Patent ID: 7342383

Claim:
A circuit for multi-phase switching regulation, comprising: an error amplifier that is arranged to provide an error signal that is based, in part, on a difference between a feedback signal and a reference signal, wherein the feedback signal is based, at least in part, on an output voltage; a plurality of pulse modulation circuits operable to provide a plurality of pulse modulation output signals, wherein each of the pulse modulation circuits is operable to provide a corresponding one of the pulse modulation output signals of the plurality of pulse modulation circuits; a synchronous switch enable circuit that is arranged to provide a synchronous switch enable signal such that, during a partially synchronous rectification, a modulation parameter of the synchronous switch enable signal is gradually increased; and such that, for each of the plurality of pulse modulation output signals: the pulse modulation output signal and the synchronous switch enable signal are asserted at the same time at least once during the first half of the partially synchronous rectification; and a synchronous switch control circuit that is operable to provide a synchronous switch control signal such that: if a first switch control signal is unasserted and the synchronous switch enable signal is asserted the synchronous switch control signal is asserted; else the synchronous switch control signal is unasserted, wherein the first switch control signal is based, at least in part, on a first pulse modulation output signal of the plurality of pulse modulation output signals.