Method and apparatus for controlling programmable power converter

• US 9,407,142 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2013
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries LLC (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fairchild Taiwan Corp (ON Semiconductor Corporation)
• Inventors: Yang, Ta-Yung
• Primary Examiner(s): Gblende, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Trinh
• Application Number:
  US14/046,059
• Publication Number:
  US 20140176095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 323/271, 323/272, 323/273, 323/282
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/46 wherein the variable actually regulated by the final control device is dc G05F1/625 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0025 Arrangements for modifying reference values, feedback values or error values in the control loop of a converter
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/156 with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/157 with digital control
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/158 including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load

Abstract

The present invention provides a circuit for controlling a programmable power converter. The circuit includes a micro-controller, a controller, and a timer. The controller includes a voltage error amplifier. The micro-controller has a program memory and a data memory. The controller generates switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of the programmable power converter. The voltage error amplifier generates the voltage-feedback signal according to a voltage reference signal and the output voltage of the programmable power converter. A gain of the voltage error amplifier and a value of the reference signal are programmed by the micro-controller.

Claims

1. A circuit for controlling a programmable power converter, comprising:

a micro-controller, having a program memory and a data memory; and

a controller, generating switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of said programmable power converter, wherein said controller comprises;

a voltage error amplifier, generating said voltage-feedback signal according to a voltage reference signal and said output voltage of said programmable power converters; and

a current error amplifier, generating a current-feedback signal according to a current reference signal and an output current of said programmable power converter;

wherein said controller generates said switching signals according to said current feedback signal to regulate said output current of said programmable power converter,

wherein a gain of said voltage error amplifier and a value of said voltage reference signal are programmed by said micro-controller, and

wherein a gain of said current error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller.

2. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises:

an analog-to-digital converter, coupled to convert a level of an input voltage of said programmable power converter to a digital code;

wherein said micro-controller is coupled to read said digital code.

3. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller further comprises:

a ramp-signal generator, generating ramping signals coupled to compare with said voltage feedback signal and said current feedback signal for generating said switching signals;

wherein said ramp-signal generator further generates a maximum on-time signal for determining a maximum on time of said switching signals.

4. The circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a timer, generating a frequency signal to determine a switching frequency of said switching signals,

wherein a frequency of said frequency signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

5. The circuit as claimed in claim 3, wherein slopes of said ramping signals are controlled by said micro-controller.

6. A method for controlling a programmable power converter, comprising:

generating switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of said programmable power converter;

generating said voltage-feedback signal by a voltage error amplifier according to a voltage reference signal and said output voltage of said programmable power converter, and

generating a current-feedback signal by a current error amplifier according to a current reference signal and an output current of said programmable power converter,

wherein said current-feedback signal is coupled to control said switching signals for regulating said output current of said programmable power converter,

wherein said voltage reference signal and a frequency of said switching signals are programmed by a micro-controller, and said micro-controller includes a program memory and a data memory, and

wherein a gain of said voltage error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller, and

wherein said current reference signal is controlled by said micro-controller, and a pain of said current error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

generating ramping signals coupled to compare with said voltage-feedback signal and a current-feedback signal for generating said switching signals,

wherein slopes of said ramping signals are controlled by said micro-controller.

8. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

generating a maximum on-time signal coupled to determine a maximum on time of said switching signals,

wherein said maximum on-time signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

9. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

generating a light-load signal, coupled to control said switching signals for light load operation,

wherein said light-load signal is controlled by said micro-controller.

10. A method for controlling a programmable power converter, comprising:

generating a switching signal in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of said programmable power converter;

generating said switching signal in response to a current-feedback signal for regulating an output current of said programmable power converter;

generating said voltage-feedback signal by a voltage error amplifier according to a voltage reference signal and said output voltage of said programmable power converter; and

generating said current-feedback signal by a current error amplifier according to a current reference signal and said output current of said programmable power converter,

wherein said voltage reference signal and said current reference signal are programmed by a micro-controller,

wherein said micro-controller includes a program memory and a data memory, and

wherein a gain of said current error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said micro-controller has a communication interface to communicate with I/O (input/output) devices.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a gain of said voltage error amplifier is controlled by said micro-controller.