CN115037167A - Scalable multi-phase switching type conversion circuit and its conversion circuit module and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an expandable multi-phase switching type conversion circuit, a conversion circuit module and a control method thereof. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit includes: a plurality of conversion circuit modules, each of which includes: a loop control unit, in the main operation mode, generates a basic trigger pulse according to a feedback signal; a switching control unit, in the setting mode , according to the setting signal received by the setting pin to determine the operation mode and the corresponding phase sequence. In the master operation mode, a multi-phase trigger pulse is generated on the trigger pin according to the basic trigger pulse, and in the slave operation mode, the trigger lead The pin receives the multi-phase trigger pulse; the switching control unit generates the conduction trigger pulse according to the multi-phase trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence; and the conduction time determination unit generates the conduction control pulse according to the conduction trigger pulse to control the corresponding inductance. Switching; a plurality of trigger pins corresponding to a plurality of conversion circuit modules are coupled to each other.

Description

Scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit and its conversion circuit module and control method

technical field

The invention relates to a multi-phase switching conversion circuit, in particular to an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit and a conversion circuit module and a control method thereof.

Background technique

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which shows a conventional multi-phase switching conversion circuit 10 . This prior art provides a multi-phase power supply operation mode, which is composed of a multi-phase output controller 101 and a plurality of driving and switching units 102[1]-102[n]. As shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 101 generates conduction control pulses Poc[1]-Poc[n] according to the feedback signal Vfb of the output voltage, and the controller 101 sequentially outputs the conduction control pulses Poc[1] according to the number of operating phases ~Poc[n] to the individual phase output, and the individual phase output is then modulated into an output voltage by the driving and switching units 102[1]~102[n]. This configuration requires more driving and switching unit components and additional layout. If the driving and switching units 102[1]-102[n] are to be integrated into the IC of the controller 101, as the number of phases increases, the area size of a single IC and heat dissipation problems will be caused. In addition, the number of phases of the controller 101 is fixed. If a different number of operating phases is required, a controller corresponding to the number of phases must be designed and produced.

In view of this, the present invention aims at the shortcomings of the above-mentioned prior art, and proposes a modularized and scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit, a conversion circuit module and a control method thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit, which includes: a plurality of conversion circuit modules, coupled to a plurality of corresponding inductors, to convert an input voltage in a multi-phase staggered switching manner. Converted into an output voltage, the conversion circuit module includes: a loop control unit for generating a basic trigger pulse according to a feedback signal in a main operation mode; a setting pin for receiving a setting signal; a trigger pin for sending or receiving a multi-phase trigger pulse; a switching control unit for determining the operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence according to the setting signal in a setting mode, wherein in the main operation mode In the following mode, a multi-phase trigger pulse is generated at the trigger pin according to the basic trigger pulse, and in a slave operation mode, the multi-phase trigger pulse is received at the trigger pin; wherein the switching control unit is based on the multi-phase trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence. generating a conduction trigger pulse; and an conduction time determining unit, which generates a conduction control pulse according to the conduction trigger pulse to control the switching of the corresponding inductance to generate an output voltage; wherein the corresponding A plurality of trigger pins are coupled to each other.

In an embodiment, the conversion circuit module further includes a driving and switching unit, which includes a plurality of power switches, which are coupled to the corresponding inductors, and are used to control the plurality of power switches according to the conduction control pulse to control the corresponding inductors. switch to generate the output voltage.

In one embodiment, the turn-on control pulse has a fixed turn-on time.

In one embodiment, the on-time determining unit further adjusts the corresponding fixed on-time according to the currents of the corresponding inductors, thereby achieving a current balance among the currents of the multiple inductors corresponding to the multiple conversion circuit modules.

In one embodiment, the trigger pin of the conversion circuit module is a unique trigger pin, and the multi-phase trigger pulse is a unique multi-phase trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, the feedback signal is related to the output voltage.

In an embodiment, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the phase sequence corresponding to the switching circuit module corresponds to a preset level range, wherein the switching control unit compares the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse with the preset level. The level range determines the timing of triggering the turn-on trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module dynamically adjusts the number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit by controlling the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, the switching control unit counts the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulses in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, and switches the corresponding multiple phase trigger pulses when the pulses corresponding to the phase sequence are triggered in the multi-phase trigger pulses. power switch.

In one embodiment, the multi-phase trigger pulse includes a reset state, and the conversion circuit module resets the corresponding counting sequence according to the reset state.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the switching control unit controls the multi-phase trigger pulse to a high impedance state corresponding to the reset state.

In one embodiment, a reset state is inserted in each polyphase cycle.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module further determines the total number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to the setting signal.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module adaptively adjusts the number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an output current.

In one embodiment, the conversion circuit module is enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package, wherein the integrated circuit package includes a setting pin and a trigger pin for external coupling.

