Stacked Power Supply Channels With Master Feedback Current Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply apparatuses struggle to accurately generate high-voltage, high-precision DC voltage for device testing due to detection errors and lack of versatility in current and voltage application modes, leading to inefficient voltage generation and increased settling time.
Innovation Solution
A power supply apparatus with multiple channels in a stack connection, where one channel acts as a master and includes a current detector and feedback controller to regulate current and voltage across all channels, enabling feedback control and voltage clamping to ensure consistent output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If multiple power supply units are coupled in a stack connection to generate high voltage, then the output voltage capability is improved, but detection errors in each channel cause current inconsistency and reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control functions of multiple power supply units into a unified feedback control system. The master channel's feedback controller consolidates current detection and control signals for all stacked channels, ensuring that despite individual channel detection errors, the overall system maintains precise current control through centralized feedback regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the master channel detects the total output current and adjusts the control signals for all channels accordingly. This feedback loop compensates for detection errors in individual slave channels by using the master channel's detection results to regulate the overall current, thereby maintaining measurement precision across the high-voltage stack connection.
2Device complexity
If each power supply channel operates independently in current application mode with equal target values, then the system structure is simplified, but detection errors cause current deviation and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions of all channels into a single master channel that generates control signals for all slave channels. This merging approach maintains simple individual channel structures while ensuring reliable current consistency through centralized control, as the master channel's unified feedback regulation compensates for individual channel variations.
3Stress or pressure
If multiple channels are operated in sequence (one in voltage mode, others in current mode), then voltage application capability is improved, but settling time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares all channels in advance with appropriate control signals before voltage application begins. The master channel pre-calculates and distributes control signals to all slave channels simultaneously, allowing all channels to settle together rather than sequentially. This preliminary preparation eliminates waiting time between channel transitions and accelerates the overall settling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous feedback control across all channels simultaneously during voltage application. Rather than switching channels sequentially, the system continuously regulates all channels in parallel through the master feedback controller, ensuring uninterrupted useful action and reducing the time required to reach stable operating conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply apparatus includes multiple channels of power supply units coupled in a stack connection. Each power supply unit includes an output stage configured to generate an output voltage across a positive output and a negative output according to a control signal. A current detector of a master channel generates a current detection signal that indicates an output current of the output stage. A feedback controller generates the control signal such that the current detection signal approaches a target value.