Apparatus and methods for improving the transient response capability of a switching power supply
First Claim
1. A switching power converter with enhanced transient load response characteristics, comprising:
- a switching power converter comprising;
an input terminal for receiving power from a power source;
an output terminal electrically connected to a load;
a high side FET electrically connected in series between the power source and a coil wherein said coil is electrically connected in series between said high side FET and said output terminal;
an output smoothing capacitor electrically connected to the output terminal in parallel with the load; and
a controller for controlling an on and an off time of the high side FET; and
one or more means for changing the magnitude of charge stored on the smoothing capacitor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The transient response of a switching power supply is improved by providing one or more supplemental power sources connected to the output terminal of the power supply. In one embodiment additional current is provided when a sudden increase in load current causes a corresponding decrease in output voltage. In one embodiment current is discharged when a sudden decrease in load current causes a corresponding increase in output voltage. The supplemental power sources provide a fixed current for a fixed duration. In one embodiment the current provided from the power sources is variable according to the increase or decrease in load current. In some embodiments the supplemental current is provided for a time period approximating the time required for the switching power converter coil current to equal the new load current.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A switching power converter with enhanced transient load response characteristics, comprising:
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a switching power converter comprising; an input terminal for receiving power from a power source; an output terminal electrically connected to a load; a high side FET electrically connected in series between the power source and a coil wherein said coil is electrically connected in series between said high side FET and said output terminal; an output smoothing capacitor electrically connected to the output terminal in parallel with the load; and a controller for controlling an on and an off time of the high side FET; and one or more means for changing the magnitude of charge stored on the smoothing capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for enhancing transient load response characteristics of a switching power converter wherein the switching power converter includes an output smoothing capacitor, comprising:
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(a) monitoring an output voltage on the smoothing capacitor; (b) comparing an instant value of the output voltage to a previous value of the output voltage; (c) when the instant value of the output voltage exceeds than the previous value of the output voltage by more than a predetermined amount, enabling a supplemental power source wherein said supplemental power source provides additional current to the smoothing capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for enhancing transient load response characteristics of a switching power converter wherein the switching power converter includes an output smoothing capacitor, comprising:
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(a) monitoring an output voltage on the smoothing capacitor; (b) comparing an instant value of the output voltage to a previous value of the output voltage; (c) when the instant value of the output voltage is less than the previous value of the output voltage by more than a predetermined amount, enabling a supplemental power source wherein said supplemental power source removes current from the smoothing capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for supplementing current provided to a load by a coil in a switching power converter, comprising:
- enabling a supplemental current source during the time period in which power is connected to the coil, wherein the supplemental current source is electrically connected to the load.
Specification