Multi-phase converter system

Abstract

A multi-phase converter system (10) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits (50) each configured with an inductor and a switching circuit including a power semiconductor. The plurality of power conversion circuits (50) constitute a plurality of master power conversion circuits and a plurality of slave power conversion circuits. A plurality of unit power conversion circuits (40) are configured by allocating the plurality of slave power conversion circuits to one master power conversion circuit in the plurality of master power conversion circuits. The multi-phase converter system (10) comprises: a centralized control circuit (20) that generates a master drive pulse signal for driving and controlling the plurality of master power conversion circuits; and a drive extension circuit (30) that is provided to the plurality of unit power conversion circuits (40) and generates a slave drive pulse signal for driving and controlling the slave power conversion circuits on the basis of the master drive pulse signal. The output terminals of the plurality of power conversion circuits (50) are connected to each other to constitute a system output terminal (Pout). In the output impedances of the current paths from switching-current output terminals of the switching circuits to the system output terminal (Pout) in the plurality of power conversion circuits (50), the plurality of power conversion circuits (50) are disposed so as to reduce the variance of the output impedances of the power conversion circuits (50) constituting the unit power conversion circuits (40). The centralized control circuit (20) controls inductor currents of the plurality of master power conversion circuits so as to be uniform, and controls an inductor current of one master power conversion circuit and the corresponding slave power conversion circuits constituting the plurality of unit power conversion circuits (40) so as to be uniform through the disposition of the plurality of power conversion circuits (50) and the drive extension circuit (30), thereby controlling the inductor currents of all the power conversion circuits (50) so as to be uniform.

Description

Multi-phase converter system

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-phase converter system including a plurality of power conversion circuits.

[0002] In recent years, in applications such as data centers and AI computing, accelerators (CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs, etc.) that require a large current have been used. For the power supply that drives the accelerator, a DC-DC converter with a multi-phase configuration that can supply a large current is used.

[0003] As multi-phase DC-DC converters, conventionally, a centralized control type as shown in Patent Document 1 and a master-slave type as shown in Patent Document 2 have been devised.

[0004] In the centralized control type as shown in Patent Document 1, the controllers of the power conversion circuits of the multi-phase DC-DC converter are controlled by one centralized control IC.

[0005] In the master-slave type as shown in Patent Document 2, the slave control IC performs control by referring to the master control IC.

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-15785, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-147269

[0007] However, in the centralized control type, there is a problem that the number of phases of the multi-phase converter is restricted by the centralized control IC for centralized control, and the scalability is poor.

[0008] In the ring-shaped master-slave type, there is a problem that the number of control ICs required is equal to the number of phases, and the circuit scale and circuit area increase.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a small-sized multi-phase converter system with high scalability.

[0010] A multiphase converter according to one embodiment of this invention comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits, each composed of a switching circuit and an inductor, each including a power semiconductor. The plurality of power conversion circuits constitute a plurality of master power conversion circuits and a plurality of slave power conversion circuits. A plurality of slave power conversion circuits are assigned to one master power conversion circuit in the plurality of master power conversion circuits to constitute a plurality of unit power conversion circuits.

[0011] The multiphase converter comprises a centralized control circuit that generates a master drive pulse signal to drive and control multiple master power conversion circuits, and drive extension circuits provided in each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits that generate slave drive pulse signals to drive and control slave power conversion circuits based on the master drive pulse signal. The output terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits are connected to each other to form a system output terminal.

[0012] In multiple power conversion circuits, the output impedance in the current path from the switching current output terminal of the switching circuit to the system output terminal is reduced, and multiple power conversion circuits are arranged to minimize the dispersion of the output impedance of the power conversion circuits that constitute the unit power conversion circuit.

[0013] The centralized control circuit controls the inductor currents of multiple master power conversion circuits to be uniform, and also controls the inductor currents of one master power conversion circuit and one slave power conversion circuit that make up multiple unit power conversion circuits by equipping the arrangement of multiple power conversion circuits and the drive expansion circuit, thereby equalizing the inductor currents of all power conversion circuits.

[0014] In this configuration, the number of power conversion circuits constituting the multiphase converter can be changed by changing the number of slave power conversion circuits without changing the number of master power conversion circuits. This improves the scalability of the multiphase converter. Since the number of centralized control circuits does not need to be changed, the multiphase converter can be made more compact. Furthermore, the power conversion efficiency and reliability are improved by making the inductor currents of all power conversion circuits uniform.

[0015] This invention makes it possible to realize a highly scalable multi-phase converter system in a compact form factor.

[0016] Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a multiphase converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a unit power conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a plan view showing a first arrangement example of the power conversion circuits constituting the power conversion circuit according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a plan view showing a second arrangement example of the power conversion circuits constituting the power conversion circuit according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a plan view showing a third arrangement example of the power conversion circuits constituting the power conversion circuit according to this embodiment.

[0017] A multiphase converter according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. Figure 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a multiphase converter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the circuit configuration of a unit power conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the multiphase converter system 10 comprises a central control circuit 20, a drive expansion circuit 30, and a plurality of unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(n), where n is an integer of 2 or more. The multiphase converter system 10 also comprises a system input terminal Pin and a system output terminal Out.

[0019] The centralized control circuit 20 is composed of, for example, a mixed-signal IC.

[0020] The drive expansion circuit 30 is composed of, for example, various ICs. The drive expansion circuit 30 comprises a plurality of drive expansion units 300(1)-300(n). The plurality of drive expansion units 300(1)-300(n) may be composed of a single IC divided into multiple functional parts, or each may be an individual IC.

[0021] The input terminals of the multiple drive expansion units 300(1)-300(n) are connected to the output terminals of the centralized control circuit 20.

[0022] The output terminals of the multiple drive expansion units 300(1)-300(n) are connected to the control signal input terminals (details will be described later) of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(n).

[0023] The output terminals of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(n) are connected to the system output terminal "Out" of the multiphase converter system 10.

[0024] The unit power conversion circuit 40(1) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), where m is an integer of 2 or more. Power conversion circuit 50(11) corresponds to the "master power conversion circuit" of the present invention, and the plurality of power conversion circuits 50(12)-50(1m) correspond to the "slave power conversion circuits" of the present invention.

[0025] Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the power conversion circuit 50 (11) includes a switch ICSW (11), an inductor LP (11), and an individual current detection circuit CS (11). The switch ICSW (11) is composed of a switching circuit including multiple power semiconductors.

[0026] The switch ICSW (11) includes a control signal input terminal, a voltage input terminal, and an output terminal. The control signal input terminal is connected to the drive expansion unit 300 (1). The voltage input terminal is connected to the system input terminal Pin of the multiphase converter system 10. The output terminal is connected to the first terminal of the inductor LP (11).

[0027] The individual current detection circuit CS(11) is located on the connection line connecting the output terminal of the switch ICSW(11) and the first terminal of the inductor LP(11). The individual current detection circuit CS(11) is connected to the drive expansion unit 300(1) through the feedback circuit FBU(11). The individual current detection circuit CS(11) is connected to the central control circuit 20 through the feedback circuit FB40(1). The feedback circuit FB40(1) corresponds to the "first feedback circuit" of the present invention, and the feedback circuit FBU(11) corresponds to the "second feedback circuit" of the present invention.

[0028] The power conversion circuit 50 (12) includes a switch ICSW (12), an inductor LP (12), and an individual current detection circuit CS (12). The switch ICSW (12) is composed of a switching circuit including multiple power semiconductors.

[0029] The switch ICSW (12) includes a control signal input terminal, a voltage input terminal, and an output terminal. The control signal input terminal is connected to the drive expansion unit 300 (1). The voltage input terminal is connected to the system input terminal Pin of the multiphase converter system 10. The output terminal is connected to the first terminal of the inductor LP (12).

[0030] The individual current detection circuit CS(12) is located on the connection line connecting the output terminal of the switch ICSW(12) and the first terminal of the inductor LP(12). The individual current detection circuit CS(12) is connected to the drive expansion unit 300(1) through the feedback circuit FBU(12). The feedback circuit FBU(12) corresponds to the "second feedback circuit" of the present invention.

[0031] The power conversion circuit 50 (1m) comprises a switch ICSW (1m), an inductor LP (1m), and an individual current detection circuit CS (1m). The switch ICSW (1m) is composed of a switching circuit including multiple power semiconductors.

[0032] The switch ICSW (1m) has a control signal input terminal, a voltage input terminal, and an output terminal. The control signal input terminal is connected to the drive expansion unit 300 (1). The voltage input terminal is connected to the system input terminal Pin of the multiphase converter system 10. The output terminal is connected to the first terminal of the inductor LP (1m).