In one embodiment, in the slave operation mode, the corresponding loop control unit is controlled to be disabled.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a conversion circuit module configured as an expandable single-phase switching conversion circuit or a multi-phase switching conversion circuit, the conversion circuit module is coupled to an inductor to convert an input The voltage is converted into an output voltage, and the conversion circuit module includes: a loop control unit for generating a basic trigger pulse according to a feedback signal in a main operation mode; a setting pin for receiving a setting signal ; a trigger pin for sending or receiving a trigger pulse; a switching control unit for judging the operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence according to the setting signal in a setting mode, wherein in the main operation mode , according to the basic trigger pulse, the trigger pulse is generated at the trigger pin, and in a slave operation mode, the trigger pulse is received at the trigger pin; wherein the switching control unit generates a conduction trigger pulse according to the trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence; and an on-time determining unit, which generates an on-control pulse according to the on-trigger pulse to control the switching of the inductor to generate the output voltage.

In one embodiment, the conversion circuit module further includes a driving and switching unit, which includes a plurality of power switches, which are coupled to the inductance and are used to control the plurality of power switches according to the conduction control pulse to control the switching of the inductance to generate The output voltage.

In one embodiment, the turn-on control pulse has a fixed turn-on time.

In one embodiment, the trigger pin of the conversion circuit module is a unique trigger pin, and the trigger pulse is a unique trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the phase sequence corresponding to the switching circuit module corresponds to a preset level range, wherein the switching control unit compares the level of the trigger pulse with the preset level. quasi-range, and determine the timing of triggering the turn-on trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module dynamically adjusts the number of operating phases of the at least one-phase switching conversion circuit by controlling the level of the trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, the switching control unit counts the sequence of the trigger pulses in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, and switches the corresponding plurality of power switches when the pulses corresponding to the phase sequence are triggered in the trigger pulses.

In one embodiment, the trigger pulse includes a reset state, and the conversion circuit module resets the corresponding counting sequence according to the reset state.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the switching control unit controls the trigger pulse to be in a high impedance state corresponding to the reset state.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module further determines the total number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to the setting signal.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module adaptively adjusts the number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an output current.

In one embodiment, the conversion circuit module is enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package, wherein the integrated circuit package includes a setting pin and a trigger pin for external coupling.

In one embodiment, in the slave mode of operation, the loop control unit controls to be disabled.

In one embodiment, in the setting mode, the switching control unit further determines that the operation mode is a single-phase operation mode according to the setting signal. In the single-phase operation mode, the switching control unit generates a conduction trigger pulse according to the basic trigger pulse.

In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a control method for an expandable multi-phase switchable conversion circuit. The expandable multiphase switchable conversion circuit includes: a plurality of conversion circuit modules coupled to a plurality of corresponding inductors , converting an input voltage into an output voltage in a multi-phase staggered switching manner. The control method includes: in a setting mode, receiving a setting signal from a corresponding setting pin, and according to the corresponding setting signal Set the signal to determine the operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence; in a main operation mode, a basic trigger pulse is generated according to a feedback signal, and a multi-phase trigger is generated on a corresponding trigger pin according to the basic trigger pulse pulse; in a slave operation mode, receiving the polyphase trigger pulse at the trigger pin; generating a conduction trigger pulse according to the polyphase trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence; and generating according to the conduction trigger pulse An on-control pulse is used to control the switching of the corresponding inductor to generate the output voltage.

In one embodiment, the turn-on control pulse has a fixed turn-on time.

In one embodiment, the polyphase trigger pulse is one and only polyphase trigger pulse.

In one embodiment, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the phase sequence corresponding to the conversion circuit module corresponds to a preset level range, and the step of generating the on-trigger pulse includes: The level of the multi-phase trigger pulse is compared with the preset level range to determine the timing of triggering the conduction trigger pulse.

In an embodiment, the step of generating the conduction trigger pulse includes: in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, counting the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulse, and in the multi-phase trigger pulse, the phase corresponding to the When a sequence of pulses are triggered, the on-trigger pulse is triggered.

In one embodiment, the multi-phase trigger pulse includes a reset state, and the conversion circuit module resets the corresponding counting sequence according to the reset state.

An advantage of the present invention is that the present invention can be controlled by a single trigger signal, and the trigger signal does not require a reset signal.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention can output at a non-fixed frequency, and the switch circuit module in the master operation mode provides a trigger signal to other switch circuit modules in the slave operation mode according to the loop response.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the setting signal of the present invention can be input by an additional pin or by using a digital interface.

