High-Side Overcurrent Detection for High-Voltage Power Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing low-voltage controllers are unable to perform overcurrent detection and protection for middle-voltage or high-voltage power stages, as they are not capable of processing the currents flowing through these stages.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electronic device with a high-side voltage-to-current converter, a voltage offsetting component, a high-side comparator, and an OCP signal generator, which converts voltage differences into currents for comparison and generates an OCP signal when necessary, allowing low-voltage hardware to handle overcurrent detection for middle-voltage or high-voltage power stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a low-voltage controller is used for overcurrent detection in middle-voltage or high-voltage power stages, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the controller cannot process the high currents flowing in middle-voltage or high-voltage power stages, resulting in detection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voltage-to-current converter as an intermediary component that converts the high-voltage signal from the power stage into a low-voltage current signal that the low-voltage controller can safely process. This mediator enables the low-voltage controller to detect overcurrent conditions in middle-voltage or high-voltage power stages without being directly exposed to the hazardous high currents, thus maintaining both ease of manufacture (using low-voltage controller) and reliability (accurate detection capability).
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate design and implementation of controller, power stage, and driver are maintained, then design flexibility is improved, but compatibility issues arise when integrating low-voltage controller with middle-voltage or high-voltage power stage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the low-voltage controller universal by adding the voltage-to-current converter interface, enabling it to handle both low-voltage and middle-voltage/high-voltage power stages. This multi-functionality allows the same low-voltage controller design to be adapted across different voltage levels, improving adaptability while managing complexity through a standardized interface approach.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables effective overcurrent detection and protection for middle-voltage or high-voltage power stages using low-voltage hardware, ensuring safe operation and integration into a multi-chip module.
Implementation Method 1
a high-side voltage-to-current (V2I) converter... converting voltage differences into currents
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device and a method for overcurrent detection are disclosed herein. The electronic device causes a high-side offsetting voltage drop and converts a voltage difference between a first voltage at an input terminal of an upper-bridge power component of a power stage and a sum of a first balancing voltage drop and the high-side offsetting voltage drop into a first current. The electronic device further converts a voltage difference between a second voltage of an output terminal of the upper-bridge power component and a second balancing voltage drop into a second current, compares the first current and the second current, and generates a high-side overcurrent protection (OCP) signal with logic high for a driver of the power stage when the first current is stronger than the second current, such that the driver turns off the upper-bridge power component accordingly.