# US 2023/0057588 A1 · Constant-on-time power converter with single-phase and multi-phase operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0057588 A1 - Document ID: US20230057588A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/883,360 - Filed: 2022-08-08 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-18 - Assignees: Rambus Inc. - Applicants: Rambus Inc. - Inventors: Gaurav Bawa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057588A1 ## CPC - H02M 3/1586: {switched with a phase shift, i.e. interleaved} - H02M 1/0003: {Details of control, feedback or regulation circuits} - H02M 1/0025: {Arrangements for modifying reference values, feedback values or error values in the control loop of a converter} - H02M 1/0032: {Control circuits allowing low power mode operation, e.g. in standby mode} - H02M 1/084: using a control circuit common to several phases of a multi-phase system - Y02B 70/10: Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract A power converter includes a plurality of power stages configured to generate an output current that has an output voltage based on an input current that as an input voltage a control circuit coupled to the plurality of power stages. The control circuit is configured to control operation of the plurality of power stages. The control circuit includes a plurality of constant-on-time loops for the plurality of power stages. The power converter is configured to operate in a single-phase mode or a multiphase mode. A first power stage of the plurality of power stages supports a continuous conduction mode and a discontinuous conduction mode when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A power converter, comprising: a plurality of power stages configured to generate an output current that has an output voltage, based on an input current that as an input voltage; and a control circuit coupled to the plurality of power stages, wherein: the control circuit is configured to control operation of the plurality of power stages; the control circuit comprises a plurality of constant-on-time loops for the plurality of power stages; and the power converter is configured to operate in a single-phase mode or a multiphase mode; and a first power stage of the plurality of power stages supports a continuous conduction mode and a discontinuous conduction mode when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The power converter of claim 1, wherein: only the first power stage of the plurality of power stages generates the output current when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode; and the plurality of power stages generates the output current when the power converter operates in the multiphase mode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The power converter of claim 1, wherein: the control circuit further comprises a voltage controlled oscillator loop; and the plurality of constant-on-time loops are controlled by the voltage controlled oscillator loop when the power converter operates in the multiphase mode. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The power converter of claim 3, wherein: the control circuit further comprises an amplification circuit; and the amplification circuit is configured to generate a compensation voltage for the voltage controlled oscillator loop, based on the output voltage of the output current. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The power converter of claim 3, wherein: the control circuit further comprises a phase management circuit; and the phase management circuit is configured to control operation of the plurality of constant-on-time loops for the plurality of power stages. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The power converter of claim 5, wherein the control circuit comprises: a first stage circuit configured to control operation of the first power stage; the first stage circuit comprises a comparison circuit and a multiplexer circuit; and the multiplexer circuit uses a first signal from the phase management circuit when the power converter operates in the multiphase mode and uses a second signal from the comparison circuit when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The power converter of claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls operation of the plurality of power stages based on the output current generated by one or more of the plurality of power stages. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The power converter of claim 1, wherein the power converter comprises at least one of a boost converter or a buck converter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The power converter of claim 1, wherein the power converter comprises a direct current to direct current converter. ### Claim 10 A power converter, comprising: a means for generating an output current that has an output voltage, based on an input current that has an input voltage, wherein the means for generating the output current comprises a plurality of power stages; and a means for controlling the means for generating the output current, wherein: the means for controlling the means for generating the output current comprises a plurality of constant-on-time loops for the plurality of power stages; the power converter is configured to operate in a single-phase mode or a multiphase mode; and a first power stage of the plurality of power stages supports a continuous conduction mode and a discontinuous conduction mode when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The power converter of claim 10, wherein: only the first power stage of the plurality of power stages generates the output current when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode; and the plurality of power stages generates the output current when the power converter operates in the multiphase mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The power converter of claim 10, wherein: the means for controlling the means for generating the output current further comprises a voltage controlled oscillator loop; and the plurality of constant-on-time loops are controlled by the voltage controlled oscillator loop when the power converter operates in the multiphase mode. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The power converter of claim 12, wherein: the means for controlling the means for generating the output current further comprises an amplification circuit; and the amplification circuit is configured to generate a compensation voltage for the voltage controlled oscillator loop, based on the output voltage of the output current. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The power converter of claim 12, wherein: the means for controlling the means for generating the output current further comprises a phase management circuit; and the phase management circuit is configured to control operation of the plurality of constant-on-time loops for the plurality of power stages. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The power converter of claim 14, wherein the means for controlling the means for generating the output current comprises: a first stage circuit configured to control operation of the first power stage; the first stage circuit comprises a comparison circuit and a multiplexer circuit; and the multiplexer circuit uses a first signal from the phase management circuit when the power converter operates in the multiphase mode and uses a second signal from the comparison circuit when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The power converter of claim 10, wherein the means for controlling the means for generating the output current controls operation of the plurality of power stages based on the output current generated by the means for generating the output current. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The power converter of claim 10, wherein the power converter comprises at least one of a boost converter or a buck converter. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The power converter of claim 10, wherein the power converter comprises a direct current to direct current converter. ### Claim 19 A method, comprising: determining whether to operate a power converter in a single-phase mode or a multiphase mode, wherein: the power converter comprises a plurality of power stages configured to generate an output current based on an input current and a control circuit coupled to the plurality of power stages; the control circuit is configured to control operation of the plurality of power stages; and the control circuit comprises a plurality of constant-on-time loops for the plurality of power stages; and in response to determining that the power converter should operate in the single-phase mode, generating the output current using a first stage of the plurality of power stages, wherein the first stage supports a continuous conduction mode and a discontinuous conduction mode when the power converter operates in the single-phase mode. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising: in response to determining that the power converter should operate in the multiphase mode, generating the output current using the plurality of power stages.