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Abstract

An enhancement-mode converter module, which converts power from an input source for delivery to a load in a series of quantized energy transfer cycles, includes a zero-current switching converter, an enhancement-mode controller, an an input-output port for carrying synchronizing information to and from an external synchronizing bus. The enhancement mode controller adjusts the frequency at which energy transfer cycles are triggered in the zero-current switching converter to be the greater of a first frequency, which will regulate the load voltage to a setpoint voltage, Vsp, characteristic of the enhancement-mode controller, or a second frequency, which is indicated by an input delivered to the input-output port. In an array of such enhancement mode converter modules, wherein the outputs of all of the enhancement-mode converter modules are connected together to deliver power to a load, and wherein synchronizing information carried to a synchronizing bus by the input-output port of any of the converter modules is delivered as an input to the input-output ports of the balance of the converter modules by propagation along the synchronizing bus, all of the converter modules will synchronize to an operating frequency determined by the enhancement-mode controller having the highest setpoint voltage, and each of the converter modules will deliver an essentially constant fraction of the total power delivered to the load by the array.

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