Multi-phase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip and electronic device

Abstract

The application provides a multi-phase voltage stabilizer circuit, a voltage stabilizer, a switching power supply, a chip and an electronic device. The multi-phase voltage stabilizer circuit comprises a main phase unit and a plurality of slave phase units in parallel. The main phase unit comprises an output inductor and a first switch module, the first switch module is connected with a power input end, and the output inductor is connected with a power output end. Each slave phase unit comprises a cross-inductor voltage regulator inductor and a second switch module, the cross-inductor voltage regulator inductor comprises a primary winding and a secondary winding which are coupled, the second switch module is connected with the power input end, the primary winding is connected with the power output end, and the secondary windings of the plurality of slave phase units are connected in series on a secondary side loop. The multi-phase voltage stabilizer circuit, the voltage stabilizer, the switching power supply, the chip and the electronic device provided by the application can save loss and improve work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of power supply technology, and in particular to a multiphase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip, and electronic equipment. Background Technology

[0002] The inductor structure of a trans-inductor voltage regulator (TLVR) effectively accelerates the dynamic response of voltage regulators (VRs) during load transients through inductor coupling, thus meeting output voltage ripple requirements. Regulators using the TLVR inductor structure are widely used to power microprocessors such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0003] In related technologies, all phases of the transinductor voltage regulator use transinductor voltage regulator inductors, and the structure and inductance of each phase are consistent. However, when the inductance of the transinductor voltage regulator is large, the inductor loss increases under heavy load, resulting in poor efficiency; when the inductance is small, it is easy to enter the discontinuous conduction mode under light load, which can also easily cause efficiency problems.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved multiphase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip, and electronic device to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides a multiphase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip, and electronic device that saves losses and improves working efficiency.

[0006] This application discloses a multiphase voltage regulator circuit, including a main phase unit and several slave phase units connected in parallel;

[0007] The main phase unit includes an output inductor and a first switching module. The first switching module is connected to the power input terminal, and the output inductor is connected to the power output terminal.

[0008] Each slave phase unit includes a trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor and a second switching module. The trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor includes a coupled primary winding and a secondary winding. The second switching module is connected to the power input terminal, and the primary winding is connected to the power output terminal. The secondary windings of the plurality of slave phase units are connected in series in the secondary circuit.

[0009] Furthermore, the inductance value of the output inductor is greater than the inductance value of the trans-inductance voltage regulator inductor.

[0010] Furthermore, a compensation inductor is provided on the secondary circuit, and the compensation inductor is connected in series with several of the secondary windings.

[0011] Furthermore, the first switching module includes a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor. The first end of the first switching transistor is connected to the power input terminal, the second end of the first switching transistor and the first end of the second switching transistor are both connected to the first switching node, the second end of the second switching transistor is grounded, and the output inductor is connected to the first switching node.

[0012] Furthermore, the second switching module includes a third switching transistor and a fourth switching transistor. The first end of the third switching transistor is connected to the power input terminal, and the second end of the third switching transistor and the first end of the fourth switching transistor are both connected to the second switching node. The second end of the fourth switching transistor is grounded, and the primary winding is connected to the second switching node.

[0013] Furthermore, the inductance value of each of the aforementioned trans-inductance voltage regulator inductors is equal.

[0014] Furthermore, under heavy load conditions, the first switching module and the second switching module are used to ensure that the current allocated to the slave phase unit is greater than the current allocated to the master phase unit.

[0015] Furthermore, under light load conditions, the first switch module and the second switch module are used to stop the slave phase unit from operating.

[0016] This application also discloses a voltage regulator, including a plurality of multiphase voltage regulator circuits as described above, wherein the power input terminals of the plurality of multiphase voltage regulator circuits are connected and the power output terminals of the plurality of multiphase voltage regulator circuits are connected.

[0017] This application also discloses a switching power supply, including the multiphase regulator circuit described above, or including the regulator described above.

[0018] In one embodiment of this disclosure, a chip is also disclosed, including the aforementioned multiphase voltage regulator circuits. Exemplarily, the chip includes a power management chip.

[0019] In one embodiment of this disclosure, an electronic device is also disclosed, including the aforementioned multiphase voltage regulator circuits. Exemplarily, this electronic device includes smart devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers.

