Programmable Floating Gate Driver for USB-C EMI Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB-PD applications face challenges with electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) issues due to fast switching with high-load capacitance in buck-boost converters, requiring external passive components that increase cost and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A floating gate driver with programmable drive strength between 1 ohm and 30 ohms, controlled by firmware, is used to dynamically adjust the switching resistance of high-side and low-side drivers, optimizing EMI/EMC performance and efficiency across a wide range of output power applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If fast switching with high-load capacitance is used in buck-boost converters, then power delivery speed is improved, but electromagnetic interference and compatibility issues worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The gate driver incorporates programmable drive strength that can be dynamically adjusted based on operating conditions. The drive strength is configured to provide high current for fast switching when needed, while reducing drive strength during normal operation to minimize EMI and EMC issues, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and electromagnetic compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the drive strength parameter of the gate driver to optimize performance. By programmably adjusting the drive strength parameter, the system achieves fast switching capability when high power delivery is required, while reducing the parameter to minimize electromagnetic interference during standard operation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external passive components are added to reduce EMI, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the EMI filtering function from external passive components and implements it internally within the gate driver circuitry. The programmable drive strength capability allows the gate driver to inherently suppress EMI through controlled switching, eliminating the need for additional external passive components and reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The gate driver serves dual functions: it provides the necessary drive current for switching while simultaneously managing EMI through its programmable characteristics. The circuit essentially serves itself by using its own configurable parameters to mitigate the harmful effects it generates, reducing reliance on external EMI filtering components
3Object-affected harmful factors
If external passive components are added to mitigate EMI, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the EMI mitigation function with the gate driver circuit itself. By integrating the programmable drive strength capability into the gate driver, the system combines power switching and EMI management in a single component, eliminating the need for separate external passive components and streamlining the manufacturing process
Data Source
AI summary
Universal Serial Bus Type-C (USB-C) controllers with a floating gate driver with programmable drive strength for a wide range of USB power delivery applications in electronic devices described. A USB-C controller includes a floating gate driver and control logic. The floating gate driver includes p-channel field-effect transistors (FETs) coupled in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal and p-channel pre-gate drivers. Each p-channel pre-gate driver is coupled to a gate of one of the p-channel FETs. The floating gate driver includes n-channel FETs coupled in parallel between the second terminal and a third terminal and n-channel pre-gate drivers, each n-channel pre-gate driver being coupled to a gate of one of the plurality of n-channel FETs. The control logic sends one or more control signals to activate a first number of p-channel pre-gate drivers and a second number of n-channel pre-gate drivers based on an output voltage.