Method and apparatus for trimming current limit and frequency to maintain a constant maximum power

• US 7,109,696 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2005
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Power Integrations Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Power Integrations Incorporated
• Inventors: Matthews, David Michael Hugh, Balakrishnan, Balu, Djenguerian, Alex B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Shawn
• Application Number:
  US11/237,254
• Publication Number:
  US 20060022659A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 323/284, 323/282, 323/285, 323/901, 361/18
• US Class Current: 323/284
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 3/262 using field-effect transistors only
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0093 wherein the output is created by adding a regulated voltage to or subtracting it from an unregulated input
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/32 Means for protecting converters other than automatic disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/003 Constructional details, e.g. physical layout, assembly, wiring or busbar connections
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/0822 in field-effect transistor switches

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses to trim current limit (I_p) and frequency (f) to maintain a constant maximum power. In one aspect of the invention, a power supply regulator having a peak current limit detection threshold and an operating frequency is disclosed. The peak current limit threshold or the operating frequency are adjusted specifically to maintain the I_p^m·fⁿ product substantially constant from one power supply controller to another where m is substantially equal to 2 and n is substantially equal to 1. In another aspect of the invention, the power supply regulator has a control circuit having a control threshold current. The peak current limit threshold or the operating frequency are adjusted specifically to maintain the product of I_p^m·fⁿ divided by the control threshold current substantially constant from one power supply controller to another where m is substantially equal to 2 and n is substantially equal to 1.

Claims

1. A circuit, comprising:

a transistor coupled between first and second terminals;

a control circuit coupled to the transistor;

an oscillator coupled to the control circuit;

a control current sensor circuit coupled to a control terminal and to the control circuit, the control current sensor circuit to sense an excess control current through the control terminal, the control circuit to switch the transistor in response to the oscillator and the control current sensor;

a current limit circuit coupled to the transistor and the control circuit to limit a current through the transistor; and

a trim circuit coupled to the oscillator and the current limit circuit, the trim circuit to be trimmed during manufacture of the circuit to determine a maximum deliverable power value of a power supply.

2. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the maximum deliverable power of the power supply is substantially constant with a maximum deliverable power of another power supply.

3. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the excess control current through the control terminal is substantially equal to a total control terminal current less a supply current of the circuit.

4. The circuit of claim 3 wherein the control current through the control terminal is to be responsive to a reflected voltage from an energy transfer element of the power supply.

5. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the trim circuit comprises:

a frequency trim circuit coupled to the oscillator; and

a peak current limit threshold trim circuit coupled to the current limit circuit.

6. The circuit of claim 5 wherein the an operating frequency f of the oscillator is determined in response to the frequency trim circuit and a peak current limit threshold (I_p) is determined in response to the peak current limit threshold trim circuit.

7. The circuit of claim 6 wherein the frequency trim circuit and the peak current limit threshold trim circuit are trimmed during manufacture of the power supply such that a product of a square of the peak current limit threshold I_p and the operating frequency f is substantially constant with a product of a square of a peak current limit threshold I_p and an operating frequency f of another power supply.

8. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the circuit is included in a flyback converter power supply.

9. The circuit of claim 1 wherein the circuit is included in a buck converter power supply.