UVLO Drive Circuit With Dynamic Threshold Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic circuits for driving transistor devices face challenges in accommodating various types of transistor devices due to fixed supply potentials and undervoltage lockout (UVLO) thresholds, which are not adaptable to different voltage conditions.

Innovation Solution

The electronic circuit is designed to operate in multiple modes based on a dynamically generated UVLO threshold during a calibration routine, allowing it to adjust the supply voltage conditions for different transistor types by comparing the supply voltage with a threshold and switching between normal and UVLO modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UVLO threshold is fixed for a specific drive circuit, then the circuit can reliably drive a specific type of transistor device, but the circuit cannot accommodate various types of transistor devices with different voltage conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to various transistor devicesVSAvoidcircuit complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UVLO threshold is made dynamic rather than fixed. The calibration routine measures the actual supply voltage and dynamically sets the UVLO threshold to an appropriate value (e.g., 70-90% of the measured supply voltage), allowing the circuit to adapt to different voltage conditions for various transistor devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The UVLO threshold parameter is changed from a fixed design value to a dynamically determined value based on actual supply voltage measurements. The calibration routine modifies the UVLO threshold parameter according to the measured supply voltage, enabling the circuit to accommodate different transistor types with different voltage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the drive circuit uses fixed supply potentials, then the circuit design is simple, but the circuit cannot operate with different voltage conditions for various transistor types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different voltage conditionsVSAvoidoperation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration routine is executed during startup or initialization to pre-determine the UVLO threshold based on the actual supply voltage before normal operation begins. This preliminary measurement and configuration ensures that the circuit is properly configured for reliable operation with the specific voltage conditions present.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calibration routine measures the actual supply voltage and uses this feedback information to set an appropriate UVLO threshold. The UVLO circuit then continuously monitors the supply voltage against this dynamically set threshold, ensuring reliable operation by deactivating the circuit when undervoltage conditions are detected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables the circuit to effectively drive various transistor devices by ensuring the UVLO threshold is set appropriately based on the supply voltage, ensuring proper operation across different voltage conditions, thus enhancing versatility and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit configured to compare the supply voltage with a UVLO threshold

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage comparison:

Implementation Method 2

The electronic circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operating mode or a second operating mode based on the comparing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMode switching based on voltage threshold:

Implementation Method 3

the UVLO circuit is configured to generate the UVLO threshold based on the supply voltage in a calibration routine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDynamic threshold generation:

Data Source

PatentUS10523196B2Electronic circuit with undervoltage lockout function

Publication Date: 2019.12.31 INFINEON TECH AUSTRIA AG

AI summary

An electronic circuit and a method are disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a first supply node and a second supply node configured to receive a supply voltage, an input configured to receive an input signal, and an output configured to be coupled to a control node of a transistor device. The electronic circuit further includes an undervoltage lockout (UVLO) circuit configured to perform a comparison of the supply voltage and a UVLO threshold. The electronic circuit is configured to operate in one of a first operating mode or a second operating mode based on the comparison. The UVLO circuit is configured to generate the UVLO threshold based on the supply voltage, and the electronic circuit is configured to generate the output signal, in the first mode, dependent on the input signal and to generate the output signal, in the second mode, in a predefined fashion independent of the input signal.