Adaptive EMI Control in Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters face inefficiencies due to electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by switching operations, which conventional frequency and phase hopping techniques attempt to mitigate but often require re-testing and re-programming to adapt to environmental changes, leading to suboptimal performance.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a current sense to measure internal current, identifying spur power and adaptively adjusting frequency and phase hopping configurations in real-time to reduce EMI while maintaining efficiency, using a ramp controller to generate optimal ramp voltages based on sensed currents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If frequency hopping is used to reduce electromagnetic interference, then EMI effects are reduced, but the system requires re-testing and re-programming to adapt to environmental changes
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter system performs self-diagnosis by monitoring its own efficiency and automatically adjusts hopping configurations without external intervention. The system measures efficiency metrics, identifies suboptimal configurations, and reprograms itself to select better hopping patterns, eliminating the need for manual re-testing and re-programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where efficiency measurements from the power converter are fed back to the hopping configuration selector. This feedback mechanism allows the system to continuously monitor performance and automatically adjust hopping configurations based on real-time efficiency data, enabling adaptive optimization without external re-programming.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional frequency and phase hopping techniques are used, then electromagnetic interference is mitigated, but performance is suboptimal due to lack of real-time adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The hopping configuration selector dynamically adjusts frequency and phase hopping parameters based on real-time efficiency measurements. Instead of using fixed conventional hopping techniques, the system continuously adapts its hopping configuration to environmental conditions and operational states, optimizing power converter efficiency while maintaining EMI mitigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system autonomously monitors its own efficiency performance and automatically selects optimal hopping configurations without external control. By measuring efficiency metrics and independently reprogramming its hopping parameters, the power converter achieves continuous self-optimization, eliminating the suboptimal performance associated with static conventional techniques.
3Use of energy by moving object
If switching regulator operates at fixed frequency, then efficiency is maintained, but harmonic tones cause electromagnetic interference in output
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic frequency hopping where the switching regulator alternates between multiple frequency bands according to selected hopping configurations. This periodic variation in operating frequency spreads harmonic energy across different frequency ranges, reducing concentrated EMI while maintaining overall conversion efficiency through adaptive configuration selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses asymmetric frequency hopping patterns where up-hopping and down-hopping between frequency bands occur at different rates and through different intermediate frequencies. This asymmetric approach optimizes the distribution of harmonic tones across the frequency spectrum, reducing peak EMI emissions while preserving power conversion efficiency better than symmetric hopping methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing adaptive electromagnetic interference control in a power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a current interface to measure an internal current of the power converter. The example apparatus further includes a performance determiner to determine a spur power of an output voltage of the power converter based on the measured internal current. The example apparatus further includes a ramp generator to adjust a hopping configuration of a ramp voltage based on the spur power.