Cascade Circuit Ground Sharing for Isolated Converter Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cascaded power converters require multiple isolation modules to synchronize drive signals across power conversion modules, which complicates chip integration and increases complexity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a cascade circuit design where power conversion units share ground with adjacent units, allowing signal transmission without the need for multiple isolation modules, thereby reducing complexity and facilitating integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple isolation modules are used to synchronize drive signals across power conversion modules, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Adjacent power conversion units share a common ground connection, merging the ground paths to eliminate the need for isolation modules between them. This combining approach maintains signal transmission reliability while reducing device complexity by removing redundant isolation components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the isolation modules from the system by establishing direct ground sharing between adjacent power conversion units. This extraction eliminates unnecessary components that were previously required for signal synchronization, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple isolation modules are used in cascade circuit, then signal isolation between modules is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the ground connections of adjacent power conversion units into a shared common ground, the patent eliminates the need for multiple isolation modules. This simplifies the manufacturing process and improves ease of manufacture while maintaining adequate signal isolation through the controlled ground sharing arrangement.
3Reliability
If multiple isolation modules are used for signal transmission between power conversion units, then signal integrity is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges ground paths between adjacent power conversion units to create a shared reference potential, eliminating the need for multiple isolation modules. This reduces the number of components that need to be integrated and tested, thereby improving productivity and integration efficiency while maintaining signal integrity through the unified ground structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A cascade circuit can include: N power conversion units connected in series between two ports of a power supply, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; a controller connected to one of the N power conversion units, and being configured to send a signal to be transmitted through the connected power conversion unit; where each of the power conversion units is configured to send the signal to be transmitted to a next-stage power conversion unit when the each of the power conversion unit shares a reference voltage with the adjacent next-stage power conversion unit; and where the signal to be transmitted is controlled to be transmitted from a previous-stage power conversion unit to a next-stage power conversion unit in sequence until the signal to be transmitted is received by all of the N power conversion units.