Multi-Phase Power Controller Data Bus Cross Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-phase power switching systems require expensive and heavy isolator circuits for cross-communication between power controllers due to floating reference voltages, leading to inefficiencies and additional time delays when synchronizing power phases.
Innovation Solution
A multi-phase power control switch with a data bus that enables cross-communication between microcontrollers, reducing the need for isolator circuits and allowing local synchronization without a systems level controller, thereby minimizing the number of isolators required and enhancing response time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If isolator circuits are used to connect each power controller to enable cross-communication, then communication between controllers is enabled, but the system becomes heavy and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data bus as an intermediary communication medium that all microcontrollers connect to. This single shared bus replaces the need for multiple individual isolator circuits between each controller pair, significantly reducing the number of isolators while maintaining reliable cross-communication across all power controller channels
Solution Approach 2:
The data bus serves as a universal communication interface that all microcontrollers can use for cross-communication. Instead of having dedicated communication paths between each controller pair, the single data bus provides multi-functional communication capability for all controllers in the system
2Ease of operation
If a systems level controller is used to coordinate power phases, then control is centralized, but additional time delay is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the synchronization function from the external systems level controller and implements it directly within the power control switch through local cross-communication via the data bus. This allows controllers to synchronize power phases locally without the additional time delay of external coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The control function is segmented and distributed to individual microcontrollers within each power controller channel, rather than being centralized in a single systems level controller. Each microcontroller can independently participate in synchronization decisions, reducing communication delays
3Reliability
If floating reference voltages are used in each power channel, then power supply isolation is achieved, but direct communication between controllers is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The data bus acts as an intermediary that enables communication between controllers with different floating reference voltages. The isolator circuits connect each microcontroller to this common bus, allowing voltage level translation and isolation while maintaining communication capability across all channels
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A multi-phase power control switch (10,100,200) has multiple power controller channels (12a-c,112a-c,212a-c) each of which includes at least one power controller (14,114,214a-c) having a microprocessor (20,120,122,220). Each of the microprocessors cross communicates with each other of the microprocessors using a data bus (40,140,142,240).