A DC-DC conversion circuit controller, method, device and apparatus

Abstract

A DC-DC conversion circuit controller, method, device and equipment, relate to electronic technical field, for realizing the switching of CCM and DCM of DC-DC conversion circuit. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller comprises: input pin for receiving the inductor current of DC-DC conversion circuit;Signal processing circuit is used for: when the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM, the first time length of continuous N is all greater than the first time threshold, the first control signal is generated, and the first time length is the time length between the inductor current from being less than the first current threshold to reaching the current valley;When the DC-DC conversion circuit is in DCM, the second time length of continuous M is all less than the second time threshold, the second control signal is generated, and the second time length is the time length of the inductor current less than or equal to the second current threshold;Output pin is used for: output first control signal and second control signal, first control signal is used for controlling the DC-DC conversion circuit switching to DCM, and second control signal is used for controlling the DC-DC conversion circuit exiting DCM.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic technology, and in particular to a DC-DC conversion circuit controller, method, apparatus and device. Background Technology

[0002] DC-DC converters can support both continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Series capacitor buck converters (SCBs), as a commonly used DC-DC converter, require the following switching characteristics for CCM and DCM: the ability to switch based on load current, rapid exit from DCM, and avoidance of repeated switching between CCM and DCM.

[0003] In related technologies, the scheme for switching between CCM and DCM in a DC-DC converter circuit is as follows: in CCM, it switches to DCM when the average output current is less than a first threshold; in DCM, it switches to CCM when the average output current is greater than a second threshold. This scheme can switch between CCM and DCM based on the load current, and by setting the first and second thresholds, it can avoid repeated switching between CCM and DCM. However, it is difficult to quickly exit DCM, which can easily lead to a drop in output voltage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a DC-DC converter circuit controller, method, apparatus, and device for switching between CCM and DCM in a DC-DC converter circuit. To achieve the above objective, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0005] In a first aspect, a DC-DC converter circuit controller is provided for driving a DC-DC converter circuit that supports both current-mode conversion (CCM) and current-mode conversion (DCM). The DC-DC converter circuit controller includes an input pin, a signal processing circuit, and an output pin. The input pin is used to receive the inductor current of the DC-DC converter circuit. The signal processing circuit is used to: generate a first control signal when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM and N consecutive first durations are greater than a first time threshold, where the first duration is the time from when the inductor current is less than a first current threshold to when it reaches a current valley, and N is an integer greater than 1; and generate a second control signal when the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM and M consecutive second durations are less than a second time threshold, where the second duration is the time when the inductor current is less than or equal to a second current threshold, and M is an integer greater than 1. The output pin is used to output the first control signal and the second control signal to the power transistor of the DC-DC converter circuit, where the first control signal controls the DC-DC converter circuit to switch to DCM, and the second control signal controls the DC-DC converter circuit to exit DCM.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the DC-DC converter circuit controller can control the DC-DC converter circuit to switch between CCM and DCM based on the relationship between multiple consecutive durations of the inductor current within the current range of the corresponding mode and the corresponding time threshold. This achieves the function of switching the DC-DC converter circuit between CCM and DCM according to the inductor current, and avoids repeated switching between CCM and DCM by judging multiple consecutive durations. Furthermore, when the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM, if the load increases, the continuously detected second duration will gradually decrease, so that M consecutive second durations are all less than the second time threshold in a short time, thereby achieving the function of the DC-DC converter circuit quickly exiting DCM. In other words, when the DC-DC converter circuit controller is used to drive the DC-DC converter circuit, it can make the DC-DC converter circuit meet the following requirements: able to switch according to the load current, able to quickly exit DCM, and avoid repeated switching between CCM and DCM.

[0007] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the signal processing circuit includes: an analog circuit and a digital circuit. The analog circuit includes: a current-to-voltage conversion circuit for converting the inductor current into a first voltage signal; a voltage conversion circuit for converting the output voltage of the DC-DC converter into a second voltage signal; a first comparator, with its first input terminal receiving the first voltage signal and its second terminal receiving a voltage threshold corresponding to either a first current threshold or a second current threshold; and a second comparator, with its first input terminal receiving the second voltage signal and its second terminal receiving a voltage threshold corresponding to either a current valley or a second current threshold. The digital circuit generates a first control signal and a second control signal based on the comparison results generated by the first and second comparators. In the above possible implementation, by converting the detection and comparison of the inductor current within different current ranges into the detection and comparison of the current-to-voltage conversion of the inductor current and the output voltage of the DC-DC converter, and generating the first and second control signals based on the comparison results of the corresponding voltages, the processing difficulty and losses of the signal processing circuit are reduced, while also improving processing efficiency.

[0008] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the analog circuit further includes a reference voltage generation circuit for generating a voltage threshold corresponding to a first current threshold, a voltage threshold corresponding to the current valley, or a voltage threshold corresponding to a second current threshold. In the above possible implementations, the reference voltage generation circuit generates different voltage thresholds to provide corresponding voltage thresholds for the first comparator and the second comparator.

[0009] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the digital circuit includes: a time detection logic circuit for determining a first duration and a second duration based on comparison results generated by a first comparator and a second comparator; and a switching logic circuit for: acquiring a first count of a series of consecutive first durations greater than a first time threshold, and generating a first control signal when the first count reaches N; acquiring a second count of a series of consecutive second durations greater than a second time threshold, and generating a second control signal when the second count reaches M. In the above possible implementation, the digital circuit can determine the first duration and the second duration, and by statistically analyzing the series of consecutive first durations and consecutive second durations, control the DC-DC conversion circuit to switch between CCM and DCM when the series of consecutive first durations and consecutive second durations meet certain conditions, thereby enabling the DC-DC conversion circuit to: switch based on current, quickly exit DCM, and avoid repeated switching between CCM and DCM.

[0010] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the time detection logic circuit includes: a first RS flip-flop, a first D flip-flop, a second D flip-flop, a first selector, a second selector, and a counting circuit; the output of the first RS flip-flop is coupled to the control terminal of the first selector, the output of the first selector is coupled to the data input terminal of the first D flip-flop, the output of the first D flip-flop is coupled to the input terminal of the counting circuit and the first input terminal of the second selector, the output of the counting circuit is coupled to the first input terminal of the first selector, the output of the second selector is coupled to the data input terminal of the second D flip-flop, and the output of the second D flip-flop is coupled to the second input terminal of the second selector; the S input terminal and R input terminal of the first RS flip-flop are coupled to the output terminals of the first comparator and the second comparator, respectively; the clock input terminals of the first D flip-flop and the second D flip-flop are both used to receive clock signals; the reset terminals of the first D flip-flop and the second D flip-flop are used to receive reset signals; and the output terminal of the second D flip-flop is used to output a first duration or a second duration. In the above possible implementations, the time detection logic circuit can detect the comparison result of the first comparator and the comparison result of the second comparator through the first RS flip-flop, and count and latch the two comparison results through the first D flip-flop, the second D flip-flop, the first selector, the second selector and the counting circuit, so as to determine the first duration and the second duration.

