Multi-Loop Power Control with Analog Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charger systems experience performance degradation due to overlap effects between multiple feedback loops, leading to instability and increased charging time, as they struggle to prevent simultaneous activation of these loops during phase transitions.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus employs a first and second amplifier in separate feedback loops, coupled with a compensation circuit that generates a compensation signal to reduce the influence of one feedback loop on the other, allowing for dynamic selection of PWM signals to improve power control and minimize overlap effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple feedback loops are used in conventional charger systems, then power control coverage is improved, but overlap effects occur between loops causing performance degradation and instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control coverageVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A compensation circuit is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second feedback loops. This compensation circuit detects the output of the first error amplifier and generates a compensation signal that is applied to the second feedback loop, thereby mediating the interaction between the two loops and eliminating harmful overlap effects while maintaining comprehensive power control coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested feedback structure where the compensation circuit creates an additional feedback path from the first error amplifier output to the second feedback loop. This feedback mechanism dynamically adjusts the second loop's behavior based on the first loop's state, preventing simultaneous activation and ensuring stable operation across different power conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple feedback loops operate simultaneously, then comprehensive power control is achieved, but transition boundaries become non-sharp increasing charging time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower control capabilityVSAvoidcharging time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful overlap effect into a beneficial transition mechanism. By carefully designing the compensation circuit to apply the compensation signal, the region where both feedback loops are active is transformed into a smooth transition zone with sharp boundaries, eliminating the performance degradation while maintaining fast charging speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional charger systems use multiple feedback loops, then various charging phases can be controlled, but overlap effects degrade overall system performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging phase controlVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control of different charging phases into two distinct feedback loops with clearly defined roles. The first feedback loop handles constant voltage control while the second handles constant current control, and the compensation circuit ensures clean segmentation by preventing simultaneous operation, thereby maintaining high system performance across all charging phases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3093994B1Apparatus for performing multi-loop power control in an electronic device with aid of analog compensation and duty cycle selection, and associated method
Publication Date: 2018.01.03 MEDIATEK INC
  • EP3093994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3093994B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3093994B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus (100, 600) for performing multi-loop power control in an electronic device is provided, where the apparatus may include at least one portion (e.g. a portion or all) of the electronic device (100, 600). More particularly, the apparatus may include a first amplifier (112, OTA1) that is positioned in a first feedback loop (110) of the electronic device and coupled to a power control terminal of the electronic device, and a second amplifier (122, OTA2) that is positioned in a second feedback loop (120) of the electronic device and coupled to the power control terminal. For example, the apparatus (100) may further include a compensation circuit (130) that is coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. In another example, the apparatus (600) may further include a selection control circuit (630) that is coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. An associated method such as an operational method of the above apparatus (100, 600) is also provided.