Control signal generation and power supply circuitry
AssigneeInternational Rectifier Corporation
InventorGary D. Martin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to one configuration, a controller repeatedly loads a time delay circuit with a predetermined (count) value. The predetermined count value specifies an approximate time delay between activating and/or deactivating high side switch circuitry of one or more phases in the power supply. Based on passing of time as indicated by the time delay circuit, the controller generates control signals to control high side switch circuitry (of a same or different phase) in the power supply. The high side switch circuitry in one or more phases can be successively activated or spaced in time by an approximate amount of time as specified by the predetermined (count) value.
Claims17
A method comprising:
- operating a time delay circuit to detect passing of time;
- comparing a value stored in the time delay circuit to a pulse width modulation value, the pulse width modulation value specifying a duration for activating high side switch circuitry of a power supply to power a dynamic load;
- and
- based on results of the comparing i) initiating activation of high side switch circuitry in a first phase of the power supply, and ii) modifying the value of the time delay circuit by a predetermined value;
- wherein the value stored in the time delay circuit is a count value that decrements over time;
- wherein modifying the value of the time delay circuit by the predetermined value based on the results of the comparing includes:
- at a first point in time, in response to detecting that a magnitude of the count value is equal to the pulse width modulation value, adding the predetermined value to a setting of the count value at the first point in time;
- subsequent to the first point in time;
- adjusting the pulse width modulation value;
- comparing the adjusted pulse width modulation value to the count value in the time delay circuit;
- at a second point in time subsequent to the first point in time, in response to detecting that a magnitude of the count value is substantially equal to the adjusted pulse width modulation value, adding the predetermined value to a setting of the count value at the second point in time.
A system comprising:
- a time delay circuit to detect passing of time;
- a phase control signal generator to compare a count value of the time delay circuit to a pulse width modulation value, the pulse width modulation value specifying a duration for activating high side switch circuitry to deliver power to a dynamic load;
- and
- the phase control signal generator configured to utilize results of the comparison to:
- i) initiate activation of high side switch circuitry in a first phase of a power supply, and ii) modify the count value of the time delay circuit by a predetermined value;
- wherein the value stored in the time delay circuit decrements over time;
- wherein a control circuit is configured to, at a first point in time, add the predetermined value to a setting of the value stored in the time delay circuit at the first point in time in response to detecting that a magnitude of the count value is equal to the pulse width modulation value;
- wherein the control circuit, subsequent to the first point in time, is configured to:
- adjust the pulse width modulation value;
- compare the adjusted pulse width modulation value to the value stored in the time delay circuit;
- at a second point in time subsequent to the first point in time, in response to detecting that a magnitude of the value is substantially equal to the adjusted pulse width modulation value, add the predetermined value to a current setting of the value stored in the time delay circuit at the second point in time.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.