US 5,909,145 A · Variable control of electronic power supplies

Abstract

Sag of a power signal delivered to of an amplifier is controlled. The maximum amount of sag is limited to limit crossover distortion. A measuring circuit monitors an observed signal to generate a measured signal. A sag control circuit receives the measured signal and one or more input control signals, and in response generates a sag control signal. A regulator circuit receives the sag control signal and a raw power supply signal and in response generates a regulated DC power supply signal for the amplifier. The regulator circuit decreases the maximum power available to the amplifier as the sag control signal magnitude increases, so as to increase distortion and compression in the output signal (e.g., and achieve a "warm", "airy" or "forgiving" sound quality resembling or improving the sound of a vacuum tube amplifier).

Claims30

Dependent claims

An electronic power supply control system for controlling a power signal, comprising:

a power supply generating a power supply signal;
an amplifier which is adapted to receive the controlled power signal and an input signal, the amplifier amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal to a load;
a measuring circuit which measures an observed signal and generates in response a measured signal;
a sag control circuit which receives the measured signal and generates in response a sag control signal;
and
a regulator circuit which receives the power supply signal and the sag control signal and generates in response a regulated power signal which is output to the amplifier as the controlled power signal, wherein the regulator circuit decreases the maximum power available to the amplifier as the sag control signal level magnitude increases, thereby producing increased distortion and compression in the output signal;
and
wherein the sag control circuit comprises means for defining a cutoff voltage level for the sag control signal to limit crossover distortion.

5 more elements

A method for controlling a power signal in an electronic circuit having an amplifier and a power supply, the power supply generating a power supply signal, the amplifier adapted to receive a controlled power signal and an input signal, the amplifier amplifying the input signal to generate an output signal to a load, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring an observed signal and generating in response a measured signal;
generating a sag control signal in response to the measured signal and a user adjustable sag control setting;
clipping voltage level of the sag control signal beyond a prescribed magnitude to limit crossover distortion;
and
regulating the power supply signal generated by the power supply in response to the sag control signal to generate the controlled power signal for the amplifier, wherein the maximum power available to the amplifier is decreased as the sag control signal level magnitude increases, thereby producing increased distortion and compression in the output signal.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Variable control of electronic power supplies

Life of this patent

Variable control of electronic power supplies

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims30