PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11863084-B2
Application Number: US-202117448439-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Multiplex control for multi-port AC/DC adapter with chopper

Abstract:
A multi-output AC/DC adapter can include a main power stage that receives power from an AC power source and delivers an intermediate output voltage, a plurality of regulator stages each comprising a chopper circuit that receives the intermediate output voltage and produces a regulated output DC voltage for one of the multiple outputs, and a controller. The main power stage can be a flyback converter, and the intermediate output voltage can be derived from a secondary winding of a flyback transformer of the flyback converter. The controller can provide a voltage reference signal and a feedback signal to the feedback loop of the main power stage, and the feedback signal can be an output voltage of one of the regulator stages. The controller can also provide a voltage reference signal to the controller of each of the regulator stages.

Claims:
The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-output AC/DC adapter comprising:
 a main power stage configured to receive power from an AC power source and deliver an intermediate output voltage; 
 a plurality of regulator stages, each regulator stage comprising a chopper circuit that receives the intermediate output voltage from the main power stage and produces a regulated output DC voltage for one of the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC adapter; and 
 a controller coupled to the main power stage and each of the plurality of regulator stages, wherein the controller provides a voltage reference signal and a feedback signal to a feedback loop of the main power stage and wherein the feedback signal provided to the feedback loop of the main power stage is an output voltage of one of the regulator stages. 
 
     
     
       2. The multi-output AC/DC adapter of  claim 1  wherein the main power stage is a flyback converter, and the intermediate output voltage is derived from a secondary winding of a flyback transformer of the flyback converter. 
     
     
       3. The multi-output AC/DC adapter of  claim 1 , wherein each chopper circuit comprises a diode coupled to the intermediate output voltage of the main power stage, a chopper switch, and a chopper controller. 
     
     
       4. The multi-output AC/DC adapter of  claim 3  wherein each chopper circuit further comprises a power delivery switch operable to selectively disconnect a corresponding output. 
     
     
       5. The multi-output AC/DC adapter of  claim 1  wherein the controller provides a voltage reference signal to a controller of each of the regulator stages. 
     
     
       6. The multi-output AC/DC adapter of  claim 1  wherein the controller is configured to negotiate a power delivery contract with one or more devices coupled to the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC adapter. 
     
     
       7. A controller for a multi-output AC/DC converter, the converter comprising a main power stage and a plurality of chopper stages, each chopper stage corresponding to one of the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC converter, wherein the controller comprises:
 first circuitry configured to negotiate a power delivery contract with one or more devices coupled to the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC converter; 
 second circuitry that determines a highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts; 
 third circuitry that provides a reference voltage corresponding to the highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts to a feedback circuit of the main power stage; and 
 fourth circuitry that provides a feedback voltage to the feedback circuit of the main power stage, the feedback voltage being an output of the chopper stage corresponding to the highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts. 
 
     
     
       8. The controller of  claim 7  wherein the power delivery contracts are negotiated in accordance with a Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard. 
     
     
       9. The controller of  claim 7  wherein the first circuitry configured to negotiate a power delivery contract with one or more devices coupled to the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC converter comprises a programmable controller. 
     
     
       10. The controller of  claim 7  wherein the second circuitry that determines a highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts comprises a programmable controller. 
     
     
       11. The controller of  claim 7  wherein the fourth circuitry that provides a feedback voltage to the feedback circuit of the main power stage, the feedback voltage being an output of the chopper stage corresponding to the highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts comprises a switching device corresponding to each chopper stage. 
     
