Reconfigurable Partial-Decentralized Control of a Multiphase Converter for Fail-Operational Automotive Processor Power Supply

In this paper, a decentralized control technique used to generate the PWM signals of a multiphase converter is presented. This technique of control dedicated to interleave the signals and balance the inductor currents of the converter offers both redundancy and fault tolerant ability which are mandatory to address ADAS automotive requirements. A local controller, involved with each converter's cell, implementing two very simple internal functions is described. Then a VRM supplying a last-generation automotive processor is carried out. In order to demonstrate the robustness of the proposal, one of the converter legs is deactivated during operation. Experimental results show that, during a short transient, the remaining active legs then automatically reconfigure to keep the processor safe and operational.