Multiphase converter

A multiphase converter, comprising:

• a multiphase conversion unit provided with a plurality of voltage conversion units configured to convert an input voltage and output the converted voltage;
• a control unit configured to individually control the voltage conversion units using control signals so that their output is equal to a target value, and to subject, when operation of the multiphase conversion unit is started, the voltage conversion units to soft start control of gradually increasing the respective target value for their outputs, the control unit offsetting the time periods in which individual voltage conversion units or groups of voltage conversion units are subjected to soft start control against each other;
• a detection unit configured to detect a value reflecting at least one of an output current and an output voltage on a common output path from the plurality of voltage conversion units;
• an abnormality identifying unit configured to identify an abnormal voltage conversion unit or an abnormal group of voltage conversion units that generates an abnormal current or an abnormal voltage, based on a result of detection by the detection unit during the time periods in which the soft start control is performed by the control unit;
• and
• a storage unit configured to store, each time an abnormal voltage conversion unit or an abnormal group of voltage conversion units is identified by the abnormality identifying unit, phase information indicating the identified abnormal voltage conversion unit or abnormal group of voltage conversion units in association with the number of times of identification,
• wherein the control unit disables, if the phase information is stored in the storage unit and the number of times of identification for a corresponding voltage conversion unit or a corresponding group of voltage conversion units that is indicated by the phase information has reached a predetermined plurality of times, execution of voltage conversion by the corresponding voltage conversion unit or the corresponding group of voltage conversion units without subjecting it to soft start control, and subjects, if the phase information is stored in the storage unit and the number of times of identification has not reached the predetermined plurality of times, the corresponding voltage conversion unit or the corresponding group of voltage conversion units to soft start control, when the operation of the multiphase conversion unit is started,
• when the corresponding voltage conversion unit or the corresponding group of voltage conversion units is subjected to soft start control, the abnormality identifying unit identifies again whether or not the corresponding voltage conversion unit or the corresponding group of voltage conversion units generates an abnormal current or an abnormal voltage based on a result of detection by the detection unit, and
• the control unit disables, if it is again identified by the abnormality identifying unit that the corresponding voltage conversion unit or the corresponding group of voltage conversion units generates an abnormal current or an abnormal voltage, execution of voltage conversion by the corresponding voltage conversion unit or the corresponding group of voltage conversion units, and continues, if no such identification is made again, voltage conversion of at least the corresponding voltage conversion unit or group of voltage conversion units, when the operation of the multiphase conversion unit is started.