Switched Mode Power Supply Addressing via Dual Resistance Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional power supply modules face inaccuracies in setting communication addresses due to susceptibility to noise and limited range of discrete resistance values, leading to unreliable communication with external controllers.

Innovation Solution

Employing two different techniques to determine the external resistance value, such as constant current and voltage divider methods, allows for a wide range of resistance values and increased reliability in setting communication addresses, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of address configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single address-setting technique (constant current or voltage divider) is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of address setting deteriorate due to noise susceptibility and limited resistance value range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress-setting techniqueVSAvoidaddress setting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the address-setting function into two separate techniques: constant current method and voltage divider method. Each technique is optimized for different resistance value ranges, allowing the system to segment the measurement task into two specialized approaches rather than using one general method for all cases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameters by switching between two different measurement approaches based on the resistance value range. The constant current technique is used for certain resistance ranges while the voltage divider technique is used for other ranges, optimizing measurement precision across the full spectrum of possible resistance values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If discrete resistance values are used for address setting, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the quantity of configurable addresses is limited due to the restricted range of discrete resistance values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistor value precisionVSAvoidnumber of configurable addresses
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds another dimension to the address-setting capability by introducing two different measurement techniques that operate in different parameter spaces. The constant current method and voltage divider method provide complementary ways to determine resistance values, effectively expanding the configurable address space beyond what a single technique could achieve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If noise-resistant measurement is implemented, then the reliability of address setting is improved, but the device complexity increases due to requiring multiple measurement techniques and selection logic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaddress setting reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic measurement system that can adaptively switch between constant current and voltage divider techniques based on the resistance value being measured. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize reliability for each measurement while maintaining manageable complexity through intelligent selection rather than simultaneously implementing all possible measurement methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach increases the number of configurable communication addresses and improves reliability by minimizing noise distortion and allowing large differences between adjacent resistance values, ensuring accurate address setting in switched mode power supplies.

Implementation Method 1

The address-setting technique may be a constant current technique in which the power supply module calculates the value of the resistor based on a constant current provided to the resistor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConstant current technique: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 2

the address-setting technique may be a voltage divider technique in which the power supply module calculates the value of the resistor using a voltage divider circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage divider technique: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3891562B1Switched mode power supplies with configurable communication addresses
Publication Date: 2023.10.11 ASTEC INT LTD
  • EP3891562B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3891562B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3891562B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

A switched mode power supply includes a communication interface and an address terminal for setting a communication address for the power supply using the resistance of an external resistor when the external resistor is coupled to the address terminal. The power supply is configured to determine a first resistance value for the external resistor using a first technique, determine a second resistance value for the external resistor using a second technique, set the communication address of the power supply using the first resistance value if the first resistance value is greater than a threshold value, and set the communication address of the power supply using the second resistance value if the first resistance value is less than the threshold value. Other example switched mode power supplies, power systems including one or more power supplies, and methods for setting a communication address of a power supply are also disclosed.