DC/DC converter with adaptive drive voltage supply
View Patent ↗A circuit comprises a first input for receiving a supply voltage and a second input for receiving a sensed current signal from an output of a DC to DC converter. The circuit also includes an output voltage for providing an adjustable drive voltage to a drive circuit. The circuit additionally includes circuitry for adjusting the drive voltage responsive to supply voltage and the sensed current signal.
1. A DC to DC converter circuit, comprising:
a power stage for generating a DC voltage responsive to drive signals;
a driver circuit for generating the drive signals for power transistors in the power stage responsive to an adjustable supply voltage and drive control signals;
a controller for generating the drive control signals to the driver circuit responsive to a sensed current signal;
a current sensor for generating the sensed current signal responsive to a sensed current in the power stage;
an adaptive drive voltage supply responsive to a supply voltage, the sensed current signal and a switching frequency of the power transistors in the power stage for generating the adjustable supply voltage.
2. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 1 , wherein the current sensor senses a load current of the power stage.
3. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 2 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply varies the adjustable supply voltage responsive to the sensed load current to improve an efficiency of the DC to DC converter circuit over a wide range of load currents.
4. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 1 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply adjusts the adjustable supply voltage responsive to a digital control signal.
5. The DC to DC converter circuit of the claim 1 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a linear voltage regulator responsive to the supply voltage and the sensed current signal to linearly adjust the adjustable supply voltage between a first voltage responsive to a first sensed current signal and a second voltage responsive to a second sensed current signal.
6. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 1 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a switching voltage regulator responsive to the supply voltage and the sensed current signal to adjust the adjustable supply voltage.
7. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 1 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a plurality of adaptive drive voltage supplies, each of the plurality of adaptive drive voltage supplies providing a different adjustable supply voltage for a portion of the power transistors of the power stage.
8. A DC to DC converter circuit, comprising:
a power stage for generating a DC voltage responsive to drive signals;
a driver circuit for generating the drive signals for power transistors in the power stage responsive to an adjustable supply voltage and drive control signals;
a controller for generating the drive control signals to the driver circuit responsive to a sensed current signal;
a current sensor for generating the sensed current signal responsive to a sensed current in the power stage;
an adaptive drive voltage supply responsive to a supply voltage and the sensed current signal for generating the adjustable supply voltage, wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a plurality of adaptive drive voltage supplies, each of the plurality of adaptive drive voltage supplies providing a different adjustable supply voltage for a portion of the power transistors of the power stage.
9. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 8 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply adjusts the adjustable supply voltage responsive to a digital control signal.
10. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 8 , wherein the current sensor senses a load current of the power stage.
11. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 10 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply varies the adjustable supply voltage responsive to the sensed load current to improve an efficiency of the DC to DC converter circuit over a wide range of load currents.
12. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 8 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply is further responsive to a switching frequency of the power transistors in the power stage.
13. The DC to DC converter circuit of the claim 8 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a linear voltage regulator responsive to the supply voltage and the sensed current signal to linearly adjust the adjustable supply voltage between a first voltage responsive to a first sensed current signal and a second voltage responsive to a second sensed current signal.
14. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 8 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a switching voltage regulator responsive to the supply voltage and the sensed current signal to adjust the adjustable supply voltage.
15. A DC to DC converter circuit, comprising:
a power stage for generating a DC voltage responsive to drive signals;
a driver circuit for generating the drive signals for power transistors in the power stage responsive to an adjustable supply voltage and drive control signals;
a controller for generating the drive control signals to the driver circuit responsive to a sensed current signal;
a current sensor for generating the sensed current signal responsive to a sensed current in the power stage;
an adaptive drive voltage supply responsive to a supply voltage and the sensed current signal for generating the adjustable supply voltage, wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply adjusts the adjustable supply voltage responsive to a digital control signal.
16. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 15 , wherein the current sensor senses a load current of the power stage.
17. The DC to DC converter circuit of the claim 16 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply comprises a linear voltage regulator responsive to the supply voltage and the sensed current signal to linearly adjust the adjustable supply voltage between a first voltage responsive to a first sensed current signal and a second voltage responsive to a second sensed current signal.
18. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 16 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply varies the adjustable supply voltage responsive to the sensed load current to improve an efficiency of the DC to DC converter circuit over a wide range of load currents.
19. The DC to DC converter circuit of claim 16 , wherein the adaptive drive voltage supply is further responsive to a switching frequency of the power transistors in the power stage.