Adaptive pseudo-continuous conduction mode operation schemes and circuit designs for single-inductor multiple-output switching converters

As single-inductor multiple-output (SIMO) switching converters proliferate in integrated power management designs, pseudo-continuous conduction mode (PCCM) operation with freewheel switching has been well adopted owing to its effectiveness on cross-regulation, voltage ripple and switching noise issues, especially in heavy load scenarios. However, the technique faces a direct challenge in unbalanced loading conditions. Potential lengthy freewheel switching periods and high I _dc current levels could lead to conduction and switching power losses, degrading the efficiency of the converters. To alleviate this problem, this paper presents adaptive PCCM operation schemes with the respective distributed and unified freewheel switching schemes. The optimal freewheel switching durations are achieved in various load conditions by adaptively adjusting the phase durations and freewheel switching I _dc current level, thereby reducing the conduction and switching losses effectively. The switching power loss is further reduced by turning on/off the freewheel switch less frequently, without compromising the performance of operation. The proposed schemes have been implemented and verified in digital and analog-based SIMO power converters designed with 130?nm CMOS process.     

Estimative current mode control technique for DC-DC converters operating in discontinuous conduction mode

A new control technique for DC-DC converters is introduced and applied to a boost converter operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). In contrast to conventional control methods, the principal idea of the proposed control scheme is to obtain samples of the required signals and estimate the required switch-on time. The proposed technique is applicable to any converter operating in DCM, including power factor correctors (PFC), however, this letter mainly focuses on boost topology. In this letter, the main mathematical concept of a new control algorithm is introduced, as well as the robustness investigation of the proposed method with simulation and experimental results.     

Small-signal modeling of multiple-output flyback converters incontinuous conduction mode with weighted feedback

A small-signal model of multiple-output flyback power converters is developed. From the model, closed-loop power converter performances, such as line regulation and load regulation, can be predicted. Based on the model, a design procedure for feedback compensation is suggested. The model is experimentally verified     

Digitally controlled boost power-factor-correction converters operating in both continuous and discontinuous conduction mode

Whereas power-factor-correction (PFC) converters for low-power ranges (less than 250 W) are commonly designed for operation in the discontinuous conduction mode, converters for higher power levels are operated in the continuous conduction mode. Nevertheless, when these converters are operated at reduced power, discontinuous conduction mode will appear during parts of the line period, yielding input current distortion. This distortion can be eliminated by employing a dedicated control algorithm, consisting of sample correction and duty-ratio feedforward. The reduction of the harmonic distortion of the input current and the increase of the power factor are demonstrated by experiments on a 1-kW boost PFC converter.     

Small-signal modeling of multiple-output forward converters withcurrent-mode control

A small-signal model of current-mode multiple-output feedback forward power converter has been developed. Based on the model, control performances are analytically expressed, and a compensation scheme is proposed. Comparison of such control with other control schemes is also discussed     

One-cycle control of switching converters

A new large-signal nonlinear control technique is proposed to control the duty-ratio d of a switch such that in each cycle the average value of a switched variable of the switching converter is exactly equal to or proportional to the control reference in the steady-state or in a transient. One-cycle control rejects power source perturbations in one switching cycle; the average value of the switched variable follows the dynamic reference in one switching cycle; and the controller corrects switching errors in one switching cycle. There is no steady-state error nor dynamic error between the control reference and the average value of the switched variable. Experiments with a constant frequency buck converter have demonstrated the robustness of the control method and verified the theoretical predictions. This new control method is very general and applicable to all types of pulse-width-modulated, resonant-based, or soft-switched switching converters for either voltage or current control in continuous or discontinuous conduction mode. Furthermore, it can be used to control any physical variable or abstract signal that is in the form of a switched variable or can be converted to the form of a switched variable     

Small-signal analysis of DC-DC converters with sliding mode control

This paper deals with small-signal analysis of DC-D converters with sliding mode control. A suitable small signal model is developed which allows selection of control coefficients, analysis of parameter variation effects, characterization of the closed loop behavior in terms of audiosusceptibility, output and input impedances, and reference to output transfer function. Unlike previous analyses, the model includes effects of the filters used to evaluate state variable errors. Simulated and experimental results demonstrate model potentialities     

Adaptive two-loop Voltage-mode control of DC-DC switching converters

A new two-loop control scheme for voltage-mode control (VMC) of dc-dc switching converters is presented. The proposed method adds a high-gain robust loop with two controllers to the conventional VMC loop, achieving an analog "adaptive" loop in which the "equivalent voltage regulator" varies with the changing power stage parameters given as follows: 1) input voltage; 2) load; and 3) component tolerances. The loop significantly improves the disturbance rejection of the control system, i.e., closed-loop output impedance and audiosusceptibility while preserving the stability and the loop gain crossover frequency to a significant extent. Both the small-signal analysis and the experimental results carried out on a buck converter demonstrate the superiority of the proposed scheme with respect to the conventional single loop.     

