Time Multiplexing Circuit for SIDO DC-DC Converter Power Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single-inductor dual-output (SIDO) DC-DC converters experience unnecessary power consumption due to switch control signals operating in boost idle and buck-boost idle states, failing to achieve effective power saving.
Innovation Solution
A time multiplexing circuit is introduced, utilizing NOR gates, inverters, D-type flip-flops, and logic gates to manage pulse-width modulation signals and control states, maintaining previous operation phases in idle states to prevent switch control signal changes, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If switch control signals operate continuously in boost idle and buck-boost idle states, then the system maintains readiness for voltage regulation, but unnecessary power consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by enabling switch control signals only during active conversion phases (boost or buck-boost states) and disabling them during idle states. The control circuit periodically activates the switches based on whether voltage conversion is needed, rather than maintaining continuous operation. This periodic enabling/disabling reduces power consumption while maintaining system readiness to quickly resume operation when voltage regulation becomes necessary.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single-inductor dual-output converter is used to reduce cost, then component count decreases, but complex time multiplexing control is required to manage dual outputs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the control of the single inductor into distinct time segments - dedicating specific time periods to boost operation for the first output and other periods to buck-boost operation for the second output. This temporal segmentation allows one inductor to serve two functions sequentially, reducing component count while managing complexity through structured time-multiplexed control phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the inductor's function dynamic rather than static - it switches between operating as a boost inductor and a buck-boost inductor based on real-time voltage requirements. The control circuit dynamically adjusts the switch control signals to change the inductor's operational mode, allowing a single component to adaptively serve multiple purposes rather than requiring fixed dedicated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A time multiplexing circuit applied to a DC-DC converting system including first to third NOR gates, first and second inverters, first and second D-type flip-flops, a NAND gate, an OR gate and an AND gate. The first NOR gate and second NOR gate receive the first and second pulse-width modulation signals respectively and output a boost state request signal and a buck-boost state request signal respectively. The first D-type flip-flop outputs a first time multiplex output signal and a first reverse time multiplex output signal. The second D-type flip-flop outputs a second time multiplex output signal and a second reverse time multiplex output signal. The third NOR gate outputs another first time multiplex output signal. The NAND gate outputs another second time multiplex output signal. The OR gate outputs a first reverse output signal. The AND gate outputs a second reverse output signal.