電源路徑管理提升開關充電器效率
鋰(li)(li)離子(zi)(Li-ion)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)和鋰(li)(li)聚合物(Li-po)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)最適合當前市場對功率(lv)(lv)密度、充(chong)電(dian)(dian)能力和價格(ge)的要求。但(dan)是,有別于鉛酸、鎳氫等(deng)其他流行(xing)的電(dian)(dian)池(chi)技術,鋰(li)(li)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)技術的性能也最不(bu)穩定:鋰(li)(li)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)放電(dian)(dian)若管理不(bu)善,將導致充(chong)電(dian)(dian)時間長、耗散功率(lv)(lv)高、效率(lv)(lv)低(di)和電(dian)(dian)池(chi)壽命(ming)比平均壽命(ming)低(di)等(deng)問題。圖1顯示了典型鋰(li)(li)離子(zi)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)的充(chong)電(dian)(dian)曲(qu)線。
傳統充電器相對簡單,這些充電(dian)器(qi)在(zai)小功率(lv)應(ying)用(yong)中(zhong)表現較(jiao)好(hao)。然而,它(ta)們卻不(bu)能有(you)效地適應(ying)充電(dian)曲線的變化(hua),比如,用(yong)戶在(zai)不(bu)同電(dian)源之(zhi)間(jian)切換或者(zhe)在(zai)充電(dian)期(qi)間(jian)操(cao)作設備。另外,傳(chuan)統(tong)充電(dian)器(qi)在(zai)大功率(lv)和(he)大電(dian)流應(ying)用(yong)中(zhong),通常(chang)效率(lv)較(jiao)低,耗散(san)功率(lv)較(jiao)大。

圖(tu)1:典(dian)型鋰離子電(dian)池的充電(dian)曲線。
新型線性和開關充電器,比如(ru)芯源(yuan)系(xi)統(tong)(MPS)公司(si)的(de)(de)MP2600系(xi)列(lie),采用電(dian)源(yuan)路徑管理技(ji)術改變了充(chong)電(dian)曲線,從而能夠以更(geng)低的(de)(de)耗散功率更(geng)加高效(xiao)地為電(dian)池/系(xi)統(tong)供電(dian)。同時,這些(xie)充(chong)電(dian)器也使(shi)(shi)系(xi)統(tong)的(de)(de)安全性和電(dian)池的(de)(de)使(shi)(shi)用壽(shou)命得(de)到提高。
電(dian)源管理拓撲種類繁多,本文則重點介紹以(yi)下三種:電(dian)池饋(kui)電(dian)、自(zi)動選(xuan)擇和動態電(dian)源路徑。
電池饋電拓撲
電池饋電拓(tuo)(tuo)撲是一種實(shi)現(xian)過程最簡單(dan)、成(cheng)本最低的拓(tuo)(tuo)撲,這是因(yin)為其(qi)電路由(you)充(chong)電器、電池和系(xi)統組成(cheng),如(ru)圖2所示(shi)。

