Multi-Phase Voltage Converter with Selective Phase Temperature Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing interleaved multi-phase voltage converters lack the capability to individually monitor the temperature of each phase, relying on a controller to track only the highest temperature among multiple phases.
Innovation Solution
Each integrated circuit (IC) in the multi-phase voltage converter is equipped with a temperature sensing circuit and a temperature report pin, allowing a controller to selectively acquire and report individual IC temperatures through an acquiring command and sequencing code, enabling separate monitoring of each phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a controller monitors only the highest temperature among multiple phases, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of individual phase temperatures is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature monitoring function is segmented from the controller to individual ICs. Each IC now has its own temperature sensing circuit and report pin, allowing independent temperature measurement of each phase without requiring the controller to directly monitor all temperatures, thus resolving the contradiction between simplified controller structure and precise individual temperature measurement
Solution Approach 2:
A temperature report pin is introduced as an intermediary component between the temperature sensing circuit and the controller. This intermediary allows each IC to independently report its temperature to the controller through a standardized interface, enabling precise individual temperature monitoring while maintaining simple controller architecture
2Measurement precision
If each IC has its own temperature sensing circuit and report pin, then the measurement precision of individual phase temperatures is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature report pin serves multiple functions: it acts as a data output for temperature information, a communication interface between IC and controller, and a standardized monitoring point. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving precise individual temperature measurement
3Reliability
If the temperature report pin reports temperature continuously, then the reliability of temperature monitoring is improved, but the loss of time for other operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature report pin uses periodic sampling rather than continuous reporting. The controller periodically queries the temperature report pin to acquire temperature data, which maintains adequate monitoring reliability while freeing up time for other operations between sampling intervals, thus resolving the contradiction between monitoring reliability and operational efficiency
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
Enables independent temperature monitoring of each IC, facilitating dynamic thermal balance and health checks without additional pins, enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensing circuit that is configured to sense an individual temperature of an IC containing the temperature sensing circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-phase voltage converter has a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs), and a controller. Each IC has a temperature report pin and a temperature sensing circuit, the controller has a temperature input pin connected to the temperature report pin of each of the plurality of ICs. The controller provides an acquiring command via the temperature input pin to all of the ICs. The acquiring command is capable of selecting one of the plurality of ICs to report an individual temperature.