Factorized power architecture with point of load sine amplitude converters

• US 20030227280A1
• Filed: 05/22/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vicor Corporation
• Original Assignee: VLT Incorporated (Vicor Corporation)
• Inventors: Vinciarelli, Patrizio
• Granted Patent: US 6,975,098 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/265
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/006 matrix transformer consisting of several interconnected individual transformers working as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/102 being switching converters H02J1/108, H02J1/12 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0012 Control circuits using digital or numerical techniques in DC/DC converters H02M3/157, H02M3/33515; in DC-AC converters H02M7/53873
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0074 Plural converter units whose inputs are connected in series
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/008 Plural converter units for generating at two or more independent and non-parallel outputs, e.g. systems with plural point of load switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/088 for the simultaneous control of series or parallel connected semiconductor devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/01 Resonant DC/DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/28 using discharge tubes with control electrode or semiconductor devices with control electrode to produce the intermediate ac
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/285 Single converters with a plurality of output stages connected in parallel parallel operation of a plurality of converters in dc distribution networks H02J1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33571 Half-bridge at primary side of an isolation transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33573 Full-bridge at primary side of an isolation transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33592 having a synchronous rectifier circuit or a synchronous freewheeling circuit at the secondary side of an isolation transformer
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/337 in push-pull configuration H02M3/33576 takes precedence; with self-oscillating arrangements H02M3/3382, H02M3/3385
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/3376 with automatic control of output voltage or current
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

A Factorized Power Architecture (“FPA”) method and apparatus for supplying power to highly transient loads such as microprocessors includes a front end power regulator (“PRM) which provides a controlled DC bus voltage which is converted to the desired load voltage using a DC voltage transformation module (“VTM”) at the point of load. The VTM converts the DC bus voltage to the DC voltage required by the load using a fixed transformation ratio K=V_out/V_in where V_in>V_out and with a low output resistance. The response time of the VTM, T_VTM is less than the response time of the PRM, T_PRM. A first capacitance, C₁, across the load is made large enough to support the microprocessor current requirement within a time scale, T₁, which is preferably greater than or equal to the characteristic open-loop response time of the VTM by itself, T_VTM. A second capacitance, C₂, at the input of the VTM is made large enough to support the microprocessor current requirement within a time scale, T₂, which is preferably greater than or equal to the closed-loop response time of the front end power regulator, T_PRM. Feedback may be provided from a feedback controller at the point of load to the front end or to upstream, on-board power regulator modules (“PRMs”) to achieve precise regulation. The VTM may convert power bi-directionally to return power to the bus during a “load dump.” Energy storage at the input to the VTM is greater than energy storage at the load.

Claims

1. A method of distributing power from an input source to a load, where the load may vary over a normal operating range, comprising:

using a first regulator to convert power from the input source at a source voltage, V_source, and deliver a controlled DC voltage, V_f, to a factorized bus;

using a voltage transformation module (“

VTM”

) to convert power, via a transformer, from the factorized bus at an input voltage V_in, essentially equal to the voltage delivered to the bus, V_f, to a DC output voltage, V_out; and

using in the VTM an essentially constant voltage gain, K=V_out/V_in, at a load current, V_out being less than V_in and the VTM having a time constant, T_VTM;

wherein the load is supplied with a voltage, V_L, essentially equal to the output voltage of the VTM, V_out, which is regulated by the first regulator under control of a closed loop having a response time, T_PRM;

using a first capacitance, C₁, connected across V_L at the point of load to supply instantaneous current requirements of the load for a first time interval, T₁, with a maximum voltage deviation, Δ

V_L1, of the nominal voltage, V_L, required by the load;

using a second capacitance, C₂, connected across V_f at the VTM input to supply instantaneous current requirements of the VTM for a second time interval, T₂, with a maximum voltage deviation, Δ

V_f, of the nominal voltage, V_f, at the input of the VTM; and

wherein T₂≧

T_PRM>

T₁≧

T_VTM, C₂/K²≧

C₁, and Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1/10.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1/30.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1/100.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein K≦

{fraction (1/10)}.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein C₂/K²≧

10*C₁.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

using the VTM to convert power from the load, via the transformer, to the bus when V_L>

V_in*K.

2. A method of supplying power to a load, comprising:

using a bi-directional voltage transformation module (“

VTM”

) to convert power, via a transformer, from a source at an input voltage, V_in to a DC output voltage, V_out;

using in the VTM an essentially constant voltage gain, K=V_out/V_in, at a load current;

wherein the load is supplied with a voltage, V_L, essentially equal to the output voltage of the VTM, V_out;

using a first capacitance, C₁, connected across V_L at the point of load;

using a second capacitance, C₂, connected across V_in at the VTM input;

providing greater energy storage at the VTM input than at the VTM output;

wherein K≦

{fraction (1/10)} and C₂/K²≧

10*C₁; and

using the VTM to convert power from the load via the transformer to the source when the voltage V_L exceeds V_in*K.

