Dynamic Phase Timing Control for Multiphase Voltage Regulators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing master/slave configurations for voltage regulators lose phase shift and clock synchronization when the master module fails, and require manual adjustments when adding or removing modules, leading to suboptimal phase timing between multiple active phases.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dynamic phase timing control through a phase number detector and master clock reassignment, allowing for automatic phase timing adjustments and redundancy support, enabling real-time optimization of phase shift and synchronization across multiple voltage regulators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual phase timing adjustments are implemented when adding or removing modules, then phase timing can be optimized, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase timing optimizationVSAvoidmanual adjustment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts phase timing automatically based on the number of active phases without requiring manual intervention. The phase timing is optimized in real-time as modules are added or removed, making the system adaptive rather than static.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The multiphase regulator system performs self-adjustment of phase timing through automatic detection of the number of active phases and corresponding optimization of timing parameters, eliminating the need for external manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If fixed phase shift is implemented in multiphase regulators, then design simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to varying numbers of active phases is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidphase configuration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The phase shift is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to automatically adjust phase timing based on the detected number of active phases. This enables the system to adapt to different configurations while maintaining relatively simple design through automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the phase shift parameter automatically based on the number of active phases detected. By dynamically adjusting this critical parameter, the system achieves adaptability to different phase configurations without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUSRE45755E1Dynamic phase timing control for multiple regulators or phases

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 INTERSIL AMERICAS INC

AI summary

A drive control circuit generates switching drive signals for a single phase of a multiphase voltage regulator. A driver circuitry generates the switching drive signals for the voltage regulator responsive to a clock signal. A clock circuitry generates the clock signal responsive to a monitored external clock signal. A phase number detector determines a number of active phases in the multiphase voltage regulator in real time responsive to an indicator on a phase number input monitored by the phase detector.