Constant On-Time Isolated Converter Feedback Delay

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional isolated converters face challenges in quickly stabilizing load voltage due to delays in feedback signal transmission from the secondary side to the primary side, and they struggle to operate efficiently in continuous current mode with synchronous rectifiers, requiring complex compensation circuits and encoding/decoding technologies.

Innovation Solution

A constant on-time isolated converter design that allows direct detection and transmission of output voltage and current from the secondary side to the primary side, eliminating the need for compensation circuits and encoding/decoding, and utilizing a processor with a coupling element to control the electronic switch based on feedback signals, enabling fast regulation of output voltage and current.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional isolated converters use voltage divider design with photo-coupler for feedback, then the system can transmit control signals between primary and secondary sides, but the load voltage cannot be stabilized quickly due to delay in signal transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload voltage stabilizationVSAvoidfeedback signal transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the controller from the primary side and relocates it to the secondary side, where it can directly detect the load voltage without transmission delay. This extraction of the control function to the secondary side eliminates the feedback delay inherent in conventional designs that use photo-couplers for signal transmission between sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements direct voltage detection on the secondary side where the controller measures the actual load voltage and immediately adjusts the switching duty cycle accordingly. This direct feedback mechanism eliminates the delay caused by conventional feedback transmission through photo-couplers and voltage dividers, enabling rapid load voltage stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If conventional converters use TL431 and VM compensation circuit, then the loop gain and bandwidth can be compensated to reduce ripple signal, but the device complexity increases and the voltage still cannot be stabilized quickly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload voltage stabilityVSAvoidcompensation circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex TL431 and VM compensation circuitry from the design. By relocating the controller to the secondary side and implementing direct voltage detection, the system achieves rapid stabilization without requiring these complicated compensation mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving voltage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The controller on the secondary side directly detects and regulates the load voltage without needing external compensation circuits. The system becomes self-regulating, where the controller automatically adjusts based on real-time voltage measurements, eliminating the need for complex compensation networks that would otherwise be required to achieve similar stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If synchronous rectifier is used in the secondary side, then the conversion efficiency can be improved, but it becomes difficult to control in continuous current mode (CCM)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol difficulty in CCM
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements direct voltage detection and feedback control on the secondary side, where the controller continuously monitors the load voltage and adjusts the synchronous rectifier switching in real-time. This direct feedback mechanism enables precise control of the synchronous rectifier in continuous current mode, overcoming the control difficulties while maintaining high conversion efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically adjusts the switching duty cycle of the synchronous rectifier based on real-time load voltage measurements. This dynamic control approach enables the system to operate efficiently in continuous current mode by continuously optimizing the rectifier switching timing and duration, overcoming the static control limitations of conventional designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If controller is located on the primary side, then the electronic switch can be controlled, but the controller cannot detect the load voltage directly resulting in slower response

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectronic switch controlVSAvoidload voltage detection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the controller from the primary side and places it on the secondary side, where it can directly access and measure the load voltage. This relocation eliminates the need for indirect voltage detection through photo-couplers and voltage dividers, enabling the controller to detect load voltage immediately and respond without transmission delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the photo-coupler intermediary that previously separated the controller from direct voltage measurement. By placing the controller on the secondary side, the system removes the isolation barrier that caused detection delay, allowing direct voltage sensing while still maintaining system isolation through alternative means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution allows for rapid load transient response and independent regulation of output voltage and current on the secondary side without the need for complex compensation or encoding/decoding, improving efficiency and stability.

Implementation Method 1

a transformer is used to convert the high voltage AC power to low voltage DC power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

After coupling the AC power with rectifiers, a transformer is used to convert the high voltage AC power to low voltage DC power

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3278439B1Constant on-time (COT) control in isolated converter
Publication Date: 2022.04.13 ALPHA & OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR (CAYMAN) LTD
  • EP3278439B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3278439B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3278439B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

The present invention discloses a constant on-time isolated converter comprising a transformer with a primary side and a secondary side. The primary side is connected to an electronic switch and secondary-side is connected to a load and a processor. The processor is connected to a driver on primary side through at least one coupling element and to the electronic switch. The processor receives an output voltage or an output current across the load generating a control signal accordingly. The driver receives the control signal through the coupling element and accordingly changes the ON/OFF state of the electronic switch, regulating the output voltage and the output current via the transformer, where the duration of the ON/OFF state of the electronic switch is determined between the moment control signal changes from negative to positive and the moment it changes from positive to negative to achieve a high-speed load transient response.