[0020] This application discloses a multiphase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip, and electronic equipment. By configuring a main phase unit and several slave phase units connected in parallel, each main phase unit includes a connected output inductor and a first switching module. Each slave phase unit includes a trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor and a second switching module. The trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor includes a coupled primary winding and a secondary winding. Thus, the main phase unit of the multiphase voltage regulator uses an independent output inductor, and each slave phase unit uses a trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor. By controlling the first and second switching modules, the operating status of each inductor in the main and slave phase units can be flexibly controlled, thereby improving the overall circuit's adaptability to different load conditions, reducing losses, and increasing operating efficiency.

[0021] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a multiphase voltage regulator circuit provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a multiphase voltage regulator circuit provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the circuit structure of a voltage regulator provided in one embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions in the embodiments (or "implementations") of this application will be clearly and completely described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements.

[0027] If the embodiments of this application contain terms relating to directional indications or positional relationships (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, inside, outside, top, bottom, center, vertical, horizontal, longitudinal, transverse, length, width, counterclockwise, clockwise, axial, radial, circumferential, etc.), such terms are only used to explain the relative positional relationships and movements between components in a specific posture (as shown in the attached figures); if the specific posture changes, the directional indications or positional relationships will also change accordingly. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of this application are only for descriptive convenience and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0028] The multiphase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip, and electronic device of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the features of the following embodiments and implementations can complement or combine with each other.

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown, this application embodiment provides a multiphase voltage regulator circuit, including a master phase unit 10 and several slave phase units 20.

[0030] The master phase unit 10 and several slave phase units 20 are connected in parallel. The power amplifier circuit has a power input terminal VIN and a power output terminal VOUT. The input terminal of the master phase unit 10 is connected to the power input terminal VIN, and the output terminal is connected to the power output terminal VOUT. The input terminal of each slave phase unit 20 is connected to the power input terminal VIN, and the output terminal is connected to the power output terminal VOUT.

[0031] The main phase unit 10 includes an output inductor L and a first switching module 11. The current in the output inductor L can be controlled by controlling the first switching module 11. The output inductor L is a discrete inductor, with one end connected to the power output terminal VOUT and the other end connected to the first switching module 11.

[0032] The first switch module 11 is connected to the power input terminal VIN. Please also refer to... Figure 2 The first switching module 11 includes a first switching transistor Q1 and a second switching transistor Q2. The first terminal of the first switching transistor Q1 is connected to the power input terminal VIN. The second terminals of both the first and second switching transistors Q1 and Q2 are connected to the first switching node N1. The second terminal of the second switching transistor Q2 is grounded. The output inductor L is connected to the first switching node N1. A drive signal (e.g., a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal) is connected to the control terminals of the first and second switching transistors Q1 and Q2. This drive signal controls the operating state of the output inductor L.

[0033] By coordinating the first switch Q1 and the second switch Q2, the turn-on and turn-off times of the main phase unit 10 can be precisely controlled, thereby adjusting the charging and discharging process of the output inductor L and achieving effective control of the output current of the main phase unit 10.

[0034] Several slave phase units 20 have identical structures. Each slave phase unit 20 includes an inductor T that acts as a trans-inductor voltage regulator and a second switching module 21. The operating state of the trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T can be controlled by controlling the second switching module 21.

[0035] Each trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T includes a coupled primary winding N. P With secondary winding N S Primary winding NP With secondary winding N S The turns ratio is 1:1. Primary winding N P One end is connected to the power output terminal VOUT, and the other end is connected to the second switching module 21. The second switching module 21 can precisely control the primary winding N. P The current state.

[0036] Several secondary windings N from phase unit 20 S They are connected in series in the secondary circuit 30. Specifically, as follows: Figure 1 As shown, the multiphase voltage regulator circuit includes N slave phase units 20 and N secondary windings. S The number is also N. The first secondary winding N S One end is grounded, and the first secondary winding N S The other end is connected to the second secondary winding N S One end is connected, and so on, the Nth secondary winding N S (i.e., the last secondary winding N) S One end of the winding is connected to the (N-1)th secondary winding N. S One end is connected to the Nth secondary winding N. S The other end is grounded.

[0037] The second switch module 21 is connected to the power input terminal VIN. Please also refer to... Figure 2 The second switching module 21 includes a third switch Q3 and a fourth switch Q4. The first terminal of the third switch Q3 is connected to the power input terminal VIN. The second terminals of both the third switch Q3 and the fourth switch Q4 are connected to the second switching node N2. The second terminal of the fourth switch Q4 is grounded. The primary winding N... P It is connected to the second switching node N2. The control terminals of the third switch Q3 and the fourth switch Q4 are connected to the drive signal, which is used to control the operating state of the inductor T of the trans-inductor voltage regulator.

