Switch Drive Frequency Recall Across Power Converter Mode Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Switching power converters, particularly LLC converters, face challenges in controlling switch drive signals during mode transitions due to analog and mixed signal circuits forgetting the switching frequency, leading to poor dynamic performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a frequency monitor module that uses digital circuitry to save and recall the transition frequency, operating in both slave and master states to ensure seamless control of switch drive signals across different modes, including burst and continuous switching modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If analog and mixed signal circuits are used to control switch drive signals during mode transitions, then the control can be continuous, but the switching frequency is forgotten leading to poor dynamic performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces analog and mixed signal circuits with a digital control system that uses a frequency monitor module. This digital system captures and stores the switching frequency value in a register, preventing information loss during mode transitions. The digital approach maintains frequency memory through explicit storage rather than relying on analog circuit state, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous control and frequency memory retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency monitor module continuously monitors and captures the switching frequency value before mode transitions occur. By preliminarily storing the frequency information in a register during normal operation, the system ensures the frequency memory is already prepared and preserved when mode transitions happen, eliminating the forgetting problem associated with analog circuits.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the controller operates in burst mode to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the switching frequency control becomes less precise during transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a digital frequency monitor module that precisely measures and stores switching frequency values even during burst mode operation. The digital counting mechanism provides accurate frequency measurement by counting clock cycles, maintaining measurement precision regardless of the power-saving burst mode operation. This resolves the contradiction by preserving measurement accuracy while allowing energy-efficient burst mode operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frequency monitor module acts as an intermediary between the burst mode controller and the switch drive signal generation. It captures the exact switching frequency value and stores it in a register, serving as a memory bridge that preserves frequency information during the low-power intervals of burst mode. This intermediary ensures precise frequency control is restored when exiting burst mode, resolving the precision loss issue.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller for use in a power converter that is configured to operate in a plurality of modes including a first mode and a second mode includes a frequency monitor module coupled to measure a signal characteristic of a switch drive signal coupled to control switching of a switches block of the power converter. The frequency monitor module includes a memory coupled to store a measured signal characteristic of the switch drive signal measured during the first mode. The frequency monitor module is coupled to generate a clock signal in response to the measured signal characteristic stored in the memory. The switch drive signal is coupled to be generated in response to the clock signal during the second mode.