Switch with programmable delay

• US 5,841,313 A
• Filed: 07/17/1996
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Cherry Semiconductor Corp. (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Sanzo, Christopher J., Levin, Gedaly, Theroux, Arthur R., Schuellein, George E., Patch, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Callahan, Timothy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLUND, TERRY LEE
• Application Number:
  US08/682,153
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 327/392, 327/393, 327/270, 327/274, 327/280, 327/287, 327/263, 327/266, 327/113, 327/26, 327/27, 327/124, 327/24, 327/276, 327/278, 323/266, 323/282, 323/284, 323/285, 323/288, 363/89, 363/78, 363/84
• US Class Current: 327/393
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0032 Control circuits allowing low power mode operation, e.g. in standby mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/009 having two or more independently controlled outputs for DC-DC converter with intermediate AC H02M3/33561
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33561 having more than one ouput with independent control
• 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: H03K 17/08126 in bipolar transitor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/284 in field effect transistor switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/6877 the control circuit comprising active elements different from those used in the output circuit
• 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 programmable delay circuit employs a comparator to control an output driver. The comparator compares a ramp signal with a disable signal or an error control signal derived from an error amplifier. The comparator latches the output on until a reset signal is received. The reset signal is produced when the ramp signal is discharged below a predetermined level. The programmable delay circuit is useful in a secondary side post regulator to control a grounded totem pole driver. The totem pole driver in turn controls a switching device coupled to a voltage on a secondary winding.

Claims

1. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

means for receiving a sync signal;

means for charging a capacitor in response to a starting edge of the sync signal;

means for discharging the capacitor in response to an ending edge of the sync signal;

a reset signal generator, coupled to the capacitor, for producing a reset signal when the capacitor has a voltage below a first predetermined level and the sync signal has a voltage below a second predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and a voltage signal from the capacitor for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the voltage signal from the capacitor;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received; and

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal.

2. The switch of claim 1 further comprising means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with the voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is between the voltage signal from the capacitor and the higher of the voltage from the error control signal and the disable signal.

3. The switch of claim 1 wherein said output driver comprises a totem pole driver, having a top output transistor and a bottom output transistor, to drive the output signal on the first terminal with the top output transistor on and the bottom output transistor off and to provide the low impedance path through the bottom output transistor between the first terminal and the second terminal.

4. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

an error amplifier, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error output signal;

an inverting buffer connected to receive the error output signal and produce an error control signal;

ramp means for producing a periodic ramp signal within a range of voltages;

a reset signal generator, coupled to said ramp means, for producing a reset signal when the ramp signal has a voltage below a predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive the error control signal and the ramp signal for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the error control signal and the ramp signal;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received;

a current sense amplifier, connected to receive a current sense signal and a current limit reference signal and having an output coupled to said error amplifier, for sinking current from said error amplifier when an overcurrent condition is detected to cause said inverting buffer to produce the error control signal outside the range of voltages of the ramp signal; and

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal.

5. The switch of claim 4 further comprising a diode connected between said current sense amplifier and said error amplifier to isolate said current sense amplifier from the error output signal when the current sense signal is below the overcurrent condition.

6. The switch of claim 4 wherein said ramp means comprises means for charging and discharging a capacitor and wherein said switch further comprises:

means for receiving a sync signal;

said means for charging being responsive to a starting edge of the sync signal;

said means for discharging being responsive to an ending edge of the sync signal;

means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with a voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is made between the ramp signal and the higher of the voltage from the error control signal and the disable signal.

7. The switch of claim 4 wherein said output driver comprises a totem pole driver, having a top output transistor and a bottom output transistor, to drive the output signal on the first terminal with the top output transistor on and the bottom output transistor off and to provide the low impedance path through the bottom output transistor between the first terminal and the second terminal.

8. The switch of claim 7 further comprising:

a regulator for generating a regulated voltage;

a supplier of base drive current connected to a base of said top output transistor;

a transistor having a base coupled to the regulated voltage, a collector coupled to said supplier of base drive current and an emitter connected to ground; and

an emergency voltage supply, coupled to the base of said transistor and to said bottom transistor, for holding said bottom transistor on and said top transistor off if the regulated voltage is lost so as to protect a device connected to the first terminal.