[0011] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the DC-DC conversion circuit is a series capacitor buck converter (SCB). In the above possible implementation, when the DC-DC conversion circuit controller is used to drive the series capacitor buck converter (SCB), the series capacitor buck converter (SCB) can satisfy the following: it can switch according to the current, it can quickly exit the DCM, and it avoids repeated switching between CCM and DCM.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the capacitor charging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer in CCM (Continuous Charging Mode) is greater than the capacitor charging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer in DCM (Discharging Mode); the capacitor discharging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer in CCM is less than the capacitor discharging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer in DCM. Here, the charging voltage can refer to the voltage of the capacitor in the series capacitor step-down transformer after charging is complete, and the capacitor discharging voltage can refer to the voltage of the capacitor in the series capacitor step-down transformer after discharging is complete. Optionally, the charging and discharging frequency of the capacitor in CCM is greater than the charging and discharging frequency of the capacitor in DCM.

[0013] Secondly, a mode switching method is provided, applied to a DC-DC converter circuit controller, the DC-DC converter circuit controller being used to drive a DC-DC converter circuit, the DC-DC converter circuit supporting continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The method includes: receiving the inductor current of the DC-DC converter circuit; when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM and N consecutive first durations are all greater than a first time threshold, generating a first control signal, the first duration being the time from when the inductor current is less than the first current threshold to when it reaches a current valley, where N is an integer greater than 1; when the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM and M consecutive second durations are all less than a second time threshold, generating a second control signal, the second duration being the time when the inductor current is less than the second current threshold, where M is an integer greater than 1; outputting the first control signal and the second control signal to the power transistor of the DC-DC converter circuit, the first control signal being used to control the DC-DC converter circuit to switch to DCM, and the second control signal being used to control the DC-DC converter circuit to exit DCM.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, the method further includes: converting the inductor current into a first voltage signal; converting the output voltage of the DC-DC conversion circuit into a second voltage signal; comparing the first voltage signal with a voltage threshold corresponding to a first current threshold or a voltage threshold corresponding to a second current threshold to obtain a first comparison result; comparing the second voltage signal with a voltage threshold corresponding to the current valley or a voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold to obtain a second comparison result; wherein the first comparison result and the second comparison result are used to generate a first control signal and a second control signal.

[0015] In one possible implementation of the second aspect, generating a first control signal includes: determining a first duration based on a first comparison result and a second comparison result, obtaining a first count of a series of consecutive first durations greater than a first time threshold, and generating a first control signal when the first count reaches N; generating a second control signal includes: determining a second duration based on a first comparison result and a second comparison result, obtaining a second count of a series of consecutive second durations greater than a second time threshold, and generating a second control signal when the second count reaches M.

[0016] Thirdly, a power supply device is provided, the power supply device including a DC-DC conversion circuit and a DC-DC conversion circuit controller as provided in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the DC-DC conversion circuit being used to drive the DC-DC conversion circuit.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the power transistors of the DC-DC converter circuit include a first power transistor, a second power transistor, a third power transistor, and a fourth power transistor; the DC-DC converter circuit also includes a capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor; one terminal of the first power transistor is connected to a voltage terminal, the other terminal of the first power transistor is coupled to one terminal of the second power transistor and one terminal of the first inductor through the capacitor, the other terminal of the first power transistor is coupled to one terminal of the fourth power transistor and one terminal of the second inductor through the third power transistor, the other terminals of the second and fourth power transistors are both grounded, and the other terminals of the first and second inductors are both coupled to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter circuit. Optionally, the inductor current is the current of the second inductor.

[0018] Fourthly, an electronic device is provided, comprising a load and a power supply device as provided in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the power supply device being used to supply power to the load.

[0019] Understandably, the beneficial effects achieved by any of the mode switching methods, power supply devices, and electronic devices provided above can be referred to in the context of the beneficial effects of the DC-DC conversion circuit controller provided above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an SCB provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 2 A graph showing the output current and energy efficiency of an SCB provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0023] Figure 4 This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a DC-DC converter circuit controller according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the switching between CCM and DCM in a DC-DC converter circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of another DC-DC conversion circuit controller provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a time detection logic circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 8 A state transition diagram of a switching logic circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a DC-DC conversion circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 10 A waveform diagram of multiple signals in a DC-DC conversion circuit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In this embodiment, each circuit, software, or other component may be described or referred to as "used for" performing one or more tasks. In this context, "used for" is used to imply a structure or function by indicating that the circuit / software / component includes a structure (e.g., a circuit system) that performs one or more tasks during operation. Therefore, even when the specified circuit / software / component is currently inoperable (e.g., not turned on), it can still be referred to as "used for performing the task."

[0032] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c; where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0033] The embodiments of this application use terms such as "first" and "second" to distinguish objects with similar names, functions, or effects. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or order of execution. The term "coupling" is used to indicate an electrical connection, including direct connection via wires or terminals or indirect connection via other devices. Therefore, "coupling" should be considered as a broad type of electronic communication connection.

[0034] In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or illustration. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0035] In the embodiments of this application, the power transistor can refer to a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor, and the type of power transistor can include an N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor and a P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor. Furthermore, one terminal of the power transistor described herein can be either the source or the drain, and the other terminal can be either the source or the drain, depending on the type of power transistor and its connection in the circuit.

[0036] Before introducing the embodiments of this application, the application scenarios involved in this application will be described first.

[0037] DC-DC converters can support both continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Series capacitor buck converters (SCBs), as a commonly used DC-DC converter, are widely used in various electronic devices and power supplies. For example, Figure 1A schematic diagram of an SCB (Self-Containing Circuit Breaker) is shown. The SCB includes a first power transistor M1 to a fourth power transistor M4, a first capacitor C1 and a second capacitor C2, and a first inductor L1 and a second inductor L2. One terminal of the first power transistor M1 is connected to a voltage terminal, and the other terminal of the first power transistor M1 is coupled to one terminal of the second power transistor M2 and one end of the first inductor L1 through the first capacitor C1. The other terminal of the second power transistor M2 is coupled to a ground terminal, and the other end of the first inductor L1 is coupled to the output terminal Vout of the SCB. The other terminal of the first power transistor M1 is also coupled to one terminal of the fourth power transistor M4 and one end of the second inductor L2 through a third power transistor M3. The other terminal of the fourth power transistor M4 is coupled to a ground terminal, and the other end of the second inductor L2 is coupled to the output terminal Vout of the SCB. The second capacitor C2 is coupled between the output terminal Vout of the SCB and the ground terminal. The gate of the first power transistor M1 is used to receive the drive signal DRV1, the gate of the second power transistor M2 is used to receive the drive signal DRV2, the gate of the third power transistor M3 is used to receive the drive signal DRV3, and the gate of the fourth power transistor M4 is used to receive the drive signal DRV4. For example, Figure 2 The diagram illustrates the output current and efficiency curves of an SCB operating in both CCM and DCM modes. The output current, also known as the load current, is measured in amperes (A). The diagram uses an example of an SCB converting 12V to 0.7V at 500kHz. In CCM mode, the efficiency increases with increasing output current; for example, as the output current increases from 2A to 6A, the efficiency increases approximately from 83% to 91.5%. In DCM mode, the efficiency decreases slowly with increasing output current; for example, as the output current increases from 2A to 6A, the efficiency decreases slowly from approximately 88.7% to 87.6%. The switching requirements for the DC-DC converter circuit between CCM and DCM are: the ability to switch based on load current, the ability to quickly exit DCM, and the avoidance of repeated switching between CCM and DCM.

