A hybrid-architecture multi-phase dc-dc converter and switched-mode dc power supply

Abstract

The application discloses a hybrid-architecture multi-phase DC-DC converter and a switching DC power supply. The multi-phase DC-DC converter comprises a primary phase power unit and a plurality of phase-shifted power units which are connected in parallel with the primary phase power unit at the input and output ends of the converter. The primary phase and each phase-shifted power unit comprises a power inductor. Each phase-shifted power unit comprises an LC series resonant circuit and a capacitor voltage stabilizing circuit. When the multi-phase DC-DC converter performs step-down conversion, the power inductors are sequentially or synchronously balanced charged, and sequentially and / or synchronously discharged, so that the primary phase and each phase-shifted power unit sequentially and asynchronously or synchronously outputs DC power with equal phase and in sequence. Since the hybrid architecture of the LC series resonant circuit and the capacitor voltage stabilizing circuit is adopted, and a flying capacitor and a DC capacitor can be added to optimize the topology structure, the problems of low efficiency, uneven current and limited voltage conversion ratio of a traditional DC converter are solved, and the performance and cost of the converter are optimized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of switching DC power supply technology, specifically to a hybrid architecture multiphase DC-DC converter and switching DC power supply. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), and artificial intelligence (AI), the demand for related power supply units is also increasing, requiring high conversion efficiency, wide conversion range, high power density, high transient response speed, and high packaging density. Current voltage conversion methods mostly employ capacitive buck converters, multiphase Buck converters, and hybrid architectures, but these generally suffer from numerous technical bottlenecks. For example, in high-voltage scenarios, high-voltage transistors such as LDMOS and VDMOS are required, but these devices have poor quality factors and large parasitic parameters, leading to low conversion efficiency. Especially in multiphase topologies, phase current imbalances can easily occur due to device mismatch and uneven control, causing overload and overheating in heavily loaded phases. Furthermore, the generation of multiple sets of staggered-phase PWM waves relies on analog or digital domain control, resulting in high power consumption and circuit complexity. Switched capacitor / inductor-based DC-DC converters are increasingly used in various electronic systems, with growing demand for high-voltage bus input (e.g., 12V) scenarios and multiphase topologies. However, multiphase DC-DC converters still face numerous unresolved technical challenges in topology design, magnetic integration technology, and current sharing control strategies, hindering further improvements in power density, conversion efficiency, reliability, and wide operating range adaptability. Therefore, the development of a multiphase DC-DC converter that can improve power density, simplify control logic, achieve high-precision current sharing, and adapt to a wide voltage range has become an urgent need in the field of switching DC power supplies. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main technical problem solved by this invention is how to provide a multiphase DC-DC converter that can adapt to a wide voltage range.

[0004] According to the first aspect, one embodiment provides a hybrid architecture multiphase DC-DC converter for converting a preset first DC voltage V IN Step-down conversion to second DC voltage V OUT It includes a primary power unit and at least one phase-shifting power unit;

[0005] The primary power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units are connected in parallel to the first DC power supply V. IN The input terminal is connected to the second DC voltage V OUT Between the output terminals;

[0006] The first-phase power unit includes a power inductor; each phase-shifting power unit includes an LC series resonant circuit and a capacitor voltage regulator circuit; the power inductor in the first-phase power unit and the power inductor in the LC series resonant circuit of each phase-shifting power unit have the same electrical parameters;

[0007] When the multiphase DC-DC converter performs step-down conversion, the power inductors in the first-phase power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units are charged sequentially or synchronously in an equal-equal manner, and discharged sequentially and / or synchronously, so that the first-phase power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units output asynchronously or synchronously in a time-division manner, so as to output a second DC voltage V with equal phase division and sequential interleaving. OUT .

[0008] In one embodiment, the primary power unit includes a first electronic switch S1, a second electronic switch S2, and a first power inductor L0;

[0009] One end of the first electronic switch S1 is connected to the positive connection terminal of the first power inductor L0, and the other end is grounded;

[0010] One end of the second electronic switch S2 is used for the first DC current V IN One end is the input, and the other end is connected to the positive connection terminal of the first power inductor L0;

[0011] The negative connection terminal of the first power inductor L0 is used to output the second DC voltage V. OUT .

