Servo balancing among driver devices
First Claim
1. A parallel array of driver elements having a common input node and a common main output node, said array comprising:
- a master driver means capable of providing an output signal conveyed through a sensing means to a main output node, which master amplifier is disposed to receive a controlling signal from a common input node; and
at least one slave driver means capable of providing an output signal conveyed through a sensing means to said main output node, which slave driver means is disposed to receive a controlling signal from said common input node; and
a separate differential servo means associated with each said slave driver means, which servo means is configured to differentially sense the output voltages of said master driver and of said associated slave driver, which said servo means being disposed to convey negative feedback to said associated slave driver operative thereby forcing the slave driver'"'"'s output voltage to substantially track the master output voltage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for reducing imbalances among the outputs of a plurality of driver devices connected in a parallel configuration to drive a common load. One driver is designated as the master, and suitable servo circuitry is provided to each of the other slave drivers, each servo being operative to force the output of its associated slave driver to accurately track the output of the designated master driver. The servo circuitry may be disposed to equalize either the output voltages or output currents of the several drivers to ensure load balancing among the drivers, to reduce cross-conduction currents and attendant power wastage and improve dynamic performance. The plurality of drivers may either operate in an open-loop configuration, or be enclosed within an overall negative feedback loop under the control of a separate controller that itself may be an amplifier.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A parallel array of driver elements having a common input node and a common main output node, said array comprising:
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a master driver means capable of providing an output signal conveyed through a sensing means to a main output node, which master amplifier is disposed to receive a controlling signal from a common input node; and at least one slave driver means capable of providing an output signal conveyed through a sensing means to said main output node, which slave driver means is disposed to receive a controlling signal from said common input node; and a separate differential servo means associated with each said slave driver means, which servo means is configured to differentially sense the output voltages of said master driver and of said associated slave driver, which said servo means being disposed to convey negative feedback to said associated slave driver operative thereby forcing the slave driver'"'"'s output voltage to substantially track the master output voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A composite amplifier comprising:
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a control amplifier, provided with differential inputs, disposed to deliver a controlling input signal for a parallel array of substantially identical drivers, one of which is the master driver while the others are slave drivers; for each slave driver, an associated differential servo amplifier, operative to force the output voltage of its associated slave driver to substantially track the output voltage of the master driver; and
eitherone connection from the common output node of the plurality of driver amplifiers to one input of the control amplifier to provide voltage-mode feedback, such that the output voltage of the composite amplifier is controlled by the differential input signal conveyed to the control amplifier;
ortwo connections from a common load current sensing means to the differential inputs of the control amplifier to provide current-mode feedback, such that the output current of the composite amplifier is controlled by the differential input signal conveyed to the control amplifier. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A parallel array of drivers having a common input node and a common main output node, said array comprising:
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a first driver capable of providing an output signal conveyed through a first sensor to a main output node and disposed to receive a controlling signal from a common input node; at least one additional driver capable of providing an output signal conveyed through a sensor to said main output node and disposed to receive a controlling signal from said common input node; and a differential servo associated with each said drivers and configured to differentially sense the output voltages of said first driver and said additional driver, said differential servo being disposed to convey negative feedback to said additional driver. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A composite amplifier comprising:
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a control amplifier having differential inputs, disposed to deliver a controlling input signal for a parallel array of substantially identical drivers, wherein one of said drivers is a master driver and each other of said drivers is a slave driver of said master driver; wherein for each slave driver, an associated differential servo amplifier is operative to force the output voltage of its associated slave driver to substantially track the output voltage of the master driver.
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Specification