Power Converter Controller with Burst Switching for Standby Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile device chargers consume excessive power when idle, leading to unnecessary greenhouse emissions and fossil fuel consumption, as most chargers do not efficiently manage standby power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A controller for power converters that includes a delay circuit, detection circuit, output circuit, counter circuit, and PWM circuit to dynamically adjust power regulation based on load conditions, enabling power-saving modes such as burst and deep burst switching to minimize standby power consumption while ensuring dynamic response performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the power converter operates in continuous regulation mode to ensure dynamic response performance, then the response speed is improved, but the standby power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter employs periodic burst switching mode instead of continuous regulation. The controller enables at least one first driving pulse group in a first time range which is generated by a controller in a burst manner, creating periodic on-off cycles that dramatically reduce standby power consumption while maintaining the ability to respond to load changes when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operating modes (continuous conduction mode and discontinuous conduction mode) based on load conditions. The controller determines whether to operate in CCM or DCM mode and adjusts the switching behavior accordingly, enabling the system to optimize between response speed and power consumption in real-time
2Use of energy by moving object
If the controller enters deep sleep mode to minimize power consumption, then the power saving is improved, but the dynamic response capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The controller prepares for potential load changes by maintaining the ability to quickly exit sleep mode. The wake-up circuit is pre-configured to detect load changes and trigger the restoration of normal operation, ensuring that when a load change occurs, the system can respond promptly without being stuck in a deep sleep state
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own internal resources to monitor and detect load changes during sleep mode. The wake-up circuit continuously monitors for conditions that would require the system to wake up, using minimal power while maintaining the capability to respond to external changes
3Measurement precision
If the switching frequency is increased to improve regulation precision, then the control accuracy is improved, but the power loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using burst switching mode with periodic on-off cycles, the system achieves effective voltage regulation over longer periods without requiring high-frequency continuous switching. This reduces switching losses while maintaining regulation precision through the periodic nature of the bursts
4Use of energy by moving object
If the power converter operates in burst switching mode to reduce power consumption, then the standby power consumption is reduced, but the complexity of control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller uses its own internal timing and counting resources to manage the burst switching operation. The control logic leverages existing circuit elements to generate the periodic burst patterns and monitor operation cycles, avoiding the need for additional dedicated control hardware and minimizing overall system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A controller with power saving for a power converter includes a delay circuit, a detection circuit, an output circuit, a counter circuit, a wake-up circuit and a PWM circuit. The delay circuit determines a delay time. The detection circuit activates the delay circuit whenever an output load of the power converter is lower than a light-load threshold. The output circuit generates a power-saving signal to cease a regulation of the power converter after the delay time ends. The regulation of the power converter is resumed once the output load increases during the regulation of the power converter is being ceased. The counter circuit coupled to the delay circuit is counted by the delay circuit to determine a sleep period. The output circuit generates the power-saving signal to cease the regulation of the power converter after the sleep period ends.