Measurement of Loop Gain with the Digital Modulator

A loop gain measurement technique for switching regulators using a digital modulator is introduced. While the conventional technique injects and measures the analog signals, the proposed digital modulator injects a digital perturbation and measures the resultant duty cycle modulation. Since the duty cycle signal, derived from all feedback loops, provides the ultimate control of a switching regulator, the loop gain defined at the duty cycle modulator is unique. Employing the digital modulator, this loop gain can be measured even with a switching regulator employing the current injected control. Furthermore, this new technique overcomes false measurement problems found in the conventional technique when the feedback signal at the point where the loop gain is measured contains a pulsating nature.