Discontinuous Switching Voltage Regulator On-Time Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Discontinuous switching voltage regulators face challenges in adjusting on-time to improve power efficiency while maintaining transient response, and existing solutions involving analog current sensors and programmable comparators increase cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A discontinuous switching voltage regulator that adjusts on-time based on the ratio of tristate time to switch time, using digital timers to control charging, discharging, and tristating of the charging element, without requiring analog current sensors or programmable comparators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a linear transfer function is used to adjust the peak current threshold, then power efficiency is improved, but transient response time increases and stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being controlled from peak current threshold to on-time duration. By adjusting the on-time parameter directly based on load current estimates, the system achieves both improved power efficiency and maintained transient response, avoiding the trade-off present in linear transfer function approaches that adjust peak current thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism that monitors the ratio of tristate time to switch time and uses this information to dynamically adjust the on-time. This closed-loop feedback allows the system to optimize power efficiency while maintaining stable transient response characteristics.
2Loss of energy
If an analog current sensor and programmable analog current comparator are used to adjust peak current threshold, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the analog current sensing and comparison mechanism with a digital timing-based control system. Instead of using analog current sensors and programmable analog comparators, the invention uses digital timers to measure switch time and tristate time, then digitally processes the ratio to control on-time, thereby reducing circuit complexity while maintaining power efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital representation of the control function by measuring time ratios rather than directly sensing current. The digital timer measurements and ratio calculations serve as a copy or alternative representation of the current-based control mechanism, achieving the same power efficiency optimization without the complexity of analog current sensing circuitry.
3Loss of time
If on-time is extended to improve transient response, then transient response is improved, but power efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of on-time based on real-time measurements of the ratio of tristate time to switch time. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize the on-time duration for each operating condition, achieving both improved transient response and maintained power efficiency, rather than using a fixed on-time value that would compromise one or the other.
Data Source
AI summary
A discontinuous switching voltage regulator is disclosed including a charging element operable to generate an output voltage, switching circuitry coupled to the charging element, and switch control circuitry to configure the charging element during a cycle, including to charge the charging element for an on-time, discharge the charging element for a discharge time, and tristate the charging element for a tristate time. In operation, the on-time is initialized to a first on-time, and a first switch time is measured comprising the first on-time and a first discharge time of a first cycle. A first tristate time of the first cycle is measured, and a first ratio of the first tristate time to the first switch time is determined. The first ratio is compared to a first ratio threshold, and the on-time is adjusted to a second on-time if the first ratio exceeds the first ratio threshold.