1 to PWMSn.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3 , which is a circuit layout diagram of a multiphase power converter according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3 , a plurality of power converters are provided, including the aforementioned one master power converter CVR1 and a plurality of slave power converters CVR2 to CVRn.

[0048] The master power converter CVR1 includes a master control circuit CT1, a drive circuit DR1, an upper bridge switch UG1, a lower bridge switch LG1, and an inductor L1. The slave power converter CVR2 includes the aforementioned slave control circuit CT2, a drive circuit DR2, a drive circuit DR2, a lower bridge switch LG2, and an inductor L2.

[0049] An output terminal of the master control circuit CT1 is connected to an input terminal of the slave control circuit CT2, and another output terminal of the master control circuit CT1 is connected to an input terminal of the drive circuit DR1. Output terminals of the drive circuit DR1 are connected to control terminals of the upper bridge switch UG1 and the lower bridge switch LG1.

[0050] A first terminal of the upper bridge switch UG1 is connected to an input voltage PVIN. A second terminal of the upper bridge switch UG1 is connected to a first terminal of the lower bridge switch LG1. A second terminal of the lower bridge switch LG1 is connected to a ground voltage PGND. A node LX1 between the upper bridge switch UG1 and the lower bridge switch LG1 is connected to a first terminal of the inductor L1. A second terminal of the inductor L1 is connected to a first terminal of a capacitor C and a first terminal of a load LD. A second terminal of the capacitor C and a second terminal of the load LD are grounded.

[0051] The configuration of the circuit components in the slave power converters CVR2 to CVRn is the same as that of the circuit components in the master control circuit CT1, and the same content is not described herein.

[0052] The connection relationship between the master control circuit CT1 of the master power converter CVR1 and the slave control circuits CT2 to CTn of the plurality of slave power converters CVR2 to CVRn is as described above, and the same content is not described herein.

[0053] Referring to Figure 4 , which is a circuit layout diagram of a master control circuit output terminal connected to a resistor of a multiphase power converter according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] In order to set one of the plurality of control circuits as a master control circuit and the other control circuits as slave control circuits, the same pin on the output terminal of the master control circuit can be connected to different circuit components or reference potentials, such as zero potential or non-zero potential. Since the setting of the master control circuit is only completed at the start, the pin can be saved.

[0055] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, one output terminal of the master control circuit CT1 is connected to one end of a resistor Rset, and the other end of the resistor Rset is connected to a shared voltage VCC. The other control circuits are set as slave control circuits CT2 to CTn. Figure 4

[0056] After the master control circuit CT1 and the slave control circuits CT2 to CTn are set as described above, in step S103, each control circuit can detect the resistance value, reference potential value, or current value of one terminal / one pin thereof to determine whether the detected control circuit is the master control circuit CT1.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 2, which is a circuit layout diagram of internal circuit components of a daisy chain control circuit according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 3, the main power converter CVR1 can include an error amplifier ER1, a ramp signal generator SL1, a comparator CMP1, and a master control circuit CT1, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0058] Figure 3 Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 3, the main power converter CVR1 can include an error amplifier ER1, a ramp signal generator SL1, a comparator CMP1, and a master control circuit CT1, as shown in FIG. 4. Figure 5 Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4, the master control circuit CT1 can include a phase selection circuit PHL1, a counting circuit CTR1, and a processing circuit RS1.

[0059] One input terminal of the error amplifier ER1 can be coupled to a reference voltage VREF. The other input terminal of the error amplifier ER1 can be connected to a node LX1 between an inductor L1 and a capacitor C, as shown in FIG. 5 or 6, to receive a voltage VOUT of the node LX1. The error amplifier ER1 amplifies the difference between the reference voltage VREF and the voltage VOUT with a gain to output an error amplified signal. Figure 3 Figure 4 The two input terminals of the comparator CMP1 receive the error amplified signal from the error amplifier ER1 and a ramp signal from the ramp signal generator SL1, respectively. The comparator CMP1 compares the voltage of the error amplifier ER1 with the voltage of the ramp signal to output a comparison signal.

[0060] The two input terminals of the comparator CMP1 receive the error amplified signal from the error amplifier ER1 and a ramp signal from the ramp signal generator SL1, respectively. The comparator CMP1 compares the voltage of the error amplifier ER1 with the voltage of the ramp signal to output a comparison signal.

[0061] ​​​​​The two inputs of the phase selection circuit PHL1 of the main power converter CVR1 can be connected to the output of the comparator CMP1 and the output of the slave control circuit CTn. The first input of the phase selection circuit PHL1 can receive a comparison signal from the comparator CMP1. The second input of the phase selection circuit PHL1 of the main power converter CVR1 can receive or output a value of the resistance Rset, a value of the reference potential or a value of the current as shown in Figure 4 The phase selection circuit PHL1 can output an initial pulse width modulation signal (in accordance with the comparison signal). This initial pulse width modulation signal can be directly output to the slave control circuit CT2, or sequentially transmitted to the slave control circuit CT2 through the counting circuit CTR1 and the processing circuit RS1.

