Multi-Phase Switching Converter Control for RC-Delay-Free Phase Addition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-phase switching converters face challenges in quickly adding phases to meet sudden increases in load current due to RC time delays, resulting in undershoots and slow load transient responses.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase switching converter with a master phase and slave phases, where each slave phase is enabled based on a phase additional signal, utilizing a pulse generator to provide a pulse signal with a 0.5 duty cycle and comparison circuits to control switches, allowing for efficient phase addition and improved load transient response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the multi-phase switching converter uses traditional average PWM signal estimation to add phases, then the phase addition control is simple, but the RC time delay causes slow response and large undershoot at output voltage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by predicting future phase addition needs based on current load current trends before the actual phase addition is required. The prediction circuit calculates the rate of change of load current and predicts when the total current will exceed the master phase capacity, enabling the slave phase to be activated in advance, thus eliminating the RC time delay and preventing output voltage undershoot.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the multi-phase switching converter operates with a single master phase, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to sudden load current increases is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the phase control function into two independent parts: a master phase controller that always operates, and slave phase controllers that are activated only when needed. Each phase has its own control circuit that can operate independently, allowing the system to scale from single-phase to multi-phase operation by simply enabling or disabling slave phases based on load requirements, thus improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phase configuration dynamic rather than fixed. The system can automatically transition between single-phase and multi-phase operation based on real-time load conditions. The prediction circuit continuously monitors load current trends and dynamically determines when to activate slave phases, allowing the converter to adapt its complexity to match the actual power demand.
3Productivity
If the multi-phase switching converter adds phases rapidly to meet load demands, then the load transient response improves, but the phase addition accuracy may be compromised due to timing issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using the prediction circuit to continuously monitor the load current and its rate of change, and by implementing inter-phase synchronization that provides feedback on the timing and status of phase additions. The system measures actual load conditions and adjusts phase activation timing accordingly, ensuring accurate phase addition even at high speeds by continuously comparing predicted needs with actual system state.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a control method for multi-phase switching converter having a master phase and at least one slave phase. The control method comprises: providing a pulse signal with 0.5 duty cycle by frequency-dividing a master control signal supplied to the master phase; and for each slave phase to be enabled, setting a ratio of a charge current and a discharge current based on a slave phase number under a phase-added operation, charging a first capacitor with the charge current and discharging a second capacitor with the discharge current in high logic of the pulse signal, discharging the first capacitor with the discharge current and charging the second capacitor with the charge current in logic low of the pulse signal, and generating a respective enable signal for controlling a switch in a corresponding slave phase by comparing a first capacitor voltage with a second capacitor voltage.