Regulating output voltage in adaptive constant on-time boost converter

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to regulating an output voltage in an adaptive constant on-time boost converter. A regulated adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter is disclosed. In this context, the regulated ACOT boost converter includes a synchronous boost converter that can boost an input voltage to a higher output voltage according to a duty cycle. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes a well-known ACOT controller that determines the duty cycle, which has a repeating period, each repeating period consisting of a fixed on-duration and a variable off-duration. It can be appreciated that, in order for the synchronous boost converter to work efficiently, the input voltage needs to be lower than the output voltage. In this regard, in an embodiment, the regulated ACOT boost converter can also include a regulation circuit that can cause a dynamic adjustment of the duty cycle when the input voltage approaches the output voltage. As a result, the output voltage can be kept in a regulated state and the synchronous boost converter can be prevented from being damaged.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent No. 63 / 728,733, filed December 6, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 754,695, filed February 6, 2025, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The technology disclosed herein generally relates to regulating the output voltage in an adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter, particularly when the input voltage and output voltage of the ACOT boost converter overlap. Background Technology

[0004] Boost converters are key components in battery charging systems, especially in applications requiring voltage boosting. In this regard, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary conventional synchronous boost converter 10 configured to boost an input voltage VIN to a higher output voltage VOUT. In this document, the conventional synchronous boost converter 10 receives the input voltage VIN at voltage input 12 and outputs the output voltage VOUT at voltage output 14. In this embodiment, the input voltage VIN is provided by a voltage source 16 (e.g., a solar panel, fuel cell, wall socket, etc.) coupled between voltage input 12 and ground (GND). The conventional synchronous boost converter 10 also includes a holding capacitor C and a load R coupled in parallel between voltage output 14 and GND. L .

[0005] The core of a conventional synchronous boost converter 10 consists of an inductor L, a low-side switch 18L, and a high-side switch 18H. In an embodiment, the inductor L is coupled between the voltage source 16 and the voltage input 12, the low-side switch 18L is coupled between the voltage input 12 and GND, and the high-side switch 18H is coupled between the voltage input 12 and the voltage output 14. In this embodiment, the low-side switch 18L and the high-side switch 18H are semiconductor transistors that are closed when the low-side gate voltage LSG and the high-side gate voltage HSG are present, respectively. Conversely, the low-side switch 18L and the high-side switch 18H are open when the low-side gate voltage LSG and the high-side gate voltage HSG are absent, respectively.

[0006] The key principle driving a conventional synchronous boost converter 10 is that the inductor L tends to resist current changes by increasing or decreasing the energy stored in the magnetic field of the inductor L. Specifically, when the low-side switch 18L is closed and the high-side switch 18H is simultaneously open during the on-time, the voltage source 16 causes a first current I1 to flow through the inductor L and the low-side switch 18L, thus generating a magnetic field to store energy in the inductor L. When the low-side switch 18L is open and the high-side switch 18H is simultaneously closed during the off-time, the magnetic field generated during the on-time will decrease, thereby causing a second current I2 to flow from the inductor L through the high-side switch 18H to the voltage output 14. Simultaneously, the first current I1 will also flow from the voltage source 16 through the inductor L and the high-side switch 18H to the voltage output 14. Load current I L Now, both the first current I1 and the second current I2 will be included. Therefore, the holding capacitor C can be charged so that the output voltage VOUT is higher than the input voltage VIN. It is understood that the on-time and off-time alternate, thereby defining the duty cycle D of the conventional synchronous boost converter 10, as shown in equation (Equation 1).

