Calibration method and calibration device for current detection and current protection mechanism

Abstract

The calibration method and calibration device of current detection and current protection mechanism, the calibration device comprises: a master control unit, an interface conversion unit, an electronic load generation unit and a power transmission function detection unit; the electronic load generation unit provides an electronic load, so that the universal serial bus control chip outputs a load constant current and corresponds to the load constant current, and generates an analog-to-digital conversion value by using at least one preset conversion parameter; the master control unit inputs and corresponds to the analog-to-digital conversion value, generates and stores a to-be-calibrated output current by using a to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation method and at least one preset conversion parameter, generates at least one calibration conversion parameter by corresponding to the load constant current and the to-be-calibrated output current and using a conversion parameter calibration method, and replaces at least one preset conversion parameter in the universal serial bus control chip with at least one calibration conversion parameter, so that the universal serial bus control chip generates calibrated analog-to-digital conversion values by using at least one calibration conversion parameter and can correctly start the overcurrent protection mechanism.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a calibration method of current detection and current protection mechanism and a calibration device using the same, and in particular to a calibration method of current detection and current protection mechanism applied to a universal serial bus (USB) control chip and a calibration device using the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] The universal serial bus (USB) transmission specification has been widely used as an interface transmission standard by various electronic devices. In recent years, the popular Type C universal serial bus (USB-C) transmission specification provides higher power transmission capability and data transmission speed based on the traditional USB standard, and can meet the increasing connection needs between modern devices.

[0003] Among them, the power delivery (PD) function agreement of the USB-C transmission specification is the basis for achieving higher power transmission capability (including providing large power), and therefore, various chips currently used to implement the aforementioned USB-C transmission specification, whether they are intended to use general-purpose microprocessor chips or special-purpose single chips to implement and serve as such Type C universal serial bus (USB-C) control chips, must have a design that can implement the aforementioned PD function agreement. Moreover, based on the implementation of the aforementioned PD function agreement to supply large power requirements of electronic products, the USB-C control chip often needs to have an over current protection (OCP) mechanism to protect various electronic products electrically connected to the USB-C control chip.

[0004] Further, when implementing the aforementioned PD function agreement, the USB-C control chip usually performs an analog-to-digital signal conversion program according to a preset analog-to-digital conversion module and using at least one preset conversion parameter matched with the analog-to-digital conversion module, to convert an analog transmission current prepared to be output by the USB-C control chip into an analog-to-digital conversion value (ADC value) and perform storage recording. In this way, when the USB-C control chip detects that the analog transmission current is equal to or greater than a preset power-off protection threshold value through the analog-to-digital conversion value, the USB-C control chip needs to immediately stop outputting the analog transmission current to achieve the aforementioned over current protection mechanism.

[0005] The analog-to-digital conversion module is a set of conversion operation formulas, and preferably, is built in the USB-C control chip in the form of firmware. The at least one preset conversion parameter is an important parameter for participating in the operation process of the analog-to-digital conversion module. Of course, the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter are technical contents that can be understood and known by those skilled in the art, and will not be described here.

[0006] On the other hand, in terms of actual implementation, if the USB-C transmission specification is implemented with a lower specification chip based on production cost considerations, the chip itself may have weak anti-noise ability or poor analog-to-digital conversion resolution, which may cause large errors in the process of converting the analog transmission current into analog-to-digital conversion values by the USB-C control chip, resulting in serious inaccuracy or deviation of the generated analog-to-digital conversion values. Therefore, this will lead to the overcurrent protection mechanism being started too early, so that the USB-C control chip cannot be normally powered, or the overcurrent protection mechanism being started too late, so that some electronic products electrically connected to the USB-C control chip are in a high-risk situation of large current impact.

[0007] Based on the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, how to balance the production cost of electronic products and enable the USB-C control chip to correctly convert and record the actual output current value, thereby ensuring that the overcurrent protection mechanism can be correctly started, is the technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure. SUMMARY

[0008] The main purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a calibration method for a universal serial bus control chip to generate a correct analog-to-digital conversion value and a calibration device using the method.

[0009] Another purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a calibration method for a universal serial bus control chip to correctly start an overcurrent protection (OCP) mechanism and a calibration device using the method.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a calibration method of current detection and current protection mechanism, which is applied to a universal serial bus (USB) control chip. The calibration method comprises the following steps: (a) providing a calibration device electrically connected to the universal serial bus control chip; wherein the universal serial bus control chip is internally provided with at least one preset conversion parameter, and the calibration device is internally provided with a to-be-calibrated current back calculation means and the at least one preset conversion parameter; (b) making the calibration device provide an electronic load to form a load constant current; (c) making the calibration device obtain an analog-to-digital conversion value (ADC value) generated by the universal serial bus control chip in response to the load constant current and by using the at least one preset conversion parameter; (d) in response to the analog-to-digital conversion value, and by using the to-be-calibrated current back calculation means and the at least one preset conversion parameter provided in the calibration device, the calibration device generates and stores a to-be-calibrated output current; wherein in response to the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameter, the step (b) to the step (d) is executed at least once or multiple times to sequentially generate one or more load constant currents, to sequentially generate one or more analog-to-digital conversion values, and to sequentially generate one or more to-be-calibrated output currents; (e) in response to the one or more load constant currents, and in response to the one or more to-be-calibrated output currents, and by using a conversion parameter calibration means provided in the calibration device, the calibration device generates at least one calibrated conversion parameter; and (f) making the calibration device replace the at least one preset conversion parameter in the universal serial bus control chip with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter, so that the universal serial bus control chip uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter to generate a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value and correctly enable an overcurrent protection (OCP) mechanism.

[0011] In a preferred implementation, before the step (b), the calibration method further comprises a step (b1): initializing the universal serial bus control chip by the calibration device.

[0012] In a preferred implementation, in the step (c), the universal serial bus control chip uses an analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter to convert the load constant current into the analog-to-digital conversion value.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, wherein the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameter is two in the step (d), the steps (b) to (d) are performed twice so that the calibration device sequentially generates two load constant currents, the general serial bus control chip sequentially generates two analog-to-digital conversion values with respect to the two load constant currents, and the calibration device sequentially generates two output currents to be calibrated with respect to the two analog-to-digital conversion values.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, wherein the calibration device generates the two calibrated conversion parameters by using the conversion parameter calibration means provided in the calibration device with respect to the two load constant currents and the two output currents to be calibrated in the step (e).

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, wherein the step (f) further comprises steps of: (fl) replacing the at least one preset conversion parameter in the general serial bus control chip with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter by the calibration device so that the general serial bus control chip generates the calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value with respect to the load constant current and using the at least one calibrated conversion parameter; (f2) providing another electronic load by the calibration device to form an overload constant current; (f3) determining whether the general serial bus control chip can activate the overcurrent protection mechanism with respect to the overload constant current; (f4) re-executing the steps (b) to (d), (fl) to (f3) when the general serial bus control chip fails to activate the overcurrent protection mechanism; and (f5) ending the calibration method of the current detection and protection mechanism when the general serial bus control chip activates the overcurrent protection mechanism.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, wherein the overload constant current is equal to or greater than a power-off protection threshold value used by the general serial bus control chip to stop the output current in the step (f2).

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, wherein the activation of the overcurrent protection mechanism refers to that the output voltage level of an overcurrent protection pin of the general serial bus control chip is changed from a voltage level state to another voltage level state with respect to the overload constant current by the general serial bus control chip, and the failure to activate the overcurrent protection mechanism refers to that the output voltage level of the overcurrent protection pin still remains in the voltage level state without being changed to the another voltage level state with respect to the overload constant current by the general serial bus control chip in the steps (f4) and (f5).

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the USB-C controller chip is a Type-C USB controller chip with a Power Delivery (PD) function agreement.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the USB-C controller chip is disposed in an electronic product or a circuit board under test, and any of the electronic product or the circuit board under test is electrically connected to the calibration device, and any of the electronic product or the circuit board under test is provided with a USB port.

[0020] Another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure provides a calibration device for current detection and current protection mechanism, applied to a USB controller chip with at least one preset conversion parameter, the calibration device comprising: an electronic load generating unit electrically connected to the USB controller chip, the electronic load generating unit being configured to provide an electronic load to make the USB controller chip output a load constant current, and to make the USB controller chip generate an ADC value in response to the load constant current and using the at least one preset conversion parameter; an interface conversion unit electrically connected to the USB controller chip, the interface conversion unit being configured to convert the ADC value belonging to a non-USB transmission specification into the ADC value belonging to a USB transmission specification; and a master control unit electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit and the interface conversion unit, the master control unit being configured to input and respond to the ADC value belonging to the USB transmission specification, and to use a to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means and the at least one preset conversion parameter disposed in the master control unit, so that the master control unit generates and stores a to-be-calibrated output current, and the master control unit further responds to the load constant current and the to-be-calibrated output current, and uses a conversion parameter calibration means disposed in the master control unit to generate at least one calibrated conversion parameter; wherein the master control unit replaces the at least one preset conversion parameter in the USB controller chip with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter, so that the USB controller chip uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter to generate a calibrated ADC value and correctly enable an OCP mechanism.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the USB-C controller chip is a Type-C USB controller chip with a Power Delivery (PD) function agreement.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the Type-C USB control chip is disposed in an electronic product or a circuit board to be tested, and any one of the electronic product or the circuit board is electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit and the interface conversion unit.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, any one of the electronic product or the circuit board is provided with a USB port, and a power line group in the USB port is directly electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit, so that the Type-C USB control chip generates and outputs the load constant current due to the electronic load.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, a power transmission function detection unit is further included and electrically connected between the USB port and the electronic load generating unit, and a power line group in the USB port is indirectly electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit through the power transmission function detection unit, so that the Type-C USB control chip generates and outputs the load constant current due to the electronic load.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the power transmission function detection unit is electrically connected between the USB port and the master control unit, the master control unit can communicate with the Type-C USB control chip through the power transmission function detection unit to confirm a voltage specification range in the power transmission function agreement, and the electronic load generating unit generates a corresponding electronic load, so that the Type-C USB control chip generates and outputs the load constant current due to the electronic load.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the electronic load generating unit is used to provide another electronic load, so that the USB control chip outputs an overload constant current, and the USB control chip activates the overcurrent protection mechanism due to the overload constant current; wherein the overcurrent protection mechanism refers to that the USB control chip changes an output voltage level of an overcurrent protection pin of the USB control chip from a voltage level state to another voltage level state due to the overload constant current.

