DE112020001503T5 - SHARED USE OF REDUNDANT REGULATOR PHASES WITHIN A PHASE REDUNDANT VOLTAGE REGULATOR DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

A phase-redundant voltage regulator device includes groups of regulator phases, each having a multi-phase controller (MPC) connected to each regulator phase. The MPC transmits to control logic phase error signals and either a pulse width modulation (PWM) phase control signal or a shared stream (ISHARE) phase control signal received from the controller phases of a phase group. Spare regulator phases include output ORing devices to limit current flow into outputs of the spare regulator phases. Output switching units are configured to electrically connect outputs of the substitute regulator phases to a common regulator output. Control logic is coupled to the phase array MPC and asserts phase enable signals to, transmits the phase control signals to, and receives phase error signals from the backup regulator phases. The control logic electrically connects a spare regulator phase to a phase group containing a failed regulator phase in response to receiving a phase error signal from an MPC.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to voltage regulator circuits. In particular, this disclosure relates to the common use of redundant regulator phases within a phase-redundant voltage regulator circuit.

A voltage regulator is an electronic unit or system that is designed to receive an input voltage and automatically maintain a constant voltage level at one or more output terminals. Depending on the version, a voltage regulator can be used to regulate one or more alternating (AC) or direct (DC) voltages. Voltage regulators can be found in electronic units, such as computer power supplies, where they are used to stabilize DC voltages used to power electronic components such as processor (s), memory units, and other types of integrated circuits (ICs). A voltage regulator circuit may receive a feedback voltage received from a measurement point that is near the electronic component (s) that the voltage regulator supplies. This feedback voltage can be used to modulate an output voltage of the voltage regulator. This modulated output voltage can mean that the voltage received by the one or more supplied electronic components is kept at a stable value, regardless of the current consumption of the components or the voltage drop on the conductors that connect the voltage regulator and the components to one another.

A field effect transistor (FET) is a transistor that uses an electric field to control the shape and thus the conductivity of a channel of a type of charge carrier in a semiconductor material. FETs can be unipolar transistors because they can have a single charge carrier operation. FETs can be majority charge carrier units, in which the current flow is predominantly carried by majority charge carriers, or minority charge carrier units, in which the current is mainly caused by a flow of minority charge carriers. An FET unit can consist of an active channel through which charge carriers, electrons or holes, flow from a source to a drain. Source and drain connection conductors can be connected to the semiconductor via ohmic contacts. The conductivity of the channel can depend on the electrical potential that is applied across the gate and source connections.

SHORT REPRESENTATION

Embodiments may be directed to a phase redundant voltage regulator device. The phase-redundant voltage regulator device comprises a plurality of regulator phases, each of which contains a regulator which is electrically connected in such a way that it receives an input voltage at a regulator input and provides a respective output voltage at a regulator output. The phase redundant voltage regulator device contains a set of phase groups of the plurality of regulator phases which includes a first and a second phase group. Each phase group contains a common controller input which is electrically connected to controller inputs of controllers in the phase group, and a common controller output which is electrically connected to controller outputs of controllers in the phase group. Each phase group also contains at least one redundant controller phase and a multiphase control unit (multiphase controller, MPC), which is electrically connected to each controller phase of the phase group. The MPC is configured to transmit phase error signals to control logic and either a pulse width modulation (PWM) phase control signal or a shared current _{phase control signal (I SHARE} ) received by each regulator phase of a respective phase group. The phase-redundant voltage regulator device contains a set of substitute regulator phases of the plurality of regulator phases, which set comprises a first and a second substitute regulator phase. Each backup regulator phase contains a secondary output ORing unit that is electrically connected and configured to limit current flow into a secondary output of the backup regulator phase. Each substitute regulator phase also contains a first output switching unit which is configured in such a way that, in response to a first phase enable signal, it electrically connects the regulator output of the substitute regulator phase to a first common regulator output. Each substitute regulator phase also contains a second output switching device which is configured in such a way that, in response to a second phase enable signal, it electrically connects the regulator output of the substitute regulator phase to a second common regulator output and a control logic. The control logic is electrically connected to MPCs of each phase group of the set of phase groups, the control logic being configured to receive the phase control signals from the MPCs and to exchange phase error signals with them. The control logic is also electrically connected to substitute controller phases of the set of substitute controller phases. The control logic is configured in such a way that it asserts phase enable signals to the substitute regulator phases, transmits the phase control signals to them, and receives phase error signals from them. the Control logic is also configured in such a way that, in response to receiving a phase error signal from an MPC, it electrically connects a substitute regulator phase to a phase group that contains a failed regulator phase.

Embodiments may also be directed to a phase redundant voltage regulator device. The phase-redundant voltage regulator device can comprise a plurality of regulator phases, each of which contains a regulator which is electrically connected in such a way that it receives an input voltage at a regulator input and provides a respective output voltage at a regulator output. The phase-redundant voltage regulator device also contains a set of phase groups of the plurality of regulator phases, which set comprises a first and a second phase group. Each phase group contains a common controller input which is electrically connected to controller inputs of controllers in the phase group, and a common controller output which is electrically connected to controller outputs of controllers in the phase group. Each phase group contains at least one redundant controller phase and an MPC that is electrically connected to each controller phase of the phase group. The MPC is configured to transmit phase error signals and either a PWM or an I _SHARE phase control signal to a control logic, which is received by each controller phase of a respective phase group. The phase-redundant voltage regulator device also contains a set of substitute regulator phases of the plurality of regulator phases, which comprises a first and a second substitute regulator phase. Each equivalent regulator phase contains a secondary output ORing field effect transistor (FET), which is electrically connected between the regulator output and a secondary output of the equivalent regulator, and a second comparator, the inputs of which are electrically connected to a source connection and a drain connection of the secondary output ORing FET are connected. The second comparator also has an output which is electrically connected to a gate connection of the secondary output ORing FET. The second comparator is configured in such a way that, in conjunction with the secondary output ORing FET, it limits a current flow into the secondary output of the substitute regulator phase. Each substitute regulator phase also contains a first output switching FET, which is electrically connected and configured in such a way that, in response to a first phase enable signal, it electrically connects the regulator output of the substitute regulator phase to a first common regulator output. Each substitute regulator phase also contains a second output switching FET, which is connected and configured in such a way that it electrically connects the regulator output of the substitute regulator phase to a second common regulator in response to a second phase enable signal. The phase redundant voltage regulator device also contains control logic. The control logic is electrically connected to MPCs of each phase group of the set of phase groups, the control logic being configured to receive the phase control signals from the MPCs and to exchange phase error signals with them. The control logic is also electrically connected to substitute controller phases of the set of substitute controller phases, the control logic being configured to enforce phase enable signals to the substitute controller phases, transmit the phase control signals to them, and receive phase error signals from them. The control logic is configured such that, in response to receiving a phase error signal from an MPC, it electrically connects a backup regulator phase to a phase group that contains a failed regulator phase.

