A multi-phase converter comprising a plurality of switching circuits each
providing a switched voltage to an output node of the converter and
wherein each switching circuit sequentially provides a switched output
voltage to the output node at which an output voltage of the converter is
developed; a clock circuit for providing a plurality of out of phase
clock signals to the switching circuits to determine when each switching
circuit provides the switched voltage to the output node; each switching
circuit comprising first and second series connected switches connected
across a DC voltage bus; further comprising a first circuit comparing a
first signal proportional to a difference between the output voltage of
the converter at the output node and a first reference voltage with a
second signal comprising a ramp signal and for producing a pulse width
modulated signal to control the on-times of the switches of the connected
switching circuit; further comprising a second circuit comparing the
first signal proportional to the difference between the output voltage
and the first reference voltage to a second reference voltage and if the
first signal exceeds the second reference voltage by a prescribed amount,
for turning on at least one switching circuit to provide the switched
output voltage to the output node prior to occurrence of the clock
signal.