US 7,248,024 B2 · Apparatus and method for state-variable synthesis in a switching power supply

Abstract

A sliding-mode switching power supply (24) having N phases (28) and a method of operating the power supply (24) are provided. N switches (30) are coupled to a bipolar power source (22), with each switch (30) effecting one phase (28). An inductance (32) is coupled to each switch (30), and a capacitance (36) is coupled to the inductances (32). A load (26) is coupled across the capacitance (36). A monitor circuit (38) is coupled to the inductances (32) and the capacitance (36) and configured to monitor an output voltage (VOut) of the power supply (24). A first state-variable generator (42) generates a first state variable (first state variable x1) in response to the output voltage (VOut), and a second sate variable generator (44) synthesizes a second state variable (second state variable x2) from the first state variable (x1). A feedback-signal generator (46) is coupled to the first and second state-variable generators (42, 44) and generates a comprehensive feedback signal (σ) for all phases (28) using only the two state variables (x1, x2).

Drawings

Claims39

Dependent claims

A method of operating a switching power supply utilizing not more than two state variables, said power supply having N phases, where N is a positive integer, said method comprising:

monitoring a parameter of said power supply;
deriving a first state variable of said power supply from said parameter;
synthesizing a second state variable of said power supply from said first state variable;
generating a comprehensive feedback signal from no more than two state variables of said power supply;
translating said comprehensive feedback signal into a stream of switching pulses;
switching N switches in response to said stream of switching pulses;
and
effecting one of said N phases with each of said N switches.

5 more elements

A switching power supply having N phases, where N is a positive integer, said power supply comprising:

N switches configured to be coupled to a bipolar power source;
N inductances, wherein each of said N inductances is coupled to one of said N switches;
a capacitance coupled to each of said N inductances and configured to be coupled across a load;
a monitor circuit coupled to each of said N inductances and said capacitance and configured to monitor a parameter of said power supply;
a first state-variable generator coupled to said monitor circuit and configured to generate a first state variable for said power supply in response to said output parameter;
a second state-variable generator coupled to said first state-variable generator and configured to synthesize a second state variable for said power supply from said first state variable;
a feedback-signal generator coupled to said first and second state-variable generators and configured to generate a comprehensive feedback signal in response to in response to said first and second state variables;
a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) generator coupled to said comprehensive feedback-signal generator and configured to translate said feedback signal into a stream of switching pulses;
and
a phase selector coupled to said N switches, coupled to said PWM generator, and configured to switch said N switches in response to said stream of switching pulses so that each of said N switches effects one of said N phases.

7 more elements

A state-variable synthesizing multiphase sliding-mode switching power supply having N phases, where N is an integer greater than one, said power supply comprising:

N switches configured to be coupled to a bipolar power source, wherein each of said N switches effects one of said N phases;
N inductances, wherein each of said N inductances is coupled to one of said N switches;
a capacitance coupled to each of said N inductances and configured to be coupled across a load;
a monitor circuit coupled to each of said N inductances and said capacitance and configured to monitor a parameter of said power supply;
a first state-variable generator coupled to said monitor circuit and configured to derive a first state variable of said power supply in response to said parameter;
a second state variable generator coupled to said first state-variable generator and configured to synthesize a second state variable of said power supply from said first state variable;
a sliding-surface generator coupled to said first and second state-variable generators and configured to generate a single sliding surface for said N phases;
a translation circuit coupled to said sliding-surface generator and configured to translate said sliding surface into a stream of switching pulses in response to said sliding surface;
and
a switching circuit coupled to said N switches, coupled to said translation circuit, and configured to switch said N switches in response to said stream of switching pulses.