Embodiments can also be directed to a method for the common use of a set of redundant substitute controller phases between phase groups of controller phases. The method includes using control logic configured to be responsive to monitoring phase error signals received from the phase groups to a first spare controller phase of the set of redundant spare controller phases in response to detection of a single phase error signal from a first phase group a phase enable signal passes through, which electrically connects a primary output of the first substitute controller phase to a common controller output of the first phase group. The method also includes using control logic _{to send either a PWM or an I SHARE} phase control signal to the first substitute regulator phase, which is received by an MPC of the first phase group, and a phase error signal from the first substitute regulator phase electrically with the MPC to join the first phase group. The method also includes the use of control logic, in response to the detection of the single phase error signal from the first phase group, to end the monitoring of the single phase error signal and to store an association between the first substitute controller phase and the common controller output of the first phase group in a non-volatile memory within the control logic . The method also includes the use of a control logic in order to enforce a phase enable signal on a second substitute controller phase of the set of redundant substitute controller phases in response to detection of an additional phase error signal from a supplementary phase group, which electrically connects a primary output of the second substitute controller phase with a common controller output the additional phase group connects. The method also includes using control logic to send to the second replacement controller phase to send a PWM or an I _SHARE phase control signal that is received by an MPC of the supplementary phase group, and to electrically connect a phase error signal from the second substitute controller phase to the MPC of the supplementary phase group. The method also includes the use of control logic in response to the detection of the additional phase error signal from the supplementary phase group to end the monitoring of the additional phase error signal and to store an association between the second substitute controller phase and the common controller output of the supplementary phase group in the non-volatile memory. The method also includes the use of control logic to send a system notification requesting a controller replacement process in response to the fact that outputs of all redundant backup controller phases are electrically connected to common controller outputs of the phase groups.

The summary above is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure.

Figure list

• 1 ist ein Blockschaltbild, das eine phasenredundante Spannungsreglervorrichtung gemäß Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Offenbarung zeigt.
• 2 umfasst zwei Ansichten, die eine Spannungsreglerphase und eine Ersatz-Spannungsreglerphase gemäß den Figuren entsprechenden Ausführungsformen zeigen.
• 3 ist ein Blockschaltbild, das eine phasenredundante Spannungsreglervorrichtung mit gemeinsam genutzten redundanten Ersatzbaugruppen gemäß den Figuren entsprechenden Ausführungsformen zeigt.
• 4 ist ein Flussdiagramm, das ein Verfahren zum gemeinsamen Nutzen eines Satzes redundanter Ersatz-Reglerphasen zwischen Gruppen von Reglern gemäß den Figuren entsprechenden Ausführungsformen zeigt.

The drawings contained in the present application are incorporated in and are a part of the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only used to illustrate specific embodiments and do not limit the disclosure.

• 1 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a phase redundant voltage regulator device in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
• 2 comprises two views showing a voltage regulator phase and an equivalent voltage regulator phase according to embodiments corresponding to the figures.
• 3 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a phase redundant voltage regulator device with shared redundant replacement assemblies in accordance with embodiments corresponding to the figures.
• 4th FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a method for sharing a set of redundant backup controller phases between groups of controllers in accordance with embodiments corresponding to the figures.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms, details thereof have been illustrated by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be noted, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the specifically described embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that come within the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings and detailed description, like numbers generally refer to like components, parts, steps, and processes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure can be understood in connection with the shared use of redundant regulator phases within a phase-redundant voltage regulator circuit. The common use of such redundant controller phases can be useful to ensure phase redundancy and a robust power supply with reduced costs and less design complexity. The common use of redundant regulator phases within a voltage regulator circuit can increase the reliability of the power supply of electronic systems.

Embodiments can provide shared redundant regulator phases for electronic systems such as servers that can be used to provide data for clients that are connected to a server via a network. Such servers can include, but are not limited to, web servers, application servers, mail servers, and virtual servers. Although not necessarily limited to these, the embodiments discussed in this context may facilitate understanding of various aspects of the disclosure. Certain embodiments can also be geared towards other systems and related applications, for example providing shared redundant controller phases for electronic systems such as computer systems that can be used in a large number of computing and data processing applications. Such data processing systems can include, but are not limited to, supercomputers, high performance computing (HPC) systems, and other types of special purpose computers. Embodiments can also be directed to jointly used redundant controller phases for systems that are used, for example, in telecommunications nication, aviation and automotive industries.

The acronym "FET" is used herein to refer to a field effect transistor that may be useful within a voltage regulator configuration to interconnect two circuit nodes by providing a relatively low impedance electrical connection between the nodes. It should be understood that, in embodiments, various types of FETs can be selected by a voltage regulator designer to meet electrical performance criteria of particular voltage regulator designs. Such types of FETs may include, but are not limited to, enhancement mode, depletion mode, N-channel field effect transistor (NFET), and P-channel field effect transistor (PFET) devices. Such FETs can also be referred to as “power FETs” and “power metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors” (MOSFETs) without any loss of meaning. It should also be understood that various other types of electronic components can be used in place of FETs in some embodiments. Such electronic components can include, but are not limited to, bipolar components such as NPN and PNP transistors, as well as transistors that are manufactured using other semiconductor technologies.

For convenience of discussion and illustration, the terms "ORing Unit" and "ORing-FET" can be used interchangeably without loss of meaning to refer to a semiconductor device that is configured to prevent current flow into a voltage regulator phase output. Although a FET symbol, e.g. 244, 2 , was used to represent such a unit in the figures, this is not to be construed as limiting; other types of components as described above can also be used for a similar purpose.

The term “ORing”, which is used here, for example, in relation to “ORing units”, “ORing FETs” and “ORing controllers”, can be understood to refer to the logical OR function and the output protection function of a Unit, for example an FET or a voltage regulator, refers. Such units and voltage regulators are protected from reverse current flow into an output of a unit by an FET that is configured to function in a manner similar to an output protection diode.

The terms “phase” and “regulator phase” are used interchangeably in the present case in relation to a redundant voltage regulator that is used within a voltage regulator device. The voltage regulator phase is generally activated by a polyphase control unit (MPC) at a point in time that differs from the activation times of other voltage regulators. This is commonly referred to as activation "out of phase" with the other voltage regulators.

Voltage regulators are used in a large number of electronic systems in order to ensure a power supply for electronic components within the systems with a stable voltage. Such electronic systems can include, but are not limited to, computers, data processing systems, servers, and devices that are used in telecommunications, aerospace, and automotive applications. The components within the systems can include, but are not limited to, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processors (GPUs), other types of integrated circuits (ICs), hard disk drives, semiconductor data carriers (solid-state drives, SSDs), memories and other types of electronic components and units include.

A voltage regulator can be electrically connected between a power supply and components that are specified to receive a voltage that is lower than a voltage provided by the power supply. A power supply can, for example, deliver different voltages, e.g. 12 V, 24 V or 48 V DC voltage, to a voltage regulator. The output voltages of the voltage regulator can include, for example, 3.3 V, 2.5 V, 1.8 V, 1.0 V, 0.7 V or any other voltage that is specified as being suitable for the electronic components and systems being supplied.

Voltage regulators, which include phase redundant regulators connected in parallel, can offer numerous advantages to the various electronic systems that power them. For example, such voltage regulators can offer increased system reliability and robustness resulting from the ability of a voltage regulator device to dynamically and automatically replace a failed or faulty regulator phase with a redundant replacement or "backup" phase. A controller phase can fail due to the failure, e.g. due to a short circuit, of one or more components such as capacitors, FETs, amplifiers or driver circuits within the controller phase.

The reliability of electronic systems can also be increased by reducing the number of decoupling capacitors within one pha sensor redundant voltage regulator design can be increased. This reduction in the number of capacitors can reduce the effective failure rate of the voltage regulator. Adding one or more redundant or backup phases to a voltage regulator design can also increase the reliability of the design by lowering the overall current requirements on each of the multiple redundant phases within the voltage regulator.

The use of phase-redundant voltage regulators, in which the phases are activated at different times, can also lead to a lower output voltage ripple and an improved transient response in the event of fluctuations in the current load of the phases. Multiple redundant regulator phases can be particularly useful in managing the overall cost of the voltage regulator system. According to embodiments, the costs of a voltage regulator that uses a plurality of smaller, redundant regulator phases can be significantly lower than the costs of a regulator that uses fewer, larger regulator phases, each with a larger current output.

