Voltage regulator and method of regulating voltage
A voltage regulator includes a load control unit having an output configured to be coupled to a load. The load control unit is configured to be responsive to a load control signal for controlling the delivery of power to the load. A voltage regulator further includes a feedback unit coupled to the output of the load control unit. The feedback unit is configured to produce a feedback signal indicative of a voltage level applied to the load at the load control unit output. A voltage regulator still further includes a controller responsive to the feedback signal that is configured to generate the load control signal such that the voltage applied to the load substantially corresponds to a predetermined reference voltage level.
1. A power control system for a model train traveling on a track, comprising:
a transformer operatively coupled to the track to supply an operating voltage thereto;
at least one accessory associated with at least one of the model train and the track; and
a voltage regulator operatively coupled to the at least one accessory to supply a regulated voltage thereto derived from the operating voltage, the voltage regulator comprising:
a load control unit having an output coupled to the accessory, the load control unit being responsive to a load control signal for controlling delivery of the regulated voltage to the accessory;
a feedback unit coupled to the output of the load control unit and adapted to provide a feedback signal indicative of the regulated voltage at the output; and
a controller responsive to said feedback signal and adapted to generate the load control signal such that the regulated voltage substantially corresponds to a reference voltage level, the controller being further responsive to a user command to define the reference voltage level.
2. The power control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to determine deviation between the regulated voltage and the reference voltage level.
3. The power control system of claim 1 , wherein the user command comprises a digital message.
4. The power control system of claim 1 , wherein the voltage regulator further comprises a reset unit operatively connected to the controller.
5. The power control system of claim 1 , wherein the load control unit includes at least one bi-directional switching device.
6. The power control system of claim 5 , wherein the switching device is a triac.
7. The power control system of claim 6 , wherein the power regulator further comprises a zero-cross detection unit adapted to detect a zero crossing of the operating voltage and enable the controller to derive a corresponding phase-conduction angle of the triac therefrom.
8. The power control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is adapted to generate the load control signal in accordance with a proportional-integral (PI) transfer function.