The following describes in detail through specific embodiments, it will be easier to understand the purpose, technical content, characteristics and effects of the present invention.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 shows a known multiphase switching conversion circuit.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a conversion circuit module of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a loop control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a switching control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a driving and switching unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal waveforms of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8A-8B are schematic diagrams showing the voltage levels of different setting signals in an amplifying multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a schematic diagram showing a signal waveform of a multi-phase trigger pulse in an amplified multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a schematic diagram showing a signal waveform of a multi-phase trigger pulse in an amplifying multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a schematic diagram showing a signal waveform of a multi-phase trigger pulse in an amplifying multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a single-phase conversion circuit module in an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13A is a schematic circuit diagram showing an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13B is a schematic circuit diagram showing an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of symbols in the figure

10: Known multi-phase switching conversion circuit

101: Controller

102[1]～102[n], 2014[0]～2014[n], 2014[k]: Drive and switch unit

20: Scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit

201[0]～201[n], 201[k]: Conversion circuit module

2011[0]～2011[n], 2011[k]: Loop Control Unit

20111[k]: Amplifier

20112[k]: Comparator

2012[0]～2012[n], 2012[k]: Switch control unit

20121[k]: Counter

2013[0]～2013[n], 2013[k]: On-time determination unit

20141[k], 20142[k]: Drive

2015[0]～2015[n], 2015[k]: Setting pins

2016[0]～2016[n], 2016[k]: trigger pin

2017[k]: Drive Power Pins

2018[k]: Toggle Pins

2019[k]: Ground Pin

2020[k]: Power input pins

301[k], 401[k]: Integrated circuit packaging

A[k], B[k]: Power switch

BOOT[k]: Bootstrap potential

ILf[0]～ILf[n]: Inductor current feedback signal

Iout: output current

L[0]～L[n]: Inductance

Lv1～Lv4: Level range

LX[0]～LX[n],LX[k]: switch node

M: range

nl[k]: node

Nout: output node

Pbt: Basic trigger pulse

PGND: ground potential

Poc[0]～Poc[n],Poc[k]: turn-on control pulse

Pot[0]～Pot[n], Pot[k]: turn-on trigger pulse

Ptrig: Polyphase trigger pulse

R: reset state

S1～S4: The 1st module in the slave operation mode to the 4th module in the slave operation mode

Sn: nth module of slave operation mode

SET[0]～SET[n],SET[k]: Setting signal

Vcomp: Error compensation signal

Vfb: feedback signal

Vin: input voltage

Vout: output voltage

Vramp: ramp signal

Vref: reference voltage

Detailed ways

The accompanying drawings in the present invention are schematic diagrams, mainly intended to show the coupling relationship between various circuits and the relationship between various signal waveforms, and the circuits, signal waveforms and frequencies are not drawn to scale.

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2 , the scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit 20 of the present invention includes a plurality of conversion circuit modules 201[0]˜201[n], each of which is coupled to a corresponding plurality of inductors L[0]˜201[n]. L[n] converts an input voltage Vin into an output voltage Vout in a multi-phase interleaved switching manner. Each of the conversion circuit modules 201[0]˜201[n] is used for switching the first ends (LX[0]˜LX[n]) of a corresponding one of the inductors L[0]˜L[n], wherein each inductor The second terminals of L[0]˜L[n] are all coupled to an output node Nout to generate the output voltage Vout. The conversion circuit modules 201[0]~201[n] include corresponding loop control units 2011[0]~2011[n], setting pins 2015[0]~2015[n], and trigger pins 2016[0]~ 2016[n], switching control units 2012[0] to 2012[n], and on-time determination units 2013[0] to 2013[n].

Please continue to refer to FIG. 2 , and also refer to FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a conversion circuit module capable of expanding a multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The conversion circuit module 201[k] is optionally operable in a number of different modes, whereby the conversion circuit module 201[k] may be configured as a single-phase switched conversion circuit, or alternatively, a plurality of conversion circuit modules may be configured as a multi-phase Switching conversion circuit, and the total number of phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit can be expanded flexibly, wherein k=0～n, n is an integer greater than or equal to 0, where n=0 represents the configuration of single-phase switching conversion Circuit, when k=0, it indicates that the conversion circuit module 201[k] is configured as a single-phase switching conversion circuit, or is configured in a multi-phase switching conversion circuit, and operates in the main operation mode. In addition, when k is greater than or equal to 1, It is shown that the conversion circuit module 201[k] is configured in a multi-phase switching conversion circuit and operates in a slave operation mode.