[0007] D = (VOUT – VIN) / VOUT (Equation 1)

[0008] The ability to boost the input voltage VIN to a higher output voltage VOUT makes the conventional synchronous boost converter 10 ideal for applications such as renewable energy systems and Universal Serial Bus (USB) chargers, where solar panels, fuel cells, or wall sockets are equivalent to voltage sources 16 and can generate the input voltage VIN. On the other hand, the load R... L (For example, batteries, low-dropout regulators, etc.) may have specific requirements for the acceptable range of the output voltage VOUT. In this regard, a conventional synchronous boost converter 10 must be based on the load R. L The requirement is to effectively regulate the output voltage VOUT, thereby achieving efficient energy transfer. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to an regulated adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter. Herein, the regulated ACOT boost converter includes a synchronous boost converter that can boost an input voltage to a higher output voltage based on a duty cycle. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes a well-known ACOT controller that determines the duty cycle, which has a repetition period, each repetition period consisting of a fixed on-time duration and a variable off-time duration. It is understood that for a synchronous boost converter to operate efficiently, the input voltage needs to be lower than the output voltage. However, in some applications, this requirement may not always be met, thus leading to output voltage offset and / or damage to the synchronous boost converter. In embodiments, the regulated ACOT boost converter may also include regulation circuitry that can cause dynamic adjustment of the duty cycle as the input voltage approaches the output voltage. Therefore, the output voltage can be kept in a regulated state and damage to the synchronous boost converter can be prevented.

[0010] In one aspect, a regulated ACOT boost converter is provided. The regulated ACOT boost converter includes a synchronous boost converter. The synchronous boost converter includes a low-side switch and a high-side switch. The low-side switch and the high-side switch are switched synchronously according to a duty cycle to boost the input voltage to an output voltage. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes an ACOT controller. The ACOT controller is configured to determine the duty cycle based on feedback of a reference voltage and the output voltage, thereby regulating the output voltage. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes a regulation circuit. The regulation circuit is configured to increase the reference voltage when the input voltage approaches the output voltage, causing the ACOT controller to dynamically adjust the duty cycle, thereby maintaining the output voltage in a regulated state.

[0011] In another aspect, a method for regulating the output voltage in a regulated ACOT boost converter is provided. The method includes synchronously switching a low-side switch and a high-side switch in a synchronous boost converter according to a duty cycle to boost the input voltage to the output voltage. The method further includes determining the duty cycle based on feedback of a reference voltage and the output voltage, thereby regulating the output voltage. The method also includes increasing the reference voltage when the input voltage approaches the output voltage to dynamically adjust the duty cycle, thereby maintaining the output voltage in a regulated state.

[0012] In another aspect, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a regulated ACOT boost converter. The regulated ACOT boost converter includes a synchronous boost converter. The synchronous boost converter includes a low-side switch and a high-side switch. The low-side switch and the high-side switch are switched synchronously according to a duty cycle to boost the input voltage to an output voltage. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes an ACOT controller. The ACOT controller is configured to determine the duty cycle based on feedback of a reference voltage and the output voltage, thereby regulating the output voltage. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes a regulation circuit. The regulation circuit is configured to increase the reference voltage when the input voltage approaches the output voltage, so that the ACOT controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle, thereby maintaining the output voltage in a regulated state.

[0013] Those skilled in the art will recognize the scope of this disclosure and understand its other aspects after reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of this disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary conventional synchronous boost converter configured to boost an input voltage to a higher output voltage;

[0016] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of a conventional adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter, where the ACOT controller is configured to control... Figure 1 Conventional synchronous boost converter;

[0017] Figure 2B It provides a function to handle situations where the input voltage becomes higher than the output voltage. Figure 2A A diagram illustrating exemplary visual representations of the undesirable behavior exhibited by a conventional ACOT boost converter;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary regulated ACOT boost converter configured according to embodiments of the present disclosure to maintain the output voltage in a regulated state when the input voltage is close to the output voltage;

[0019] Figure 4 Is provided by Figure 3 A diagram illustrating an exemplary visual representation of the output voltage of an regulated ACOT boost converter, which is regulated independently of the input voltage.

[0020] Figure 5 It is configured to be able to operate when the input voltage is close to Figure 3A schematic diagram of an exemplary regulating circuit that keeps the output voltage in a regulated state when the output voltage in an ACOT boost converter is regulated;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication device, in which the following can be provided: Figure 3 The regulated ACOT boost converter; and

[0022] Figure 7 It is used for regulation Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary process for adjusting the output voltage in an ACOT boost converter. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The embodiments described below illustrate the information necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and demonstrate the best mode of practice. After reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of this disclosure and will appreciate the application of these concepts, even those not specifically set forth herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.

