Method of operating a DC/DC up/down converter

A method for an up-down converter which is based on a buck converter during the current down-conversion phase (Φ2, Φ3 and Φ5, Φ6, respectively) of the coil (L1) supplies an output (B) with a relatively high output voltage (UB), where UB>Uin. The down-conversion phase of the coil current (IL1) comprises at least two different down-conversion phases (Φ2, Φ3 and Φ5, Φ6, respectively). A method for an up-down converter, which converter is based on a boost converter, supplies during the current up-conversion phase (Φ7, and Φ10, respectively) of the coil (L2) an output (D) which has a relatively low output voltage (UD) with power, where UD>Uin. The up-conversion phase of the coil current (IL2) comprises at least two different current reduction phases (Φ7, Φ8 and Φ10, Φ11, respectively).

The invention relates to DC/DC converters with various outputs, which converters are up converters as well as down converters and are called up/down converters here. DC/DC up/down converters generate output voltages which are situated above, below or on the level of the input voltage.

Converters are known from practice which are both up and down converters, but which require a multiplicity of transistors or switches of different types and are therefore relatively expensive. Also known are down converters and up converters with various outputs which, however, cannot simultaneously provide a high and a low output voltage.

A buck converter (down converter) and a boost converter (up converter) are in essence different by the arrangement of the storage means for the inductive energy, for example, a coil or reactor (in the following only referred to as coil). With the buck converter the main switching means is arranged between one pole of the DC voltage source that generates the input voltage and the coil, whereas with the boost converter the coil is directly connected to the one pole of the DC voltage source that generates the input voltage and the main switching means between the other end of the coil and the other pole of the DC voltage source. With respect to the application, the difference lies in the height of the main voltage having the highest load. With the buck converter the main voltage having a high load is lower than the input voltage, whereas with the boost converter the main voltage having a high load is higher than the input voltage.

US2002/0113580 A1 discloses a DC/DC up/down converter which comprises inductive energy storage means, switching means and control means. These control means are arranged for operatively controlling the switching means so that electrical energy is transferred to a first output of the DC/DC converter in a down-conversion mode (buck conversion) and electrical energy is transferred from the first output to a second output of the DC/DC converter in an up-conversion mode (boost mode). This arrangement is disadvantageous in that a load which is to be transferred to the second output, is to pass the inductive energy storage means twice and in this manner high losses are to be taken in their stride. In addition, the output capacitor of the first output is to buffer the load, which leads to an increased output voltage ripple of the first output.

Furthermore, this converter has exactly two outputs, a first one with a voltage below the input voltage and a second one with a voltage above the input voltage. In order to realize this up/down converter, only three switching means are necessary. For many electronic appliances, however, more than two supply voltages are needed. The converter disclosed in US 2002/0113580 A1 is not sufficient for such appliances.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,545 B2 discloses a control diagram for an up/down counter inFIG. 6having a plurality of outputs. This DC/DC converter comprises inductive energy storage means, switching means and control means, said control means being arranged for selectively controlling the switching means so that electrical energy is transferred to an output. The control means are arranged for controlling the various outputs in that they render a number of individual switching cycles available for each output and also provide a main output among said plurality of outputs, which main output requires the most energy. This controller provides a switching sequence of different switching cycles in which each switching cycle starts with a phase Φ1at which all the switches that are assigned to one of the outputs, are open and the main switch, which is connected in series with the coil between the plus pole and the minus pole of the input voltage, is closed. During the phase Φ1, energy is up-converted in the coil, because no further consumer is included in the current circuit. Further to the current up-conversion there is a phase in which one of the switches, which are assigned to one output each, is closed, so that the energy is down-converted again in the coil. When the current flowing through the coil has again reached the value it had at the beginning of the up-conversion phase and thus a balance is re-established, again a current up-conversion phase Φ1begins with a subsequent current down-conversion over exactly one load branch. A switching sequence thus comprises a plurality of consecutive switching cycles, so that a down-conversion phase follows an up-conversion phase. The up/down converter described there and shown in itsFIG. 6is arranged for only two outputs and has one switching means each (S4, S5) for the two outputs and also a main switching means (S1), a freewheeling switching means (S2) and a further switching means (S3), which is arranged between the coil output facing the converter outputs and the pole not connected to the main switching means, which pole is assigned to the DC voltage source which generates the input voltage, and which further switching means (S3) is open in the buck mode, but is necessary for the boost mode. In this way, in addition to the switching means controlling the current distribution over the various output branches (D2, S4, S5), a total of 3 switching means (D1, S4, S3) are necessary.

