Remote current sense compensation in multiphase voltage regulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase voltage regulators face challenges in maintaining current sensing accuracy across varying temperature and voltage conditions, requiring active compensation that can be complex and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remote current sense compensation in multiphase voltage regulators, where a controller communicates with power stages via a digital communication bus to request temperature information and compensate the sensed current based on received temperature data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If active temperature compensation circuitry is implemented in power stages, then current sensing accuracy is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature compensation function from the power stages and relocates it to the controller. The controller reads temperature data from sensors in the power stages via a digital communication bus and performs compensation calculations centrally, eliminating the need for complex compensation circuitry in each power stage while maintaining current sensing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital communication bus as an intermediary between the power stages and the controller. This bus enables the controller to remotely read temperature information from the power stages and transmit compensation commands, facilitating centralized compensation without requiring direct physical compensation circuitry in the power stages.
2Measurement precision
If temperature compensation circuitry is integrated in power stages, then current sensing accuracy is improved, but circuit board space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the temperature compensation circuitry from the power stages and consolidates it in the controller. This extraction eliminates the need for additional compensation components on the circuit board while preserving the current sensing accuracy through remote compensation based on temperature readings transmitted via the digital communication bus.
3Use of energy by moving object
If remote compensation via digital communication bus is implemented, then power consumption is reduced and circuit board space is preserved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing digital communication bus, originally designed for other purposes, to also carry temperature data and compensation commands. This multi-functional use of the bus eliminates the need for separate dedicated compensation communication channels, reducing overall system complexity while enabling remote compensation and lowering power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for performing current sense compensation for one or more power stages in a multiphase voltage regulator are described. A controller can be connected to a plurality of power stages through a communication interface. The controller can generate a data packet including a command to obtain temperature information and an address that identifies a specific power stage among the plurality of power stages. The controller can send the data packet to the plurality of power stages using the communication interface. The controller can receive temperature information of the specific power stage from the specific power stage through the communication interface. The controller can compensate a sensed current of the specific power stage based on the received temperature information of the specific power stage.