SMPS Controller Pin Count Reduction via Current Sense Terminal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controllers with limited pin count face challenges in isolating driver noise from analog/signal ground without an additional ground terminal, leading to potential noise disturbances and unintended triggering of protection circuits.
Innovation Solution
The SMPS controller incorporates a current sense electrical terminal to conduct driver discharge current, eliminating the need for a dedicated ground connection by connecting the gate driver circuit, current comparator, and current sense terminal to an electrical connection point, thereby isolating noise and reducing pin count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an additional ground electrical terminal is added to isolate driver noise from analog/signal ground, then noise isolation is improved, but pin count increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ground connection function with the current sense electrical terminal. The current sense terminal serves dual purposes: sensing current from the switch and providing the ground connection path for driver discharge current. This merging eliminates the need for a separate ground terminal while maintaining noise isolation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The current sense electrical terminal is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a current sensing terminal and a ground connection terminal for the gate driver circuit. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of terminals required while achieving the desired noise isolation effect.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If driver discharge current is conducted through a separate ground terminal, then noise isolation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ground connection function into the existing current sense terminal structure. By connecting the gate driver circuit ground to the current sense terminal rather than requiring a separate ground terminal, the patent simplifies the terminal configuration while achieving proper noise isolation.
3Ease of manufacture
If pin count is reduced for cost reasons, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but noise isolation capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The current sense terminal is designed to serve dual purposes: current sensing and ground connection. This multi-functionality allows the patent to maintain noise isolation capability while reducing the total pin count, thereby lowering manufacturing costs associated with higher-pin packages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the current sense terminal, eliminating the need for additional ground terminals. This reduction in terminal count directly translates to lower package complexity and reduced manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of an SMPS controller and a method for operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controller are described. In an embodiment, an SMPS controller includes a gate driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal for a switch of an SMPS and a current sense electrical terminal configured to receive sensed current corresponding to the switch and to conduct driver discharge current from the gate driver circuit.