[0012] In one embodiment, the LC series resonant circuit of the phase-shifting power unit includes a second power inductor L0, a third electronic switch S3, a fourth electronic switch S4, and a first capacitor C. F1 ;

[0013] One end of the third electronic switch S3 is used for the first DC power V IN The input is connected to the first capacitor C at the other end. F1 Connect the positive connection terminal;

[0014] The first capacitor C F1 The positive terminal of the capacitor is connected to the capacitor voltage regulator circuit, and the first capacitor C F1 The negative connection terminal is connected to the positive connection terminal of the second power inductor L0;

[0015] The negative connection terminal of the second power inductor L0 is used to output the second DC voltage V. OUT ;

[0016] One end of the fourth electronic switch S4 is connected to the positive connection terminal of the second power inductor L0, and the other end is grounded;

[0017] The phase-shifting power unit's capacitor-regulated circuit includes a first regulated capacitor C. DC1 and the fifth electronic switch S5;

[0018] One end of the fifth electronic switch S5 is connected to the first capacitor C. F1 The positive terminal is connected to the positive terminal, and the other end is connected to the first voltage regulator capacitor C. DC1 Connect the positive connection terminal;

[0019] The first voltage regulator capacitor C DC1 The negative connection terminal is grounded.

[0020] In one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter further includes an operating mode control unit;

[0021] The electronic switches in the primary power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units are MOS transistors, and the control electrode of each MOS transistor is connected to the operating mode control unit. The operating mode control unit controls the conduction or deactivation of each MOS transistor by outputting multiple switch control pulse signals, thereby controlling the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter. The operating modes of the multiphase DC-DC converter differ depending on the specific operating mode. The second DC voltage output by the multiphase DC-DC converter is V... OUT The number of phases is different.

[0022] In one embodiment, the operating mode control unit uses a PWM signal generated by a ring oscillator as the switch control pulse signal, and utilizes the inherent homogeneity of the multiphase clock output of the ring oscillator to generate switch control pulse signals with consistent and / or out-of-phase conduction times corresponding to the number of electronic switches, so as to control the conduction or shutdown of each MOS switch respectively.

[0023] In one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter includes two of the phase-shifting power units.

[0024] In one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter operates in two modes: a six-phase output mode and a two-phase output mode.

[0025] The six-phase output mode refers to the multiphase DC-DC converter outputting a second DC voltage V that includes six phases that alternate sequentially in a preset order. OUT ;

[0026] The two-phase output mode is that the multiphase DC-DC converter outputs a second DC voltage V that includes two alternating phases. OUT .

[0027] In one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter further includes an output acquisition unit and an output feedback unit;

[0028] The output acquisition unit is used to acquire the second DC voltage V in real time. OUT The phase;

[0029] The output feedback unit is used to adjust the second DC voltage V based on the real-time data collected. OUT Phase, relative to the second DC voltage V OUT Real-time monitoring is conducted.

[0030] In one embodiment, the operating mode control unit includes an operating mode control circuit and a switch control signal generation circuit;

[0031] The operating mode control circuit is used to set the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter.

[0032] The switch control signal generation circuit is used to output multiple switch control pulse signals according to the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter.

[0033] The output feedback unit is also connected to the switch control signal generation circuit, and is used to achieve loop compensation of the switch control pulse signal in the time domain through a voltage-controlled oscillator and a voltage-controlled delay chain circuit.

[0034] According to a second aspect, one embodiment provides a switching DC power supply, including a multiphase DC-DC converter as described in the first aspect.

[0035] The multiphase DC-DC converter according to the above embodiment, by adopting a hybrid architecture of LC series resonant circuit and capacitor voltage regulator circuit, and by adding flying capacitor and DC capacitor to optimize the topology, solves the problems of low efficiency, uneven current and limited voltage conversion ratio of traditional DC converters.

[0036] Furthermore, a control strategy is adopted, which includes generating out-of-phase PWM waves using a ring oscillator, time-domain loop compensation, transient detection and oversampling, and switching between multi-phase and single-phase PWM modes.

[0037] Furthermore, it supports dual-chip collaborative operation, solving problems such as low efficiency, uneven current, complex PWM generation, difficult compensation, slow transient response, and limited voltage conversion ratio of traditional DC-DC converters, thus achieving dual optimization of converter performance and cost. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure connection of a switching DC power supply in one embodiment;

[0039] Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection between the primary phase power unit and the dual phase-shifting power unit in one embodiment;

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of a dual-phase-shifting power unit in one embodiment;

[0041] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the first phase in a six-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0042] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the second phase in a six-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the third phase in a six-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0044] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the fourth phase in a six-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0045] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the fifth phase in a six-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0046] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of the sixth phase in a six-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0047] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the phase circuit connection for a two-phase output mode in one embodiment;

[0048] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection of a switching DC power supply in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0049] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. Similar elements in different embodiments are referred to by associated similar element reference numerals. In the following embodiments, many details are described to facilitate a better understanding of this application. However, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that some features may be omitted in different situations, or may be replaced by other elements, materials, or methods. In some cases, certain operations related to this application are not shown or described in the specification. This is to avoid obscuring the core parts of this application with excessive description. For those skilled in the art, detailed description of these related operations is not necessary; they can fully understand the related operations based on the description in the specification and general technical knowledge in the art.

