Sensorless Adaptive Voltage Positioning Controller for Power Converters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power converter controllers face complexity and resource consumption in regulating output voltage and current, especially with increased demand for lower output voltages and advanced functions, often requiring significant circuitry and power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a sensorless adaptive voltage positioning (SLAVP) controller that generates a reference voltage without relying on load current sensing, using a compensator to adjust the duty cycle and reduce dynamic output voltage deviation, thereby minimizing voltage oscillations and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) control is used to regulate output voltage and current, then good regulation performance is achieved, but controller complexity and power consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the current sensing function from the control system. Instead of using a current sensor and ADC to measure load current, the invention uses a current-free control algorithm that estimates load current indirectly through voltage measurements and control logic, thereby eliminating the current sensing hardware and reducing controller complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the voltage sensing circuit serve multiple functions. The same voltage sensor and ADC that measure output voltage for regulation purposes are also used to derive load current information through the AVP relationship, eliminating the need for separate current sensing hardware and reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If load current sensing is used in AVP control, then accurate output voltage regulation is achieved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the current sensor from the system and replaces it with a computational approach. The load current is not measured directly but is estimated through the control algorithm that processes voltage measurements and applies AVP control logic, thereby eliminating the current sensing hardware while maintaining regulation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the load current based on voltage measurements and control state information. Instead of physically measuring current, the system computes an equivalent current value through software algorithms that replicate the electrical relationships, providing sufficient accuracy for control purposes without physical current sensors
3Measurement precision
If multiple ADCs are used to convert output voltage and current to digital signals, then accurate digital control is achieved, but power consumption and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the voltage and current measurement functions into a single ADC channel. By using the same ADC to measure output voltage and deriving current information through control algorithms, the system eliminates the need for a second ADC, thereby reducing power consumption and component count while maintaining the accuracy needed for digital control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the single ADC serve dual purposes: measuring output voltage for regulation and providing data for load current estimation through AVP control. This multi-functional use of the ADC eliminates the need for separate current-to-digital conversion hardware, reducing both power consumption and device cost
Data Source
AI summary
A power converter has a controller that uses as input a voltage output of the converter and provides a signal for controlling the duty cycle without the need for current sensing. In one embodiment, the output characteristic of the converter is similar to the output characteristic provided by conventional adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) controllers, but by eliminating the need to sense current, the converter's cost, complexity, and power consumption can be reduced.