Power Converter Timing Control for Dead Time and Slew Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power switching applications lack precise control over dead time and slew rate, leading to inefficiencies and reliability issues, particularly in high voltage applications, due to the limitations of current isolation techniques such as optical isolation, monolithic level shifters, and galvanic isolation.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a timing control circuit that generates timing signals, switching circuits, and a monitoring circuit to measure and adjust delays, using feedback loops and isolation barriers to achieve precise control over dead time and slew rate, enabling efficient operation across different voltage domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If optical isolation is used, then isolation voltage is improved (up to 1 kV), but switching speed is limited (1 MHz) and reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical isolation mechanisms with capacitive isolation mechanisms. The capacitive isolator uses electrical fields rather than optical fields, enabling faster switching speeds while maintaining high isolation voltage capability. This substitution of the isolation mechanism fundamentally resolves the trade-off between isolation strength and switching speed.
2Use of energy by moving object
If pulse transformers are used, then energy transmission is improved, but device size is increased (bulky) and cost is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of energy transmission from the bulky pulse transformer and implements it through a capacitive isolator with integrated power supply. This removes the need for large magnetic components while maintaining energy transmission capability across the isolation barrier, significantly reducing device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters from magnetic coupling (transformers) to capacitive coupling. This parameter change enables energy transmission through electrical field coupling, allowing for much smaller component sizes while maintaining the same energy transmission function.
3Measurement precision
If dead time sensing using resistor is used, then dead time measurement is achieved, but power dissipation is increased and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the resistive sensing mechanism with a capacitive sensing mechanism. Instead of using a resistor to sense dead time (which dissipates power), the system uses capacitive coupling to detect timing information without significant power loss. This substitution eliminates the power dissipation issue while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The capacitive isolator structure itself provides the sensing function. The same capacitive coupling used for signal transmission also enables dead time measurement, eliminating the need for separate sensing components that would consume additional power. The system uses its own structure to perform multiple functions.
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 solution provides precise control over dead time and slew rate, enhancing efficiency and reliability in high voltage applications by using capacitive isolation and feedback mechanisms, reducing electromagnetic interference, and allowing for dynamic frequency adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
capacitive isolation—cost effective and provides high level of isolation>10 kV and can be easily integrated into the driver IC
Implementation Method 2
the monitoring circuit measures the delay by measuring one or more electrical or thermal characteristics. In another aspect, the one or more electrical characteristics comprise voltage amplitude, current, phase, frequency or voltage levels
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter includes a timing control circuit, an interface, one or more switching circuits and a monitoring circuit. The one or more switching circuits generate one or more pulses in response to one or more timing signals generated by the timing control circuit. The monitoring circuit measures a delay between at least one of the one or more timing signals and at least one of the one or more pulses, and generates an output signal based on the delay. The timing control circuit adjusts the delay obtained by monitoring the output signal.