Digital Power Supply Transfer Function Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing digital power supply control systems face challenges in accurately regulating output voltage and current to meet desired characteristics, particularly in dynamic environments with varying loads and input signals, due to limitations in feedback control mechanisms and adaptive compensation.

Innovation Solution

A digital control system incorporating a digital signal processor (DSP) that utilizes a power transformation circuit and feedback loops to adjust the power supply's output, with advanced signal conditioning and pulse width modulation techniques to ensure precise control of the power factor correction and DC-to-DC conversion, allowing for real-time adaptation to input changes and load variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a feedback control system is used to regulate power supply output, then the output voltage and current can be adjusted to meet desired characteristics, but the system complexity increases due to additional control circuitry and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutput voltage regulation precisionVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where the digital signal processor continuously monitors the power supply output and adjusts control parameters to maintain desired voltage and current characteristics. The feedback loop compares actual output with reference values and modifies switching duty cycles accordingly, achieving precise regulation while managing system complexity through digital processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional analog control circuitry with a digital signal processor that performs control functions through software algorithms. This substitution reduces hardware complexity by consolidating multiple analog components into a single digital processing unit while maintaining or improving control precision through programmable algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If advanced signal conditioning and pulse width modulation techniques are implemented for precise control, then the power factor correction and DC-to-DC conversion accuracy improve, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower factor correction accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pulse width modulation with periodic switching action to control the power factor correction and DC-to-DC conversion. The digital signal processor generates periodic gate drive signals with variable duty cycles that precisely control the switching devices, achieving accurate power factor correction and voltage regulation through timed periodic actions rather than continuous analog control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of control parameters in real-time based on operating conditions. The digital signal processor continuously adapts switching frequencies, duty cycles, and compensation parameters to maintain optimal power factor correction accuracy across varying load and input voltage conditions, making the system dynamically responsive rather than statically fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the digital control system continuously monitors and adjusts power supply operation in real-time, then the stability and efficiency improve under varying conditions, but the processing time and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuous monitoring and control of power supply parameters through the digital signal processor, which operates without interruption to ensure system stability. The processor continuously acquires sensor data, computes control algorithms, and updates switching parameters in real-time, ensuring uninterrupted useful action for maintaining power supply stability under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements predictive control where the digital signal processor calculates future control actions based on current system state and anticipated load changes. By performing preliminary computations of required adjustments, the system prepares control parameters in advance, reducing actual processing delays and maintaining stability without excessive real-time computational burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20200112249A1Methods and apparatus to measure a transfer function of a control system
Publication Date: 2020.04.09 TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INC
  • US20200112249A1 patent drawing
  • US20200112249A1 patent drawing
  • US20200112249A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to measure a transfer function of a control system are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a first signal from the power supply at a first point in the control loop at a digital signal processor, instructing the digital signal processor to add a reference signal having a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude to the first signal to generate a combined signal in the digital signal processor, using the combined signal to generate a control signal for the power stage, sampling the control signal at a second point around the control loop in the digital signal processor to generate a sampled signal, comparing the sampled signal to the reference signal to determine a transfer function of the digital power supply, and displaying the transfer function on a user interface.