Power Supply Controller Phase Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional voltage regulators face inefficiencies and poor regulation due to the need for multiple physical compensation networks, which are cumbersome and lack fine control on a per-phase basis, leading to inefficient operation and transient response issues as the number of phases changes.
Innovation Solution
A controller that automatically scales control coefficients based on the number of phases activated, adjusting gain coefficients and filter settings to maintain stability and transient performance across varying operating conditions, using a PID compensator circuit and digital computation to generate control signals for the power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple physical compensation networks are used to change control settings based on the number of active phases, then the stability and transient performance can be optimized for different operating conditions, but the device complexity and physical size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control approach from physical network switching to digital parameter modification. A single compensation network is used, but its control coefficients (gain values) are dynamically adjusted based on the number of active phases. This allows optimal performance across different operating conditions without requiring multiple physical networks, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single compensation network is designed to serve multiple functions by dynamically reconfiguring its control coefficients. The same hardware network handles compensation for 1-phase, 2-phase, 3-phase, and 4-phase operating conditions by adjusting its gain values, making it universal and eliminating the need for multiple dedicated networks
2Device complexity
If a single compensation network is used for all phase configurations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the transient performance and regulation quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The compensation network is transformed from a static configuration to a dynamic one. The control coefficients are no longer fixed but are dynamically adjusted based on the detected number of active phases. This dynamic adaptation allows the single network to maintain optimal transient performance across all operating conditions, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and reliability
3Device complexity
If control coefficients are not adjusted when the number of phases changes, then the device complexity is minimized, but the efficiency and regulation quality become poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by monitoring the number of active phases and using this information to adjust the control coefficients accordingly. This closed-loop approach ensures that the compensation network adapts to changing operating conditions, maintaining high efficiency and regulation quality without increasing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A controller receives a value indicative of a number of phases in a power supply to be activated for producing an output voltage to power a load. The controller utilizes the value to adjust a magnitude of at least one control coefficient associated with the power supply. The control can also use the value of the input voltage to adjust the magnitude of at least one control coefficient. The controller digitally computes values for the one or more control coefficients based on the received value indicating the number of phases in the power supply to be activated for producing the output voltage. Based on the adjusted magnitude of the at least one control coefficient, the controller produces control signals to control the number of phases in the power supply as specified by the value to produce the output voltage.