The setting pin 2015[k] is used for receiving the corresponding setting signal SET[k], and the trigger pin 2016[k] is used for sending or receiving a multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig. The switching control unit 2012[k] is used for determining the operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence according to the setting signal SET[k] in a setting mode, wherein the setting mode can be set, for example but not limited to, when the power is turned on. set, or dynamically change the settings during operation. Please refer to FIGS. 8A-8B at the same time. FIGS. 8A-8B are schematic diagrams showing the voltage levels of different setting signals in an amplifying multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the conversion circuit module 201[k] can set the corresponding operation mode through the voltage levels of different setting signals. As shown in FIG. 8A , in this embodiment, when the voltage of the setting signal SET[k] falls within the range M shown in the figure, the switching control unit 2012[k] can determine the main operation mode, and when When the voltage of the setting signal SET[k] falls within the range of S1 to Sn as shown in the figure, the switching control unit 2012[k] can determine the slave operation mode. In addition, the switching control unit 2012[k] can also determine the corresponding phase sequence according to the voltage level of the setting signal. The phase sequence is the 1st phase. In addition, the conversion circuit module 201[1] set in the slave operation mode can also fall within the range S1 as shown in the figure according to the voltage of the corresponding setting signal SET[1] (corresponding to the first module in the slave operation mode ), and the judging conversion circuit module 201[1] when the multi-phase interleaved switching is performed, its corresponding phase sequence is the second phase, and so on.

Furthermore, please refer to FIG. 8B , in one embodiment, the switching circuit module (eg 201[0]) of the main operation mode is set, and the switching control unit 2012[0] can also be set according to the setting signal SET[0] The voltage falls within the sub-range of the range M as shown in the figure, and the total number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit is judged. For example, when the voltage of the setting signal SET[0] falls within the sub-range as shown in the figure When within the range M1, it is indicated that the multi-phase switching conversion circuit is configured as a single-phase switching conversion circuit (such as 120 shown in FIG. 12, which will be described in detail later); for example, when the voltage of the setting signal SET[0] falls within In the sub-ranges M2 to M4 as shown in the figure, it is indicated that the multi-phase switching conversion circuits are respectively configured with switching conversion circuits with a total operating phase number of 2 to 4 phases, that is, the total operating phase number corresponding to 2 ~4 phases.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , in the main operation mode, the loop control unit (2011[0] in FIG. 2 ) is used to generate a basic trigger pulse Pbt according to a feedback signal Vfb. In one embodiment, the feedback signal Vfb is related to the output voltage Vout, such as but not limited to its divided voltage. In one embodiment, in the slave operation mode, the corresponding loop control units 2011[1]~2011[n] are controlled to be disabled (the loop control units 2011[1]~2011[n] are indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 2). .

Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 again, and refer to FIG. 7 at the same time. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing signal waveforms of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The switch control unit 2012[0] set in the master operation mode generates a multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig at the trigger pin 2016[0] according to the basic trigger pulse Pbt, and is set as the switch control unit 2012 in the slave operation mode [1]～2012[n], the same multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig is received at the corresponding trigger pins 2016[1]～2016[n]. In one embodiment, the waveform of the basic trigger pulse Pbt is corresponding to the waveform of the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig, as shown in FIG. The trigger pulse Ptrig is used to trigger the switching operations of the conversion circuit modules 201[0]˜201[n] of all phases.

Specifically, in the master operation mode and the slave operation mode (that is, when the switching conversion circuit is configured as a multi-phase switching conversion circuit), the switching control units 2012[0]˜2012[n] are triggered according to the same polyphase The pulses Ptrig and the corresponding phase sequences described above generate corresponding conduction trigger pulses Pot[0]-Pot[n].

Next, the on-time determining units 2013[0]-2013[n] generate corresponding on-control pulses Poc[0]-Poc[n] according to the corresponding on-trigger pulses Pot[0]-Pot[n], It is used to control the switching of the corresponding inductors L[0]-L[n] to generate the output voltage Vout in a multi-phase interleaved manner. It should be noted that, in the multi-phase switching conversion circuit 20, the trigger pins 2016[0]-2016[n] corresponding to the conversion circuit modules 201[0]-201[n] are coupled to each other. In addition, in one embodiment, in the multi-phase switching conversion circuit 20, only one conversion circuit module (ie, 201[0]) operates in the main operation mode.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the conversion circuit module 201[k] further includes a corresponding driving and switching unit 2014[k], which includes a plurality of power switches, which are coupled to the corresponding inductors (L [k]) is used to control a plurality of power switches according to the conduction control pulse Poc[k] to control the switching of the corresponding inductors L[k] to generate the output voltage Vout. In one embodiment, the turn-on control pulses Poc[0]-Poc[n] each have a fixed turn-on time. In one embodiment, the on-times of the phases may partially overlap.

In addition, in an embodiment, the on-time determining units 2013[0]˜2013[n] are further based on the currents of the corresponding inductors L[0]˜L[n] (for example, through the inductor current feedback signals ILf[0]˜ ILf[n]) to adjust the corresponding fixed on-time, so that the currents of the multiple inductors L[0]˜L[n] corresponding to the multiple conversion circuit modules 201[0]˜201[n] can be adjusted between the currents. To achieve a specific ratio, or to achieve current balance.