[0024] It will be understood that while the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] It should be understood that when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is referred to as "on another element" or "extending to another element," it may be directly located on or directly extended to the other element, or intermediate elements may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly located on another element" or "directly extended to another element," no intermediate elements are present. Similarly, it should be understood that when an element, such as a layer, region, or substrate, is referred to as "on top of another element" or "extending over another element," it may be directly located on top of or directly extended over the other element, or intermediate elements may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly located on top of another element" or "extending directly over another element," no intermediate elements are present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected to or coupled to the other element, or intermediate elements may be present. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, no intermediate elements are present.

[0026] For example, relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe the relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as shown in the figures. It should be understood that these terms, and those discussed above, are intended to include different orientations of the device other than those depicted in the figures.

[0027] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “described” are also intended to include the plural forms. It should also be understood that, when used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and / or “including” specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It will be further understood that, unless expressly defined herein, the terms used herein shall be interpreted as having the same meaning as they have in the context of this specification and in the relevant art, and shall not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense.

[0029] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to an regulated adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter. Herein, the regulated ACOT boost converter includes a synchronous boost converter that can boost an input voltage to a higher output voltage based on a duty cycle. The regulated ACOT boost converter also includes a well-known ACOT controller that determines the duty cycle, which has a repetition period, each repetition period consisting of a fixed on-time duration and a variable off-time duration. It is understood that for a synchronous boost converter to operate efficiently, the input voltage needs to be lower than the output voltage. However, in some applications, this requirement may not always be met, thus leading to output voltage offset and / or damage to the synchronous boost converter. In embodiments, the regulated ACOT boost converter may also include regulation circuitry that can cause dynamic adjustment of the duty cycle as the input voltage approaches the output voltage. Therefore, the output voltage can be kept in a regulated state and damage to the synchronous boost converter can be prevented.

[0030] Before discussing the regulated ACOT boost converter of this disclosure, from Figure 3 To begin, first refer to Figure 2A-2BA brief discussion of a conventional ACOT boost converter is provided to help understand the technical issues addressed in this article. Figure 1 and 2A Common elements between -2B are indicated by common element designations and will not be described again herein.

[0031] Figure 2A This is a schematic diagram of a conventional ACOT boost converter 20, in which the ACOT controller 22 is configured to control... Figure 1 The conventional synchronous boost converter 10. ACOT is a well-known control technique that regulates the voltage by maintaining a fixed on-time of the low-side switch 18L and a variable off-time of the high-side switch 18H. Figure 1 The output voltage VOUT in a conventional synchronous boost converter 10. Specifically, the output voltage VOUT can be regulated by dynamically adjusting the variable off-time to change the duty cycle D based on the input voltage VIN and the output voltage VOUT. In the context of this disclosure, the phrases "regulating the output voltage VOUT" and "output voltage regulation" generally refer to controlling the duty cycle D of the conventional synchronous boost converter 10 to maintain the output voltage VOUT at a desired level or within a desired range.

[0032] The ACOT controller 22 includes an error amplifier 24 with a controllable transconductance GM. The error amplifier 24 is configured to amplify the difference between the reference voltage VREF and the feedback VOUT-FB of the output voltage VOUT, thereby generating an error voltage VERR. Herein, the feedback VOUT-FB can be received via the feedback node FB located between a pair of resistors Rfb1 and Rfb2. It is understood that resistors Rfb1 and Rfb2 together form a voltage divider 25, so the feedback VOUT-FB can be proportional to the output voltage VOUT.