[0038] In one possible embodiment, the DC-DC converter circuit switches between CCM and DCM as follows: in CCM, it switches to DCM when the average output current is less than a first threshold; in DCM, it switches to CCM when the average output current is greater than a second threshold. This scheme can switch between CCM and DCM based on the load current, and by setting the first and second thresholds, repeated switching between CCM and DCM can be avoided. However, it is difficult to quickly exit DCM, which can easily lead to a drop in output voltage.

[0039] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a DC-DC conversion circuit controller for driving a DC-DC conversion circuit. Specifically, under CCM and DCM modes, the controller can control the mode switching of the DC-DC conversion circuit based on the relationship between multiple consecutive durations of the inductor current within the current range of the corresponding mode and the corresponding time threshold. This ensures that the operation of the DC-DC conversion circuit meets the following requirements: it can quickly exit DCM, it can switch between CCM and DCM based on the load current, and it can avoid repeated switching between CCM and DCM. This DC-DC conversion circuit can also be called a DC-DC converter, a DC-DC conversion circuit, or a DC-DC converter. Optionally, the DC-DC conversion circuit may include a buck circuit, a boost circuit, and a buck-boost circuit, etc. Optionally, the DC-DC conversion circuit can be a single-phase conversion circuit or a multi-phase conversion circuit. In one example, the DC-DC conversion circuit can be a series voltage buck converter (SCB).

[0040] In this application, a DC-DC converter circuit being in CCM can mean that the inductor current (or coil current) in the DC-DC converter circuit is continuously flowing, i.e., the inductor current is uninterrupted; or, the power transistor pair (i.e., the power transistors that need to be switched on, such as the upper and lower transistors) in the DC-DC converter circuit continuously switches between on and off, and the power transistor pair is not simultaneously in an off state. A DC-DC converter circuit being in DCM can mean that the inductor current in the DC-DC converter circuit may experience discontinuous flow, i.e., the inductor current may be intermittent; or, the power transistor pair (e.g., the upper and lower transistors) in the DC-DC converter circuit may be simultaneously in an off state.

[0041] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to electronic devices in various scenarios, including scenarios requiring high-power supply, scenarios involving intensive computing (e.g., high-performance computing), and photovoltaic power generation scenarios. Optionally, the electronic device may include, but is not limited to: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, handheld computers, ultra-mobile personal computers (umPCs), mobile internet devices (MIDs), netbooks, cameras, camcorders, wearable devices (such as smartwatches and smart bracelets), in-vehicle devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), smart robots, equipment in photovoltaic power generation systems, power supply equipment, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or smart homes. Wireless terminals and flying equipment (e.g., intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes) in the home. The following example uses a mobile phone as an example to illustrate the structure of this electronic device.

[0042] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device provided in an embodiment of this application. The electronic device includes components such as a radio frequency (RF) circuit 110, a memory 120, an input unit 130, a display unit 140, a sensor 150, an audio circuit 160, a processor 170, and a power supply 180.

[0043] The RF circuit 110 can be used to transmit and receive information, or to receive or send signals during a call. Specifically, it receives downlink information from the base station and processes it in the processor 170; additionally, it transmits uplink data to the base station. Typically, the RF circuit 110 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, at least one amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), a duplexer, etc. Furthermore, the RF circuit 110 can also communicate wirelessly with networks and other devices.

[0044] The memory 120 can be used to store data, software programs, and modules; it includes a program storage area and a data storage area. The program storage area can store the operating system and application programs required for at least one function, such as sound playback or image playback. The data storage area can store data created based on the use of the electronic device, such as audio data, image data, and a phone book. Furthermore, the electronic device may include random access memory (RAM) and non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, flash memory device, or other volatile solid-state storage device. Optionally, the random access memory may include synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), such as double data rate (DDR) SDRAM, which may also be abbreviated as DDR.

[0045] Input unit 130 can be used to receive input numerical or character information, and to generate key signal inputs related to user settings and function control of the electronic device. Input unit 130 may include touch screen 131 and other input devices 132. Touch screen 131 can collect touch operations on or near the user and drive corresponding connected devices according to a pre-set program. For example, touch operations may include operations performed by the user using a finger, stylus, or any suitable object or accessory on or near the touch screen. Optionally, other input devices 132 may include, but are not limited to, one or more of a physical keyboard, function keys, mouse, joystick, etc., such as volume control buttons, power switch buttons, etc.

[0046] Display unit 140 can be used to display information input by the user or information provided to the user, as well as various menus of the electronic device. In one example, display unit 140 may include display screen 141, which may be configured as a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or similar device. Furthermore, touchscreen 131 may cover display screen 141. When touchscreen 131 detects a touch operation on or near it, it transmits the information to processor 170 to determine the type of touch event. Subsequently, processor 170 provides corresponding visual output on display screen 141 based on the type of touch event. Although in the figures, touchscreen 131 and display screen 141 are shown as two separate components to implement the input and output functions of the electronic device, in some embodiments, touchscreen 131 and display screen 141 can be integrated to achieve the input and output functions of the electronic device.

[0047] Sensor 150 may include one or more sensors for providing status assessments of various aspects of the electronic device. Sensor 150 may include a light sensor, which can be used in imaging applications, i.e., as a component of a camera or video camera. Furthermore, sensor 150 may also include an accelerometer, gyroscope, magnetometer, pressure sensor, or temperature sensor. Sensor 150 can detect acceleration / deceleration, orientation, on / off state, relative positioning of components, or temperature changes of the electronic device.

[0048] Audio circuitry 160, a speaker, and a microphone provide an audio interface between the user and the electronic device. Audio circuitry 160 converts received audio data into electrical signals and transmits them to the speaker, where the speaker converts them into sound signals for output. On the other hand, the microphone converts collected sound signals into electrical signals, which are then received by audio circuitry 160, converted into audio data, and output to RF circuitry 110 for transmission to, for example, another mobile phone, or to memory 120 for further processing.

