Modular interleaved carrier generator using a straightforward implementation method

Abstract

This article presents a modular approach to generate the interleaved carriers of a parallel converters. Compared with previous solutions requiring accurate analog computations, a straightforward implementation of the generator is proposed here. By using only comparators and logical gates dedicated to the tuning of the carrier phase, a correct interleaving of the carriers is obtained in steady-state. The simplicity of the circuit offers the opportunity to implement it in a digital system. Connected together in a daisy-chain topology, the carrier generators communicate with its neighboring modules. This solution presents a complete modularity and allows reconfiguring the converter from a given number of legs to another without any additional consideration. In order to guarantee a proper start-up, some special cares on the setup of the carrier generators have to be considered. A study of the start-up is presented which ensure the system convergence for any number of legs.