[0038] The third switch Q3 and the fourth switch Q4 can precisely control the current switching of the primary winding NP, which enables the slave phase unit 20 to respond quickly according to the load conditions, enhances the circuit's dynamic response capability to load changes, and also facilitates independent control and management of the slave phase unit 20.

[0039] The trans-inductance voltage regulator inductor T can be considered as a 1:1 transformer, and all the coupling of the trans-inductance voltage regulator inductor T is achieved through the secondary winding N of the trans-inductance voltage regulator inductor T. SThis is achieved by using phase unit 20 with inductor T of the trans-inductor voltage regulator. Due to the coupling effect, once the duty cycle of one phase of phase unit 20 changes in response to load transients, the output current of all phases can ramp up or down simultaneously, which can effectively accelerate the dynamic response of the multiphase regulator circuit during load transients.

[0040] The inductor T of the trans-inductance voltage regulator generates magnetic losses during operation, leading to a decrease in the efficiency of the multiphase voltage regulator circuit. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit of this application sets a discrete output inductor L in the main phase unit 10. In some cases, only the main phase unit 10 is working, and there is no coupling current in the slave phase unit 20, thus eliminating magnetic losses and effectively improving the efficiency of the multiphase voltage regulator circuit.

[0041] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inductance value of the output inductor L is greater than the inductance value of the trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T. The relatively large inductance value of the output inductor L of the main phase unit 10 allows it to store sufficient energy under light load conditions, maintaining a stable current output, reducing current ripple, and thus improving light load efficiency. The relatively small inductance value of the trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T of the slave phase unit 20 effectively reduces magnetic losses during operation and allows for rapid response to current changes under heavy load conditions, providing a large current output and improving heavy load efficiency. This differentiated inductance design balances efficiency under both light and heavy load conditions, which is beneficial for improving the stability of the multiphase voltage regulator circuit of this application. Moreover, the equal inductance value of each trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T ensures consistency across all slave phase units 20.

[0042] In practical applications, the inductance values ​​of the output inductor L and the trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T can be comprehensively designed based on the circuit's input and output voltages, single-phase current requirements, inductor ripple requirements, and operating frequency.

[0043] Under heavy load conditions, the first switching module 11 and the second switching module 21 are used to ensure that the current allocated to the slave phase unit 20 is greater than the current allocated to the master phase unit 10. The output inductance L of the master phase unit 10 has a large value, resulting in relatively low efficiency under heavy load, while the inductance T of the trans-inductance voltage regulator in the slave phase unit 20 has a small value and a fast response speed. By allocating more current to the slave phase unit 20 under heavy load, the advantages of the slave phase unit 20 can be fully utilized, improving the efficiency of the entire circuit under heavy load, reducing power consumption, and simultaneously reducing the burden on the master phase unit 10, thereby improving its reliability and stability.

[0044] Under light load conditions, the first switching module 11 and the second switching module 21 are used to stop the slave phase unit 20 from operating. Under light load conditions, the load current is small, and the output inductance L of the main phase unit 10 has a large value, which can meet the load requirements and maintain high efficiency. By stopping the slave phase unit 20 at this time, there is no coupling current in the slave phase unit 20, saving the losses generated when the inductor T of the trans-inductance voltage regulator is working, thereby significantly improving the circuit efficiency under light load conditions and reducing energy consumption.

[0045] Furthermore, in some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, a compensation inductor L is also provided on the secondary circuit 30. C Compensating inductor L C With several secondary windings N S Series connection can optimize the current distribution of each phase, balance the load, and adjust the dynamic response speed and output voltage ripple.

[0046] In some embodiments, when the coupling coefficient of the inductor T in the trans-inductor voltage regulator is small, the leakage inductance is sufficient to provide equivalent compensation, so no additional compensation inductor L is required. C .like Figure 2 As shown, only a few secondary windings N are connected in series on the secondary circuit 30. S .

[0047] When the coupling coefficient of the inductor T in the trans-inductance voltage regulator is large and the leakage inductance is small, a compensation inductor L must be added. C To provide compensation. Therefore, in practical design, whether to configure a compensation inductor L can be flexibly selected based on the coupling coefficient and leakage inductance of the inductor T of the trans-inductor voltage regulator. C While meeting circuit performance requirements, the structural design is optimized.

[0048] This application also provides a voltage regulator, including several multiphase voltage regulator circuits as described above. The power input terminals VIN of the several multiphase voltage regulator circuits are connected, and the power output terminals VOUT of the several multiphase voltage regulator circuits are connected. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the voltage regulator includes two multiphase voltage regulator circuits as described above, and the two multiphase voltage regulator circuits are connected in parallel.

