Transconductance amplifier for inductive loads and method for driving inductive loads
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsMichele Boscolo, Ezio Galbiati
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transconductance amplifier for inductive loads and a relevant inductive load driving method, the amplifier having an input stage receiving a driving signal (set-point), a power stage connected downstream of the input stage and connected to the load and an output stage fedback on the input stage to transfer a signal associated to the load. Advantageously, the input stage comprises at least a comparator receiving on one input the driving signal and on another input the output of the output stage. A delay block is also provided between the comparator output and the power stage to delay the comparator switching. This can be obtained also by using a hysteretic comparator.
Claims20
A transconductance amplifier for an inductive load, comprising an input stage for receiving a driving signal (set-point), a power stage connected downstream of the input stage and connected to the load, and an output stage fedback on the input stage to transfer a signal associated with the load, the input stage comprising at least one comparator for receiving on an input the driving signal and on another input the output of the output stage.
A method for driving inductive loads, comprising a driving step using a transconductance amplifier, and controlling a load current outputted from a power stage by utilizing an output of a comparator.
A circuit, comprising:
- an inductive load;
- and
- a transconductance amplifier, comprising:
- an input stage comprising a comparator having a first input for receiving a driving signal and a second input for receiving a feedback signal, and an output;
- a power stage coupled to the input stage via a delay block, the power stage having an output;
- and
- a sensing stage coupled to the power stage and to the second input of the comparator for controlling the power stage.
A transconductance amplifier for an inductive load, the amplifier comprising:
- a comparator having a first input for receiving a driving signal and a second input for receiving a feedback signal and an output;
- a delay block having an input coupled to the output of the comparator and an output;
- a first amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the delay block and an output configured to be coupled to the load;
- a second amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the delay block via an inverter and an output;
- a sense resistor having a first terminal coupled to the output of the second amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the load;
- and
- a sense amplifier having a first input coupled to the first terminal of the sense resistor and a second input coupled to the second terminal of the sense resistor and configured to generate the feedback signal at an output coupled to the second input of the comparator.
A transconductance amplifier for an inductive load, comprising:
- a hysteretic comparator having a first input for receiving a driving signal and a second input for receiving a feedback signal, and an output;
- a first amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the hysteretic comparator and an output configured to be coupled to the load;
- a second amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the hysteretic comparator via an inverter and an output;
- a sense resistor having a first terminal coupled to the output of the second amplifier and a second terminal coupled to the load;
- and
- a sense amplifier having a first input coupled to the first terminal of the sense resistor and a second input coupled to the second terminal of the sense resistor and configured to generate the feedback signal on an output coupled to the second terminal of the hysteretic comparator.
A transconductance amplifier for an inductive load, comprising:
- a comparator having a first input configured to receive a driving signal and a second input configured to receive a feedback signal, and an output;
- a delay block having an input coupled to the output of the comparator and further comprising an output;
- a first amplifier having an input coupled to the output of the delay block and an output configured to be coupled to the load;
- a second amplifier having an input coupled to the first input of the comparator and an output;
- a sense resistor having a first terminal coupled to the output of the second amplifier and a second terminal configured to be coupled to the load;
- and
- a sense amplifier having a first input coupled to the first terminal of the sense resistor and a second input coupled to the second terminal of the sense resistor and configured to generate a feedback signal on an output coupled to the second terminal of the comparator.
A method for driving an inductive load, comprising:
- receiving a signal at an input stage;
- driving the signal via a power stage through the load;
- and
- controlling a load current outputted from the power stage via the output of a comparator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.