# Patent

## Title
Switching control circuits with valley lock for power converters

## Abstract

A switching control circuit for a switching power converter is provided. The switching control circuit is coupled to a switching device and an auxiliary winding of a transformer. The switching control circuit includes a valley detecting circuit, a valley lock circuit, and a PWM circuit. The valley detecting circuit is coupled to receive a reflected voltage signal from the auxiliary winding of the transformer for outputting a control signal in response to the reflected voltage signal. The valley lock circuit is coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a judging signal in response to the control signal during a first period and a second period following the first period. The PWM circuit outputs a switching signal in response to the judging signal.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/353,792, filed on Jun. 11, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching control circuit, and more specifically to a switching control circuit applied for a switching power converter.
2. Description of the Related Art
A power converter is used to convert an unregulated power source to a regulated voltage or current source. The power converter normally includes a transformer or a magnetic device having a primary winding and a secondary winding to provide isolation. A switching device connected in the primary winding to control energy transfer from the primary winding to the secondary winding. The power converter operates at a high frequency for allowing size and weight reduction.
However, the switching operation of the switching device will generate switching losses and electric-magnetic-interference (EMI). FIG. 1 shows a fly-back power converter, and waveforms of the related signals are shown in FIG. 2. The switching device Q1 is applied to switch a transformer T1 and control the power delivered from a primary winding NP to a secondary winding NS of the transformer T1. A switching signal VG is generated to drive the switching device Q1. Energy is stored in the transformer T1 when the switching device Q1 is turned on by the switching signal VG during a turned-on period TON. As the switching device Q1 is switched off, the energy of the transformer T1 is discharged to the output of the fly-back power converter through a rectifier DS. In the meantime, a reflected voltage signal VR (not shown) is generated in the primary winding NP of the transformer T1 in accordance with an output voltage VO across an output capacitor CO and the turn-ratio of the transformer T1. Therefore, a voltage VD across the switching device Q1 is equal to an input voltage VIN plus the reflected voltage signal VR once the switching device Q1 is turned off. The energy from the voltage VD is stored in an imaginary parasitic capacitor CQ, corresponding to the parasitic capacitance of the switching device Q1. After a discharge period TDS, the energy of the transformer T1 is fully discharged, the energy stored in the parasitic capacitor CQ flows back to the input voltage VIN through the primary winding NP of the transformer T1. The parasitic capacitor CQ and the primary winding inductor (not shown) of the transformer T1 develop a resonant tank, wherein its resonant frequency fR can be shown as equation (1):




  
    
      
        
          f
          R
        
        =
        
          1
          
            2
            ⁢
            π
            ⁢
            
              
                
                  L
                  p
                
                ×
                
                  C
                  j
                
              
            
          
        
      
    
    
      
        (
        1
        )
      
    
  




Wherein, Cj is the capacitance of the parasitic capacitor CQ; LP is the inductance of the primary winding inductor of the transformer T1.
During the resonant period, the energy of the parasitic capacitor CQ is delivered to the primary inductor of the transformer T1 back and forth. There is a delay time Tq corresponding to the time the parasitic capacitor CQ takes to discharge until the voltage VD reaches a minimum value. The delay time Tq is the period of the quasi-resonance, and it can be expressed as equation (2):




  
    
      
        
          T
          q
        
        =
        
          1
          
            4
            ×
            
              f
              R
            
          
        
      
    
    
      
        (
        2
        )
      
    
  