[0027] In a preferred implementation, the USB control chip and the current back-pushing calculation means in the host unit both include an analog-to-digital conversion module, so that the USB control chip can apply the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter to convert the load constant current into the analog-to-digital conversion value, or the host unit can apply the current back-pushing calculation means with the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter to generate and store the calibrated output current.

[0028] In a preferred implementation, the non-USB transmission specification can be at least any one of an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I 2 C) bus transmission specification, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) bus transmission specification, or a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus transmission specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a first preferred calibration method of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 2A , Figure 2B FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a second preferred calibration method of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 3 FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a first preferred calibration device of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second preferred calibration device of the present disclosure.

[0033] In the drawings, the following reference numerals are used:

[0034] S100, S101, S102, S103, S104, S105, S106: steps

[0035] S200, S201, S202, S203, S204, S205, S206, S207, S208, S209, S210, S211, S212, S213: steps

[0036] 10, 20: electronic product (circuit board to be measured)

[0037] 101, 201: universal serial bus control chip

[0038] 102, 202: universal serial bus transmission end

[0039] 1011, 2011: analog-to-digital conversion module

[0040] 11, 21: calibration device

[0041] 111, 211: master control unit

[0042] 1111, 2111: to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means

[0043] 1112, 2112: conversion parameter calibration means

[0044] 112, 212: interface conversion unit

[0045] 113, 213: electronic load generation unit

[0046] 114: power transmission function detection unit

[0047] L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L20, L21, L22, L23: electrical connection path DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] In order to make the description of the present disclosure more detailed and complete, the following describes the illustrative description of the embodiments and specific examples of the present disclosure; but this is not the only form of implementation or use of the specific embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiments disclosed below can be combined or replaced with each other in a beneficial case, or other embodiments can be added in an embodiment, without further description or explanation.

[0049] The present disclosure is provided below. The universal serial bus (USB) control chip belongs to the Type C type universal serial bus (USB-C) control chip with a power delivery (PD) function; wherein the power delivery (PD) function refers to a universal serial bus that can provide a maximum of 100W (watt) power supply and receive power, which is a power supply expansion standard of a universal serial bus, and wherein the voltage range that can be supported is expanded from the original standard of 5V (volt) to 20V (volt), and the current range that can be supported is expanded from the original standard of 2A (ampere) to 5A (ampere).

[0050] But the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and for other general-purpose serial bus (USB) control chips of later advanced or updated bus versions, if there are provided similar power delivery (PD) functions, the calibration solutions and optimization schemes proposed below can be applied.

[0051] As to the calibration method of the current detection and current protection mechanism disclosed by the present disclosure, please refer to Figure 1 which is a flowchart example of a first preferred embodiment calibration method of the present disclosure, which at least includes the following preferred implementation steps:

[0052] Step S100: Start;

[0053] Step S101: Provide a calibration device electrically connected to a general-purpose serial bus (USB) control chip; wherein the USB control chip is internally provided with at least one preset conversion parameter, and the calibration device is internally provided with a to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means and the at least one preset conversion parameter;

[0054] A preferred method, wherein the USB control chip is arranged in an electronic product or a to-be-tested circuit board, and any of the electronic product or the to-be-tested circuit board is electrically connected to the calibration device; for example, the electronic product can be a docking station, but is not limited thereto;

[0055] In addition, any of the electronic product or the to-be-tested circuit board is provided with a USB port;

[0056] Step S102: Make the calibration device provide an electronic load to form a load constant current;

[0057] Step S103: Make the calibration device obtain an ADC value generated by the USB control chip due to the load constant current and using the at least one preset conversion parameter;

[0058] A preferred method, wherein the USB control chip uses an ADC module and uses the at least one preset conversion parameter to convert the load constant current into the ADC value;

[0059] A preferred method, wherein the at least one preset conversion parameter and the ADC module are matched with each other, and the to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means arranged inside the calibration device further includes the ADC module;

[0060] The analog-to-digital conversion module is a set of conversion operation formulas. Preferably, the module is built in the USB control chip and the calibration device in the form of firmware. The at least one preset conversion parameter is an important parameter for the operation of the analog-to-digital conversion module. The analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter are known to those skilled in the art, and will not be described here.

[0061] Step S104: The analog-to-digital conversion value is used to generate and store a calibrated output current in the calibration device by using the back-calculation operation means of the calibrated current and the at least one preset conversion parameter. The steps S102 to S104 are executed at least once or multiple times according to the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameter, to sequentially generate one or more load constant currents, one or more analog-to-digital conversion values, and one or more calibrated output currents.

[0062] Preferably, the calibration device generates and stores the calibrated output current by using the back-calculation operation means of the calibrated current and the at least one preset conversion parameter.

[0063] For example, when the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameter is two, three or four, the steps S102 to S104 are executed twice, three times or four times, to sequentially generate two, three or four load constant currents, two, three or four analog-to-digital conversion values, and two, three or four calibrated output currents.

