Power supply system with multiple power supply units

A method of controlling a power supply system including first and second power supply modules, each of the first and second power supply modules configured to convert an input power into an output power and comprising a controller configured to operate in a constant voltage source mode and in a constant current source mode, the method comprising:

• operating the first power supply module according to a master operational mode comprising:
• detecting an output voltage of the output power;
• generating a first converter control signal based on the output voltage and based on a first reference voltage;
• controlling the first power supply module based on the first converter control signal to generate the output power of the first power supply module;
• generating a voltage trim output signal based on the output voltage and based on the first reference voltage;
• and
• transmitting the voltage trim output signal to the second power supply module;
• and
• operating the second power supply module according to a slave operational mode comprising:
• receiving the voltage trim output signal from the first power supply module;
• generating a second converter control signal based on the voltage trim output signal and based on a second reference voltage;
• and
• controlling the second power supply module based on the second converter control signal to generate the output power of the second power supply module.

A power supply unit comprising:

• a first power supply module coupled in series with a second power supply module, each of the first and second power supply modules configured to convert an input power into a respective output power and comprising a voltage converter and a controller;
• wherein the controllers of the first and second power supply modules are configured to:
• operate in one of a master operational mode and a slave operational mode based on an operational mode designation;
• in response to operating in the master operational mode:
• detect an output voltage of the output power of the respective first or second power supply module;
• generate a first converter control signal based on the output voltage of the respective first or second power supply module and based on a first reference voltage;
• control the respective first or second power supply module based on the first converter control signal to generate the output power of the respective first or second power supply module;
• generate a voltage trim output signal based on the output voltage of the respective first or second power supply module and based on the first reference voltage;
• and
• transmit the voltage trim output signal to another power supply module;
• and
• in response to operating in the slave operational mode:
• receive the voltage trim output signal;
• generate a second converter control signal based on the voltage trim output signal and based on a second reference voltage;
• and
• control the respective first or second power supply module based on the second converter control signal to generate the output power of the respective first or second power supply module.