POWER SUPPLY UNIT WITH ADAPTIVE FEEDBACK CONTROL LOOPS

Abstract

A power supply unit, preferably for a power analyzer, a power analyzer comprising a power supply unit and a method for operating a power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit comprises a feedback control unit arranged for selectively controlling the output level of the voltage or the output level of the current to output terminals of the power supply unit on a preset value, and means for sensing the actual output level of the voltage and current, respectively, and sending a signal representing the sensed output level to said feedback control unit, wherein the feedback control unit is arranged to autonomously prioritize or activate at least a first control loop for the controlling of the output level of the current or a second control loop for the controlling of the output level of the voltage, based on data generated within the power supply unit and/or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

Claims

1. A power supply unit, preferably for a power analyzer, comprising: a feedback control unit arranged for selectively controlling the output level of the voltage or the output level of the current to output terminals of the power supply unit on a preset value, and means for sensing the actual output level of the voltage and current, respectively, and sending a signal representing the sensed output level to said feedback control unit, wherein the feedback control unit is arranged to autonomously prioritize or activate at least a first control loop for the controlling of the output level of the current or a second control loop for the controlling of the output level of the voltage, based on data generated within the power supply unit and/or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

2. The power supply unit of claim 1, wherein the externally generated data are data from a device under test, DUT, or a load connected to the output terminals of the power supply unit.

3. The power supply unit of claim 2, wherein the externally generated data are sensed data, preferably representing the impedance or the capacitance, of said DUT or load.

4. The power supply unit of claim 1, wherein the data generated within the power supply unit are sensor data, preferably representing an electrical parameter, such as voltage, current or power transmission, of the status of the output terminals.

5. The power supply of claim 1, wherein the externally generated data are data from a database connected to the power supply unit via a network interface of the power supply unit.

6. The power supply unit of claim 1, wherein the data generated within the power supply unit are data from a database in the power supply unit.

7. The power supply unit of claim 1, wherein the data generated within the power supply unit or externally generated data are supplied to an Artificial Intelligence unit, such as a trained network, issuing a selection signal for prioritizing or activating the first or the second control loop respectively.

8. The power supply unit of claim 7, wherein Artificial Intelligence unit is positioned in the power supply unit or wherein the Artificial Intelligence unit is externally positioned and the power supply unit is connected to the Artificial Intelligence unit via a network interface of the power supply unit.

9. The power supply unit of of claim 1, wherein the feedback control unit is furthermore arranged to adjust at least one control parameter value of the prioritized or activated control loop, preferably also based on data generated within the power supply unit or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

10. The power supply unit of claim 1, which is a DC power supply.

11. The power supply unit of claim 1, wherein the feedback control unit comprises an analogue or a digital control algorithm.

12. A power analyzer comprising a power supply unit according to claim 1.

13. A method for operating a power supply unit, preferably for a power analyzer, comprising: selectively feedback controlling the output level of the voltage or the output level of the current to output terminals of the power supply unit on a preset value, sensing the actual output level of the voltage and current, respectively, for the selectively feedback controlling, and autonomously prioritizing or activating at least a first control loop for the controlling of the output level of the current or a second control loop for the controlling of the output level of the voltage, based on data generated within the power supply unit or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising supplying to an Artificial Intelligence unit, such as a trained network, the data generated within the power supply unit or externally generated data and issuing a selection signal for prioritizing or activating the first or the second control loop, respectively.

15. The power supply unit of claim 13, further comprising adjusting at least one control parameter value of the prioritized or activated control loop, preferably also based on data generated within the power supply unit or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when studying the following detailed description, in connection with the figures in which:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows schematically a power supply unit;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows schematically another power supply unit;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows schematically a diagram of a transient overshoot of a voltage;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows schematically a diagram of a transient overshoot of the current; and

[0031] FIG. 5 shows schematically a diagram without a transient overshoot of the voltage and the current.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] As already described above, a power supply unit, for example used in or for a power analyzer, can have at least two feedback control loops, like a voltage control loop and a current control loop. In case one of the two control loops is prioritized, it could happen that a transient overshoot or a transient oscillation in the variable of the other one occurs. Such transient overshoots or transient oscillations are shown for example in the FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein FIG. 3 shows a transient overshoot of the voltage 13, whereas in FIG. 4, a transient overshoot of the current 14 is shown. In both cases it could even happen that parts of the power supply unit or the load/DUT connected to the power supply unit are destroyed.