[0064] Step S105: The at least one calibrated conversion parameter is generated in the calibration device by using a conversion parameter calibration means according to the one or more load constant currents and the one or more calibrated output currents.

[0065] Step S106: The at least one preset conversion parameter in the USB control chip is replaced by the at least one calibrated conversion parameter in the calibration device, so that the USB control chip generates a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value and correctly starts an over-current protection (OCP) mechanism by using the at least one calibrated conversion parameter.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the universal serial bus control chip is set to a load current, and the at least one calibrated conversion parameter and the analog-to-digital conversion module are used to generate the calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value, so that the overcurrent protection mechanism can be correctly activated.

[0067] One of the technical features of the first preferred calibration method is that even if the universal serial bus control chip used in the aforementioned step S103 is implemented by a chip with a lower specification (e.g., a lower cost), and the analog-to-digital conversion value is incorrect due to the weak anti-noise capability of the chip itself or the poor resolution of the analog-to-digital conversion of the chip itself, the calibrated output current can be obtained by performing the to-be-calibrated current back calculation means and the at least one preset conversion parameter in the aforementioned step S104, so that the incorrect current value corresponding to the analog-to-digital conversion value (i.e., the to-be-calibrated output current) can be obtained. Then, the calibration device uses the to-be-calibrated output current with a deviation and the load current known and correct, and uses the conversion parameter calibration means provided in the calibration device, so that the calibration device obtains the at least one calibrated conversion parameter with a compensating property. That is, the at least one calibrated conversion parameter used to correct the universal serial bus control chip can be obtained by the aforementioned embodiment.

[0068] Of course, the calibration device uses the to-be-calibrated current back calculation means with the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter in the aforementioned step S104 to back calculate the to-be-calibrated output current, and the calibration device uses the to-be-calibrated output current and the load current to convert the at least one calibrated conversion parameter in the aforementioned step S105. The specific implementation manner can be understood by those skilled in the art after referring to the disclosure, and various same or equivalent manners are not excluded from the protection scope claimed by the disclosure.

[0069] In addition, the at least one preset conversion parameter in the universal serial bus control chip is replaced by the at least one calibrated conversion parameter by performing the aforementioned step S106, so that the universal serial bus control chip uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter and the analog-to-digital conversion module to generate the calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value, so that the overcurrent protection mechanism can be correctly activated.

[0070] To further illustrate the spirit of the calibration method of the disclosure, the following specific embodiment is exemplified when the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameter is two.

[0071] In addition, the following preferred embodiment of the calibration method uses a Universal Serial Bus (USB) control chip as an example to be described, which is a Type C Universal Serial Bus (USB-C) control chip with Power Delivery (PD) function.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 2A , Figure 2B which is a flowchart example of a second preferred embodiment of the calibration method of the present disclosure, which includes at least the following preferred implementation steps:

[0073] Step S200: Start;

[0074] Step S201: Provide a calibration device electrically connected to a USB-C control chip; wherein the USB-C control chip is internally provided with two sets of preset conversion parameters, and the calibration device is internally provided with a to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means and the two sets of preset conversion parameters;

[0075] A preferred method, wherein the USB-C control chip is arranged in an electronic product or a to-be-tested circuit board, and any of the electronic product or the to-be-tested circuit board is electrically connected to the calibration device; for example, the electronic product can be a docking station, but is not limited thereto;

[0076] In addition, any of the electronic product or the to-be-tested circuit board is provided with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port;

[0077] Step S202: Make the calibration device initialize the USB-C control chip;

[0078] A preferred method, the calibration device can initialize a power-off protection threshold value set by the USB-C control chip to stop outputting current, so that the USB-C control chip determines whether to start an over-current protection (OCP) mechanism;

[0079] Step S203: Make the calibration device provide a first electronic load to form a first load constant current;

[0080] Step S204: Make the calibration device obtain a first analog-to-digital conversion value (ADC value) generated by the USB-C control chip due to the first load constant current and using the two sets of preset conversion parameters;

[0081] A preferred method, wherein the USB-C control chip uses an analog-to-digital conversion module and uses the two sets of preset conversion parameters to convert the first load constant current into the first analog-to-digital conversion value;

[0082] A preferable method, wherein the two sets of preset conversion parameters are matched with the analog-to-digital conversion module, and the calibrated current back calculation means set in the calibration device further comprises the analog-to-digital conversion module, but not limited thereto;

[0083] Step S205: According to the first analog-to-digital conversion value, and using the calibrated current back calculation means set in the calibration device and the two sets of preset conversion parameters, the calibration device generates and stores a first calibrated output current;

[0084] A preferable method, wherein the calibration device generates and stores the first calibrated output current according to the first analog-to-digital conversion value, and using the calibrated current back calculation means with the analog-to-digital conversion module and the two sets of preset conversion parameters;

[0085] Step S206: The calibration device provides a second electronic load to form a second load constant current;

[0086] Step S207: The calibration device obtains a second analog-to-digital conversion value generated by the USB-C control chip according to the second load constant current and using the two sets of preset conversion parameters;