     
       12. The controller of  claim 7  further comprising chopper control circuitry for each chopper stage. 
     
     
       13. The controller of  claim 7  further comprising a feedback loop and control circuitry for the main power stage. 
     
     
       14. A method of controlling a multi-output AC/DC adapter comprising a main power converter and a plurality of chopper stages, each chopper stage corresponding to one of the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC adapter, the method being performed by control circuitry of the multi-output AC/DC adapter and comprising:
 determining an output voltage of each of the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC adapter; 
 regulating the main power converter to produce a voltage corresponding to a highest output voltage of the determined output voltages; 
 regulating each chopper stage to produce an output voltage corresponding to a respective output; 
 providing a reference voltage to the main power convertor, the reference voltage corresponding to the highest output voltage; and 
 providing a feedback voltage to the main power convertor, the feedback voltage being an output voltage of the chopper stage or stages having the highest output voltage. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein regulating each chopper stage to produce an output voltage corresponding to a respective output comprises providing a reference signal to a chopper controller of each chopper stage that corresponds to the output voltage of such stage. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein determining an output voltage of each of the multiple outputs of the multi-output AC/DC adapter comprises negotiating a power delivery contract with a load coupled to each respective output.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     As battery-powered personal electronic devices such as notebook computers, smartphones, tablet computers, etc. and their accessories, such as wireless earphones, styluses, and the like have proliferated, users have increasingly needed to power and/or recharge multiple devices simultaneously. In some cases only a limited number of AC wall outlets may be available for such use. Thus, it may be desirable to provide AC adapters with multiple DC power outputs for powering and recharging multiple devices. Disclosed herein are various arrangements of such adapters. 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     A summary of certain embodiments disclosed herein is set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of these certain embodiments and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Indeed, this disclosure may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     A multi-output AC/DC adapter can include a main power stage configured to receive power from an AC power source and deliver an intermediate output voltage, a plurality of regulator stages, each regulator stage comprising a chopper circuit that receives the intermediate output voltage from the main power stage and produces a regulated output DC voltage for one of the multiple outputs of the AC/DC adapter, and a controller coupled to the main power stage and each of the plurality of regulator stages. The main power stage can be a flyback converter, and the intermediate output voltage can be derived from a secondary winding of a flyback transformer of the flyback converter. Each chopper circuit can include a diode coupled to the intermediate output voltage of the main power stage, a chopper switch, and a chopper controller. Each chopper circuit can further include a power delivery switch operable to selectively disconnect a corresponding output. The controller can provide a voltage reference signal to the feedback loop of the main power stage. The controller can also provide a feedback signal to the feedback loop of the main power stage. The feedback signal provided to the feedback loop of the main power stage can be an output voltage of one of the regulator stages. The controller can also provide a voltage reference signal to the controller of each of the regulator stages. The controller can be configured to negotiate a power delivery contract with one or more devices coupled to the multiple outputs of the AC/DC adapter. 
     A controller for a multi-output AC/DC adapter can include logic circuitry that negotiates a power delivery contract with one or more devices coupled to the multiple outputs of the AC/DC adapter, logic circuitry that determines a highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts, circuitry that provides a reference voltage corresponding to the highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts to a feedback circuit of the main power stage, and circuitry that provides a feedback voltage to the feedback circuit of the main power stage. The feedback voltage can be an output of the chopper stage corresponding to the highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts. The power delivery can be are negotiated in accordance with a Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard. The logic circuitry that negotiates a power delivery contract with one or more devices coupled to the multiple outputs of the AC/DC adapter can include a programmable controller. The logic circuitry that determines a highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts can include a programmable controller. The circuitry that provides a feedback voltage to the feedback circuit of the main power stage can include a switching device corresponding to each chopper stage that couples the output of the chopper stage corresponding to the highest voltage from the negotiated power delivery contracts. The controller can further include chopper control circuitry for each chopper stage. The controller can further include a feedback loop and control circuitry for the main power stage. 
