Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type. According to the method, there is detected when a change of a load applied to an output terminal of the converter occurs. When detected, all of the phases of the converter are simultaneously turned off by the generation of suitable PWM driving signals. The PWM driving signals are controlled so as to force the turn-on of the phases at the same time and to zero a time phase shift of driving of the interleaving type of the PWM driving signals. The interleaving of the driving time phase shift is recovered and a normal operation of the converter is restarted. A controller for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type is also provided.

Abstract: An embodiment of method is described for controlling a voltage regulator of the type comprising at least one modulator of the PWM type, the method comprising: 1) generation of a control voltage signal for said PWM modulator; 2) frequency modulation of said control voltage signal obtaining a modulated control voltage signal having an harmonic at a switching frequency of said voltage regulator of reduced entity with respect to said control voltage signal; and 3) application of said modulated control voltage signal to said PWM modulator for generating a driving signal for said voltage regulator.

Abstract: The control circuit is for a current sharing bus integrated in signal regulator modules, particularly voltage regulator modules (VRM), the circuit being of the Average Program (AP) type. The circuit includes a voltage regulator module, including an operational transconductance amplifier, a first current generator, connected to a first input terminal of the operational transconductance amplifier, a second current generator connected to a second input of the operational transconductance amplifier. The operational transconductance amplifier is directly driven by currents Ii generated by the first current generator and second current generator.

Abstract: A method for generating a reading signal of a sense element in at least a phase of a multiphase controller controlled by means of PWM control signals having a preset period and a duty cycle varying according to the load current and voltage of said controller, the reading signal being a digital signal having a first logic value during a reading period and a second logic value at the end of the reading period and showing a periodical trend which has a half cycle. The method provides that the value of said half cycle is so set that the reading period ends in a different instant from the switching instants of external power transistors comprised in the driving circuits of the controller phases not being read.

Abstract: A multisense-adaptive reading circuit is described, which is associated to a sense element of an interleaved DC-DC converter module. The reading circuit comprises at least a first and second current source connected to a first and second terminal of the module, connected in turn to a first and second resistive element, as well as a tracker of a current information coming from the first and second current source. Advantageously according to the invention, the reading circuit also comprises a reading mode detector effective to detect a common mode voltage value and, based on this value, to determine a reading mode being used among possible reading modes to self-adapt the reading circuit to the reading mode being used by providing convenient enabling signals to the first and second current sources and to the tracker. A multisense-self-adaptive reading method being implemented by means of that circuit is also described.

Abstract: A multiphase voltage regulator provides a voltage to an output terminal. The voltage regulator includes N parallel switches providing respective current phases that are added together to generate a total current for a general load coupled to the output terminal. The voltage regulator also includes N inductive circuits. Each inductive circuit is between an output node of a respective switch and the output terminal. A sense circuit adds the voltages in each of the output nodes of the N switches. An amplifier circuit has an input receiving the added voltage, and outputs a current proportional to the total current. A controller with two pins reads the total current. The two pins are connected to the inputs of the amplifier.

Abstract: A controller is provided for DC-DC converters of the type associated with a half-bridge driving stage of at least one inductive load, with a pair of power MOS transistors in Highside and Lowside configuration being driven by a corresponding converter. The controller includes an input for connection to a terminal of the inductive load. The controller also includes a read block for reading an inductive load phase current at the terminal, an over current comparator having a first input coupled to an output of the read block, and a bypass compensation network including an error amplifier block having a first input coupled to the terminal through a voltage divider, and a second input coupled to a reference potential. The compensation network has an output that is coupled to a second input of the over current comparator, and an output of the over current comparator is supplied to the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type. According to the method, there is detected when a change of the load applied to an output terminal of the converter occurs by detecting the derivative of a voltage signal of the output terminal. All the phases of the converter are simultaneously driven by zeroing a driving interleaving phase shift on the basis of the detected load transient, and the driving interleaving phase shift is recovered to restart a normal operation of the converter. A controller for carrying out such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type. According to the method, there is detected when a change of the load applied to an output terminal of the converter occurs. All the phases of the converter are simultaneously turned on, and a driving interleaving phase shift is recovered to restart a normal operation of the converter. A controller for carrying out such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a converter of the multiphase interleaving type. According to the method, there is detected when a change of the load applied to an output terminal of the converter occurs. All the phases of the converter are simultaneously turned off, and a driving interleaving phase shift is recovered so as to restart a normal operation of the converter. A controller for carrying out such a method is also provided.

Abstract: A method regulates the time constant matching of a DC/DC converter phase, further to a variation of a load applied to an output of said phase. Such phase being associated with a coil network, with a series RL circuit and a reading network 10, with a series RC circuit connected in parallel to the coil network. The method includes an acquisition step, suitable to acquire the trend of a voltage detected across the capacitance CD of the reading network 10, transforming it into a current trend, a detection step suitable to identify a variation above a certain threshold value of said current trend, an identification step, enabled by said detection step, suitable to determine a slope of said current trend and a regulation step suitable to adapt the value of said resistance RD based on said slope determined by said identification step.

