Daisy-Chained Multiphase Converter Control for Scalable Phase Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase switching converters with a single controller require significant adjustments in logic, circuit structure, and controller size when load current demands increase, leading to increased development difficulty and overall cost.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase switching converter with a daisy chain architecture of control circuits, where each control circuit operates in a preparatory state to generate switching control signals for corresponding switching circuits, allowing for easy adjustment of the total phase number by adding new control circuits and external components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the number of phases is increased to meet higher load current demand, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the controller complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is divided into multiple independent control circuits, each managing a specific phase. Each control circuit includes its own PWM generator, comparator, and switching control logic, allowing the system to handle high power demands through parallel phase operation without requiring a single complex controller to manage all phases centrally.
2Power
If the number of phases is increased to meet higher load current demand, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the development difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed as a modular, repeatable unit that can be copied multiple times to create different phase configurations. Each control circuit uses identical circuit topologies and control logic, allowing designers to scale the system from 2-phase to 4-phase or higher simply by adding more copies of the same modular control circuit block, significantly reducing development difficulty.
3Power
If the controller size is increased to accommodate more phases, then the power supply capacity is improved, but the circuit cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is segmented into multiple independent control circuits that can be implemented on separate integrated circuits or modular boards. This segmentation allows the physical controller size to remain manageable while still providing high power capacity through parallel phase operation, as each segment handles only a portion of the total power load.
Solution Approach 2:
Each control circuit is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple operations including PWM generation, voltage comparison, switching control, and phase synchronization. This multi-functionality within each modular unit reduces the need for additional dedicated circuits, thereby controlling overall controller size while maintaining high power supply capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a multiphase switching converter and control circuit thereof. The multiphase switching converter includes a plurality of control circuits forming a daisy chain architecture, and to generate a preparatory output signal and a switching control signal for controlling a corresponding switching circuit when receiving a clock signal from a communication bus in the preparatory state, the control circuit is configured to operate in a preparatory state when receiving a preparatory input signal. Only preparatory signals are transmitted between the plurality of control circuits, and a signal for controlling circuit being on is participated by the clock signal generated by a host controller, so that the host controller does not need to track a position of a current unit in real time during a control process of all units, thus greatly simplifying a design of the host controller and reducing a circuit cost.