US-12621913-B2 - LED current overshoot reduction apparatus and method

US12621913B2US 12621913 B2US12621913 B2US 12621913B2US-12621913-B2

Abstract

An apparatus includes a reference current generation circuit coupled between a first voltage bus and a second voltage bus, wherein the reference current generation circuit is configured to generate a predetermined reference current, a first reference current path comprising a first switch, wherein the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a first reference current in the first reference current path, a load current path comprising a power switch, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) deglitch circuit configured to control the first switch so as to reduce an overshoot occurring at a leading-edge of a load current flowing through the power switch.

Inventors

Dongjie Cheng
Allan Ming-Lun Lin

Assignees

DIODES INCORPORATED

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20240730

Claims (20)

1 . An apparatus comprising: a reference current generation circuit coupled between a first voltage bus and a second voltage bus, wherein the reference current generation circuit is configured to generate a predetermined reference current; a first reference current path comprising a first switch, wherein the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a first reference current in the first reference current path; a load current path comprising a power switch; and a pulse width modulation (PWM) deglitch circuit configured to control the first switch so as to reduce an overshoot occurring at a leading-edge of a load current flowing through the power switch.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the first reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a second reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path, wherein: the second reference current path comprises a third p-type transistor; the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a second reference current in the second reference current path; and a sum of the first reference current and the second reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a second reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path; a third reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path, wherein the third reference current path comprises a fourth p-type transistor and a second switch connected in series, and wherein the second switch is controlled by the PWM deglitch circuit; and a fourth reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path, wherein the fourth reference current path comprises a fifth p-type transistor and a third switch connected in series, and wherein the third switch is controlled by the PWM deglitch circuit, wherein: the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a second reference current in the second reference current path; the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a third reference current in the third reference current path; the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a fourth reference current in the fourth reference current path; and a sum of the first reference current, the second reference current, the third reference current and the fourth reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the PWM deglitch circuit comprises: a first inverter configured to receive a reference voltage signal proportional to the predetermined reference current; a second inverter having an input connected to an output of the first inverter and an output configured to generate a first control signal applied to a gate of the first switch; a leading-edge blanking circuit having an input configured to receive the first control signal, and an output configured to generate a third control signal applied to a gate of the third switch; and an XOR gate, an inverter and an NOR gate connected in cascade, wherein: a first input of the XOR gate is configured to receive the first control signal; a second input of the XOR gate is configured to receive the third control signal; an input of the inverter is connected to an output of the XOR gate; a first input of the NOR gate is configured to receive the third control signal; a second input of the NOR gate is connected to an output of the inverter; and an output of the NOR gate is configured to generate a second control signal applied to a gate of the second switch.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein: the reference current generation circuit comprises: a first p-type transistor and a resistor connected in series between the first voltage bus and the second voltage bus; and a first amplifier having an inverting input configured to receive a bandgap reference, a non-inverting input connected to a common node of the first p-type transistor and the resistor, and an output connected to a gate of the first p-type transistor and a gate of a second p-type transistor; and the first reference current path comprises the second p-type transistor and the first switch connected in series, and wherein the first p-type transistor and the second p-type transistor form a first current mirror through which the predetermined reference current is mirrored to generate the first reference current in the first reference current path.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising: a first n-type transistor connected in series with the first reference current path; a second n-type transistor connected in series with the power switch, wherein the first n-type transistor and the second n-type transistor form a second current mirror through which the first reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch; and a second amplifier having an inverting input connected to a drain of the first n-type transistor, a non-inverting input connected to a drain of the second n-type transistor, and an output connected to a gate of the first n-type transistor and a gate of the second n-type transistor.