Microcontroller architecture for power factor correction converter
First Claim
1. A circuit for driving a motor of a compressor, the circuit comprising:
- a microcontroller comprising an operational amplifier, a comparator, a first serial interface, and a first dedicated pin, wherein;
the operational amplifier is configured to amplify a value representative of a current in a power factor correction (PFC) converter;
the comparator is configured to compare the amplified value to a reference value and assert a comparison signal in response to the amplified value exceeding the reference value; and
the comparison signal is output on the first dedicated pin;
a programmable logic device comprising a second serial interface in communication with the first serial interface and a second dedicated pin, wherein the comparison signal is received on the second dedicated pin and wherein the programmable logic device is configured to;
receive control messages from the microcontroller via the second serial interface;
in response to receiving a first control message from the microcontroller, set a value in an off-time register based on data in the first control message;
control a power switch of the PFC converter to turn off in response to the comparison signal being asserted;
subsequent to controlling the power switch to turn off, wait for a period of time determined by the off-time register and then control the power switch to turn on;
measure a turn-on delay of the power switch; and
repeat the control, the wait, and the measure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A circuit for driving a motor of a compressor includes a microcontroller, which includes an op-amp, a comparator, a first serial interface, and a first dedicated pin. The op-amp amplifies a value indicating current in a power factor correction converter, which includes a power switch. The comparator asserts a comparison signal in response to the amplified value exceeding a reference value. The comparison signal is output on the first dedicated pin. A programmable logic device (PLD) includes a second serial interface in communication with the first serial interface and a second dedicated pin. The comparison signal is received on the second dedicated pin and the PLD receives control messages from the microcontroller via the second serial interface. The PLD sets a value in an off-time register based on a control message from the microcontroller. The PLD controls the power switch according to the comparison signal and the off-time register.
60 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A circuit for driving a motor of a compressor, the circuit comprising:
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a microcontroller comprising an operational amplifier, a comparator, a first serial interface, and a first dedicated pin, wherein; the operational amplifier is configured to amplify a value representative of a current in a power factor correction (PFC) converter; the comparator is configured to compare the amplified value to a reference value and assert a comparison signal in response to the amplified value exceeding the reference value; and the comparison signal is output on the first dedicated pin; a programmable logic device comprising a second serial interface in communication with the first serial interface and a second dedicated pin, wherein the comparison signal is received on the second dedicated pin and wherein the programmable logic device is configured to; receive control messages from the microcontroller via the second serial interface; in response to receiving a first control message from the microcontroller, set a value in an off-time register based on data in the first control message; control a power switch of the PFC converter to turn off in response to the comparison signal being asserted; subsequent to controlling the power switch to turn off, wait for a period of time determined by the off-time register and then control the power switch to turn on; measure a turn-on delay of the power switch; and repeat the control, the wait, and the measure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating a programmable logic device, the method comprising:
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incrementing a value in a counter; comparing the value to a predetermined value, wherein the predetermined value is indicative of a desired off-time of a discrete switching device; while the value exceeds the predetermined value, generating a control signal that causes the discrete switching device to be energized; in response to an external input, resetting the value in the counter, wherein the external input indicates that a measured current value corresponding to the discrete switching device has exceeded a threshold current value; and updating the predetermined value according to a command received by the programmable logic device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification