SIMO Switching Converter with Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional single inductor multiple output (SIMO) switching converters face challenges in immediately determining the charging time of the inductor and flexibly distributing energy, leading to issues such as misoperations, huge output voltage ripple, and increased switching loss due to the limitations of bang-bang and pulse width modulation control methods.
Innovation Solution
A switching converter design that includes a charging/discharging control unit and an energy distribution control unit, coupled with a logic control unit, to generate control signals for the charging switch and output switches, allowing for immediate determination of energy sufficiency and flexible energy distribution across multiple output ends by considering the sum of output voltage signals and variations in post-stage output voltages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bang-bang control or pulse width modulation control is used to control the charging switch and output switches, then the switching converter can operate at fixed frequency with simple control circuitry, but the converter cannot immediately determine energy sufficiency leading to misoperations and huge output voltage ripple
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the control circuit continuously monitors the energy stored in the inductor and compares it with the energy requirements of the output loads. This feedback loop enables the converter to immediately detect energy sufficiency and adjust switching operations accordingly, eliminating the delayed response and misoperations associated with fixed-frequency bang-bang or PWM control methods.
2Device complexity
If conventional control methods are used without considering post-stage output voltage variations, then the control circuit is simple to implement, but the energy distribution is inflexible leading to increased output voltage ripple
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit performs preliminary assessment of the energy requirements by monitoring the output voltage signals from subsequent stages before making switching decisions. This advance knowledge allows the converter to proactively adjust the charging and discharging operations to match the actual energy needs, preventing excessive voltage ripple without requiring overly complex real-time control circuitry.
3Device complexity
If the inductor charging time is not immediately determined, then the control logic is simpler, but the switching loss increases due to delayed energy storage decisions
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic incorporates real-time feedback on inductor energy status by monitoring the relationship between input voltage, output voltage signals, and inductor current. This feedback enables immediate determination of whether the inductor has sufficient energy for the next switching cycle, allowing the converter to optimize switching timing and minimize switching losses without requiring excessively complex control logic.
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 enables immediate reflection of energy requirements, timely storage of energy in the inductor, and flexible energy distribution, reducing output voltage ripple and switching loss, while maintaining the flexibility of structure extension and operation frequency.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor 100 receives an input voltage VI through an input end IN for storing energy
Implementation Method 2
the energy stored in the inductor 100 are distributed to output capacitors CO1-CO4, respectively, for providing output voltage signals VO_1-VO_4
Data Source
AI summary
A switching converter includes an input end, N output ends, an inductor, a charging/discharging control unit, an energy distribution control unit and a logic control unit. The input end is utilized for receiving an input voltage. The N output ends are utilized for outputting N output voltages. The inductor is utilized for storing energy of the input voltage. The charging/discharging control unit and the energy distribution control unit are respectively utilized for generating a charging/discharging control signal and N energy distribution control signals to control a charging switch and N output switches according to the N output voltages, wherein the i-th distribution control signal is corresponding to the i-th output voltage signal to the N-th output voltage signal. The logic control unit is utilized for generating the charging switch control signal and N output switch control signals according to the charging/discharging control signal and the N energy distribution control signals.