US6005377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable digital controller for switch mode power conversion and power supply employing the same
Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Ltd
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Filing: 1997-09-17
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2017-09-17
Abstract
Abstract A programmable controller for switch-mode power converters that operates in a digital domain without reliance on operation software and the ability to vastly reduce or eliminate analog circuitry. The digital controller is re-programmable. In one embodiment, the substantially digital portion of the controller is a Field Programmable Gate Array that controls operation of the converter by generally converting an analog reference signal(s) (e.g. the voltage output) into the digital domain. The controller then can perform distributed arithmetic to generate a square wave signal capable of controlling at least a main switch of the converter. The present invention can, if desired, essentially eliminate analog controllers in power conversion systems such as switch-mode converters.
Inventors
- 👤 Qing Chen
- 👤 Anatoly Feygenson
- 👤 Ashraf Wagih Lotfi
- 👤 Kenneth John Timm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:23
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02M; H02M3/00; H02M3/02; H02M3/04; H02M3/10; H02M3/145; H02M3/155; H02M3/156; H02M3/157
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A power converter having a power train with at least one switch, comprising: a programmable digital controller, coupled to said power train, configured to operate in a digital domain without reliance on operational software or internal analog circuitry, to control said switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
42 words
A power converter having a power train with at least one switch, comprising: a programmable digital controller, coupled to said power train, configured to operate in a digital domain without reliance on operational software or internal analog circuitry, to control said switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power converter of claim 1, wherein said power converter is part of an AC-to-DC power supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power converter of claim 1, wherein said programmable digital controller is a Field-Programmable-Gate-Array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The power converter of claim 1, wherein said power converter includes an output voltage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The power converter of claim 4, wherein said programmable digital controller includes means for comparing said output voltage to a reference level and for generating an error signal indicating the difference between said output voltage and said reference level.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power converter of claim 5, wherein said programmable digital controller generates a switching signal as function of said error signal to optimally control when said switch is opened and closed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power converter of claim 1, wherein said power converter is part of a DC-to-DC power supply.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
26 words
An apparatus, comprising: a substantially digital controller configurable to regulate an operation of a switch-mode power converter without reliance on operational software or internal analog circuitry.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
26 words
An apparatus, comprising: a substantially digital controller configurable to regulate an operation of a switch-mode power converter without reliance on operational software or internal analog circuitry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said substantially digital controller is a field programmable gate array.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said switch-mode converter produces an output voltage and said substantially digital controller includes a means for comparing said output voltage to a reference level and for generating an error signal indicating a difference between said output voltage and said reference level.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said substantially digital controller generates a switching signal as a function of said error signal to optimally control said switch-mode converter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said substantially digital controller is re-configurable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said apparatus is a power supply.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of controlling a power train of a switch-mode converter, comprising: (a) converting a voltage output of said power train into a digital signal; (b) comparing said digital signal to a stored reference set point to generate an error signal value; (c) applying said error signal value to a distributed arithmetic unit to generate a compensated signal value; (d) comparing said compensated signal value to a ramp reference stored in a table to generate a duty cycle signal value; (e) passing said duty cycle signal value through a pulse width modulator to generate a square wave signal; and (f) employing said square wave signal to drive a main power switch of said power train.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of controlling a power train of a switch-mode converter, comprising: (a) converting a voltage output of said power train into a digital signal; (b) comparing said digital signal to a stored reference set point to generate an error signal value; (c) applying said error signal value to a distributed arithmetic unit to generate a compensated signal value; (d) comparing said compensated signal value to a ramp reference stored in a table to generate a duty cycle signal value; (e) passing said duty cycle signal value through a pulse width modulator to generate a square wave signal; and (f) employing said square wave signal to drive a main power switch of said power train.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said applying said error signal value a distributed arithmetic unit converts said value from a G(s) domain into a G(Z) domain.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |