Close-loop PWM controller for primary-side controlled power converters

• US 7,016,204 B2
• Filed: 08/12/2004
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: System General Corporation (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Yang, Ta-yung, Hung, Guo-Kiang, Lin, Jenn-yu G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Shawn
• Application Number:
  US10/917,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20060034102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 363/21.15, 363/21.13, 363/131
• US Class Current: 363/21.13
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0006 Arrangements for supplying an adequate voltage to the control circuit of converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0009 Devices or circuits for detecting current in a converter
• 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 close-loop PWM controller for a primary-side controlled power converter is provided. A voltage-waveform detector produces a voltage-feedback signal and a discharge-time signal. A current-waveform detector generates a current-waveform signal by measuring a primary-side switching current. An integrator generates a current-feedback signal by integrating the current-waveform signal with the discharge-time signal. A time constant of the integrator is correlated with a switching period of the switching signal, therefore the current-feedback signal is proportional to the output current of the power converter. The close-loop PWM controller further including a voltage-loop error amplifier and a current-loop error amplifier. A PWM circuit and comparators control the pulse width of the switching signal in response to the outputs of the voltage-loop error amplifier and the current-loop error amplifier. The output voltage and the maximum output current of the power converter are therefore regulated.

Claims

1. A close-loop PWM controller for a primary-side controlled power converter, comprising:

a voltage-waveform detector, coupled to a transformer, for generating a voltage-feedback signal and a discharge-time signal by measuring a reflected voltage from said transformer, wherein said discharge-time signal represents a discharge time of a secondary-side switching current of said transformer;

a current-waveform detector and an integrator, for producing a current-feedback signal by integrating a current-waveform signal with said discharge-time signal, wherein said current-waveform signal is generated by measuring a primary-side switching current of said transformer through a current-sense device;

a voltage-loop error amplifier and a current-loop error amplifier, for amplifying said voltage-feedback signal and said current-feedback signal respectively; and

a switching control circuit, for generating a switching signal in response to an output of said voltage-loop error amplifier and an output of said current-loop error amplifier, wherein said switching signal is used for switching said transformer and regulating an output of the power converter.

2. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a supply terminal and a ground terminal, for receiving power;

a detection terminal, for connecting said voltage-waveform detector to said transformer through a resistor of a divider;

a sense terminal, for connecting said current-waveform detector to said current-sense device for receiving a primary-side switching current signal, wherein said current-sense device is used for converting said primary-side switching current to said primary-side switching current signal;

an output terminal, for generating said switching signal to switch said transformer via a switching device;

a voltage-compensation terminal, connected to a first-compensation network for voltage-loop frequency compensation; and

a current-compensation terminal, connected to a second-compensation network for current-loop frequency compensation.

3. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a programmable current source, connected to an input of said voltage-waveform detector for temperature compensation, wherein said programmable current source produces a programmable current in response to the junction temperature of the close-loop PWM controller.

4. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein a time constant of said integrator is correlated with a switching period of said switching signal.

5. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voltage-waveform detector comprises:

a sample-pulse generator, for producing a sample-pulse signal;

a threshold voltage, wherein said threshold voltage adds said reflected voltage to produce a level-shift signal;

a first capacitor and a second capacitor;

a first signal generator, for producing a first sample signal and a second sample signal, wherein said first sample signal and said second sample signal are used for alternately sampling said reflected voltage, wherein a first hold voltage and a second hold voltage are respectively held across said first capacitor and said second capacitor;

wherein said first sample signal and said second sample signal are alternately generated in response to said sample-pulse signal during an enabled period of said discharge-time signal;

wherein a delay time is inserted at the beginning of said discharge-time signal, wherein said first sample signal and said second sample signal are disabled during the period of said delay time;

a buffer amplifier, for generating a hold signal from the higher voltage of said first hold voltage and said second hold voltage;

a first output capacitor, for holding said hold signal to be said voltage-feedback signal; and

a second signal generator, for producing said discharge-time signal, wherein said discharge-time signal is enabled as said switching signal is disabled, wherein after said delay time said discharge-time signal can be disabled when said level-shift signal is lower than said voltage-feedback signal, and wherein said discharge-time signal can be disabled as long as said switching signal is enabled.

6. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said voltage-waveform detector multi-samples said reflected voltage to generate said voltage-feedback signal;

wherein said voltage-feedback signal is obtained instantly before said secondary-side switching current drops to zero.

7. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said current-waveform detector comprises:

a peak detector, for generating a peak-current signal by sampling a peak value of said primary-side switching current signal;

a third capacitor, for holding said peak-current signal;

a second output capacitor, for producing said current-waveform; and

a switch, for conducting said peak-current signal to said second output capacitor.

8. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said integrator comprises:

a second V-to-I converter, formed by a timing operational amplifier, a timing resistor and timing transistors, wherein said second V-to-I converter generates a programmable charge current in response to said current-waveform signal;

a timing capacitor, for producing an integrated signal;

a first switch, wherein a first terminal of said first switch is supplied with said programmable charge current and a second terminal of said first switch is connected to said timing capacitor;

wherein said discharge-time signal turns on/off said first switch;

a second switch, connected in parallel with said timing capacitor for discharging said timing capacitor;

a third output capacitor, for producing said current-feedback signal; and

a third switch, for conducting said integrated signal to said third output capacitor.

9. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switching signal has a minimum on-time when said switching signal is enabled, which further ensures a minimum value of said discharge time for multi-sampling said reflected voltage.

