Adaptive dead time control for switching circuits
AssigneeAudioLogic, Inc.
InventorJohn Laurence Melanson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus for adaptively reducing dead time in a switching circuit includes overlap detection circuitry for measuring the dead time/overlap of the switches, and control circuitry for setting the dead time to the optimum level (generally the minimum possible dead time without any overlap occurring). The dead time/overlap may be detected by measuring the current through the switches, the current into the power supply, the voltage waveform at the switch point, or the average voltage waveform at the switch point. The dead time may be controlled by utilizing delay elements prior to the drivers, or by utilizing circuitry to control the driver timing.
Claims12
Apparatus for adaptively reducing dead time (delay between one switch turning off and the other turning on) in a switching circuit having a power supply and two output power switches, the apparatus comprising:
- overlap detection circuitry for measuring the amount of dead time or overlap between the two switches;
- wherein the overlap detection circuitry determines whether each switch is on or off;
- control circuitry for varying the dead time between the two power switches;
- and
- optimization means for setting the dead time between the two switches to a predetermined optimum period via the control circuitry.
A method for adaptively reducing dead time (delay between one switch turning off and the other turning on) in a switching circuit having a power supply and two output power switches, the method comprising the steps of:
- measuring the amount of dead time or overlap between the two switches;
- wherein the measuring step determines whether each switch is on or off;
- varying the dead time between the two power switches;
- and
- setting the dead time between the two switches to a predetermined optimum period.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.