Programmable Switching Regulator With FPGA Feedback Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage converters, such as DC-DC converters, heavily depend on vendor-provided PWM controllers, limiting prognostics and health monitoring capabilities, and are constrained by component variations and temperature sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A programmable device, such as an FPGA or MCU, is integrated with a PWM controller to assume control of the power supply based on output voltage criteria, synchronizing PWM signals and enabling closed-loop feedback for precise regulation, reducing reliance on primary side controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vendor-provided PWM controller is used to control the output voltage, then the voltage conversion function is achieved, but the prognostics and health monitoring capabilities are limited and vendor dependency increases
Solution Approach 1:
A programmable device is introduced as an intermediary between the PWM controller and the system, enabling enhanced monitoring and control capabilities. The programmable device receives PWM signals, generates synchronized PWM signals, and provides comprehensive voltage monitoring without requiring proprietary vendor controllers, thus breaking vendor lock-in while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the programmable device continuously monitors the output voltage and compares it to reference values. Based on this feedback, the programmable device adjusts the PWM signal generation to maintain precise voltage regulation, enabling both prognostics and health monitoring while reducing vendor dependency.
2Reliability
If a selected IC for implementing a PWM controller is used, then the voltage conversion is achieved, but the performance is dependent on variations in passive components and temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable device implements continuous feedback monitoring of the output voltage and dynamically adjusts the PWM signal parameters to compensate for variations in passive components and temperature effects. This closed-loop control maintains stable performance despite component tolerances and environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes PWM signal parameters (frequency, duty cycle) based on real-time voltage measurements and environmental conditions. The programmable device adjusts these parameters to maintain optimal performance across varying temperatures and component characteristics, reducing sensitivity to hardware variations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the programmable device assumes control of the output voltage, then vendor dependency is reduced and monitoring capabilities are enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable device serves multiple functions: it generates PWM signals, synchronizes with the existing PWM controller, monitors output voltage, provides feedback control, and enables health monitoring. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single universal component, the system achieves vendor independence without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of the PWM controller and the monitoring device into a unified control architecture. The programmable device combines PWM signal generation, voltage monitoring, and feedback control in one integrated solution, simplifying the overall system while reducing vendor dependency.
4Manufacturing precision
If PWM signals are synchronized between the PWM controller and programmable device, then precise voltage regulation is achieved, but the signal synchronization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The programmable device uses feedback from the PWM controller's operation to synchronize its PWM signal generation. By monitoring the controller's switching frequency and duty cycle, the programmable device aligns its signals to achieve precise voltage regulation while managing synchronization complexity through adaptive feedback control.
Data Source
AI summary
A voltage regulator is provided including a pulse width modulation controller configured to control an output voltage of a power supply and a programmable device configured to monitor the output voltage of the power supply. The programmable device is configured to assume control of the output voltage of the power supply based on a comparison by the programmable device of the output voltage of the power supply to one or more criteria. The programmable device assumes control of the output voltage by producing a replica of the output signal provided by the pulse width modulation controller, which is fed from the secondary side to the primary side of the voltage regulator.