Multi-phase current mode control loop incorporating a distributed transconductance stage

A method for operating a voltage regulator unit, the method comprising:

• initiating a first charge cycle of a first phase unit of a plurality of phase units in response to setting a first latch using a first pulse signal generated using a first clock signal of a plurality of clock signals;
• initiating a second charge cycle of a second phase unit of the plurality of phase units in response to setting a second latch using a second pulse signal generated using a second clock signal of the plurality of clock signals;
• sourcing, via a first inductor and using a common power supply signal, a first current to a load circuit by the first phase unit during the first charge cycle of the first phase unit;
• sourcing, via a second inductor and using the common power supply signal, a second current to the load circuit by the second phase unit during the second charge cycle of the second phase unit;
• halting the first charge cycle of the first phase unit using a first result of a first comparison between a first demand current and a compensated version of the first current, wherein the first demand current is generated using a voltage level at an output of the voltage regulation unit and a reference voltage level;
• and
• halting the second charge cycle of the second phase unit using a second result of a second comparison between a second demand current and a compensated version of the second current, wherein the second demand current is generated using the voltage level at the output of the voltage regulation unit and the reference voltage level;
• wherein the first demand current used in the first comparison to halt sourcing of the first current does not have a contribution from the second demand current;
• and
• wherein the second demand current used in the second comparison to halt sourcing of the second current does not have a contribution from the first demand current.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first phase unit including a first inductor that is coupled to a regulated supply signal, wherein the first phase unit is configured to:
• source, in response to setting a first latch and using a common input power supply, a first current to the regulated supply signal via the first inductor, wherein the first latch is set using a first pulse signal generated using a first clock signal;
• and
• halt sourcing the first current based on a first comparison of a compensated version of the first current and a first demand current, wherein the first demand current is generated using a voltage level of the regulated supply signal and a reference voltage level;
• and
• a second phase unit including a second inductor that is coupled to the regulated supply signal, wherein the second phase unit is configured to:
• source, in response to setting a second latch and using the common input power supply, a second current to the regulator supply signal via the second inductor, wherein the second latch is set using a second pulse signal generated using a second clock signal;
• and
• halt sourcing the second current based on a second comparison of a compensated version of the second current and a second demand current, wherein the second demand current is generated using the voltage level of the regulated supply signal and the reference voltage level;
• wherein the first demand current used in the first comparison to halt sourcing of the first current does not have a contribution from the second demand current;
• and
• wherein the second demand current used in the second comparison to halt sourcing of the second current does not have a contribution from the first demand current.