8. The method of claim 2 or 6 wherein C₂/K²≧

30*C₁.

9. The method of claim 2 or 6 wherein C₂/K²≧

100*C₁.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the source further comprises a regulated DC bus.

12. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

using a first regulator to convert power from the input source at a source voltage, V_source, and deliver a controlled DC voltage, V_f, to a factorized bus;

using the factorized bus to carry power from the first regulator to the VTM input.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

controlling the controlled bus voltage, V_f, using a feedback signal derived from the load voltage, V_L.

14. An apparatus for distributing power from an input source to a load, where the load may vary over a normal operating range, comprising:

a first regulator having a first input and a first output, the first regulator having circuitry adapted to convert power from the input source at a source voltage, V_source, and deliver a controlled DC voltage, V_f, to the first output;

a bus connected to the first output of the first regulator;

a voltage transformation module (“

VTM”

) having a VTM input, a VTM output, and circuitry, adapted to convert power, via a transformer, from an input voltage, V_in, essentially equal to the voltage delivered to the bus, V_f, to a DC output voltage, V_out;

the VTM having an essentially constant voltage gain, K=V_out/V_in, at a load current, V_out being less than V_in and the VTM having a time constant, T_VTM;

wherein the load is supplied with a voltage, V_L, essentially equal to the output voltage of the VTM, V_out, which is regulated by the first regulator under control of a closed loop having a response time, T_PRM;

a first capacitance, C₁, connected across V_L at the point of load to supply instantaneous current requirements of the load for a first time interval, T₁, with a maximum voltage deviation, Δ

V_L1, of the nominal voltage, V_L, required by the load;

a second capacitance, C₂, connected across V_f at the VTM input to supply instantaneous current requirements of the VTM for a second time interval, T₂, with a maximum voltage deviation, Δ

V_f, of the nominal voltage, V_f, at the input of the VTM; and

wherein T₂≧

T_PRM>

T₁≧

T_VTM, C₂/K²≧

C₁, and Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1/10.

17. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1/30.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein Δ

V_f*K≦

Δ

V_L1/100.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein K≦

{fraction (1/10)}.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein C₂/K²≧

10*C₂.

23. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein:

the VTM circuitry is further adapted to convert power from the VTM output, via the transformer, to the bus when V_out>

V_in*K.

15. An apparatus for supplying power to a load, comprising:

a bi-directional voltage transformation module (“

VTM”

) having a VTM input for connection to a source, a VTM output for connection to the load, and circuitry adapted to convert power, via a transformer;

from the VTM input at a input voltage, V_in to the VTM output at a DC output voltage, V_out, and, in reverse, from the VTM output at a voltage V_out to the VTM input at a voltage V_in when the voltage V_out exceeds V_in*K;

the VTM having an essentially constant voltage gain, K=V_out/V_in, at a load current;

wherein the load is supplied with a voltage, V_L, essentially equal to the output voltage of the VTM, V_out;

a first capacitance, C₁, connected across V_L at the point of load;

a second capacitance, C₂, connected across V_in at the VTM input;

wherein energy storage at the VTM input is greater than energy storage at the VTM output, K≦

{fraction (1/10)}, and C₂/K²≧

10*C₁.

21. The apparatus of claim 15 or 19 wherein C₂/K²≧

30*C₁.

22. The apparatus of claim 15 or 19 wherein C₂/K²≧

100*C₁.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the source further comprises a regulated DC bus.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein:

the source further comprises a first regulator having an input and an output, and circuitry adapted to convert power from the input source at a source voltage, V_source, and deliver a controlled DC voltage, V_f, to the regulator output; and

a factorized bus connected to the regulator output and the VTM input.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising:

a feedback loop for controlling the controlled bus voltage, V_f, using a feedback signal derived from the load voltage, V_L.

27. An apparatus for supplying power to a load, comprising:

an input for connection to a DC power source;

voltage transformation means for converting power from the input at a input voltage, V_in to an output at a DC output voltage, V_out, at an essentially constant voltage gain, K=V_out /V_in, at a load current and, in reverse, from the output at a voltage V_out to the input at a voltage V_in when the voltage V_out exceeds V_in*K;

wherein the load is connected to the output;

a first energy storage device connected across the output;

a second energy storage device connected across the input;

wherein the second energy storage device provides at least ten times greater energy storage than the first energy storage device and K≦

{fraction (1/10)}.