Fault Control Circuit for Switching Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply controllers in the semiconductor industry consume excessive power during and after fault conditions due to the use of numerous digital and analog elements, increasing costs and area on the semiconductor die.
Innovation Solution
A fault control circuit is designed without digital logic gates, utilizing a current source, current mirror, and parallel connected switches to minimize power dissipation and element count, enabling efficient operation during fault conditions and reducing the number of required elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control circuitry is used to manage power supply controller during fault conditions, then fault detection and response capability is improved, but power consumption increases during and after fault conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic sampling of the first operating voltage through a voltage divider circuit that is enabled only during fault conditions. The control circuit periodically assesses whether the fault persists by comparing sampled voltage values against threshold criteria, rather than continuously monitoring. This periodic action allows the system to maintain fault detection capability while significantly reducing power consumption during both active fault conditions and normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential fault detection functionality from a full control circuit, implementing a minimal voltage sampling mechanism using a voltage divider and comparator. By taking out only the critical elements needed for fault detection (voltage sampling circuitry and comparison logic) rather than implementing complete control circuitry, the system achieves reliable fault detection with minimal power consumption and reduced component count.
2Ease of operation
If digital logic elements such as gates and latches are used in fault control circuit, then control functionality is improved, but the number of elements and area on semiconductor die increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital logic elements (gates, latches, and other complex control circuitry) with an analog voltage sampling and comparison mechanism. Instead of using digital logic to detect and respond to faults, the system uses a voltage divider circuit to sample the operating voltage and a comparator to determine if fault conditions exist. This substitution of analog mechanisms for digital logic significantly reduces the number of elements required while maintaining adequate control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, minimal-component voltage sampling circuitry that uses basic analog elements (resistors, comparators) rather than complex digital logic. This approach uses simpler, fewer elements that are easier to implement on the semiconductor die, reducing overall device complexity while providing the necessary fault control functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a fault control circuit of a switching power supply controller is configured to disable an operating voltage of the switching power supply controller responsively to a fault condition and to subsequently decouple the fault control circuit from another operating voltage.