Detecting output inductor opened for buck converter
AssigneeMediatek Inc.
InventorsChih-Chen Li, Jin-Yan Syu
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Abstract
A buck converter includes a first transistor, a second transistor, an inductor and a capacitor. The first transistor, the second transistor and the inductor are coupled to a switching node. A method includes charging the switching node for a predetermined duration using a first charging current, detecting a voltage at the switching node to obtain a first detection voltage, and determining the connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage.
Claims16
A method for detecting a connection status of an inductor of a buck converter, the buck converter comprising a first transistor, a second transistor, the inductor and a capacitor, the first transistor, the second transistor and the inductor being coupled to a switching node, the capacitor coupled to the switching node through the inductor, the method comprising:
- charging the switching node for a predetermined duration using a first charging current;
- detecting a voltage at the switching node to obtain a first detection voltage;
- and
- determining the connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage;
- wherein determining the connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage comprises:
- when the first detection voltage is less than a voltage threshold during the predetermined duration, determining that the connection status of the inductor is normal;
- or
- when the first detection voltage exceeds a voltage threshold during the predetermined duration, determining that the connection status of the inductor is abnormal.
A buck converter comprising:
- a first transistor comprising a first terminal configured to receive an input voltage, and a second terminal coupled to a switching node;
- a second transistor comprising a first terminal coupled to the switching node, and a second terminal coupled to a ground;
- an inductor comprising a first terminal coupled to the switching node, and a second terminal configured to output an outputting voltage;
- a capacitor comprising a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the inductor, and a second terminal coupled to the ground;
- a current generator configured to provide a first charging current and charge the switching node using the first charging current for a predetermined duration;
- and
- a voltage detector configured to detect a voltage at the switching node to obtain a first detection voltage, and determine a connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage;
- wherein determining the connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage comprises:
- when the first detection voltage is less than a voltage threshold during the predetermined duration, the voltage detector is configured to determine that the connection status of the inductor is normal;
- or
- when the first detection voltage exceeds a voltage threshold during the predetermined duration, the voltage detector is configured to determine that the connection status of the inductor is abnormal.
A connectivity testing circuit for detecting a connection status of an inductor of a buck converter, the buck converter comprising a first transistor, a second transistor, the inductor and a capacitor, the first transistor, the second transistor and the inductor being coupled to a switching node, the connectivity testing circuit comprising:
- a current generator configured to provide a first charging current and charge the switching node using a first charging current for a predetermined duration;
- and
- a voltage detector configured to detect a voltage at the switching node to obtain a first detection voltage, and determine a connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage;
- wherein determining the connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage comprises:
- when the first detection voltage is less than a voltage threshold during the predetermined duration, the voltage detector is configured to determine that the connection status of the inductor is normal;
- or
- when the first detection voltage exceeds a voltage threshold during the predetermined duration, the voltage detector is configured to determine that the connection status of the inductor is abnormal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.