Power Converter Operating Condition Analysis Using Sample Clock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing the operating condition of power converters are disrupted by switching events and are limited by synchronization issues with the base clock, making it difficult to implement measurements, especially when the power converter operates at frequencies that are too low or too high for effective analysis.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a dedicated sample clock signal independent of the power converter's operation frequency to synchronize measurements of operating parameters, allowing for asynchronous analysis of the power converter's operating condition by measuring or identifying values based on switching behavior within defined intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If measurements are synchronized to the base clock of the power converter, then measurement timing can be coordinated with switching events, but the carrier signal is not accessible when the analysis apparatus is implemented as stand-alone hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a PWM signal as an intermediary carrier that conveys timing information from the power converter's internal base clock to the external analysis apparatus. This PWM signal serves as a mediator that enables synchronization without requiring direct access to the protected base clock signal, allowing stand-alone hardware to achieve measurement coordination while maintaining hardware architecture independence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the timing information by deriving a synchronized clock signal from the PWM waveform. The rising edges of the PWM signal are detected and used to generate a local clock that replicates the timing characteristics of the original base clock, enabling the analysis apparatus to operate in sync with the power converter without direct access to the original clock source
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the power converter operates at very low switching frequencies, then switching events are easier to observe, but the achievable resolution of the analysis is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic sampling strategy where the measurement window is adaptively adjusted based on the detected switching frequency. When low switching frequencies are detected, the system extends the measurement window to capture sufficient cycles for accurate analysis. When high frequencies are present, the window is shortened to prevent excessive computational burden, thus dynamically optimizing the balance between resolution and processing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of the switching frequency before conducting the full operating condition analysis. This preliminary action allows the system to pre-configuring the measurement parameters, such as the number of cycles to analyze and the sampling rate, based on the detected frequency range, thereby optimizing the resolution and computational efficiency before the main analysis begins
3Measurement precision
If the power converter operates at very high switching frequencies, then better resolution can be achieved, but the computational effort becomes unreasonable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic sampling strategy where the measurement window is adaptively adjusted based on the detected switching frequency. When low switching frequencies are detected, the system extends the measurement window to capture sufficient cycles for accurate analysis. When high frequencies are present, the window is shortened to prevent excessive computational burden, thus dynamically optimizing the balance between resolution and processing requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively analyzing only the most relevant frequency components using FFT rather than processing the entire spectrum with full detail. The system identifies the fundamental switching frequency and its dominant harmonics, then focuses computational resources on analyzing these specific components, thereby achieving sufficient resolution without the excessive computational effort of a complete spectral analysis
4Loss of information
If measurements are taken during switching events, then complete operating conditions can be captured, but the measurements are disturbed by the switching events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of switching events by monitoring the PWM signal edges before conducting measurements. By identifying the precise timing of switching events in advance, the system can then strategically select measurement windows that either capture the switching transients for analysis or exclude them to obtain clean steady-state measurements, thus preliminarily preparing the measurement strategy based on detected switching patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback by continuously monitoring the measured operating parameters and comparing them against expected ranges. When measurements taken during switching events show distortion or anomalies, the feedback mechanism triggers corrective actions such as adjusting the measurement timing, filtering the disturbed data, or requesting additional measurement cycles, thereby maintaining measurement reliability despite the presence of switching disturbances
Data Source
AI summary
A method analyzes an operating condition of a power converter. The method includes: providing a sample clock signal; determining repeatedly at least one operating parameter of a power semiconductor device of the power converter; and determining the operating condition of the power converter depending on the at least one determined operating parameter. The repetitions of the determining the at least one operating parameter are synchronous to the sample clock signal. For a given repetition of the determination of the at least one operating parameter, determining the at least one operating parameter includes measuring the at least one operating parameter or identifying a value for the at least one operating parameter from a previous repetition depending on a switching behavior of the power converter within the given repetition.