[0033] The individual current detection circuit CS (1m) is placed on the connection line connecting the output terminal of the switch ICSW (1m) and the first terminal of the inductor LP (1m). The individual current detection circuit CS (1m) is connected to the drive expansion unit 300 (1) through the feedback circuit FBU (1m). The feedback circuit FBU (1m) corresponds to the "second feedback circuit" of the present invention.

[0034] The second terminals of the multiple inductors LP(11)-(1m) are connected to each other and connected to the system output terminal "Out" of the multiphase converter system 10. The second terminals of the multiple inductors LP(11)-(1m) correspond to the "switching current output terminals" of the present invention.

[0035] In this configuration, the control signal input terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m) are individually connected to the drive expansion unit 300(1). The output terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m) are connected to the system output terminals (Out) of the multiphase converter system 10.

[0036] The individual detection currents of each of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m) are fed back to the drive expansion unit 300(1) through the multiple feedback circuits FBU(11)-FBU(1m). The individual detection currents of the power conversion circuit 50(11) are fed back to the central control circuit 20 through the feedback circuit FB40(1).

[0037] The unit power conversion circuit 40(2) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(2m). Power conversion circuit 50(21) corresponds to the "master power conversion circuit" of the present invention, and the plurality of power conversion circuits 50(22)-50(2m) correspond to the "slave power conversion circuits" of the present invention. The circuit configuration of the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) is the same as that of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1), and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0038] The control signal input terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(2m) that constitute the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) are each individually connected to the drive expansion unit 300(2). The output terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(2m) are connected to the system output terminals (Out) of the multiphase converter system 10.

[0039] The individual detection currents of each of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(2m) are fed back to the drive expansion unit 300(2) through the multiple feedback circuits FBU(21)-FBU(2m) (in the figure, the symbols FBU(21)-FBU(2m) are omitted). The individual detection currents of the power conversion circuit 50(21) are fed back to the central control circuit 20 through the feedback circuit FB40(2).

[0040] The unit power conversion circuit 40(n) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(n1)-50(nm). Power conversion circuit 50(n1) corresponds to the "master power conversion circuit" of the present invention, and the plurality of power conversion circuits 50(n2)-50(nm) correspond to the "slave power conversion circuits" of the present invention. The circuit configuration of the unit power conversion circuit 40(n) is the same as that of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1), and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0041] The control signal input terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(n1)-50(nm) that constitute the unit power conversion circuit 40(n) are each individually connected to the drive expansion unit 300(n). The output terminals of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(n1)-50(nm) are connected to the system output terminals (Out) of the multiphase converter system 10.

[0042] The individual detection currents of each of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(n1)-50(nm) are fed back to the drive expansion unit 300(n) through multiple feedback circuits FBU(n1)-FBU(nm) (in the figure, the symbols FBU(n1)-FBU(nm) are omitted). The individual detection current of the power conversion circuit 50(n1) is fed back to the central control circuit 20 through the feedback circuit FB40(n).

[0043] The output current detection circuit 60 is connected to the system output terminal "Out" of the multiphase converter system 10. The output current detection circuit 60 feeds back the output current (system output current) of the system output terminal "Out" to the central control circuit 20.

[0044] In such a configuration, the multi-phase converter system 10 supplies power to the load ZLD connected to the system output terminal Pout as follows.

[0045] The centralized control circuit 20 determines the number of power conversion circuits to be driven based on the current consumed by the load ZLD. The centralized control circuit 20 determines the number of unit power conversion circuits to be driven based on the number of power conversion circuits to be driven. The centralized control circuit 20 determines a plurality of drive extension units that output master drive pulse signals in accordance with the number of unit power conversion circuits to be driven.

[0046] Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 1, the case where the number of unit power conversion circuits to be driven is n will be specifically described.

[0047] The centralized control circuit 20 divides one control cycle by the number n of unit power conversion circuits to be driven, and sets a plurality of master drive pulse signals to be output to the plurality of drive extension units 300(1) - 300(n). At this time, the centralized control circuit 20 may set the plurality of master drive pulse signals so that the phase shift of the plurality of master drive pulse signals is equally spaced. The centralized control circuit 20 outputs the set plurality of master drive pulse signals to the plurality of drive extension units 300(1) - 300(n). At this time, the centralized control circuit 20 outputs the plurality of master drive pulse signals in time synchronization.

