Buck Converter Control System for IoT Quiescent Current Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inductor-based DC-DC converters for IoT devices consume high quiescent current in sleep and standby modes and are not adaptable to wide load current and input voltage ranges, which limits their battery life and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A control system for a buck converter comprising a first control module, a second control module, a mode selector, a driving and level shifter module, a power stage module, an inductor, a voltage stabilizing module, and an inductor current zero-crossing detecting module, which adjusts voltage pulses and switching frequencies based on device modes to minimize quiescent current and accommodate varying load currents and input voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inductor-based DC-DC converters are used to convert input voltage for IoT devices, then the output voltage can be stabilized, but the quiescent current consumption increases in sleep and standby modes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between two control modules based on operating mode: a first control module for sleep/standby modes and a second control module for transmission mode. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between voltage stability and power consumption by selecting the appropriate control strategy for each operating condition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key operating parameters including switching frequency and pulse width dynamically. The first control module uses variable switching frequency adapted to load conditions, while the second uses fixed frequency PWM. This parameter adaptation enables the system to maintain voltage stability across different modes while minimizing quiescent current in low-power states.
2Device complexity
If a single control module is used for all operation modes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to wide load current and input voltage ranges is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control function into two specialized control modules: a first control module optimized for sleep and standby modes with low quiescent current, and a second control module optimized for transmission mode with high current capability. A mode selector circuit dynamically routes between these segments based on operating conditions, achieving wide adaptability without requiring a single complex controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal control system that can handle multiple operation modes (sleep, standby, transmission) and wide input voltage ranges through the combination of two control modules working under different conditions. The mode selector enables this multi-functionality by automatically selecting the appropriate control strategy for each scenario.
3Speed
If the switching frequency is increased to improve voltage conversion speed, then the response time is reduced, but the quiescent current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency adjustment where the first control module uses variable switching frequency that adapts to load conditions and operating mode. In sleep and standby modes, the frequency is optimized for low power consumption, while in transmission mode the frequency increases to meet high current delivery requirements, thus dynamically balancing speed and power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a control system of a buck converter, relating to the field of Internet of Things. The control system of a buck converter provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first control module, a second control module, and a mode selector. The first control module is turned on and the second control module is turned off through an analog current sensor in the mode selector when an IoT device switches from a transmission mode to a sleep mode or a standby mode, so that the first control module outputs a first voltage pulse to the driving and level shifter module, wherein a frequency of the first voltage pulse is determined by a frequency of a first clock in the first control module, and a width of the first voltage pulse is determined by a frequency of a second clock in the first control module.