Microsemi Corporation

Paul Pickle

Steven W Brooks

A plurality of single-phase synchronizing converter automatically synchronize on a peer-to-peer basis. Each synchronizing converter is configured as a DC-to-DC converter. The synchronizing converters operate in parallel as a multi-phase converter. A common bus between the synchronizing converters includes a sync line and a common phase control line. Proper phasing automatically occurs when power is applied, and the phasing changes automatically as converters are added or removed. When the system powers up, the converters arbitrate for phase position. The phasing positions are random, but the phasing is relatively symmetrical regardless of the number of phases. Preferably, a hot-swappable converter module can be plugged into any location of a parallel multiphase bus to produce a common output voltage. When an additional module is plugged in, the converters readjust their phases to maintain phase symmetry. Preferably, each module shares a substantially equal portion of the output load.

Systems for auto-interleaving synchronization in a multiphase switching power converter

A plurality of single-phase synchronizing converter automatically synchronize on a peer-to-peer basis. Each synchronizing converter is configured as a DC-to-DC converter. The synchronizing converters operate in parallel as a multi-phase converter. A common bus between the synchronizing converters includes a sync line and a common phase control line. Proper phasing automatically occurs when power is applied, and the phasing changes automatically as converters are added or removed. When the system powers up, the converters arbitrate for phase position. The phasing positions are random, but the phasing is relatively symmetrical regardless of the number of phases. In one embodiment, a hot-swappable converter module can be plugged into any location of a parallel multiphase bus to produce a common output voltage. When an additional module is plugged in, the converters readjust their phases to maintain phase symmetry. In one embodiment, each module shares a substantially equal portion of the output load.

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San Clemente, CA, United States of America

Paul Pickle