Multi-phase non-inverting buck boost voltage converter

A method for controlling a multiphase, non-inverting buck boost voltage converter, comprising:

• generating a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage to a plurality of buck boost converters, wherein each buck boost converter of the plurality of buck boost converters is associated with a separate phase of the multiphase, non-inverting buck boost voltage converter;
• monitoring an input current to said each buck boost converter;
• generating a current sense signal for said each buck boost converter;
• controlling said each buck boost converter using a peak current mode control in a buck mode of operation and a valley current mode control in a boost mode of operation responsive to an error voltage and the current sense signal associated with the buck boost converter, wherein the controlling includes generating a buck control signal or a boost control signal responsive to a maximum duty cycle detection signal, the error voltage and the current sense signal, the maximum duty cycle detection signal being responsive to a maximum duty cycle condition in the buck mode of operation or the boost mode of operation;
• and
• balancing a plurality of phase currents between the plurality of buck boost converters responsive to at least the error voltage and the current sense signal for said each buck boost converter.

A method for controlling a buck boost voltage converter, comprising:

• monitoring an input current to a first buck boost converter of the buck boost voltage converter;
• generating a first current sense signal responsive to the input current;
• monitoring an output voltage of the buck boost voltage converter;
• generating a compensation voltage signal responsive to the output voltage;
• determining if a maximum duty cycle condition exists in a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation of the buck boost voltage converter;
• generating a first control signal associated with the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation, if the maximum duty cycle condition exists in the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation;
• generating a first plurality of drive signals responsive to the compensation voltage signal, the first current sense signal and the first control signal, if the maximum duty cycle condition exists;
• generating the first plurality of drive signals responsive to the compensation voltage signal and the first current sense signal, if the maximum duty cycle condition does not exist;
• generating the output voltage responsive to the first plurality of drive signals and the first current sense signal;
• monitoring the input current to a second buck boost converter of the buck boost voltage converter;
• generating a second current sense signal responsive to the input current;
• determining if the maximum duty cycle condition exists in the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation of the buck boost voltage converter;
• generating a second control signal associated with the first mode of operation or the second mode of operation, if the maximum duty cycle condition exists;
• generating a second plurality of drive signals responsive to the compensation voltage signal, the second current sense signal and the second control signal, if the maximum duty cycle condition exists;
• generating the second plurality of drive signals responsive to the compensation voltage signal and the second current sense signal, if the maximum duty cycle condition does not exist;
• and
• generating the output voltage responsive to the second plurality of drive signals and the second current sense signal.

A method for operating a buck boost converter in a multi-phase, non-inverting buck boost voltage converter, comprising:

• operating the buck boost converter in a first mode;
• determining if a first maximum duty cycle condition is detected;
• if the first maximum duty cycle condition is detected, operating the buck boost converter in a second mode;
• determining if a second maximum duty cycle condition is detected;
• and
• if the second maximum duty cycle condition is detected, operating the buck boost converter in the first mode.