Certain types of electronic systems can use phase redundant voltage regulators to provide power to certain subsystems and electronic components. A computer system can, for example, have 5 CPUs, each with a specified supply voltage requirement of 1.0 V at 80 A, resulting in a total power requirement of 1.0 V at 400 A. This power requirement can, for example, be supplied by 8 phase-redundant voltage regulators, each with a rated current output capacity of 50 A. The electronic system can also have a further supply voltage requirement of 1.25 V at 200 A in order to supply a further voltage requirement for the CPUs or another type of unit, which can be supplied by 4 phase-redundant voltage regulators with a respective nominal current output capacity of 50 A.

In order to ensure reliable operation of the system in the event of failure of one or more voltage regulators, additional redundant voltage regulator phases can be added to each individual voltage range or output level. According to the present example, a designer can install 4 additional redundant voltage regulators in the 1.0 V supply circuit and 2 additional redundant voltage regulators in the 1.25 V supply circuit, so that a total of 6 additional redundant voltage regulators in addition to the 12 voltage regulators described above available.

However, a methodology in which additional redundant voltage regulators are added to each voltage level may not be particularly efficient or inexpensive. Excessive and unnecessary costs, consumed power, system space / area, and design complexity can result from using this methodology. A more efficient methodology for designing voltage regulators is desirable, namely one that reduces the number of components used, costs, power consumed, system area, and design complexity.

According to embodiments, redundant voltage regulators can be added to a voltage regulator assembly and assigned to different voltage ranges or used jointly by these “as required”. In the present example, one or more redundant voltage regulators can be made available to either the 1.0 V or the 1.25 V supply circuit and dynamically connected electrically to a supply circuit in which the failure of one or more regulators has occurred. Control logic can monitor the voltage supply circuits for voltage regulator failures and monitor the reassignment of replacement voltage regulator phases as required to ensure a robust, uninterruptible power supply for all voltage levels / ranges. In the present example, 3 additional redundant voltage regulators can be used to meet the redundancy needs of both the 1.0 V and 1.25 V supply circuits, resulting in a significant overall reduction in cost, area, and number of components and the design complexity of a voltage regulator assembly. However, the voltage and current examples given above are not to be interpreted as restrictive and are only used to illustrate and clarify embodiments of the present disclosure.

The present figures depict certain example circuits, functions, electrical connections, and component interactions that are used to implement embodiments of the present disclosure. These details are exemplary and should not be interpreted as restrictive. Embodiments may also include circuits, functions, electrical connections, and component interactions that are not described or illustrated herein, within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

For better illustration and discussion, a limited number of controller phases, controller phase groups and substitute controllers are used here phases presented and discussed. To illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible, for example, to use two regulator phase groups, each with three regulator phases, in conjunction with two substitute regulator phases. However, this is not to be understood as a limitation; any other number of controller phases, controller phase groups and substitute controller phases can be used in embodiments. According to embodiments and design practices, the “N” number of regulator phases used to meet the power requirements of a voltage range within an electronic system can be a relatively small number, such as 1 or 2, or it can be much greater, such as 20 or more. Any number of regulator phase groups can be used within an electronic system to meet the need for specific, distinct voltage ranges. A number of backup regulator phases can be selected by a power system designer based on an expected average failure rate of a regulator phase as well as other design criteria.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be useful in reducing the size and cost of voltage regulators compared to voltage regulators that do not use shared redundant regulator phases to provide regulated voltage levels. An electronic system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may have increased reliability and reduced cost, complexity, part count, and packaging area for included voltage regulators.

A phase redundant voltage regulator device with shared redundant regulator phases, which is designed according to certain embodiments, can be compatible with existing and proven electronic systems and can represent a useful and inexpensive way of adding shared redundant regulator phases to voltage supplies that supply an electronic system. A phase redundant voltage regulator device constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure can be installed within an existing electronic system.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be useful for implementing phase redundant voltage regulators with shared redundant regulator phases for use in electronic systems using existing and proven IC and printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing technologies and material sets, electronic design methodologies, design tools, and manufacturing processes.

1 Figure 13 is a block diagram showing a phase redundant voltage regulator device 100 that includes a plurality of redundant voltage regulator phases 126A, 126B, and 126C. Several redundant controller phases 126A, 126B and 126C are electrically connected in parallel between a common controller _{input V IN} and _{a common controller output V OUT} , each of the controller phases receiving _{an input voltage at V IN} input 136 and providing an output voltage _{at V OUT output 148.}

A set of “N + 1” or “N + 2” voltage regulator phases can be electrically connected in parallel, with “N” representing a minimum number of phases needed to deliver a given current and the additional one or two phases being useful to replace one or two failed voltage regulator phases. If one or more redundant phases fails or "malfunctions", the one or more faulty redundant phases can be deactivated in order to distribute a current load to the remaining active phases and thus ensure an uninterrupted power supply. A redundant phase can also be used to implement “masked redundancy”, which means that if a phase fails, the error is not reported to a system control function 108. The redundant phase can then be used to create a highly reliable controller instead of being used as the redundant phase. This interchanging of the controller phases can be controlled by an MPC 122.

Each of the controller phases 126A, 126B and 126C includes a breakout controller 116, an input protection unit 114, an ORing unit 118, and a phase redundant control unit 106. The phase redundant control unit 106 can be useful in conjunction with the input protection unit 114 to isolate the input of a failed breakout controller 116 from the others Isolate phases in the device 100. The phase redundant control unit 106 can monitor the input and output current and output voltage of a regulator phase, e.g., 126A, and control the input protection unit 114 in response to, for example, abnormal currents or voltages within the phase. Such abnormal currents or voltages can result from the failure, e.g., short circuit, of components such as capacitors or FETs within the step-down regulator 116.

The input protection unit 114 can be used to provide input overcurrent protection and to provide output overvoltage protection for a respective controller phase, for example controller phase 1 126A. The input protection unit 114 can protect the controller phase 1 126A by _{electrically isolating, ie disconnecting, the common controller input V IN} from the release controller 116 in response to a signal generated by the phase redundant control unit 106. Each of the regulator phases 126A, 126B and 126C also contains an ORing unit 118 which can be used to limit or prevent reverse current flow into the V _OUT output 148 of the regulator phase. Such a reverse current flow could possibly result from the short circuit or failure of an FET or a capacitor within a regulator phase.

An MPC 122 is electrically connected to each of the controller phases 126A, 126B and 126C via recognized current outputs 102 and control signals 124. A master control unit 112 of the MPC 122 generates control signals 124 to periodically and sequentially activate each of the controller phases 126A, 126B and 126C for predetermined periods of time. In some applications, this activation can be used, for example, to generate a controlled current distribution between the phases. The MPC 122 can be used to maintain the power distribution between active controller phases after a failure or a fault in one or more of the controller phases, one or more phases being provided to enable redundancy. The current distribution can also be implemented between several active controller phases if none of the phases failed before.

A redundant error reporting circuit 104 of the MPC 122 can collect and report phase errors / failures on the basis of the plurality of detected current signals that are present at the detected current outputs 102A, 102B and 102C from the respective controller phases. The detected current signals can be used and interpreted to indicate the failure of one or more specific controller phases. In some applications, the MPC 122 can provide reduced ripple and settling time of the redundant regulator phases by _{phase shifting the respective V OUT} outputs 148 with respect to one another. The MPC 122 is also configured to adjust the control signals 124 in response to a feedback output _voltage received at the feedback input 101 from the common regulator output V OUT.

The serial controller interface 110 of the MPC 122 can be connected to a system control function 108 via a serial control bus 120. The serial regulator interface 110 can send and receive control and monitoring signals to the system control function 108, which can exercise control over one or more phase redundant regulator devices 100 within an electronic system. In applications, the system control function 108 can represent a hardware and / or software unit that can be used in an electronic system such as a computer or server to monitor and control various aspects of the hardware functions of the system. A system control function 108 can be used within an electronic system to monitor and control functions such as power supply and voltage regulator functions, system clock frequency, cooling, and the like.