[0062] The input of the counting circuit CTR1 of the main control circuit CT1 can be connected to the output of the slave control circuit CTn. The counting circuit CTR1 of the main control circuit CT1 automatically counts the number of the plurality of control circuits arranged in the daisy chain type serial control circuit when receiving the pulse width modulation signal PWMn output by the slave control circuit CTn, to output a counting signal to the processing circuit RS1. The processing circuit RS1 can output a signal for controlling the operation of the slave control circuit CT2 to CTn in accordance with the counting signal, such as the pulse synchronization signal described above or the pulse control signal described below.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 6 , which is a circuit layout diagram of a multiphase power converter according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6 , for example, two-phase power converters are arranged, which are denoted as the main power converter PR1 and the slave power converter PR2. In practice, more slave power converters can be added as described above.

[0064] The main power converter PR1 includes the error amplifier ER1, the ramp signal generator SL1, the comparator CMP1, the main control circuit CT1, the driving circuit DR1, the upper bridge switch UG1, the lower bridge switch LG1 and the inductor L1 as described above. As shown in Figure 6 The main control circuit CT1 can include the phase selection circuit PHL1, the counting circuit CTR1 and the processing circuit RS1 as shown in Figure 5 The same content will not be described here.

[0065] In addition, the main power converter PR1 can further include the gate signal generator TM1 and the zero-crossing detection circuit ZC1. The gate signal generator TM1 can be connected to the processing circuit RS1 of the main control circuit CT1 and the driving circuit DR1. The zero-crossing detection circuit ZC1 can be connected to the driving circuit DR1 and the node LX1.

[0066] The zero-crossing detection circuit ZC1 can detect whether the current of the node LX1 reaches zero, and output the detected current value of the node LX1 to the driving circuit DR1. The driving circuit DR1 can drive the upper bridge switch UG1 and the lower bridge switch LG1 according to the received current value of the node LX1.

[0067] It is worth noting that the main control circuit CT1 generates the pulse control signal CSS1 according to the counting signal as described above, and the pulse control signal CSS1 has a plurality of pulses as shown. Figure 6

[0068] The processing circuit RS1 of the main control circuit CT1 outputs the first pulse of the first switch control signal PDS1 according to the first pulse of the first cycle of the pulse control signal CSS1. Then, the slave control circuit CT2 of the slave power converter PR2 outputs the first pulse of the second switch control signal PDS2 according to the second pulse of the first cycle of the pulse control signal CSS1.

[0069] Repeating, the processing circuit RS1 of the main control circuit CT1 outputs the second pulse of the first switch control signal PDS1 according to the second pulse of the second cycle of the pulse control signal CSS1. Then, the slave control circuit CT2 of the slave power converter PR2 outputs the second pulse of the second switch control signal PDS2 according to the second pulse of the second cycle of the pulse control signal CSS1.

[0070] The gate signal generator TM1 of the main power converter PR1 can output the first gate signal according to the first switch control signal PDS1. The driving circuit DR1 can output the first driving signal according to the first gate signal to drive the upper bridge switch UG1 and the lower bridge switch LG1 to operate.

[0071] The gate signal generator TM2 of the slave power converter PR2 can output the second gate signal according to the second switch control signal PDS2. The driving circuit DR2 can output the second driving signal according to the second gate signal to drive the upper bridge switch UG2 and the lower bridge switch LG2 to operate.

[0072] It should be understood that the present embodiment takes two power converters as an example, so that two pulses of the pulse control signal CSS1 are a cycle, and the main power converter PR1 and the slave power converter PR2 operate alternately according to the first pulse and the second pulse of each cycle of the pulse control signal CSS1, but this is only an example, and the present application is not limited thereto. In practice, more power converters can be provided. If n power converters are provided, for example, n pulses of the pulse control signal CSS1 are a cycle.

[0073] ​In summary, the present application provides a multi-phase power converter with daisy chain control circuit and a control method thereof. After the power is turned on, the daisy chain control circuit in the multi-phase power converter can automatically determine which control circuit is the master control circuit and the other control circuits are the slave control circuits. The number of the power converter is automatically counted, and the operation of the slave control circuits is controlled by the master control circuit to provide appropriate current to the load.

[0074] The above disclosed is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and is not limited to the claims of the present application. Any equivalent technical change made according to the content of the present application and the drawings is included in the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A multiphase power converter with a daisy-chain control circuit, characterized in that, The multi-phase power converter with the chain control circuit includes: a plurality of power converters, each of the power converters having a control circuit, the plurality of control circuits being arranged in sequence with each other, an input terminal of each of the control circuits being connected to an output terminal of a previous control circuit, an output terminal of each of the control circuits being connected to an input terminal of a next control circuit, the plurality of power converters including: a master power converter, the control circuit of the master power converter being defined as a master control circuit, configured to output an initial pulse width modulation signal having a plurality of initial pulses; and a plurality of slave power converters, the control circuit of each of the slave power converters being defined as a slave control circuit; wherein the slave control circuit connected to the output terminal of the master control circuit receives the initial pulse width modulation signal from the master control circuit, and then removes one of the initial pulses from the received initial pulse width modulation signal to output a pulse width modulation signal; wherein each of the slave control circuits not directly connected to the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from a previous slave control circuit, and removes one of the initial pulses from the received pulse width modulation signal to output a next pulse width modulation signal to a next slave control circuit; wherein the slave control circuit connected to the input terminal of the master control circuit removes one of the initial pulses from the received pulse width modulation signal to output the pulse width modulation signal to the master control circuit; wherein the master control circuit automatically counts the number of the control circuits according to the initial pulse width modulation signal and the received pulse width modulation signal; wherein the master control circuit is configured to output a pulse control signal to the plurality of control circuits according to the number of the control circuits, wherein the pulse control signal has a plurality of pulses and the number of the pulses is equal to the counted number of the control circuits, and each of the pulses of the pulse control signal triggers the operation of the plurality of slave control circuits.