[0033] In the present invention both control loops are now monitored and then it is determined, which one of the control loops should be prioritized or activated so that a transient overshoot or a transient oscillation is avoided or at least reduced. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, a power supply unit 1 according to the present invention discloses a feedback control unit 2 selectively controlling the output level of the voltage or the output level of the current to output terminals 6 of the power supply unit 1 on a preset value.

[0034] The feedback control unit 2 is connected to a power circuit 8 or power unit, wherein the power circuit 8 converts an electric current from a source 10 connected to input terminals 7 to the correct voltage, current and frequency to power a load 9 connected to the output terminals 6, wherein the power circuit 8 is connected to the input terminals 7 for receiving for example an electric current from the source 10 and is connected to the output terminals 6 for outputting the voltage, the current or the power for the load 9. The power circuit 8 is then controlled by the feedback control unit 2.

[0035] The connection between the feedback control unit 2 and the power circuit 8 comprises a part 4 of a current control loop and a part 5 of a voltage control loop, wherein the power circuit 8 is then controlled by the feedback control unit 2 by the current control loop as well as the voltage control loop.

[0036] Regarding the load 9, it should be noted that the load 9 can be for example a power analyzer, wherein the power supply unit 1 can be integrated together with the power analyzer in one housing or can be separately provided in an own housing. Further, it is possible that the power supply unit 1 does not only provide to the power analyzer but also to a DUT connected to the power analyzer voltage, current or power. In this case, the load 9 is therefore the power analyzer together with the DUT.

[0037] The power supply unit 1 further comprises means 3 for sensing the actual output level of the voltage and current, respectively, and sending a signal representing the sensed output level to said feedback control unit 2. The means 3 for sensing the actual output level are connected to the output of the power circuit 8. With the signaling representing the sensed output level received from the means 3 for sensing the actual output level, the feedback control unit 2 can then selectively control the power circuit 8 via the part 4 of the current control loop and the part 5 of the voltage control loop and thus, control the voltage, the current or the power supplied at the output of the power circuit 8 and thus, at the output terminals 6 for the load 9.

[0038] Therefore, as can be also seen from FIG. 1, the means 3 for sensing the actual output level, the feedback control unit 2 and the part 5 form a voltage feedback loop/voltage control loop, whereas the means 3 for sensing the actual output level, the feedback control unit 2 and the part 4 form a current feedback loop/current control loop. The means 3 for sensing the actual output level and the feedback control unit 2 are used in both feedback loops/control loops.

[0039] According to the present invention, the feedback control unit 2 now autonomously prioritize or activate the first control loop 4 for the controlling of the output level of the current or the second control loop 5 for the controlling of the output level of the voltage, based on data generated within the power supply unit or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

[0040] Since the feedback control unit 2 prioritizes or activates the first control loop 4 (current) or the second control loop 5 (voltage) autonomously, transient overshoots or oscillations can be avoided or at least reduced without a manual selection of a priority of one of the control loops 4 or 5, when, for example, a new load 9 or DUT is connected to the power supply unit 1 or the load 9 or DUT is varied. This is derivable for example from FIG. 5, where, compared to the FIGS. 3 and 4, no more transient overshoots or oscillations exist in the voltage (in difference to FIG. 3) as well as in the current (in difference to FIG. 4).

[0041] Prioritizing in the present invention in particular means that one of the control loops 4 or 5 is more weighted than the other one and thus, has more influence than the other one on the controlling of the power circuit 8 by the feedback control unit 2.

[0042] Activating in the present invention in particular means that one of the control loops 4 or 5 is selected and thus, one of the control loops is used for the controlling of the power circuit 8 by the feedback control unit 2.

[0043] The autonomously prioritizing or activating of the first control loop 4 for the controlling of the output level of the current or the second control loop 5 for the controlling of the output level of the voltage by the feedback control unit 2 is done based on data generated within the power supply unit and/or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit.

[0044] The externally generated data can be data from the DUT or the load 9 connected to the output terminals 6 of the power supply unit 1. In particular, it can be sensed data, representing the impedance or the capacitance, of the DUT or load 9. In this case, the impedance or the capacitance of the DUT or load 9 connected to the power supply unit 1 are measured and then transmitted from the DUT or load 9 to the feedback control unit 2 via, for example, a separate connection not shown in detail in FIG. 1.