In some applications, the serial control bus 120 can be, for example, a serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus, a power management bus (PMBus), or an inter-integrated circuit (I ² C) interface. The serial control bus 120 can be used to send monitoring data indicating, for example, which controller phases have failed or have failed, to the system control function 108, and can also receive commands and controls from the system control function 108.

2 includes two block diagram views, including a view depicting a voltage regulator phase 126 and a view depicting an equivalent voltage regulator phase 227, in accordance with embodiments corresponding to the figures. The various circuits, functions, and function blocks included in 2 are basically the same as those shown in 1 illustrated and with reference to 1 are described. 2 can be useful to provide an expanded, more detailed representation of these functions as well as the addition of switching units 217 and 219 and ORing units 118, 118A to a controller phase, e.g. 126A, 1 to form an equivalent voltage regulator phase 227. It goes without saying that view 126 corresponds to an individual controller phase, e.g. controller phase 1 126A, 1 . The addition of multiple switch units 217 and 219 and ORing units 118, 118A may be particularly useful to enable the regulator output 242 of the guy regulator 116 to be selectively electrically connected to more than one output, e.g., the primary output 204 and secondary Output 206 of substitute voltage regulator phase 227.

The voltage regulator phase 126 contains the release regulator 116, which can receive an input voltage at the regulator input 240 and drive an output voltage to the regulator output 242. The driver M1 is configured to operate FETs within the step-down controller 116 in response to a control signal received at control input 250, e.g. 124, 1 , activated and deactivated. According to embodiments, the control signal 124 can be a digital signal with a logic “0” and a logic “1” level of 0 V and 3.3 V, respectively. In some embodiments, other voltage levels can also be used.

The voltage regulator phase 126 also includes an input protection unit 114, an ORing unit 118, and a phase redundant control unit 106. The phase redundant control unit 106 includes a current detection circuit 234, an output overvoltage protection circuit 232 and an input overcurrent protection circuit 230. The input overcurrent protection circuit 230 is electrically connected and configured to accommodate the current received at V _IN input 136 is monitored while output overvoltage protection circuit 232 can monitor the output voltage at regulator output 242. Latch 228 is part of input overcurrent protection circuit 230 that is electrically connected to output overvoltage protection circuit 232. The current detection circuit 234 can be used to monitor the output current at the regulator output 242.

The phase redundant control unit 106 can be useful in monitoring the input and output current and output voltage of the voltage regulator phase 126, and in response, can control the input protection unit 114, which can be used to provide input overcurrent protection and output overvoltage protection for the voltage regulator phase 126.

The phase redundant control unit 106 can control the input protection unit 114 by asserting the Q output of the latch 228 of the input overcurrent protection circuit 230. The Q output of latch 228 is used to control a gate input G of input protection FET 238. The input protection FET 238 has a drain input D connected to the V _IN input 136 and a source input S connected to the regulator input 240. A control signal applied to a gate input G of the input protection FET 238 can activate or deactivate the input protection FET 238, which _{electrically connects or disconnects the V IN} input 136 and the regulator input 240 of the stepping down regulator. Control of the input protection unit 114 by the phase redundant control unit 106 may be useful to provide input overcurrent protection and output overvoltage protection for the voltage regulator phase 126 by electrically isolating the regulator input 240 from the other phases within a voltage regulator device in the event of a failure or failure of the guy regulator 116.

In some applications, the current detection circuit 234 may provide a signal at the detected current output 202 with an analog voltage level between 0 V and 3.3 V that is proportional to a level of the detected current _{flowing from the V OUT} output 148 of the voltage regulator phase 126. Other analog voltage levels / ranges may also be used in some applications. In embodiments, the detected current signal can be useful to indicate the failure of a particular regulator phase.

The ORing unit 118 can be used _{to limit or prevent a reverse current flow into the V OUT} output 148 of the voltage regulator phase 126 and thus also to regulate the reverse current flow into the regulator output 242. Such a reverse current flow can result from the short circuit or failure of an FET or a capacitor within the stepping down regulator 116. The comparator 246 has inputs which are electrically connected to a source connection S and a drain connection D of the output ORing FET 244. The output of the comparator 246 is electrically connected to the gate terminal G of the output ORing FET 244. The comparator 246 is configured and connected in such a way that, in response to a voltage at the V _OUT output 148 that is greater than a voltage at the controller output 242, in conjunction with the output ORing FET 244, it limits the flow of current into the controller output 242 . When a voltage at V _OUT output 148 is greater than a voltage at regulator output 242, indicating reverse current flow, comparator 246 outputs a low voltage to gate G of output ORing FET 244, thereby creating the output ORing FET 244 is deactivated and a further flow of reverse current is prevented.

The phase-redundant control unit 106, the input protection unit 114 and the release regulator 116 of the substitute voltage regulator phase 227 basically correspond to the voltage regulator phase 126 with regard to the electrical connection and function Discussion can be represented and designated here as "FET 217" and "FET 219" without loss of meaning. In embodiments, the switching units 217 and 219 can each also be an NFET, a PFET, an NPN transistor, a PNP transistor, or another suitable type of transistor or semiconductor device.

FET 217 and FET 219 each have a gate input G, which is electrically connected to the free output input 216 or the release input 218 is connected. These connections enable the activation of the FET 217 and the FET 219, ie release an electrically conductive path between the drain D and the source terminal S, in response to phase enable signals received at respective enable inputs 216 and 218 of the phase redundant control unit 106 . This activation can be used to electrically connect the controller output 242 of the release controller 116 via the ORing unit 118 or the secondary ORing unit 118A to either the primary output 204 or the secondary output 206. In embodiments, the primary output 204 and the secondary output 206 can be electrically connected to common controller outputs of a phase group (see FIG 3 ).

The electrical configuration and function of the ORing unit 118 and the secondary ORing unit 118A of the substitute voltage regulator phase 227 correspond to the configuration and function of the ORing unit 118 of the voltage regulator phase 126. Similar to the ORing unit 118 of the voltage regulator phase 126, the ORing- Unit 118 and the secondary ORing unit 118A of the equivalent voltage regulator phase 227 can be used to limit or prevent the reverse current flow into the primary output 204 or the secondary output 206 of the equivalent voltage regulator phase 227 and thus also the reverse current flow into the regulator output 242 to regulate.

3 FIG. 3 is a block diagram 300 showing a phase redundant voltage regulator device with shared redundant replacement assemblies 300 according to embodiments corresponding to the figures. In 3 in particular, is a phase redundant voltage regulator device in accordance with 1 and 2 which includes backup voltage regulator phases 227A and 227B that are electrically assignable to phase groups 374 and 376.

Numerous aspects of the in 3 The embodiments shown are particularly consistent with the in 1 and 2 aspects illustrated and described in the accompanying text and are not described further here. These aspects include circuits, logic and control functions, interactions between functions, electrical connections, signal usage, and signal voltage ranges.

The elements of phase redundant voltage regulator device 300, including control logic 366, MPCs 122, voltage regulator phases, eg 126A, and backup voltage regulator phases, eg 227A, are electrically interconnected and thereby communicate through the use of different types of signals. These types include phase error signals, phase enable signals, I _SHARE and PWM phase control signals. These types of signals can be useful to enable both controller phase function and faults to be monitored and control logic 366 to control and reassign controller phases.

Phase error signals are used in embodiments to indicate an error or failure of a particular regulator phase within the voltage regulator device 300. Phase error signals may be generated by redundant error reporting circuit 104 in response to detected current outputs 102 received by individual phase redundant control units (PRCs) 106 from voltage regulator phases, e.g., 126A. For example, a detected current output 102 received by the redundant error reporting circuit 104, which is significantly higher or lower than other detected current outputs 102, can result in the redundant error reporting circuit 104 generating a respective phase error signal for the corresponding phase. Phase error signals can also be generated directly by PRCs 106 from substitute controller phases, e.g. 227A and 227B.

