Interface circuits for USB and lighting applications
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a power supply circuit, the method comprising:
- detecting an initial attachment of an external device to a bus connection of the power supply circuit;
indicating, by an interface circuit, to the external device and as a direct result of the detecting the initial attachment, a capability of the power supply circuit, wherein the indicating the capability of the power supply circuit is unsolicited by the external device;
receiving an input signal comprising a request for a target power supply voltage and/or current at the interface circuit at a secondary side of an adjustable power supply, wherein the request is based on the indicated capability of the power supply circuit;
producing, based on the input signal, a digital signal comprising the target power supply voltage and/or current; and
transmitting the digital signal via a galvanically isolated signal path to a controller in a primary side of the adjustable power supply.
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Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a power supply circuit includes receiving an input signal comprising a request for a target power supply voltage and/or current at an interface circuit at a secondary side of an adjustable power supply. The input signal is converted into a digital signal comprising the target power supply voltage and/or current. The digital signal is transmitted via a galvanically isolated signal path to a controller in a primary side of the adjustable power supply.
11 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of operating a power supply circuit, the method comprising:
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detecting an initial attachment of an external device to a bus connection of the power supply circuit; indicating, by an interface circuit, to the external device and as a direct result of the detecting the initial attachment, a capability of the power supply circuit, wherein the indicating the capability of the power supply circuit is unsolicited by the external device; receiving an input signal comprising a request for a target power supply voltage and/or current at the interface circuit at a secondary side of an adjustable power supply, wherein the request is based on the indicated capability of the power supply circuit; producing, based on the input signal, a digital signal comprising the target power supply voltage and/or current; and transmitting the digital signal via a galvanically isolated signal path to a controller in a primary side of the adjustable power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An interface circuit of a power supply circuit comprising:
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a receiver circuit, the receiver circuit configured to receive an input signal at a secondary side of an adjustable power supply, the input signal comprising a request for a target power supply voltage and/or current; a converter circuit configured to produce, based on the input signal, a digital signal comprising the target power supply voltage and/or current; and a transmitter circuit configured to be coupled to, but galvanically isolated from, a controller in a primary side of the adjustable power supply and configured to output the digital signal to the controller, wherein the interface circuit is further configured to detect an initial attachment of an external device to a bus connection of the power supply circuit and, as a direct result of the detecting the initial attachment, indicate, to the external device, a capability of the power supply circuit, wherein the indicating the capability of the power supply circuit is unsolicited by the external device, and wherein the request received at the receiver circuit is based on the indicated capability of the power supply circuit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A power supply circuit comprising:
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an adjustable power supply comprising a primary side winding and a secondary side winding; an interface circuit coupled to the secondary side winding, the interface circuit comprising a receiver circuit, the receiver circuit configured to receive an input signal at the secondary side, the input signal comprising a request for a target power supply voltage and/or current, a converter circuit configured to convert the input signal into a digital signal comprising the target power supply voltage and/or current, and a transmitter circuit configured to output the digital signal, wherein the interface circuit is further configured to detect an initial attachment of an external device to a bus connection of the power supply circuit and, as a direct result of the detecting the initial attachment, indicate, to the external device, a capability of the power supply circuit, wherein the indicating the capability of the power supply circuit is unsolicited by the external device, and wherein the request received at the receiver circuit is based on the indicated capability of the power supply circuit; an optical or inductive coupler coupled to the interface circuit; and a primary side circuit coupled to the primary side winding of the adjustable power supply, the primary side circuit configured to regulate an output of the adjustable power supply, the primary side circuit comprising a controller coupled to the optical or inductive coupler, wherein the controller is configured to receive the digital signal from the interface circuit through the optical or inductive coupler, and adjust the adjustable power supply to provide the requested target power supply voltage and/or current. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A method of operating a power supply circuit, the method comprising:
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detecting an initial attachment of an external device to a bus connection of the power supply circuit; supplying power at a default voltage at an output of an adjustable power supply; indicating, by an interface circuit, to the external device and as a direct result of the detecting the initial attachment, a capability of the power supply circuit, wherein the indicating the capability of the power supply circuit is unsolicited by the external device; at the interface circuit at a secondary side of the adjustable power supply, receiving an input signal comprising a request to supply power at a target current, wherein the request is based on the indicated capability of the power supply circuit; generating a digital signal comprising an indication of the target current; transmitting the digital signal via a galvanically isolated signal path to a controller in a primary side of the adjustable power supply; and supplying power at the target current at the output of the adjustable power supply.
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Specification