METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PROGRAMMABLE POWER CONVERTER

• US 20140176095A1
• Filed: 10/04/2013
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: System General Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: YANG, Ta-Yung
• Granted Patent: US 9,407,142 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 323/271
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/46 wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is dc G05F1/625 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0025 Arrangements for modifying reference values, feedback values or error values in the control loop of a converter
• 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 3/158 including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load

Abstract

The present invention provides a circuit for controlling a programmable power converter. The circuit includes a micro-controller, a controller, and a timer. The controller includes a voltage error amplifier. The micro-controller has a program memory and a data memory. The controller generates switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of the programmable power converter. The voltage error amplifier generates the voltage-feedback signal according to a voltage reference signal and the output voltage of the programmable power converter. A gain of the voltage error amplifier and a value of the reference signal are programmed by the micro-controller.

Claims

1. A circuit for controlling a programmable power converter, comprising:

a micro-controller, having a program memory and a data memory; and

a controller, generating switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of said programmable power converter, wherein said controller comprises;

a voltage error amplifier, generating said voltage-feedback signal according to a voltage reference signal and said output voltage of said programmable power converter,

wherein a gain of said voltage error amplifier and a value of said voltage reference signal are programmed by said micro-controller.

2. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises:

an analog-to-digital converter, coupled to convert a level of an input voltage of said programmable power converter to a digital code;

wherein said micro-controller is coupled to read said digital code.

3. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises:

a current error amplifier, generating a current-feedback signal according to a current reference signal and an output current of said programmable power converter.

wherein said controller generates said switching signals according to said current feedback signal to regulate said output current of said programmable power converter.

4. The circuit as claimed in claim 3, wherein said controller further comprises:

a ramp-signal generator, generating ramping signals coupled to compare with said voltage feedback signal and said current feedback signal for generating said switching signals;

wherein said ramp-signal generator further generates a maximum on-time signal for determining a maximum on time of said switching signals.

5. The circuit as claimed in claim 4, wherein slopes of said ramping signals are controlled by said micro-controller.

6. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a timer, generating a frequency signal to determine a switching frequency of said switching signals,

wherein a frequency of said frequency signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

7. A method for controlling a programmable power converter, comprising:

generating switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of said programmable power converter; and

generating said voltage-feedback signal by a voltage error amplifier according to a voltage reference signal and said output voltage of said programmable power converter,

wherein said voltage reference signal and a frequency of said switching signals are programmed by a micro-controller, and said micro-controller includes a program memory and a data memory.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

generating ramping signals coupled to compare with said voltage-feedback signal and a current-feedback signal for generating said switching signals,

wherein slopes of said ramping signals are controlled by said micro-controller.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

generating a maximum on-time signal coupled to determine a maximum on time of said switching signals,

wherein said maximum on-time signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

10. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

generating a light-load signal, coupled to control said switching signals for light load operation,

wherein said light-load signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

11. The method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

generating a current-feedback signal by a current error amplifier according to a current reference signal and an output current of said programmable power converter,

wherein said current-feedback signal is coupled to control said switching signals for regulating said output current of said programmable power converter, and

wherein said current reference signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein a gain of said current error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller.

13. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein a gain of said voltage error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller.

14. A method for controlling a programmable power converter, comprising:

generating a switching signal in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of said programmable power converter;

generating said switching signal in response to a current-feedback signal for regulating an output current of said programmable power converter;

generating said voltage-feedback signal by a voltage error amplifier according to a voltage reference signal and said output voltage of said programmable power converter; and

generating said current-feedback signal by a current error amplifier according to a current reference signal and said output current of said programmable power converter,

wherein said voltage reference signal and said current reference signal are programmed by a micro-controller, and

wherein said micro-controller includes a program memory and a data memory.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said micro-controller has a communication interface to communicate with I/O (input/output) devices.