[0048] The drive extension unit 300(1) generates a plurality of slave drive pulse signals for driving each of the plurality of power conversion circuits 50(11) - 50(1m) constituting the unit power conversion circuit 40(1) based on the input master drive pulse signal.

[0049] Specifically, the drive extension unit 300(1) divides d of the master drive pulse signal by the number m of the plurality of power conversion circuits 50(11) - 50(1m) to set a delay time. The drive extension unit 300(1) sequentially delays and outputs the plurality of slave drive pulse signals. At this time, the drive extension unit 300(1) sets the plurality of slave drive pulse signals so that the phase shift is equally spaced while maintaining the duty ratio of the master drive pulse signal.

[0050] More specifically, the drive expansion unit 300(1) outputs a first slave drive pulse signal to the power conversion circuit 50(11) whose on-period rises in sync with the rising timing of the on-period of the master drive pulse signal. In other words, the first slave drive pulse signal is a signal in which the on-period of the master drive pulse signal is shortened according to the number m of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), and in terms of the rising timing of the on-period, it corresponds to the master drive pulse signal.

[0051] The drive expansion unit 300(1) performs a delay process with respect to the rising edge timing of the ON period of the master drive pulse signal (the rising edge timing of the ON period of the first slave drive pulse signal) for a set delay time. The drive expansion unit 300(1) outputs the second slave drive pulse signal obtained by the delay process to the power conversion circuit 50(12).

[0052] Similarly, the drive expansion unit 300(1) outputs a slave drive pulse signal that has been delayed by the number m to the power conversion circuit, and outputs the mth slave drive pulse signal to the power conversion circuit 50(1m).

[0053] The drive expansion units 300(2)-300(n) perform the same control as drive expansion unit 300(1) based on the master drive pulse signals input to each of them.

[0054] Multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), 50(21)-50(2m), ..., 50(n1)-50(nm) each perform power conversion operations in response to the slave drive pulse signal input to them and output a predetermined current. The output currents of these multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), 50(21)-50(2m), ..., 50(n1)-50(nm) then provide the output current of the multiphase converter system 10 at the system output terminal Out.

[0055] Through this control, the multiphase converter system 10 can sequentially stagger the ON periods of multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), 50(21)-50(2m), ..., 50(n1)-50(nm), thereby achieving multiphase control.

[0056] In such multi-phase control, if variations occur in the current of each inductor (inductor current), the multi-phase converter system 10 eliminates these variations by the following control.

[0057] In general terms, the multiphase converter system 10 performs the following two controls in parallel.

[0058] (A) Eliminate the variation in unit output current (inductor current) between multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(n). The unit output current is the combined current of the inductor currents of the multiple power conversion circuits that make up the unit power conversion circuit 40.

[0059] The centralized control circuit 20 obtains the individual detection current of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1) (the detection current of the individual current detection circuit CS(11)), the individual detection current of the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) (the detection current of the individual current detection circuit CS(21)), ..., and the individual detection current of the unit power conversion circuit 40(n) (the detection current of the individual current detection circuit CS(n1)) by passing the current through multiple feedback circuits FB40(1), FB40(2), ..., FB40(n).

[0060] The centralized control circuit 20 controls the duty cycle of the on-period of the master drive pulse signal output to the multiple drive expansion units 300(1)-300(n) so that the current values ​​of the individual detection currents of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1), the unit power conversion circuit 40(2), ..., and the unit power conversion circuit 40(n) become uniform.

[0061] (B) Eliminate the variation in inductor current among the multiple power conversion circuits 50 that make up one unit power conversion circuit 40.

[0062] The drive expansion unit 300(1) obtains the individual detection current of the power conversion circuit 50(11) (the detection current of the individual current detection circuit CS(11)), the individual detection current of the power conversion circuit 50(12) (the detection current of the individual current detection circuit CS(12)), ..., and the individual detection current of the power conversion circuit 50(1m) (the detection current of the individual current detection circuit CS(1m)) by passing the current through multiple feedback circuits FBU(11), FBU(12), ..., FBU(1m).

[0063] The drive expansion unit 300(1) controls the duty cycle of the on-period of the slave drive pulse signals output to a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(11), 50(12), ..., power conversion circuit 50(1m).

