Current-fed multiple-output power converter
First Claim
1. A power converter comprising:
- a first stage comprising a current source for generating a current signal; and
a second stage comprising;
n output circuits coupled to the current source for converting the current signal into n corresponding output voltages, wherein each of the n output circuits comprises an output switch responsive to a corresponding nth control signal for regulating the corresponding nth output voltage; and
a controller for generating the n control signals comprising;
for each of the n output circuits;
an error amplifier configured to generate an output signal based upon a comparison of the output voltage of the nth output circuit and a corresponding nth reference voltage;
a waveform generator for generating a waveform signal, wherein the waveform signals for the n output circuits are characterized by a common amplitude and period, and wherein the phases of the waveforms signals are spaced at predetermined intervals; and
a summing circuit for summing the output of the error amplifier and the waveform signal to generate an amplitude-shifted waveform signal; and
a comparator circuit for outputting the n control signals to the output switches based upon a comparison of the relative amplitudes of the amplitude-shifted waveform signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power converter is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the power converter includes a first stage including a current source for generating a current signal, and a second stage. The second stage includes n output circuits coupled to the current source for converting the current signal into n corresponding output voltages. Each of the n output circuits includes an output switch responsive to a corresponding nth control signal for regulating the corresponding nth output voltage. The second stage further includes a controller for generating the n control signals. The controller includes, for each of the n output circuits, an error amplifier, a waveform generator, and a summing circuit. Each error amplifier generates an output signal based upon a comparison of the output voltage of the nth output circuit and a corresponding nth reference voltage. Each waveform generator generates a waveform signal. The waveform signals for the n output circuits are characterized by a common amplitude and period, and the phases of the waveforms signals are spaced at predetermined intervals. The summing circuit sums the output of the error amplifier and the waveform signal to generate an amplitude-shifted waveform signal. The controller further includes a comparator circuit for outputting the n control signals to the output switches based upon a comparison of the relative amplitudes of the amplitude-shifted waveform signals.
22 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A power converter comprising:
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a first stage comprising a current source for generating a current signal; and a second stage comprising; n output circuits coupled to the current source for converting the current signal into n corresponding output voltages, wherein each of the n output circuits comprises an output switch responsive to a corresponding nth control signal for regulating the corresponding nth output voltage; and a controller for generating the n control signals comprising; for each of the n output circuits; an error amplifier configured to generate an output signal based upon a comparison of the output voltage of the nth output circuit and a corresponding nth reference voltage; a waveform generator for generating a waveform signal, wherein the waveform signals for the n output circuits are characterized by a common amplitude and period, and wherein the phases of the waveforms signals are spaced at predetermined intervals; and a summing circuit for summing the output of the error amplifier and the waveform signal to generate an amplitude-shifted waveform signal; and a comparator circuit for outputting the n control signals to the output switches based upon a comparison of the relative amplitudes of the amplitude-shifted waveform signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for regulating n voltage outputs of a current-fed power converter, wherein each voltage output is generated by a corresponding switched output circuit, comprising:
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for each of the n voltage outputs; generating an error signal based upon a comparison of the nth voltage output and a corresponding nth reference voltage; generating a waveform signal, wherein the waveform signals for the n output circuits are characterized by a common amplitude and period, and wherein the phases of the waveforms signals are spaced at predetermined intervals; and summing the error signal and the waveform signal to create a corresponding amplitude-shifted waveform signal; and performing a comparison of the amplitude-shifted waveform signals corresponding to each of the n voltage outputs to determine which has the largest amplitude; and outputting a control signal to the output circuit corresponding to the determined amplitude-shifted waveform signal, wherein the output circuit comprises a switch for regulating the corresponding voltage output responsive to the control signal.
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Specification