Adjustable constant current source with continuous conduction mode (“CCM”) and discontinuous conduction mode (“DCM”) operation
First Claim
1. A converter system, comprising:
- a converter power stage that can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents wherein the converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch and the converter power stage provides an average current, anda current controller coupled to the converter power stage; and
wherein when the converter power stage operates in DCM, the converter power stage provides the average current and wherein the current controller is configured to measure the inductor value of the inductor.
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Abstract
A converter system and method of operating a converter system are disclosed. The converter system comprises a converter power stage that can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents. The converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch. The converter power stage provides an average current. A current controller is coupled to the converter power stage. When the converter power stage operates in DCM, the converter power stage provides the average current and the current controller is configured to measure the inductor value of the inductor. Furthermore, the current controller can also be configured to measure an input-to-output conversion ratio from the converter power stage.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A converter system, comprising:
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a converter power stage that can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents wherein the converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch and the converter power stage provides an average current, and a current controller coupled to the converter power stage; and wherein when the converter power stage operates in DCM, the converter power stage provides the average current and wherein the current controller is configured to measure the inductor value of the inductor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of operating a converter system, comprising:
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operating a converter power stage in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents in which the converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch; providing, by the converter power stage, an average current; controlling, by a current controller, a current in the converter power stage; and when the converter power stage operates in DCM, providing, by the converter power stage, the average current and configuring the current controller to measure the inductor value of the inductor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A current controller for controlling an inductor current of a converter power stage wherein the converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch and can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents;
- comprising;
a local power supply, a state machine, a digital-to-analog converter, a comparator, and a clock coupled together in an operable manner, wherein the state machine receives a target current and the comparator compares a sense current from the converter with the target current, and the comparison is fed to the state machine to respectively provide a control signal to the switch; the state machine is able to receive and measure from the converter power stage the inductor value so that the converter power stage is able to provide an average current of the converter power stage when the converter power stage operates in DCM. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
- comprising;
Specification