Sum up, if the switching device Q1 is turned on during the valley voltage across the switching device Q1, the soft switching can be achieved, so as to minimize the switching loss and EMI of the power converter.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary embodiment of a switching control circuit for a switching power converter is provided. The switching control circuit is coupled to a switching device and an auxiliary winding of a transformer. The switching control circuit comprises a valley detecting circuit, a valley lock circuit, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit. The valley detecting circuit is coupled to receive a reflected voltage signal from the auxiliary winding of the transformer for outputting a control signal in response to the reflected voltage signal. The valley lock circuit is coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a judging signal in response to the control signal during a first period and a second period following the first period. The PWM circuit outputs a switching signal in response to the judging signal.
An exemplary embodiment of a switching power converter is provided. The switching power converter comprises a switching device, a transformer, and a switching control circuit. The switching device is controlled by a switching signal. The transformer has a primary winding and an auxiliary winding. The switching control circuit is coupled to the switching device and the auxiliary winding of the transformer. The switching control circuit comprises a valley detecting circuit, a valley lock circuit, and a PWM circuit. The valley detecting circuit is coupled to receive a reflected voltage signal from the auxiliary winding of the transformer for outputting a control signal in response to the reflected voltage signal, wherein the reflected voltage signal is generated from a resistor coupled to the auxiliary winding of the transformer while the switching device is turned off. The valley lock circuit is coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a judging signal in response to the control signal during a first period and a second period following the first period. The PWM circuit is coupled to the valley lock circuit for receiving the judging signal and outputting the switching signal to turn on the switching device in response to the judging signal.
A detailed description is given in the following embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a fly-back power converter;
FIG. 2 shows waveforms of signals of the fly-back power converter in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a switching power converter;
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a switch control circuit of the switching power converter in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a minimum off-time circuit of the switch control circuit in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a unlock circuit of the switch control circuit in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 shows waveforms of signals of the switching power converter in FIG. 3;
FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of a counter of a valley lock circuit of the switch control circuit in FIG. 4;
FIG. 9 is an exemplary embodiment of a register of a valley lock circuit of the switch control circuit in FIG. 4;
FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a subtractor of a valley lock circuit of the switch control circuit in FIG. 4;
FIG. 11 is an exemplary embodiment of an arbitrator of a valley lock circuit of the switch control circuit in FIG. 4; and
FIGS. 12A and 12B show waveforms of signals of the switching power converter in FIG. 3.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a switching power converter, in which a switching control circuit 30 includes a feedback terminal FB, a current sense terminal CS, a voltage detecting terminal DET, an output terminal OUT, a power terminal VCC, and a reference terminal GND. A transformer T1 includes a primary winding NP, a secondary winding NS, and an auxiliary winding NA. The primary winding NP is coupled to a switching device Q1, the secondary winding NS is coupled to an output terminal of the switching power converter through a first rectifier DS and an output capacitor CO, and the auxiliary winding NA is coupled to the power terminal VCC of the switching control circuit 30 through a second rectifier DA and a capacitor CST for supplying power VCC to the switching control circuit 30.
Reference is again made to FIG. 3, the voltage detecting terminal DET of the switching control circuit 30 is coupled to the auxiliary winding NA through resistors R1 and R2, wherein the switching control circuit 30 receives a reflected voltage signal VA from the resistor R2 while the switching device Q1 is turned off. The output terminal OUT of the switching control circuit 30 generates a switching signal VG to drive the switching device Q1. A current sensing resistor RS is coupled to the switching device Q1 for generating a switching current signal VCS while the switching device Q1 is turned on. Moreover, the current sensing terminal CS of the switching control circuit 30 is coupled to the current sensing resistor RS for receiving the switching current signal VCS. Furthermore, the feedback terminal FB of the switching control circuit 30 is coupled to an optical coupler 35 for receiving a feedback signal VFB. The optical coupler 35 is coupled to the output terminal of the switching power converter through a resistor 31 and a voltage stabilizer 32 for receiving an output voltage VO across the output capacitor CO and transforming the output voltage VO into the feedback signal VFB.