It is an object of the invention to provide a most cost-effective method of operating a DC/DC up/down converter which has at least two outputs. One of the two outputs can be higher than the input voltage and, simultaneously, one can be lower than the input voltage.

Methods according to the invention are provided both for up/down converters which are structured based on a buck converter and for those based on a boost converter.

The object is achieved by a method defined in claim1which relates to a what is called buck converter. With the method according to the invention, and with a buck converter, the energy stored in the coil in the course of a switching cycle is also used for supplying an output voltage that exceeds the input voltage. In this context a switching cycle is understood to mean a sequence of switching phases which, in turn, correspond to defined states of the switching means. A switching cycle in principle comprises an up-conversion phase and a subsequent down-conversion phase of the respective coil current, which current flows through the inductive energy storage means. The up-conversion phase and/or the down-conversion phase are then subdivided into two or more phases. One phase stands for a certain combination of the states of all the switching means. The invention is then based on the recognition that by a suitable distribution of the load of the inductive storage means over all outputs, the further switching means and its control of the U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,545 B2 forming the state of the art may be dispensed with and in this way the circuit arrangement can be realized more cost-effectively.

The method defined in claim1can be expanded for further outputs in an extremely simple way. As an alternative, the switching cycle is subdivided into a further switching phase, which relates to this additional output or an existing switching phase can alternately be used for consecutive switching cycles for one or the other output, so that as it were two outputs are operated in a toggling fashion.

The control means preferably generates switching phases for each switching means, which phases are structured so that the down-conversion phase of the coil current has at least two switching phases. With exactly two switching phases during the down-conversion phase this means that the corresponding DC/DC up/down converter has exactly two outputs and all (both) outputs consecutively receive a load during a switching cycle. Exactly two outputs in this case is understood to mean one output with a low voltage and one output with a high voltage compared to the input voltage, respectively.

With three switching phases during the down-conversion phase this means that the corresponding DC/DC up/down converter has three outputs and all (three) outputs consecutively receive a load during a switching cycle.

In accordance with one embodiment a switching cycle has exactly all switching phases once.

The object is also achieved by means of a method defined in claim4, which relates to a what is called boost converter. In this method according to the invention, during the storing of energy in the coil there is also a phase in which an output voltage is produced which is below the input voltage level. The up-conversion phase and/or the down-conversion phase of the coil current is then subdivided into two or more phases. A phase stands for a certain combination of the states of all the switching means. The method according to the invention makes it possible to save on the switching means S1and S2referred to in the state-of-the-art FIG. 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,437,545 B2. In this way the circuit arrangement can be realized more cost-effectively.

The control means preferably generates switching phases for each switching means, which switching phases are built-up so that the up-conversion phase of the coil current has at least two switching phases. In at least one of these switching phases an output that has a lower voltage than the input voltage receives a load. In the current down-conversion phase(s) the output(s) whose voltages exceed the input voltage are provided.

The method defined in claim4can be expanded for a further output in a particularly simple manner. For this purpose,the switching cycle is alternatively subdivided into a further switching phase which relates to this additional output, ora switching phase is alternately used for consecutive switching cycles for one or the other output, so that a quasi-toggling operation of two outputs is the result.

Implementing this method a number of times may create the possibility of adding any number of outputs.

In accordance with one embodiment, one switching cycle includes all the switching phases exactly once.

The switching means may be MOSFETs (Metal-Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors), IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors), GTOs (Gate Turn-Off switches), bipolar transistors or any other transistors or switches. They are preferably MOSFETs, because then the up/down counter according to the invention can be realized in a particularly simple manner.

The DC/DC converter according to the invention is suitable for use in electronic appliances in which consumers are to be supplied with different voltages for example, in mobile radio telephones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants) or MP3 players.

FIG. 1shows a diagrammatic circuit arrangement for an up/down counter based on a buck converter. A switching means T1, which is arranged between a plus pole of the DC voltage source generating an input voltage Uinand a coil L1used as an energy storage means, is used as a main switch which either switches the input voltage on or off. A first diode D1is arranged parallel to the switching means T1, so that the anode of the first diode D1is aligned to the coil L1and can discharge when the switching means T1is open, if the potential at X1of the coil L1is higher than that of Uin. The up/down counter shown in this example and having a plurality of outputs has three outputs A, B and C, the main voltage being the voltage UAthat is lower than the input voltage Uinand has the largest load in the switching circuit. A coil current IL1is supplied to this branch of the switching circuit via a switching means T3. A voltage UB, which exceeds the input voltage Uin, is available at an additional output. This branch of the switching circuit need not comprise a controllable switching means, but as the case may be, a diode D3, which is connected in series to the output UB, will be sufficient. The branch relating to the load C only represents, for example, a possibility of extending the up/down counter according to the invention. The height of the voltage UCpresent on this output or the load C to be provided is not further defined here because, ultimately, it is a matter of balance of all the loads concerned. A controller monitors the output voltages UA, UB, UCand controls the switching means T1, T2, T3, T4in accordance with the requirements.