To the phase error signals are V ₁ -Fehlersignal 302A, V ₂ -Fehlersignal 302B, V ₁ -N 1 error signal 308A, V ₁ -N 2 error signal 310A, V ₂ -N-1-error signal 308B, V ₂ -N -2 error signal 310B, S1 error signal 312A and S2 error signal 312B.

The naming convention listed above for phase _{error signals includes an associated common controller output voltage, e.g. "V 1} " or "V ₂ ", a substitute controller display, e.g. "S1" or "S2", which correspond to the substitute controller phases 227A or 227B, and an error "Level" display, eg "N-1" or "N-2". An error level display of "N-1" indicates that the error signal is indicating a "single error" type, ie the respective phase group from which the error signal originates has only one reported error among the voltage regulators in the phase group. Similarly, an error level indicator of "N-2" indicates that the error signal is indicating a "double error" type, ie the particular phase group from which the error signal originates has two reported errors under the voltage regulators in the phase group. A “substitute module error” signal, eg S1 error signal 312A, can be used to indicate the failure of a substitute controller phase, eg 227A. The various phase error signals can be useful in providing indications of errors that can be used by control logic 366 to determine how replacement phases can be reallocated to provide a continuous, robust span to ensure voltage controller performance in the event of one or more phase failures.

Phase enable signals are used in embodiments to enable the outputs of substitute controller phases, for example 227A, in order to connect them selectively to common controller outputs, for example V ₁ . In embodiments, the phase enable signals are generated by control logic 366. The phase enable signals include S1 enable V ₁ signal 316A, S1 enable V ₂ signal 318A, S2 enable V ₁ signal 316B, and S2 enable V ₂ signal 318B. The naming convention listed above for phase error signals includes an associated common regulator output voltage, eg "V ₁ " or "V ₂ ", and an associated substitute regulator display, eg "S1" or "S2".

PWM phase control signals are digital signals that represent a duty cycle or an activation time of at least one controller phase through a repetitive series of pulses of variable width. A PWM phase control signal can e.g. be generated by an MPC 122 of a phase group, e.g. 374, as an indicator of the relative activation time of the voltage regulators within the phase group. The relative duty cycle or the relative activation time can vary over time in order to modulate the output of the voltage regulator to supply certain dynamic current loads.

A PWM phase control signal can also be received and used to modulate a substitute voltage regulator phase to exhibit similar performance to active voltage regulator phases within a phase group. For example, a PWM phase control signal in conjunction with phase enable signals can be particularly useful in order to replace a failed voltage regulator phase with an active substitute voltage regulator phase. The PWM phase _{control signals include the V 1} -PWM-S1 signal 304A, the V ₁ -PWM-S2 signal 306A, the V ₂ -PWM-S1 signal 304B, the V ₂ -PWM-S2 signal 306B, the S1 PWM signal 314A and the S2 PWM signal 314B.

In embodiments, I _SHARE phase control signals are signals that use an analog voltage to represent an amount of current that is to be provided by each regulator phase within a phase group. In embodiments, a current “I _SHARE ” = I _TOTAL / N, where = I _{TOTAL is} the total current output of a phase group and “N” is the number of phases in the phase group. In some embodiments, the I _SHARE ™ signals can be analog voltages in a range between 0 V and 3.3 V, respectively. For example, an I _SHARE signal voltage of 0 V can correspond to the regulator phase current output of 0 A, while an I _SHARE signal voltage of 3.3 V can represent the full rated current, for example the maximum regulator phase output current. I _SHARE voltages between 0 V and 3.3 V can accordingly represent controller phase output currents that are linearly proportional to the respective I _SHARE voltage between 0 A and the full controller phase nominal output current. In some embodiments, other scaling / control schemes and / or voltage ranges may also be used.

An I _SHARE phase control signal can be generated, for example, by an MPC 122 of a phase group, for example 374, as an indicator for the current output required by each voltage regulator within the phase group. The I _SHARE phase control signal can vary over time in order to modulate the output of the voltage regulator to supply certain dynamic current loads.

An I _SHARE phase control signal can also be received and used to modulate a replacement voltage regulator phase so that it behaves similarly to active voltage regulator phases within a phase group. For example, an I _SHARE phase control signal in conjunction with phase enable signals can be particularly useful in order to replace a failed voltage regulator phase with an active substitute voltage regulator phase. The I _SHARE phase control signals include the V ₁ -I _SHARE -S1 signal 304A, the V ₁ -I _SHARE -S2 signal 306A, the V ₂ -I _SHARE -S1 signal 304B, the V ₂ -I _SHARE - S2 signal 306B, the S1-I _SHARE signal 314A, and the S2-I _SHARE signal 314B.

According to embodiments, phase _{error signals, phase enable signals, I SHARE} and PWM phase control signals can all be digital signals with a logic “0” or a logic “1” level of 0 V and 3.3 V, respectively. In some embodiments, other voltage levels can also be used. In 3 the signals described above are shown as lines with arrowheads; it is understood that the end of the signal line with the arrowhead indicates the destination of the respective signal, while the opposite end indicates the source of the signal.

The phase redundant voltage regulator device 300 includes phase groups 374 and 376, each of which includes a plurality of voltage regulator phases 126A, 126B and 126C and also an associated MPC 122. The voltage regulator device 300 also contains substitute regulator phases 227A and 227B, each of which contains output switching devices 217 and 219 and ORing units 118 and 118A. The control logic 366, including the non-volatile memory 368 and the serial reg Interface 110, is electrically connected to each of the voltage regulator phases, backup voltage regulator phases, and MPCs.

In accordance with 1 each phase group 374 and 376 includes a plurality of redundant voltage regulator phases 126A, 126B and 126C that can be useful to ensure phase redundancy in the delivery of power to the common regulator outputs V ₁ and V _2, respectively. The V _OUT output 148 of each phase within a phase group is connected to a common controller output, for example V ₁ . To simplify the illustration and discussion, the phase-redundant voltage regulator device 300 comprises two output voltage levels, ie common regulator outputs V ₁ and V ₂ , and two substitute regulator phases 227A and 227B. In embodiments, however, any number of voltage levels and any number of substitute regulator phases can be established for a respective electronic system.

The MPC 122 of each phase group is electrically connected to each regulator phase, such as 126A, 126B and 126C, of the phase group. The MPC 122 is configured to transmit to the control logic 366 phase error signals and either a pulse width modulation (PWM) phase control signal or a shared current _{phase control signal (I SHARE} ) received by each regulator phase of a respective phase group. The MPC 122 is also configured to _{generate PWM or I SHARE} control signals that can be used to sequentially activate each regulator phase of the phase group for predetermined periods of time, which is useful when managing a controlled current distribution between the phases within a phase group can be useful.

Each spare controller phase 227A and 227B includes output switching units 217 and 219 and ORing units 118 and 118A, which can be particularly useful for connecting the spare controller phases 227A and 227B to common controller outputs V ₁ and / or V ₂ . According to embodiments, the output switching units 217 and 219 can be activated and thus connect the controller output 242 of the release controller 116 to the primary output 204 or the secondary output 206 of a substitute controller phase, for example 227A. This activation can take place, for example, in response to receiving a phase S1 release V ₁ signal 316A or S1 release V ₂ signal 318A for the substitute controller phase 227A. These phase enable signals are received by the phase redundant control unit 106 and fed to the output switching units 217 and 219, respectively. (For further details see 2 ).