     A method of controlling a multi-output AC/DC adapter can include determining an output voltage of each of the multiple outputs of the adapter, regulating the main power stage to produce a voltage corresponding to a highest output voltage of the determined output voltages, and regulating each chopper stage to produce an output voltage corresponding to a respective output. Regulating the main converter to produce a voltage corresponding to the highest output voltage of the determined output voltages can further include providing a reference voltage to the main power stage that corresponds to the highest output voltage and providing a feedback voltage to the main power stage that is an output voltage of the chopper stage or stages having the highest output voltage. Regulating each chopper stage to produce an output voltage corresponding to a respective output can include providing a reference signal to a chopper controller of each chopper stage that corresponds to the output voltage of such stage. Determining an output voltage of each of the multiple outputs of the adapter can include negotiating a power delivery contract with a load coupled to each respective output. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  illustrates a conventional multi-output adapter. 
         FIG.  1 B  illustrates an alternative conventional multi-output adapter. 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a multi-output adapter with a single power stage and chopper regulators for each output. 
         FIG.  3    illustrates an alternative multi-output adapter with a single power stage and chopper regulators for each output. 
         FIG.  4    illustrates further aspects of a multi-output adapter with a single power stage and chopper regulators for each output. 
         FIG.  5    illustrates exemplary voltage outputs of a multi-output adapter with a single power stage and chopper regulators for each output. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates controller operation of a multi-output adapter with a single power stage and chopper regulators for each output. 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a rectifier circuit. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more specific embodiments are described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the specification. In the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation, various details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed concepts. As part of this description, some of this disclosure&#39;s drawings represent structures and devices in block diagram form for sake of simplicity. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this disclosure. Moreover, the language used in this disclosure has been selected for readability and instructional purposes, has not been selected to delineate or circumscribe the disclosed subject matter. Rather the appended claims are intended for such purpose. 
     Various embodiments of the disclosed concepts are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the implementations described herein. In other instances, methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant function being described. References to “an,” “one,” or “another” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same or different embodiment, and they mean at least one. A given figure may be used to illustrate the features of more than one embodiment, or more than one species of the disclosure, and not all elements in the figure may be required for a given embodiment or species. A reference number, when provided in a given drawing, refers to the same element throughout the several drawings, though it may not be repeated in every drawing. The drawings are not to scale unless otherwise indicated, and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
       FIG.  1 A  illustrates an exemplary prior art multi-output AC/DC adapter  100 . Adapter  100  includes a main power stage  102 , which, in the illustrated example is a flyback converter but, in other embodiments or applications could be any suitable converter topology. Power stage  102  receives an input voltage Vin+, which may, for example, be received from an AC input  751  ( FIG.  7   ) connected via a rectifier  752  ( FIG.  7   ). An input capacitor CBk may serve smooth the rectified AC voltage. In the illustrated flyback converter configuration, a main switch S 1  may be switched by feedback loop  104  and controller  106  to alternately store energy in flyback transformer TX (when switch S 1  is closed) and discharge stored energy to the flyback stage output (voltage V 0 +) through the rectifier diode. Main switch S 1  may be a silicon, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride MOSFET, or any other suitable semiconductor switching device appropriate to the particular application. Output filter capacitor Co may serve to filter the output voltage, so as to reduce ripple seen by the loads on main power stage  102 . Feedback loop  104  compares the output voltage V 0 + to a suitable reference and provides control signals to main switch S 1  via controller  106  to regulate the output voltage V 0 + to a desired level. Operation of flyback converters (or other suitable topologies for main power stage  102 ) is known to those skilled in the art, and, for sake of brevity will not be repeated here. However, any of a variety of flyback converter configurations, including primary resonant flyback converters, active clamp flyback converters, etc. could be used as appropriate for a given embodiment or application. 
