Predictive control of a generator output

A control circuit for a generator, the generator for regulating input power to provide a programmable output signal having a desired time profile including a plurality of sequence steps, the generator having a drive input for driving the programmable output signal, comprising:

• a signal converter coupled to the programmable output signal for generating a digital output signal that is representative of the programmable output signal;
• sequence memory including a plurality of predetermined set points, each of said set points representing a desired voltage, current, or power level of a sequence step;
• a sequence point controller operable to generate a programmed reference signal based on the plurality of set points, the programmed reference signal providing a representation of the desired time profile;
• a loop controller operable in response to comparing the programmed reference signal and the digital output signal to provide a drive signal to the drive input such that an actual time profile of the programmable output signal substantially tracks the desired time profile;
• prediction memory including at least one drive point, said drive point representative of the drive signal that corresponds to generating the desired voltage, current, or power level of a set point;
• and
• a drive point controller operable to couple the drive point to the loop controller such that the drive signal is driven approximately to the drive point.

A control circuit for a generator, the generator for regulating input power to provide a programmable output signal having a desired time profile including a plurality of sequence steps, the generator having a drive input for driving the programmable output signal, comprising:

• an analog to digital converter coupled to the programmable output signal for generating a digital output signal that is representative of the programmable output signal;
• a sequence point array including a plurality of predetermined set points, each of said set points representing a desired voltage, current, or power level of a sequence step;
• a sequence point controller operable to generate a programmed reference signal based on the plurality of set points, the programmed reference signal providing a representation of the desired time profile;
• a loop controller operable in response to comparing the programmed reference signal and the digital output signal to provide a drive signal to the drive input such that an actual time profile of the programmable output signal substantially tracks the desired time profile;
• a drive point array including a drive point corresponding to each of said sequence steps, said drive point representative of the drive signal that corresponds to generating the desired voltage, current, or power level of a set point;
• and
• a drive point controller operable to couple the drive point to the loop controller such that drive signal is driven approximately to the drive point.