In one embodiment, the trigger pins 2016[0]-2016[n] of the conversion circuit modules 201[0]-201[n] are one and only trigger pins, and the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig is one and only Polyphase trigger pulse. The conversion circuit module 201[0] sends a unique multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig through the corresponding one and only trigger pin 2016[0], and the conversion circuit modules 201[1]˜201[n] pass the corresponding one and only The trigger pins 2016[1]~2016[n] receive the one and only polyphase trigger pulse Ptrig. In one embodiment, each of the one and only polyphase trigger pulses Ptrig received by the conversion circuit modules 201[1]-201[n] are the same.

In one embodiment, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module 201 [ 0 ] can adaptively adjust the number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an output current Iout. When the output current Iout is high, the number of operating phases increases.

FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a conversion circuit module of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , in the main operation mode, the switching control unit 2012[k] generates a multi-phase signal on the corresponding trigger pin 2016[k] according to the basic trigger pulse Pbt[k] according to the main operation mode path in the drawing. The trigger pulse Ptrig, in addition, the switching control unit 2012[k] operating in the main operation mode also generates the conduction trigger pulse Pot[k] according to the main operation mode path (solid line) in the drawing until the corresponding conduction time is determined In unit 2013[k], in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , k is, for example, 0.

On the other hand, in the slave operation mode, the switching control unit 2012[k] receives the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig from the corresponding trigger pin 2016[k] according to the slave operation mode path (dotted line) in the figure, and according to the figure Formulated from the operation mode path, the on-trigger pulse Pot[k] is generated according to the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig to the corresponding on-time determination unit 2013[k]. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 , k is, for example, 1 to n.

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a loop control unit of a conversion circuit module of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the loop control unit 2011[k], which is used to illustrate the present invention, but not to limit the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 , in one embodiment, the loop control unit 2011[k] may include an amplifier 20111[k] and a comparator 20112[k]. As shown in FIG. 4 , the non-inverting input terminal of the amplifier 20111[k] is coupled to the reference voltage Vref, and the inverting input terminal thereof is coupled to the feedback signal Vfb. The amplifier 20111[k] generates the error compensation signal Vcomp according to the difference between the reference voltage Vref and the feedback signal Vfb. The comparator 20112[k] is used to compare the error compensation signal Vcomp with the ramp signal Vramp to generate the basic trigger pulse Pbt. Please also refer to FIG. 7 , in the main operation mode, when the error compensation signal Vcomp is greater than the ramp signal Vramp, the comparator 20112[k] enables the basic trigger pulse Pbt, thereby enabling the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig.

FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a switching control unit of a conversion circuit module of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the switching control unit 2012[k] may include a counter 20121[k], so as to count the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulses Ptrig in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, and In the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig, when the pulses corresponding to the phase sequence are triggered, the corresponding multiple power switches (eg, the power switches A[k] and B[k] in FIG. 6 ) are switched.

6 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a driving and power switching unit (the driving and power switching unit 2014[k]) according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is used to illustrate the present invention, but not to limit the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6 , the driving and power switching unit 2014[k] includes a plurality of drivers 20141[k] and 20142[k] and a plurality of corresponding power switches A[k] and B[k]. The output terminals of the drivers 20141[k] and 20142[k] are respectively coupled to the gate terminals of the corresponding power switches A[k] and B[k]. The positive terminal of the power supply of the driver 20141[k] is coupled to the bootstrap potential BOOT[k] through the driving power supply pin 2017[k], and the negative terminal of the power supply of the driver 20141[k] and the source terminal of the power switch A[k] and the drain terminal of the power switch B[k] are commonly coupled to a node nl[k], and the node nl[k] is further coupled to the switching node LX[k] through the switching pin 2018[k]. The input terminals of the drivers 20141[k] and 20142[k] are coupled to the on-time determining unit 2013[k], so as to generate corresponding driving signals according to the on-time control signal Poc[k]. The drain terminal of the power switch A[k] receives the input voltage Vin through the power input pin 2020[k], and the source terminal of the power switch B[k] is coupled to the ground potential PGND through the ground pin 2019[k]. In this embodiment, the driving and power switching unit 2014[k] can switch the voltage of the node n1[k] between the input voltage Vin and the ground potential PGND. In other words, as shown in FIG. 2 , this embodiment can be used with the corresponding The inductor L[k] is configured as a step-down switching converter.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating signal waveforms of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ramp signal Vramp, the error compensation signal Vcomp, the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig, and the voltages of the switching nodes LX[1] to LX[4] are shown in FIG. 7 . As shown in FIG. 7 , by counting the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulses Ptrig, in the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig, when the corresponding pulses of the phase sequence are triggered, the corresponding multiple power switches are respectively triggered to switch, and then the corresponding power switches are switched. The voltages of the nodes LX[1] to LX[4] are switched. Taking FIG. 2 and FIG. 8A as an example, the conversion circuit module 201[2] operates in the slave operation mode and the phase sequence is 3 (ie, S2), when the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig is triggered to the third pulse , and correspondingly generate the conduction trigger pulse Pot[2] and the conduction control pulse Poc[2] to switch the power switch, and then switch the voltage of the corresponding switching node LX[2]. In an embodiment with a counter (see Figure 5), the counter is counted up to the 3rd pulse to trigger.