Reference is again made to FIG. 3. The switching control circuit 30 receives the reflected voltage signal VA from the auxiliary winding NA of the transformer T1 through the resistors R1 and R2, while the switching device Q1 is turned off. Then, the switching control circuit 30 detects whether the voltage across the switching device Q1 is close to a valley voltage of the reflected voltage signal VA during one resonant period and whether a same or larger valley number is detected compared to the previous resonant period. The switching control circuit 30 turns on the switching device Q1 when a same or larger valley number is detected, which enhances the efficiency of the switching power converter and avoid noise.
FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the switch control circuit 30. The switching control circuit 30 comprises a valley detecting circuit 10, a valley lock circuit 20, a minimum off-time circuit 70, a unlock circuit 40, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit 50.
The valley detecting circuit 10 includes a switch 101, a first current mirror which is composed of transistors 100 and 102, a sampling resistor RM, and a comparator 103. The first current mirror is coupled to the auxiliary winding NA of the transformer T1 through the switch 101 and the resistors R1 and R2 (shown in FIG. 3). The switch 101 receives the reflected voltage signal VA which is in proportional to the voltage VD across the switching device Q1 from the resistor R2 while the switching device Q1 is turned off. The reflected voltage signal VA has alternate positive voltage and negative voltage during the resonant period.
When the reflected voltage signal VA is in the negative voltage, the switch 101 is turned on, and a first current I1 flows through the switch 101. At this time, the first current mirror mirrors the first current I1 into a second current I2. Then, the sampling resistor RM coupled to the first current mirror receives the second current I2, and a peak voltage signal VM is generated. The magnitude of the peak voltage signal VM is also proportional to the voltage VD across the switching device Q1. The valley detection circuit 10 further comprises a peak comparator 103 coupled to receive the peak voltage signal VM for generating a control signal SC (comparison result) in response to the peak voltage signal VM and a first threshold voltage VT1.
The valley lock circuit 20 comprises a counter 200, a register 201, a subtractor 202, and a arbitrator 203. The counter 200 is coupled to receive the control signal SC for counting the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal VDET during each period and generating counting data (ex: C0 ̃C3) according to the counting result. Wherein the counter 200 counts the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal VA generated during a current period. The register 201 is coupled to save data R0 ̃R3 related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal VA generated during the previous period from the counter 200. The subtractor 202 is coupled to outputs of the counter 200 and the register 201 for receiving the data C0 ̃C3 and R0 ̃C3. The subtractor 202 performs a subtraction operation to the data C0 ̃C3 and R0 ̃R3 to generate subtraction result data D0 ̃D3. The arbitrator 203 is coupled to receive the subtraction result data D0 ̃D3 for arbitration, and a judging signal SL is provided to the PWM circuit 50. The judging signal SL is enabled once the subtraction result data D0 ̃D3 is not less than zero (positive), which presents that a same or larger valley number is detected compared to the previous resonant period. In other words, the judging signal SL is disabled once the subtraction result data D0 ̃D3 is less than zero (negative), which means that the valley lock circuit 20 is locked when a less valley number is detected compared to the previous resonant period.
Reference is again made to FIG. 4. The minimum off-time circuit 70 is coupled to receive the feedback signal VFB for outputting a minimum off-time signal SRT in response to the feedback signal VFB. The unlock circuit 40 is coupled to receive the minimum off-time signal SRT and the control signal Sc for detecting the time after the minimum off-time of the minimum off-time signal SRT and the time between two valleys, and a unlock signal SUNLOCK is enabled once the time after minimum off-time of the minimum off-time signal SRT is longer then the time between two valleys.
The PWM circuit 50 comprises an OR gate 51, an AND gate 52, and a flip-flop 53. The OR gate 51 is coupled to receive the unlock signal SUNLOCK and the judging signal SL. One input of the AND gate 52 is coupled to an output of the OR gate 51. The other input of the AND gate 52 is coupled to receive the minimum off-time signal SRT. The AND gate 52 generates an output signal S52. The flip-flop 53 has a clock terminal ck, a data terminal D, a reset terminal R, and an output terminal Q. The clock terminal ck is coupled to receive the control signal Sc for enabling the switching signal VG. The data terminal D is pulled high in response to the output signal of the OR gate 51 and the minimum off-time signal SRT. The reset terminal R is coupled to an output of a comparator 60. The comparator 60 is coupled to the feedback terminal FB and the current sense terminal CS to respectively receive the feedback voltage VFB and the switching current signal VCS to reset the D flip-flop 80 and turn off the switching signal VG.
FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the minimum off-time circuit 70. The minimum off-time circuit 70 comprises a first comparator 701, an inverter 702, three switches 703,704, and 705, a current source IREF, a capacitor C70, a second comparator 706, and an OR gate 707. The first comparator 701 receives the feedback signal VFB and a second threshold voltage VT2 for comparison. The inverter 702 is coupled to an output of the first comparator 701. The switch 703 is coupled to receive the feedback voltage VFB and controlled by the output of the first comparator 701, and the switch 704 is coupled to receive the second threshold voltage VT2 and controlled by the output of the first comparator 701 through the inverter 702. The switch 705 is coupled to the switches 703 and 704 and controlled by the switching signal VG. The current source IREF and the capacitor C70 are coupled in series between the power VCC and the ground. The second comparator 706 is coupled to the joint point between the current source IREF and the capacitor C20 and receives a reference voltage VREF for comparison. The OR gate 707 is coupled to an output of the second comparison 706 and receives the switching signal VG. The OR gate 707 generates the minimum off-time signal SRT.
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the unlock circuit 40. In the unlock circuit 40, a flip-flop 80, a switch 81, a current source 82, an capacitor 83 and a max hold circuit 84 develop a detecting circuit for detecting the interval time between two valleys during each period. An inverter 85, a switch 86, a current source 87, a capacitor 88, and a comparator 89 develop a limiting circuit for limiting the time after minimum of time. Referring to FIG. 7 as well, after the switching device Q1 is turned off, the reflected voltage signal VA has alternate positive voltage and negative voltage. When the magnitude of the peak voltage signal VM is greater than the first threshold voltage VT1, the control signal SC is enabled. An output signal S80 from flip-flop 80 is disabled in response to a rising edge of the control signal SC, and a ramp signal S81 is generated in response to a charging circuit composed by current source 82 and the capacitor 83. Then, a max voltage signal VMAX is generated at an output of the max hold circuit 84 and transferred to a negative input of the comparator 89. Another ramp signal S88 is also generated at a positive input of the comparator 89 in response to the pulse width of the minimum off-time signal SRT. The unlock signal SUNLOCK is enabled through another flip-flop 890 once the magnitude of the ramp signal S58 is greater than the max voltage signal VMAX, and disabled through a delay circuit 891 after a delay time.
FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of the counter 200 of the valley lock circuit 20. The counter 200 is a four-bit counter comprising four flip-flops 204 for generating data C0 ̃C3 in response to the rising edge of the control signal SC. Each counter 204 further has a reset terminal R for resetting in response to another rising edge of the switching signal VG. The counter is a popular circuit so the description is omitted here.
FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of the register 201 of the valley lock circuit 20. The register 201 has inputs IN0 ̃IN3 for receiving the data C0 ̃C3 from the counter 200 in response to the rising edge of the switching signal VG. The register 201 also has outputs O0 ̃O3 for outputting data R0 ̃R3.
FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of the subtractor 202. The subtractor 202 is developed by a plurality of full adder for receiving the data C0 ̃C3 and R0 ̃C3 respectively and performing a subtraction process. Then, the subtraction result data D0 ̃D3, and NEG are outputted. The subtraction result data NEG is enabled when the subtraction result is positive and disabled when the subtraction result is negative.
FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the arbitrator 203 of the valley lock circuit 20. The arbitrator 203 comprises an OR gate 90 and a NOR gate 91. The OR gate 90 is coupled to receive the subtraction result data D0 ̃D3 through the NOR gate 91 and also receive the subtraction result data NEG. The OR gate 90 outputs the judging signal SL after a logic operation.
Reference is again made to FIG. 12A as well as FIG. 4, when the switching device VA has alternate positive voltage and negative voltage, the magnitude of the peak voltage signal VM is inverse proportional to a first voltage VV1NV2/VV3/VV4. When the magnitude of the peak voltage signal VM is greater than the first threshold voltage VT1, the control signal SC is enabled. When the valley number during the second period (current period) P2 is larger then the first period (previous period) P1, the judging signal SL is turned to logic high. At the mean time, since the output signal SRT is logic high, the switching signal VG is enabled in response to the rising edge of the control signal SC.
Reference is again made to FIG. 12B as well as FIG. 4, after the switching device Q1 is turned off, the reflected voltage signal VA has alternate positive voltage and negative voltage. The unlock signal SUNLOCK will be enabled during first period P1 once the time after minimum off-time TOff,min is longer then the time between two valleys Tvalley. At the second period P2, the valley number during second period P2 is less then the first period P1, so that the judging signal SL is still disabled. Since the output signal SRT is logic high, the switching signal VG is turned to logic high (turned-on state) in response to the enabled of the rising edge of the control signal SC.
In summary, the switching control circuit of the present invention can detect whether the voltage VD across the switching device Q1 is close to the valley voltage in accordance with the reflected voltage signal VA while the switching device Q1 is turned off. Moreover, the switching signal VG can be locked once the valley number during each period is less then the corresponding previous period for avoiding noise from valley switching. Therefore, the switching control circuit of the present invention can provide high efficiency for the switching power converter when operating in various loading conditions.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

