US 12,009,743 B2
Method of operating an electronic converter, corresponding control circuit and electronic converter
Christian Leone Santoro, San Giuliano Milanese (IT); and Domenico Tripodi, Milan (IT)
Assigned to STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza (IT)
Filed by STMicroelectronics S.r.l., Agrate Brianza (IT)
Filed on Mar. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/695,603.
Claims priority of application No. 102021000007286 (IT), filed on Mar. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0311329 A1, Sep. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. H02M 1/36 (2007.01); H02M 1/00 (2006.01); H02M 1/32 (2007.01); H02M 3/335 (2006.01)
CPC H02M 1/36 (2013.01) [H02M 1/0006 (2021.05); H02M 1/0025 (2021.05); H02M 1/32 (2013.01); H02M 3/33523 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating an electronic converter including a switching stage with an inductance, the electronic converter having input terminals configured to receive an AC input signal from an energy source and having output terminals configured to provide a DC output signal to a user circuit, said switching stage switchable between an active state and an inactive state based on a status signal, the method comprising:
generating an input sensing signal in response to said AC input signal being received at said input terminals; and
operating said electronic converter in a mode selected from a first mode and a second mode, wherein:
a. in case the electronic converter is in the first mode and the status signal is asserted to set said switching stage to said active state, the method includes:
providing a first reference threshold value and a first time value; and
de-asserting said status signal in response to an amplitude of said input sensing signal failing to reach said first reference threshold value for a time length equal to said first time value, and
b. in case the electronic converter is in the second mode and the status signal is de-asserted to set said switching stage to said inactive state, the method includes:
providing an auxiliary power supply signal and periodically varying the auxiliary power supply signal with a variation period such that the auxiliary power supply signal alternates between a negative slope from an upper value to a lower value and a positive slope from the lower value to the upper value in the variation period;
providing a second reference threshold value and a second time value;
asserting, after lapse of a time interval equal to said variation period, a comparison signal in response to the amplitude of said input sensing signal reaching said second reference threshold value;
performing a first check that said comparison signal is asserted for a time length equal to said second time value;
performing a second check that said periodically varying auxiliary power supply signal is varying with the negative slope at the time said comparison signal is asserted; and
based on a positive result of said first check and said second check, discontinuing periodically varying said auxiliary power supply signal and asserting said status signal.