IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,806,619
Granted Patent B2
US 9,806,619 · App. 14/923,053 · Granted Oct 31, 2017

Time-interleaved current feedback droop function for multiphase buck converters

Inventors: Jian-Yi Wu (San Ramon, CA); Yongjie Jiang (Ames, IA); Haydar Bilhan (Dallas, TX); Anthony M Hill (Dallas, TX)
Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
H02M3/1584G05F1/56H02M3/158H02M2003/1586
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,806,619
App. No.
14/923,053
Granted
Oct 31, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing a time-interleaved current-feedback droop function for multiphase buck converters. An example method includes outputting a first control signal to enable a first set of switches corresponding to a first voltage of a first phase from a multiphase converter, the first phase included in a plurality of phases; enabling a first current associated with the first phase to be measured by a sample and hold circuit associated with the first phase; sampling the first current; holding the first current, the first current based on a load current for the first phase of the multiphase converter; and outputting a droop voltage based on a plurality of currents corresponding to the plurality of phases of the multiphase converter, the plurality of currents including the load current for the first phase.

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a controller to output a first control signal to enable a first set of switches corresponding to a first voltage of a first phase from a multiphase converter, the first phase included in a plurality of phases;

an amplifier to enable a first current associated with the first phase to be measured by a sample and hold circuit associated with the first phase;

the sample and hold circuit to a) sample the first current and b) hold the first current, the first current based on a load current for the first phase of the multiphase converter; and

a current-to-voltage converter to output a droop voltage based on a plurality of currents corresponding to the plurality of phases of the multiphase converter, the plurality of currents including the load current for the first phase;

wherein:

the controller is structured to output a second control signal to enable a second set of switches corresponding to a second voltage of a second phase from the multiphase converter, the second phase included in a plurality of phases;

the amplifier structured to enable a second current associated with the second phase to be measured by a second sample and hold circuit associated with the second phase; and

the second sample and hold to a) sample the second current and b) hold the second current, the second current based on a load current for the second phase of the multiphase converter, wherein the plurality of currents including the load current for the second phase.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first control signal is disabled when the second control signal is enabled and the second control signal is disabled when the first control signal is enabled.

3. A method comprising:

outputting a first control signal to enable a first set of switches corresponding to a first voltage of a first phase from a multiphase converter, the first phase included in a plurality of phases;

enabling a first current associated with the first phase to be measured by a sample and hold circuit associated with the first phase;

sampling the first current;

holding the first current, the first current based on a load current for the first phase of the multiphase converter; and

outputting a droop voltage based on a plurality of currents corresponding to the plurality of phases of the multiphase converter, the plurality of currents including the load current for the first phase;

outputting a second control signal to enable a second set of switches corresponding to a second voltage of a second phase from the multiphase converter, the second phase included in a plurality of phases;

enabling a second current associated with the second phase to be measured by a second sample and hold circuit associated with the second phase; and

sampling the second current; and

holding the second current, the second current based on a load current for the second phase of the multiphase converter, wherein the plurality of currents including the load current for the second phase.

4. The method of claim 3 , further including:

disabling the first control signal when the second control signal is enabled; and disabling the second control signal when the first control signal is enabled.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 28, 2015
From: WU, JIAN-YI; JIANG, YONGJIE; BILHAN, HAYDAR; HILL, ANTHONY M.
To: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 036904/0655 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62194508 · Jul 20, 2015
Related Publication 20170025950A1 · Jan 26, 2017