Abstract: A controller is disclosed for a voltage regulator module including a power unit and providing an output current, Iout, at an output voltage, Vout, from an input current/voltage and being configured for use in a multi-module voltage regulator having a neighbouring voltage regulator module having a respective output connected in parallel, the controller comprising: a reference voltage source for providing a reference voltage; a current balancing unit, configured to receive a respective output current from the or each neighbouring voltage regulator module and to determine an adjusted reference voltage, from the reference voltage and for balancing the output current with the at least one respective output current; and a control unit configured to use the adjusted reference voltage to control the voltage regulator module, to provide the output current at the output voltage from the input current at the input voltage, based on adaptive voltage positioning regulation.

Abstract: A local control-unit operable as a master or a slave comprises: a memory indicative of whether the converter sub-unit is enabled or disabled; and an enable; a wake-up output; a communication link input and output interfaces configured to receive and to send master/slave information; and a further communication link input and output interfaces, configured to both enable current balancing and phase interleaving with other enabled converter sub-units; and being adapted and configured to: in response to the respective local output current being higher than a first threshold, send a wake-up request to the next converter sub-unit; and in response to (a) being a slave sub-unit; (b) the respective local output current being lower than a second threshold, and (c) receiving master/slave information indicative that the next enabled sub-unit is a master sub-unit, disabling itself. Methods of operating the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power management integrated circuit comprises a modular interleaved clock generator comprising a plurality of interconnected modular elements, each element constructed to generate and output a clock signal, and each one comprising: a phase port high input; a phase port low input; a clock input; and a bypass switch coupled between the phase port high input and the phase port low input, wherein in response to the bypass switch of at least one of the plurality of elements in a closed state, the phase port high inputs or the phase port low inputs of the remaining elements absent the at least one interleaving controller having the bypass switch in the closed state each receives a voltage that interleaves the clock signals output from the remaining active elements to have an interleaving arrangement that includes equal phase delays.

Abstract: A controller for a switched mode power converter (SMPC) module for use in a multiphase SCMP is disclosed, comprising: a signal generator, configured to generate a periodic signal and a clock, both having a frequency and a signal phase, and for controlling the switched mode power converter module; a first-clock and second-clock inputs configured to receive respective first-clock and second-clock signal having the frequency and respective first and second phases from neighbouring controllers; and wherein the signal generator comprises a phase adjustment circuit configured to adjust the phase of the periodic signal so as to be equidistant from the first and second phase, wherein the phase adjustment circuit determines an error signal in dependence on an offset between the phase and a mid-point between the first phase and the second phase, and a feedback circuit configured to adjust the phase in dependence on the error signal.

Abstract: A power management integrated circuit comprises a modular interleaved clock generator comprising a plurality of interconnected modular elements, each element constructed to generate and output a clock signal, and each one comprising: a phase port high input; a phase port low input; a clock input; and a bypass switch coupled between the phase port high input and the phase port low input, wherein in response to the bypass switch of at least one of the plurality of elements in a closed state, the phase port high inputs or the phase port low inputs of the remaining elements absent the at least one interleaving controller having the bypass switch in the closed state each receives a voltage that interleaves the clock signals output from the remaining active elements to have an interleaving arrangement that includes equal phase delays.

Abstract: A controller is disclosed for a voltage regulator module including a power unit and providing an output current, Iout, at an output voltage, Vout, from an input current/voltage and being configured for use in a multi-module voltage regulator having a neighbouring voltage regulator module having a respective output connected in parallel, the controller comprising: a reference voltage source for providing a reference voltage; a current balancing unit, configured to receive a respective output current from the or each neighbouring voltage regulator module and to determine an adjusted reference voltage, from the reference voltage and for balancing the output current with the at least one respective output current; and a control unit configured to use the adjusted reference voltage to control the voltage regulator module, to provide the output current at the output voltage from the input current at the input voltage, based on adaptive voltage positioning regulation.

Abstract: A controller for a switched mode power converter (SMPC) module for use in a multiphase SCMP is disclosed, comprising: a signal generator, configured to generate a periodic signal and a clock, both having a frequency and a signal phase, and for controlling the switched mode power converter module; a first-clock and second-clock inputs configured to receive respective first-clock and second-clock signal having the frequency and respective first and second phases from neighbouring controllers; and wherein the signal generator comprises a phase adjustment circuit configured to adjust the phase of the periodic signal so as to be equidistant from the first and second phase, wherein the phase adjustment circuit determines an error signal in dependence on an offset between the phase and a mid-point between the first phase and the second phase, and a feedback circuit configured to adjust the phase in dependence on the error signal.

Abstract: A local control-unit operable as a master or a slave comprises: a memory indicative of whether the converter sub-unit is enabled or disabled; and an enable; a wake-up output; a communication link input and output interfaces configured to receive and to send master/slave information; and a further communication link input and output interfaces, configured to both enable current balancing and phase interleaving with other enabled converter sub-units; and being adapted and configured to: in response to the respective local output current being higher than a first threshold, send a wake-up request to the next converter sub-unit; and in response to (a) being a slave sub-unit; (b) the respective local output current being lower than a second threshold, and (c) receiving master/slave information indicative that the next enabled sub-unit is a master sub-unit, disabling itself. Methods of operating the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A generator set has a transversal configuration on the locomotive. The generator set and its configuration on the platform offer good performance with respect to the space it occupies along the length of the locomotive platform deck, and offer better access for maintenance purposes. A walkway interface structure supports a modular design for locomotives using standardized major sub-assemblies that can be easily interfaced from one locomotive and under-frame to another.