Switching Regulator Balanced Control Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current-mode regulators and DC/DC converters face challenges with high-gain error amplifiers requiring complex compensation networks, leading to increased cost, size, and reduced performance due to phase delay and transient response issues.
Innovation Solution
Replacing high-gain error amplifiers with low-gain transconductance amplifiers and eliminating the need for external compensation circuits by using a balanced hysteretic window circuit and high-pass filtering to maintain low output impedance and accurate DC regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-gain error amplifiers are used in current-mode regulators, then accurate DC regulation is achieved, but complex compensation networks are required increasing cost, size, and phase delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compensation network from the system by using a balanced control configuration where the error amplifier operates at unity gain. The high-pass filtering of the current signal removes the need for compensation while maintaining DC regulation accuracy through the balanced hysteretic window circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the error amplifier from high-gain to unity-gain operation, and transforms the control mechanism from traditional PWM to balanced hysteretic control. This parameter change eliminates the need for compensation networks while maintaining regulation accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If high-gain error amplifiers with compensation networks are used, then DC regulation is maintained, but transient response is reduced due to phase delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compensation network that causes phase delay, enabling faster transient response. The balanced control configuration with unity-gain error amplifier eliminates the source of phase delay while maintaining DC accuracy through the hysteretic window mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using high-gain amplification to achieve DC accuracy, the patent inverts the approach by using unity-gain amplification with balanced hysteretic control to achieve both DC accuracy and fast transient response simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If high-gain error amplifiers are used, then accurate regulation is achieved, but component count and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the compensation network components (resistors, capacitors) from the system. The balanced control configuration achieves regulation accuracy without these additional components, reducing overall component count and circuit size.
Solution Approach 2:
The unity-gain error amplifier and balanced hysteretic window circuit serve multiple functions simultaneously: DC regulation, transient response control, and stability maintenance, eliminating the need for separate compensation components.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a controller (202) for a switching regulator, wherein the switching regulator comprises a pulse switch circuit coupled to an output inductor for developing an output voltage, and wherein the controller (202) comprises: a sense circuit (103, 104, SW1) wich provides a sense signal (Vr) indicative of current through the output inductor; an error amplifier circuit (216) wich develops an error signal (Ierr, Verr) indicative of error of the output voltage (Vo); a filter and reference circuit (208, 210, RW, CW1, CW2) wich high pass filters said sense signal (Verr) to provide a filtered sense signal (Serr), and wich references said filtered sense signal and said error signal to a common DC level;and a comparator circuit (114) wich develops a pulse control signal (PWM) based on comparing said error signal (Ierr) with said filtered sense signal (Serr), wherein said pulse control signal (PWM) is for controlling switching of the pulse switch circuit.