[0064] For example, as a first control method, the drive expansion unit 300(1) controls the duty cycle (signal width: length of the on-period in one cycle) of the slave drive pulse signal to be the same as the duty cycle (signal width: length of the on-period in one cycle) of the master drive pulse signal. By using the first control method, complex analog circuits are not required, and the configuration can be simplified. In this case, because the output impedance is the same, even with the same duty cycle, it is possible to prevent differences in inductor current (uniformity can be achieved).

[0065] Furthermore, as a second control method, the individual detection currents of the power conversion circuit 50 (11), the individual detection currents of the power conversion circuit 50 (12), ..., and the individual detection current of the power conversion circuit 50 (1m) are controlled to be uniform. By using the second control method, the multiple pulse signals of the unit power conversion circuit (master drive pulse signal and multiple slave drive pulse signals) can be operated more symmetrically. This reduces ripple and noise and allows for more precise uniformity of the inductor current.

[0066] The drive expansion units 300(2), ..., 300(n) control the duty cycle of the on-period of the slave drive pulse signal by the same control as the drive expansion unit 300(1).

[0067] By performing this control, the multiphase converter system 10 uniformly controls the current values ​​of the inductor currents of multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), 50(21)-50(2m), ..., 50(n1)-50(nm).

[0068] In this process, the centralized control circuit 20 further controls the duty cycle of the ON period of multiple master drive pulse signals based on the output current detected by the output current detection circuit 60.

[0069] Thus, the multiphase converter system 10 controls the output currents of multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n) based on the output current in the centralized control circuit 20, and can also equalize the output currents of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n). In other words, the centralized control circuit 20 stabilizes the output current while uniformly controlling the output currents of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n), each consisting of multiple power conversion circuits.

[0070] Since each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n) is composed of multiple power conversion circuits, the control load on the central control circuit 20 can be reduced compared to controlling all power conversion circuits with the central control circuit 20, enabling faster control. In addition, the central control circuit 20 can reduce the number of master drive pulse signals it generates, preventing the rise time interval of the master drive pulse signals from becoming too short. As a result, the central control circuit 20 can generate multiple master drive pulse signals with higher precision.

[0071] In the multiphase converter system 10, the multiple drive expansion units 300(1), ..., 300(n) uniformly control the inductor currents of the multiple power conversion circuits within the unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n) connected to each of them.

[0072] This reduces the number of power conversion circuits that control the current for each of the multiple drive expansion units 300(1), ..., 300(n), and enables high-precision and high-speed uniformization of the inductor current within the unit power conversion circuit.

[0073] Furthermore, since the multiple drive expansion units 300(1), ..., 300(n) are composed of analog ICs, the current equalization control within the unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n) can be performed at a higher speed.

[0074] In this way, the multiphase converter system 10 can achieve more precise and faster current equalization control by having the centralized control circuit 20 and the multiple drive expansion units 300(1), ..., 300(n) share the role of controlling current equalization.

[0075] In this configuration, for example, if the number of power conversion circuits 50 is to be changed based on the current consumption of the load ZLD connected to the system output terminal Port, the multiphase converter system 10 only needs to change the number of drive expansion units 300 (the number of unit power conversion circuits 40) and the number of power conversion circuits 50 connected to the drive expansion units 300 (the number of power conversion circuits constituting the unit power conversion circuit 40).

[0076] This allows the multiphase converter system 10 to change the number of power conversion circuits 50 without changing the number of centralized control circuits 20.

[0077] In this case, as described above, the combination of the drive expansion unit 300 and the unit power conversion circuit 40 uniformly controls the inductor current of multiple power conversion circuits within the circuit consisting of the drive expansion unit 300 and the unit power conversion circuit 40. Therefore, the multiphase converter system 10 can easily change the number of multiphases by changing the number of drive expansion units 300 and unit power conversion circuits 40. As a result, the multiphase converter system 10 can achieve high scalability in a compact configuration.

[0078] Furthermore, the centralized control circuit 20 sets the master drive pulse signal according to the number of unit power conversion circuits 40, rather than the total number of power conversion circuits 50 that constitute the multiphase converter system 10. Therefore, the centralized control circuit 20 can easily change the setting of the master drive pulse signal. As a result, the multiphase converter system 10 can achieve high scalability.

[0079] The multiphase converter system 10 preferably further comprises the following configurations. Generally speaking, the multiphase converter system 10 arranges power conversion modules, each comprising a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(1m), 50(21)-50(2m), ..., 50(n1)-50(nm), such that the output impedance in the current path from the switching current output terminals (the second terminals of the inductors of each power conversion circuit 50) to the system output terminal, Pot, is related to the following relationship.

