System and method of intermittent diode braking for multiple phase voltage regulator

An intermittent diode braking system for a regulator controller which controls a multiple phase voltage regulator having N phases, said intermittent diode braking system comprising:

• a transient detector that provides a transient indication which is indicative of load transients of the voltage regulator;
• a timing network which determines a rate of said load transients based on said transient indication and which provides a limit value indicative thereof;
• and
• a controller which controls diode braking for the voltage regulator based on said limit value, wherein said controller applies diode braking to each of the N phases for at least one load transient when said limit value is at a first level, and wherein said controller applies diode braking to less than the N phases for at least one load transient when said limit value is less than said first level.

A processing system, comprising:

• an error amplifier which receives a signal indicative of an output voltage and which develops a compensation voltage indicative of error of said output voltage;
• a modulator which develops a plurality of pulse control signals, each for a corresponding one of the multiple phases;
• a plurality of gate drivers, each receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of pulse control signals for developing a corresponding one of a plurality of gate drive signals, and each receiving a corresponding one of a plurality of diode braking signals for temporarily de-asserting a corresponding gate drive signal;
• an intermittent diode braking network, comprising:
• a transient detector that provides a transient indication which is indicative of load transients of the voltage regulator;
• a timing network which determines a rate of said load transients based on said transient indication and which provides a limit value indicative thereof;
• and
• a diode braking controller which provides said plurality of diode braking signals based on said limit value, wherein said diode braking controller asserts each of said plurality of diode braking signals for at least one load transient when said limit value is at a first level, and wherein said diode braking controller asserts less than all of said plurality of diode braking signals for at least one load transient when said limit value is less than said first level.