10. A close-loop PWM controller for a primary-side controlled power converter, comprising:

a voltage-waveform detector, for producing a voltage-feedback signal and a discharge-time signal by multi-sampling a reflected voltage from an auxiliary winding of a transformer, wherein said discharge-time signal represents a discharge time of a secondary-side switching current;

a current-waveform detector, for generating a current-waveform signal by measuring a primary-side switching current signal, wherein said primary-side switching current signal is converted from a primary-side switching current;

an oscillator, for generating an oscillation signal to determine a switching frequency of a switching signal, wherein said switching signal is used for switching said transformer and regulating an output of the power converter;

an integrator, for producing a current-feedback signal by integrating said current-waveform signal with said discharge-time signal;

a voltage-loop error amplifier, including a first operational amplifier and a first reference voltage for amplifying said voltage-feedback signal and providing a loop gain for output voltage control;

a current-loop error amplifier, including a second operational amplifier and a second reference voltage for amplifying said current-feedback signal and providing a loop gain for output current control;

a PWM circuit, associated with a first comparator and a second comparator to control the pulse width of said switching signal in response to an output of said voltage-loop error amplifier and an output of said current-loop error amplifier; and

a programmable current source, for connecting to an input of said voltage-waveform detector for temperature compensation, wherein said programmable current source produces a programmable current in response to a junction temperature of said close-loop PWM controller.

11. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

a supply terminal and a ground terminal, for receiving power;

a detection terminal, for connecting said voltage-waveform detector to said auxiliary winding of said transformer through a resistor of a divider;

a sense terminal, for connecting said current-waveform detector to a current-sense device and receiving said primary-side switching current signal;

an output terminal, for generating said switching signal to switch said transformer via a switching device;

a voltage-compensation terminal, for connecting a first-compensation network to a ground reference level for voltage-loop frequency compensation; and

a current-compensation terminal, for connecting a second-compensation network to said ground reference level for current-loop frequency compensation.

12. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein a time constant of said integrator is correlated with a switching period of said switching signal.

13. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said voltage-waveform detector comprises:

a sample-pulse generator, for producing a sample-pulse signal;

a threshold voltage, for adding said reflected voltage to produce a level-shift signal;

a first capacitor and a second capacitor;

a first signal generator, for producing a first sample signal and a second sample signal, wherein said first sample signal and said second sample signal are used for alternately sampling said reflected voltage, wherein a first hold voltage and a second hold voltage are respectively held across said first capacitor and said second capacitor, wherein said first sample signal and said second sample signal are alternately generated in response to said sample-pulse signal during an enabled period of said discharge-time signal, wherein a delay time is inserted at the beginning of said discharge-time signal, and wherein said first sample signal and said second sample signal are disabled during the period of said delay time;

a buffer amplifier, for generating a hold signal from the higher voltage of said first hold voltage and said second hold voltage;

a first output capacitor, for holding said hold signal to be said voltage-feedback signal; and

a second signal generator, for producing said discharge-time signal, wherein said discharge-time signal is enabled as said switching signal is disabled, wherein after said delay time said discharge-time signal can be disabled when said level-shift signal is lower than said voltage-feedback signal, and wherein said discharge-time signal can also be disabled as long as said switching signal is enabled.

14. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said voltage-waveform detector multi-sampling said reflected voltage to generate said voltage-feedback signal;

wherein said voltage-feedback signal is instantly obtained before the secondary-side switching current drops to zero.

15. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said oscillator comprises:

a first V-to-I converter, for generating an osc charge current and an osc discharge current, wherein said first V-to-I converter includes an osc operational amplifier, an osc resistor and osc transistors;

an osc capacitor;

a first osc switch, wherein a first terminal of said first osc switch is supplied with said osc charge current and a second terminal of said first osc switch is connected to said osc capacitor;

a second osc switch, wherein a first terminal of said second osc switch is connected to said osc capacitor and a second terminal of said second osc switch is driven by said osc discharge current;

an osc comparator, having a positive input connected to said osc capacitor, wherein said osc comparator generates said oscillation signal;

a third osc switch, having a first terminal supplied with a high threshold voltage and a second terminal connected to a negative input of said osc comparator;

a fourth osc switch, having a first terminal supplied with a low threshold voltage and a second terminal connected to said negative input of said osc comparator; and

an osc inverter, having an input connected to an output of said osc comparator for producing an inverse oscillation signal, wherein said oscillation signal turns on/off said second osc switch and said fourth osc switch, and wherein said inverse oscillation signal turns on/off said first osc switch and said third osc switch.

16. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said current-waveform detector comprises:

a peak detector, for generating a peak-current signal by sampling a peak value of said primary-side switching current signal;

a third capacitor, for holding said peak-current signal;

a second output capacitor, for generating said current-waveform signal; and

a switch, for conducting said peak-current signal to said second output capacitor, wherein said switch is turned on/off by said oscillation signal.

17. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said integrator comprises:

a second V-to-I converter, formed by a timing operational amplifier, a timing resistor and timing transistors, wherein said second V-to-I converter generates a programmable charge current in response to said current-waveform signal;

a timing capacitor, for producing an integrated signal;

a first switch, wherein a first terminal of said first switch is supplied with said programmable charge current and a second terminal of said first switch is connected to said timing capacitor, and wherein said discharge-time signal turns on/off said first switch;

a second switch, connected in parallel with said timing capacitor for discharging said timing capacitor;

a third output capacitor, for producing said current-feedback signal; and

a third switch, for conducting said integrated signal to said third output capacitor.

18. The close-loop PWM controller as claimed in claim 10, wherein said PWM circuit has a blanking circuit for ensuring a minimum on-time of said switching signal when said switching signal is enabled, which further ensures a minimum value of said discharge-time for multi-sampling said reflected voltage.