[0050] Furthermore, the features, operations, or characteristics described in the specification can be combined in any suitable manner to form various embodiments. At the same time, the steps or actions in the method description can be rearranged or adjusted in a manner obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the various orders in the specification and drawings are only for the clear description of a particular embodiment and do not imply a necessary order, unless otherwise stated that a particular order must be followed.

[0051] The serial numbers assigned to components in this document, such as "first" and "second," are used only to distinguish the described objects and have no sequential or technical meaning. The terms "connection" and "linkage" used in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0052] Current voltage conversion circuits mostly employ a capacitor-type buck architecture, designed to improve voltage conversion efficiency. However, in practical applications, this type of architecture still faces significant efficiency bottlenecks, making it difficult to meet the demands of high power density scenarios. It's important to note that these DC-DC converters generally use a hybrid control method combining digital and analog domains. This control method not only struggles to generate high-precision multi-phase PWM control signals but also requires numerous off-chip passive compensation devices, directly resulting in low system integration. Furthermore, this type of architecture still has considerable room for improvement in broadening the voltage conversion ratio adjustment range.

[0053] This application proposes a DC-DC converter based on switched capacitors / inductors, which features high efficiency, low ripple characteristics, and a wide conversion range. It belongs to a multiphase DC-DC converter with a hybrid architecture based on time-domain control. In one embodiment, this DC-DC converter consists of only two flying capacitors, two DC capacitors, eight electronic switches (on-chip 5V nmos power switches), and three output power inductors. Compared to traditional DC-DC converters, it has significant advantages in high-voltage adaptation, multiphase current balancing, PWM wave generation, loop compensation, and hybrid architecture performance. Through topology innovation and control strategy optimization, it can achieve high-voltage bus adaptation and high-efficiency voltage conversion, multiphase inductor current balancing, low-power, low-complexity multi-phase PWM wave generation, efficient time-domain loop compensation, and transient response improvement and voltage conversion ratio widening, thereby comprehensively improving the converter's performance indicators and its adaptability to a wide range of applications.

[0054] Example 1:

[0055] Please refer to Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the frame structure connection of a switching DC power supply in one embodiment. The switching DC power supply includes a hybrid architecture multiphase DC-DC converter 100 and an output circuit 200 for outputting DC power. The multiphase DC-DC converter 100 is used to convert a preset first DC power V... IN Step-down conversion to second DC voltage V OUT The output circuit 200 is used to convert the second DC voltage V output by the multiphase DC-DC converter 100 into a DC voltage V. OUT As the output power supply of a switched DC power supply, the multiphase DC-DC converter 100, based on switched capacitors / inductors, includes one primary phase power unit 1 and N phase-shifting power units 2, where N is an integer greater than 2. The primary phase power unit 1 and each phase-shifting power unit 2 are connected in parallel to a first DC current V. IN The input terminal is connected to the second DC voltage V. OUT Between the output terminals.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit connection between the primary power unit and the phase-shifting power unit in one embodiment. The multiphase DC-DC converter 100 includes two phase-shifting power units 2. The primary power unit 1 includes a power inductor, and each phase-shifting power unit 2 includes an LC series resonant circuit 21 and a capacitor voltage regulator circuit 22. The power inductors in the primary power unit 1 and the power inductors in the LC series resonant circuits of each phase-shifting power unit 2 have the same electrical parameters. When the multiphase DC-DC converter 100 performs buck conversion, it sequentially or synchronously charges the power inductors in the primary power unit 1 and each phase-shifting power unit 2 in a balanced manner, and sequentially and / or synchronously discharges them, so that the primary power unit 1 and each phase-shifting power unit 2 sequentially output asynchronously or synchronously in a time-division manner, to output a second DC voltage V with equal phase division and sequential interleaving. OUT .