[0087] A preferable method, wherein the USB-C control chip uses the analog-to-digital conversion module and uses the two sets of preset conversion parameters to convert the second load constant current into the second analog-to-digital conversion value;

[0088] Step S208: According to the second analog-to-digital conversion value, and using the calibrated current back calculation means set in the calibration device and the two sets of preset conversion parameters, the calibration device generates and stores a second calibrated output current;

[0089] A preferable method, wherein the calibration device generates and stores the second calibrated output current according to the second analog-to-digital conversion value, and using the calibrated current back calculation means with the analog-to-digital conversion module and the two sets of preset conversion parameters;

[0090] Step S209: According to the first and second load constant currents, and according to the first and second calibrated output currents, and using a conversion parameter calibration means set in the calibration device, the calibration device generates two sets of calibrated conversion parameters;

[0091] Step S210: causing the calibration device to replace the two sets of preset conversion parameters in the USB-C control chip with the two sets of calibrated conversion parameters, so that the USB-C control chip can respond to any one of the first and second load constant currents, and use the two sets of calibrated conversion parameters to generate a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value;

[0092] Step S211: causing the calibration device to provide a third electronic load to form a generating an overload constant current;

[0093] Preferably, the overload constant current is equal to or greater than a power-off protection threshold value used by the USB-C control chip to stop output current;

[0094] Step S212: determining whether the USB-C control chip can start the overcurrent protection (OCP) mechanism in response to the overload constant current;

[0095] Step S213: when the USB-C control chip fails to start the overcurrent protection mechanism, re-executing the step S203 to the step S212; and

[0096] Step S214: when the USB-C control chip can start the overcurrent protection mechanism, ending the current detection and current protection mechanism calibration method;

[0097] Preferably, in the step S213, starting the overcurrent protection mechanism means that the output voltage level of an overcurrent protection pin (not shown in the figure) of the USB-C control chip changes from a voltage level state to another voltage level state in response to the overload constant current, and in the step S214, failing to start the overcurrent protection mechanism means that the output voltage level of the overcurrent protection pin still maintains in the voltage level state without changing to the another voltage level state in response to the overload constant current.

[0098] The following two actual examples are used to further disclose the spirit of the present disclosure:

[0099] Example 1: Assuming that the power-off protection threshold value for starting the over-current protection mechanism is set to 4.5 A, and assuming that the first and second load set currents are set to 2 A and 4.25 A (to represent the actual output current values of the USB-C control chip), the USB-C control chip will generate the first and second analog-to-digital conversion values (e.g., two sets of analog-to-digital conversion values with different 8-bit values) according to the first and second load set currents (2 A and 4.25 A) and using the two sets of preset conversion parameters. Then, the calibration device obtains the first and second analog-to-digital conversion values and calculates the first and second calibrated output currents (2.5 A and 5 A) by using the two sets of preset conversion parameters and the to-be-calibrated current back calculation means. At this time, it can be seen that the first and second analog-to-digital conversion values generated by the USB-C control chip are incorrect, so that the first and second calibrated output currents (2.5 A and 5 A) calculated by back calculation are not equal to the first and second load set currents (2 A and 4.25 A). If calibration is not performed at this time, the incorrect second calibrated output current (5 A) is obviously higher than the power-off protection threshold value (4.5 A), but the actual output current of the USB-C control chip is only 4.25 A (the second load set current). In this way, the USB-C control chip will start the over-current protection mechanism too early and stop outputting current due to the incorrect second calibrated output current (5 A), so that the electronic device electrically connected to the USB-C control chip cannot normally obtain power supply from the USB-C control chip.

[0100] Of course, the calibration device can generate two sets of calibrated conversion parameters by using the first and second load set currents (2 A and 4.25 A) and the first and second calibrated output currents (2.5 A and 5 A) and using the conversion parameter calibration means, and then replacing the two sets of preset conversion parameters, so that the USB-C control chip can generate calibrated analog-to-digital conversion values and correctly start the over-current protection mechanism. For example, assuming that the USB-C control chip generates the second load set current (4.25 A) again due to the second electronic load, the USB-C control chip can generate correct analog-to-digital conversion values (i.e., correctly corresponding to 4.25 A), and will not start the over-current protection mechanism too early and stop outputting current inappropriately.

[0101] Example 2: Assuming that the power-off protection threshold value for starting the over-current protection mechanism is reset to 3.5 A according to different output power requirements, and assuming that the first and second load set currents are set to 2.5 A and 3.8 A (representing the actual output current values of the USB-C control chip), the USB-C control chip will generate the first and second analog-to-digital conversion values (for example, two sets of analog-to-digital conversion values with different 8-bit values) according to the first and second load set currents (2.5 A, 3.8 A) and using the two sets of preset conversion parameters. Then, the calibration device obtains the first and second analog-to-digital conversion values and calculates the first and second calibrated output currents (2.2 A, 3.3 A) by the back-calculation operation means and the two sets of preset conversion parameters. At this point, it is clear that the first and second analog-to-digital conversion values generated by the USB-C control chip are also incorrect, resulting in the first and second calibrated output currents (2.2 A, 3.3 A) not equal to the first and second load set currents (2.5 A, 3.8 A). If calibration is not performed at this time, the incorrect second calibrated output current (3.3 A) is obviously lower than the power-off protection threshold value (3.5 A), but the actual output current is as high as 3.8 A (the second load set current). Therefore, the USB-C control chip will still not start the over-current protection mechanism (i.e., the over-current protection mechanism will be started too late) due to the incorrect second calibrated output current (3.3 A), resulting in the electronic device electrically connected to the USB-C control chip facing the risk of excessive current impact.