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising: a reference current subtraction circuit configured to reduce the first reference current so as to reduce the overshoot occurring at the leading-edge of the load current, wherein the reference current subtraction circuit comprises: a first current subtraction transistor connected between the drain of the first n-type transistor and the second voltage bus; a rise detection capacitor and a rise detection resistor connected in series between the common node of the first p-type transistor and the resistor, and the second voltage bus, and wherein a common node of the rise detection capacitor and the rise detection resistor is connected to a gate of the first current subtraction transistor; a second current subtraction transistor connected between the drain of the first n-type transistor and the second voltage bus; and a fall detection resistor and a fall detection capacitor connected in series between the common node of the first p-type transistor and the resistor, and the second voltage bus, and wherein a common node of the fall detection resistor and the fall detection capacitor is connected to a gate of the second current subtraction transistor.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a low-dropout regulator having an input configured to receive an input voltage and an output configured to generate a bias voltage; an undervoltage lockout circuit configured to receive the bias voltage and generate a control signal applied to a gate of the power switch; and a bandgap reference circuit configured to receive a bias voltage from a bias power supply and generate a bandgap reference.
10 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a gate protection circuit connected between a gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus, wherein the gate protection circuit comprises a first resistor, a second resistor, a capacitor and a third n-type transistor, and wherein: the third n-type transistor is connected between the gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus; the capacitor and the first resistor are connected in series between the gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus; and the second resistor is connected between the gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus.
11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising: a startup circuit comprising a third current mirror comprising a fourth n-type transistor and a fifth n-type transistor and a sixth p-type transistor, and wherein: the sixth p-type transistor and the fifth n-type transistor are connected in series between the first voltage bus and the second voltage bus; the power switch and the fourth n-type transistor are connected in series; and the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a current flowing through the sixth p-type transistor.
12 . A method comprising: generating a predetermined reference current using a reference current generation circuit coupled between a first voltage bus and a second voltage bus; mirroring the predetermined reference current to generate a first reference current in a first reference current path comprising a first switch; and controlling, by a PWM deglitch circuit, the first switch to reduce an overshoot occurring at a leading-edge of a load current flowing through a power switch.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising: mirroring the predetermined reference current to generate a second reference current in a second reference current path; and mirroring a sum of the first reference current and the second reference current to generate the load current flowing through the power switch, wherein the second reference current path is connected in parallel with the first reference current path.
14 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising: mirroring the predetermined reference current to generate a second reference current in a second reference current path; mirroring the predetermined reference current to generate a third reference current in a third reference current path; mirroring the predetermined reference current to generate a fourth reference current in a fourth reference current path; and mirroring a sum of the first reference current, the second reference current, the third reference current and the fourth reference current to generate the load current flowing through the power switch, and wherein: the second reference current path is connected in parallel with the first reference current path; the third reference current path is connected in parallel with the first reference current path, and wherein the third reference current path comprises a second switch controlled by the PWM deglitch circuit; and the fourth reference current path is connected in parallel with the first reference current path, wherein the fourth reference current path comprises a third switch controlled by the PWM deglitch circuit.
15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein: the reference current generation circuit comprises: a first p-type transistor and a resistor connected in series between the first voltage bus and the second voltage bus; and a first amplifier having an inverting input configured to receive a bandgap reference, a non-inverting input connected to a common node of the first p-type transistor and the resistor and an output connected to a gate of the first p-type transistor and a gate of a second p-type transistor; the first reference current path comprises the second p-type transistor and the first switch connected in series, and wherein the first p-type transistor and the second p-type transistor form a first current mirror through which the predetermined reference current is mirrored to generate the first reference current in the first reference current path; and a second current mirror comprises: a first n-type transistor connected in series with the first reference current path; a second n-type transistor is connected in series with the power switch, wherein the first n-type transistor and the second n-type transistor form a second current mirror through which the sum of the first reference current, the second reference current, the third reference current and the fourth reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch; and a second amplifier has an inverting input connected to a drain of the first n-type transistor, a non-inverting input connected to a drain of the second n-type transistor and an output connected to a gate of the first n-type transistor and a gate of the second n-type transistor.