[0080] The distribution of the output impedance of the power conversion circuits that constitute each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n) is made smaller than the distribution of the output impedance of each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n).

[0081] More specifically, let σ50(1) be the variance of the output impedances of the multiple power conversion circuits 50(11), 50(12), ..., 50(1m) that constitute the unit power conversion circuit 40(1). Let the average value of the output impedances of each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1), 40(2), ..., 40(n) be the unit output impedance. Then, let σ40 be the variance of the multiple unit output impedances. The variance σ50(1) is smaller than the variance σ40. Similarly, the variance σ50 of the other unit power conversion circuits is also smaller than the variance σ40.

[0082] This configuration makes it possible to reduce the difference in output impedance between the multiple power conversion circuits that make up the unit power conversion circuit. The phase difference of the multiple slave drive pulse signals supplied to each of the multiple power conversion circuits that make up the unit power conversion circuit must be smaller than the phase difference of the multiple master drive pulse signals.

[0083] Therefore, the multiphase converter system 10 can achieve high-precision phase control by reducing the difference in output impedance between the multiple power conversion circuits that constitute the unit power conversion circuit. Consequently, the multiphase converter system 10 can achieve high-precision multiphase control.

[0084] To achieve this relationship, the power conversion module, which comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50, is arranged, for example, as follows. Note that the multiple power conversion circuits 50 shown below are rectangular in plan view. The multiple power conversion circuits 50 have a similar configuration.

[0085] (Arrangement Example 1) Figure 3 is a plan view showing a first arrangement example of the power conversion circuit that constitutes the power conversion circuit according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of configuring a 24-phase multiphase converter.

[0086] The multiphase converter system shown in Figure 3 comprises 24 power conversion circuits 50, forming 6 unit power conversion circuits 40. Each power conversion circuit 50 is composed of, for example, mounted elements.

[0087] The unit power conversion circuit 40(1) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14). The unit power conversion circuit 40(2) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24). The unit power conversion circuit 40(3) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34). The unit power conversion circuit 40(4) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44). The unit power conversion circuit 40(5) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54). The unit power conversion circuit 40(6) comprises a plurality of power conversion circuits 50(61)-50(64).

[0088] The 24 power conversion circuits 50 and the system output terminals (Out) are arranged in a two-dimensional array on the circuit board, with 5 rows (ROW1-ROW5) and 5 columns (COL1-COL5).

[0089] The system output terminal, "Pot," is located at the center of the two-dimensional array (ROW3, ​​COL3).

[0090] The power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1) are arranged at positions (ROW2, COL3), (ROW3, ​​COL2), (ROW3, ​​COL4), and (ROW4, COL3), respectively, adjacent to the system output terminal Out.

[0091] With this configuration, the power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1) are arranged in a circular pattern indicated by the dotted line in Figure 3. As a result, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14) and the system output terminal Out is approximately the same.

[0092] The power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) are arranged at positions (ROW2, COL2), (ROW4, COL2), (ROW4, COL4), and (ROW2, COL4), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14).

[0093] With this configuration, the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) are arranged in a circular pattern. As a result, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) and the system output terminal Out is approximately the same.

[0094] The power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(3) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL3), (ROW3, ​​COL1), (ROW5, COL3), and (ROW3, ​​COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14).

[0095] With this configuration, the power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(3) are arranged in a circular pattern. As a result, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) and the system output terminal Out is approximately the same.

[0096] The power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(4) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL2), (ROW4, COL1), (ROW5, COL4), and (ROW2, COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24).

[0097] With this configuration, the power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(4) are arranged in a circular pattern. As a result, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) and the system output terminal Out is approximately the same.

[0098] The power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(5) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL4), (ROW2, COL1), (ROW5, COL2), and (ROW4, COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24).

[0099] With this configuration, the power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(5) are arranged in a circular pattern. As a result, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54) and the system output terminal Out is approximately the same.

[0100] The power conversion circuits 50(61)-50(64) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(6) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL1), (ROW5, COL1), (ROW5, COL5), and (ROW1, COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) and the power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54).

[0101] With this configuration, the power conversion circuits 50(61)-50(64) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(6) are arranged in a circular pattern indicated by the dashed line in Figure 3. As a result, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(61)-50(64) and the system output terminal "Out" is approximately the same.