9. An integrated circuit comprising:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage;

a regulator connected to said Vcc means for generating a regulated voltage;

a ramp terminal for connection to an external capacitor;

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

a current source, connected to the regulated voltage, for providing current through the ramp terminal to charge the external capacitor;

means for discharging the external capacitor to a clamped reference discharge level;

a reset signal generator, coupled to the ramp terminal, for producing a reset signal when the external capacitor has a voltage below a first predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and a voltage signal from the external capacitor for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the voltage signal from the external capacitor;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received;

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal; and

a switch, connected to said ramp terminal so as to be activated when said ramp terminal is below a predetermined voltage threshold, for putting said integrated circuit into a low power consumption sleep mode when said switch is activated by said ramp terminal being forced below the predetermined voltage threshold, wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is below the clamped reference discharge level.

10. The integrated circuit of claim 9 further comprising an undervoltage lockout circuit for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a predetermined supply voltage threshold and wherein said switch is coupled to said undervoltage lockout circuit for causing said undervoltage lockout circuit to disable said regulator and consequently said current source when said switch is activated.

11. The integrated circuit of claim 9 further comprising means for receiving a sync signal, wherein said means for discharging causes discharging in response to an ending edge of the sync signal and permits said current source to charge the external capacitor in response to a starting edge of the sync signal and wherein said reset signal generator further requires the sync signal voltage to fall below a second predetermined level before producing the reset signal.

12. The integrated circuit of claim 11 further comprising means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with the voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is between the voltage signal from the external capacitor and the higher of the voltage from the error control signal and the disable signal.

13. The integrated circuit of claim 9 further comprising a discharge clamp connected to said ramp terminal for preventing said means for discharging from pulling said ramp terminal below a predetermined reference voltage.

14. The integrated circuit of claim 9 further comprising an undervoltage lockout circuit for enabling said regulator when the supply voltage rises above an enable threshold and for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a disable threshold lower than the enable threshold.

15. An integrated circuit comprising:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage;

a regulator connected to said Vcc means for generating a regulated voltage;

an undervoltage lockout circuit for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a predetermined threshold;

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

a current source connected to the regulated voltage for charging an external capacitor;

means for discharging the external capacitor;

a reset signal generator, coupled to the external capacitor, for producing a reset signal when the external capacitor has a voltage below a predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and a voltage signal from the external capacitor for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the voltage signal from the external capacitor;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received;

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal;

a sleep terminal; and

a sleep switch, coupled between said sleep terminal and said undervoltage lockout circuit, for causing said undervoltage lockout circuit to disable said regulator when said sleep terminal is below a predetermined sleep threshold.

16. The integrated circuit of claim 15 further comprising a discharge clamp connected to the external capacitor for preventing said means for discharging from pulling the external capacitor below a predetermined reference voltage. a disable threshold lower than the enable threshold.

17. The integrated circuit of claim 15 wherein said undervoltage lockout circuit further enables said regulator when the supply voltage rises above an enable threshold that is higher than the predetermined threshold.

18. The integrated circuit of claim 15 wherein the external capacitor connects to said sleep terminal and said sleep terminal is coupled to said current source and said means for discharging.

19. The integrated circuit of claim 15 further comprising:

means for receiving a sync signal, said means for discharging being responsive to an ending edge of the sync signal to discharge the external capacitor and being responsive to the starting edge of the sync signal for permitting said current source to charge the external capacitor; and

means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with the voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is between the voltage signal from the external capacitor and the higher of the voltage signal from the error control signal and the disable signal.

20. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

a regulator for generating a regulated voltage;

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

ramp means for producing a periodic ramp signal;

a reset signal generator, coupled to said ramp means, for producing a reset signal when the ramp signal has a voltage below a predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and the ramp signal for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the ramp signal;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received;

top and bottom output transistors, arranged in a totem pole with said bottom transistor connected to ground, to provide an output from between said top and bottom transistors responsive to the first and second state signals so as to switch said top transistor on and said bottom transistor off in response to the first state signal and to switch said top transistor off and said bottom transistor on in response to the second state signal;

a supplier of base drive current connected to the base of said top output transistor;

a transistor having a base coupled to the regulated voltage, a collector coupled to said supplier of base drive current and an emitter connected to ground; and

an emergency voltage supply, coupled to the base of said transistor and to said bottom transistor, for holding said bottom transistor on and said top transistor off if the regulated voltage is lost so as to protect a device connected to the totem pole output.