[0033] The ACOT controller 22 also includes a RAMP generator 26 as part of the control loop 28. The RAMP generator 26 is configured to generate a voltage ramp VRAMP. Here, VRAMP refers to a small, linearly increasing voltage signal used within the control loop 28 to determine when to turn off the low-side switch 18L, thereby ensuring that there is no load-dependent Ro. L The fixed on-time duration is affected by changes in the input voltage VIN. In this regard, the voltage ramp VRAMP essentially acts as a timing reference based on the output voltage VOUT rather than a fixed frequency duty cycle D. Therefore, the RAMP generator 26 is crucial for achieving stable constant on-time operation, as the voltage ramp VRAMP allows the ACOT controller 22 to dynamically adjust the duty cycle D based on the output voltage VOUT.

[0034] The ACOT controller 22 also includes a comparator 30 that compares the error voltage VERR with the voltage ramp VRAMP. When the error voltage VERR equals the minimum level (also known as the valley) of the voltage ramp VRAMP, the comparator 30 triggers a SET signal, which anchors the start of a fixed on-time. Therefore, the TON generator 32 initiates the fixed on-time, and the gate drive logic 34 generates a low-side gate voltage LSG to turn on the low-side switch 18L. At the end of the fixed on-time, the TON generator 32 generates a RESET signal to end the fixed on-time and initiate a variable off-time. Therefore, the gate drive logic 34 generates a high-side gate voltage HSG to turn on the high-side switch 18H. In contrast to the fixed on-time, the off-time will be determined based on the load R... L To adjust the variable off duration.

[0035] The conventional ACOT boost converter 20 operates well when the input voltage VIN is lower than the output voltage VOUT. Unfortunately, this may not always be the case. In a non-limiting example, the conventional ACOT boost converter 20 can be used to charge a wearable smartwatch. In this application, the input voltage VIN is in the range of 4.2 V to 5.5 V, while the output voltage VOUT needs to be between 5 V and 6 V. In this regard, if the input voltage VIN is 5.5 V and the output voltage VOUT needs to be in the range of 5 V to 5.4 V, then the input voltage VIN can become higher than the output voltage VOUT. Therefore, the conventional ACOT boost converter 20 may exhibit the following behavior: Figure 2B The undesirable behavior is further explained in the text.

[0036] Figure 2B It provides a response when the input voltage VIN becomes higher than the output voltage VOUT. Figure 2A This is a diagram illustrating an exemplary visual representation of the undesirable behavior exhibited by a conventional ACOT boost converter 20 in the voltage sag region 36. As shown herein, the input voltage VIN becomes higher than the output voltage VOUT at several points 38 in the voltage sag region 36. In this respect, the control loop 28 may rail out, thus becoming an open loop. On the other hand, the error voltage VERR and the voltage ramp VRAMP may become irrelevant, affecting the comparator 30's ability to correctly generate the SET signal. Additionally, depending on the inductor L and the holding capacitor C, a load step in the voltage sag region 36 may cause a load current I... LUncontrolled ringing occurs. Therefore, the conventional ACOT boost converter 20 will be unable to effectively regulate the output voltage VOUT, potentially causing damage to the high-side switch 18H in the conventional synchronous boost converter 10. Therefore, it is desirable to optimize the conventional ACOT boost converter 20 to effectively regulate the output voltage VOUT under higher input voltage VIN.

[0037] In this regard, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary regulated ACOT boost converter 40 configured, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, to maintain the output voltage VOUT in a regulated state when the input voltage VIN is close to the output voltage VOUT. To minimize hardware changes and maximize backward compatibility, the regulated ACOT boost converter 40 is configured for reuse. Figure 1 Conventional synchronous boost converter 10 and Figure 2A ACOT controller 22 in the middle.

[0038] In this embodiment, a regulating circuit 42 is added to a conventional ACOT boost converter 20 to form a regulated ACOT boost converter 40. Herein, the regulating circuit 42 is coupled to an error amplifier 24 in the ACOT controller 22. The regulating circuit 42 can dynamically increase the reference voltage VREF by an adjustment term ΔVREF, thereby increasing the reference voltage VREF when the input voltage VIN exceeds a predetermined threshold of the output voltage VOUT. In one embodiment, the predetermined threshold may be equal to a fractional threshold D. TH (D) TH < 1) Multiply by the output voltage VOUT(D TH *VOUT). Then, the regulating circuit 42 will provide an increased reference voltage VREF+ΔVREF to the error amplifier 24 in the ACOT controller 22.

