Distributed SMPC Controller Phase Interleaving Fault Tolerance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centralized control in multiphase power converters is prone to single-point failures and requires complex adjustments when modules fail, limiting fault tolerance and flexibility in managing phase interleaving across varying numbers of modules.
Innovation Solution
A distributed-control SMPC controller with a reference clock, synchronisation inputs/outputs, a control unit, delay line, fault detection terminal, and memory that calculates delays based on fault-detection signals to adjust phase shifts and maintain interleaving in multiphase power converter systems, allowing for fault tolerance and flexible module configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized controller is used to determine relative phases for optimal interleaving, then input and output voltage ripple are minimized, but the system is prone to single-point failure and requires complex adjustments when modules fail
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized controller is divided into multiple distributed controllers, one for each power converter module. Each controller independently determines its own phase shift based on local measurements of input and output voltages, eliminating the single-point failure risk while maintaining optimal interleaving without complex centralized configuration
Solution Approach 2:
Each power converter module autonomously adjusts its own phase shift by measuring input and output voltages and calculating the optimal phase difference locally. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized controller configuration and enables automatic adaptation when modules fail
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of operational modules varies, then flexibility in system configuration is improved, but maintaining optimal phase interleaving becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shift of each power converter module is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time measurements of input and output voltages. When the number of operational modules changes, each controller automatically recalculates and adjusts its phase shift to maintain optimal interleaving, providing configuration flexibility without increasing control complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are switched-mode DC-DC power converter modules, SMPC controllers, and distributed-control multiphase SMPC systems. The controller comprises: a reference clock; a synchronisation input configured to receive a first synchronisation signal; a synchronisation output configured to transmit a second synchronisation signal; a control unit configured to control the operation of the SMPC module with a phase determined by the reference clock signal or the first synchronisation signal; a delay line configured to generate the second synchronisation signal by adding a delay to the selected one of the first synchronisation signal and the reference clock signal; a fault detection terminal; a memory configured to store a datum corresponding to a number N of SMPCs in the system; and a delay calculation module configured to calculate the delay in dependence on the datum and the signal at the fault-detection terminal. Associated methods are also disclosed.