The coil L1picks up F2at the end X1assigned to the input voltage between the main switching means T1and the freewheeling switching means D2. The average voltage at X1is set by the duty cycle of the main switching means T1.

The switch T2is optional. For the function of the converter it is essential for the coil current IL1to be able to flow in the lower branch via the second diode D2to the coil L1when the main switching means T1is open. The diode D2is connected with its anode to one of the poles, here the minus pole, of the DC voltage source which generates the input voltage Uinand with its cathode aligned to the switch-directed end of the coil L1. Since it is also possible for losses to occur at the diode D2in forward conduction, in parallel thereto a switching means T2may be arranged to reduce the forward losses.

FIG. 2is a diagram which relates to the coil current IL1in accordance with a first variant according to the invention of a circuit diagram for a Buck converter. In the first circuit diagram a switching cycle SZ1comprises an up-conversion phase of the coil current IL1and a consecutive multiphase (here bi-phase) down-conversion phase. The balance line GL indicates that with a suitable duty cycle of the main switching means T1the coil current IL1at the beginning and at the end of the switching cycle SZ1has the same value. If the load of the outputs with a high output voltage increases too much, no balance can be set and the balance line is abandoned. The switching cycle SZ1represented here comprises a plurality of phases Φ1, Φ2, and Φ3which correspond to the following states of the switching means T1, T2, T3and T4:

Φ1: T1and T3are closed, T4is open. The optional switching means T2is open. The coil current IL1increases and simultaneously supplies power to output A.

Φ2: T1is open, T3and the optional switching means T2is closed. Part of the energy stored in the coil L1is transferred to the output A while the coil current IL1diminishes.

Φ3: T3is open, the optional switching means T2is closed. The coil current IL1now drops faster and flows through the branch having the output B via the diode D3for a period of time until its output value has again been reached.

During a switching cycle the at least two available outputs A, B are consecutively supplied with power.

FIG. 3is a diagram which relates to the coil current IL1in accordance with a second variant according to the invention of a circuit diagram for a Buck converter. The second circuit diagram is a second switching cycle SZ2which comprises an up-conversion phase of the first coil current IL1and a consecutive multiphase (here bi-phase) down-conversion phase where different switching states form the basis during the down-conversion phase, that is to say, here the output is changed over while the main switching means T1is first kept closed before it is opened in the next switching phase. Here too, the balance line GL is entered, which refers to the adaptation of the duty cycle of the main switching means T1to the loads. In addition, the converter can only operate in accordance with requirements if the loads have certain marginal requirements. The switching cycle SZ2represented here comprises a plurality of phases Φ4, Φ5and Φ6which correspond to the following states of the switching means T1, T2, T3and T4.

Φ4: T1and T3are closed and T4is open. The optional switching means T2is open. During the up-conversion phase of the coil current IL1, also an output having a relatively low output voltage, here output A, is served.

Φ5: T1is closed and T3and T4are open. The optional switching means T2is open. Although the main switching means T1is still closed and thus the circuit arrangement is further supplied with the supply voltage Uin, there is already a current down-conversion phase, because the load branch is supplied with an output voltage that exceeds the input voltage (UB>Uin). The current then diminishes relatively slowly.

Φ6: T1, T34and T4are open. The optional switching means T2is closed. In the second part of the current down-conversion phase the curve declines steeply, because the output voltage UBis produced only by the energy stored in the coil L1. The electric circuit now comprises the coil L1, the diode D3in the load branch B, the parallel circuit of a smoothing capacitor and an output resistor representing the load A, and the diode D2and optionally the switching means T2.

In conclusion, the switching cycle SZ1or SZ2of a buck converter comprises according to the invention an up-conversion phase Φ1or Φ4respectively, and at least two consecutive current down-conversion phases Φ2and Φ3or Φ5and Φ6, respectively. The diagrams shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3relate to the current up-conversion phases and the current down-conversion phases of an up/down counter which is based on a buck converter and has a main output voltage UA, which is lower than the input voltage Uinand whose at least one secondary voltage UBexceeds the input voltage Uin. As against the state of the art, the current down-conversion according to the invention is not only caused by switching-off the main switching means T1, but also by supplying a high output voltage. This is achieved in that for each switching cycle SZ1or SZ2respectively, a plurality of outputs involved A, B, possibly also C, are operated. The load branch C indicates that according to this diagram also further outputs can be formed, with output voltages (here UC) lying above or below the input voltage Uin, whereas, however, the condition holds that at the end of a switching cycle SZ1or SZ2respectively, the balance GL must be reached. However, a switching cycle may also have a plurality of ON and OFF-phases of T1and D2.