21. The switch of claim 20 wherein the totem pole output is connected to a gate of a FET and wherein said emergency voltage supply comprises a drain of the FET.

22. The switch of claim 20 further comprising:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage wherein said regulator uses the supply voltage to generate the regulated voltage; and

an undervoltage lockout circuit for enabling said regulator when the supply voltage rises above an enable threshold and for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a disable threshold lower than the enable threshold.

23. The switch of claim 22 further comprising a sleep terminal and a sleep switch, coupled to said sleep terminal and said undervoltage lockout circuit, for causing said undervoltage lockout circuit to disable said regulator when said sleep terminal is below a predetermined sleep threshold.

24. The switch of claim 20 further comprising means for disabling said comparator when the regulated voltage is below a predetermined threshold.

25. The switch of claim 20 wherein said ramp means comprises means for charging a capacitor and means for discharging the capacitor and wherein said switch further comprises:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage wherein said regulator uses the supply voltage to generate the regulated voltage; and

means for activating said means for discharging the capacitor in response to the supply voltage falling below the regulated voltage.

26. The switch of claim 20 further comprising:

means for receiving a sync signal, said ramp means being responsive to an ending edge of the sync signal to end a ramp and being responsive to a starting edge of the sync signal to begin a ramp; and

means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with the voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is between the ramp signal and the higher of the voltage from the disable signal.

27. The switch of claim 20 wherein said ramp means comprises means for charging a capacitor and means for discharging the capacitor and wherein said switch further comprises:

a ramp terminal for connection to said means for charging and said means for discharging and wherein the capacitor is externally connected to said ramp terminal; and

a switching device connected to said ramp terminal, so as to be activated when said ramp terminal is below a predetermined voltage threshold, for disabling said regulator when said switching device is activated by said ramp terminal being forced below the predetermined voltage threshold.

28. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage;

a regulator connected to said supply voltage for generating a regulated voltage;

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

ramp means for producing a periodic ramp signal;

a reset signal generator, coupled to said ramp means, for producing a reset signal when the ramp signal has a voltage below a predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and the ramp signal for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the ramp signal;

VregOK means for disabling said comparator when the regulated voltage is below a predetermined threshold;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received; and

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal.

29. The switch of claim 28 further comprising an undervoltage lockout circuit for enabling said regulator when the supply voltage rises above an enable threshold and for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a disable threshold lower than the enable threshold.

30. The switch of claim 29 further comprising a sleep terminal and a sleep switch, coupled to said sleep terminal and said undervoltage lockout circuit, for causing said undervoltage lockout circuit to disable said regulator when said sleep terminal is below a predetermined sleep threshold.

31. The switch of claim 28 wherein said ramp means comprises means for charging a capacitor and means for discharging the capacitor and wherein said switch further comprises:

means for receiving a sync signal, said means for discharging being responsive to an ending edge of the sync signal to discharge the capacitor and being responsive to a starting edge of the sync signal for permitting said means for charging to charge the capacitor; and

means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with the voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is between the ramp signal and the higher of the voltage from the error control signal and the disable signal.

32. The switch of claim 28 wherein said ramp means comprises means for charging a capacitor and means for discharging the capacitor and wherein said VregOK means comprises means for activating said means for discharging the capacitor.

33. The switch of claim 28 wherein said ramp means comprises means for charging a capacitor and means for discharging the capacitor and wherein said switch further comprises means for activating said means for discharging the capacitor in response to the supply voltage falling below the regulated voltage.

34. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

a ramp terminal for connection to an external capacitor;

means, connected to said ramp terminal, for charging the external capacitor;

a discharging transistor coupled between said ramp terminal and ground;

a discharge clamp connected to said ramp terminal for preventing the discharging transistor from pulling said ramp terminal below a predetermined reference voltage and for holding the voltage on said ramp terminal at the predetermined reference voltage until said discharging transistor is switched off;

a reset signal generator, coupled to the capacitor, for producing a reset signal when the capacitor has a voltage below a predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and a voltage signal from the capacitor for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the voltage signal from the capacitor;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received; and

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal.