[0049] This application also provides a switching power supply, including the multiphase regulator circuit described above, or including the regulator described above.

[0050] In one embodiment of this disclosure, a chip is also disclosed, including the aforementioned multiphase voltage regulator circuits. Exemplarily, the chip includes a power management chip.

[0051] In one embodiment of this disclosure, an electronic device is also disclosed, including the aforementioned multiphase voltage regulator circuits. Exemplarily, this electronic device includes smart devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers.

[0052] The multiphase voltage regulator circuit, voltage regulator, switching power supply, chip, and electronic equipment of this application are configured with a main phase unit 10 and a plurality of slave phase units 20 connected in parallel. The main phase unit 10 includes an output inductor L and a first switching module 11 connected together. Each slave phase unit 20 includes a trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T and a second switching module 21. The trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor T includes a coupled primary winding N. P With secondary winding N S Thus, the main phase unit 10 of the multi-phase regulator uses an independent output inductor L, and each slave phase unit 20 uses an inductor T of the trans-inductor voltage regulator. By controlling the first switching module 11 and the second switching module 21, the working status of each inductor in the main phase unit 10 and the slave phase unit 20 can be flexibly controlled, thereby improving the adaptability of the entire circuit to different load conditions, reducing losses, and improving working efficiency.

[0053] It should be noted that the technical solutions or features described in the above embodiments can be combined or complemented by each other without conflict. The scope of protection of this application is not limited to the precise structures described in the above embodiments and shown in the accompanying drawings; all modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A multiphase voltage regulator circuit, characterized in that, It includes a main phase unit (10) connected in parallel and several slave phase units (20); The main phase unit (10) includes an output inductor (L) and a first switch module (11), the first switch module (11) is connected to the power input terminal (VIN), and the output inductor (L) is connected to the power output terminal (VOUT). Each of the said slave phase units (20) includes a trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor (T) and a second switching module (21), the trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor (T) including a coupled primary winding (N). P ) and secondary winding (N S The second switching module (21) is connected to the power input terminal (VIN), and the primary winding (N) P The secondary windings (N) of the plurality of phase units (20) are connected to the power output terminal (VOUT). S They are connected in series on the secondary side circuit (30).

2. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inductance value of the output inductor (L) is greater than the inductance value of the trans-inductor voltage regulator inductor (T).

3. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The secondary circuit (30) is provided with a compensation inductor (L). C The compensation inductor (L) C ) and several of the secondary windings (N S (in series) 4. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first switching module (11) includes a first switching transistor (Q1) and a second switching transistor (Q2). The first end of the first switching transistor (Q1) is connected to the power input terminal (VIN). The second end of the first switching transistor (Q1) and the first end of the second switching transistor (Q2) are both connected to the first switching node (N1). The second end of the second switching transistor (Q2) is grounded. The output inductor (L) is connected to the first switching node (N1).

5. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second switching module (21) includes a third switching transistor (Q3) and a fourth switching transistor (Q4). The first end of the third switching transistor (Q3) is connected to the power input terminal (VIN). The second end of the third switching transistor (Q3) and the first end of the fourth switching transistor (Q4) are both connected to the second switching node (N2). The second end of the fourth switching transistor (Q4) is grounded. The primary winding (N... P It is connected to the second switch node (N2).

6. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inductance value of each of the aforementioned trans-inductance voltage regulator inductors (T) is equal.

7. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Under heavy load conditions, the first switch module (11) and the second switch module (21) are used to make the current distributed by the slave phase unit (20) greater than the current distributed by the master phase unit (10).

8. The multiphase voltage regulator circuit according to claim 1, characterized in that, Under light load conditions, the first switch module (11) and the second switch module (21) are used to stop the slave phase unit (20) from working.

9. A voltage regulator, characterized in that, It includes several multiphase voltage regulator circuits as described in any one of claims 1-8, wherein the power input terminal (VIN) of the several multiphase voltage regulator circuits is connected, and the power output terminal (VOUT) of the several multiphase voltage regulator circuits is connected.

10. A switching power supply, characterized in that, It includes a multiphase voltage regulator circuit as described in any one of claims 1-8, or includes a voltage regulator as described in claim 9.

11. A chip, characterized in that, It includes several multiphase voltage regulator circuits as described in any one of claims 1-8.

12. An electronic device, characterized in that, It includes several multiphase voltage regulator circuits as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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