Nonlinear-carrier control for high-power-factor rectifiers based onup-down switching converters

In this paper, nonlinear-carrier (NLC) control is proposed for high-power-factor rectifiers based on flyback, Cuk, Sepic, and other up-down power converters operated in the continuous conduction mode (CCM). In the NLC controller, the switch duty ratio is determined by comparing a signal proportional to the integral of the switch current with a periodic nonlinear-carrier waveform. The shape of the NLC waveform is determined so that the resulting input-line current follows the input-line voltage, as required for unity power factor rectification. A simple exponential carrier waveform generator is described. Using the NLC controller, input-line voltage sensing, error amplifier in the current-shaping loop, and multiplier/divider circuitry in the voltage feedback loop are eliminated. The simple high-performance controller is well suited for integrated-circuit implementation, Results of experimental verification on a 150 W flyback rectifier are presented     

Optimized piezoelectric energy harvesting circuit using step-down converter in discontinuous conduction mode

An optimized method of harvesting vibrational energy with a piezoelectric element using a step-down DC-DC converter is presented. In this configuration, the converter regulates the power flow from the piezoelectric element to the desired electronic load. Analysis of the converter in discontinuous current conduction mode results in an expression for the duty cycle-power relationship. Using parameters of the mechanical system, the piezoelectric element, and the converter; the "optimal" duty cycle can be determined where the harvested power is maximized for the level of mechanical excitation. It is shown that, as the magnitude of the mechanical excitation increases, the optimal duty cycle becomes essentially constant, greatly simplifying the control of the step-down converter. The expression is validated with experimental data showing that the optimal duty cycle can be accurately determined and maximum energy harvesting attained. A circuit is proposed which implements this relationship, and experimental results show that the converter increases the harvested power by approximately 325%.     

PWM zero-voltage switching boost-derived converters with outputisolation

In this paper, the basic operations and steady-state analysis for three modified boost-derived power converter topologies are presented. Unlike the conventional boost topology, these power converters provide electrical isolation and zero-voltage switching, while having identical component stresses as those in the conventional boost power converters. Zero-voltage switching and proper transformer-core resetting are achieved from the resonance that occurs between the parasitic capacitance of the power switch and the transformer magnetizing inductance. By introducing a lossless clamping circuit, the voltage stresses across the switching devices are limited to the reflected output voltage to the primary side     

New multi-output switching converters with MOSFET-rectifier postregulators

A new multi-output switching power converter is proposed. The new power converter can reduce conduction losses and achieve tight regulation. The small-signal model of the new power converter has also been developed and experimentally verified. Based on the proposed scheme and the analysis of the small-signal model, high-performance and high-efficiency multi-output switching power converters can be achieved     

A ZCT auxiliary commutation circuit for interleaved boost converters operating in critical conduction mode

This paper investigates a power-factor-corrector (PFC) circuit based on interleaved boost converters in critical conduction mode (C-DCM) with a zero current transition (ZCT) circuit. By using the interleaved converters technique, the input current ripple is minimized, and due to the operation in C-DCM, the main switches turn-on occurs naturally under zero current and the reverse recovery losses of the diodes are minimized. The use of auxiliary commutation circuits provides ZCT at main switches turn-off, minimizing the related turn-off losses. The command circuit of the converters has been implemented by using a single erasable programmable logic device (EPLD) EPM7128SLC84-15. Operating principles, theoretical analysis, design guidelines and a design example are described and verified experimentally by a 1.2 kW prototype. Finally, the measured losses in the PFC interleaved boost converters with and without the proposed ZCT commutation cell, as well as a previously published ZCT cell are presented and discussed.     