[0049] The processor 170 is the control center of the electronic device, connecting various parts of the device through various interfaces and lines. It performs various functions and processes data by running or executing software programs and / or modules stored in the memory 120, and by calling data stored in the memory 120, thereby providing overall control of the electronic device. Optionally, the processor 170 may include one or more processing units, which may include, but are not limited to: a central processing unit (CPU), a network processing unit (NPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a data processing unit (DPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller, or a microprocessor. Furthermore, the processor 170 may also include other hardware circuits or accelerators, such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. Alternatively, the processor 170 may also be a combination of functions that implement computing, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc.

[0050] The electronic device may also include a power supply 180 (e.g., a battery) to power various components. The power supply 180 can be logically connected to the processor 170 via a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. Optionally, the power management system can simultaneously support fast charging and non-fast charging technologies. In practical applications, the power management system can charge the battery in the power supply 180 using either fast charging or non-fast charging technologies.

[0051] Optionally, the electronic device may also include a Wi-Fi module, a Bluetooth module, etc., which will not be described in detail in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that the structure of the electronic device shown in the figures does not constitute a limitation on the electronic device, and may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0052] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a DC-DC converter circuit controller provided in an embodiment of this application. The DC-DC converter circuit controller is used to drive a DC-DC converter circuit that supports continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). The DC-DC converter circuit controller includes an input pin 21, a signal processing circuit 22, and an output pin 23. Both the input pin 21 and the output pin 23 are coupled to the signal processing circuit 22.

[0053] The input pin 21 is used to receive the inductor current I of the DC-DC converter circuit. L The DC-DC converter circuit may include one or more inductors. When the DC-DC converter circuit includes one inductor, the inductor current I... L This can be the current in the inductor; when the DC-DC converter circuit includes multiple inductors, the inductor current I... L The current can be the current of any one of the multiple inductors, or the current of a specific inductor among the multiple inductors. Optionally, the input pin 21 may include one or more input pins, one of which can be used to receive the inductor current I. L .

[0054] The signal processing circuit 22 is used to generate a first control signal SC1 when the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM and N consecutive first durations are greater than a first time threshold, wherein the first duration is the inductor current I. L The time between when the current is less than the first current threshold and when it reaches the current valley value; the first time can also be referred to as the inductor current I. L The duration N between the decrease of the first current threshold and the current trough is an integer greater than 1, such as 3, 5, 8, 9, or 10. When the DC-DC converter is in DCM mode and M consecutive second durations are less than the second time threshold, a second control signal SC2 is generated, where the second duration is the inductor current I. L The duration less than or equal to the second current threshold, where M is an integer greater than 1, for example, M can be 3, 4, 6, 9 or 10, etc.

[0055] The first current threshold and the second current threshold can be the same or different; for example, the first current threshold can be greater than the second current threshold. The first time threshold and the second time threshold can also be the same or different; for example, the first time threshold can be greater than the second time threshold. M and N can be the same or different. The first current threshold, the second current threshold, the first time threshold, the second time threshold, and M and N can be preset, and their specific values ​​can be determined by those skilled in the art based on experience, through actual testing, or using relevant algorithms or models. This application does not impose specific limitations on these values.

[0056] Furthermore, when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM mode, the inductor current I L The value of the inductor current I is greater than 0 throughout a switching cycle. L It will not reset to 0 within one switching cycle; when the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM, the inductor current I L Within a switching cycle, there is a case where the value of the inductor current I is equal to 0, i.e., the inductor current I... L It will be reset to 0 within one switching cycle.

[0057] The output pin 23 is used to output a first control signal SC1 and a second control signal SC2. For example, the first control signal SC1 and the second control signal SC2 are output to the power transistor of the DC-DC converter circuit. The first control signal SC1 is used to control the DC-DC converter circuit to switch to DCM, and the second control signal SC2 is used to control the DC-DC converter circuit to exit DCM. Figure 4 This is represented as SC1 / SC2. That is, when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM mode, the output pin 23 can output a first control signal SC1 to switch the DC-DC converter circuit to DCM mode; when the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM mode, the output pin 23 can output a second control signal SC2 to control the DC-DC converter circuit to exit DCM mode, for example, to switch the DC-DC converter circuit to CCM mode. Optionally, the DC-DC converter circuit may include multiple power transistors, and the output pin 23 may include multiple output pins. The first control signal SC1 and the second control signal SC2 may both include control signals for the multiple power transistors. The multiple output pins can be used to output the control signals for the multiple power transistors to their respective gates (or control terminals).

[0058] For example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the inductor current I of this DC-DC converter circuit L The corresponding current conversion voltage V ILFor example, when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM mode, and N consecutive time periods (denoted as T11, T12, ..., T1(N-1), T1N) are all greater than a first time threshold, the DC-DC converter circuit controller can output a first control signal SC1 to control the DC-DC converter circuit to switch to DCM mode. When the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM mode, and M consecutive time periods (denoted as T21, T22, ..., T2M) are all less than a second time threshold, the DC-DC converter circuit controller can output a second control signal SC2 to control the DC-DC converter circuit to switch to CCM mode. Here, any time period from T11 to T1N represents the current-to-voltage conversion value V. IL The time interval from the voltage threshold Vth1 to the voltage valley, any one of the time intervals T21 to T2M, is the current-to-voltage conversion value V. IL The duration is not greater than the voltage threshold Vth2.

[0059] Furthermore, due to the inductor current I L The change is related to the inductor current I. L The corresponding current-to-voltage conversion is closely related to the change in the output voltage Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit, thus affecting the inductor current I. L The detection of changes in the inductor current I can be converted into the detection of changes in the inductor current I. L The corresponding current-to-voltage conversion and the output voltage Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit are detected. In one possible implementation, the input pin 21 can also be used to receive the output voltage Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit, and the signal processing circuit 22 can also be used to detect the inductor current I. L The duration of the output voltage Vo's variation under CCM and DCM conditions generates a first control signal SC1 and a second control signal SC2. Optionally, this can be combined with... Figure 4 ,like Figure 6 As shown, the signal processing circuit 22 may include analog circuit 22a and digital circuit 22b.

[0060] In one possible embodiment, such as Figure 6As shown, the analog circuit 22a may include: a current-to-voltage conversion circuit 221, a voltage conversion circuit 222, a first comparator CMP1, and a second comparator CMP2. The input terminal of the current-to-voltage conversion circuit 221 is coupled to the input pin 21, and the output terminal of the current-to-voltage conversion circuit 221 is coupled to the first input terminal of the first comparator CMP1, which in turn is coupled to the first input terminal of the digital circuit. The input terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 222 is coupled to the input pin 21, and the output terminal of the voltage conversion circuit 222 is coupled to the first input terminal of the second comparator CMP2, which in turn is coupled to the second input terminal of the digital circuit. Optionally, the first input terminals of both the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2 may be inverting input terminals, and the second input terminals of both the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2 may be non-inverting input terminals.