[0045] It is also possible that the externally generated data are data from a database. For this, the power supply unit 1 is connected to database 11, wherein the power supply unit 1 comprises a network interface 12 that is used for connecting to the database 11. From the database 11 the externally generated data is then derivable, which are used by the feedback control unit 2 for autonomously prioritizing or activating the first control loop 4 for the controlling of the output level of the current or the second control loop 5 for the controlling of the output level of the voltage. The externally generated data in the database 11 can be for example test sequence data, DUT data, control loop parameters, test parameters or test limits.

[0046] Further, it is also possible that the externally generated data are data of a user input, for example via a corresponding input unit connected to the power supply unit 1 or integrated in the power supply unit 1.

[0047] The data generated within the power supply unit 1 can be sensor data, preferably representing an electrical parameter, such as voltage, current or power transmission, of the status of the output terminals 6, for example data sensed by the means 3 for sensing the actual output level of the voltage and current.

[0048] It is also possible that the data generated within the power supply unit 1 are data from a database 11 positioned in the power supply unit 1, as it is shown in FIG. 2. From the database 11 in the power supply unit 1 the data is then derivable, which is used by the feedback control unit 2 for autonomously prioritizing or activating the first control loop 4 for the controlling of the output level of the current or the second control loop 5 for the controlling of the output level of the voltage. Similar, the data in the database 11 in the power supply unit 1 can be for example test sequence data, DUT data, control loop parameters, test parameters or test limits.

[0049] In the power supply unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 the means 3 for sensing the actual output level are positioned separately from the feedback control unit 2.

[0050] Alternatively, the means 3 for sensing the actual output level can be placed in the feedback control unit 2, wherein then the feedback control unit 2 is directly connected to the output of the power circuit 8. This is illustrated in FIG. 2, which shows a power supply unit 1 similar to that shown in FIG. 1, comprising a feedback control unit 2, means 3 for sensing the actual output level, output terminals 6, input terminals 7 and a power circuit 8, wherein the power circuit 8 converts an electric current from a source 10 connected to input terminals 7 to the correct voltage, current and frequency to power a load 9 connected to the output terminals 6. The only difference between the power supply unit 1 in FIG. 2 and the power supply unit 1 in FIG. 1 is that in the power supply unit 1 in FIG. 2 the means 3 for sensing the actual output level are placed in the feedback control unit 2 and the database 11 is placed in the power supply unit 1. Otherwise, the power supply unit 1 in FIG. 2 and the power supply unit 1 in FIG. 1 work in a similar way.

[0051] Further, it would be also possible that the means 3 for sensing the actual output level are placed separately from the feedback control unit 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and the database 11 is placed in the power supply unit 1 as shown in FIG. 2, or that the means 3 for sensing the actual output level are placed in the power supply unit 1 as shown in FIG. 2 and the database 11 is placed separately from the feedback control unit 2 as shown in FIG. 1 using the network interface 12.

[0052] The data generated within the power supply unit 1 or the externally generated data can be further supplied to an Artificial Intelligence unit (not shown in the figures), such as a trained network, issuing a selection signal for prioritizing or activating the first or the second control loop 4 or 5, respectively. The Artificial Intelligence unit can be positioned in the power supply unit 1 or the Artificial Intelligence unit can be externally positioned and the power supply unit 1 is connected to the Artificial Intelligence unit via the network interface 12 or another network interface of the power supply unit 1.

[0053] In the power supply unit 1 according to the present invention, the feedback control unit 2 can use one or any combination of the above described data generated within the power supply unit 1 and the externally generated data for autonomously prioritizing or activating the first control loop 4 for the controlling of the output level of the current or the second control loop 5 for the controlling of the output level of the voltage.

[0054] Furthermore, the feedback control unit 2 can adjust at least one control parameter value of the prioritized or activated control loop 4 or 5, preferably also based on data generated within the power supply unit 1 or externally generated data supplied to the power supply unit 1.

[0055] The power supply unit 1 can also comprise a further third control loop (not shown in the figures), for example for the power, wherein the feedback control unit 2 then autonomously prioritizes or activates the first control loop 4, the second control loop 5 or the third control loop.

[0056] The feedback control unit 2 can be for example a microcontroller or microprocessor.

[0057] Regarding the load 9, it should be noted that the load 9 can be integrated together with the power supply unit 1 in one housing or the power supply unit 1 can be separately provided in an own housing.

[0058] Thus, in the present invention both control loops are monitored and then it is determined which one of the control loops should be prioritized or activated so that a transient overshoot or a transient oscillation is avoided or at least reduced.

[0059] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

[0060] Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.