     Adapter  100  also includes a plurality of regulator stages  112   a - 112   d , one for each output. For conciseness only stages  112   a  and  112   d  are illustrated, but additional stages  112   b  and  112   c  are implied and may be substantially similar to the illustrated stages. Also, more or fewer regulator stages could be provided depending on the number of DC outputs desired. Each regulator stage  112   a - 112   d  includes a converter that regulates the output voltage V 0 + from main power stage  102  to the level required for each output, i.e., Vo 1 -Vo 4 . In the illustrated example, each regulator stage  112   a - 112   d  is a buck converter including a high side switch  114   h , a low side switch  114   l , an output filter capacitor Co 1 , and a power deliver switch  118  (discussed in greater detail below). Switches  114   h  and  114   l  may be silicon, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride MOSFETs, or any other suitable semiconductor switching device appropriate to the particular application. Thus, main power stage  102  may be configured to produce a regulated output voltage V 0 + that is greater than or equal to the largest output voltage Vo 1 -Vo 4  required by a respective device to be connected to such outputs. In other embodiments, one or more of regulator stages  112   a - 112   d  could be another converter topology, such as a boost converter or buck-boost converter, in which case the regulated output voltage of main power stage  102  could be less than a required output voltage. In any case, operation of such regulator stages is known to those skilled in the art and, for sake of brevity, will not be repeated here. 
     In some embodiments, adapter  100  may implement the Universal Serial Bus Power Delivery (“USB-PD”) standard, such that a device connected to any one of outputs Vo 1 -Vo 4  may negotiate a suitable output voltage, e.g., 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, etc. Additionally, adapter  100  may include, in the respective regulator stages  112   a - 112   d , power delivery switches  118 . Power delivery switches  118  may be silicon, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride MOSFETs, or any other suitable semiconductor switching devices appropriate to the particular application. These switches may be used to selectively disconnect/disable a respective output stage when its operation is not required or in the event of a fault (such as a short circuit failure of high side switch  114   h  that would otherwise permanently connect output Vo 1  to main power stage  102 &#39;s output voltage). However, these power delivery switches  118  may be omitted, as illustrated in converter  101  of  FIG.  1 B , which is substantially similar to converter  100 , except that regulator stages  113   a - 113   d  omit power delivery switches  118 . 
     The two exemplary adapters  100  and  101  may suffer from various disadvantages depending on the power requirements of the respective loads connected to outputs Vo 1 -Vo 4  and/or the total power requirement. First, in adapter  100 , three additional switching devices  114   h ,  114   l , and  118  are required per additional output, together with an additional magnetic element  116 . The same applies to adapter  101 , although only two additional switches ( 114   h ,  114   l ) per output are required. If each output is intended to provide the full output power of the adapter, then each of these switches will be relatively large, and expensive. Otherwise, if only certain outputs are intended to carry the full rated power, then the user must know which output to use when full power is required and attach devices accordingly. Neither situation may be optimal. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates an exemplary multi-output AC/DC adapter  200  that can address these issues. Adapter  200  includes a main power stage  202 , which, in the illustrated example is a flyback converter but, in other embodiments or applications could be any suitable converter topology. Main power stage  202  receives an input voltage Vin+, which may, for example, be received from an AC input  701  ( FIG.  7   ) connected via a rectifier  702  ( FIG.  7   ). An input capacitor CBk may serve smooth the rectified AC voltage. In the illustrated flyback converter configuration, a main switch S 1  may be switched by feedback loop  204  and controller  206  to alternately store energy in flyback transformer TX (when switch S 1  is closed) and discharge stored energy to the flyback stage output (voltage V 0 +) through the rectifier diode. Main switch S 1  may be a silicon, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride MOSFET, or any other suitable semiconductor switching device appropriate to the particular application. Output filter capacitor Co may serve to filter the output voltage, so as to reduce ripple seen by the loads on main power stage  202 . Feedback loop  204  compares the output voltage V 0 + to a suitable reference and provides control signals to main switch S 1  via controller  206  to regulate the output voltage V 0 + to a desired level. Operation of flyback converters (or other suitable topologies for main power stage  202 ) is known to those skilled in the art, and, for sake of brevity will not be repeated here. However, any of a variety of flyback converter configurations, including primary resonant flyback converters, active clamp flyback converters, etc. could be used as appropriate for a given embodiment or application. 
