Back-to-Back PNP Transistor Rectifier for Low Voltage Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional voltage rectifier circuits face significant voltage drops across diodes, which are temperature-dependent and result in substantial loading on the AC source, making it difficult to capture the peak voltage accurately, especially at low-voltage ranges.

Innovation Solution

A voltage rectifier circuit employing a switching stage with bipolar junction PNP transistors arranged in a back-to-back configuration, along with a resistor and voltage source, to minimize voltage drop and loading on the AC source, effectively capturing the peak voltage with minimal impedance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a diode is used for voltage rectification, then the circuit structure is simple, but the voltage drop is significant and temperature-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidpeak voltage capture accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The single diode is segmented into multiple transistors arranged in a back-to-back configuration. This segmentation allows the circuit to achieve diode-like rectification function while eliminating the significant voltage drop and temperature dependence of conventional diodes, thereby improving peak voltage capture accuracy without excessive complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operating parameters by using transistors with controlled base-emitter voltages instead of a fixed diode voltage drop. By controlling the base voltages of the transistors, the circuit maintains a constant voltage level independent of temperature variations, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and accurate peak voltage capture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a diode with significant voltage drop is used, then the circuit is simple, but the loading on the AC source increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit structureVSAvoidloading on AC source

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The diode function is segmented into multiple transistors where the current is distributed through different paths. This segmentation reduces the current burden on any single component and minimizes the overall loading effect on the AC source while maintaining the rectification function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces voltage sources as intermediaries connected to the bases of the transistors. These voltage sources act as mediators that control the transistor operation and reduce the direct loading effect on the AC source, allowing the circuit to maintain simplicity while reducing energy consumption from the source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If the source impedance is kept low to reduce voltage drop, then the voltage capture accuracy improves, but the circuit complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage capture accuracyVSAvoidsource impedance control

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of changing the source impedance parameter, the invention changes the circuit configuration to be insensitive to source impedance variations. The back-to-back transistor configuration with controlled base voltages creates a circuit that maintains accurate voltage capture regardless of the source impedance value, avoiding the complexity and cost of impedance control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of high source impedance into a benefit by designing a circuit that actually benefits from the impedance characteristics. The transistor configuration naturally adapts to the source impedance, turning what would be a limiting factor into a non-critical parameter, thereby improving voltage capture accuracy without increasing circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:

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

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 circuit achieves a low voltage drop and minimal loading on the AC source, allowing for accurate capture of peak voltage with reduced ripple and temperature sensitivity, compared to traditional diode-based systems.

Implementation Method 1

The switching stage includes transistors arranged in a back-to-back configuration. In one example embodiment, the transistors are bipolar junction PNP transistors, emitters of the transistors are connected together

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBipolar junction transistor operation:

Implementation Method 2

a voltage rectifier circuit having a low-drop diode substitute with minimal loading, to capture the peak voltage of an alternating current source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS9502992B2Diode substitute with low drop and minimal loading

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 INFINERA OPTICAL NETWORKS INC

AI summary

A voltage rectifier circuit having a storage element and a switching stage that is switchable to enable the storage element to capture a peak voltage of an alternating power source. The switching stage includes transistors arranged in a back-to-back configuration. In one example, the storage element is a capacitor and the transistors are PNP bipolar junction transistors. The configuration of the circuit enables reduced loading on the power source, as well as reduced sensitivity to temperature.