Current Sharing Power Stage for Phase Multiplication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power controller systems using phase multiplication to increase current face instability due to current imbalances within phase-multiplied groups, as they rely on average current feedback without individual power stage current monitoring, leading to ineffective current balancing.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating current balancing circuitry within each power stage to monitor and adjust currents based on average current information, allowing for precise balancing between power stages within a group without additional integrated circuits, and using power controller feedback to balance currents between groups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If phase multiplication is used to increase current, then current delivery capability is improved, but current imbalance between power stages causes instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing average current information from the power controller to each power stage, and using current balancing circuitry to compare individual stage currents against this average. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic current balancing across multiple power stages, resolving the instability issue while maintaining the high current delivery capability provided by phase multiplication.
Solution Approach 2:
The current balancing circuitry within each power stage automatically adjusts its own current output based on the average current feedback, without requiring external intervention or complex centralized control. Each power stage self-regulates to match the average current, achieving system-wide balance through decentralized self-service operation.
2Device complexity
If conventional phase multiplication without current balancing is used, then device complexity is reduced, but current balancing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the current balancing function into segmented operations: the power controller calculates and provides average current information, while individual current balancing circuitry in each power stage performs local current comparison and adjustment. This segmentation achieves precise current balancing without requiring a completely redesigned complex control system.
3Manufacturing precision
If additional integrated circuits are added for current monitoring, then current balancing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power controller performs multiple functions: it provides PWM control signals to power stages and simultaneously calculates and provides average current information for balancing. The current balancing circuitry also serves dual purposes by monitoring current and generating adjustment signals. This multi-functionality achieves precise current balancing without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a first power stage circuit having a first PWM input, a first voltage input and a first power output. The first power stage circuit is configured to provide a first current at the first power output responsive to a PWM signal at the first PWM input, and configured to receive a voltage at the first voltage input. The system includes a second power stage circuit having a second PWM input, a second voltage input and a second power output. The second voltage input is coupled to the first voltage input, and the second power stage circuit is configured to provide a second current at the second power output responsive to the PWM signal at the second PWM input. The second power stage circuit is configured to receive the voltage at the second voltage input, the voltage representing an average of the first current and the second current.