     Adapter  200  also includes a plurality of regulator stages  212   a - 212   d , one for each output. For conciseness only stages  212   a  and  212   d  are illustrated, but additional stages  212   b  and  212   c  are implied and may be substantially similar to the illustrated stages. Also, more or fewer regulator stages could be provided depending on the number of DC outputs desired. Each regulator stage  212   a - 212   d  includes a chopper circuit that regulates the intermediate output voltage derived from the secondary winding of flyback transformer TX to the level required for each output, i.e., Vo 1 -Vo 4 . In the illustrated example, each regulator stage  212   a - 212   d  is a chopper circuit including a rectifier diode  213 , a chopper switch  214 , a chopper controller  215 , an output filter capacitor Co 1 , and a power delivery switch  218 . Chopper switch  214  and power delivery switch  218  may be silicon, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride MOSFETs, or any other suitable semiconductor switching device appropriate to the particular application. Thus, main power stage  202  may be configured to produce a regulated output voltage V 0 + that is greater than or equal to the largest output voltage Vo 1 -Vo 4  required by a respective device to be connected to such outputs. 
     Each regulator stage (e.g., chopper stage  212   a ) includes a rectifier diode  213  that serves as “gatekeeper” to the stage. That is, the diode prevents back-feeding the main power stage  202 &#39;s output from the respective outputs of the adapter. Additionally, each chopper stage may include a corresponding chopper controller  215 . This controller may operate chopper switch  214  with a duty cycle selected to ensure that the corresponding output voltage Vo 1 + is regulated to an appropriate value. For example, chopper controller  215  can compare the output voltage Vo 1 + to a suitable reference voltage, with the difference between the two (the error signal) being compared to a ramp signal to generate a PWM switching signal applied to the gate of chopper switch  214 . For the example USB-PD applications, low voltage switching devices (e.g., 30V rated) may be used for chopper switches  214 . 
     Additionally, adapter  200  may implement the USB-PD standard, such that a device connected to any one of outputs Vo 1 -Vo 4  may negotiate a suitable output voltage, e.g., 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V, etc. To that end, each chopper controller  215  may be connected to a controller  220 . Controller  220  may be implemented using any suitable combination of analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or programmable controllers or processors configured to operate as further described herein. Such circuitry may be implemented as any combination of discrete circuitry, integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. Controller  220  may then serve to: (1) negotiate a USB-PD contract (including, e.g., output voltage, current, and power requirements) with the respective devices connected to DC outputs Vo 1 +-Vo 4 +; (2) configure feedback loop  204  to cause main power stage  202  to produce an output voltage V 0 + that is greater than or equal to the largest required output voltage Vo 1 +-Vo 4 +; and (3) configure each chopper controller  215  to operate a corresponding chopper switch  214  with a duty cycle that reduces the main power stage output voltage/chopper stage input voltage V 0 + to the appropriate output voltage level Vo 1 +-Vo 4 +. Controller  220  may configure main power stage  202  to generate the required output voltage V 0 + by determining/selecting the reference signal provided to feedback loop  204 , as described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG.  4   . Similarly, controller  220  may configure each chopper stage to generate the required output voltage Vo 1 +-Vo 4 + by altering the reference signal provided to the chopper controller feedback loop. 