Abstract: A method regulates the time constant matching of a DC/DC converter phase, further to a variation of a load applied to an output of said phase. Such phase being associated with a coil network, with a series RL circuit and a reading network 10, with a series RC circuit connected in parallel to the coil network. The method includes an acquisition step, suitable to acquire the trend of a voltage detected across the capacitance CD of the reading network 10, transforming it into a current trend, a detection step suitable to identify a variation above a certain threshold value of said current trend, an identification step, enabled by said detection step, suitable to determine a slope of said current trend and a regulation step suitable to adapt the value of said resistance RD based on said slope determined by said identification step.

Abstract: The control circuit is for a current sharing bus integrated in signal regulator modules, particularly voltage regulator modules (VRM), the circuit being of the Average Program (AP) type. The circuit includes a voltage regulator module, including an operational transconductance amplifier, a first current generator, connected to a first input terminal of the operational transconductance amplifier, a second current generator connected to a second input of the operational transconductance amplifier. The operational transconductance amplifier is directly driven by currents Ii generated by the first current generator and second current generator.

Abstract: A managing system manages a plurality of VRMs associated with a plurality of microprocessors and connected in parallel together between first and second voltage references, the VRMs having output terminals connected together and arranged to communicate over a common bus. The managing system includes an error amplifier being input an output voltage signal from the VRM plurality, a reference voltage, and a droop voltage produced through an equivalent droop resistor receiving an output current signal from the VRM plurality and being connected to the common bus. The error amplifier effects a comparison of the input signals to generate a control voltage signal to the VRM plurality. Advantageously, the managing system comprises a controller connected to the equivalent droop resistor.

Abstract: A method for generating a reading signal of a sense element in at least a phase of a multiphase controller controlled by means of PWM control signals having a preset period and a duty cycle varying according to the load current and voltage of said controller, the reading signal being a digital signal having a first logic value during a reading period and a second logic value at the end of the reading period and showing a periodical trend which has a half cycle. The method provides that the value of said half cycle is so set that the reading period ends in a different instant from the switching instants of external power transistors comprised in the driving circuits of the controller phases not being read.

Abstract: A multisense-adaptive reading circuit is described, which is associated to a sense element of an interleaved DC-DC converter module. The reading circuit comprises at least a first and second current source connected to a first and second terminal of the module, connected in turn to a first and second resistive element, as well as a tracker of a current information coming from the first and second current source. Advantageously according to the invention, the reading circuit also comprises a reading mode detector effective to detect a common mode voltage value and, based on this value, to determine a reading mode being used among possible reading modes to self-adapt the reading circuit to the reading mode being used by providing convenient enabling signals to the first and second current sources and to the tracker. A multisense-self-adaptive reading method being implemented by means of that circuit is also described.

Abstract: A voltage/current controller device, particularly for interleaving switching regulators, comprises: a DC/DC converter having a plurality of modules, with each module including a drive transistor pair connected in series between first and second supply voltage references, a current sensor connected to one transistor in the pair, and a current read circuit connected to the sensor. Advantageously, the read circuit comprises a transconductance amplifier connected across the current sensor to sense a voltage signal related to a load current being applied to each module, the transconductance amplifier reading the voltage signal with the transistor in the conducting state.

Abstract: A voltage/current controller device, particularly for interleaving switching regulators, comprises: a DC/DC converter having a plurality of modules, with each module including a drive transistor pair connected in series between first and second supply voltage references, a current sensor connected to one transistor in the pair, and a current read circuit connected to the sensor. Advantageously, the read circuit comprises a transconductance amplifier connected across the current sensor to sense a voltage signal related to a load current being applied to each module, the transconductance amplifier reading the voltage signal with the transistor in the conducting state.

Abstract: A voltage/current controller device, particularly for interleaving switching regulators, comprises: a DC/DC converter having a plurality of modules, with each module including a drive transistor pair connected in series between first and second supply voltage references, a current sensor connected to one transistor in the pair, and a current read circuit connected to the sensor. Advantageously, the read circuit comprises a transconductance amplifier connected across the current sensor to sense a voltage signal related to a load current being applied to each module, the transconductance amplifier reading the voltage signal with the transistor in the conducting state.

Abstract: A managing system manages a plurality of VRMs associated with a plurality of microprocessors and connected in parallel together between first and second voltage references, the VRMs having output terminals connected together and arranged to communicate over a common bus. The managing system includes an error amplifier being input an output voltage signal from the VRM plurality, a reference voltage, and a droop voltage produced through an equivalent droop resistor receiving an output current signal from the VRM plurality and being connected to the common bus. The error amplifier effects a comparison of the input signals to generate a control voltage signal to the VRM plurality. Advantageously, the managing system comprises a controller connected to the equivalent droop resistor.