[0057] In one embodiment, the primary power unit 1 includes a first electronic switch S1, a second electronic switch S2, and a first power inductor L0. One end of the first electronic switch S1 is connected to the positive terminal of the first power inductor L0, and the other end is grounded. One end of the second electronic switch S2 is used for a first DC current V. IN The input is connected to the first power inductor L0, and the other end is connected to the positive terminal of the first power inductor L0. The negative terminal of the first power inductor L0 is used to output the second DC voltage V. OUT In one embodiment, the LC series resonant circuit of the phase-shifting power unit 2 includes a second power inductor L0, a third electronic switch S3, a fourth electronic switch S4, and a first capacitor C. F1 One end of the third electronic switch S3 is used for the first DC current V. IN The input is connected to the first capacitor C at the other end. F1 The positive terminal is connected. First capacitor C F1The positive terminal is connected to the capacitor voltage regulator circuit 22, and the first capacitor C F1 The negative terminal of the first power inductor is connected to the positive terminal of the second power inductor L0. The negative terminal of the second power inductor L0 is used to output the second DC voltage V. OUT One end of the fourth electronic switch S4 is connected to the positive terminal of the second power inductor L0, and the other end is grounded. The capacitor voltage regulator circuit 22 of the phase-shifting power unit 2 includes a first voltage regulator capacitor C. DC1 And the fifth electronic switch S5. One end of the fifth electronic switch S5 is connected to the first capacitor C. F1 The positive terminal is connected, and the other end is connected to the first voltage regulator capacitor C. DC1 The positive terminal is connected. The first voltage regulator capacitor C... DC1 The negative connection terminal is grounded.

[0058] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter 100 further includes a working mode control unit 3. The electronic switches in the first-phase power unit 1 and each phase-shifting power unit 2 are MOS switches, and the control electrode of each MOS switch is connected to the working mode control unit 3. The working mode control unit 3 controls the conduction or deactivation of each MOS switch by outputting multiple switch control pulse signals, thereby controlling the working mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter 100. The working modes of the multiphase DC-DC converter 100 differ depending on the specific operating mode. The second DC voltage output by the multiphase DC-DC converter 100 is V. OUT The number of phases is different. In one embodiment, the operating mode control unit 3 uses the PWM signal generated by the ring oscillator as the switching control pulse signal, and utilizes the inherent homogeneity of the multiphase clock output of the ring oscillator to generate switching control pulse signals with consistent and / or out-of-phase conduction times corresponding to the number of electronic switches, so as to control the conduction or shutdown of each MOS switch respectively.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, in one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter further includes an output acquisition unit 4 and an output feedback unit 5. The output acquisition unit 4 is used to acquire the second DC voltage V in real time. OUT The phase of the output feedback unit 5 is used to determine the phase of the second DC current V based on the real-time acquisition. OUT Phase, relative to the second DC voltage V OUTReal-time monitoring is performed. In one embodiment, the operating mode control unit 3 includes an operating mode control circuit 31 and a switch control signal generation circuit 32. The operating mode control circuit 31 is used to set the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter, and the switch control signal generation circuit 32 is used to output multiple switch control pulse signals according to the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter. In one embodiment, the output feedback unit 5 is also connected to the switch control signal generation circuit 32 and is used to realize loop compensation of the switch control pulse signals in the time domain through a voltage-controlled oscillator and a voltage-controlled delay chain circuit.

[0060] In one embodiment, the multiphase DC-DC converter operates in two modes: a six-phase output mode and a two-phase output mode. The six-phase output mode outputs a second DC voltage V consisting of six phases that alternate sequentially in a preset order. OUT The two-phase output mode is a multiphase DC-DC converter output that includes two alternating phases of a second DC voltage V. OUT .

[0061] Please refer to Figure 3 This is a circuit connection diagram of a dual-phase-shifting power unit in one embodiment. The multiphase DC-DC converter includes one primary phase power unit and two phase-shifting power units. The primary phase power unit includes an electronic switch S. 8C Electronic switch S 5C The first phase-shifting power unit's LC series resonant circuit includes power inductor L2 and electronic switch S. The circuit also includes power inductor L3 and power switch L4. 7B Electronic switch S 3B and capacitor C F2 Its capacitor voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator capacitor C. DC2 and electronic switch S 4B The LC series resonant circuit of the second phase-shifting power unit includes a power inductor L1 and an electronic switch S. 1A Electronic switch S 6A and capacitor C F1 Its capacitor voltage regulator circuit 22 includes a voltage regulator capacitor C. DC1 and electronic switch S 2A .

