Digital DUT Power Supply Control for Load-Adaptive Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply apparatuses for devices under test have fixed control performance determined by analog elements, leading to increased circuit complexity, costs, and inability to adapt to real-time changes in load conditions, making them inflexible and costly.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus utilizing an A/D converter, digital signal processing circuit, and D/A converter to dynamically adjust control characteristics based on the load conditions, allowing flexible reconstruction of control performance and reducing circuit area and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an analog circuit controller is used, then the control operation can be performed, but the control performance is fixed and cannot be changed in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed analog circuit controller with a digital signal processing circuit that can dynamically change its transfer function and control characteristics in real-time. The controller reads control parameters from a storage unit and adjusts the digital filter coefficients and transfer functions based on operating conditions, enabling adaptive control performance without requiring multiple fixed analog circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by storing multiple sets of control parameters (transfer functions, filter coefficients) in a storage unit and selecting appropriate parameters based on operating conditions. The digital signal processing circuit changes its operational parameters dynamically, allowing the same hardware to achieve different control performances for different operating scenarios without physical circuit changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple circuits are prepared to change control performance, then real-time control adjustment is possible, but circuit area and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by designing a single digital signal processing circuit that can perform multiple control functions through software-based parameter changes. Instead of having separate analog circuits for different control modes, one universal digital controller with reconfigurable transfer functions and filter coefficients handles all control scenarios, significantly reducing circuit area while maintaining multi-mode capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the copying principle by storing multiple control parameter sets (virtual copies of control characteristics) in a storage unit rather than duplicating physical circuits. The digital signal processing circuit loads and switches between these stored parameter sets, achieving the effect of multiple circuits without the physical area overhead of actual circuit duplication.
3Reliability
If high-precision analog elements or compensation circuits are provided, then temperature drift effects are suppressed, but circuit area and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the mechanics substitution principle by replacing precision analog elements and analog compensation circuits with digital signal processing. The digital controller uses software-based temperature compensation and calibration algorithms that read sensor data and adjust control parameters digitally, eliminating the need for expensive high-precision analog components and complex analog compensation circuitry while achieving equal or better temperature stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus is provided for a test apparatus configured to supply a power supply signal to a DUT. An A/D converter performs analog/digital conversion of an analog observed value that corresponds to a power supply signal so as to generate a digital observed value. A digital signal processing circuit generates, by means of digital processing, a control value adjusted such that the digital observed value received from the A/D converter matches a predetermined reference value. A D/A converter performs digital/analog conversion of the control value, and supplies the resulting value to the DUT as the power supply signal. A digital signal processing circuit is configured to be capable of changing the content of its signal processing.