[0102] Of course, the calibration device can generate two sets of calibrated conversion parameters by using the first and second load set currents (2.5 A, 3.8 A) and the first and second calibrated output currents (2.2 A, 3.3 A) and the conversion parameter calibration means, and then replacing the two sets of preset conversion parameters, so that the USB-C control chip generates calibrated analog-to-digital conversion values and can correctly start the over-current protection mechanism. For example, assuming that the USB-C control chip generates an over-load set current (equal to or greater than 3.5 A) in response to another electronic load (i.e., a third electronic load), the USB-C control chip can generate correct analog-to-digital conversion values and can correctly and immediately start the over-current protection mechanism to stop the output current.

[0103] Furthermore, the calibration device for the current detection and current protection mechanism disclosed in the present disclosure can have various different embodiments. The following only exemplifies two embodiments to further illustrate the spirit of the present disclosure, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] In addition, the USB control chip in the calibration device of the preferred embodiment described later will be taken as an example to be described, which is a USB-C control chip with the function of Power Delivery (PD).

[0105] Please refer to Figure 3 which is a block concept diagram of a first preferred embodiment of the calibration device of the present disclosure, wherein the calibration device 11 of the current detection and current protection mechanism at least includes a master control unit 111, an interface conversion unit 112, an electronic load generation unit 113, and a power delivery function detection unit 114; in addition, the USB-C control chip 101 is arranged in an electronic product (or a circuit board to be tested) 10 with a USB port 102.

[0106] The electronic load generation unit 113 is electrically connected to the power delivery function detection unit 114 via an electrical connection path L10 that can provide positive / negative power, and the power delivery function detection unit 114 is electrically connected to the USB-C control chip 101 via an electrical connection path L11 that can transmit a power line group (for example, VBUS power signal specification) in the USB port 102; that is, the power line group in the USB port 102 is indirectly electrically connected to the electronic load generation unit 113 via the power delivery function detection unit 114.

[0107] In addition, the electrical connection path L12 between the interface conversion unit 112 and the USB-C control chip 101 is usually a non-USB transmission specification, and the non-USB transmission specification can be at least any one of an Inter-Integrated Circuit (I 2 C) bus transmission specification, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART) bus transmission specification, or a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus transmission specification, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0108] In addition, the electrical connection path L13 between the master control unit 111 and the interface conversion unit 112, and between the power delivery function detection unit 114, usually adopts a USB transmission specification, and the electrical connection path L14 between the master control unit 111 and the electronic load generation unit 113 usually adopts the aforementioned UART bus transmission specification, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0109] As for the working principle of Figure 3 , a brief description is as follows:

[0110] The electronic load generating unit 113 is used to provide an electronic load to make the USB-C control chip 101 output a load constant current, and to make the USB-C control chip generate an analog-to-digital conversion value (ADC value) in response to the load constant current and using the at least one preset conversion parameter; the USB-C control chip converts the load constant current into the analog-to-digital conversion value by an analog-to-digital conversion module 1011 and using the at least one preset conversion parameter matched with the analog-to-digital conversion module 1011; preferably, the analog-to-digital conversion module 1011 can be a set of conversion operation formulas and is selected to be built in the USB-C control chip 101 in the form of firmware.

[0111] In addition, since the interface conversion unit 112 can convert the analog-to-digital conversion value (ADC value) belonging to the non-USB transmission specification into the analog-to-digital conversion value belonging to the USB transmission specification, the host control unit 111 can input and respond to the analog-to-digital conversion value converted into the USB transmission specification, and generate and store a to-be-calibrated output current by using a to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means 1111 and the at least one preset conversion parameter set in the host control unit 111, and the host control unit 111 further responds to the load constant current and the to-be-calibrated output current and uses a conversion parameter calibration means 1112 set in the host control unit 111 to generate at least one calibrated conversion parameter.

[0112] Preferably, the to-be-calibrated current back-propagation operation means 1111 inside the host control unit 111 also includes the analog-to-digital conversion module 1011 (preferably, the analog-to-digital conversion module 1011 can be the aforementioned set of conversion operation formulas), and the analog-to-digital conversion module 1011 can be built in the host control unit 111 in the form of firmware or software, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] Subsequently, the host control unit 111 can further replace the at least one preset conversion parameter in the USB-C control chip 101 with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter, so that the USB-C control chip 101 uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter to generate a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value and correctly enable an overcurrent protection (OCP) mechanism.

[0114] In addition, since the USB-C control chip has a power delivery (PD) function agreement, the allowable output current size in the PD function agreement has a corresponding relationship with a voltage specification interval in the PD function agreement. Therefore, the host unit 111 can communicate and confirm a specific output voltage between the voltage specification intervals with the USB-C control chip 101 via the power delivery function detection unit 114, so that the electronic load generation unit 113 generates a corresponding electronic load, and the USB-C control chip 101 generates and outputs the load constant current according to the electronic load.