[0062] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 and Figure 9 These are schematic diagrams showing the circuit connections of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth phases in a six-phase output mode of one embodiment. Figure 3 Taking the dual-phase-shift power unit circuit shown as an example, the six-phase output mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter is divided into six phases, specifically including:

[0063] In the first phase P1, electronic switch S 1A S 4B S 7B and S 8C When the circuit is closed and the other electronic switches are open, the power inductor L1 is magnetized, and at the same time, the flying capacitor C is also magnetized. F1 Charging, while power inductors L2 and L3 are demagnetized.

[0064] In the second phase P2, electronic switch S 2A S 6A S 7B and S 8C When closed, all three power inductors are demagnetized simultaneously, and capacitor C flies across them. F1 and DC capacitor C DC1 Charge sharing is performed so that the voltage value of the DC capacitor is fixed at two-thirds of the input first DC voltage V. IN Voltage value.

[0065] In the third phase P3, the electronic switch S 2A S 3B S 6A and S 8C When the circuit is closed and the other electronic switches are open, the flying capacitor C... F1 The discharge magnetizes the power inductor L2 and simultaneously powers the flying capacitor C. F2 During charging, the remaining power inductors L1 and L3 are demagnetized. Since the PWM waves of power inductors L2 and L1 are generated through the multi-phase stage of the ring oscillator and have the same conduction time, the voltage across the flying capacitor is stable during steady-state operation, and the charge is conserved, so the currents of power inductors L1 and L2 are equal.

[0066] In the fourth phase P4, the electronic switch S 2A S 4B S 6A S 7B and S 8C When closed, all three power inductors are demagnetized simultaneously, and capacitor C flies across them. F2 and DC capacitor C DC2 Charge sharing is performed so that the voltage value of the DC capacitor is fixed at two-thirds of the input first DC voltage V. IN Voltage value.

[0067] In the fifth phase P5, the electronic switch S 2A S 3B S 4B S 6A and S 7B When the circuit is closed, the power inductor L3 is magnetized, and at the same time, the flying capacitor C is also magnetized.F2 Discharge occurs, while power inductors L1 and L2 are demagnetized. Since the corresponding PWM control waves are generated by ring oscillators and have the same conduction time, it can be deduced from the above that the inductor currents of power inductors L1, L2, and L3 are equal.

[0068] In phase P6, electronic switch S 2A S 4B S 6A S 7B and S 8C When closed, all three power inductors are demagnetized simultaneously, achieving flux balance in each phase inductor. Furthermore, when the current load transitions from light to heavy, the multiphase DC-DC converter enters a special mode, at which point switch S... 1A S 3B and S 5C When the circuit is closed and the other switches are open, the three-phase power inductors L1, L2 and L3 are magnetized together to enhance the dynamic performance of the multiphase DC-DC converter.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the phase circuit connection for a two-phase output mode in one embodiment. Figure 3 Taking the dual-phase power unit circuit shown as an example, the two-phase output mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter is divided into the first phase and the second phase. In the first phase, electronic switch S... 1A S 3B and S 5C When the circuit is closed, the other electronic switches are open, and the three-phase power inductors L1, L2, and L3 are magnetized together; in the second phase, electronic switch S... 2A S 4B S 6A S 7B and S 8C When the circuit is closed and the other electronic switches are open, the three-phase power inductors L1, L2, and L3 are demagnetized together. This widens the voltage conversion ratio of the converter. Simultaneously, since the converter only requires one phase of PWM wave control at this time, the multi-phase PWM wave generated by the ring oscillator is used for oversampling, deconstructing the switching frequency and sampling frequency to achieve high loop bandwidth at low switching frequencies, thus enhancing the transient performance of the converter.

[0070] To facilitate understanding of the operation of the multiphase DC-DC converter implemented in this application, the following specific embodiments are described, including:

[0071] Please refer to Figure 11This is a circuit connection diagram of a switching DC power supply in one embodiment, wherein the multiphase DC-DC converter includes two phase-shifting power units 2. For ease of understanding, the electronic components in the multiphase DC-DC converter are labeled separately. The first phase power unit 1 includes an electronic switch S. H3 Electronic switch S L3 And power inductor L3; an LC series resonant circuit of a phase-shifting power unit 2 includes power inductor L2, electronic switch S H2 Electronic switch S L2 and capacitor C F2 Its capacitor voltage regulator circuit 22 includes a voltage regulator capacitor C. DC2 and electronic switch S DC2 A phase-shifting power unit 2 consists of an LC series resonant circuit, a power inductor L1, and an electronic switch S. H1 Electronic switch S L1 and capacitor C F1 Its capacitor voltage regulator circuit 22 includes a voltage regulator capacitor C. DC1 and electronic switch S DC1 The electronic switches in the primary power unit and the phase-shifting power unit are NMOS transistors (5V CMOS transistors). The switching control of each electronic switch is achieved by a switching control pulse signal Φ input to the gate of the NMOS transistor. For example, the switching control pulse signal Φ... H1 and switch control pulse signal Φ L1 Control the electronic sub-switches S respectively H1 and electronic switch S L1 The conduction and deactivation.