圖(tu)2:電池饋電拓撲原理圖(tu)及信號圖(tu)。
這種拓撲有三個主要(yao)特性:無論供電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)如何變化,系統(tong)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)始終等(deng)于(yu)電(dian)(dian)池電(dian)(dian)壓(ya),電(dian)(dian)源(yuan)(yuan)系統(tong)始終優先(xian),以便IBATT £ ICHG,并且ICHG最終限制由輸(shu)入電(dian)(dian)源(yuan)(yuan)提供給系統(tong)電(dian)(dian)源(yuan)(yuan)總線的(de)(de)最大功(gong)率。當(dang)系統(tong)與充電(dian)(dian)器(qi)斷開時該拓撲還(huan)可以實現最小的(de)(de)耗(hao)散功(gong)率,設置ICHG從根本(ben)上限定了總輸(shu)入電(dian)(dian)流(liu),這樣,隨著系統(tong)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(ISYS)的(de)(de)增加,充電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(IBATT)將等(deng)額下降,工(gong)作(zuo)波形如圖(tu)2所示。
遺憾的(de)是,這種拓(tuo)撲有如下不足之處,從(cong)而限制(zhi)了(le)它在更廣(guang)應用領域(yu)的(de)效率和效用:
在電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)太低的情(qing)況下(xia),系統無法工作。電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)跌至(zhi)涓流充電(dian)(dian)門限以下(xia)時,充電(dian)(dian)器將(jiang)(jiang)把(ba)總的輸出電(dian)(dian)流限制(zhi)得(de)很低。系統的額外電(dian)(dian)源(yuan)需求將(jiang)(jiang)由電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)來補充,從而(er)導致電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)能量進(jin)一步耗盡。由于(yu)系統電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)始終(zhong)等于(yu)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya),一旦(dan)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)(chi)(chi)(chi)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)低到系統最(zui)低工作電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)(ya)以下(xia),系統將(jiang)(jiang)停止工作。
雖(sui)然電(dian)池已具(ju)有滿電(dian)量,但是充(chong)電(dian)器無(wu)法(fa)進入EOC(結束(shu)充(chong)電(dian))狀(zhuang)態。如果ISYS超過電(dian)池滿電(dian)量門(men)限(IBF),那(nei)么(me)ICHG就無(wu)法(fa)降(jiang)到低于(yu)IBF,充(chong)電(dian)狀(zhuang)態始(shi)終顯示正在充(chong)電(dian),即使(shi)電(dian)池已經具(ju)有滿電(dian)量。
電(dian)(dian)(dian)池無法充(chong)滿。由于(yu)系(xi)統(tong)優先于(yu)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池供電(dian)(dian)(dian),因此(ci)(ci)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池只能以低電(dian)(dian)(dian)流進行(xing)充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)。此(ci)(ci)外,充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)器只能在預期(qi)的有(you)效充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)時(shi)間內工作,這樣可(ke)以避免(mian)給(gei)壞(huai)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)。如充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)時(shi)間超(chao)出(chu)此(ci)(ci)時(shi)間段,會導致充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)器誤判壞(huai)電(dian)(dian)(dian)池而停止充(chong)電(dian)(dian)(dian)。
電源(yuan)路徑自動選擇拓撲
電(dian)源(yuan)路(lu)徑自動選擇拓撲在電(dian)池直接搭(da)載拓撲基礎上(shang)外加了兩(liang)個開關管,使得系統電(dian)源(yuan)可以根據(ju)輸入電(dian)壓的變化在適(shi)配器和(he)電(dian)池之(zhi)間(jian)來(lai)回(hui)切(qie)換。拓撲結(jie)構及工作波(bo)形如圖3所示。

圖3:電源路徑(jing)自動選擇拓撲及(ji)工作(zuo)波形。
與電池饋電拓撲結構相比,此拓撲有實質性的改進。它將系統直接跟交流適配器相連,與充電器獨立開來,因而能夠提供更大的系統電流、更高的效率并且允許系統在低電池電壓下工作。此外,其價格也比較低廉。然而,當適配器輸出電壓變化較大的時候,系統電壓也會隨之變化,所以此拓撲要求系統能夠接受比較寬的輸入電壓變化范圍。此外,也要求適配器具有更高的額定功率,以滿足系統和充電器的最大總功率(lv)(lv)需求,以及系統負載(zai)突變時(shi)的功率(lv)(lv)變化要(yao)求。
圖4是采用MPS公司的MP2611構成的電(dian)(dian)源路(lu)徑自動(dong)選擇拓撲的原理圖。為了(le)防(fang)止(zhi)出(chu)現不穩定(ding)情況,當VBATT接近VIN時,MP2611會斷開系統與(yu)(yu)電(dian)(dian)池(chi)的連(lian)接。此(ci)外(wai),它還會在S1 (M1及M2)與(yu)(yu)S2(M3)之間插入一個消隱期,以防(fang)出(chu)現電(dian)(dian)流貫通,從(cong)而(er)損壞系統和電(dian)(dian)池(chi)。

