A plurality of single-phase synchronizing converter automatically synchronize
on
a peer-to-peer basis. Each synchronizing converter is configured as a DC-to-DC
converter. The synchronizing converters operate in parallel as a multi-phase converter.
A common bus between the synchronizing converters includes a sync line and a common
phase control line. Proper phasing automatically occurs when power is applied,
and the phasing changes automatically as converters are added or removed. When
the system powers up, the converters arbitrate for phase position. The phasing
positions are random, but the phasing is relatively symmetrical regardless of the
number of phases. In one embodiment, a hot-swappable converter module can be plugged
into any location of a parallel multiphase bus to produce a common output voltage.
When an additional module is plugged in, the converters readjust their phases to
maintain phase symmetry. In one embodiment, each module shares a substantially
equal portion of the output load.