Control logic 366 is electrically connected to MPCs 122 of each of phase groups 374 and 376. The control logic 366 is configured to receive the phase control signals from the MPCs and to exchange phase error signals with them. The control logic 366 is also electrically connected to the substitute regulator phases and is configured to enforce phase enable signals to the substitute regulator phases, transmit the phase control signals to them, and receive phase error signals therefrom. For example, the S1 enable V ₂ signal 318A may be asserted by the control logic 366 to enable the secondary output 206 (V ₂ output) of the backup regulator phase 227A. The control logic 366 can also use PWM or I _SHARE phase control signals, for example the V ₁ -PWM-S1 (or V ₁ -I _SHARE -S1-) signal 304A or the V ₁ -PWM-S2- (or V ₁ -I _SHARE -S2-) signal 306A, transmitted via connection 380 or connection 382 to S1-PWM or S1-I _SHARE signal 314A. The control logic 366 can also _{receive phase error signals, for example the V 1} -N-2 error signal 310A, from a substitute regulator phase.

The control logic 366 can be particularly useful to monitor voltage regulator phases for errors and, in response to detection of a faulty regulator phase, to activate and deactivate various phases and to supply _{activated phases with PWM or I SHARE control signals.} According to embodiments, PWM or I _SHARE control signals received from a phase group can be transmitted by control logic 366 to a substitute regulator phase, which can be useful for causing the substitute regulator phase to be driven at a level which corresponds to the active controller phases of the phase group. Further examples of functions performed by control logic 366 are shown in FIG 4th and the accompanying text explained in more detail.

In embodiments, the control logic 366 can contain a non-volatile memory 368 that can be used to store associations between activated substitute controller phases and phase groups with one or more faulty controller phases. Depending on the embodiment, the control logic 366 can be a microcontroller, a customer-specific integrated circuit (IC), a programmable logic unit (PLD), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like. The non-volatile memory 368 can be flash memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other type of storage device that does not lose data when the power supply is removed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be useful to package size and Reduce the cost of the voltage regulator compared to a voltage regulator unit that uses dedicated voltage regulator phases to ensure reliable, robust power delivery. These efficiencies are achieved through the use of shared replacement voltage regulator phases instead of redundant voltage regulator phases that are assigned to a voltage level.

In some embodiments, a common controller input V _IN , as in FIG 3 be connected to the V _IN inputs 136 of all phase groups 374 and 376 and to the V _IN inputs 136 of all substitute controller phases 227A and 227B. In some embodiments, various common regulator _{inputs may be connected to the V 1N} inputs 136 and used to provide a unique voltage to each phase group and substitute regulator phase. According to embodiments, the V _OUT outputs 148 of each of the controller phases 326A, 326B and 326C within a phase group, for example 374, are all connected to the same common controller output, for example V ₁ . In embodiments, the primary output may be the primary output in response to enable signals such as S1 enable V ₁ signal 316A or S1 enable V ₂ signal 318A enforced by control logic 366 on backup controller phases 227A and 227B 204 and the secondary output 206 of each of the substitute controller phases 227A and 227B can be selectively connected to either the common controller output V ₁ or the common _{controller output V 2} .

According to embodiments, a set of “N + 1” or “N + 2” voltage regulator phases can be electrically connected in parallel, with “N” representing a minimum number of phases required to deliver a certain current and the additional one or two Phases can be useful to replace one or two failed voltage regulator phases. If one or more redundant phases fails or "malfunctions", the one or more faulty redundant phases can be deactivated in order to distribute a power load and ensure an uninterrupted power supply.

3 Figure 3 shows a phase redundant voltage regulator with no current sharing circuit between voltage regulator phases 326A, 326B and 326C. However, embodiments are also conceivable in which the current distribution between the voltage regulator phases 326A, 326B and 326C is retained. In some such embodiments, independent current chokes could be implemented in each regulator phase 326A, 326B, and 326C to allow one voltage regulator phase to run at its current output limit while one or more other voltage regulator phases provide the additional current required to meet an overall current load. This embodiment can enable a simplified current sharing that allows certain voltage regulator phases to run at full current load, while additional voltage regulator phases can run at lower current levels. In some embodiments, a passive or "droop" division can be implemented, in which the current division can result from the output voltage of a phase-redundant regulator falling below a fixed reference voltage and, in response, the various regulator phases that are electrically connected to this output, amplify their respective current outputs. This can result in the load being shared between the controllers. In some embodiments, active or “forced” power sharing can be implemented through the use of additional power monitoring, control, and feedback loops.

4th FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method 400 for sharing a set of redundant substitute regulator phases between groups of regulator phases within a phase-redundant voltage regulator device according to embodiments corresponding to the figures. The phase-redundant voltage regulator device comprises a plurality of substitute regulator phases, e.g. 227A, 3 , and corresponds to the in 1 until 3 phase redundant voltage regulators and devices illustrated and described in relation to them. The method 400 is generally carried out through the use of the control logic 366, 3 , which is electrically connected and configured to monitor phase error signals originating from the phase groups, e.g., phase groups 374 and 376, 3 to be received.

The execution of the method 400 can increase the reliability of the power supply of electronic systems through the use of shared redundant regulator phases that are controlled and assigned by the control logic. When used in conjunction with a phase-redundant voltage regulator device of an electronic system, the method 400 can also ensure a considerable reduction in costs for the voltage regulator, the packaging area, the design complexity and the failure rate through the use of shared redundant regulator phases. Such improvements can result in corresponding overall reductions in the cost, complexity, and failure rate of electronic systems. That with reference to 4th The method shown and described generally corresponds to that in 1 until 3 phase-redundant voltage regulator and the device with shared redundant replacement modules.

The operating state of the system at start 402 does not include any phase errors in the voltage regulator, and both phase groups 374 and 376 run normally, with "N" phases being used to supply power to consumers that are connected to the common regulator outputs V ₁ and V ₂ , respectively. The method 400 proceeds from start 402 to work step 404.

Operation 404 generally relates to detecting a first phase error. The control logic 366, 3 , is used to monitor the “N-1” single phase _{error signals, for example the V 1} -N-1 error signal 308A and the V ₂ -N-1 error signal 308B, as reported by the redundant error reporting circuit 104 of the respective MPC 122 be generated. The control logic 366 determines from which phase group the single phase error signal originates. A first phase error in phase group 374 can be recognized by way of example. As soon as the first phase error is recognized, the method 400 goes to work step 406.

Work step 406 generally relates to the enforcement of a phase enable signal, which electrically connects an output of the first available substitute controller phase to a common controller output of the phase group with the first phase error. In this example, the substitute voltage regulator phase is 227A, 3 , the first available substitute controller phase. Accordingly, the control logic 366, 3 , through the S1 enable V ₁ signal 316A to the substitute controller phase 227A, whereby its primary output 204 can be electrically connected to the common controller output V _{1 of} the phase group 374. According to embodiments, the first substitute regulator phase can be configured using phase enable signals in such a way that it outputs _{either the voltage present at the common regulator output V 1} or the voltage present at the common regulator _{output V 2.} As soon as the phase enable signal is asserted, the method 400 proceeds to work step 408.

Work step 408 generally relates to transmitting a PWM or I _SHARE phase control signal to a first substitute controller phase. In embodiments, the transmitted phase control signal is received by the phase group that generated the phase error signal, in this example phase group 374. The phase control signal is generated by MPC 122 of phase group 374. The phase control signal received by control logic 366 is in this example the V1-I _SHARE -S1- or V ₁ -PWM-S1 signal 304A, which is then sent as S1-I _SHARE or S1-PWM signal 314A to the substitute controller phase 227A is transmitted. This phase control signal is then used to modulate the output of standby regulator phase 227A in accordance with the outputs of the active voltage regulator phases of phase group 374. As soon as the phase control signal is sent to a first substitute regulator phase, the method 400 goes to work step 410.

