Multiphase Controller Pin Reconfiguration for Parameter Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase power processing circuits face limitations due to a limited number of pins in the multiphase controller, restricting the adjustment of parameters such as over-current protection threshold, switching speed, and monitoring capabilities, making it difficult to actively configure and read data from power processing circuits.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase power processing circuit with a multiphase controller that utilizes PWM, Enable, and Temperature Indicator pins to enable data exchange between the controller and power processing circuits, allowing configuration of parameters like phase identifier, protection thresholds, and sampling gains, and enabling flexible operation modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a limited number of pins are used in the multiphase controller, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and monitoring capabilities are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing pins serve multiple functions: PWM pins can function as both PWM output and data exchange pins; Enable pin can be used for both enabling power processing circuits and as a data bus; Temperature Indicator pin can indicate temperature and serve as a data bus. This multi-functionality allows full parameter configuration and monitoring capabilities while maintaining a limited pin count, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and adaptability.
2Device complexity
If existing DrMOS chips are used with limited pins, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation is worsened due to inability to adjust parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic parameter adjustment capability by using data exchange modes where pins can be reconfigured during operation. The controller can actively configure and read parameters such as over-current protection threshold, over-temperature protection threshold, current sampling gain, and switching speed through the multi-functional pins, making the previously static DrMOS chip parameters dynamically adjustable without increasing chip structure complexity.
3Device complexity
If shared signal connections are used for multiple phases, then the pin count is reduced, but the measurement precision is worsened due to limited monitoring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the multiphase controller actively reads status information from each power processing circuit through the data exchange modes. The controller can determine whether protection has been triggered, which mode the protection belongs to, and other operational parameters by using the Enable and Temperature Indicator pins as data buses, providing precise monitoring capability despite shared signal connections.
Data Source
AI summary
Multiphase power processing circuit and a method for control thereof are disclosed, with which, exchange of data is achievable between a multiphase controller and any of power processing circuits via pins of at least two of the three categories, Enable, PWM and Temperature Indicator, of the multiphase controller. The exchanged data may include, but is not limited to, a phase identifier, an over-current protection threshold, an over-current protection threshold, an over-temperature protection threshold, a current sampling gain, a current sampling bias, a temperature sampling gain, a temperature sampling bias, a drive speed and the like of the power processing circuit. In this way, improvements in system flexibility and security are obtained.