[0061] Specifically, the current-to-voltage conversion circuit 221 is used to convert the inductor current I... L The voltage conversion circuit 222 converts the output voltage Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit into a second voltage signal. The first input terminal of the first comparator CMP1 receives the first voltage signal, and the second input terminal receives a voltage threshold Vth1 corresponding to a first current threshold or a voltage threshold Vth2 corresponding to a second current threshold. The output terminal of the first comparator CMP1 outputs a first comparison result, i.e., the first comparator CMP1 compares the first voltage signal with voltage threshold Vth1 or voltage threshold Vth2. The first input terminal of the second comparator CMP2 receives the second voltage signal, and the second input terminal receives a voltage threshold Vth3 corresponding to a current valley or voltage threshold Vth4 corresponding to a second current threshold. The second comparator CMP2 then outputs a second comparison result, i.e., the second comparator CMP2 compares the second voltage signal with voltage threshold Vth3 or voltage threshold Vth4. The voltage threshold Vth2 mentioned above can be a threshold set according to the second current threshold for comparison with the first voltage signal, and the voltage threshold Vth4 can be a threshold set according to the second current threshold for comparison with the second voltage signal.

[0062] In other words, when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM (Concurrent Conditioning), the first comparator CMP1 compares the first voltage signal with a voltage threshold Vth1, and the second comparator CMP2 compares the second voltage signal with a voltage threshold Vth3. The comparison result output by the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2 is used to determine the first duration, for example, the first duration is equal to the duration between the moment when the first voltage signal is less than the voltage threshold Vth1 and the moment when the second voltage signal is less than the voltage threshold Vth3. When the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM (Diverterless Conditioning), the first comparator CMP1 compares the first voltage signal with a voltage threshold Vth2, and the second comparator CMP2 compares the second voltage signal with a voltage threshold Vth4. The comparison result output by the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2 is used to determine the second duration, for example, the second duration is equal to the duration between the moment when the first voltage signal is less than the voltage threshold Vth2 and the moment when the second voltage signal is less than the voltage threshold Vth4.

[0063] It is understood that the specific structures of the current-to-voltage conversion circuit 221 and the voltage conversion circuit 222 in this application can be implemented using structures in related technologies. Those skilled in the art can also implement them based on conventional or routine circuit structures with the same or similar functions. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific structures of the current-to-voltage conversion circuit 221 and the voltage conversion circuit 222.

[0064] Optionally, the voltage thresholds Vth1 to Vth3 received by the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2 can be generated by one or more voltage generators. For example, the signal processing circuit 22 further includes a voltage generator for generating voltage thresholds Vth1 to Vth4.

[0065] In one possible embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the digital circuit 22b may include a time detection logic circuit 223 and a switching logic circuit 224. The two input terminals of the time detection logic circuit 223 are coupled to the output terminals of the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2, respectively. The output terminal of the time detection logic circuit 223 is coupled to the input terminal of the switching logic circuit 224, and the output terminal of the switching logic circuit 224 is coupled to the output pin 23.

[0066] Specifically, the time detection logic circuit 223 is used to determine the first duration and the second duration based on the comparison results generated by the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2. The switching logic circuit 224 is used to: when the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM, acquire the first count of a series of consecutive first durations greater than the first time threshold, and generate a first control signal SC1 when the first count reaches N; when the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM, acquire the second count of a series of consecutive second durations greater than the second time threshold, and generate a second control signal SC2 when the second count reaches M.

[0067] In one example, such as Figure 7 As shown, the time detection logic circuit 223 includes: a first RS flip-flop 2231, a first D flip-flop 2232, a second D flip-flop 2233, a first selector 2234, a second selector 2235, and a counting circuit 2236. The output terminal of the first RS flip-flop 2231 is coupled to the control terminal of the first selector 2234, the output terminal of the first selector 2234 is coupled to the data input terminal of the first D flip-flop 2232, the output terminal of the first D flip-flop 2232 is coupled to the input terminal of the counting circuit 2236 and the first input terminal of the second selector 2235, the output terminal of the counting circuit 2236 is coupled to the first input terminal of the first selector 2234, the output terminal of the second selector 2235 is coupled to the data input terminal of the second D flip-flop 2233, and the output terminal of the second D flip-flop 2233 is coupled to the second input terminal of the second selector 2235. Figure 7 The outputs of the first RS flip-flop 2231, the first D flip-flop 2232, and the second D flip-flop 2233 are all represented as Q. The data inputs of the first D flip-flop 2232 and the second D flip-flop 2233 are all represented as D. The clock inputs of the first D flip-flop 2232 and the second D flip-flop 2233 are all represented as CR.

[0068] The S-input and R-input terminals of the first RS flip-flop 2231 are coupled to the output terminals of the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2, respectively, to receive the comparison results of the first comparator CMP1 and the second comparator CMP2, which are represented as S1 and S2 signals, respectively. The clock input terminals of the first D flip-flop 2232 and the second D flip-flop 2233 are both used to receive the clock signal CLK. The reset terminals of the first D flip-flop 2232 and the second D flip-flop 2233 are used to receive the reset signal RST. The output terminal of the second D flip-flop 2233 is used to output a first duration or a second duration. In the time detection logic circuit 223, when the first RS flip-flop 2231 detects the S1 signal, the output of the first RS flip-flop 2231 is high, the first selector 2234 is turned on, the counter 2236 starts counting, and the first D flip-flop 2232 latches the count of the counter 2236; when the first RS flip-flop 2231 detects the S2 signal, the output of the first RS flip-flop 2231 is low, the counter 2236 stops counting and is reset, the second selector 2234 is turned on, and the count in the first D flip-flop 2232 is latched in the second D flip-flop 2232 after passing through the second selector 2234.

[0069] In one example, such as Figure 8 As shown, the switching logic circuit 224 can have multiple states, and can switch between these states. These states can include a CCM state, a CCM counting state, a DCM state, and a DCM counting state. The CCM state can refer to a state where the DC-DC converter is in CCM, and the number of times the switching logic circuit 224 counts a duration greater than a first time threshold is 0. The DCM state can refer to a state where the DC-DC converter is in CCM, and the number of times the switching logic circuit 224 counts a duration greater than a first time threshold is greater than 0. The DCM state can refer to a state where the DC-DC converter is in DCM, and the number of times the switching logic circuit 224 counts a duration less than a second time threshold is 0. The DCM counting state can refer to a state where the DC-DC converter is in DCM, and the number of times the switching logic circuit 224 counts a duration less than a second time threshold is greater than 0.

