The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 2010
Filed:
Jun. 28, 2007
Edward P. Coleman, Salt Springs, FL (US);
Edward P. Coleman, Salt Springs, FL (US);
Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A voltage to current converter that can provide multiple current sources at differing voltage levels using a single inductor, without the need to provide a current sense element, pass element, and wiring to provide feedback for load current regulation. A switching inductor current is regulated such that the average current supplied by the inductor is equal to a user determined set point or points for a set of multiplexed loads. The inductor current levels are sampled and stored, and the average current level for each load is determined based on the sampled current levels. The average current levels are compared to a current level set point or set point signals to determine an error signal for each load current. The error signal for each current is amplified and filtered to provide duty cycle control terms. The duty cycle control terms are converted to pulse width modulated control signals by a pulse width modulator. The pulse width modulated control signals control the duration of switch states to energize and discharge the inductor to provide regulated average current levels to the multiple load channels.