Patent ID: 6058030
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: H02J,H02M

Abstract:
A circuit for generating a plurality of direct current (DC) outputs comprising:a plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits, each comprising at least one power switch and a control circuit for controlling a duty cycle of the at least one power switch based upon a periodic control waveform, the control circuits generating periodic control waveforms capable of causing the power switches to be switching at a substantially same time;determining means for determining when the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within a predetermined time of each other;switching time separating means for separating in time switching of the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits by setting at least one periodic control waveform to be different than at least one other periodic control waveform to thereby provide an increased noise margin for said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits; andactivating means for selectively activating said switching time separating means responsive to said determining means determining that the respective power switches of said plurality of DC-to-DC converter circuits would otherwise be switching within the predetermined time of each other.