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the PWM deglitch circuit comprises: a first inverter configured to receive a reference voltage signal proportional to the predetermined reference current; a second inverter having an input connected to an output of the first inverter and an output configured to generate a first control signal applied to a gate of the first switch; a leading-edge blanking circuit having an input configured to receive the first control signal and an output configured to generate a third control signal applied to a gate of the third switch; and an XOR gate, an inverter and an NOR gate connected in cascade, wherein: a first input of the XOR gate is configured to receive the first control signal; a second input of the XOR gate is configured to receive the third control signal; an input of the inverter is connected to an output of the XOR gate; a first input of the NOR gate is configured to receive the third control signal; a second input of the NOR gate is connected to an output of the inverter; and an output of the NOR gate is configured to generate a second control signal applied to a gate of the second switch.
17 . A system comprising: a PWM switch, an integrated circuit and a light-emitting diode connected in series between a power source and ground; and a system controller configured to control the PWM switch, wherein the integrated circuit comprises: a low-dropout regulator having an input configured to receive an input voltage and an output configured to generate a bias voltage on a first voltage bus; an undervoltage lockout circuit configured to receive the bias voltage and generate a control signal applied to a gate of a power switch, wherein a current flowing through the power switch is approximately equal to a current flowing through the light-emitting diode; a bandgap reference circuit configured to receive the bias voltage and generate a bandgap reference; a reference current generation circuit coupled between the first voltage bus and a second voltage bus, wherein the reference current generation circuit is configured to generate a predetermined reference current; a first reference current path comprising a first switch, wherein the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a first reference current in the first reference current path; and a PWM deglitch circuit configured to control the first switch so as to reduce an overshoot occurring at a leading-edge of a load current flowing through the power switch.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein: the reference current generation circuit comprises: a first p-type transistor and a resistor connected in series between the first voltage bus and the second voltage bus; and a first amplifier having an inverting input configured to receive a bandgap reference, a non-inverting input connected to a common node of the first p-type transistor and the resistor, and an output connected to a gate of the first p-type transistor and a gate of a second p-type transistor; and the first reference current path comprises the second p-type transistor and the first switch connected in series, and wherein the first p-type transistor and the second p-type transistor form a first current mirror through which the predetermined reference current is mirrored to generate the first reference current in the first reference current path.
19 . The system of claim 18 , further comprising: a second reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path; a third reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path, wherein the third reference current path comprises a fourth p-type transistor and a second switch connected in series, and wherein the second switch is controlled by the PWM deglitch circuit; a fourth reference current path connected in parallel with the first reference current path, wherein the fourth reference current path comprises a fifth p-type transistor and a third switch connected in series, and wherein the third switch is controlled by the PWM deglitch circuit, wherein: the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a second reference current in the second reference current path; the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a third reference current in the third reference current path; the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a fourth reference current in the fourth reference current path; and a sum of the first reference current, the second reference current, the third reference current and the fourth reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch; a first n-type transistor connected in series with the first reference current path; a second n-type transistor connected in series with the power switch, wherein the first n-type transistor and the second n-type transistor form a second current mirror through which the first reference current is mirrored to generate the load current flowing through the power switch; and a second amplifier having an inverting input connected to a drain of the first n-type transistor, a non-inverting input connected to a drain of the second n-type transistor and an output connected to a gate of the first n-type transistor and a gate of the second n-type transistor.
