Switching power converter with secondary-side dynamic load detection and primary-side feedback and control

摘要

A power converter includes a transformer with a primary and a secondary winding. Feedback and control is maintained on the primary-side while a separate load detection circuit detects dynamic load conditions on the secondary-side. The load detection circuit detects dynamic load conditions at the time when a load is connected to the output of the switching power converter and, in turn, generates an alert signal. A coupling circuit coupled to the load detection circuit at the secondary winding side of the transformer and to the controller at the primary winding side of the transformer transmits the alert signal to the controller. The controller regulates the output voltage based on the feedback signal generated at the primary side of the transformer while detecting and responding to the dynamic load condition based on the alert signal generated at the secondary side of the transformer.

主权项

1. A switching power converter, comprising:
a transformer coupled between an input and an output of the switching power converter, the transformer including a primary winding coupled to the input to receive an input voltage and a secondary winding coupled to the output of the switching power converter; a switch coupled to the primary winding of the transformer, current through the primary winding being generated while the switch is turned on and not being generated while the switch is turned off; a controller at a primary winding side of the transformer and configured to generate a control signal to turn on or turn off the switch, the switch being turned on responsive to the control signal being in a first state and the switch being turned off responsive to the control signal being in a second state; a feedback circuit at the primary winding side of the transformer and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of an output voltage at the output of the switching power converter; a load detection circuit at a secondary winding side of the transformer and separate from the feedback circuit, the load detection circuit configured to detect a dynamic load condition occurring at a transition time from a disconnected state to a connected state between a load and the output of the switching power converter, the load detection circuit further configured to generate an alert signal indicative of the detected dynamic load condition; and a coupling circuit coupled to the load detection circuit at the secondary winding side of the transformer and to the controller at the primary winding side of the transformer, the coupling circuit configured to transmit the alert signal generated by the load detection circuit to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to regulate the output voltage based on the feedback signal generated at the primary winding side of the transformer while detecting and responding to the dynamic load condition based on the alert signal generated at the secondary winding side of the transformer.