[0070] Optionally, the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM state, and the switching logic circuit 224 can default to CCM state. In CCM state, when the detected first duration is greater than the first time threshold, the circuit switches from CCM state to CCM counting state. In CCM counting state, when N consecutive first durations are detected to be greater than the first time threshold, the circuit switches from CCM counting state to DCM state. In CCM counting state, when the detected first duration is less than the first time threshold, the circuit switches from CCM counting state to CCM state. In DCM state, when the detected second duration is less than the second time threshold, the circuit switches from DCM state to DCM counting state. In DCM counting state, when the detected second duration is greater than or equal to the second time threshold, the circuit switches from DCM counting state to DCM state. When M consecutive second durations are detected to be less than the second time threshold, the circuit switches from DCM counting state to CCM state. For example, when the DC-DC conversion circuit is an SCB, the switching logic circuit 224 can detect the first duration and the second duration from the rising edge of the control signal of the first power transistor M1 in the SCB, and switch the state according to the corresponding count.

[0071] Optionally, the switching logic circuit 224 can also be used to output a mode indication signal, which can be used to indicate whether the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM or DCM. For example, when the switching logic circuit 224 switches from the CCM counting state to the DCM state, the mode indication signal can be used to indicate that the DC-DC conversion circuit is in DCM; when the switching logic circuit 224 switches from the DCM counting state to the CCM state, the mode indication signal can be used to indicate that the DC-DC conversion circuit is in CCM.

[0072] Furthermore, the DC-DC conversion circuit in this embodiment can be a buck circuit, a boost circuit, or a buck-boost circuit, etc. The following description uses a buck circuit as an example. This buck circuit can include a single-phase buck circuit or a multi-phase buck circuit; for example, the multi-phase buck circuit can include an SCB.

[0073] In one possible example, such as Figure 9As shown in (a), the DC-DC converter circuit is a single-phase step-down circuit. The DC-DC converter circuit may include a first power transistor M1, a second power transistor M2, and an inductor L. One terminal of the first power transistor M1 is coupled to the voltage terminal VIN, and the other terminal of the first power transistor M1 is coupled to one terminal of the second power transistor M2 and one end of the inductor L. The other terminal of the second power transistor M2 is coupled to the ground terminal, and the other end of the inductor L is coupled to the output terminal Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit. Optionally, the DC-DC converter circuit may include a capacitor C, one end of which may be coupled to the output terminal Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit, and the other end of which is coupled to the ground terminal. In this structure, the power transistors of the DC-DC converter circuit may include the first power transistor M1 and the second power transistor M2; the inductor current I of the DC-DC converter circuit... L The current of the inductor L; either the first control signal SC1 or the second control signal SC2 output by the DC-DC converter circuit controller may include the control signal of the first power M1 and the control signal of the second power M2.

[0074] In another possible example, such as Figure 9 As shown in (b), the DC-DC converter circuit is an SCB. This DC-DC converter circuit may include a first power transistor M1 to a fourth power transistor M4, a first capacitor C1, and a first inductor L1 and a second inductor L2. One terminal of the first power transistor M1 is connected to the voltage terminal VIN, and the other terminal of the first power transistor M1 is coupled to one terminal of the second power transistor M2 and one end of the first inductor L1 through the first capacitor C. The other terminal of the second power transistor M2 is coupled to the ground terminal, and the other end of the first inductor L1 is coupled to the output terminal Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit. The other terminal of the first power transistor M1 is also coupled to one terminal of the fourth power transistor M4 and one end of the second inductor L2 through a third power transistor M3. The other terminal of the fourth power transistor M4 is coupled to the ground terminal, and the other end of the second inductor L2 is coupled to the output terminal Vout of the SCB. Optionally, the DC-DC converter circuit may further include a second capacitor C2, one end of which may be coupled to the output terminal Vo of the DC-DC converter circuit, and the other end of the second capacitor C2 is coupled to the ground terminal. In this structure, the power transistors of the DC-DC converter circuit may include a first power transistor M1 to a fourth power transistor M4; the inductor current I of the DC-DC converter circuit L The current can be that of the second inductor L2; any one of the first control signal SC1 and the second control signal SC2 output by the DC-DC converter circuit controller can include the control signals of the first power transistor M1 to the fourth power transistor M4.

[0075] Specifically, the SCB can include four operating modes, denoted as operating modes 1 to 4. In operating mode 1, the first power transistor M1 and the fourth power transistor M4 are turned on, while the second power transistor M2 and the third power transistor M3 are turned off. VIN charges the first capacitor C1 and supplies power to Vo through the first inductor L1. The second inductor L2 freewheels through the fourth power transistor. In operating mode 2, the second power transistor M2 and the fourth power transistor M4 are turned on, while the first power transistor M1 and the third power transistor M3 are turned off. The first inductor L1 freewheels through the second power transistor M2, and the second inductor L2 freewheels through the fourth power transistor M4. In operating mode 3, the second power transistor M2 and the third power transistor M3 are turned on, while the first power transistor M1 and the fourth power transistor M4 are turned off. The first capacitor C1 discharges to supply power to Vo through the second inductor L2, and the first inductor L1 freewheels through the second power transistor M2. In this operating mode 4, the second power transistor M2 and the fourth power transistor M4 are turned on, the first power transistor M1 and the third power transistor M3 are turned off, the first inductor L1 freewheels through the second power transistor M2, and the second inductor L2 freewheels through the fourth power transistor M4.

[0076] When the SCB is in CCM or DCM, it will operate in a cycle according to the four operating modes mentioned above. However, the difference between the two is that when the SCB is in DCM, after operating modes 2 and 4, the SCB will be inactive for a period of time, that is, the first power transistor M1 to the fourth power transistor M4 will all be turned off. When the SCB is in DCM, the SCB will not be inactive for a period of time.

[0077] For example, Figure 10The graph shows the control signals from the first power transistor M1 to the fourth power transistor M4, the current of the first inductor L1, the current of the second inductor L2, and the voltage of the first capacitor C1 when the SCB is operating in CCM and DCM. When the SCB operates in CCM mode: the control signals of the first power transistor M1 and the second power transistor M2 are complementary (or opposite), and the control signals of the third power transistor M3 and the fourth power transistor M4 are also complementary; the current of the first inductor L1 gradually rises from a valley to a peak value during the period when the first power transistor M1 is on, and decreases from a peak value to a valley value during the period when the second power transistor M2 is on; the third power transistor M3 and the fourth power transistor M4 also alternately conduct, the current of the second inductor L2 gradually rises from a valley to a peak value during the period when the third power transistor M3 is on, and decreases from a peak value to a valley value during the period when the fourth power transistor M4 is on; the voltage of the first capacitor C1 first decreases and then rises during the period when the first power transistor M1 is on, and stabilizes at the first charging voltage during the period when the second power transistor M2 is on, first rises and then decreases during the period when the third power transistor M3 is on, and stabilizes at the first discharging voltage during the period when the fourth power transistor M4 is on. When the SCB operates in DCM mode: the control signals of the first power transistor M1 and the second power transistor M2 are complementary for a portion of the time, and the control signals of the third power transistor M3 and the fourth power transistor M4 are also complementary for a portion of the time; the current of the first inductor L1 gradually rises from a valley to a peak value during the period when the first power transistor M1 is on, decreases from the peak value to the first current value during the period when the second power transistor M2 is on, and has a small fluctuation of first decreasing and then rising after the second power transistor M3 is on; the third power transistor M3 and the fourth power transistor M4 also conduct alternately, the current of the second inductor L2 gradually rises from a valley to a peak value during the period when the third power transistor M3 is on, and decreases from the peak value to the second current value during the period when the fourth power transistor M4 is on; the voltage of the first capacitor C1 first decreases and then rises during the period when the first power transistor M1 is on, and stabilizes at the second charging voltage during the period when the second power transistor M2 is on, first rises and then decreases during the period when the third power transistor M3 is on, and stabilizes at the second discharging voltage during the period when the fourth power transistor M4 is on. The first capacitor C1 mentioned above can also be called a series capacitor, that is, when the SCB is connected to the load, the first capacitor C1 and the load are connected in series.