[0115] In addition, please refer to Figure 4 , which is a block concept example diagram of a second preferred embodiment calibration device of the present disclosure, wherein the current detection and current protection mechanism calibration device 21 at least includes a host unit 211, an interface conversion unit 212, and an electronic load generation unit 213; in addition, the USB-C control chip 201 is arranged in an electronic product (or a circuit board to be tested) 20 having a universal serial bus transmission port 202, and the USB-C control chip 201 is built-in with an analog-to-digital conversion module 2011.

[0116] Among them, Figure 4 The functions and operating modes of the elements in the embodiments shown are similar to the related descriptions of the foregoing Figure 3 The same or similar, and Figure 4 The electrical connection paths L21, L22, L23 in the embodiments shown are also similar to the electrical connection paths L12, L13, L14 shown in Figure 3 Therefore, they will not be described again.

[0117] The differences between the embodiments shown in Figure 4 and the embodiments shown in Figure 3 mainly lie in that Figure 4 The power delivery function detection unit 114 in Figure 3 is omitted in the embodiments shown, and the power line group (for example, the VBUS power signal specification) in the universal serial bus transmission port 202 is directly electrically connected to the electronic load generation unit 213 via the electrical connection path L20, so that the USB-C control chip 201 can directly generate and output the load constant current according to the electronic load provided by the electronic load generation unit 213.

[0118] In short, by the method of the present disclosure, the USB-C control chip 101, 201 can be effectively and correctly calibrated to convert and record the true output current value, thereby ensuring that the over-current protection mechanism of the USB-C control chip 101, 201 can be correctly started, while reducing the production cost of electronic products. The present disclosure is indeed a very valuable work in the industry.

[0119] The foregoing embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present disclosure, and are intended to explain the technical features of the present disclosure, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. Any person skilled in the art can easily make changes or equivalent arrangements without departing from the technical principles and spirits of the present disclosure, and such changes or equivalent arrangements shall fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A calibration method for a current detection and current protection mechanism, applied to a general-purpose serial bus control chip, the calibration method comprising at least the following steps: (a) A calibration device electrically connected to the universal serial bus control chip; wherein... The general serial bus control chip has at least one preset conversion parameter, and the calibration device has a current back-calculation method to be calibrated and the at least one preset conversion parameter. (b) The calibration device is provided with an electronic load to form a load constant current; (c) The calibration device obtains an analog-to-digital conversion value generated by the Universal Serial Bus control chip based on the load constant current and using the at least one preset conversion parameter; (d) Based on the analog-to-digital conversion value, and using the back-calculation method of the current to be calibrated set in the calibration device and the at least one preset conversion parameter, the calibration device generates and stores an output current to be calibrated; wherein, based on the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameter, steps (b) to (d) are executed at least once or more to sequentially generate one or more load constant currents, sequentially generate one or more analog-to-digital conversion values, and sequentially generate one or more output currents to be calibrated. (e) Based on the single or multiple load constant currents and based on the single or multiple output currents to be calibrated, and using a conversion parameter calibration means provided in the calibration device, the calibration device generates at least one calibrated conversion parameter; and (f) The calibration device replaces the at least one preset conversion parameter in the Universal Serial Bus (USB) control chip with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter, so that the USB control chip uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter to generate a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value and can correctly activate an overcurrent protection mechanism.

2. The calibration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein before step (b), it further includes step (b1): initiating the universal serial bus control chip by the calibration device.

3. The calibration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (c), the general sequence bus control chip uses an analog-to-digital converter module and uses the at least one preset conversion parameter to convert the load constant current into the analog-to-digital conversion value.

4. The calibration method as described in claim 3, wherein the at least one preset conversion parameter is matched with the analog-to-digital conversion module, and the back-calculation means of the current to be calibrated disposed inside the calibration device further includes the analog-to-digital conversion module.

5. The calibration method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in step (d), when the total number of the at least one preset conversion parameters is two, steps (b) to (d) are executed twice, so that the calibration device sequentially generates two load constant currents, and the general serial bus control chip sequentially generates two analog-to-digital conversion values ​​corresponding to the two load constant currents, and the calibration device sequentially generates two output currents to be calibrated corresponding to the two analog-to-digital conversion values.

6. The calibration method of claim 5, wherein in step (e), the calibration device generates two calibrated conversion parameters by using the conversion parameter calibration means provided in the calibration device based on the two load constant currents and the two output currents to be calibrated.

7. The calibration method of claim 1, wherein step (f) further comprises the step of: (f1) The calibration device replaces the at least one preset conversion parameter in the Universal Serial Bus Control (USB) chip with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter, so that the USB chip can generate the calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value based on the load constant current and by using the at least one calibrated conversion parameter. (f2) Provide another electronic load to the calibration device to form an overload constant current; (f3) Determine whether the general serial bus control chip can activate the overcurrent protection mechanism based on the overload constant current; (f4) If the general-purpose serial bus control chip fails to activate the overcurrent protection mechanism, repeat steps (b) to (d) and steps (f1) to (f3); and (f5) When the general serial bus control chip can start the overcurrent protection mechanism, the calibration method of the current detection and current protection mechanism is terminated.

