Power Converter Controller Using Search-Table Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converters require large circuit areas and high power consumption due to the need for high-resolution analog-to-digital converters and complex compensators, especially for high-frequency operations.
Innovation Solution
A controller for a power converter that includes an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, a search circuit, a compensation circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit, which uses search tables to generate search values for adjusting the duty ratio signal, thereby reducing circuit complexity and area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter and complex compensator are used for high-frequency operation, then signal processing precision is improved, but circuit area increases and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses search tables that store pre-calculated compensation values as copies of complex computational results. Instead of performing real-time complex calculations with multiple multipliers, the system copies pre-computed values from lookup tables based on quantized error signals, dramatically reducing circuit area while maintaining compensation accuracy for high-frequency operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary computation by pre-calculating compensation values and storing them in search tables before runtime. The complex compensator calculations are done in advance and stored, so during operation only simple table lookup and addition are needed, reducing real-time computational complexity and circuit area requirements
2Measurement precision
If a high-resolution analog-to-digital converter is used for high-frequency operation, then signal processing precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces power-intensive high-resolution ADC operations with lower-resolution quantized conversions followed by table lookup. The search tables store pre-computed values that can be retrieved with minimal power consumption, eliminating the need for continuous high-resolution analog-to-digital conversion while maintaining effective signal processing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses low-resolution quantized error signals as temporary, disposable representations of the analog error. These simplified digital values are sufficient for indexing into search tables and generating compensation outputs, replacing the need for continuous high-resolution ADC operation and significantly reducing power consumption
3Measurement precision
If a complex compensator with large number of multipliers is used, then compensation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex real-time multiplier-based compensation calculations with copies of pre-computed values stored in search tables. The compensation accuracy is maintained by storing sufficiently precise pre-calculated values, while the device complexity is dramatically reduced by eliminating multiple multiplier circuits and replacing them with simple table lookup and addition logic
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the mechanical/computational system of multiple analog multipliers with a digital lookup table system. Instead of physically implementing complex multiplication operations with analog circuits, the system uses digital indexing and memory retrieval, replacing complex hardware computation with simpler memory access and addition operations
Data Source
AI summary
A controller of a power converter is provided. The controller is coupled to a power output stage, provides a control signal thereto to generate an output voltage, and includes an analog-to-digital conversion circuit, a search circuit, a compensation circuit, and a pulse width modulation circuit. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit is coupled to the power output stage and is configured to output an error signal according to a feedback voltage related to the output voltage and a reference voltage. The search circuit is coupled to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit and searches according to the error signal to obtain search values. The compensation circuit is coupled to the search circuit and generates a duty cycle signal according to the search values. The pulse width modulation circuit is coupled to the compensation circuit and generates the control signal according to the duty cycle ratio signal to be provided to the power output stage.