20 . The system of claim 17 , further comprising: a gate protection circuit connected between a gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus, wherein the second voltage bus is a common node of the integrated circuit and the light-emitting diode, and wherein the gate protection circuit comprises a first resistor, a second resistor, a capacitor and a third n-type transistor, and wherein: the third n-type transistor is connected between the gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus; the capacitor and the first resistor are connected in series between the gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus; and the second resistor is connected between the gate of the power switch and the second voltage bus; and a startup circuit comprising a third current mirror comprising a fourth n-type transistor and a fifth n-type transistor and a sixth p-type transistor, and wherein: the sixth p-type transistor and the fifth n-type transistor are connected in series between the first voltage bus and the second voltage bus; the power switch and the fourth n-type transistor are connected in series; and the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a current flowing through the sixth p-type transistor.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates generally to the field of integrated circuits, and in particular embodiments, to techniques and mechanisms for an LED current overshoot reduction apparatus. BACKGROUND A light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor light source. When a voltage is applied to the LED, a current flows through the LED. In response to the current flowing through the LED, electrons and holes recombine in the PN Junction of the diode. In the recombination process, energy is released in the form of photons. In a typical LED system, a power switch is connected in series with an LED between a power source and ground. A Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller is employed to control the power switch. In operation, the PWM controller is configured to generate a gate drive signal applied to a gate of the power switch. The gate drive signal is controlled such that an average current flowing through the LED is adjustable based on different operating requirements. This PWM technique for controlling the LED average current is widely used for controlling LED brightness. Power PWM dimming is a technique used to control the brightness of an LED by varying the amount of time the LED is powered on and off. Instead of adjusting the voltage or current supplied to the LED, PWM dimming rapidly switches the LED on and off at a high frequency. The brightness is determined by the ratio of the on-time to the off-time within each cycle, known as the duty cycle. In operation, when power PWM dimming is applied to an LED, the average power delivered to the LED over time controls the brightness. A higher duty cycle means the LED is on for a longer portion of each cycle, resulting in higher brightness. Conversely, a lower duty cycle means the LED is on for a shorter portion, resulting in dimmer light. Power PWM dimming is widely used in applications requiring precise and efficient control of LED brightness, such as in automotive lighting. Accuracy and linearity are critical design specifications in power PWM dimming. Achieving desired dimming accuracy and linearity requires considering or minimizing the delay time between the PWM signal and the LED current response, particularly in high frequency PWM control. High frequency operation can cause LED current overshoot (inrush current) during PWM transitions, leading to dimming inaccuracies, nonlinearity, and undesired LED light flickers. Although LED flickers are generally not harmful to the eyes of most people, they can cause discomfort, eye strain, headaches, and visual disturbances in some individuals. It would be desirable to have a simple apparatus through which the LED current overshoot can be reduced. This disclosure describes a simple and cost-efficient apparatus for reducing the LED current overshoot, thereby developing high-quality LED lighting products without LED light flickers. SUMMARY Technical advantages are generally achieved, by embodiments of this disclosure which describe an LED current overshoot reduction apparatus. In accordance with an embodiment, an apparatus comprises a reference current generation circuit coupled between a first voltage bus and a second voltage bus, wherein the reference current generation circuit is configured to generate a predetermined reference current, a first reference current path comprising a first switch, wherein the predetermined reference current is configured to be mirrored to generate a first reference current in the first reference current path, a load current path comprising a power switch, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) deglitch circuit configured to control the first switch so as to reduce an overshoot occurring at a leading-edge of a load current flowing through the power switch. In accordance with another embodiment, a method comprises generating a predetermined reference current using a reference current generation circuit coupled between a first voltage bus and a second voltage bus, mirroring the predetermined reference current to generate a first reference current in a first reference current path comprising a first switch, and controlling, by a PWM deglitch circuit, the first switch to reduce an overshoot occurring at a leading-edge of a load current flowing through a power switch. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a system comprises a PWM switch, an integrated circuit and a light-emitting diode connected in series between a power source and ground, and a system controller configured to control the PWM switch, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a low-dropout regulator having an input configured to receive an input voltage and an output configured to generate a bias voltage on a first voltage bus, an undervoltage lockout circuit configured to receive the bias voltage and generate a control signal applied to a gate of a power switch, wherein a current flowing through the power switch is approximately equal to a current flowing through the light-emitting diode, a bandgap reference circu