[0102] As a result, the multiphase converter system can make the dispersion of output impedances of the power conversion circuits that constitute each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(6) (intra-unit dispersion) smaller than the dispersion of output impedances of each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(6) (inter-unit dispersion).

[0103] Furthermore, with the above arrangement, the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14) and the system output terminal Out is shorter than the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) and the system output terminal Out. The distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) and the system output terminal Out is shorter than the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) and the system output terminal Out.

[0104] The distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) and the system output terminal Out is shorter than the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) and the system output terminal Out. The distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) and the system output terminal Out is shorter than the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54) and the system output terminal Out. The distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54) and the system output terminal Out is shorter than the distance between each of the power conversion circuits 50(61)-50(64) and the system output terminal Out.

[0105] In other words, multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14), 50(21)-50(24), 50(31)-50(34), 50(41)-50(44), 50(51)-50(54), and 50(61)-50(64) are grouped together in order of increasing output impedance to form a predetermined number (4 in this case) to constitute multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(6).

[0106] As a result, the multiphase converter system in the first configuration example can more reliably reduce the distribution within each of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(6) than the distribution between the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(6) units.

[0107] (Arrangement Example 2) Figure 4 is a plan view showing a second arrangement example of the power conversion circuit that constitutes the power conversion circuit according to this embodiment. Figure 4 shows an example of configuring a 16-phase multiphase converter.

[0108] The multiphase converter system shown in Figure 4 comprises 16 power conversion circuits 50, forming 4 unit power conversion circuits 40. Unit power conversion circuit 40(1) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14). Unit power conversion circuit 40(2) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24). Unit power conversion circuit 40(3) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34). Unit power conversion circuit 40(4) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44).

[0109] The 16 power conversion circuits 50 are arranged in a two-dimensional array of 4 rows (ROW1-ROW4) and 4 columns (COL1-COL4).

[0110] The system output terminal, Out, is located outside the area where the 16 power conversion circuits 50 are located (in the case of Figure 4, outside the area on the ROW 4 side).

[0111] The power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1) are each arranged on ROW4. The power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) are each arranged on ROW3.

[0112] The power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(3) are each arranged on ROW2. The power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(4) are each arranged on ROW1.

[0113] As a result, each power conversion circuit 50 is arranged in a roughly arc shape with the position of the system output terminal Pot (load) as the center point.

[0114] Therefore, the multiphase converter system in the second arrangement example, like the multiphase converter system in the first arrangement example, can make the distribution within each unit of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(4) smaller than the distribution between the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(4).

[0115] (Arrangement Example 3) Figure 5 is a plan view showing a third arrangement example of the power conversion circuit that constitutes the power conversion circuit according to this embodiment. Figure 5 shows an example of configuring a 20-phase multi-phase converter.

[0116] The multiphase converter system shown in Figure 5 comprises 20 power conversion circuits 50, forming 5 unit power conversion circuits 40. Unit power conversion circuit 40(1) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14), unit power conversion circuit 40(2) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24), unit power conversion circuit 40(3) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34), unit power conversion circuit 40(4) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44), and unit power conversion circuit 40(5) comprises multiple power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54).

[0117] The multiphase converter system shown in Figure 5 is equipped with multiple system output terminals, Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, Port 4, and Port 5.

[0118] The 20 power conversion circuits 50 and the 5 system output terminals, Out1-Out5, are arranged in a two-dimensional array of 5 rows (ROW1-ROW5) and 5 columns (COL1-COL5).

[0119] System output terminal Out1 is located at the center of the two-dimensional array (ROW3, ​​COL3). Multiple system output terminals Out2-Out5 are located adjacent to each corner of system output terminal Out1 at positions (ROW2, COL2), (ROW2, COL4), (ROW4, COL2), and (ROW4, COL4), respectively.

[0120] The power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(1) are positioned adjacent to the system output terminals Out1-Out5 at (ROW2, COL3), (ROW3, ​​COL2), (ROW3, ​​COL4), and (ROW4, COL3), respectively.

[0121] The power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(2) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL3), (ROW3, ​​COL1), (ROW3, ​​COL5), and (ROW5, COL3), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(11)-50(14).

[0122] The power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(3) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL2), (ROW4, COL1), (ROW5, COL4), and (ROW2, COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24), system output terminals Out2-Out5.

