Multiphase buck converter with dynamic phase firing

摘要

Methods, devices, and circuits are disclosed for a multiphase buck converter with dynamic phase firing that moderates phase output current. In one example, a method includes evaluating a current of a first phase output of the multiphase buck converter. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output not being higher than a current threshold, applying one or more pulses from a first duty cycle signal to the first phase output. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output being higher than the current threshold, applying one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to a second phase output.

主权项

1. A method of moderating phase output current of a multiphase buck converter, the method comprising:
evaluating a current of a first phase output of the multiphase buck converter in comparison with a first current threshold; in response to the current of the first phase output not being higher than the first current threshold, applying one or more pulses from a first duty cycle signal to the first phase output; in response to the current of the first phase output being higher than the first current threshold, applying one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to a second phase output; and in response to the current of the first phase output being lower than a second current threshold subsequent to the applying of the one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to the second phase output, applying one or more subsequent pulses from the first duty cycle signal to the first phase output, wherein the first current threshold is set at least in part as the current of the second phase output plus a selected average current margin between the current of the first phase output and the current of the second phase output, and wherein the second current threshold is equal to the first current threshold minus a hysteresis margin that accounts for a hysteresis in responses of the second phase output to the applying of the one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to the second phase output, and wherein the average current margin between the current of the first phase output and the current of the second phase output is detected as an average over a sequence of at least two of the pulses.