Adaptive Phase Add Shed Power Converter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-phase power converters rely solely on output current to add or shed phases, which does not optimize efficiency, particularly in portable applications where input voltage, output voltage, and temperature also impact performance.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit that uses a comparator and threshold generation circuit to adjust the number of active voltage regulator circuits based on output current and environmental parameters like input voltage, output voltage, and temperature, generating a variable threshold for optimal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multi-phase power converters use only output current to add or shed phases, then the control logic is simple, but efficiency is not optimized because input voltage, output voltage, and temperature are not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control parameter from a single output current parameter to multiple parameters including input voltage, output voltage, temperature, and output current. The control circuit monitors these parameters and uses them to dynamically adjust the number of active phases, thereby optimizing efficiency under different operating conditions without excessively increasing control complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: monitoring input voltage, output voltage, temperature, and output current simultaneously. This multi-functional approach allows the system to make comprehensive efficiency optimizations based on all relevant parameters rather than just output current, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and optimization
2Productivity
If the control circuit monitors multiple environmental parameters, then efficiency optimization is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit dynamically adjusts the number of active phases based on real-time monitoring of multiple environmental parameters. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize efficiency for varying operating conditions (different input voltages, output voltages, temperatures, and load currents) while maintaining a unified control structure that manages the complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed threshold is used for phase add/shed decisions, then the control is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying environmental conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic threshold that varies based on environmental parameters such as input voltage, output voltage, and temperature. Instead of using a fixed threshold, the control circuit adjusts the threshold value according to the monitored parameters, enabling adaptive phase add/shed decisions that respond to changing operating conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through systematic threshold adjustment logic
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for adding and shedding phases in a multi-phase power converter is disclosed. A power converter includes a plurality of voltage regulators including a given voltage regulator configured to generate, when active, a particular output voltage on a regulated power supply node. The power converter further includes a control circuit. The control circuit is configured determine an amount of output current being supplied to the regulated power supply node by active ones of the plurality of voltage regulator circuits. The control circuit is further configured to adjust a number of voltage regulator circuits that are active based on the output current and one or more environmental parameters associated with the plurality of voltage regulator circuits.