Multi-phase converter with frequency and phase timing control

Abstract

A multi-phase converter comprising a plurality of switching circuits each controlled by a phase controller and each providing a switched output voltage to an output node of the converter and wherein each switching circuit under control of the phase controller sequentially provides a switched output voltage to the output node at which an output voltage of the converter is developed; and a main control circuit including a clock circuit for providing a first clock signal to each of the switching circuits and a second lower frequency clock signal to a first of the phase controllers, each phase controller having a delay circuit controlled by the first clock signal to provide a delayed second clock signal for coupling to a next one of the phase controllers and in the case of a last one of the phase controllers, back to the main control circuit, whereby a plurality of sequentially delayed second clock signals is provided, one to each of the remaining phase controllers after the first phase controller to determine when each switching circuit provides the switched output voltage to the output node.