High-resolution error compensation in continuous conduction mode power factor correction stage without current sensor

Continuous conduction mode power factor correction (PFC) without input current measurement is a step forward with respect to previously proposed PFC digital controllers. Inductance volt-second (v_sL) measurement in each switching period enables the estimation of input current, but an accurate compensation of the small errors in the measured v_sL is required. Otherwise, they are accumulated over a half-cycle line, leading to an appreciable current distortion. A v_sL estimation is proposed, measuring the input (v_in) and the the output voltage (v_o). Discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) occurs near input line zero crossings, and is also detected by measuring MOSFET v_ds. This article analyzes the current estimation error caused by errors in the on-time estimation and voltage measurements, and proposes the minimization of v_sL errors by cancelling the difference between estimated DCM (T_DCM^inereb) and real DCM (T_DCMⁱⁿ) times with a signal (v_dig), generated in the digital device. Therefore, the current estimation is calibrated using digital signals during the operation in DCM. Feedfoward coarse time error compensation is carried out with the measured delay of the drive signal, and then a fine compensation is achieved with a feedback loop that adjusts v_dig. Experimental results are shown for a 1 kW boost PFC converter.