[0072] This multiphase DC-DC converter can operate in both six-phase and two-phase output modes with a 12V voltage bus input. Its core electronic components include two flying capacitors, two DC capacitors, eight on-chip 5V nmos power switches, and three output power inductors. Addressing the technical shortcomings of traditional DC-DC converters in high-voltage adaptation, multiphase current balancing, PWM wave generation, loop compensation, and hybrid architecture performance, this multiphase DC-DC converter, through topology innovation and control strategy optimization, possesses high-voltage bus adaptation and high-efficiency voltage conversion functions, multiphase inductor current balancing functions, low-power, low-complexity multi-group staggered-phase PWM wave generation functions, efficient time-domain loop compensation functions, and transient response improvement and voltage conversion ratio broadening functions. It comprehensively improves the converter's performance indicators and application adaptability, specifically including:

[0073] 1. High-voltage bus adaptation and high-efficiency voltage conversion function.

[0074] The addition of two flying capacitors and a DC stabilizing capacitor constructs a new topology, enabling adaptive operation under a 12V high-voltage bus input scenario. This function allows all power switching devices in the topology to use 5V low-voltage transistors, while limiting the voltage variation of the switching nodes to within 4V, effectively reducing switching losses and improving the voltage conversion efficiency of the converter.

[0075] 2. Multiphase inductor current balancing function.

[0076] To address the current unevenness issue in multiphase inductive DC-DC converters, this invention employs steady-state flying capacitor voltage stabilization control. This enables the flying capacitor to sequentially charge and discharge each phase inductor within a single switching cycle, ensuring consistent magnetization time for each phase inductor. Based on the principle of charge conservation in flying capacitors, this precisely achieves balanced current distribution across phase inductors, preventing overload heating and device damage in heavily loaded phases, and ensuring system operational stability.

[0077] 3. Low power consumption and low complexity multi-phase PWM wave generation function.

[0078] A time-domain-based control method is adopted, which uses a ring oscillator to generate PWM waves. By fully utilizing the inherent homogeneity of the multi-phase clock output of the ring oscillator, N sets of staggered PWM waves with consistent conduction times can be directly generated. At the same time, relying on the excellent scalability of the ring oscillator, it can flexibly adapt to N-level topology scenarios. Compared with traditional analog or digital domain control methods, it significantly reduces the power consumption and circuit complexity of the multi-set staggered PWM wave generation stage.

[0079] 4. High-efficiency time-domain loop compensation function.

[0080] To address the shortcomings of traditional loop compensation, a time-domain compensation scheme is proposed, which completes loop compensation in the time domain through circuit modules such as voltage-controlled oscillators and voltage-controlled delay chains. This function eliminates the need for additional off-chip passive compensation devices, effectively saving board space, reducing design complexity, and increasing power density. It also boasts advantages such as small on-chip footprint, no quantization error, and strong adaptability to process node migration, aligning with the development needs of modern DC-DC converters.

[0081] 5. Improved transient response and voltage conversion ratio.

[0082] At the topology level, by adding two DC capacitors to achieve synchronous magnetization of the three-phase inductors, the problem of synchronous magnetization of multi-phase inductors in traditional hybrid architectures is solved, significantly improving transient response capability. By reconstructing the hybrid architecture operating mode, flexible switching between multi-phase PWM and single-phase PWM control is achieved, effectively widening the adjustable range of voltage conversion ratio. At the control level, a transient detection mechanism is introduced. When the load switches from light load to heavy load, the switching frequency is effectively increased through three-phase PWM waveform OR operation and oversampling processing, achieving fast transient response and avoiding voltage overshoot. In single-phase operation mode, the output voltage and oversampling are monitored synchronously by three-phase PWM waveforms, achieving decoupling of switching frequency and sampling frequency, further optimizing transient response performance.

[0083] 6. Load capacity enhancement and cost optimization functions.

[0084] It features two-chip collaborative operation, which can significantly improve the current load capacity of the converter through chip-to-chip collaborative control; at the same time, the collaborative operation mechanism can eliminate DC capacitors in the topology, reduce the number of components, and reduce system design and manufacturing costs.

