Voltage Converter Multiplication Factor Prediction for LED Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing voltage converter systems for powering LEDs, such as the MAX1576 module, face complexity issues due to the need for external microcontroller circuitry to set the multiplication factor, which hinders efficient operation and increases power consumption when an input voltage is not constant, particularly when one of the LED connections is faulty.
Innovation Solution
A voltage converter arrangement with a prediction unit and comparator that determines a predicted current sink voltage based on input voltage, load voltage, and selectable multiplication factors, adjusting the multiplication factor to maintain efficient power delivery and prevent increased voltage across the load, using simple analog circuits and stored correction voltage data to reduce complexity and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microcontroller with analog/digital converter is used to set the multiplication factor, then the voltage converter can be regulated, but the device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage converter system performs self-regulation by automatically determining the multiplication factor based on measured input voltage, output voltage, and load current. The system uses internal measurement circuits and logic to adjust the multiplication factor without external microcontroller intervention, making the system self-sufficient and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of voltage measurement, current measurement, multiplication factor determination, and voltage converter control are merged into a single integrated system. The measurement of electrical variables and the control of the multiplication factor are combined in one unit, eliminating the need for separate microcontroller circuits.
2Reliability
If the multiplication factor is set to compensate for low input voltage, then the output voltage is maintained, but the power consumption increases due to higher current draw
Solution Approach 1:
The multiplication factor is dynamically adjusted based on real-time measurements of input voltage, output voltage, and load current. The system continuously optimizes the multiplication factor to maintain output voltage stability while minimizing power consumption, rather than using a fixed high multiplication factor that would always increase power draw.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the multiplication factor parameter adaptively based on operating conditions. When input voltage is sufficient, a lower multiplication factor is used to reduce power consumption. When input voltage drops, the multiplication factor is increased only to the extent necessary to maintain output voltage, optimizing the trade-off between stability and energy efficiency.
3Reliability
If the multiplication factor is increased to maintain output voltage, then voltage stability is improved, but the current sink voltage increases leading to higher power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of input voltage, output voltage, and load current before determining the multiplication factor. By measuring the load current and calculating the voltage drop across the current sink in advance, the system can select a multiplication factor that maintains output voltage stability while minimizing excessive voltage drops and associated power losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from voltage and current measurements to continuously optimize the multiplication factor. The measured load current and voltage drops are fed back into the determination logic, which adjusts the multiplication factor to maintain output voltage stability while minimizing energy loss in the current sink.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes a voltage converter outputting an output voltage that is based on an input voltage and on a first multiplication factor, determining a predicted current sink voltage based on a new multiplication factor obtained from a set of selectable values, based on a signal derived from the input voltage, based on a load voltage across an electrical load, and based on a correction voltage. The method also includes comparing a predicted current sink voltage with a predetermined threshold value and outputting the new multiplication factor to a control input of the voltage converter if the predicted current sink voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold value.