Primary-Side PWM Signal Coupling for Secondary-Side Power Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply apparatuses require a microcontroller on the primary side to measure input voltage and current signals, leading to increased power consumption, circuit complexity, and cost due to the need for extra voltage regulators, independent ground paths, and UART interfaces for data transmission.
Innovation Solution
A power detection and transmission circuit that converts analog input signals to PWM signals on the primary side and couples them to a microcontroller on the secondary side, eliminating the need for a primary-side microcontroller and UART interface by using a first conversion circuit, a signal coupling circuit, and a second conversion circuit to regenerate analog signals for power information calculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a microcontroller is installed on the primary side to measure input voltage and current signals, then power information can be measured, but power consumption increases due to the need for extra voltage regulators and independent ground paths
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller is extracted from the primary side and relocated to the secondary side. Only the essential measurement function remains on the primary side through the first conversion circuit that generates PWM signals, while the power-consuming microcontroller operates on the secondary side where it can be powered from the regulated output voltage.
Solution Approach 2:
A signal coupling circuit using optocouplers serves as an intermediary to transmit measurement data from the primary side to the secondary side. This allows the microcontroller on the secondary side to receive power information without being physically present on the primary side, thereby reducing power consumption on the primary side.
2Measurement precision
If a microcontroller is installed on the primary side, then power information can be measured, but circuit complexity increases due to the need for extra voltage regulators and independent ground paths
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller and its associated support circuits (voltage regulators, ground paths) are extracted from the primary side and relocated to the secondary side. This leaves the primary side with a simpler circuit configuration consisting mainly of the first conversion circuit and sensing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The second conversion circuit on the secondary side serves multiple functions: it receives PWM signals from the primary side, converts them back to analog signals, and provides these to the microcontroller for processing. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate dedicated circuits on the primary side.
3Measurement precision
If a microcontroller is installed on the primary side, then power information can be measured, but cost increases due to the need for extra sensing resistors and voltage regulators
Solution Approach 1:
The microcontroller is extracted from the primary side, eliminating the need for expensive components such as extra sensing resistors and voltage regulators on the primary side. The measurement function is achieved through simpler, lower-cost circuits that generate PWM signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The first conversion circuit on the primary side creates a PWM signal that copies the essential information from the analog input signals. This PWM signal is then transmitted to the secondary side where the second conversion circuit recreates the analog signal, allowing the microcontroller to process accurate power information without requiring expensive primary-side components.
4Measurement precision
If a microcontroller is installed on the primary side, then power information can be measured, but programming complexity increases due to the need for UART interface for data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The signal coupling circuit with optocouplers acts as an intermediary that directly transmits measurement data from the primary side to the microcontroller on the secondary side. This eliminates the need for UART interface programming and complex data transmission protocols, simplifying the overall system programming.
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 solution simplifies circuit designs, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables accurate power information calculation without the need for additional components, thereby reducing power consumption and programming complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a first conversion circuit, which is electrically connected to the power supply module to receive an analog input signal, and is arranged for converting the analog input signal to a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal
Implementation Method 2
a signal coupling circuit, which is coupled between the first conversion circuit and the second conversion circuit, and is arranged for coupling the first PWM signal to the second conversion circuit
Implementation Method 3
a second conversion circuit, which is arranged for converting a second PWM signal to an analog regenerated signal, and transmitting the analog regenerated signal to a microcontroller
Data Source
AI summary
A power detection and transmission circuit is provided. The power detection and transmission circuit includes a first conversion circuit, a second conversion circuit and a signal coupling circuit. The first conversion circuit is electrically connected to a power supply module to receive an analog input signal, and is arranged for converting the analog input signal to a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The second conversion circuit is arranged for converting a second PWM signal to an analog regenerated signal, and transmitting the analog regenerated signal to a microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller calculates power information of the power supply module according to the analog regenerated signal. The signal coupling circuit is coupled between the first conversion circuit and the second conversion circuit, and is arranged for coupling the first PWM signal to the second conversion circuit and accordingly generating the second PWM signal.