[0078] The first charging voltage is lower than the second charging voltage, and the first discharging voltage is higher than the second discharging voltage. In this text, the first charging voltage can refer to the voltage after the SCB operates in CCM and the first capacitor C1 has completed charging; the first discharging voltage can refer to the voltage after the SCB operates in CCM and the first capacitor C1 has completed discharging; the second charging voltage can refer to the voltage after the SCB operates in DCM and the first capacitor C1 has completed charging; and the first discharging voltage can refer to the voltage after the SCB operates in DCM and the first capacitor C1 has completed discharging.

[0079] Optionally, the charging and discharging frequency of the first capacitor C1 when the series capacitor step-down transformer is in CCM is greater than the charging and discharging frequency of the first capacitor C1 when the series capacitor step-down transformer is in DCM.

[0080] In this embodiment, the DC-DC converter controller can control the DC-DC converter to switch between CCM and DCM based on the relationship between multiple consecutive durations of the inductor current in the corresponding mode and the corresponding time threshold. This achieves the function of switching the DC-DC converter between CCM and DCM based on the inductor current, and avoids repeated switching between CCM and DCM by judging multiple consecutive durations. In addition, when the DC-DC converter is in DCM, if the load increases, the second duration will gradually decrease, so that M consecutive second durations are all less than the second time threshold in a short time, thereby realizing the function of the DC-DC converter to quickly exit DCM.

[0081] Based on this, this application embodiment also provides a mode switching method applied to a DC-DC converter circuit controller, the DC-DC converter circuit controller being used to drive a DC-DC converter circuit, the DC-DC converter circuit supporting CCM and DCM; the method includes: receiving the inductor current of the DC-DC converter circuit; when the DC-DC converter circuit is in CCM and N consecutive first durations are all greater than a first time threshold, generating a first control signal, the first duration being the duration from when the inductor current is less than the first current threshold to when it reaches the current valley value, N being an integer greater than 1; when the DC-DC converter circuit is in DCM and M consecutive second durations are all less than a second time threshold, generating a second control signal, the second duration being the duration when the inductor current is less than the second current threshold, M being an integer greater than 1; outputting the first control signal and the second control signal to the power transistor of the DC-DC converter circuit, the first control signal being used to control the DC-DC converter circuit to switch to DCM, and the second control signal being used to control the DC-DC converter circuit to exit DCM.

[0082] Furthermore, the method further includes: converting the inductor current into a first voltage signal; converting the output voltage of the DC-DC conversion circuit into a second voltage signal; comparing the first voltage signal with a voltage threshold corresponding to a first current threshold or a voltage threshold corresponding to a second current threshold to obtain a first comparison result; and comparing the second voltage signal with a voltage threshold corresponding to the current valley or a voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold to obtain a second comparison result. The first comparison result and the second comparison result are used to generate a first control signal and a second control signal.

[0083] In one possible embodiment, generating the first control signal includes: determining a first duration based on a first comparison result and a second comparison result, obtaining a first count of a plurality of consecutive first durations greater than a first time threshold, and generating the first control signal when the first count reaches N.

[0084] In one possible embodiment, generating a second control signal includes: determining a second duration based on a first comparison result and a second comparison result, obtaining a second number of consecutive second durations greater than a second time threshold, and generating a second control signal when the second number reaches M.

[0085] It is understood that all relevant content regarding the DC-DC conversion circuit controller and the DC-DC conversion circuit mentioned above can be referenced in the embodiments of this mode switching method, and will not be repeated here.

[0086] In another embodiment of this application, a power supply device is provided, comprising a DC-DC conversion circuit and a DC-DC conversion circuit controller as described above, wherein the DC-DC conversion circuit is used to drive the DC-DC conversion circuit. Optionally, the DC-DC conversion circuit includes a first power transistor, a second power transistor, a third power transistor, a fourth power transistor, a capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor; one terminal of the first power transistor is connected to a voltage terminal, the other terminal of the first power transistor is coupled to one end of the second power transistor and the first inductor through the capacitor, the other terminal of the first power transistor is coupled to one terminal of the fourth power transistor and one end of the second inductor through the third power transistor, the other terminals of the second power transistor and the fourth power transistor are both grounded, and the other ends of the first inductor and the second inductor are both coupled to the output terminal of the DC-DC conversion circuit.

[0087] In another embodiment of this application, an electronic device is provided, such as Figure 11 As shown, the electronic device includes a load and any of the power supply devices provided above, which supply power to the load. Optionally, the load may be a system-on-a-chip, processor, memory, display unit, sensor, radio frequency circuit, or audio circuit, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not impose specific limitations on this.

[0088] In another embodiment of this application, a chip is provided, comprising a processor configured to retrieve and execute instructions stored in a memory, causing a device equipped with the chip to perform the methods provided in the above-described method embodiments. Alternatively, another chip is provided, comprising an input interface, an output interface, a processor, and a memory, wherein the input interface, output interface, processor, and memory are connected via an internal connection path, and the processor is configured to execute code in the memory; when the code is executed, the processor performs the methods provided in the above-described method embodiments.

[0089] It is understood that all relevant content involved in the above embodiments can be referenced in the embodiments of the electronic device and the embodiments of the chip, and the embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0090] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules or units is merely a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another apparatus, or some features may be ignored or not executed.

[0091] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0092] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. This readable storage medium may include various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, external hard drive, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiments of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product.

[0093] In another embodiment of this application, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.), cause the device to perform the steps of the above-described method embodiments.

[0094] In another embodiment of this application, a computer program product is also provided, which includes computer instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the steps of the method embodiments described above.

