Multi-Phase Controller Load Balancing via Cyclic Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-phase controllers face issues with uneven load sharing among phases due to unbalanced conditions, leading to thermal stress and increased system costs, inefficiency, and die area, primarily caused by mismatches in control timing and layout, as well as process variations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase controller design incorporating an input selector, multiple cores, and a multiplexer that alternately enables cores to operate in a standby state to cyclically rotate control signals, achieving phase balance without additional balancing circuitry by multiplexing control signals to output channels, thereby reducing system costs and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional multi-phase controllers are used to meet high load requirements, then the load capacity is improved, but the load sharing among phases becomes unbalanced causing thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by cyclically rotating the standby state among multiple phases. Each phase alternates between active and standby states in a periodic manner, ensuring that each phase gets equal opportunity to rest and thereby achieving balanced load sharing and reduced thermal stress on individual phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the phase configuration dynamic rather than static. The controller dynamically switches phases between active and standby states based on a rotation sequence, allowing the system to adaptively balance the load across phases over time, preventing any single phase from bearing excessive continuous load.
2Reliability
If current balancing circuits with additional current sensors are employed to achieve even load sharing, then the load distribution balance is improved, but the system cost and die area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional current sensors and correction circuits by using the existing phase structure. Instead of adding balancing circuitry, the invention removes the requirement for these components by implementing a rotational standby mechanism that inherently achieves load balancing through the natural alternation of phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by allowing the multi-phase controller to automatically balance its own load distribution through the cyclic rotation of standby phases. The system uses its existing components and structure to achieve load balancing without requiring external current sensors or correction circuits, making the balancing function self-contained.
3Reliability
If additional current sensors and correction circuits are added for current balancing, then the load current sharing is improved, but the system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the energy-consuming additional current sensors and correction circuits from the system. By eliminating these redundant components, the invention reduces the overall power consumption and improves system efficiency while maintaining load current sharing through the rotational standby mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller includes an input selector, multiple cores and a multiplexer. The multiplexer is operable for multiplexing control signals to multiple output channels to provide multiple output signals. Each output channel can output a respective output signal, and each output signal represents a cyclic rotation of the control signals. The input selector is operable for enabling the cores to operate in a standby state alternately to control a multiplexing sequence of the control signals.