圖4:采用(yong)MP2611構成的電源路(lu)徑自動選(xuan)擇拓撲。
動(dong)態電源(yuan)路徑(jing)管(guan)理拓(tuo)撲(DPPM)
動態電(dian)源路徑管理(DPPM)技術采(cai)用了一套附加的檢測模塊,測量系統電(dian)壓或者輸入電(dian)流(liu),實時監測總功(gong)率(lv)需求。一旦功(gong)率(lv)需求超過(guo)(guo)預設值,通過(guo)(guo)充(chong)電(dian)器(qi)降低(di)充(chong)電(dian)電(dian)流(liu)來保(bao)證(zheng)適配器(qi)輸出功(gong)率(lv)恒(heng)定而不過(guo)(guo)載。
例(li)如(ru)(ru),基于(yu)輸(shu)入(ru)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)的(de)(de)(de)DPPM(圖5)通過比(bi)較(jiao)輸(shu)入(ru)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)與預設(she)參考電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)來判斷輸(shu)入(ru)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)是否達到(dao)適(shi)(shi)配(pei)(pei)(pei)器的(de)(de)(de)輸(shu)出電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)限制(zhi)。若適(shi)(shi)配(pei)(pei)(pei)器電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)已經達到(dao)該(gai)限制(zhi),適(shi)(shi)配(pei)(pei)(pei)器電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)將降(jiang)至預設(she)參考電(dian)(dian)壓(ya),然(ran)后充(chong)(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)器通過動態降(jiang)低充(chong)(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)來防止系統電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)繼續(xu)下降(jiang)。只要輸(shu)入(ru)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)保持(chi)在該(gai)限制(zhi)的(de)(de)(de)水平或(huo)者低于(yu)該(gai)限制(zhi),就仍然(ran)有電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)(liu)向電(dian)(dian)池(chi)充(chong)(chong)(chong)電(dian)(dian)。然(ran)而,由系統電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)下降(jiang)引(yin)起的(de)(de)(de)不穩(wen)定或(huo)噪(zao)聲使得這種基于(yu)電(dian)(dian)壓(ya)的(de)(de)(de)DPPM結構不適(shi)(shi)合應用在某(mou)些對噪(zao)聲敏感的(de)(de)(de)場合,比(bi)如(ru)(ru)音頻設(she)備。

圖5:基于(yu)輸入電壓(ya)的(de)動態電源路徑管理。
基(ji)于輸(shu)入電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)的DPPM(圖6)采(cai)用檢測電(dian)(dian)阻來(lai)評估輸(shu)入電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu),當輸(shu)入電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)達到預設(she)電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)門限時(shi)(shi),通過(guo)動態(tai)降(jiang)低電(dian)(dian)池電(dian)(dian)流(liu)(liu)來(lai)防(fang)止適配(pei)器(qi)過(guo)載或系統(tong)電(dian)(dian)壓下降(jiang)。這樣就保(bao)證了系統(tong)電(dian)(dian)壓的穩(wen)定,降(jiang)低了適配(pei)器(qi)的額外功率要求。同時(shi)(shi),該(gai)拓撲還具(ju)備電(dian)(dian)池反向補充供電(dian)(dian)的能力(li)。

圖6:基(ji)于輸入電流的動態電源路徑管理。
有些充電器(例如MPS公司的MP2607)可以根據不同電源要求,優化選擇不同的動態電源路徑管理方案。MP2607根據不同的適配器類型,在基于輸入電壓和基于輸入電流的DPPM兩種拓撲之間進行智能選擇。若輸入是交流適配器,MP2607采用基于輸入電壓的DPPM技術,控制適配器交流電壓,使得交流適配器可以同時為系統供電和為電池充電,工作(zuo)波形如圖7所示(shi)。

圖7:MP2607在交流適配(pei)器(qi)輸入時的動態(tai)電源(yuan)路徑(jing)管理。
在USB輸入(ru)模式(shi)下,MP2607采(cai)用基于輸入(ru)電流的DPPM.如(ru)圖8所示(shi),考慮到USB提供電流能(neng)力有(you)限,設置充電電流在USB限制電流以(yi)下。若系統(tong)負載電流大于USB限流值,電池將反向補充供電。

圖8:MP2607在USB輸入時的動態電源路徑管(guan)理。
總之,具有動態電源路徑管理的充電器(尤其是那些能(neng)在不同管理(li)模式之間(jian)切(qie)換的充(chong)電器)可(ke)以為移(yi)動(dong)電子(zi)設(she)備提供更(geng)加精(jing)妙(miao)的電源解(jie)決方(fang)案,從而給(gei)用戶帶來前所未有的便利、性能(neng)和效率。