Multiphase power regulator with discontinuous conduction mode control

A circuit for use in a multi-phase regulator including a plurality of phases coupled in parallel to provide a load current as a combination of phase currents, at a regulated output voltage, the circuit comprising:

• a phase control circuit to control generation of the phase currents based at least in part on a current set point signal;
• a transconductance error amplifier to provide at an output the current set point signal;
• an auxiliary control circuit, coupled to the output of the transconductance error amplifier, to generate an auxiliary control signal to adjust the current set point signal, the auxiliary control circuit including:
• a current source;
• a resistor coupled to the current source at a first node;
• a capacitor coupled in parallel to the resistor;
• and
• a switch coupled in parallel to the resistor and the first capacitor between the first node and a ground.

A method for use in a multiphase power regulator including a plurality of phases coupled in parallel to provide a load current as a combination of phase currents, at a regulated output voltage, comprising:

• determining, by a comparator, that a magnitude of a first signal exceeds a voltage from a phase of the multiphase power regulator;
• in response to the determination, triggering a phase of the multiple phase power regulator to supply the associated phase current through a phase inductor;
• decreasing the magnitude of the first signal to the comparator;
• and
• after decreasing the first signal's magnitude, then increasing the first signal's magnitude.