Current-Sensor Power Control Circuit for Efficient Load Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control systems require complex mixed signal circuitry for controlling power delivery to a load, which can be inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A power control circuit that utilizes a current sensor to generate a power signal and a control signal from a controller, allowing for efficient power management by controlling power transistors based on these signals without the need for extensive processing at the controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mixed signal circuitry is used in the controller to control power delivery, then power control functionality is achieved, but device complexity and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mixed signal processing functionality from the controller and relocates it to a dedicated power control circuit. The current sensor generates a power signal that is processed by the power control circuit rather than the controller, removing the burden of mixed signal circuitry from the controller while maintaining efficient power control capabilities in the specialized circuit.
2Productivity
If mixed signal processing is performed at the controller, then power signal processing is possible, but processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated power control circuit as an intermediary between the current sensor and the controller. This intermediary component specializes in processing power signals and control signals, handling the mixed signal processing requirements efficiently while presenting a simplified interface to the controller, thus improving overall processing efficiency without sacrificing operational capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power control circuit includes an input connection, an output connection, and a current sensor configured to generate a power signal corresponding to an electrical signal delivered from a power source to a load. The power control circuit is configured to receive, from a controller via the input connection, a control signal comprising a sequence of control signal pulses occurring at a control signal frequency and generate an output signal based on the power signal, the sequence of control signal pulses, and the control signal frequency. The power control circuit is configured to deliver, via the output connection, the output signal to control a gate driver circuit to manage the power signal delivered from the power source to the load.