## Claims

1. A switching control circuit for a switching power converter, the switching control circuit being coupled to a switching device and an auxiliary winding of a transformer, wherein the switching control circuit comprises:
a valley detecting circuit coupled to receive a reflected voltage signal from the auxiliary winding of the transformer for outputting a control signal in response to the reflected voltage signal;
a valley lock circuit coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a judging signal in response to the control signal during a first period and a second period following the first period; and
a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit outputting a switching signal in response to the judging signal.

2. The switching control circuit as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a minimum off-time circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal for generating a minimum off-time signal; and
a unlock circuit coupled to receive the minimum off-time signal and the control signal for generating a unlock signal;
wherein the minimum off-time signal is correlated to the feedback signal, the unlock signal is correlated to the minimum off-time signal and the control signal.

3. The switching control circuit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the unlock circuit comprises:
a detecting circuit coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a max voltage signal; and
a limiting circuit coupled to receive the minimum off-time signal for generating the unlock signal in response to the max voltage signal.

4. The switching control circuit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the minimum off-time circuit comprises:
a first comparator coupled to receive the feedback signal and a threshold voltage for comparison;
an inverter coupled to an output of the first comparator;
a first switch coupled to receive the feedback signal and controlled by the output of the first comparator;
a second switch coupled to receive the threshold voltage and controlled by the output of the first comparator through the inverter;
a third switch coupled to the first and second switches and controlled by the switching signal;
a current source and a capacitor coupled in series between a power and a ground;
a second comparator coupled to a joint point between the current source and the capacitor and receiving a reference voltage for comparison; and
an OR gate coupled to an output of the second comparator and receiving the switching signal for generating the minimum off-time signal.

5. The switching control circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the valley detecting circuit comprises:
a switch coupled to the auxiliary winding of the transformer through a resistor for receiving the reflected voltage signal from the resistor while the switching device is turned off;
a first current mirror coupled to the switch for transforming a first current flowing through the switch into a second current;
a sampling resistor coupled to the first current mirror for receiving the second current and generating a peak voltage signal; and
a comparator coupled to the sampling resistor for comparing the peak voltage signal and a threshold voltage and outputting the control signal.

6. The switching control circuit as claimed in claim 1, wherein valley lock circuit comprises:
a counter coupled to receive the control signal for counting a number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during each of the first and second periods and generating data according to a counting result;
a register coupled to the counter for saving the data related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during the first period;
a subtractor coupled to the counter and the register for receiving and performing a subtraction operation to the data related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during the second period and the data related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during the first period to generate subtraction result data; and
an arbitrator coupled to receive the subtraction result data for arbitration to generate the judging signal.

7. A switching power converter comprising:
a switching device controlled by a switching signal;
a transformer having a primary winding and an auxiliary winding;
a switching control circuit coupled to the switching device and the auxiliary winding of the transformer, wherein the switching control circuit comprises:
a valley detecting circuit coupled to receive a reflected voltage signal from the auxiliary winding of the transformer for outputting a control signal in response to the reflected voltage signal, wherein the reflected voltage signal is generated from a resistor coupled to the auxiliary winding of the transformer while the switching device is turned off;
a valley lock circuit coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a judging signal in response to the control signal during a first period and a second period following the first period; and
a PWM circuit coupled to the valley lock circuit for receiving the judging signal and outputting the switching signal to turn on the switching device in response to the judging signal.

8. The switching power converter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the switching control circuit further comprises:
a minimum off-time circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal for generating a minimum off-time signal; and
a unlock circuit coupled to receive the minimum off-time signal and the control signal for generating a unlock signal;
wherein the minimum off-time signal is correlated to the feedback signal, the unlock signal is correlated to the minimum off-time signal and the control signal.

9. The switching power converter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the unlock circuit comprises:
a detecting circuit coupled to receive the control signal for outputting a max voltage signal; and
a limiting circuit coupled to receive the minimum off-time signal for generating the unlock signal in response to the max voltage signal.

10. The switching power converter as claimed in claim 8, wherein the minimum off-time circuit comprises:
a first comparator coupled to receive the feedback signal and a threshold voltage for comparison;
an inverter coupled to an output of the first comparator;
a first switch coupled to receive the feedback signal and controlled by the output of the first comparator;
a second switch coupled to receive the threshold voltage and controlled by the output of the first comparator through the inverter;
a third switch coupled to the first and second switches and controlled by the switching signal;
a current source and a capacitor coupled in series between a power and a ground;
a second comparator coupled to a joint point between the current source and the capacitor and receiving a reference voltage for comparison; and
an OR gate coupled to an output of the second comparator and receiving the switching signal for generating the minimum off-time signal.

11. The switching power converter as claimed in claim 7, wherein the valley detecting circuit comprises:
a switch coupled to the auxiliary winding of the transformer through the resistor for receiving the reflected voltage signal from the resistor while the switching device is turned off;
a first current mirror coupled to the switch for transforming a first current flowing through the switch into a second current;
a sampling resistor coupled to the first current mirror for receiving the second current and generating a peak voltage signal; and
a comparator coupled to the sampling resistor for comparing the peak voltage signal and a threshold voltage and outputting the control signal.

12. The switching power converter as claimed in claim 7, wherein valley lock circuit comprises:
a counter coupled to receive the control signal for counting a number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during each of the first and second periods and generating data according to a counting result;
a register coupled to the counter for saving the data related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during the first period;
a subtractor coupled to the counter and the register for receiving and performing a subtraction operation to the data related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during the second period and the data related to the number of valleys of the reflected voltage signal during the first period to generate subtraction result data; and
an arbitrator coupled to receive the subtraction result data for arbitration to generate the judging signal.