In addition, it is worth noting that the scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to the present invention is particularly suitable for a switching conversion circuit with a fixed on-time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the load or input voltage changes , the frequency of the conduction pulse can be increased, in other words, non-fixed frequency multi-phase switching can be performed.

9 is a schematic diagram showing a signal waveform of a multi-phase trigger pulse in an amplified multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the phase sequence of the conversion circuit module 201[k] may correspond to a preset level range. Therefore, the conversion circuit module 201[k] may be based on the phase sequence when the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig is enabled. Whether the level falls within the corresponding preset level range determines the timing of triggering the turn-on trigger pulse Pot[k]. Taking FIG. 9 as an example, assuming that the total number of operating phases is 4, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the respective phase sequences corresponding to the conversion circuit modules 201[0]-201[3] correspond to the preset level range Lv1-Lv4, wherein the switching control unit 2011[k] compares the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig with the preset level range Lv1-Lv4, and determines when to trigger the turn-on trigger pulses Pot[0]-Pot[3] point. Specifically, taking the conversion circuit module 201[2] whose phase sequence is 3 as an example, when the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig corresponds to the preset level range Lv3, the corresponding conduction trigger pulse Pot[2] can be triggered , and then switch the voltage of the corresponding switching node LX[2], and other phase operations can be deduced by analogy.

10 is a schematic diagram showing a signal waveform of a multi-phase trigger pulse in an amplifying multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module 201[0] dynamically adjusts the number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit by controlling the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig, for example, in this embodiment The number of operating phases is dynamically adjusted from the 4-phase operation shown in FIG. 9 to the 3-phase operation shown in FIG. 10 . In other words, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , since the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig only corresponds to the first 3 phases, the first The 4 phases will not switch, but go into a high impedance state, for example.

11 is a schematic diagram showing a signal waveform of a multi-phase trigger pulse in an amplifying multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment can correspond to the switching control unit 2012[k] of FIG. 5, in other words, each conversion circuit module 201[k] counts the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulses Ptrig according to the counter 20121[k], As shown in FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the total number of operation phases is 4, and the switching control unit 2012[k] is in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, and counts the multi-phase trigger pulses Ptrig In the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig, when the pulse corresponding to the phase sequence is triggered, the corresponding multiple power switches are switched. As shown in FIG. 11 , the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig includes a reset state R, and the conversion circuit module 201[k] resets the corresponding counting sequence according to the reset state R. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , in the main operation mode, the switching control unit 2012[k] controls the multi-phase trigger pulse Ptrig to a high impedance state corresponding to the reset state R. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a reset state R is inserted in each polyphase cycle.

FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a single-phase conversion circuit module in an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows an embodiment when the scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit is configured in a single-phase operating mode or a main operating mode. In one embodiment, the switching control unit 2012[0] in the setting mode further determines that the operation mode is a single-phase operation mode according to the setting signal SET[0], and in the single-phase operation mode, the switching control unit 2012[0] ] According to the basic trigger pulse Pbt, the conduction trigger pulse Pot[0] is generated. In one embodiment, in the single-phase operation mode, the operation is similar to the main operation mode, the difference is only that the switching control unit 2012[0] does not need to output the multi-phase trigger signal Ptrig at the trigger pin.

13A and 13B are circuit schematic diagrams showing an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13A, in one embodiment, the loop control unit 2011[k], the switching control unit 2012[k], the on-time determination unit 2013[k], the setting guide The pin 2015[k] and the trigger pin 2016[k] can be enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package 301[k]. In one embodiment, the loop control unit 2011[k], the switching control unit 2012[k], the on-time determination unit 2013[k], the setting pin 2015[k] and the trigger pin 2016[k] can be integrated in an integrated circuit chip.

As shown in FIG. 13B, in another embodiment, the loop control unit 2011[k], the switching control unit 2012[k], the on-time determination unit 2013[k], the driving and The switch unit 2014[k], the setting pin 2015[k] and the trigger pin 2016[k] can be enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package 401[k]. In one embodiment, the loop control unit 2011[k], the switching control unit 2012[k], the on-time determining unit 2013[k], the driving and switching unit 2014[k], the setting pins 2015[k] and The trigger pin 2016[k] can be integrated in an integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit package 301[k] or 401[k] includes a setting pin 2015[k] and a trigger pin 2016[k] for external coupling.