8. The calibration method of claim 7, wherein in step (f2), the overload constant current refers to a power-off protection threshold value that is equal to or greater than that used by the general serial bus control chip to stop the output current.

9. The calibration method as described in claim 8, wherein in steps (f4) and (f5), activating the overcurrent protection mechanism means that the Universal Serial Bus (USB) control chip, based on the overload constant current, causes the output voltage level of an overcurrent protection pin of the USB control chip to change from one voltage level state to another voltage level state, and failing to activate the overcurrent protection mechanism means that the USB control chip, based on the overload constant current, keeps the output voltage level of the overcurrent protection pin at the current voltage level state and fails to change to the other voltage level state.

10. The calibration method as described in claim 1, wherein the general serial bus control chip is a Type C general serial bus control chip with a power delivery function agreement.

11. The calibration method of claim 10, wherein the Type C universal serial bus control chip is disposed in an electronic product or a circuit board under test, and either the electronic product or the circuit board under test is electrically connected to the calibration device, and either the electronic product or the circuit board under test is provided with a universal serial bus transmission terminal.

12. A calibration device for a current detection and current protection mechanism, applied to a general-purpose serial bus control chip having at least one preset conversion parameter, the calibration device comprising: An electronic load generating unit is electrically connected to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) control chip. The electronic load generating unit is used to provide an electronic load so that the USB control chip outputs a constant load current and the USB control chip generates an analog-to-digital conversion value based on the constant load current and using at least one preset conversion parameter. An interface conversion unit, electrically connected to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) control chip, is used to convert the analog-to-digital conversion value belonging to a non-USB transmission specification into the analog-to-digital conversion value belonging to a USB transmission specification; and A main control unit is electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit and the interface conversion unit. The main control unit is used to input and, according to the analog-to-digital conversion value belonging to the Universal Serial Bus transmission specification, and using a current back-calculation method to be calibrated and at least one preset conversion parameter set in the main control unit, to generate and store an output current to be calibrated. Furthermore, the main control unit generates at least one calibrated conversion parameter based on the load constant current and the output current to be calibrated, and using a conversion parameter calibration method set in the main control unit. The main control unit replaces the at least one preset conversion parameter in the universal serial bus control chip with the at least one calibrated conversion parameter, so that the universal serial bus control chip uses the at least one calibrated conversion parameter to generate a calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value and can correctly activate an overcurrent protection mechanism.

13. The calibration apparatus of claim 12, wherein the universal serial bus control chip is a Type C universal serial bus control chip with a power delivery function protocol.

14. The calibration apparatus of claim 13, wherein the Type C universal serial bus control chip is disposed in an electronic product or a circuit board under test, and either the electronic product or the circuit board under test is electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit and the interface conversion unit.

15. The calibration apparatus of claim 14, wherein either the electronic product or the circuit board under test is provided with a universal serial bus transmission terminal, and a power line group in the universal serial bus transmission terminal is used to be directly electrically connected to the electronic load generating unit, so that the Type C universal serial bus control chip generates and outputs the load constant current according to the electronic load.

16. The calibration apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a power transfer function detection unit electrically connected between the universal serial bus transmission terminal and the electronic load generation unit, wherein a power line group in the universal serial bus transmission terminal is indirectly electrically connected to the electronic load generation unit via the power transfer function detection unit, so that the Type C universal serial bus control chip generates and outputs the load constant current according to the electronic load.

17. The calibration apparatus of claim 15, wherein the power transfer function detection unit is electrically connected between the universal serial bus transmission terminal and the main control unit, the main control unit can communicate with the Type C universal serial bus control chip via the power transfer function detection unit to confirm a voltage specification range in the power transfer function protocol, and cause the electronic load generating unit to generate the corresponding electronic load, so that the Type C universal serial bus control chip generates and outputs the load constant current according to the electronic load.

18. The calibration apparatus of claim 12, wherein the electronic load generating unit is used to provide another electronic load to cause the Universal Serial Bus (USB) control chip to output an overload constant current, and the USB control chip correctly activates the overcurrent protection mechanism based on the overload constant current; wherein, The overcurrent protection mechanism refers to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) controller chip changing the output voltage level of an overcurrent protection pin from one voltage level state to another based on the overload current.

19. The calibration apparatus of claim 12, wherein the universal serial bus control chip and the current back-calculation means of the main control unit both include an analog-to-digital conversion module, so that the universal serial bus control chip can convert the load constant current into the analog-to-digital conversion value according to the load constant current and using the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter, or so that the universal serial bus control chip can convert the load constant current into the calibrated analog-to-digital conversion value according to the load constant current and using the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one calibration conversion parameter, or so that the main control unit can generate and store the output current to be calibrated by using the current back-calculation means of the current to be calibrated with the analog-to-digital conversion module and the at least one preset conversion parameter.

20. The calibration apparatus of claim 12, wherein the non-general serial bus transmission specification may be at least one of an internal integrated circuit bus transmission specification, a general asynchronous transceiver bus transmission specification, or a serial peripheral interface bus transmission specification.

Images