[0085] In one embodiment of this application as described above, a hybrid architecture multiphase DC-DC converter based on time-domain control is proposed. The topology is optimized by adding a flying capacitor and a DC capacitor, and a control strategy is adopted, including generating out-of-phase PWM waves with a ring oscillator, time-domain loop compensation, transient detection and oversampling, and switching between multiphase / single-phase PWM modes. At the same time, it supports dual-chip collaborative operation, which solves the problems of low efficiency, uneven current, complex PWM generation, difficult compensation, slow transient response, and limited voltage conversion ratio of traditional DC-DC converters, and achieves dual optimization of performance and cost.

[0086] The multiphase DC-DC converter disclosed in one embodiment of this application, through dual technical improvements of topology innovation and control strategy optimization, forms a systematic solution to the core pain points of traditional DC-DC converters such as efficiency, stability, and integration, bringing the following beneficial effects:

[0087] 1) Improve voltage conversion efficiency and high voltage adaptability.

[0088] By adopting a combination topology of flying capacitor and DC regulated capacitor, the power switching device is designed to be low-voltage under 12V high-voltage bus input. All power transistors can be 5V low-voltage transistors, and the voltage variation of the switching node is reduced to 4V, which greatly reduces switching losses and breaks through the efficiency bottleneck of traditional capacitor-type buck architecture.

[0089] 2) Achieve multi-phase inductor current balance to ensure system stability.

[0090] Based on the principle of charge conservation of flying capacitors, the magnetization time of each phase inductor is consistent and the current distribution is balanced, which completely solves the problem of overload heating of the heavy-load phase caused by device mismatch and uneven control in traditional multiphase Buck topology, and significantly improves the operating stability of the converter and the service life of the device.

[0091] 3) Simplify the generation of multiple sets of out-of-phase PWM waves and reduce control costs.

[0092] By leveraging the inherent homogeneity of the ring oscillator to generate N sets of staggered PWM waves with consistent conduction time, compared with traditional analog / digital domain control methods, the circuit complexity and power consumption are significantly reduced, and it has excellent N-level topology scalability to adapt to different phase number requirements.

[0093] 4) Optimize loop compensation performance to improve integration and process compatibility.

[0094] The time-domain compensation scheme is adopted, and on-chip loop compensation is completed through voltage-controlled oscillator and voltage-controlled delay chain, eliminating the need for off-chip passive compensation devices, effectively saving circuit board space and increasing power density; at the same time, it eliminates the quantization error of digital compensation, enhances the process node migration capability, and conforms to the trend of high integration design.

[0095] 5) Increase the voltage conversion ratio and improve transient response speed.

[0096] At the topology level, synchronous magnetization of three-phase inductors is achieved. At the control level, transient detection and oversampling mechanisms are introduced, which not only solves the problem of slow transient response in traditional hybrid architectures, but also widens the voltage conversion ratio by flexibly switching between multi-phase / single-phase PWM modes. The fixed-frequency control characteristics effectively avoid voltage overshoot and ensure device safety.

[0097] 6) Improve load capacity and reduce system costs.

[0098] It supports dual-chip collaborative operation, significantly improving current load capacity; at the same time, it eliminates DC capacitors in the topology, reduces the number of components, lowers system design and manufacturing costs, and enhances product market competitiveness.

[0099] The multiphase DC-DC converter disclosed in this application includes a primary phase power unit and multiple phase-shifting power units connected in parallel to the input and output terminals of the converter. The primary phase and each phase-shifting power unit each include a power inductor. Each phase-shifting power unit includes an LC series resonant circuit and a capacitor voltage regulator circuit. When the multiphase DC-DC converter performs buck conversion, the power inductors are charged sequentially or synchronously in a balanced manner, and discharged sequentially and / or synchronously, so that the primary phase and each phase-shifting power unit sequentially and asynchronously output DC current with equal phase distribution and alternating phases. Due to the adoption of a hybrid architecture of LC series resonant circuit and capacitor voltage regulator circuit, and the ability to add flying capacitors and DC capacitors to optimize the topology, the problems of low efficiency, uneven current, and limited voltage conversion ratio of traditional DC converters are solved, achieving dual optimization of converter performance and cost.

[0100] The above examples illustrate the present invention only to aid in understanding it and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art can make various simple deductions, modifications, or substitutions based on the principles of this invention.

