Circuits and methods for synchronizing non-constant frequency switching regulators with a phase locked loop
First Claim
1. A method for synchronizing a non-constant frequency switching regulator that generates a regulated voltage output at an output node, the method comprising:
- providing a source voltage at an input node;
providing control circuitry coupled to the output node that controls the duty cycle of the switching regulator; and
providing a phase locked loop comprising a phase detector circuitry to control a parameter of the switching regulator, causing the switching frequency of the switching regulator to be constant.
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Abstract
Methods for synchronizing non-constant frequency switching regulators with a phase locked loop are disclosed. The methods enable non-constant frequency switching regulators to be synchronized with a phase locked loop to achieve constant frequency operation in steady state while retaining the advantages of non-frequency operation to improve transient response and operate over a wider range of duty cycles. In addition, the methods enable multiple non-constant frequency regulators to be synchronized and operated in parallel to deliver higher power levels to the output than a single switching regulator.
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Citations
73 Claims
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1. A method for synchronizing a non-constant frequency switching regulator that generates a regulated voltage output at an output node, the method comprising:
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providing a source voltage at an input node;
providing control circuitry coupled to the output node that controls the duty cycle of the switching regulator; and
providing a phase locked loop comprising a phase detector circuitry to control a parameter of the switching regulator, causing the switching frequency of the switching regulator to be constant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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15. A method for synchronizing a plurality of non-constant frequency switching regulators, the method comprising:
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providing a source voltage at a plurality of input nodes;
providing a regulated voltage at a plurality of output nodes;
providing control circuitry coupled to the plurality of output nodes to control the duty cycles of the plurality of regulators; and
providing a plurality of phase locked loops, each phase locked loop from the plurality of phase locked loops coupled between a first and a second switching regulators selected from the plurality of switching regulators, wherein each phase locked loop comprises phase detector circuitry to control the on-time of the first switching regulator, causing the switching frequency of the first and second switching regulators to be equal.
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30. A method for adjusting the switching frequency of a non-constant frequency switching regulator, the method comprising:
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providing a one shot timer in the switching regulator comprising ION and VON inputs and an output to control the duty cycle of the switching regulator;
providing a phase locked loop connected to the ION or VON input and the output of the one shot timer to control the on-time of the one shot timer, causing the steady state switching frequency of the switching regulator to be constant. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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45. A circuit for adjusting the switching frequency of a non-constant frequency switching regulator having a one shot timer comprising ION and VON inputs and an output to control the duty cycle of the switching regulator, the one shot timer coupled between an input voltage and a regulated output voltage, the circuit comprising:
a phase locked loop connected to the ION or VON input and the output of the one shot timer to control the on-time of the one shot timer, causing the steady state switching frequency of the switching regulator to be constant.
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60. A circuit for synchronizing a plurality of non-constant frequency switching regulators, each switching regulator from the plurality of switching regulators having a one shot timer comprising ION and VON inputs and an output to control the duty cycle of the switching regulator, the one shot timer coupled between an input voltage and a regulated output voltage, the circuit comprising:
a plurality of phase locked loops, each phase locked loop from the plurality of phase locked loops coupled between the one shot timer of a first switching regulator and the one shot timer of a second switching regulator selected from the plurality of switching regulators, wherein each phase locked loop controls the on-time of the first switching regulator, causing the switching frequency of the first and second switching regulators to be equal. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73)
Specification