Power Converter Controller Dynamic Gate Frequency Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
USB type C power delivery adapters face challenges in maintaining conversion efficiency, over-current protection, and stability due to fixed frequency and current settings, leading to lower performance across different charging conditions for various electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a sample-and-hold unit and adjustment unit that samples the output voltage of the power converter to adjust the frequency of the gate control signal, current through the primary side, and resistance of the compensation resistor, allowing dynamic adjustments to enhance conversion efficiency, over-current protection, and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the frequency of gate control signal, current value for over-current protection, and DC gain are kept fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the conversion efficiency and stability of the power converter deteriorate under different output voltage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of control parameters by introducing a sample-and-hold unit that captures the output voltage and an adjustment unit that modifies the frequency of gate control signal, current value for over-current protection, and DC gain based on the sampled voltage. This transforms the fixed control system into a dynamic one that adapts to varying output conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the output voltage is sampled and fed back to the adjustment unit, which then modifies the control parameters accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the power converter to automatically adjust its operating characteristics based on actual output conditions, improving stability without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Ease of operation
If the frequency of gate control signal and current value are kept fixed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the conversion efficiency deteriorates under varying charging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment unit dynamically modifies the frequency of gate control signal and current value based on the sampled output voltage, enabling the power converter to operate at optimal efficiency points across different charging conditions. This dynamic adaptation maintains ease of operation while eliminating energy losses associated with fixed-parameter operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters (frequency of gate control signal, current value, DC gain) based on the output voltage conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system optimizes conversion efficiency for different charging scenarios without requiring manual reconfiguration, thus maintaining ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If the DC gain is kept fixed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability of the power converter deteriorates under different output voltage conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism samples the output voltage and feeds it to the adjustment unit, which dynamically adjusts the DC gain based on the output conditions. This feedback-controlled DC gain adjustment stabilizes the power converter across different output voltages without significantly increasing circuit complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The DC gain is transformed from a fixed parameter to a dynamic one that adapts to output voltage changes. The sample-and-hold unit captures the output voltage, and the adjustment unit modifies the DC gain accordingly, enabling the system to maintain stability under varying conditions while keeping the overall circuit relatively simple.
4Ease of operation
If the current value for over-current protection is kept fixed, then the ease of operation is improved, but the over-current protection capability deteriorates under varying charging conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The current value for over-current protection is dynamically adjusted by the adjustment unit based on the sampled output voltage. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the protection level adapts to different charging conditions, maintaining reliable protection without requiring manual reconfiguration of protection parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The over-current protection parameter (current value) is changed dynamically based on output voltage conditions. The adjustment unit modifies this parameter to match the charging requirements, ensuring appropriate protection levels for different devices while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adjustment.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller of a power converter includes a sample-and-hold unit and an adjustment unit, wherein the power converter is applied to a Universal Serial Bus power delivery adapter system. The sample-and-hold unit is used for sampling a voltage to generate a sampling voltage during each period of a gate control signal, wherein the sampling voltage corresponds to an output voltage of the power converter. The adjustment unit is coupled to the sample-and-hold unit for adjusting at least one of a frequency of the gate control signal, a current flowing through a primary side of the power converter, and a resistance of a compensation resistor of the controller according to the sampling voltage.