Multiple-Output Switching Converter Aggregated Error Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiple-output switching converters require costly voltage sensing feedback and additional circuit components to ensure reliable performance, which increases complexity and cost, especially for devices with multiple outputs.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-output switching converter system that aggregates voltage error signals to generate a single reference current, dynamically controlling the inductor charge and discharge periods based on the aggregated error, reducing the number of components needed and simplifying the control loop by using a single error signal for multiple outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If voltage sensing feedback is implemented for each output to ensure reliable performance, then the reliability of the switching converter is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple output voltage feedback signals into a single aggregated error signal that represents the overall regulation status of all outputs. This merging approach maintains reliable performance monitoring while reducing the number of separate feedback circuits and components needed for each individual output.
Solution Approach 2:
The single aggregated error signal serves multiple functions by providing overall regulation status for all outputs simultaneously. This universal error signal controls the switching converter to maintain proper regulation across multiple outputs without requiring separate dedicated feedback circuits for each output, thereby reducing component count while maintaining reliability.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple inductors are used to provide multiple outputs of varying magnitudes, then the regulation precision of each output is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single inductor is designed to serve multiple outputs with varying magnitudes through the aggregated error signal control mechanism. The inductor dynamically supplies current to different outputs based on their regulation needs, allowing one inductor to perform the function that would traditionally require multiple separate inductors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining output regulation precision.
3Measurement precision
If traditional voltage sensing feedback is used for each output, then the measurement precision of output voltage is improved, but the loss of energy increases due to additional circuit components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual voltage sensing and feedback circuits into a single aggregated error signal generation process. This consolidation reduces the total number of active circuit components involved in monitoring and controlling output voltages, thereby reducing the cumulative power consumption associated with multiple separate feedback circuits while maintaining the precision needed for proper output regulation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is provided for supplying power to multiple outputs in a switching converter. One embodiment of the present invention includes a multiple-output switching converter that may comprise a switch arrangement operative to couple and decouple a supply voltage to an inductor, and to couple and decouple a given output of a plurality of outputs to the inductor. The multiple-output switching converter may also comprise a reference current generator operative to generate a reference current corresponding to an aggregated error of the plurality of outputs. The multiple-output switching converter may also comprise a current sensing device operative to dynamically measure the current through the inductor. The multiple-output switching converter may further comprise a controller that controls the switch arrangement to couple the supply voltage to the inductor during an inductor charge period and decouple the supply voltage from the inductor during an inductor discharge period. The inductor charge period may be based on an amount of time for the current through the inductor to be substantially equal to the reference current.