[0039] Error amplifier 24 then amplifies the difference between the increased reference voltage VREF+ΔVREF and the feedback of the output voltage VOUT, thereby generating the error voltage VERR. Therefore, ACOT controller 22 can determine the fixed on-time and variable off-time in the duty cycle D and synchronously switch the low-side switch 18L and the high-side switch 18H. Figure 4 As shown, once the input voltage VIN exceeds the limit threshold, the output voltage VOUT can be kept in the regulated state by actively causing the ACOT controller 22 to adjust the duty cycle D.

[0040] Figure 4 Is provided by Figure 3 A diagram illustrating an exemplary visual representation of the output voltage VOUT of the regulated ACOT boost converter 40, which is regulated independently of the input voltage VIN. Figure 2B and 4Common elements between them are indicated by common element designations and will not be described again in this document.

[0041] As shown in this paper, the output voltage VOUT remains higher than the input voltage VIN throughout the voltage drop region 36. Therefore, load steps do not induce a load current I. L Uncontrolled ringing occurs. By increasing the reference voltage VREF to include the adjustment term ΔVREF, the error amplifier 24 is then able to generate the error voltage VERR associated with the voltage ramp VRAMP. Therefore, the comparator 30 can correctly generate the SET signal, allowing the ACOT controller 22 to appropriately set the duty cycle D (e.g., D = 0.95) so that the output voltage VOUT remains regulated in the voltage drop region 36.

[0042] Figure 5 It provides Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an exemplary illustration of the regulation circuit 42 in the regulated ACOT boost converter 40. Figure 3 and 5 Common elements between them are indicated by common element designations and will not be described again in this document.

[0043] In this document, the adjustment circuit 42 is configured to mirror the output voltage VOUT and the input voltage VIN to determine the adjustment term ΔVREF, and apply the adjustment term ΔVREF to the reference voltage VREF to generate an increased reference voltage VREF+ΔVREF. In an embodiment, the adjustment circuit 42 includes an adjustment error amplifier 44, a mirror circuit 46, and an integrator 48. The adjustment error amplifier 44 includes a pair of transistors M1 and M2 and a resistor R1 coupled between the pair of transistors M1 and M2. Transistor M1 is biased by the input voltage VIN, and transistor M2 is biased by a voltage equal to D. TH *VOUT is a defined threshold bias. The regulated error amplifier 44 has a configurable transconductance Gmb defined by the following equation (Equation 2).

[0044] Gmb = 1 / (R1 + 1 / gm12) * K (Equation 2)

[0045] In the equation (Equation 2), R1 represents the resistance of resistor R1 coupled between transistors M1 and M2, K represents the mirror ratio of mirror circuit 46, and gm12 represents the transconductance of transistors M1 and M2. Integrator 48 has a positive input (denoted as "+") receiving a reference voltage VREF, a negative input (denoted as "-") coupled to mirror circuit 46, and an output 50 configured to provide the increased reference voltage VREF+ΔVREF to error amplifier 24 in ACOT controller 22. Reference resistor R_BUFF is coupled between the negative input and output 50 of integrator 48.

[0046] When the input voltage VIN exceeds the specified threshold D TH *VOUT(VIN > D) TH When *VOUT), the adjustment error amplifier 44 will generate a mirrored output current I via the mirror circuit 46. OUT Mirror output current I OUT The flow passes through the reference resistor R_BUFF, thereby generating the adjustment term ΔVREF, as shown in equation (Equation 3) below.

[0047] ΔVREF = (VIN – D TH *VOUT) * Gmb * R_BUFF (Equation 3)

[0048] In the equation (Equation 3), Gmb represents the transconductance of the adjustment error amplifier 44 as determined by equation (Equation 2), and R_BUFF represents the resistance of the reference resistor R_BUFF. In this regard, once the input voltage VIN exceeds the defined threshold D... TH *VOUT, the regulating circuit 42 will react by driving the adjustment term ΔVREF upward by increasing the reference voltage VREF, thereby ensuring that the control loop 28 remains regulated. Therefore, in the event of any load step in the voltage drop region 36, the performance of the regulated ACOT boost converter 40 remains well controlled to keep the output voltage regulated.

