Master-slave critical conduction mode power converter

A system for supplying power to a load, the system comprising:

• a. a first and a second power source, each having a control system;
• and,
• b. means for detecting a switch-off event in the first power source and subsequently triggering a switch-on event in the second power source, the means comprising means for directly supplying the same signal to both the switch of the first power source and to the control system of the second power source, wherein the means for detecting comprises means for directly supplying the same signal to both the switch of the first power source and to a processing system responsible for then supplying a signal to the control system of the second power source;
• wherein the first and second power source have similar noise characteristics.

A system for providing power factor correction to a power supply, the system comprising:

• a. first and second power sources for supplying input power to the power supply, wherein each power source has a similar relationship between the power supplied by the power source and the switching frequency of the power source, further wherein each power source has similar characteristic noise in the output of the power source, further wherein the second source has a characteristic switching duty cycle;
• b. means for detecting a switch-off event in the first power source and subsequently triggering a switch-on event in the second power source;
• and
• c. means for modulating the duty cycle of the second power source to control the times at which switch-off events in the second power source occur.

A method for providing power factor correction to a power supply, the method comprising:

• a. coupling a first and a second power source so that both power sources receive power from the same source and output power to the same load;
• wherein both power sources have a switching cycle;
• b. configuring the first power source in a self-resonant way such that it determines a switching frequency for its own switching cycle;
• c. configuring the second power source to switch-on when the first power source switches off, whereby the switching cycle of the second power source has a switching frequency approximately equal to the switching frequency of the first power source;
• and,
• d. modulating the duty cycle of the second power source so that the switch-off event of the second power source occurs at an optimal time relative to a current that exists in the second power source.

A method for providing power factor correction to a power supply, the method comprising:

• a. coupling a first and a second power source so that both power sources receive power from the same source and output power to the same load;
• wherein both power sources have a switching cycle;
• b. configuring the first power source in a self-resonant way such that it determines a switching frequency for its own switching cycle;
• c. configuring a local oscillator to produce a waveform with a duty cycle of approximately 50% at a frequency equal to the switching frequency of the first power source and further in phase alignment with the switching frequency of the first power source;
• d. configuring the second power source to operate at a switching frequency approximately 180° out of phase with the waveform produced by the local oscillator, whereby the switching cycle of the second power source has a switching frequency approximately equal to the switching frequency of the first power source and approximately 180° out of phase with the switching frequency of the first power source;
• and,
• e. modulating the duty cycle of the second power source so that the switch-off event of the second power source occurs at an optimal time relative to a current that exists in the second power source.