Output feedback and under-voltage detection system

• US 6,580,622 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 06/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Power Integrations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Power Integrations Incorporated
• Inventors: Lund, Leif, Balakrishnan, Balu, Dienguerian, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US10/183,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20020159210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 357 Days
• Field of Search: 363/49, 363/50, 363/55, 363/56.01, 323/313, 323/315, 323/276, 323/282
• US Class Current: 363/50
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/32 Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33507 with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence

Abstract

A switched mode controller for properly handling an under-voltage condition in a power line which includes a current mirror for receiving current from the power line; a reference current source coupled to the current mirror for supplying a reference current; and a power transistor coupled to the reference current source, the power transistor generating a pulse width modulated signal when current from the power line exceeds the reference current, the power transistor being disabled when current from the power line is less than the reference current.

Claims

1. A power supply regulator, comprising:

an electrical terminal coupled to receive an input signal representing an input voltage of the power supply regulator, the electrical terminal further coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of a power supply output to be regulated by the power supply regulator;

an undervoltage detector coupled to the electrical terminal to receive the input signal to detect an undervoltage condition; and

a circuit coupled to the electrical terminal to receive the feedback signal to regulate the power supply output, the circuit to disable the power supply if the undervoltage condition is detected by the undervoltage detector.

2. The power supply regulator of claim 1 wherein the feedback signal is digital.

3. The power supply regulator of claim 1 wherein the input signal and the feedback signal are received simultaneously by the electrical terminal.

4. The power supply regulator of claim 1 wherein the undervoltage detector is adapted to be isolated from the circuit if there is not an undervoltage condition.

5. A method, comprising:

receiving at an electrical terminal an input signal representing an input voltage of a power supply regulator;

receiving at the electrical terminal a feedback signal representative of an output of a power supply;

regulating the output of the power supply in response to the feedback signal received at the electrical terminal;

detecting an undervoltage condition in response to the input signal received at the electrical terminal; and

disabling the power supply when the undervoltage voltage condition is detected.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising enabling the power supply after the undervoltage condition is removed.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising isolating an undervoltage detector of the power supply regulator if an undervoltage condition is detected.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the feedback signal is digital.