Multiphase switching converter

US10014780B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited · GB

Inventors

• Alessandro Molari · Eichenau, DE
• Martin Faerber · Munich, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 2, 2017
• Grant date: Jul 3, 2018
• Expiry date: May 2, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H02M3/1566
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A multiphase switching converter with a plurality of phase circuits coupled with a common output node is presented. Each phase circuit has a drive signal generator to generate a separate drive signal for a switching element of the respective phase based on a feedback signal from the common output node. Multiple voltage loops with different bandwidths or hysteresis are suggested for a multiphase power converter. In embodiments, this allows a slow phase (‘Master’) with a big inductor and low switching frequency and one or multiple fast phases (‘Slaves’) with small inductors and high switching frequency. The Master phase will allow the system to have high efficiency at low output load, while the Slave phase(s) will deliver extra current during load transient and for higher loads.