Microchip Technology Inc.

Clifford N Ellison, Iii

Scott Dearborn

Terry L Cleveland

Keith Pazul

A pulse width modulation (PWM) power conversion system has improved efficiency over a wide operating input voltage and load range. Being able to measure relative efficiency of an analog PWM system allows enhanced control while maintaining the benefits of analog control. An analog low pass filter produces an average value of the PWM pulse train, then this analog average value is converted into digital values with an analog-to-digital converter and stored so that relative efficiencies of the PWM power conversion system may be compared for various combinations of operating parameters.

Relative efficiency measurement in a pulse width modulation system

An intelligent pulse width modulation (PWM) controller adapts a switch mode power supply (SMPS) system's operating parameters to optimize efficiency, remove hot spots and isolate faults by integrating a microcontroller, PWM digital circuits and analog circuits into a single integrated circuit, thereby reducing the number of external connections, silicon die area and integrated circuit packages. A communications interface is used to communicate with a host system for monitoring operating parameters of the SMPS, e.g., current, voltage, efficiency, operating temperature, diagnostics, etc. In addition, the communications interface may be used to alter the operating parameters (objectives) of the SMPS during operation thereof.

User-configurable, efficiency-optimizing, power/energy conversion switch-mode power supply with a serial communications interface

An analog closed-loop, negative feedback system that adapts feedback compensation during operation thereof to improve dynamic performance thereof. Using a pure analog control loop with digital assist provides speed and simplicity of an analog control loop with the flexibility of digital control. Adapting the compensation allows the system to accurately predict and adjust, at all DC operating points, (1) the margin of stability of the converter, against closed loop oscillation, and (2) the frequency-domain and time-domain responses to perturbations in the input voltage and/or the output current. Operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) and digitally controlled digital-to-analog converters (IDACs) are used to dynamically change the operating parameters of the analog closed-loop of the negative feedback system. The negative feedback system may be a switch mode power supply (SMPS).

Adaptive integrated analog control system compensation

An intelligent pulse width modulation (PWM) controller adapts a switch mode power supply (SMPS) system's operating parameters to optimize efficiency, remove hot spots and isolate faults by integrating a microcontroller, PWM digital circuits and analog circuits into a single integrated circuit, e.g., a mixed signal device, thereby reducing the number of external connections, silicon die area and integrated circuit packages. A lossless inductor current sense technique integrates a matched, tunable complimentary filter with the intelligent SMPS controller for accurately measuring current through the power inductor of the SMPS without introducing losses in the power circuit. The complimentary filter is adjusted by the microcontroller to significantly reduce the effects of component tolerances, accurately measuring the power inductor current for precise closed loop control and over current protection. The frequency pole and gain of the complimentary integrated filter can be adjusted on the fly in order to adapt to dynamically changing operating conditions of the SMPS system.

Efficiency-optimizing, calibrated sensorless power/energy conversion in a switch-mode power supply

An intelligent pulse width modulation (PWM) controller adapts a switch mode power supply (SMPS) system's operating parameters to optimize efficiency, remove hot spots and isolate faults by integrating a microcontroller, PWM digital circuits and analog circuits into a single integrated circuit, thereby reducing the number of external connections, silicon die area and integrated circuit packages. A lossless inductor current sense technique integrates a matched, tunable complimentary filter with the intelligent SMPS controller for accurately measuring current through the power inductor of the SMPS without introducing losses in the power circuit. The complimentary filter is adjusted by the microcontroller to significantly reduce the effects of component tolerances, accurately measuring the power inductor current for precise closed loop control and over current protection. The frequency pole and gain of the complimentary integrated filter can be adjusted on the fly in order to adapt to dynamically changing operating conditions of the SMPS system.

User-configurable, efficiency-optimizing, calibrated sensorless power/energy conversion switch-mode power supply with a serial communications interface

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Campbell, NY, United States of America

Clifford N Ellison, Iii