Hybrid DPWM controller for high-resolution duty cycle
This technology is a smarter way to control the timing of power switching circuits used in voltage regulators and similar electronics. Traditional digital controllers need extremely fast clocks to achieve precise power delivery, which wastes energy and adds cost. This invention uses two clever tricks — either holding the on/off time slots constant while varying the cycle length slightly, or using two slow clocks running at slightly different speeds — to fake the precision of a much faster clock without actually needing one. The result is fine-grained control over how much power flows through a circuit, using cheaper, lower-power hardware.
What you could build
A digital power management IC or embedded controller module for switching voltage regulators in consumer electronics, servers, and industrial power supplies, sold to chip designers and power electronics OEMs who need efficient, precise power delivery in cost-sensitive designs.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and aerospace electronics primes in Northern Virginia, as well as data center power electronics companies in the region, would have interest in efficient digital power control for dense computing and mission-critical hardware.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Jian Li, Dong S. Ha, Yang Qiu, Ming Xu, Fred C. Lee
- Granted
- August 4, 2009
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 7570037
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.