Single-inductor fuel cell-Li ion charger-supply IC with nested hysteretic control

Microsystems must conform to microscale dimensions, store sufficient energy to last extended periods, and supply enough power to sustain, among others, wireless and sensor functions. Because batteries source moderate power with low energy densities, miniaturized devices benefit from deriving energy from fuel cells (FCs) and power from Li ions, rather than relying on one source and over-sizing it to offset its deficiency. This article presents a single-inductor, dual-input, dual-output (SIDIDO) charger-supply 0.5-μm CMOS IC with a nested hysteretic-control scheme that draws energy from a FC and conditions power to charge a Li ion and supply a 1–V, 1-mA load. The IC dynamically adjusts to the load, charging the Li ion with excess power from the FC during light loads and supplying power from both the FC and Li ion otherwise. The fabricated prototype regulated its output to 1 V within 2.5% and responded to rising and falling 0.1–1-mA load dumps within 30 μs and 50 mV. The efficiency peaked at 32% because the load was low and the converter operated in continuous (rather than in discontinuous) conduction and sensed its inductor current via lossy sense resistors (instead of sense FETs) to manage risk and validate functionality.     

On the modeling of PWM converters for large signal analysis indiscontinuous conduction mode

Several methods have been developed until today for the analysis of PWM converters operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) and many endeavours have been done in order to solve two well known problems: the nontrivial calculation of the internally controlled instant at which the current flowing into the diode falls to zero and the subsequent order reduction of the state-space model of the circuit due to the disappearance of one state variable. In this work a new approach to the modeling of PWM converters for the large signal analysis in DCM operation is presented. It is based on a closed-form discrete-time state-space model obtained by introducing a time-adaptive function for the calculation of the instant at which the diode current falls to zero, and an equivalent fictitious configuration of the circuit during the idle phase, in order to prevent the unconditioned order reduction of the state-space model. A four-terminal device is also introduced which allows a unified representation of the PWM buck, boost, buck-boost, and Cuk converters in DCM operation using the fictitious configuration. The model proposed can be used for circuit oriented simulations both in open and closed loop operation and for an accurate ripple inspection, automatically accounting for DCM to CCM (continuous conduction mode) transitions and vice versa     

Complex behavior in switching power converters

Power electronics circuits are rich in nonlinear dynamics. Their operation is characterized by cyclic switching of circuit topologies, which gives rise to a variety of nonlinear behavior. This paper provides an overview of the chaotic dynamics and bifurcation scenarios observed in power converter circuits, emphasizing the salient features of the circuit operation and the modeling strategies. In particular this paper surveys the key publications in this field, reviews the main modeling approaches, and discusses the salient bifurcation behaviors of power converters with particular emphasis on the disruption of standard bifurcation patterns by border collisions     

一种平均电流模式控制的单电感双输出型开关电源转换器

An integrated single-inductor dual-output （SIDO） switching DC-DC converter is presented. The outputs are specified with 1.2 V/400 mA and 1.8 V/200 mA. A decoupling small signal model is proposed to analyze the multi-loop system and to design the on-chip compensators. An average current control mode is introduced with lossless, continuous current detection. The converter has been fabricated in a 0.25μm 2P4M CMOS process. The power efficiency is 86% at a total output power of 840 mW while the output ripples are about 40 mV at an oscillator frequency of 600 kHz.     

串联谐振变换器断续模式下的建模和控制

建立串联谐振DC-DC变换器在断续模式(DCM)下的等效电路,采用注入-吸收电流的方法得到了串联谐振变换器在断续模式下控制到输出的小信号传递函数。通过仿真变换器输出波形与传递函数开环输出波形,验证了所推导的传递函数的正确性。通过Matlab SISOTOOL工具得到其开环幅频特性曲线和相频特性曲线,在此基础上优化设计了变换器控制环路的补偿网络,在补偿器控制下,系统的穿越频率为4.52 k Hz,幅值裕度是53.3 d B,相角裕度是78.3°,提高了系统的稳定性和瞬态响应。     

A single-inductor dual-output switching converter with average current mode control

are about 40 mV at an oscillator frequency of 600 kHz.     

Spectral characteristics of randomly switched PWM DC/DC convertersoperating in discontinuous conduction mode

This paper addresses a comparative study of the spectral characteristics of four random-switching schemes that apply to the basic pulsewidth-modulation (PWM) DC/DC converters operating in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). They include randomized pulse position modulation, randomized pulsewidth modulation, and randomized carrier frequency modulation with fixed duty cycle and with fixed duty time, respectively. Mathematical models that characterize the input current and output voltage of the three basic PWM converters operating in DCM are derived. In particular, the effectiveness of spreading the dominant switching harmonics in the input current that normally exist in the standard PWM scheme and the introduction of low-frequency harmonics in the output voltage with respect to the randomness level are investigated. The validity of the models and analyses are confirmed experimentally by using a DC/DC buck converter