As mentioned above, the present invention provides an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit, a conversion circuit module and a control method thereof, which can be controlled by a single trigger signal, can output at a non-fixed frequency, and are controlled by the conversion circuit module in the main operation mode. Provide multi-phase trigger signals to other switching circuit modules configured as slave operation mode according to the loop response, and the setting signal can be input by additional pins or by using digital interface input.

The present invention has been described above with respect to the preferred embodiments, but the above description is only for those skilled in the art to easily understand the content of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the broadest scope of rights of the present invention. The described embodiments are not limited to be applied individually, but can also be applied in combination. For example, two or more embodiments can be applied in combination, and some components in one embodiment can also be used to replace those in another embodiment. corresponding components. In addition, under the same spirit of the present invention, those skilled in the art can think of various equivalent changes and various combinations. It is limited to the signal itself, but also includes, when necessary, performing voltage-to-current conversion, current-to-voltage conversion, and/or ratio conversion, etc. on the signal, and then processing or calculating according to the converted signal to generate a certain output result. It can be seen from this that under the same spirit of the present invention, those skilled in the art can think of various equivalent changes and various combinations, and there are many combinations, which are not listed and described here. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should cover the above and all other equivalent changes.

Claims (38)

1. An expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit, comprising: A plurality of conversion circuit modules, coupled to the corresponding plurality of inductors, convert an input voltage into an output voltage in a multi-phase interleaved switching manner, the conversion circuit modules can optionally operate in one of a plurality of operation modes, the conversion The circuit module includes: a loop control unit for generating a basic trigger pulse according to a feedback signal in a main operation mode; a setting pin for receiving a setting signal; a trigger pin for sending or receiving a multi-phase trigger pulse; a switching control unit for determining an operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence according to the setting signal in a setting mode, wherein in the main operation mode, the trigger pin is generated according to the basic trigger pulse the multi-phase trigger pulse, and in a slave operation mode, the multi-phase trigger pulse is received at the trigger pin; wherein the switching control unit generates a conduction trigger pulse according to the multi-phase trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence ;as well as an on-time determining unit, which generates an on-control pulse according to the on-trigger pulse to control the switching of the corresponding inductance to generate the output voltage; A plurality of the trigger pins corresponding to the plurality of conversion circuit modules are coupled to each other. 2 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the conversion circuit module further comprises a driving and switching unit comprising a plurality of power switches, which are coupled to the corresponding inductances for using The plurality of power switches are controlled according to the conduction control pulse to control the switching of the corresponding inductors, so as to generate the output voltage. 3. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1, wherein the on-control pulse has a fixed on-time. 4 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 3 , wherein the on-time determining unit further adjusts the corresponding fixed on-time according to the corresponding current of the inductor, thereby making the Current balance is achieved among the currents of the plurality of inductors corresponding to the plurality of conversion circuit modules. 5 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein the trigger pin of the conversion circuit module is one and only one trigger pin, and the multi-phase trigger pulse is one and only one and only 5 . Polyphase trigger pulse. 6. The scalable multi-phase switchable conversion circuit of claim 1, wherein the feedback signal is related to the output voltage. 7 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the phase sequence corresponding to the conversion circuit module corresponds to a preset The level range, wherein the switching control unit compares the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse with the preset level range to determine the timing of triggering the conduction trigger pulse. 8 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 7 , wherein, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module dynamically adjusts the multi-phase by controlling the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse. 9 . The number of operating phases of the switching converter circuit. 9. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1, wherein the switching control unit counts the sequence of the multi-phase trigger pulses in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, and then In the multi-phase trigger pulse, when the pulse corresponding to the phase sequence is triggered, the corresponding plurality of power switches are switched. 10 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the multi-phase trigger pulse comprises a reset state, and the conversion circuit module resets the corresponding counting sequence according to the reset state. 11 . . 11 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 10 , wherein, in the main operation mode, the switching control unit controls the multi-phase trigger pulse to a high impedance state corresponding to the Reset state. 12. The scalable multiphase switchable conversion circuit of claim 11, wherein a reset state is inserted in each multiphase cycle. 13 . The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1 , wherein, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module further determines the total amount of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to the setting signal 13 . Operate the number of phases. 14. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1, wherein, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module adaptively adjusts the operation of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an output current Phase. 15. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 1, wherein the conversion circuit module is enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package, wherein the integrated circuit package includes the setting for external coupling pin and the trigger pin. 16. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit of claim 2, wherein the conversion circuit module is enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package, wherein the integrated circuit package includes the setting for external coupling pin and the trigger pin. 17. The scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the slave operation mode, the corresponding loop control unit is controlled to be disabled. 