Method and apparatus for accurately sensing output current in a DC-to-DC voltage converter
US6424129B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 23, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02B70/10
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for accurately sensing the output current delivered to a load by a buck-type DC-to-DC switched mode power converter corrects for thermal variation of the output inductor. A first current sense signal provides a fast indication of output current of the DC-to-DC converter that is susceptible to thermal variation of the output inductor of the converter, and a second current sense signal provides a slow but accurate indication of output current that is not affected by said thermal variation. The first current sense signal is corrected using the second current sense signal to yield accurate output current sensing information. In an embodiment of the invention, an output current sensing apparatus is provided for use in a multi-phase DC-to-DC voltage converter comprising a plurality of converter modules connected to a common load and having a common input voltage source. A first current sensor is adapted to be coupled to an output inductor of at least one of the plurality of converter modules to derive a first current sense signal corresponding to current passing through an internal DC resistance of the output inductor. A second current sensor is adapted to be coup…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.