Multi-phase Power Converter Phase Shedding Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-phase power converters suffer from unbalanced loadings of different phases during phase-shedding mode, leading to premature damage of more frequently used power conversion phases and reduced circuit lifetime.
Innovation Solution
A control circuit and method that dynamically alternates which power conversion phases are disabled during phase-shedding mode, using a phase selection circuit and flags/indexes to ensure that different phases are alternately disabled and recovered, preventing consistent phase suspension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same power conversion phase is always disabled in phase-shedding mode, then the control logic is simple, but the workload of power switches and inductors in different phases becomes unbalanced, leading to premature damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the disabled phase configurable rather than fixed. The phase selection circuit allows the system to dynamically change which phase is disabled based on operational requirements, transforming a static control approach into a dynamic one that can adapt to balance workload across different phases over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of phase selection by introducing a configurable phase selection signal that determines which phase to disable. This parameter change enables the system to switch between different phase disabling patterns, allowing workload balancing while maintaining simple control logic through parameterized control
2Loss of energy
If phase shedding is implemented to reduce switching loss, then energy efficiency improves, but uneven phase usage accelerates component degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by cycling through different phase disabling patterns over time. The phase selection circuit can rotate through different disabled phases in a periodic manner, ensuring that each phase experiences similar cumulative workload and stress over the system's operational lifetime, thereby balancing component aging while maintaining energy efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a multi-phase power converter, and a control circuit and a control method of the multi-phase power converter. The multi-phase power converter comprises multiple power conversion phases. The method comprises: determining whether to enter a phase-shedding mode; at a first time when entering the phase-shedding mode, disabling at least one of the power conversion phases; and at another time when entering the phase-shedding mode, disabling at least another one of the power conversion phases.