Switched Output Stage Edge Rate Control via Variable Drive Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with switched output stages face challenges in maintaining a consistent output signal edge rate due to variations in temperature, supply voltage, and other environmental factors, affecting the performance of power converters and amplifiers.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a driver, pre-driver with variable drive strength, and a controller that adjusts the drive strength based on measured physical quantities like temperature and supply voltage to compensate for variations in the output signal edge rate, ensuring a stable output signal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a switched output stage is used to drive mechanical transducers, then power conversion efficiency and signal amplification are improved, but the output signal edge rate varies due to temperature and supply voltage changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures the actual edge rate of the output signal and compares it to a target edge rate, then uses this feedback information to adjust the pre-driver drive strength dynamically, compensating for variations caused by temperature and supply voltage changes
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-driver drive strength parameter is dynamically adjusted based on measured physical quantities (temperature, supply voltage) to compensate for their effect on the output signal edge rate, maintaining consistent performance across varying operating conditions
2Device complexity
If amplifier system properties are allowed to vary with temperature and supply voltage, then device complexity is reduced, but the slew rate of the output signal is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The amplifier system automatically compensates for its own performance variations by measuring its operating conditions (temperature, supply voltage) and adjusting the pre-driver drive strength accordingly, maintaining consistent slew rate without external intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-driver drive strength is made dynamically adjustable based on real-time measurements of temperature and supply voltage, allowing the system to adapt to changing operating conditions and maintain optimal slew rate performance
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a driver for driving an output signal to a load, a pre-driver for driving a pre-driver signal to the driver, the pre-driver having a variable drive strength, and a controller configured to control the variable drive strength based on at least one measured physical quantity to compensate for variation of an output signal edge rate due to variations in the at least one measured physical quantity.