Monolithic Power Controller for Dual-Supply Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power controllers for expansion cards are complex and costly due to the large number of discrete components and high labor costs associated with custom design, requiring a more integrated and efficient solution for voltage selection and conversion.

Innovation Solution

A monolithic, highly integrated power supply controller circuit using a dual-supply switching converter with two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device, enabling operation from either a main or auxiliary supply source through a break-before-make technique, and incorporating a control circuit for enabling and disabling switching converters to produce regulated output voltages.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional power controllers use multiple discrete components and ICs to achieve voltage selection and conversion, then the required voltage conversion functionality is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage conversion capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple discrete components including switching ICs, supply selection switches, DC/DC converter ICs, standby supply converters, and monitoring circuits into a single integrated power controller IC. This merging eliminates the need for separate discrete components while maintaining all required voltage selection and conversion functions, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated power controller IC performs multiple functions including voltage selection between main and auxiliary supplies, voltage conversion via DC/DC conversion, standby power management, voltage monitoring, and reset signal generation. This multi-functionality within a single component achieves the required adaptability while reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional power controllers use custom-designed circuits with many discrete components, then the required power management functions are achieved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to high labor costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower management functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing labor cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating all power management functions into a single IC, the patent eliminates complex assembly processes required for mounting and connecting multiple discrete components. This merging significantly improves ease of manufacture by reducing assembly steps and labor requirements while maintaining full power management functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If supply selection switching is implemented using conventional discrete components, then the ability to switch between main and auxiliary supplies is achieved, but transient issues and reliability decrease during supply transfer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupply selection capabilityVSAvoidsupply transfer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of supply selection switching within the same IC that performs DC/DC conversion enables coordinated control of the switching process. This unified design ensures smooth transitions between main and auxiliary supplies by eliminating transient issues that occur with separate discrete components, thereby improving reliability during supply transfer while maintaining supply selection capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution reduces the number of components and labor costs, enabling a smaller, more efficient power controller that can be integrated onto a single IC, providing multiple regulated voltages while eliminating redundant elements and transient issues during supply transfer.

Implementation Method 1

switching the high-side switch selected as the first active switch at a switching frequency to produce a switched output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSwitching:

Implementation Method 2

rectifying the switched output signal to produce a regulated output signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRectification:

Data Source

PatentUS7898109B2Switching power supply controller with built-in supply switching

Publication Date: 2011.03.01 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

The invention provides a switching converter comprising as few as two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device, along with a control circuit. The switching converter is capable of operating from a main supply source or an auxiliary supply source. The invention further includes a method for producing a regulated voltage from a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage via the two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device.