Multi-phase voltage regulator control systems and methods

摘要

A voltage regulator includes at least two phases, where each phase includes an inductor connected at one end to a load, a switching device that opens and closes to connect another end of the inductor to and from an input voltage; and a pulse generator that selectively closes the switching device. A phase manager module selectively triggers a pulse generator to close its switching device for a closed period when a third signal is in a first state. A comparator module selectively sets the third signal to the first state based on a ramp voltage. A ramp generator module maintains the ramp voltage at a predetermined reset voltage for a predetermined ramp reset period after the third signal transitions to the first state. The predetermined ramp reset period is less than a minimum value of the closed period. This allows the switching devices of multiple phases to be closed simultaneously.

主权项

1. A voltage regulator comprising:
a first phase that includes:
a first inductor;a first switching device that opens and closes to connect and disconnect a first end of the first inductor to and from an input voltage, a second end of the first inductor being connected to a load; anda first pulse generator that, in response to a first signal, closes the first switching device for a first period; a second phase that includes:
a second inductor;a second switching device that opens and closes to connect and disconnect a first end of the second inductor to and from the input voltage, a second end of the second inductor being connected to the load; anda second pulse generator that, in response to a second signal, closes the second switching device for a second period; a phase manager module that selectively generates one of the first and second signals when a third signal is in a first state; a comparator module that selectively sets the third signal to the first state based on a ramp voltage; and a ramp generator module that resets the ramp voltage to a predetermined reset voltage when the third signal transitions from a second state to the first state, that maintains the ramp voltage at the predetermined reset voltage for a predetermined ramp reset period after the resetting, and that increases the ramp voltage after the predetermined ramp reset period, wherein the predetermined ramp reset period is less than a predetermined minimum value of the first and second periods.