Power converter circuitry and method

• US 20040095114A1
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Exar Corporation (Maxlinear Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: FYRE Storm Incorporated (Maxlinear Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kernahan, Kent
• Granted Patent: US 6,975,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/282
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/262 using field-effect transistors only
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/20 Charging or discharging characterised by the power electronics converter
• 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 1/007 Plural converter units in cascade push-pull DC/DC converters with pre-regulator H02M3/3374; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC stage including a high frequency transformer H02M7/4807; DC-AC converters following a DC-DC conversion stage generating periodically varying voltages H02M7/4826
• 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 1/0845 digitally controlled (or with digital control)
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/157 with digital control
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/1588 comprising at least one synchronous rectifier element H02M3/1582, H02M3/1584 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 5/08 Code representation by pulse width
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 41/2828 using control circuits for the switching elements H05B41/2827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/00 Energy efficient lighting technologies, e.g. halogen lamps or gas discharge lamps
• 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 control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an operation of a switching power converter which includes first and second series connected transistors, each transistor having a conduction control terminal for receiving a conduction control signal, the method comprising:

storing a falling transition time of the first transistor;

storing a rising transition time of the second transistor;

alternately applying a conduction control signal to the control gates of the transistors; and

timing the application of the conduction control signals as a function of the stored transition times.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein alternately applying conduction control signals comprises alternately applying pulse width modulated control signals.

3. A method of controlling an operation of a switching power converter which includes first and second series connected transistors, each transistor having a conduction control terminal for receiving a conduction control signal, the method comprising:

storing a falling transition time of the second transistor;

storing a rising transition time of the first transistor;

alternately applying conduction control signals to the control gates of the transistors; and

timing the application of the conduction control signals as a function of the stored transition times.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein alternately applying conduction control signals comprises alternately applying pulse width modulated control signals.

5. A method of controlling an operation of a switching power converter which includes first and second series connected transistors, each having a conduction control terminal for receiving a conduction control signal, the method comprising:

applying a first series of conduction control signals to the control terminal of the first transistor;

applying a second series of conduction control signals to the control terminal of the second transistor, wherein the second series of conduction conduction control signals is applied out of phase with respect to the first series conduction control signals, and an edge of a falling transition of the conduction control signal of the first transistor is spaced apart from an edge of a rising transition of the conduction control signal of the second transistor by a first amount of time;

measuring a ratio of an input voltage to an output voltage of the series connected transistors operating at the first spacing;

changing the spacing to a second amount of time and measuring a ratio of the input voltage to the output voltage for the second spacing.