Claims

1. A hybrid architecture multiphase DC-DC converter for converting a preset first DC voltage V IN Step-down conversion to second DC voltage V OUT Its characteristics are, It includes one primary power unit and at least one phase-shifting power unit; The primary power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units are connected in parallel to the first DC power supply V. IN The input terminal is connected to the second DC voltage V OUT Between the output terminals; The first-phase power unit includes a power inductor; each phase-shifting power unit includes an LC series resonant circuit and a capacitor voltage regulator circuit; the power inductor in the first-phase power unit and the power inductor in the LC series resonant circuit of each phase-shifting power unit have the same electrical parameters; When the multiphase DC-DC converter performs step-down conversion, the power inductors in the first-phase power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units are charged sequentially or synchronously in an equal-equal manner, and discharged sequentially and / or synchronously, so that the first-phase power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units output asynchronously or synchronously in a time-division manner, so as to output a second DC voltage V with equal phase division and sequential interleaving. OUT .

2. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The primary power unit includes a first electronic switch S1, a second electronic switch S2, and a first power inductor L0; One end of the first electronic switch S1 is connected to the positive connection terminal of the first power inductor L0, and the other end is grounded; One end of the second electronic switch S2 is used for the first DC current V IN The input is connected to the first power inductor L0, and the other end is connected to the positive connection terminal of the first power inductor L0. The negative connection terminal of the first power inductor L0 is used to output the second DC voltage V. OUT .

3. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The LC series resonant circuit of the phase-shifting power unit includes a second power inductor L0, a third electronic switch S3, a fourth electronic switch S4, and a first capacitor C. F1 ; One end of the third electronic switch S3 is used for the first DC power V IN The input is connected to the first capacitor C at the other end. F1 Connect the positive connection terminal; The first capacitor C F1 The positive terminal of the capacitor is connected to the capacitor voltage regulator circuit, and the first capacitor C F1 The negative connection terminal is connected to the positive connection terminal of the second power inductor L0; The negative connection terminal of the second power inductor L0 is used to output the second DC voltage V. OUT ; One end of the fourth electronic switch S4 is connected to the positive connection terminal of the second power inductor L0, and the other end is grounded; The phase-shifting power unit's capacitor-regulated circuit includes a first regulated capacitor C. DC1 and the fifth electronic switch S5; One end of the fifth electronic switch S5 is connected to the first capacitor C. F1 The positive terminal is connected to the positive terminal, and the other end is connected to the first voltage regulator capacitor C. DC1 Connect the positive connection terminal; The first voltage regulator capacitor C DC1 The negative connection terminal is grounded.

4. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a working mode control unit; The electronic switches in the primary power unit and each of the phase-shifting power units are MOS transistors, and the control electrode of each MOS transistor is connected to the operating mode control unit. The operating mode control unit controls the conduction or deactivation of each MOS transistor by outputting multiple switch control pulse signals, thereby controlling the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter. The operating modes of the multiphase DC-DC converter differ depending on the specific operating mode. The second DC voltage output by the multiphase DC-DC converter is V... OUT The number of phases is different.

5. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The operating mode control unit uses the PWM signal generated by the ring oscillator as the switch control pulse signal, and utilizes the inherent homogeneity of the multi-phase clock output of the ring oscillator to generate the switch control pulse signals corresponding to the number of electronic switches, with consistent and / or out-of-phase conduction times, so as to control the conduction or shutdown of each MOS switch.

6. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It includes two of the aforementioned phase-shifting power units.

7. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The multiphase DC-DC converter has two operating modes: a six-phase output mode and a two-phase output mode. The six-phase output mode refers to the multiphase DC-DC converter outputting a second DC voltage V that includes six phases that alternate sequentially in a preset order. OUT ; The two-phase output mode is that the multiphase DC-DC converter outputs a second DC voltage V that includes two alternating phases. OUT .

8. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes an output acquisition unit and an output feedback unit; The output acquisition unit is used to acquire the second DC voltage V in real time. OUT The phase; The output feedback unit is used to adjust the second DC voltage V based on the real-time data collected. OUT Phase, relative to the second DC voltage V OUT Real-time monitoring is conducted.

9. The multiphase DC-DC converter as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The operating mode control unit includes an operating mode control circuit and a switch control signal generation circuit; The operating mode control circuit is used to set the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter. The switch control signal generation circuit is used to output multiple switch control pulse signals according to the operating mode of the multiphase DC-DC converter. The output feedback unit is also connected to the switch control signal generation circuit, and is used to achieve loop compensation of the switch control pulse signal in the time domain through a voltage-controlled oscillator and a voltage-controlled delay chain circuit.

10. A switching DC power supply, characterized in that, Includes the multiphase DC-DC converter as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images