Extending input to output voltage range in multiple channel switching regulator applications
View Patent ↗Novel circuitry and methodology for operating a multiple channel switching regulator system to extend an input to output voltage ratio by setting individual constant switching frequencies to switching regulator channels. In the switching regulator system having at least first and second switching regulators, a first clock circuit supplies a first clock signal at a first clock frequency to define a switching frequency of one of the first and second switching regulators. A second clock circuit is synchronized to the first clock signal for producing a second clock signal at a second clock frequency different from the first clock frequency, to define a switching frequency of the other of the first and second switching regulators.
1. A power supply system having first and second switching regulators, and comprising:
a first clock circuit for supplying a first clock signal having a first clock frequency to define a switching frequency of one of the first and second switching regulators, and
a second clock circuit synchronized to the first clock signal for producing a second clock signal having a second clock frequency different from the first clock frequency, to define a switching frequency of the other of the first and second switching regulators.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first switching regulator is configured to operate at a constant first switching frequency, and the second switching regulator is configured to operate at a constant second switching frequency different from the first switching frequency.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a third switching regulator for producing a third output signal in response to a third input signal, and
a third clock circuit responsive to the first clock signal for producing a third clock frequency different from the first clock frequency, to define a switching frequency of the third switching regulator.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein an output of the first switching regulator is coupled to an input of the second switching regulator.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first switching regulator is responsive to a first input signal to produce a first output signal, and the second switching regulator is responsive to a second input signal independent of the first input signal and the first output signal, to produce a second output signal.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein an input of the first switching regulator is coupled to an input of the second switching regulator.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein in response to a first input signal, the first switching regulator produces a first output signal higher than the first input signal, and in response to a second input signal, the second switching regulator produces a second output signal higher than the second input signal.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein in response to a first input signal, the first switching regulator produces a first output signal higher than the first input signal, and in response to a second input signal, the second switching regulator produces a second output signal lower than the second input signal.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein in response to a first input signal, the first switching regulator produces a first output signal lower than the first input signal, and in response to a second input signal, the second switching regulator produces a second output signal lower than the second input signal.
10. The system of claim 1 , wherein in response to a first input signal, the first switching regulator produces a first output signal lower than the first input signal, and in response to a second input signal, the second switching regulator produces a second output signal higher than the second input signal.
11. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is set based on a pre-determined factor.
12. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is determined based on an input signal of a switching regulator supplied with the second clock signal.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is determined based on an output signal of a switching regulator supplied with the second clock signal.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is determined based on heating conditions.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is dynamically controlled based on a variable condition.
16. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is dynamically controlled based on an input signal of a switching regulator supplied with the second clock signal.
17. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is dynamically controlled based on an output signal of a switching regulator supplied with the second clock signal.
18. The system of claim 1 , wherein a ratio between the first and second clock frequencies is dynamically controlled based on heating conditions.
19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first clock frequency is set externally with respect to the power supply system.
20. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first clock frequency is set by the power supply system.
21. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first clock circuit is configured for providing an adjustable phase difference between the first clock signal supplied to one of the first and second switching regulators, and the first clock signal supplied to the second clock circuit.
22. A system having multiple switching regulator channels for producing respective output signals in response to respective input signals, comprising:
a first clock circuit for supplying a first clock signal to define a switching frequency of at least one of the multiple switching regulator channels, and
a second clock circuit for producing a second clock signal synchronized to the first clock signal to define a switching frequency of at least one another switching regulator channel of the multiple switching regulator channels, the second clock signal having a frequency different from a frequency of the first clock signal.
23. A method of power supply comprising the steps of:
producing a first output signal synchronized to a first input signal using switching regulation at a first switching frequency controlled based on a first clock signal, and
producing a second output signal in response to a second input signal using switching regulation at a second switching frequency controlled based on a second clock signal derived from the first clock signal, the second clock signal having a frequency different from a frequency of the first clock signal, and the second switching frequency being different from the first switching frequency.