Daisy Chain Control Circuits for Multiphase Converter Phase Shedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiphase switching converters require adjustments in logic, circuit, structure, and size when increasing the number of phases, leading to increased development burden and cost, especially for single-controller systems.
Innovation Solution
A daisy chain architecture is implemented, where multiple control circuits are coupled in parallel to adjust the number of switching circuits dynamically, with each control circuit having phase control input and output terminals, allowing for phase shedding and resuming based on current sense signals and preset conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of phases in a multiphase switching converter is increased to meet higher current requirements, then the output current capability is improved, but the development burden and system cost increase due to adjustments in logic, circuit, structure and controller size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the multiphase switching converter into multiple independent phase modules, each with its own control circuit. Each phase can be independently controlled and configured, allowing the system to scale by simply adding or removing phase modules rather than redesigning the entire controller. This segmentation enables flexible adaptation to different current requirements without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic phase configuration capability, allowing the number of active phases to be adjusted based on load requirements. The controller can dynamically enable or disable specific phases through independent control circuits, optimizing performance for different operating conditions without requiring a fixed, over-engineered design for maximum capacity.
2Power
If the number of switching circuits is increased to meet higher load current requirements, then the current handling capability is improved, but the development cost and system size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the switching converter into modular phase units, where each phase consists of a switching circuit and its corresponding control circuit. This modular architecture allows manufacturers to produce standardized phase modules that can be easily assembled in different quantities to meet various current requirements, reducing development costs through reuse of proven designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs control circuits with universal functionality that can operate in different configurations. The same basic control circuit design can serve as a master controller for one phase or as a slave controller in a daisy-chain configuration for multiple phases, eliminating the need to develop entirely new control logic for each phase count and reducing overall development cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control circuits are added to support more switching circuits, then the scalability is improved, but the controller structure and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested control architecture where slave control circuits are embedded within the overall controller structure and communicate through a daisy-chain connection. Each slave controller is a compact unit that receives references from and sends feedback to adjacent controllers, creating a space-efficient nested arrangement that scales without linearly increasing overall controller volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a daisy-chain communication interface as an intermediary mechanism between control circuits. This standardized interface allows multiple control circuits to be connected in sequence with minimal additional hardware, enabling scalability through simple chain extensions rather than requiring a centralized, bulky controller structure that must accommodate all control functions simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiphase switching converter has a plurality of switching circuits coupled in parallel, and a plurality of control circuits configured in a daisy chain. Each control circuit receives a phase input signal, and provides a phase output signal and a switching control signal for controlling a corresponding switching circuit. When a current sense signal is less than a phase shedding threshold, and if a corresponding one of the control circuits is a last one in the daisy chain or if a pulse on the phase input signal lasts within a preset time period, then a corresponding one of the switching circuits stops a power output, and the phase output signal equals the phase input signal.