7 more elements

A system comprising:

a bipolar power source configured to supply direct-current electrical energy in a first form;
an electronic device configured to utilize direct-current electrical energy in a second form;
and
a sliding-mode switching power supply having N phases, where N is a positive integer, coupled between said bipolar power source and said electronic device, and configured to convert said direct-current electrical energy in said first form into said direct-current electrical energy in said second form, wherein said power supply comprises:
N switches coupled to said bipolar power source, wherein each of said N switches effects one of said N phases;
N inductances, wherein each of said N inductances is coupled to one of said N switches;
a capacitance coupled to said N inductances and said electronic device;
a monitor circuit coupled to said N inductances and said capacitance, and configured to monitor an output voltage of said power supply;
a first state-variable generator coupled to said monitor circuit and configured to generate a first state variable of said power supply;
a second state-variable generator coupled to first state variable generator and configured to synthesize a second state variable from said first state variable;
a feedback-signal generator coupled to said first and second state-variable generators and configured to generate a comprehensive feedback signal for said N phases;
a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) generator comprising:
a translation circuit coupled to said feedback-signal generator and configured to translate said feedback signal into a stream of switching pulses at a switching frequency;
and
a phase selector coupled to said N switches, coupled to said PWM generator, and configured to sequentially switch said N switches in response to said stream of switching pulses.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description7,252 words

Summary1,886 words

#The present invention relates to the field of switching power supplies. More specifically, the present invention relates to the field of switching power supplies that utilize a comprehensive feedback signal and state-variable synthesization.

#Modern electronic equipment often requires low-ripple, high-current power sources at low to moderate voltages. Conventional switching power supplies can meet these requirements. In addition, switching power supplies are typically more efficient, lighter, and less expensive than their traditional analog counterparts, all of which are advantages in the modern world.

#FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a single-phase system 10 utilizing a conventional buck-converter type of switching power supply 11. Power supply 11 incorporates a double-throw switch 12. Switch 12 couples to an inductance 13, and alternately connects a first node of inductance 13 to an input D-C power source 14 and a ground (common) each time switch 12 is toggled. A capacitance 15 and a load 16 are coupled in parallel between a second node of inductance 13 and ground.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the Figures, wherein like reference numbers refer to similar items throughout the Figures, and:

#FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a single-phase system utilizing a prior-art switching power supply;

#FIG. 2 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a an extension of the prior-art system of FIG. 1 into a multiphase system;

Detailed description5,125 words

#FIG. 3 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a multiphase system 20 including a D-C power source 22 coupled to a switching power supply 24, which is coupled to a load 26. The following discussion refers to FIG. 3.

#System 20 is made up of power source 22, power supply 24, and load 26. Power source 22 is configured to provide D-C energy in a first form as input energy to power supply 24. This input energy consists of an input voltage VIn at an input current IIn. Power source 22 may be a battery, an A-C to D-C converter, a solar array, a generator, an alternator, or any other source of suitable D-C energy.

#Load 26 demands D-C energy in a second form as output energy from power supply 24. This output energy consists of an output voltage VOut at an output current IOut. Load 26 may be any electronic device, but is often a computing device or a communications device, e.g., a computer, a communications satellite, cellular equipment, or the like.

Facts

Application

10/961,439Filed 7 Oct 2004 · us provisional application

Priority

15 Jul 2004

Published

US 2006/0012358 A119 Jan 2006

Granted

24 Jul 2007

Term ended

15 Dec 2025

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 434 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification2 codes

H02M 3/1584
Including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load: with a plurality of power processing stages connected in parallel
H02M
Apparatus for conversion between ac and ac, between ac and dc, or

Timeline

15 Jul 2004Priority claimedParent application 60/588,098
7 Oct 2004Application filedUS 10/961,439
7 Oct 2004Assigned to Intersil Americas, Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
19 Jan 2006PublishedUS 2006/0012358 A1
24 Jul 2007GrantedUS 7,248,024 B2
30 Apr 2010Assigned to Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporatedsecurity agreement
15 Dec 2025Term endedEstimated, includes 434 days of adjustment

Apparatus and method for state-variable synthesis in a switching power supply

Life of this patent

Apparatus and method for state-variable synthesis in a switching power supply

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims39

Description7,252 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description7,252 words