Abstract: A driver can be configured to provide sensed phase currents as feedback to a controller to indicate the output currents from each phase of a switch mode power supply (SMPS). The driver can be configured to temperature compensate the sensed currents in one of two ways. If a temperature sensor is directly coupled to the driver, then the driver may be configured to temperature compensate the sensed currents from each phase based on a temperature measurement made by the temperature sensor. If a temperature sensor is not directly coupled to the driver, then the driver may be configured to temperature compensate the sensed current from each phase based on a temperature signal received from a bus coupled to the driver. The bus can communicate the temperature signal so that multiple drivers can utilize one temperature sensor.

Abstract: A power stage configured for assigning each phase a unique address is disclosed. In particular, the disclosed power stage includes temporarily using a dedicated pulse width modulation (PWM) connection between a controller and a phase to assign a unique address to the phase. Then, after the assignment, the PWM connection may be returned to use for regulation, while the phases can communicate over a common communication bus using their assigned addresses. This addressed communication can be used to control a power state of all phases, all phases of a particular rail, or a particular phase. Controlling the power state with addressed commands communicated over a communication bus can help reduce the current consumed by the power stage during light load conditions or sleep states.

Abstract: A multiphase power stage that includes addressing and communication techniques to read temperatures of the phases for thermal load balancing is disclosed. The disclosure describes driver modules that can be assigned addresses for serial communication on a common communication bus by temporarily communicating the addresses over dedicated pulse width modulation connections between the driver modules and the controller. After assignment, a temperature request message, addressed to a driver module, can trigger the driver module to transmit an analog temperature signal to a common temperature bus coupled between the driver modules and the controller. The temperatures of the driver modules may be collected in order to activate and deactivate driver modules based on their temperatures, which can balance a thermal load on the multiphase power stage.

Abstract: A driver can be configured to provide sensed phase currents as feedback to a controller to indicate the output currents from each phase of a switch mode power supply (SMPS). The driver can be configured to temperature compensate the sensed currents in one of two ways. If a temperature sensor is directly coupled to the driver, then the driver may be configured to temperature compensate the sensed currents from each phase based on a temperature measurement made by the temperature sensor. If a temperature sensor is not directly coupled to the driver, then the driver may be configured to temperature compensate the sensed current from each phase based on a temperature signal received from a bus coupled to the driver. The bus can communicate the temperature signal so that multiple drivers can utilize one temperature sensor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a pulse-modulated DC-to-DC converter includes: applying a control signal to a driver of an LC filter, the driver coupling power to inputs of the LC filter when the control signal is asserted and decoupling power when the control signal is de-asserted; monitoring an inductor current and an output voltage of the LC filter; calculating a goal current based at least in part on inductor energy needed to recharge an output capacitor in the LC filter; asserting the control signal when the goal current exceeds a threshold; and de-asserting the control signal when the inductor current reaches the goal current. An illustrative controller embodiment produces a trigger signal that sets a flip flop when the goal current exceeds the inductor current by more than a threshold amount; and resets the flip flop when the inductor current exceeds the goal current.

Abstract: A method for controlling a pulse-modulated DC-to-DC converter includes: applying a control signal to a driver of an LC filter, the driver coupling power to inputs of the LC filter when the control signal is asserted and decoupling power when the control signal is de-asserted; monitoring an inductor current and an output voltage of the LC filter; calculating a goal current based at least in part on inductor energy needed to recharge an output capacitor in the LC filter; asserting the control signal when the goal current exceeds a threshold; and de-asserting the control signal when the inductor current reaches the goal current. An illustrative controller embodiment produces a trigger signal that sets a flip flop when the goal current exceeds the inductor current by more than a threshold amount; and resets the flip flop when the inductor current exceeds the goal current.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of switching between synchronous and nonsynchronous ramp control. An embodiment may include a power supply controller that has a trigger circuit configured to generate an RPM trigger, a timer circuit configured to generate a clock signal, and a switching circuit configured to switch a modulation mode responsively to the clock signal and the RPM signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a multi-channel power supply controller includes forming a plurality of channels configured to regulate an output voltage between first and second values, configuring the controller to select a channel that has a lowest current value and initiate forming a drive signal for that channel responsively to the output voltage having a value that is less than the first value, configuring a reset circuit for each channel to terminate the respective drive signal responsively to at least the output voltage having a value greater than the first value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a multi-channel power supply controller includes forming a plurality of channels configured to regulate an output voltage between first and second values, configuring the controller to select a channel that has a lowest current value and initiate forming a drive signal for that channel responsively to the output voltage having a value that is less than the first value, configuring a reset circuit for each channel to terminate the respective drive signal responsively to at least the output voltage having a value greater than the first value.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a converter includes a circuit and method for scaling a drive signal. The converter determines the power at its input and scales a drive signal in accordance with the input power. In accordance with another embodiment the converter determines the power at its output and scales the drive signal in accordance with the output power.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a method of switching between synchronous and nonsynchronous ramp control.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a converter includes a circuit and method for scaling a drive signal. The converter determines the power at its input and scales a drive signal in accordance with the input power. In accordance with another embodiment the converter determines the power at its output and scales the drive signal in accordance with the output power.

Abstract: A multi-phase power converter and a method for balancing a plurality of currents in the multi-phase power converter. The multi-phase power converter that includes a pulse width modulator coupled to an oscillator. A plurality of currents are generated in response to output signals from the pulse width modulator. The levels of the currents are sensed and a sense signal is transmitted to the pulse width modulator. Switching circuitry within the pulse width modulator switches signals from the oscillator in accordance with the current levels, the levels of the signals from the oscillator, and whether at least one of the signals from the oscillator is either rising or falling.

Abstract: A method for method for inhibiting thermal run-away in a multi-phase power converter at varying load transition rates. A multi-phase power converter having an on-time is provided and the frequency of the multi-phase power converter is adjusted so that a load step period and the on time of the multi-phase power converter are in a temporal relationship. Alternatively, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the multi-phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal. In accordance with another alternative, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the multi-phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal and dithering an input signal to the oscillator.

Abstract: A multi-phase power converter and a method for balancing a plurality of currents in the multi-phase power converter. The multi-phase power converter that includes a pulse width modulator coupled to an oscillator. A plurality of currents are generated in response to output signals from the pulse width modulator. The levels of the currents are sensed and a sense signal is transmitted to the pulse width modulator. Switching circuitry within the pulse width modulator switches signals from the oscillator in accordance with the current levels, the levels of the signals from the oscillator, and whether at least one of the signals from the oscillator is either rising or falling.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to form a reference signal that has selectable values. The power supply controller is also configured to form a feed-forward signal in response to change in the value of the reference voltage and to use this feed-forward signal control the value of an output current.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-channel power supply controller adjusts the value of an error signal to minimize overshoot and undershoot during load transients.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to form a reference signal that has selectable values. The power supply controller is also configured to form a feed-forward signal in response to change in the value of the reference voltage and to use this feed-forward signal control the value of an output current.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multi-channel power supply controller adjusts the value of an error signal to minimize overshoot and undershoot during load transients.

Abstract: A method for method for inhibiting thermal run-away in a multi-phase power converter at varying load transition rates. A multi-phase power converter having an on-time is provided and the frequency of the multi-phase power converter is adjusted so that a load step period and the on time of the multi-phase power converter are in a temporal relationship. Alternatively, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the multi-phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal. In accordance with another alternative, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the multi-phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal and dithering an input signal to the oscillator.