2. The multi-phase power converter with a ring control circuit according to claim 1, wherein, After the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from the connected slave control circuit, the master control circuit outputs a count signal and automatically counts the number of the control circuits within a period of the count signal.

3. The multi-phase power converter with a chain control circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that, After the period of the count signal ends, the master control circuit outputs a pulse synchronization signal to sequentially transmit to each of the slave control circuits to control the synchronous operation of the plurality of power converters.

4. The multi-phase power converter with a ring control circuit according to claim 1, wherein, After the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal, the master control circuit outputs a pulse synchronization signal to sequentially transmit to each of the slave control circuits to control the synchronous operation of the plurality of power converters.

5. The multi-phase power converter with a ring control circuit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The pulse width of the pulse synchronization signal is different from the width of each of the initial pulses of the initial pulse width modulation signal.

6. The multi-phase power converter with a ring control circuit according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, After the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits are synchronized, the master control circuit outputs a pulse control signal, and a plurality of pulses of the pulse control signal triggers the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits to operate, respectively.

7. The multi-phase power converter with a chain control circuit according to claim 1, wherein, An output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits is connected to a resistor to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

8. The multi-phase power converter with a chain control circuit according to claim 1, wherein, An output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits is coupled to a reference potential to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

9. A control method of a daisy chain control circuit of a multiphase power converter, characterized by, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter comprises the following steps: A plurality of power converters are provided, and each of the power converters has a control circuit; The plurality of control circuits are arranged in sequence with each other; An input terminal of each of the control circuits is connected to an output terminal of a previous control circuit, and an output terminal of each of the control circuits is connected to an input terminal of a next control circuit; One of the plurality of control circuits is set as a master control circuit, and the other control circuits are set as slave control circuits, respectively; The master control circuit outputs an initial pulse width modulation signal having a plurality of initial pulses; The slave control circuit connected to the output terminal of the master control circuit receives the initial pulse width modulation signal from the master control circuit and removes one of the initial pulses from the received initial pulse width modulation signal to output a pulse width modulation signal; Each of the slave control circuits not directly connected to the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from a previous slave control circuit and removes one of the initial pulses from the received pulse width modulation signal to output a next pulse width modulation signal to a next slave control circuit; The slave control circuit connected to the input terminal of the master control circuit removes one of the initial pulses from the received pulse width modulation signal to output the pulse width modulation signal to the master control circuit; The master control circuit automatically counts the number of the plurality of control circuits according to the initial pulse width modulation signal and the received pulse width modulation signal; and The master control circuit outputs a pulse control signal to the plurality of control circuits according to the number of the plurality of control circuits, wherein the pulse control signal has a plurality of pulses and the number of the plurality of pulses is equal to the counted number of the plurality of control circuits, and the plurality of pulses of the pulse control signal triggers the plurality of slave control circuits to operate, respectively.

10. The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multi-phase power converter according to claim 9, characterized by, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter further comprises the following steps: After the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal from the connected slave control circuit, the master control circuit outputs a count signal and automatically counts the number of the plurality of control circuits within a period of the count signal.

11. The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multi-phase power converter according to claim 10, characterized by, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter further comprises the following steps: After the period of the count signal, a pulse synchronization signal is outputted from the master control circuit to sequentially transmit to each of the slave control circuits to control the plurality of power converters to operate synchronously.

12. The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multi-phase power converter according to claim 9, characterized by, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter further comprises the following steps: After the master control circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal, a pulse synchronization signal is outputted from the master control circuit to sequentially transmit to each of the slave control circuits to control the plurality of power converters to operate synchronously.

13. The control method of a daisy chain control circuit of a multiphase power converter according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter further comprises the following steps: After the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits are synchronized, a pulse control signal is outputted from the master control circuit, and a plurality of pulses of the pulse control signal are used to trigger the master control circuit and the plurality of slave control circuits to operate.

14. The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multi-phase power converter according to claim 9, characterized by, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter further comprises the following steps: An output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits is connected to a resistor to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

15. The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multi-phase power converter according to claim 9, characterized by, The control method of the daisy chain control circuit of the multiphase power converter further comprises the following steps: An output terminal of one of the plurality of control circuits is coupled to a reference potential to set the control circuit as the master control circuit.

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