Multiphase Power Supply with Autonomous COT DC-DC Converters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multiphase power supplies require dedicated controllers to synchronize DC-DC converters, increasing complexity and cost, and are limited in scalability due to centralized control.

Innovation Solution

A multiphase power supply system utilizing constant ON-time (COT) DC-DC converter ICs that operate independently, with each IC sequentially turning ON in an interleaved fashion without a centralized controller, allowing for arbitrary numbers of phases and scalable load handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dedicated PWM controller is used to synchronize DC-DC converters, then the output voltages are synchronized, but the cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization of output voltagesVSAvoidcomplexity of multiphase power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each COT DC-DC converter IC autonomously generates its own control signals and determines its switching timing based on its internal on-time mechanism, eliminating the need for external synchronization control from a dedicated PWM controller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized control function is divided and distributed to individual converter ICs, with each IC independently managing its own switching operations and contributing to the overall interleaved multiplication effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a dedicated PWM controller is used to synchronize DC-DC converters, then the output voltages are synchronized, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization of output voltagesVSAvoidcost of multiphase power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each converter IC independently generates its own control signals and determines its switching timing based on its internal on-time mechanism, eliminating the need for external synchronization control from a dedicated PWM controller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The COT control mechanism provides both voltage regulation and automatic interleaving synchronization functions within each converter IC, eliminating the need for separate dedicated PWM controller hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If centralized control is used, then synchronization is achieved, but scalability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization of output voltagesVSAvoidscalability of multiphase power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control function is segmented and distributed to individual converter ICs, allowing arbitrary numbers of phases to be added by simply connecting more independent COT converter ICs in parallel without requiring changes to a centralized controller

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to different numbers of phases through the natural interleaved operation of independent COT converter ICs, which automatically achieve synchronized multiplication based on their individual on-time periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10270343B2Multiphase power supply with constant on-time DC-DC converters

Publication Date: 2019.04.23 MONOLITHIC POWER SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A multiphase power supply includes several constant ON-time (COT) DC-DC converter integrated circuits (ICs), with each COT DC-DC converter IC providing an output voltage of a phase of the multiphase power supply. The COT DC-DC converter ICs are sequentially turned ON one after another in interleaved fashion. A COT DC-DC converter IC receives a control signal at a take pin and, in response, turns ON its output switch. The COT DC-DC converter IC generates another control signal at a pass pin. The next COT DC-DC converter IC turns ON its output switch in response to receiving the other control signal from the previous COT DC-DC converter IC.