Multiphase digital current mode controller with dynamic current allocation

摘要

A multiphase switching regulator includes a power stage with at least a first phase and a second phase for supplying power to a load through inductors coupling the phases to the load. The multiphase switching regulator is operated by switching the first phase at a higher switching frequency than the second phase via pulse width modulation (PWM) signals provided to the phases. A phase-specific target current is generated for each phase at the switching frequency for that phase based on the difference between an output voltage of the power stage and a reference voltage. The current in the inductors coupling the phases to the load is sensed, and a duty cycle of the PWM signal provided to each phase is adjusted based on the phase-specific target current and sensed inductor current for that phase.

主权项

1. A method of operating a multiphase switching regulator having a power stage with at least a first phase and a second phase for supplying power to a load through inductors coupling the phases to the load, the method comprising:
switching the first phase at a higher switching frequency than the second phase via pulse width modulation (PWM) signals provided to the phases; generating a phase-specific target current for each phase at the switching frequency for that phase based on the difference between an output voltage of the power stage and a reference voltage; sensing the current in the inductors coupling the phases to the load; generating a current error signal for each phase based on the difference between the phase-specific target current and sensed inductor current for that phase; filtering each of the current error signals; and adjusting a duty cycle of the PWM signal provided to each phase based on the filtered current error signal for that phase.