FIG. 4shows a diagrammatic circuit arrangement for an up/down counter based on a boost converter. A switching means T5, which is connected between a minus pole of the DC voltage source which generates an input voltage Uinand a coil L2used as an energy storage means, is used as a main switch. The up/down counter shown in this example and having a plurality of outputs has three outputs D, E, and F, the main output having the voltage UE, which exceeds the input voltage Uin. This main output has a high load. A coil current IL2is produced across the diode D4in the load branch E as long as the potential Y2on the side of the coil L2turned towards the diode D4is higher than the output voltage UE. There is a secondary voltage available on at least one additional output, here branch D, which is lower than the input voltage Uin. In this example of embodiment a further output branch is shown having a secondary voltage UFwhich exceeds the input voltage Uinonly in an exemplary fashion. This further secondary voltage UFcould also be lower. A controller monitors the output voltages UD, UEand UFand controls the switching means T5, T6and T7in accordance with the requirements. It is essential for the invention that already during the up-conversion phase of the coil current IL2the secondary output D is supplied with power.

FIG. 5is a diagram which relates to the coil current IL2in accordance with the first variant according to the invention of a circuit diagram for a buck converter. For the first circuit diagram there is a switching cycle SZ3consisting of a bi-phase up-conversion phase of the coil current IL2and at least one consecutive down-conversion phase. The balance line GL indicates that in a state of balance, a correct adaptation of the duty cycle of the main switching means T5to the loads is achieved. In addition, the operation of the converter according to destination is only possible if the loads have certain marginal requirements. The switching cycle SZ3represented here comprises a plurality of phases Φ7, Φ8and Φ9which correspond to the following states of the switching means T5, T6and T7:

Φ8: T6is closed and T5and T7are open. The coil current IL2increases further, but leveled off compared to the first phase Φ7, because a consumer was added, that is, a secondary voltage with a low output voltage, here the load branch D with UD<Uin.

Φ9:T5, T6and T7are open. The load branch E is supplied with the energy of the inductive storage means L2via the diode D4.

FIG. 6is a diagram relating to the coil current IL2in accordance with a second variant of a circuit diagram according to the invention for a boost converter. This example shows the biphase up-conversion phase and the likewise biphase down-conversion phase of the current for a DC/DC converter which has three outputs D, E and F. The current up-conversion phase comprises the phases Φ10and Φ11, the current down-conversion phase comprises the two phases Φ12and Φ13. In this example of embodiment each one of the outputs is driven during a switching cycle SZ4.

Φ11: T5and T7are open, T6is closed. The branch D is operated so that the rise of the coil current IL2has a less steep further pattern.

Φ12: T5, T6and T7are open, so that the output voltage UEis generated in the branch E via the diode D4, which output voltage UEis the main voltage in this boost converter and exceeds the input voltage Uin.

Φ13: T5and T6are open, T7is closed. Part of the energy stored in the coil L2is transferred to the output UF.

For the diagrams in theFIGS. 2,3,5and6it holds that the shaded surfaces below the line IL1and IL2respectively, represent the current consumption of the respective outputs A, B, C, D, E and F. The circuit diagram shows both the order in which the outputs are served and the respective duration. The same result can also be achieved with a different order in a switching cycle SZi, when the durations of the phases Φ1and Φ2, . . . , Φ13are adjusted accordingly, so that the sizes of the surfaces remain the same. The controller controls the defined load distribution in that the switching means are set accordingly.

The switching phases and switching cycles shown in theFIGS. 2,3,5and6are only examples. When the method according to the invention is used for a DC/DC up-down counter which has more outputs than represented here, it is varied in this respect that, alternatively,a switching cycle is subdivided into a number of switching phases while the balance line GL is taken into account and/ordifferently structured switching cycles are alternating contrary to the respectively shown individual switching cycle which controls all the available outputs.

The control of the respective main switching means T1for the buck converter inFIG. 1or T5for the boost converter inFIG. 3respectively, and also of the freewheeling switching means T2can, with respect to the frequency, be performed irrespective of the control of the output switching means T3, T4, T6and T7. In this case the behavior can no longer be represented by means of switching phases.

The switching means D3and D4may optionally also be replaced by other semiconductor switches (synchronous rectification).

All the voltage sources shown and discussed may also be replaced by voltage sources having reversed polarity when in that case all the diodes are reversed. In general a lower voltage is mentioned when the voltage is closer to zero.