[0049] When the input voltage VIN is lower than the specified threshold D TH When VOUT is reached, the mirror output current I OUT The value will be zero. Therefore, the adjustment term ΔVREF will also be zero. In this respect, integrator 48 will only output the reference voltage VREF.

[0050] Figure 3 The regulated ACOT boost converter 40 can be incorporated into various electronic devices, including but not limited to communication devices (e.g., wireless devices, wearable devices, etc.), to support the embodiments described above. In this regard, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication device 100, in which a communication device can be provided. Figure 3 The regulated ACOT boost converter 40.

[0051] In this document, communication device 100 can be any type of communication device, such as a mobile terminal, smartwatch, tablet computer, computer, navigation device, access point, base station (e.g., eNB, gNB, etc.), and any other type of wireless communication device that supports wireless communication (e.g., cellular, wireless local area network (WLAN), Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB), and near-field communication). Communication device 100 will typically include a control system 102, a baseband processor 104, a transmission circuitry system 106, a receiving circuitry system 108, an antenna switching circuitry system 110, multiple antennas 112, and a user interface circuitry system 114. In a non-limiting example, as an example, the control system 102 can be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). In this regard, the control system 102 may at least include a microprocessor, embedded memory circuitry, and a communication bus interface. The receiving circuitry system 108 receives radio frequency signals from one or more base stations via antennas 112 and through the antenna switching circuitry system 110. Low-noise amplifiers and filters cooperate to amplify and eliminate broadband interference from the received signals for processing. Then, a down-conversion and digitization circuitry system (not shown) down-converts the filtered received signal to an intermediate or baseband frequency signal, which is then digitized into one or more digital streams using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).

[0052] The baseband processor 104 processes the digitized received signal to extract the information or data bits transmitted in the received signal. This processing typically includes demodulation, decoding, and error correction operations, which will be discussed in more detail below. The baseband processor 104 is typically implemented in one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) and application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

[0053] For transmission, baseband processor 104 receives digitized data representing voice, data, or control information from control system 102, and encodes the digitized data for transmission. The encoded data is output to transmission circuitry 106, where a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts the digitally encoded data into an analog signal, and a modulator modulates the analog signal onto a carrier signal at the desired transmission frequency or multiple frequencies. A power amplifier amplifies the modulated carrier signal to a level suitable for transmission and delivers the modulated carrier signal to antenna 112 via antenna switching circuitry 110. Multiple antennas 112 and replicated transmission circuitry 106 and receiver circuitry 108 can provide spatial diversity. Those skilled in the art will understand the modulation and processing details.

[0054] In this embodiment, regulation can be based on the process. Figure 3 The output voltage VOUT in the regulated ACOT boost converter 40. In this regard, Figure 5 It is used for regulation Figure 3A flowchart of an exemplary process 200 for adjusting the output voltage VOUT in an ACOT boost converter 40.

[0055] In this document, process 200 includes synchronously switching the low-side switch 18L and the high-side switch 18H in a conventional synchronous boost converter 10 according to the duty cycle D to boost the input voltage VIN to the output voltage VOUT (step 202). Process 200 also includes determining the duty cycle D based on the reference voltage VREF and the feedback VOUT-FB of the output voltage VOUT, thereby regulating the output voltage VOUT (step 204). Process 200 further includes increasing the reference voltage VREF when the input voltage VIN is close to the output voltage VOUT, so that the duty cycle D is dynamically adjusted, thereby keeping the output voltage VOUT in a regulated state (step 206).

[0056] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of this disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered to be within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims below.

Claims

1. An adjusted adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter, comprising: A synchronous boost converter includes a low-side switch and a high-side switch, which are switched synchronously according to a duty cycle to boost the input voltage to the output voltage; An ACOT controller is configured to determine the duty cycle based on feedback of a reference voltage and the output voltage, thereby regulating the output voltage; as well as An adjustment circuit is configured to increase the reference voltage when the input voltage approaches the output voltage, so that the ACOT controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle to keep the output voltage in an regulated state.