18. A conversion circuit module configured to be an expandable single-phase switching conversion circuit or a multi-phase switching conversion circuit, the conversion circuit module being coupled to an inductor to convert an input voltage to an output voltage , the conversion circuit module contains: a loop control unit for generating a basic trigger pulse according to a feedback signal in a main operation mode; a setting pin for receiving a setting signal; a trigger pin for sending or receiving a trigger pulse; a switching control unit for determining an operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence according to the setting signal in a setting mode, wherein in the main operation mode, the trigger pin is generated according to the basic trigger pulse the trigger pulse, and in a slave operation mode, the trigger pulse is received at the trigger pin; wherein the switching control unit generates a conduction trigger pulse according to the trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence; and An on-time determining unit generates an on-control pulse according to the on-trigger pulse to control the switching of the inductor to generate the output voltage. 19. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, further comprising a driving and switching unit comprising a plurality of power switches, coupled to the inductor, for controlling the plurality of power switches according to the conduction control pulse to The switching of the inductor is controlled to generate the output voltage. 20. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein the conduction control pulse has a fixed conduction time. 21 . The conversion circuit module of claim 18 , wherein the trigger pin of the conversion circuit module is a unique trigger pin, and the trigger pulse is a unique trigger pulse. 22 . 22. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the phase sequence corresponding to the conversion circuit module corresponds to a predetermined level range, wherein the switching The control unit compares the level of the trigger pulse with the preset level range, and determines the timing of triggering the conduction trigger pulse. 23. The conversion circuit module of claim 22, wherein, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module dynamically adjusts the operation phase of the at least one-phase switching conversion circuit by controlling the level of the trigger pulse. number. 24. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein the switching control unit, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, counts the sequence of the trigger pulse, and the trigger pulse corresponds to the phase When the sequential pulses are triggered, the corresponding multiple power switches are switched. 25 . The conversion circuit module of claim 24 , wherein the trigger pulse includes a reset state, and the conversion circuit module resets the corresponding counting sequence according to the reset state. 26 . 26. The conversion circuit module of claim 25, wherein, in the main operation mode, the switching control unit controls the trigger pulse to a high impedance state corresponding to the reset state. 27 . The conversion circuit module of claim 18 , wherein, in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module further determines the total number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to the setting signal. 28 . 28. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein in the main operation mode, the conversion circuit module adaptively adjusts the number of operating phases of the multi-phase switching conversion circuit according to an output current. 29. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein the conversion circuit module is enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package, wherein the integrated circuit package comprises the setting pin and the trigger pin for external coupling . 30. The conversion circuit module of claim 19, wherein the conversion circuit module is enclosed in a corresponding integrated circuit package, wherein the integrated circuit package comprises the setting pin and the trigger pin for external coupling . 31. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein in the slave operation mode, the loop control unit is controlled to be disabled. 32. The conversion circuit module of claim 18, wherein the switching control unit further determines that the operation mode is a single-phase operation mode according to the setting signal in the setting mode, and in the single-phase operation mode, The switching control unit generates the conduction trigger pulse according to the basic trigger pulse. 33. A control method for an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit, the scalable multi-phase switching conversion circuit comprising: a plurality of conversion circuit modules, coupled to a plurality of corresponding inductances, in a multi-phase staggered switching manner , converts an input voltage into an output voltage, and the control method includes: In a setting mode, a setting signal is received from a corresponding setting pin, and the operation mode and a corresponding phase sequence are determined according to the corresponding setting signal; In a main operation mode, a basic trigger pulse is generated according to a feedback signal, and a multi-phase trigger pulse is generated on a corresponding trigger pin according to the basic trigger pulse; in a slave operation mode, receiving the multi-phase trigger pulse at the trigger pin; generating an on-trigger pulse according to the multi-phase trigger pulse and the corresponding phase sequence; and A conduction control pulse is generated according to the conduction trigger pulse to control the switching of the corresponding inductance to generate the output voltage. 34. The control method of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 33, wherein the conduction control pulse has a fixed conduction time. 35. The control method of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 33, wherein the multi-phase trigger pulse is one and only multi-phase trigger pulse. 36. The control method of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 33, wherein, in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode, the phase sequence corresponding to the conversion circuit module corresponds to a predetermined The set level range, wherein the step of generating the conduction trigger pulse includes: comparing the level of the multi-phase trigger pulse with the preset level range to determine the timing of triggering the conduction trigger pulse. 37. The control method of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 33, wherein the step of generating the turn-on trigger pulse comprises: counting the multi-phase in the master operation mode or the slave operation mode The sequence of the trigger pulses, and in the multi-phase trigger pulses, when the pulses corresponding to the phase sequence are triggered, the conduction trigger pulses are triggered. 38. The control method of an expandable multi-phase switching conversion circuit as claimed in claim 37, wherein the multi-phase trigger pulse comprises a reset state, and the conversion circuit module resets a corresponding count according to the reset state Order.

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