[0123] The power conversion circuits 50(41)-50(44) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(4) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL4), (ROW2, COL1), (ROW5, COL2), and (ROW4, COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(21)-50(24), system output terminals Out2-Out5.

[0124] The power conversion circuits 50(51)-50(54) of the unit power conversion circuit 40(5) are arranged at positions (ROW1, COL1), (ROW5, COL1), (ROW5, COL5), and (ROW1, COL5), respectively, adjacent to the power conversion circuits 50(31)-50(34) and 50(41)-50(44).

[0125] As a result, the multiphase converter system in the third arrangement example, like the multiphase converter system in the first arrangement example, can make the distribution within each unit of the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(5) smaller than the distribution between the multiple unit power conversion circuits 40(1)-40(5).

[0126] 10: Multiphase converter system 20: Centralized control circuit 30: Drive expansion circuit 40(1)-40(6), 40(n): Unit power conversion circuit 50(11)-50(14), 50(1m), 50(21)-50(24), 50(2m), 50(31)-50(34), 50(41)-50(44), 50(51)-50(54), 50(61)-50(64), 50(n1), 50(n2), 50(nm): Power conversion circuit 60: Output current detection circuit 300(1), 300(2), 300(n): Drive expansion unit CS(11), CS(12), CS(1m): Individual current detection circuit FB40(1), FB40(2), FB40(n), FBU(11), FBU(12), FBU(1m): Feedback circuit LP(11), LP(12), LP(1m): Inductor Pin: System input terminals Port, Port1-Port5: System output terminals ZLD: Load

Claims

1. A multiphase converter system comprising a plurality of power conversion circuits, each composed of a switching circuit and an inductor including a power semiconductor, wherein the plurality of power conversion circuits constitute a plurality of master power conversion circuits and a plurality of slave power conversion circuits, and a plurality of unit power conversion circuits are configured by assigning a plurality of slave power conversion circuits to one of the plurality of master power conversion circuits, and a central control circuit that generates a master drive pulse signal for driving and controlling the plurality of master power conversion circuits, and a drive extension circuit provided in each of the plurality of unit power conversion circuits that generates a slave drive pulse signal for driving and controlling the slave power conversion circuit based on the master drive pulse signal, the output terminals of the plurality of power conversion circuits are connected to each other to constitute a system output terminal, and the plurality of power conversion circuits are arranged such that the distribution of the output impedance of the power conversion circuits constituting the unit power conversion circuits is reduced in the output impedance of the current path from the switching current output terminal of the switching circuit to the system output terminal in the plurality of power conversion circuits, A multiphase converter system in which the centralized control circuit controls the signal width of the master drive pulse signal to equalize the inductor current of the plurality of master power conversion circuits, and controls the inductor current of one master power conversion circuit and a slave power conversion circuit that constitute the plurality of unit power conversion circuits by equalizing them based on the arrangement of the plurality of power conversion circuits and the signal width of the slave drive pulse signal generated by the drive expansion circuit, thereby equalizing the inductor current of all power conversion circuits.

2. The multiphase converter system according to claim 1, further comprising a first feedback circuit that detects the output current of each master power conversion circuit constituting the plurality of unit power conversion circuits and feeds it back to the centralized control circuit.

3. The multiphase converter system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of master power conversion circuits are further provided with a second feedback circuit that detects the output current of the plurality of slave power conversion circuits and provides feedback to the drive expansion circuit.

4. The multiphase converter system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of power conversion circuits are composed of a circuit board and mounted elements mounted on the circuit board, and the master power conversion circuit and the plurality of slave power conversion circuits that constitute the unit power conversion circuit are arranged on the circuit board such that the distance from the output terminal is approximately the same.

5. The multiphase converter system according to claim 4, wherein the output terminal is located at the center of the arrangement of the plurality of power conversion circuits on the circuit board, and the master power conversion circuit and the plurality of slave power conversion circuits constituting the unit power conversion circuit are arranged in a circular shape with respect to the center.

6. The multiphase converter system according to claim 4, wherein the output terminal is located at the end of the arrangement of the plurality of power conversion circuits on the circuit board, and the master power conversion circuit and the plurality of slave power conversion circuits constituting the unit power conversion circuit are arranged in an arc shape centered on the position of the output terminal.

7. The multiphase converter system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein there are multiple system output terminals, and the output impedance is the combined impedance in the current path from the switching current output terminal of the switching circuit in the multiple power conversion circuits to the multiple system output terminals.

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