Multi-phase Voltage Regulator Phase Control Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-phase and multi-phase voltage regulators face inefficiencies and heat generation issues when implementing overclocking or overvolting functions, leading to reduced performance and potential component damage due to fixed phase numbers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase voltage regulator with an increased phase number, utilizing a pulse width modulation control unit, pulse signal extension circuit, and feedback signal switching circuit to generate and manage multiple pulse signals, thereby reducing ripple current and increasing operating efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the phase number of the voltage regulator is increased, then the ripple current is reduced and operating efficiency is increased, but the device complexity and heat management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage regulator is divided into multiple independent current providing paths (phases), where each path processes a portion of the total current. This segmentation allows the ripple current to be distributed and reduced across multiple parallel paths, while the modular structure manages complexity through repetition of standardized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active phases based on load requirements. The control unit can activate or deactivate specific phases depending on the current demand, allowing the system to optimize between ripple reduction (more phases) and complexity/heat management (fewer phases) in real-time operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the phase number is increased to reduce ripple current, then operating efficiency improves, but the heat generation and cooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the power conversion function across multiple phases, the heat generation is distributed across multiple smaller components rather than concentrated in a single high-power stage. This segmentation allows for better thermal management through distributed heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple phases operate in a periodic, interleaved manner where each phase is activated in sequence or parallel based on timing signals. This periodic action distributes the power processing load over time, reducing peak heat generation in any single component while maintaining high overall efficiency.
3Power
If more current providing paths are added to increase output current capacity, then the CPU power delivery is improved, but the circuit complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The current providing function is segmented into multiple independent paths, each capable of delivering a portion of the total required current. This modular approach allows the system to scale power capacity by adding parallel paths while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized, repeatable circuit units.
Solution Approach 2:
Each current providing path is designed as a universal, multi-functional module that can operate independently or in combination with other paths. The standardized design allows any phase to assume any role based on control signals, reducing overall system complexity through functional equivalence across multiple paths.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The increased phase number reduces ripple current and heat generation, enhances operating efficiency, and improves CPU performance stability by distributing output current more effectively across multiple paths.
Implementation Method 1
a pulse width modulation control unit, a pulse signal extension circuit, M counts of current providing paths, and a feedback signal switching circuit. The pulse width modulation control unit generates N counts of pulse signals
Implementation Method 2
The power stage circuit 30 comprises an upper power FET (field effect transistor) M1, a lower power FET M2, an output inductor L
Implementation Method 3
The output capacitor Co is interconnected between the output terminal Vcore of the CPU core voltage and the ground terminal (GND)
Implementation Method 4
The current sense resistor Rs is interconnected between a second terminal of the output inductor L and the output terminal Vcore of the CPU core voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-phase voltage regulator includes a pulse width modulation control unit, a pulse signal extension circuit, M counts of current providing paths, and a feedback signal switching circuit. The pulse width modulation control unit generates N counts of pulse signals in a first cycle period. The pulse signal extension circuit receives the N counts of pulse signals in a second cycle period and divides the N counts of pulse signals into M counts of pulse signals, wherein M=N×2K, K is a positive integer, and the second cycle period is 2K times the first cycle period. The M counts of current providing paths generate corresponding M counts of sensing voltages. The feedback signal switching circuit receives the M counts of sensing voltages, successively switches the M counts of sensing voltages into N counts of sensing voltages, and transmits the N counts of sensing voltages to the pulse width modulation control unit.