Smart controller with phantom inductor current sensing for switched mode power supplies

Patent · Tue Oct 19 04:00:00 EDT 2021

OSTI ID:1859975

Zhang, Xin; Takken, Todd E.; Ferencz, Andrew; Chang, Leland; Coteus, Paul W.

Voltage on the output terminal of an inductor is obtained as a first input signal to a control block (CB); the inductor has an input terminal connected to a power switch and driver block at a switching node. A sense input voltage is obtained on an output terminal of a sensing circuit that is not directly connected to the switching node, as a second input signal to the CB. A voltage is generated on a first output terminal of the CB and is selected such that the CB can use its first and second input signals to infer the current through the inductor. A pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is generated on a second output terminal of the CB, based on the inferred current through the inductor; the second output signal from the CB is provided to a PWM input terminal of the power switch and driver block.

• Research Organization: International Business Machines Corp., Armonk, NY (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation (Armonk, NY)
• Patent Number(s): 11,150,712
• Application Number: 16/399,981
• OSTI ID: 1859975
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English