Abstract: A multiphase controller for a PWM power converter employs a single current sense device to measure input current, I, and an integrator at each phase to accurately measure power delivered during a pulse. The integrator monitors current delivered through a circuit which delivers a current signal scaled to I/N where N is the number of active phases. Thus where there are three overlapping phases, one-third of I is delivered to the integrator for each phase that is on or active. The integrator provides a Charge Ramp signal to an input of a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) comparator associated with each phase. The other input of the PWM comparator is tied to an error control signal common to all of the phases. When the Charge Ramp signal and the error control signal match, the corresponding phase is turned off for the duration of the cycle.

Abstract: A multi-phase power supply utilizes a current sensor including a sensor inductor winding connected in parallel with a filter inductor winding at the output of each phase for sensing the phase currents and balancing the current by adjusting the duty cycle of each phase through feedback control. In addition, in a multi-module power supply configuration, current between power supply modules is balanced through use of the same current sensor and current sharing technique. Each phase of the power supply includes at least one input power source and a current sensor. The sensor inductor winding and the filter inductor winding have the same number of turns and are wound about a magnetic core also present at each phase. A differential amplifier at each phase senses and amplifies any voltage difference between the outputs of the sensor inductor winding and the corresponding filter inductor winding.

Abstract: A multi-phase power supply utilizes a current sensor including a sensor inductor winding connected in parallel with a filter inductor winding at the output of each phase for sensing the phase currents and balancing the current by adjusting the duty cycle of each phase through feedback control. In addition, in a multi-module power supply configuration, current between power supply modules is balanced through use of the same current sensor and current sharing technique. Each phase of the power supply includes at least one input power source and a current sensor. The sensor inductor winding and the filter inductor winding have the same number of turns and are wound about a magnetic core also present at each phase. A differential amplifier at each phase senses and amplifies any voltage difference between the outputs of the sensor inductor winding and the corresponding filter inductor winding.

Abstract: A fast buffer and switching regulator are combined in parallel in a master-slave loop topology to form a voltage regulator. The buffer circuit has a voltage sensing amplifier that senses the difference between the voltage at the output of the voltage regulator and a reference voltage. This voltage difference is amplified, and then input to a buffer that sources current to or sinks current from the output of the voltage regulator. The output of the buffer circuit is coupled to the switching converter which senses the changing buffer circuit output current. The switching converter changes its duty cycle to oppose the current from the buffer circuit. This is a master-slave loop topology wherein the buffer circuit is the master loop that quickly provides high levels of current to compensate for a voltage transient at the output of the voltage regulator, and the switching converter is the slave loop which eventually takes over from the master loop to meet the current output requirements of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: An asymmetric snubber resistor in accordance with the present invention includes a cathode, an N+ region, an N- region, a plurality of P+ regions, and an anode. The N+ region is disposed over the cathode, the N- region is disposed over the N+ region, the plurality of P+ regions are disposed over the N- region, and the anode is disposed over the plurality of P+ regions and exposed portions of the N- region. The asymmetric snubber may also include N regions between the P+ regions. The asymmetric snubber resistor replaces the snubber diode and the snubber resistor in a typical snubber circuit.