Adaptive ADC Triggering in Switching Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switching power converters experience phase margin loss and reduced stability due to delays in control loops, primarily caused by the idle time period between ADC activation and the start of the next switching cycle.
Innovation Solution
The control circuit adaptively determines a trigger point within a switching cycle to activate the ADC, minimizing the delay and eliminating the idle time period, ensuring control parameters are provided to the switch driver just before the next switching cycle begins, thereby reducing phase margin loss and increasing stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the ADC is activated at a fixed time one microsecond after the start of each switching period, then the ADC is synchronized with the switching period, but an idle time period is created between ADC activation and the next switching cycle, causing phase margin loss and reduced stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ADC trigger point variable rather than fixed. The trigger point is dynamically adjusted based on the actual switching period duration, allowing the system to adapt to varying operating conditions and eliminate idle time delays, thereby improving control loop stability without sacrificing timing synchronization.
2Loss of time
If the ADC is activated earlier in the switching period, then the control parameters are provided to the switch driver with minimal delay, but the ADC may not have adequate time to complete conversion before the next switching period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the measured switching period duration to determine the optimal ADC trigger point. The system continuously monitors the switching period and adjusts the trigger point accordingly, ensuring that the ADC completes its conversion just in time for the next switching cycle while minimizing delay in providing control parameters to the switch driver.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ADC trigger point is fixed, then the system operation is simple, but the system cannot adapt to varying switching period durations and loses phase margin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the ADC trigger point timing parameter based on the measured switching period duration. Instead of using a fixed trigger point, the system calculates and adjusts the trigger point parameter dynamically, allowing adaptation to varying switching period durations while maintaining simple operational principles through parameter optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A switching power converter includes a power circuit and a control circuit for receiving an analog signal representing a parameter of the power circuit. The control circuit includes an ADC for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and a switch driver for generating a control signal for controlling a switch in the power circuit over multiple switching cycles. The control circuit is configured to adaptively determine a trigger point for activating the ADC within a switching cycle to sample the analog signal, and activate the ADC at the determined trigger point so a control parameter generated based on the digital signal is provided to the switch driver a minimal period of time before the next switching cycle begins. The adaptively determined trigger point optimizes phrase margin loss and bandwidth in the control circuit. Other example switching power converters and control circuits are also disclosed.