35. The switch of claim 34 wherein said discharge clamp comprises:

a differential amplifier having a first input connected to a reference clamp voltage, a second input coupled to said ramp terminal and an output coupled to said discharging transistor; and

a feedback loop connected between the output of said differential amplifier and the second input of said differential amplifier.

36. The switch of claim 34 further comprising:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage;

a regulator, connected to said Vcc means, for generating a regulated voltage supplied to said means for charging;

an undervoltage lockout circuit for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a predetermined threshold;

a switching device, connected to said ramp terminal so as to be activated when said ramp terminal is below a predetermined voltage threshold and coupled to said undervoltage lockout circuit, for causing said undervoltage lockout circuit to disable said regulator and consequently said means for charging when said switching is activated by said ramp terminal being forced below the predetermined voltage threshold, wherein the predetermined voltage threshold is below the predetermined reference voltage.

37. The switch of claim 34 further comprising means for receiving a sync signal, wherein said discharging transistor turns on in response to an ending edge of the sync signal and wherein said reset signal generator further requires the sync signal to fall below a second predetermined level before producing the reset signal.

38. The switch of claim 37 further comprising means for receiving a disable signal, synchronous with the sync signal, at said comparator in parallel with the voltage from the error control signal so that the comparison performed by said comparator is between the voltage signal from the external capacitor and the higher of the voltage from the error control signal and the disable signal.

39. The switch of claim 34 further comprising:

Vcc means for receiving a supply voltage;

a regulator, connected to said Vcc means, for generating a regulated voltage supplied to said means for charging; and

an undervoltage lockout circuit for enabling said regulator when the supply voltage rises above an enable threshold and for disabling said regulator when the supply voltage falls below a disable threshold lower than the enable threshold.

40. The switch of claim 39 further comprising a sleep terminal and a sleep switch, coupled between said sleep terminal and said undervoltage lockout circuit, for causing said undervoltage lockout circuit to disable said regulator when said sleep terminal is below a predetermined sleep threshold.

41. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

means for charging a capacitor;

means for discharging the capacitor;

a reset signal generator, coupled to the capacitor, for producing a reset signal when the capacitor has a voltage below a predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive a voltage from the error control signal and a voltage signal from the capacitor for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage from the error control signal and the voltage signal from the capacitor;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received;

a totem pole driver, having a top output transistor and a bottom output transistor switched in response to the first and second state signals, to drive an output signal with the top output transistor on and the bottom output transistor off in response to the first state signal and to provide a low impedance path through the bottom output transistor to ground with the top output transistor off in response to the second state signal;

means, responsive to the first state signal, for switching the bottom transistor off before switching the top transistor on;

means for receiving a sync signal, known to lead in time the discharging of the voltage on the capacitor; and

a circuit path for switching the top transistor off in response to the sync signal before the second state signal causes the bottom transistor to provide the low impedance path to ground.

42. A switch with programmable delay comprising:

error sensing means, connected to receive a voltage sense signal and a reference signal, for producing an error control signal;

means for receiving a sync signal;

means for receiving a disable signal synchronous with the sync signal;

means for charging a capacitor in response to a starting edge of the sync signal;

means for discharging the capacitor in response to an ending edge of the sync signal;

a reset signal generator, coupled to the capacitor, for producing a reset signal when the capacitor has a voltage below a first predetermined level;

a comparator connected to receive the error control signal and the disable signal in parallel at one input and a voltage signal from the capacitor at a second input for generating a first state signal or a second state signal depending upon a comparison between the voltage signal from the capacitor and the higher of the error control signal and the disable signal;

means, connected to said reset signal generator and said comparator, for latching the first state signal until the reset signal is received; and

an output driver, connected to a first terminal and a second terminal, switched in response to the first and second state signals to drive an output signal on the first terminal in response to the first state signal and to maintain a low impedance path between the first terminal and the second terminal in response to the second state signal.

43. The switch of claim 42 further comprising a discharge clamp connected to the capacitor for preventing said means for discharging from pulling the capacitor below a predetermined reference voltage.

44. The switch of claim 42 wherein the second terminal is connected to ground.