Operation 410 generally relates to electrically connecting a phase error signal from the first substitute regulator phase to the MPC of the first phase group. In this example, the S1 error signal 312A is electrically connected to the V ₁ error signal 302A of the MPC 122 of the phase group 374 by the control logic 366. This MPC 122 can monitor the assigned substitute voltage regulator phase 227A for errors and report an error to the control logic 366. As soon as the phase error signal is connected, the method 400 proceeds to operation 412.

Operation 412 generally relates to terminating monitoring of the single phase fault signal. As soon as a single phase error signal from the phase group 374, 3 , was recognized, the control logic terminates 366, 3 , monitoring for a single phase error signal. As soon as the monitoring of the single phase error signal has ended, the method 400 proceeds to work step 414.

Work step 414 generally relates to storing an assignment between the first substitute controller phase used and the common controller output of the first phase group in a non-volatile memory, e.g. 368, 3 , within the control logic. In this example, the assignment contains information about: the phase group, ie "phase group 374" or the common _{controller output V 1} , and the substitute phase, ie the substitute controller phase 227A. This information is stored in the non-volatile memory 368, which can be useful in the event of a power failure in order to maintain the link between the substitute controller phase 227A and the common controller output V ₁ . When the voltage regulator is restarted after a power failure, the control logic 366 can reinitialize the electrical connection of the substitute regulator phase 227A to the common regulator output V ₁ . As soon as the assignment has been saved, the method 400 proceeds to work step 416.

Operation 416 generally relates to detecting an additional phase error. In embodiments, an additional phase error can be caused by a single phase error signal, a Pha transmit double error signal or an equivalent phase error signal are displayed. The control logic 366, 3 , is used to monitor each of these types of phase error signals as generated by the redundant error reporting circuit 104 of the respective MPCs 122 and by the phase redundant controllers 106 of the substitute regulator phases, e.g., 227A. The control logic 366 determines from which supplementary voltage regulator phase group or which substitute voltage regulator the additional phase error signal originates. According to embodiments, the supplementary phase group can be either the first phase group or the second phase group. For example, an additional single phase error can be recognized in the phase group 376. As soon as the additional phase error is recognized, the method 400 goes to work step 418.

Work step 418 generally relates to the enforcement of a phase enable signal, which electrically connects an output of the second available substitute controller phase to a common controller output of the phase group with the additional phase error. In this example, the substitute voltage regulator phase is 227B, 3 , the second available substitute controller phase. Accordingly, the control logic 366, 3 , the S2 release V ₂ signal 316A to the substitute controller phase 227B, whereby the primary output 206 can be electrically connected to the common controller output V _{2 of} the phase group 376. According to embodiments, the second substitute regulator phase can be configured using phase enable signals in such a way that it outputs _{either the voltage present at the common regulator output V 1} or the voltage present at the common regulator _{output V 2.} As soon as the phase enable signal has been asserted, the method 400 proceeds to work step 420.

Work step 420 generally relates to the transmission of a PWM or I _SHARE phase control signal to a second substitute regulator phase. In embodiments, the transmitted phase control signal is received by the phase group that generates the additional phase error signal, in this example phase group 376. The phase control signal is generated by MPC 122 of phase group 376. The phase control signal received by the control logic 366 is in this example the V ₂ -PWM-S2- or V ₂ -I _SHARE -S2 signal 306B, which is then sent as an S2-PWM or S2-I _SHARE signal 314B to the substitute Controller phase 227B is transferred. This phase control signal is then used to modulate the output of backup regulator phase 227B in accordance with the outputs of the active voltage regulator phases of phase group 376. Once the phase control signal has been sent, method 400 proceeds to operation 422.

Operation 422 generally relates to electrically connecting a phase error signal from the second substitute regulator phase to the MPC of the supplementary phase group. In this example, the S2 error signal 312B is electrically connected to the V ₂ error signal 302B of the MPC 122 of the phase group 376 by the control logic 366. This MPC 122 can monitor the assigned substitute voltage regulator phase 227B for errors and report an error to the control logic 366. As soon as the phase error signal has been electrically connected, the method 400 proceeds to operation 424.

Operation 424 generally relates to terminating monitoring of the additional phase error signal. As soon as an additional phase error signal has been detected by the phase group 376, the control logic 366 ends the monitoring for an additional phase error signal. As soon as the monitoring of the additional phase error signal has ended, the method 400 proceeds to work step 426.

Work step 426 generally relates to storing an assignment between the second substitute controller phase used and the common controller output of the additional phase group in a non-volatile memory, e.g. 368, 3 , within the control logic 366, 3 . In this example, the assignment contains information about: the phase group, ie "phase group 376" or the common _{controller output V 2} , and the substitute phase, ie the substitute controller phase 227AB. This information is stored in the non-volatile memory 368, 3 , which can be useful in the event of a power failure in order to maintain the link between the substitute controller phase 227B and the common controller output V ₂ . When the system is restarted after a power failure, the control logic 366 can reinitialize the electrical connection of the substitute controller phase 227B to the common controller output V ₂ . As soon as the assignment has been stored in the non-volatile memory, the method 400 proceeds to work step 428.

Operation 428 generally relates to sending a system notification requesting a controller replacement. This notification is triggered in response to the fact that both spare regulator phases 227A and 227B are in use, ie are electrically connected to common regulator outputs of the phase groups, with no additional spare regulator phases being available for use in the event of an additional failure of a voltage regulator phase. The system notification that a controller made exchange process can be, for example, an e-mail message, a text message, a system console message or a voicemail message. After the system notification is sent, the method 400 ends at block 430.

It will be understood that the above procedure is suitable for an "N + 2" voltage regulator phase configuration, i.e. a configuration that includes 2 available backup voltage regulators that can be used in the event of one or more voltage regulators in a particular phase group failing. Other similar methods that are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure can be used for a voltage regulator device with a different number of spare voltage regulators available, e.g., 1, 3, 4, etc.

According to embodiments, a current output capacity of each regulator phase within a phase group can be determined in such a way that after a failure of a regulator phase within a phase group, a certain cumulative output current of the phase group is delivered. In some embodiments, the current output capacity per phase of each regulator phase within a phase group can enable the delivery of a specific cumulative output current of the phase group after a failure of at least two regulator phases within a phase group.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the embodiments described. The terminology used herein was chosen to explain the principles of the embodiments, practical application, or technical improvement over technologies available on the market, or to enable those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims (20)

