Slave Phase Controller for Peak Current Sharing in Multiphase Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiphase power converters require complex controllers for different topologies and struggle with current sharing or balancing between phases, leading to increased design complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A power converter system with a master controller and multiple slave controllers, where each slave controller receives a current sense signal and a switch driving signal from the previous phase to synchronize and balance current flow, using a peak detection module to limit peak current values and achieve current sharing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex controllers are used for different multiphase power converter topologies, then current sharing and current balancing can be achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slave controller is designed with a universal interface that can work with any master controller across different multiphase power converter topologies (interleaving boost PFC, interleaving flyback, etc.). The controller uses a standardized current sense terminal and current limit terminal configuration that enables it to perform current sharing and current balancing functions universally without requiring topology-specific design variations.
2Reliability
If different controllers are specifically designed for different multiphase power converter topologies, then optimal performance for each topology can be achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slave controller implements a universal design that can be applied across multiple power converter topologies without requiring different controller models. The controller achieves this by using standardized terminal configurations (current sense terminal receiving ith current sense signal, current limit terminal receiving (i-1)th current sense signal) that work effectively for interleaving boost PFC, interleaving flyback, and other multiphase topologies, thereby reducing manufacturing costs through economies of scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller design separates the master controller functions from slave controller functions, allowing the slave controllers to be standardized and mass-produced while the master controller handles topology-specific control logic. This segmentation enables the slave controllers to be manufactured as universal components that can be paired with different master controllers for various topologies.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple and cost effective solutions are used for current sharing, then manufacturing cost decreases, but current balancing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The slave controller implements current balancing through a feedback mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the current sense signal from its own phase and compares it with the current limit signal from the previous phase. When the current sense signal reaches the peak value of the current limit signal, the controller adjusts the duty cycle to maintain equal peak currents across all phases, achieving effective current balancing with a simple and cost-effective solution.
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter includes a controller for driving a corresponding power switch in the power converter. The controller may have a current sense terminal adapted to sense/receive a current sense signal indicative of a current flowing through the corresponding power switch and a current limit terminal adapted to receive a reference current sense signal indicative of a current flowing through another power switch in the power converter. The controller may turn off the corresponding power switch once the current sense signal reaches a peak value of the reference current sense signal.