Multi-Phase Converter Control Modules for Interleaved Current Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-phase power converters, the size of the output filter inductor is often large due to the current burden on each phase converter, which can be inefficient and require complex control mechanisms to manage.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase parallel interleaving method is adopted, where multiple control modules and power stage circuits are connected in parallel, with a master control module generating synchronization signals to control the operation states of slave modules, allowing for efficient current sharing and phase-cut control, reducing the current burden on each phase converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-phase converter is used, then the control mechanism is simpler, but the output filter inductor size becomes large due to current burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single-phase converter into multiple parallel phase converters (multi-phase configuration). Each phase converter handles a portion of the total current, reducing the current burden on individual phases. This segmentation allows for smaller filter inductors while maintaining overall system performance and simplifying the control mechanism through modular architecture.
2Volume of stationary object
If multi-phase parallel interleaving is adopted, then the output filter inductor size is reduced, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control mechanisms where each phase converter's output is monitored and fed back to the control system. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of switching timing and duty cycles to maintain balanced current distribution across phases, simplifying the overall control while achieving reduced inductor sizes through intelligent coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic interleaved switching patterns across multiple phases, where each phase operates in a coordinated cyclic manner. This periodic action distributes the current ripple across different time intervals, allowing smaller filter inductors to suffice while maintaining stable output through the regular, predictable switching rhythm.
3Quantity of substance
If multi-phase parallel interleaving method is used, then current burden on each phase converter is reduced, but chip pin utilization needs improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the control modules with multi-functional pins that can serve multiple purposes: synchronization signal input, phase shift control, current sensing, and communication. This universal pin design reduces the total number of pins required while supporting the multi-phase parallel interleaved operation, effectively addressing both current distribution and chip pin utilization concerns.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a plurality of control modules coupled to a multi-phase power converter having a plurality of power stage circuits correspondingly coupled to the plurality of control modules, where each control module includes: a first port coupled to a second port of a previous control module; a second port coupled to a first port of a next control module, and being configured to generate a transmission signal for the next control module; and where the transmission signal represents at least two types of information, and is configured to control the corresponding power stage circuit to operate sequentially.