Switching power converter controller configured to provide load shedding

• US 6,894,463 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2002
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Exar Corporation (Maxlinear Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: FYRE Storm Incorporated (Maxlinear Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kernahan, Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): STERRETT, JEFFREY L
• Application Number:
  US10/298,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20040095103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: 323/267, 323/283, 323/284
• US Class Current: 323/267
• 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 controller, including a microprocessor, controls a plurality of switching power converters. The microprocessor monitors the input to each power converter. If the input to a power converter is determined to be outside of a desired range, the power converter is powered down by the microprocessor. In one embodiment the input is the remaining charge in a battery. In another embodiment, the input is a minimum supply voltage for the switching power converter.

Claims

1. A switching power converter controller, wherein the switching power converter controller controls a plurality of switching power converters, the switching power converter controller comprising:

a microprocessor configured to periodically check an input operating threshold associated with the plurality of switching power converters and, if the input operating threshold for a given switching power converter is not satisfied, to command the switching power converter controller to power down the given switching power converter.

2. The switching power converter controller of claim 1, wherein the input operating threshold for each switching power converter includes a minimum remaining charge in a battery associated with the switching power converter, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the amount of charge in the battery.

3. The switching power converter controller of claim 1, wherein the input operating threshold for each switching power converter includes a minimum supply voltage for the switching power converter, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to monitor the supply voltage for each switching power converter.