Programmable Ramp Control for Stable Converter Load Steps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices, such as switching power converters, face challenges in generating an accurate and configurable ramp signal that is not limited by the timing requirements of specific applications, leading to inductor current perturbation during load steps.
Innovation Solution
A peripheral device and system that include programmable registers and an update controller to generate a ramp signal, allowing the ramp signal to begin, change, and stop based on programmable conditions, thereby enabling customization of the ramp signal for specific use cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a voltage ramp is generated based on periodic events in the PWM signal, then the ramp signal can be generated for switching power converters, but the ramp signal is limited to timing requirements of the specific application and cannot be customized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability of the ramp signal by allowing programmable setting of ramp start points, stop points, and slope values through registers. The update controller dynamically updates these parameters based on programmable conditions, enabling the ramp signal to be customized for different application scenarios without changing the hardware structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the ramp signal (start value, stop value, slope) from fixed to programmable. By allowing these parameters to be configured and updated through registers and controllers, the system achieves versatility in ramp signal generation while maintaining a standardized control structure.
2Reliability
If a common staircase reference is used for all converter phases, then the control is simplified, but inductor current perturbation occurs during load steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each converter phase to have its own customized ramp signal parameters (start point, stop point, slope). This enables each phase to be optimized independently for its specific operating conditions, reducing current perturbation during load steps while maintaining overall system control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the common staircase reference into individualizable ramp signals for each converter phase. By dividing the unified control reference into phase-specific customizable ramps, the system achieves both current stability through personalized control and operational simplicity through standardized implementation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ramp signal is limited to timing requirements of specific applications, then the control structure remains simple, but the ramp signal cannot be customized for specific use cases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a standardized register and controller structure that can generate customized ramp signals for various applications. The same hardware framework supports different ramp configurations through programmable parameters, enabling multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device including an input to receive a clock signal, a ramp start program register, a ramp start active register, a ramp stop program register, a ramp stop active register, a ramp slope program register, a ramp slope active register, an update controller, the update controller to update, based on a programmable condition, respectively, the ramp start active register contents, the ramp stop active register contents and the ramp slope active register contents, and a ramp controller to generate a ramp signal, the ramp signal to begin at the value reflective of the ramp start active register contents, the ramp signal to change value at each cycle of the clock signal based on the value reflective of the ramp slope active register contents, and the ramp signal to stop at the value reflective of the ramp stop active register contents.