Adaptive Cable Drop Compensation for Multi-Level Power Supplies
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply systems with cable drop compensation fail to accurately adjust for voltage drops across cables when delivering multiple regulated output voltage levels and varying current ranges, leading to over- or under-compensation of IR losses.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control system that generates an offset voltage signal based on dynamic cable drop compensation values, scaled by ratios of output voltage and current levels, to accurately compensate for voltage drops across delivery cables, enabling precise regulation of power delivery across different voltage and current settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a pre-set CDC scaling factor is used for cable drop compensation, then the compensation is simple to implement, but the compensation accuracy deteriorates when operating at different output voltage levels and current ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic cable drop compensation by switching between multiple pre-calculated CDC values corresponding to different output voltage levels and current ranges. Instead of using a single static CDC scaling factor, the system dynamically selects the appropriate CDC value based on the current operating conditions, thereby maintaining compensation accuracy across varying operating parameters while keeping the implementation relatively simple through pre-computed lookup tables
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the compensation parameter (CDC value) based on operating conditions. Multiple pre-calculated CDC values are stored in a lookup table, each corresponding to specific output voltage levels and current ranges. The system selects the appropriate CDC value by matching the current operating parameters, thereby adapting the compensation amount to the actual cable IR losses under different loading and voltage conditions
2Measurement precision
If cable drop compensation is designed for a specific output voltage and current range, then the compensation is accurate for that setting, but the system lacks adaptability when delivering multiple regulated output voltage levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cable drop compensation mechanism that works across multiple output voltage levels and current ranges. By pre-calculating and storing multiple CDC values in a lookup table, each corresponding to different operating conditions, the system achieves both accuracy for specific settings and adaptability to varying operating parameters. The controller selects the appropriate CDC value based on current operating conditions, making the compensation system universally applicable to all power delivery scenarios
3Adaptability or versatility
If the output current range varies with regulated output voltage setting, then the power supply adapts to different load requirements, but the fixed CDC scaling factor causes over- or under-compensation of cable IR losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of cable drop compensation to match varying output current ranges at different voltage settings. The controller dynamically selects the appropriate CDC value from the lookup table based on the current operating voltage and current range, ensuring that the compensation amount accurately reflects the actual cable IR losses under the current loading conditions, thereby maintaining precision while adapting to different load requirements
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively compensates for cable IR losses across multiple voltage and current settings, ensuring accurate power delivery and reducing inaccuracies in cable drop compensation, as demonstrated by experimental results showing improved voltage drop adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
cable drop compensation adjusts for the voltage drop across a cable caused by output current multiplied by the direct current resistance of the cable, commonly referred to as IR loss
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply control system delivers regulated power to a load via a delivery cable. The power supply control system includes a power stage operable to deliver power to the load at a first regulated voltage level and a second regulated voltage level. A cable offset voltage unit generates an offset voltage signal representing a drop in voltage across the delivery cable. The offset voltage signal is generated based on a first cable drop compensation value when the power stage is operated to deliver power at the first regulated voltage level and based on a second cable drop compensation value when the power stage is operated to deliver power at the second regulated voltage level. A controller coupled to the power stage and the cable offset voltage unit controls the power stage to deliver the regulated power to the load based at least in part on the offset voltage signal.