[0095] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A DC-DC converter circuit controller, characterized in that, Used to drive a DC-DC conversion circuit, which supports continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM); The DC-DC conversion circuit controller includes: The input pin is used to receive the inductor current of the DC-DC conversion circuit. A signal processing circuit is configured to: generate a first control signal when the DC-DC conversion circuit is in the CCM state and N consecutive first durations are all greater than a first time threshold, wherein the first duration is the duration from when the inductor current is less than a first current threshold to when it reaches a current valley value, and N is an integer greater than 1; and generate a second control signal when the DC-DC conversion circuit is in the DCM state and M consecutive second durations are all less than a second time threshold, wherein the second duration is the duration when the inductor current is less than or equal to a second current threshold, and M is an integer greater than 1. The output pin is used to output the first control signal and the second control signal to the power transistor of the DC-DC conversion circuit. The first control signal is used to control the DC-DC conversion circuit to switch to the DCM, and the second control signal is used to control the DC-DC conversion circuit to exit the DCM.

2. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller according to claim 1, characterized in that, The signal processing circuit includes: Analog circuit, the analog circuit comprising: A current-to-voltage conversion circuit is used to convert the inductor current into a first voltage signal; A voltage conversion circuit is used to convert the output voltage of the DC-DC conversion circuit into a second voltage signal; A first comparator, wherein a first input terminal of the first comparator is used to receive the first voltage signal, and a second terminal of the first comparator is used to receive a voltage threshold corresponding to the first current threshold or a voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold. A second comparator, wherein a first input terminal of the second comparator is used to receive the second voltage signal, and a second input terminal of the first comparator is used to receive a voltage threshold corresponding to the current valley value or a voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold; and A digital circuit is used to generate the first control signal and the second control signal based on the comparison results generated by the first comparator and the second comparator.

3. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller according to claim 2, characterized in that, The analog circuit also includes: A reference voltage generation circuit is used to generate a voltage threshold corresponding to the first current threshold, a voltage threshold corresponding to the current valley, or a voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold.

4. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The digital circuit includes: A time detection logic circuit is used to determine the first duration and the second duration based on the comparison results generated by the first comparator and the second comparator; The switching logic circuit is configured to: acquire a first count of a series of consecutive first durations greater than the first time threshold, and generate the first control signal when the first count reaches N; acquire a second count of a series of consecutive second durations greater than the second time threshold, and generate the second control signal when the second count reaches M.

5. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller according to claim 4, characterized in that, The time detection logic circuit includes: a first RS flip-flop, a first D flip-flop, a second D flip-flop, a first selector, a second selector, and a counting circuit; The output of the first RS flip-flop is coupled to the control terminal of the first selector, the output of the first selector is coupled to the data input terminal of the first D flip-flop, the output of the first D flip-flop is coupled to the input terminal of the counting circuit and the first input terminal of the second selector, the output of the counting circuit is coupled to the first input terminal of the first selector, the output of the second selector is coupled to the data input terminal of the second D flip-flop, and the output of the second D flip-flop is coupled to the second input terminal of the second selector. The S input and R input of the first RS flip-flop are coupled to the output of the first comparator and the output of the second comparator, respectively. The clock input of the first D flip-flop and the clock input of the second D flip-flop are both used to receive clock signals. The reset input of the first D flip-flop and the reset input of the second D flip-flop are used to receive reset signals. The output of the second D flip-flop is used to output the first duration or the second duration.

6. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The DC-DC conversion circuit is a series capacitor step-down converter.

7. The DC-DC conversion circuit controller according to claim 6, characterized in that, The capacitor charging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer when it is in the CCM state is greater than the capacitor charging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer when it is in the DCM state, and the capacitor charging voltage is the charging voltage of the series capacitor in the series capacitor step-down transformer; the capacitor discharging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer when it is in the CCM state is less than the capacitor discharging voltage of the series capacitor step-down transformer when it is in the DCM state, and the capacitor discharging voltage is the discharging voltage of the series capacitor in the series capacitor step-down transformer.

8. A mode switching method, characterized in that, A method is applied to a DC-DC converter circuit controller, wherein the DC-DC converter circuit controller is used to drive a DC-DC converter circuit, the DC-DC converter circuit supporting continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM); the method includes: Receives the inductor current of the DC-DC conversion circuit; When the DC-DC conversion circuit is in the CCM state and N consecutive first durations are greater than the first time threshold, a first control signal is generated, where the first duration is the duration from when the inductor current is less than the first current threshold to when it reaches the current valley value, and N is an integer greater than 1. When the DC-DC conversion circuit is in the DCM state and M consecutive second durations are all less than the second time threshold, a second control signal is generated, where the second duration is the duration during which the inductor current is less than the second current threshold, and M is an integer greater than 1. The first control signal and the second control signal are output to the power transistor of the DC-DC conversion circuit. The first control signal is used to control the DC-DC conversion circuit to switch to the DCM, and the second control signal is used to control the DC-DC conversion circuit to exit the DCM.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Convert the inductor current into a first voltage signal; The output voltage of the DC-DC conversion circuit is converted into a second voltage signal; The first voltage signal is compared with the voltage threshold corresponding to the first current threshold or the voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold to obtain a first comparison result; The second voltage signal is compared with the voltage threshold corresponding to the current valley or the voltage threshold corresponding to the second current threshold to obtain a second comparison result; The first comparison result and the second comparison result are used to generate the first control signal and the second control signal.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, Generating the first control signal includes: The first duration is determined based on the first comparison result and the second comparison result, the first count of a series of consecutive first durations greater than the first time threshold is obtained, and the first control signal is generated when the first count reaches the N. Generating the second control signal includes: The second duration is determined based on the first comparison result and the second comparison result. A second number of consecutive second durations greater than the second time threshold is obtained, and the second control signal is generated when the second number reaches M.

11. A power supply device, characterized in that, The power supply device includes a DC-DC converter circuit and a DC-DC converter circuit controller as described in any one of claims 1-7, wherein the DC-DC converter circuit is used to drive the DC-DC converter circuit.

12. The power supply device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The power transistors of the DC-DC converter circuit include a first power transistor, a second power transistor, a third power transistor, and a fourth power transistor; the DC-DC converter circuit also includes a capacitor, a first inductor, and a second inductor. One terminal of the first power transistor is connected to the voltage terminal, and the other terminal of the first power transistor is coupled to one end of the second power transistor and the first inductor through the capacitor. The other terminal of the first power transistor is coupled to one terminal of the fourth power transistor and one end of the second inductor through the third power transistor. The other terminals of the second power transistor and the fourth power transistor are both grounded. The other ends of the first inductor and the second inductor are both coupled to the output terminal of the DC-DC conversion circuit.

13. The power supply device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The inductor current is the current of the second inductor.

14. An electronic device, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a load and a power supply device as described in any one of claims 11-13, the power supply device being used to supply power to the load.

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