     Additionally, adapter  200  may include, in the respective regulator stages  212   a - 212   d , power delivery switches  218 . These switches may be used to selectively disconnect/disable a respective output stage when its operation is not required or in the event of a fault. However, these power delivery switches  218  may be omitted, as illustrated in converter  201  of  FIG.  3   . Converter  201  is substantially similar to converter  200 , except that regulator stages  213   a - 213   d  omit power delivery switches  218 . In such configurations, chopper switches  214  may be used to disconnect/isolate an output as appropriate. Either of converters  200  or  201  can address the above-mentioned deficiencies of prior art multi-output adapters by providing for a reduced number of switches per output, i.e., as few as one switch per additional output in converter  201 . As a result, each switch may be sized to allow for the full output power to be delivered to each output. In such cases, controller  220  (e.g., via control logic  221 , discussed below) should be configured such that when power contracts are negotiated for the respective outputs, the total power capacity of the adapter is not exceeded. Suitable output current and/or power limiting may be provided to the respective regulator stages  202   a - 212   d , for example, by providing suitable signals to chopper controllers  215 . 
       FIG.  4    further illustrates various aspects of adapter  201 , particularly with respect to controller  220 . Controller  220  may include internal control logic  221 , which may operate as described above (and further below with reference to  FIG.  6   ) to control main power stage  202  and chopper regulator stages  213   a - 213   d  to generate the respective output voltages Vo 1 +-Vo 4 +. Thus, control logic  221  may negotiate power contracts with the respective output loads, set the reference voltage for main power stage  202  feedback loop  204 , and set the reference voltages for chopper controllers  215  (as well as selectively enabling/disabling chopper controllers  215 , as appropriate). Because each of regulator stages  213   a - 213   d  is a chopper, it can only decrease the input voltage V 0 + that it receives from main power stage  202 . Thus, control logic  221  must be configured to, after negotiating the respective output power contracts, provide a reference voltage to main power stage  202 &#39;s feedback loop  204  that corresponds to the highest negotiated voltage. Thus, controller  220  may include suitable circuitry for generating internal reference voltages corresponding to the available output levels (e.g., a 5V, 9V, 15V, and 20V) for USB-PD applications. Various reference voltage generation techniques are known, and thus are not repeated in detail here. 
     Also illustrated in  FIG.  4    are feedback loop switches SM 1 -SM 4 , which may be part of controller  220 . Feedback switches SM 1 -SM 4  may be a silicon, silicon carbide, or gallium nitride MOSFET, or any other suitable semiconductor switching device appropriate to the particular application. Feedback switches SM 1 -SM 4  may be operated by control logic  221  to provide a suitable voltage feedback signal to feedback loop  204  of main power stage  202 . More specifically, control logic  221  may be configured to selectively energize the one of switches SM 1 -SM 4  corresponding to the highest negotiated output voltage Vo 1 +-Vo 4 +. As a result, the highest output voltage will be provided as the feedback signal to main power stage  202 &#39;s feedback loop  204 , which will cause its output voltage V 0 + to correspond to the highest output voltage required. Controller  220  can also provide the appropriate reference voltage to chopper controller stages  215 , allowing them to reduce V 0 + to a level suitable for their respective outputs. Additionally, switching of feedback switches SM 1 -SM 4  could be omitted or delayed, as the intrinsic body diode of switches SM 1 -SM 4  would allow for the highest output voltage of Vo 1 +-Vo 4 + to be coupled to feedback loop  204 . Similarly, feedback switches SM 1 -SM 4  could be replaced with diodes, which would also allow for the highest output to be passed to feedback loop  204 . 
     Additionally, one or more components of regulator stages  213   a - 213   d  could be incorporated into controller  220 . For example, chopper control circuits  215  could be integrated with controller  220 . Similarly, main stage feedback loop  204  and switch controller  206  could be integrated with controller  220 . In some embodiments, the power switches themselves, including one or more of chopper switches  214 , power delivery switches  218  (from  FIG.  2   ), and main switch S 1  could be integrated with controller  220  to form a single integrated circuit capable of implementing a multi-output power supply as described herein. Likewise, the various rectifier devices of main power stage  202  and regulator (chopper) stages  213   a - 213   d  could also be integrated into such a single integrated circuit. Although, as a practical matter, it may be desirable to integrate all of the various control circuitry into controller  220 , while leaving the power stage switches and diodes separate, allowing for one integrated controller to be easily used to provide different converter power levels by coupling to power devices having suitable ratings and capacities. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates voltage plots  530  corresponding to an exemplary operating sequence of a multi-output AC-DC adapter as described above. Prior to time T 0 , the converter may be off. At time T 0 , the converter may be turned on, for example by plugging in the adapter to an AC power source. Thus at time T 0  controller  220  may begin operating main power stage  202  to generate an output voltage V 0  (voltage trace  531 ) corresponding to a 5V level. As no loads are yet connected, this 5V level provides the bias level required for controller operation and basic switching functionality. At time T 1 , a first load may be connected to the first output. This first load may negotiate a 5V power delivery contract, meaning that voltage V 1 , trace  532 , increases to 5V. Then, at time T 2 , a second load may be connected to the second output. This second load may also negotiate a 5V power delivery contract, meaning that voltage V 1 , trace  533 , increases to 5V. 
