Predicting the timing of current phases of a DC-DC converter

US10056819B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

• Michael Couleur · Munich, DE
• Neil Gibson · Freising, DE
• Antonio Priego · Freising, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 24, 2017
• Grant date: Aug 21, 2018
• Expiry date: Oct 24, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H02M1/0012
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A timing regulation circuit includes a fixed and tunable timer. A current source generates a source current I1 proportional to an inductor voltage ΔV1 of a DC-DC converter during an energizing phase and a current source generates a sink current I2 proportional to inductor voltage ΔV2 during a de-energizing phase. The fixed timer controls a first switch in series with I1 or I2 and the tunable timer controls a balancing switch in series with the other current. I1 or I2 is coupled by the first switch and the other current is coupled by the balancing switch to a common capacitor that provides a regulation voltage to the tunable timer which outputs a regulated duration (Tregulated) for an energizing or de-energizing phase. When Tregulated closes the balancing switch the common capacitor provides a predicted current returning inductor current to a starting value when all phases finish for providing a volt-second balance.