Controller for a multi-phase converter and fault detection method thereof

A fault detection method for a multi-phase converter, wherein the multi-phase converter comprises a plurality of switching circuits coupled in parallel, the fault detection method comprising:

• generating a plurality of digital current signals based on a plurality of current sampling signals, wherein each of the plurality of current sampling signals respectively represents an associated current flowing through a corresponding one of the plurality of switching circuits;
• generating a plurality of on-time adjustment signals based on differences between each of the plurality of digital current signals and a reference current signal, wherein each of the plurality of on-time adjustment signals represents an on-time adjustment of the corresponding one of the plurality of switching circuits;
• generating a plurality of fault signals based on the plurality of on-time adjustment signals and a threshold signal;
• and
• adjusting a plurality of control signals based on the plurality of fault signals to control the plurality of switching circuits respectively.

A controller for a multi-phase converter, wherein the multi-phase converter comprises a plurality of switching circuits coupled in parallel, the controller comprising:

• an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, configured to generate a plurality of digital current signals based on a plurality of current sampling signals, wherein each of the plurality of current sampling signals represents an associated currents flowing through a corresponding one of the plurality of switching circuits;
• an on-time adjustment signal generation circuit, configured to generate a plurality of on-time adjustment signals based on differences between each of the plurality of digital current signals and a reference current signal, wherein the plurality of on-time adjustment signals represents on-time adjustments of the plurality of switching circuits;
• a fault detection circuit, configured to generate a plurality of fault signals based on the plurality of on-time adjustment signals;
• and
• a control circuit, configured to generate a plurality of control signals based on the plurality of fault signals to control the plurality of switching circuits;
• wherein
• when an absolute value of one of the plurality of on-time adjustment signals is greater than a predetermined value, a corresponding one of the plurality of control signals is configured to maintain a corresponding one of the plurality of switching circuits off.