A phase redundant voltage regulator device, comprising: a plurality of regulator phases each containing a regulator which is electrically connected in such a way that it receives an input voltage at a regulator input and provides a respective output voltage at a regulator output, a set of phase groups of the plurality of regulator phases, which contains a first and a second phase group, each phase group containing the following: a common controller input that is electrically connected to controller inputs of controllers of the phase group, a common controller output that is electrically connected to controller outputs of controllers of the phase group, at least one redundant controller phase, a polyphase control unit (MPC) electrically connected to each regulator phase of the phase group, the MPC being configured to send phase error signals to control logic and either a pulse width modulation (PWM) or a phase control signal of a geme insam used current (I _SHARE ) which is received by each controller phase of a respective phase group, and a set of replacement controller phases of the plurality of controller phases, which contains a first and a second replacement controller phase, each replacement controller phase containing the following: a secondary output ORing unit that is electrically connected and configured to limit current flow into a secondary output of the spare regulator phase; a first output switching unit that is configured to switch the regulator output of the spare in response to a first phase enable signal -Controller phase electrically connects to a first common controller output, and a second output switching unit which is configured to electrically connect the controller output of the equivalent controller phase to a second common controller output in response to a second phase enable signal, and control logic, which is electrically connected to : MPCs of each phase group of the S sets of phase groups, the control logic being configured to receive the phase control signals from the MPCs and exchange phase error signals with them, and substitute controller phases of the set of substitute controller phases, the control logic being configured to send phase enable signals to the substitute Enforced regulator phases, which transmits phase control signals to them and receives phase error signals from them, wherein the control logic is configured to electrically connect a substitute regulator phase to a phase group containing a failed regulator phase in response to receiving a phase error signal from an MPC. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 1 wherein each regulator phase of the plurality of regulator phases further includes: a phase redundant control unit (PRC) configured to monitor a current at the regulator input and further configured to it monitors current and voltage at the controller output, an output ORing unit configured to limit current flow into a primary output of a respective controller phase, and an input protection unit configured to respond to a control signal from the PRC provides input overcurrent protection and output overvoltage protection for the respective controller phase. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 1 , wherein the MPC of each phase group is further configured to: receive a feedback output voltage and receive a respective detected current signal from each regulator phase of the phase group, generate PWM or I _SHARE control signals to sequentially activate each regulator phase of the phase group for predetermined periods of time , wherein the control signals manage a controlled current distribution between the phases, and after a failure of one or more controller phases of the phase group maintains the current distribution between all active controller phases of the phase group. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 1 , wherein each control signal is a digital signal which, through a series of pulse widths, represents a duty cycle / activation time of at least one controller phase. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 1 wherein the output ORing unit and the secondary output ORing unit are each selected from the group consisting of: an N-channel field effect transistor (NFET), a P-channel field effect transistor (PFET), an NPN transistor and a PNP transistor. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 1 , whereby a serial controller interface of an MPC is connected to a system control function via a serial control bus selected from the group consisting of: an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) interface, a PMBus (Power Management Bus) interface and an I ² C- (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 1 wherein the first phase group of the set of phase groups is configured to maintain a current sharing. A phase redundant voltage regulator device, comprising: a plurality of regulator phases each containing a regulator which is electrically connected in such a way that it receives an input voltage at a regulator input and provides a respective output voltage at a regulator output, a set of phase groups of the plurality of regulator phases, which contains a first and a second phase group, each phase group containing the following: a common controller input that is electrically connected to controller inputs of controllers of the phase group, a common controller output that is electrically connected to controller outputs of controllers of the phase group, and at least one redundant controller phase , and a polyphase control unit (MPC) electrically connected to each regulator phase of the phase group, the MPC configured to provide phase error signals and either a pulse width modulation (PWM) or a phase control signal to control logic nes shared current (I _SHARE ) which is received by each controller phase of a respective phase group, and a set of replacement controller phases of the plurality of controller phases, which includes a first and a second replacement controller phase, each replacement controller phase contains the following : a secondary output ORing field effect transistor (FET), which is electrically connected between the regulator output and a secondary output of the equivalent regulator, a second comparator with inputs that are electrically connected to a source connection and a drain connection of the secondary secondary output ORing FET are connected, wherein the second comparator further has an output which is electrically connected to a gate terminal of the secondary output ORing FET, wherein the second comparator is configured to flow in connection with the secondary output ORing FET limits the secondary output of the substitute regulator phase, a first output switching FET, the so el is electrically connected and configured to electrically connect, in response to a first phase enable signal, the regulator output of the substitute regulator phase to a first common regulator output, a second output switching FET that is connected and configured to be in response to a second phase enable signal Electrically connects the backup controller phase controller output to a second common controller output, and control logic electrically connected to: MPCs of each phase group of the set of phase groups, the control logic configured to receive phase control signals from the MPCs and exchange phase error signals with them, and substitute regulator phases of the set of substitute reg lerphasen, wherein the control logic is configured to enforce phase enable signals to the substitute regulator phases, transmit phase control signals to them and receive phase error signals from them, wherein the control logic is configured to provide a substitute in response to receiving a phase error signal from an MPC Electrically connects controller phase with a phase group that contains a failed controller phase. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 8 , wherein each regulator phase of the plurality of regulator phases further includes: phase redundant control unit (PRC) which is configured to monitor a current at the regulator input and which is further configured to monitor current and voltage at the regulator output, an output ORing-FET, which is electrically connected between a primary output of the controller and the common controller output, a first comparator with inputs which are electrically connected to a source connection and a drain connection of the output ORing-FET, the first comparator furthermore has an output which is electrically connected to a gate connection of the output ORing-FET, the comparator being configured such that, in conjunction with the output ORing-FET, it limits a current flow into the primary output of a respective regulator phase, an input protection FET connected between the common controller input and a controller input of the controller, and ei A latch having an output electrically connected to a gate terminal of the input protection FET, the latch being configured to provide input overcurrent protection and output overvoltage protection for the respective regulator phase in conjunction with the input protection FET. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 9 , wherein the MPC of each phase group is further configured to: receive a feedback output voltage and receive a respective detected current signal from each regulator phase of the phase group, generate PWM or I _SHARE control signals to sequentially activate each regulator phase of the phase group for predetermined periods of time , wherein the control signals manage a controlled current distribution between the phases, and after a failure of one or more controller phases of the phase group maintains the current distribution between all active controller phases of the phase group. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 8 , wherein each control signal is a digital signal which, through a series of pulse widths, represents a duty cycle / activation time of at least one controller phase. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 8 , whereby a serial controller interface of an MPC is connected to a system control function via a serial control bus selected from the group consisting of: an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) interface, a PMBus (Power Management Bus) interface and an I ² C- (Inter-Integrated Circuit) interface. Phase redundant voltage regulator device according to Claim 8 wherein the first phase group of the set of phase groups is configured to maintain a current sharing. A method for sharing a set of redundant backup controller phases between phase groups of controller phases, the method comprising using control logic configured to, in response to monitoring phase error signals received from the phase groups: to a first backup controller phase of the set of redundant substitute controller phases in response to the detection of a single phase error signal from a first phase group, a phase enable signal passes through, which electrically connects an output of the first substitute controller phase to a common controller output of the first phase group, to the first substitute controller phase either a pulse width modulation (PWM -) or a phase control signal of a shared current (I _SHARE ), which is received by a polyphase control unit (MPC) of the first phase group, electrically connects a phase error signal from the first substitute regulator phase to the MPC of the first phase group, in Re action on detection of the single phase error signal from the first phase group ends the monitoring of the single phase error signal, stores an assignment between the first substitute controller phase and the common controller output of the first phase group in a non-volatile memory within the control logic, to a second substitute controller phase of the set of redundant substitute Controller phases in response to the detection of an additional phase error signal from a supplementary phase group enforces a phase enable signal that electrically connects an output of the second substitute controller phase to a common controller output of the supplementary phase group, sends a phase control signal received from an MPC of the supplementary phase group to the second substitute controller phase, electrically connects a phase error signal from the second substitute controller phase to the MPC of the supplementary phase group, and monitors the additional phase error signal in response to detection of the additional phase error signal from the supplementary phase group sets, stores an assignment between the second backup controller phase and the common controller output of the supplementary phase group in the non-volatile memory and, in response to the fact that outputs of all redundant backup controller phases are electrically connected to common controller outputs of the phase groups, sends a system notification that a controller replacement process inquires. Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein the supplementary phase group is selected from the group consisting of: a first phase group and a second phase group. Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein a current output capacity of each regulator phase within a phase group is set so that after a failure of a regulator phase within a phase group, a certain cumulative output current of the phase group is delivered. Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein a current output capacity of each regulator phase within a phase group is determined so that after a failure of at least two regulator phases within a phase group, a certain cumulative output current of the phase group is delivered. Procedure according to Claim 14 wherein the first backup regulator phase is configured to output a voltage selected from the group consisting of: a first voltage and a second voltage. Procedure according to Claim 14 , wherein the additional phase error signal is selected from the group consisting of: a single error signal, a double error signal and a substitute assembly error signal. Procedure according to Claim 14 wherein the system notification requesting a controller replacement is selected from the group consisting of: an email message, a text message, a console message, and a voicemail message.

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