Regulated controller with self-adjusting output set-point control
View Patent ↗A power conversion system includes a power converter that converts an input voltage into a DC output voltage. Additionally, the power conversion system also includes a controller that provides a self-adjusting set-point control scheme for the power converter. A method of power conversion system operation is also provided.
1. A power conversion system, comprising:
a power converter having a primary stage and a secondary stage coupled to provide an output DC voltage from an input voltage source;
the power converter coupled to a controller; and
the controller having a self-adjusting set-point control scheme to generate the output DC voltage, wherein the output DC voltage follows an input voltage over a portion of an entire range of the input voltage, where the portion is based on the input voltage value, wherein the self-adjusting set-point control scheme selects a self-adjusted set point value based on an additional stored parameter that is specific to a particular power converter.
2. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the self-adjusting set-point control scheme is implemented through active regulation digital control of the power converter.
3. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the self-adjusting set-point control scheme provides pulse-width modulation (PWM) control of the power converter.
4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the self-adjusting set-point control scheme automatically changes an output voltage regulation set-point of the DC output voltage as a function of the input voltage.
5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the controller is selected from the group consisting of:
a local controller dedicated to the power converter; and
a system controller separate from the power converter.
6. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the self-adjusting set-point control scheme selects a self-adjusted set point value to nearly maximize a PWM duty cycle of the power converter.
7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the self-adjusting set-point control scheme also adapts a self-adjusted set point value based on temperature.
8. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the additional stored parameter is selected from the group consisting of:
a dead time corresponding to control signal switching; and
a control signal margin.
9. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the additional stored parameter corresponds to an operating characteristic of an output inductor employed in the power converter.
10. A power conversion circuit, comprising:
a switching voltage regulator to provide an output DC voltage from an input voltage source;
the switching voltage regulator coupled to a digital controller; and
the digital controller having a self-adjusting set-point control scheme to generate the output DC voltage, wherein the output DC voltage tracks an input voltage over a sub-range of the input voltage until surpassing a self-adjusted set-point value.
11. The circuit as recited in claim 10 wherein the self-adjusted set-point value nearly maximizes a switching duty cycle of the switching voltage regulator.
12. A power conversion system, comprising:
a power converter having a primary stage and a secondary stage coupled to provide an output DC voltage from an input voltage source;
the power converter coupled to a controller;
the controller having a self-adjusting set-point control scheme to generate the output DC voltage, wherein the output DC voltage follows an input voltage over a portion of an entire range of the input voltage, where the portion is based on the input voltage value; and
a parallel power converter coupled to the DC output voltage, wherein the power converter and the parallel power converter share a load current by employing a droop characteristic that does not require communication between the power converter and the parallel power converter.