Methods and circuits for programmable automatic burst mode control using average output current
First Claim
1. A circuit for controlling a power converter that delivers output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the power converter (1) having an inductor and a switch circuit with one or more active switch elements and (2) configured to be coupled to a user-programmable filter, the circuit comprising:
- a first control circuit that continuously adjusts current flowing through the inductor in a first operational mode; and
a second control circuit that commands all of the one or more active switch elements to be maintained OFF during at least part of a second operational mode, the second control circuit configured to monitor the output current and transition the power converter from the first operational mode to the second operational mode after an average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold, the second operational mode having a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand, wherein the monitored output current is averaged to generate the average signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention comprises a user-programmable control circuit for use in a power converter to automatically transition the converter into BURST mode when load current demand is low. The control circuit senses load current demand by monitoring the output current of the converter, and generating a signal representative of the monitored output current. The control circuit may automatically transition the converter into BURST mode when the signal indicative of the average monitored output current decreases below a user-programmable threshold. BURST mode may increase overall converter efficiency by turning OFF a plurality of electronic components, and maintaining the converter'"'"'s output voltage at a regulated level by energy stored in an output capacitor.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A circuit for controlling a power converter that delivers output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the power converter (1) having an inductor and a switch circuit with one or more active switch elements and (2) configured to be coupled to a user-programmable filter, the circuit comprising:
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a first control circuit that continuously adjusts current flowing through the inductor in a first operational mode; and a second control circuit that commands all of the one or more active switch elements to be maintained OFF during at least part of a second operational mode, the second control circuit configured to monitor the output current and transition the power converter from the first operational mode to the second operational mode after an average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold, the second operational mode having a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand, wherein the monitored output current is averaged to generate the average signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A circuit for controlling a power converter that delivers output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the power converter (1) having an inductor and a switch circuit with one or more active switch elements and (2) configured to be coupled to a user-programmable filter, the circuit comprising:
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a first control circuit that continuously adjusts current flowing through the inductor in a first operational mode; and a second control circuit that monitors the output current and transitions the power converter from the first operational mode into a low power consumption mode after an average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold, the low power consumption mode having a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand, wherein the monitored output current is averaged to generate the average signal.
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20. A circuit for controlling a power converter that delivers output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the circuit comprising:
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a current mirror that monitors the output current; and a comparator that commands transition of the power converter into a low power consumption mode after an average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold, the low power consumption mode having a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand, wherein the monitored output current is averaged to generate the average signal.
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21. A power converter that delivers output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the power converter having an inductor and a switch circuit with one or more active switch elements and a first control circuit that continuously adjusts current flowing through the inductor in a first operational mode, the power converter comprising:
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a second control circuit that monitors the output current and transitions the power converter from the first operational mode into a low power consumption mode after an average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold, the low power consumption mode having a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand; and a filter that averages the monitored output current to generate the average signal.
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22. A method for controlling a power converter (1) having an inductor and a switch circuit with one or more active switch elements and (2) configured to be coupled to a user-programmable filter, the power converter configured to deliver output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the method comprising:
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monitoring the output current; averaging the monitored output current to generate an average signal; continuously adjusting current flowing through the inductor in a first operational mode; transitioning the power converter from the first operational mode to a second operational mode after the average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold; maintaining all of the one or more active switch elements OFF during at least part of the second operational mode; and maintaining the power converter in the second operational mode for a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A method for controlling a power converter coupled to an inductor and a switch circuit having one or more active switch elements, the power converter configured to deliver output current to an output capacitor at an output voltage, the method comprising:
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monitoring the output current; averaging the monitored output current to generate an average signal; continuously adjusting current flowing through the inductor in a first operational mode; transitioning the power converter from the first operational mode to a low power consumption mode after the average signal crosses a first user-programmable mode transition threshold; and maintaining the power converter in the low power consumption mode for a duration that is responsive to a decrease in load current demand.
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Specification