2. The regulated ACOT boost converter according to claim 1, wherein the ACOT controller is further configured to: The duty cycle is determined, which includes multiple repetition cycles, each repetition cycle having a fixed on duration followed by a variable off duration. During the fixed on-time duration in each of the plurality of repetition cycles, the low-side switch is synchronously turned on and the high-side switch is turned off; and During the variable off duration in each of the plurality of repetition cycles, the low-side switch is simultaneously turned off and the high-side switch is turned on.

3. The regulated ACOT boost converter of claim 1, wherein the regulating circuit is further configured to increase the reference voltage when the input voltage is greater than or equal to the output voltage multiplied by a fractional threshold.

4. The regulated ACOT boost converter of claim 1, wherein the regulation circuit is further configured to determine a positive adjustment term and add the positive adjustment term to the reference voltage when the input voltage is close to the output voltage, thereby increasing the reference voltage.

5. The regulated ACOT boost converter according to claim 4, wherein the regulating circuit is further configured to: Determine the transconductance that relates the relative change between the input voltage and the output voltage to the change in output current; and Determine the positive adjustment term that varies with the change in the output current.

6. A method for regulating the output voltage in an adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter, comprising: The low-side and high-side switches in the synchronous boost converter are switched synchronously according to the duty cycle to boost the input voltage to the output voltage. The duty cycle is determined based on feedback from the reference voltage and the output voltage, thereby adjusting the output voltage; as well as When the input voltage approaches the output voltage, the reference voltage is increased to dynamically adjust the duty cycle, thereby keeping the output voltage in a regulated state.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: The duty cycle is determined, which includes multiple repetition cycles, each repetition cycle having a fixed on duration followed by a variable off duration. During the fixed on-time duration in each of the plurality of repetition cycles, the low-side switch is synchronously turned on and the high-side switch is turned off. as well as During the variable off duration in each of the plurality of repetition cycles, the low-side switch is simultaneously turned off and the high-side switch is turned on.

8. The method according to claim 6, further comprising: When the input voltage is higher than or equal to the output voltage multiplied by a fractional threshold, the reference voltage is increased.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining a positive adjustment term and adding the positive adjustment term to the reference voltage when the input voltage is close to the output voltage, thereby increasing the reference voltage.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: Determine the transconductance that relates the relative change between the input voltage and the output voltage to the change in output current; as well as Determine the positive adjustment term that varies with the change in the output current.

11. An electronic device comprising an regulated adaptive constant on-time (ACOT) boost converter, the regulated ACOT boost converter comprising: A synchronous boost converter includes a low-side switch and a high-side switch, which are switched synchronously according to a duty cycle to boost the input voltage to the output voltage; An ACOT controller is configured to determine the duty cycle based on feedback of a reference voltage and the output voltage, thereby regulating the output voltage; as well as An adjustment circuit is configured to increase the reference voltage when the input voltage approaches the output voltage, so that the ACOT controller dynamically adjusts the duty cycle to keep the output voltage in an regulated state.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the ACOT controller is further configured to: The duty cycle is determined, which includes multiple repetition cycles, each repetition cycle having a fixed on duration followed by a variable off duration. During the fixed on-time duration in each of the plurality of repetition cycles, the low-side switch is synchronously turned on and the high-side switch is turned off; and During the variable off duration in each of the plurality of repetition cycles, the low-side switch is simultaneously turned off and the high-side switch is turned on.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the regulating circuit is further configured to increase the reference voltage when the input voltage is greater than or equal to the output voltage multiplied by a fractional threshold.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the adjustment circuit is further configured to determine a positive adjustment term and add the positive adjustment term to the reference voltage when the input voltage is close to the output voltage, thereby increasing the reference voltage.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the regulating circuit is further configured to: Determine the transconductance that relates the relative change between the input voltage and the output voltage to the change in output current; and Determine the positive adjustment term that varies with the change in the output current.

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