     Then at time T 3 , the load connected to the first output may renegotiate to a higher voltage contract, e.g., 20V. This may be because the initially connected load now has an increased power requirement, or because a new load has been connected. In either case, both the main power stage output voltage V 0  and first stage output V 1  can correspondingly increase to 20V. Subsequently, at time T 4 , the load connected to the second output may renegotiate to a higher voltage contract, e.g., 15V. This may also be because the initially connected load now has an increased power requirement, or because a new load has been connected. In either case, because the new voltage level is still below the main power stage level, no change to the main power stage output voltage is required. Similarly, at time T 5 , a load may be connected to third output, initially negotiating a 5V contract for output voltage V 3 , plotted with curve  534 . As above, because this negotiated level is below the current output voltage of main stage  202 , no change to those voltage are required. 
     Subsequently, at time T 6 , the load connected to the first output may renegotiate its power contract to the 5V level. As a result, controller  220  can cause main power stage  202  to drop its output voltage level to the 15V level required by the load connected to the second output, which is now the highest output voltage. Then, at time T 7 , the third load may renegotiate to a higher voltage contract, e.g., 9V; however, because the main power stage is already providing 15V, no changes to its output are required. Similarly, at time T 8 , a fourth load may be connected to the fourth output, negotiating a 5V contract for V 4 , plotted by curve  535 . Because the main power stage is already generating a 15V output, no further change is required. 
     The above-described sequence is merely one example of a possible operating sequence meant to provide a concrete illustration of the application of the control logic.  FIG.  6    illustrates a flowchart  640  that more generally describes the operating sequence employed by controller  220 . Beginning at block  641 , controller  220  can determine the output voltage of each  641 . As one example, this may be determined by virtue of the USB-PD contract negotiation performed by controller  220 . Then, in block  642 , controller  220  can regulate the main power stage  202  to produce the highest output voltage of the respective stages. This can be performed as described above by providing suitable reference and feedback signals to the feedback loop  204  of main power stage  202 . Also, in block  643 , controller  220  can regulate the respective regulator (chopper) stages to corresponding output voltages. This can be performed as described above by providing suitable reference signals to the respective stages. If more than one output has the highest voltage, the controller may either parallel their outputs to the main power stage feedback loop  204  or can select either of them. 
       FIG.  7    illustrates a rectifier circuit  700  including an AC input  701  coupled to a rectifier  701 . Rectifier  701  can produce an output voltage Vin+ that can be provided to the converter circuits described above with respect to  FIGS.  1 A,  1 B,  2 ,  3 , and  4   . 
     The foregoing describes exemplary embodiments of multi-output AC/DC converters. Such systems may be used in a variety of applications but may be particularly advantageous when in conjunction with multiple personal electronic devices, such as notebook computers, tablet computers, smartphones, and various accessories, such as wireless earphones, styluses, and the like. Although numerous specific features and various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that, unless otherwise noted as being mutually exclusive, the various features and embodiments may be combined in various permutations in a particular implementation. Thus, the various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be constructed to limit the scope of the disclosure. Various modifications and changes can be made to the principles and embodiments herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure and without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     Additionally, it is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20210922
Publication Date: 20240102
Grant Date: 20240102
Priority Date: 20210922
Inventors: BUCHERU, BOGDAN T.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H02M7/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M3/33561", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M7/06", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M7/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M1/007", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M1/008", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M3/158", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02M3/33507", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 85773763