Low-power variable frequency PFC converters

Based on the SinoMOS 1 μm 40 V CMOS process, a novel power factor corrention (PFC) converter with a low-power variable frequency function is presented. The circuit introduces a multi-vector error amplifier and a pro-grammable oscillator to achieve frequency modulation, which provides a rapid dynamic response and precise output voltage clamping with low power in the entire load. According to the external load variation, the system can modulate the circuit operating frequency linearly, thereby ensuring that the PFC converter can work in frequency conversion-mode. Measured results show that the normal operating frequency of the PFC converter is 5-6 kHz, the start-up current is 36 μA, the stable operating current is only 2.43 mA, the efficiency is 97.3%, the power factor (PF) is 0.988, THD is 3.8%, the load adjust rate is 3%, and the linear adjust rate is less than 1%. Both theoretical and practical results reveal that the power consumption of the whole supply system is reduced efficiently, especially when the load varies. The active die area of the PFC converter chip is 1.61×1.52 mm~2.