Two-Stage Switched-Capacitor Converter for Stable Digital Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Digital circuits require power with specific characteristics, and existing power converters struggle to consistently deliver power that meets these requirements due to variations in input voltage, leading to potential shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A power converter with a control system and series-connected first and second stages, where one stage is either a switching network or a regulating network, allowing for voltage transformation and regulation, with options for isolated or common grounds, different voltage-transformation ratios, and reconfigurable components to adapt to varying input power conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-stage power converter is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of power delivery to digital circuits deteriorates due to inability to handle input voltage variations
Solution Approach 1:
The power converter is divided into two separate stages: a first stage (switching network) that performs voltage transformation and a second stage (regulating network) that ensures precise voltage regulation. This segmentation allows each stage to specialize in its function, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a switching network is used for voltage transformation, then the adaptability to input voltage variations is improved, but the power delivery precision deteriorates due to switching ripple
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating network acts as an intermediary between the switching network and the digital circuit load. It filters out switching ripple and provides precise voltage regulation, thereby maintaining output voltage precision while allowing the switching network to handle a wide range of input voltages.
3Manufacturing precision
If a regulating network is used for voltage regulation, then the power delivery precision is improved, but the adaptability to input voltage variations deteriorates due to fixed regulation parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The regulating network is designed with dynamic control capabilities that allow it to adjust its regulation parameters in response to varying input voltages from the switching network. This enables the regulating network to maintain precise output voltage stability across a wide range of input voltage conditions.
4Reliability
If two-stage converter architecture is implemented, then the reliability of power delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The switching network and regulating network are integrated into a unified two-stage converter architecture with shared control mechanisms and coordinated operation. This merging approach improves power delivery reliability through functional specialization while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity through efficient resource sharing and integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing electric power to a load includes a power converter that accepts electric power in a first form and provides electric power in a second form. The power converter comprises a control system, a first stage, and a second stage in series. The first stage accepts electric power in the first form. The control system controls operation of the first and second stage. The first stage is either a switching network or a regulating network. The second stage is a regulating circuit when the first stage is a switching network, and a switching network otherwise.