Dynamic Phase Synchronous DC/DC Converter Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing DC/DC converters face challenges in reducing power consumption and efficiency, particularly in multi-channel configurations, as they rely on fixed phase numbers and switching frequencies, which do not adapt well to varying load currents.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a dynamic adjustment of the number of driving phases and switching frequency based on the load current, using a controller to optimize the amplitude of gate driving voltages and pulse signal duty ratios, thereby reducing ripple and power consumption while maintaining high efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the number of driving phases is increased to reduce power consumption, then power consumption decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the number of driving phases variable rather than fixed. The phase number changing section dynamically adjusts the number of driving phases based on load current conditions, allowing the system to optimize power consumption while managing complexity through adaptive control rather than static multi-phase architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of phase number based on operating conditions. By detecting load current and adjusting the number of driving phases accordingly, the system optimizes power consumption without requiring a permanently complex multi-phase structure, thus resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and device complexity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the switching frequency is increased to reduce ripple, then ripple decreases, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the switching frequency variable rather than fixed. The frequency changing section adjusts the switching frequency based on load current and phase number, allowing the system to achieve low ripple when needed while reducing frequency (and power consumption) when high ripple tolerance is acceptable, thus resolving the contradiction between ripple reduction and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the switching frequency parameter adaptively based on operating conditions. By detecting load current and adjusting frequency accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between ripple performance and power consumption, avoiding the penalty of continuously high frequency while maintaining stability when required.
3Productivity
If the amplitude of gate driving voltages is increased to improve switching efficiency, then switching efficiency improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the amplitude parameter of gate driving voltages adaptively based on load current conditions. The amplitude changing section adjusts voltage amplitude to optimize switching efficiency while minimizing power consumption, avoiding the penalty of continuously high amplitude by applying it only when beneficial for switching performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing different gate driving voltage amplitudes for different switching circuits based on their specific operating conditions. Each switching circuit receives optimized voltage amplitude tailored to its load current, improving overall switching efficiency while minimizing total power consumption across the system.
Data Source
AI summary
An M-channel (M is an integer of at least two) synchronous rectification type step-down DC/DC converter is provided. A controller in the converter (i) calculates a load current on a basis of currents flowing through M inductors, (ii) dynamically changes the number K of driving phases (K is an integer of up to M) on the basis of the calculated load current, (iii) generates a pulse signal adjusted in duty ratio such that an output voltage of an output line coincides with a predetermined reference voltage, (iv) selects K drivers among M drivers, and distributes the pulse signal with a phase difference of (360/K) degrees to each of the selected K drivers, and (v) monotonically increases an amplitude control signal indicating the amplitude of a gate driving voltage with respect to the calculated load current in a range determined in advance for each number K of driving phases.