Synchronous rectification controller and switching power supply

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application Ser. No. 202310081587.2, filed on Jan. 16, 2023, and entitled “SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION CONTROLLER AND SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY”, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to switching power supply technology field, and more particularly, to a synchronous rectification controller and a switching power supply.

[0003] In recent years, with an increasing demand for power supply chips in the market, flyback switching power supply has been widely used due to its unique structure, lower cost and smaller size. Traditional diode rectification greatly reduces efficiency of power supply because of a large forward voltage drop. To improve conversion efficiency, a power Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistor is used instead of a diode for rectification, and is controlled by a synchronous rectification controller. Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) performance is relatively low in synchronous rectification low-side applications. Although common-mode noise can be cancelled through a transformer shielding layer, more turns are required, while high-side applications have better EMI performance. Therefore, planar transformers (i.e., transformers with high frequency, low shape, small height and high operating frequency) in fast charging applications preferably have high-side structures.

[0004] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate two structures of high-side power supply of an existing synchronous rectification controller.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a circuit structure of an existing high-side synchronous rectification controller powered by an auxiliary winding. The controller mainly includes a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit includes a transformer T1, a primary side power transistor Q_SW1, a secondary side rectification power transistor Q_SR1 and a diode D0. The control circuit is a synchronous rectification controller 101. When the primary side power transistor Q_SW1 is turned on, a primary winding N_P1 of the transformer T1 is charged and stored with energy through an input source V_IN. When Q_SW1 is turned off and Q_R1 is turned on, the energy is induced to a secondary side winding N_S1 and an auxiliary winding N_aux through winding mutual inductance of the transformer T1. The auxiliary winding N_aux stores the energy on a capacitor C1 through the diode D0, and the capacitor C1 supplies power for the synchronous rectification controller.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a circuit structure of an existing high-side synchronous rectification controller using drain-side self-supply. The controller also includes a power circuit and a control circuit. The power circuit includes a transformer T2, a primary side power transistor Q_SW2, and a secondary side rectification power transistor Q_SR2. The control circuit is a synchronous rectification controller 201. The primary side power transistor Q_SW2 is turned on, and energy is stored in a primary winding N_P2 of the transformer T2. When Q_SW2S is turned off and a secondary side Q_SR1 is turned on, the energy on the primary winding N_P2 is induced to a secondary winding N_S2. An output capacitor C0 stores the energy onto C2 through a voltage stabilizing circuit inside the synchronous rectification controller, so as to stably supply power to the synchronous rectification controller 201.

[0007] Both of the above two methods realize supplying power to the high-side synchronous rectification controller. However, there are many problems therein, mainly including following two aspects.

[0008] First, the power supply method in FIG. 1 adds an auxiliary winding for power supply, which not only increases a size of the transformer and reduces an integration level, but also increases application cost.

[0009] Second, FIG. 2 transfers the energy on the output capacitor C0 to the capacitor C2, and supplies power to the synchronous rectification controller through C2. Although no auxiliary winding is added, this self-power supply method has great loss, which seriously affects working efficiency of the system.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a synchronous rectification controller and a switching power supply, which may improve energy conversion efficiency and realize efficient power supply.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a synchronous rectification controller is provided, including: a power switch transistor Q0, a drive circuit 303, a power supply control circuit 304, and a switch circuit; wherein the switch circuit includes a first switch transistor Q1, a second switch transistor Q2, a third switch transistor Q3, and a fourth switch transistor Q4; the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to a third output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304; the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to a first output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304; the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are respectively connected to a second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304; the drive circuit 303 is configured to control an on or off state of the power switch transistor Q0, to make the synchronous rectification controller perform synchronous rectification or stop synchronous rectification; and the power supply control circuit 304 is configured to control an on or off state of each power supply switch transistor in the switch circuit.

[0012] Optionally, the power switch transistor Q0, the first switch transistor Q1, the second switch transistor Q2, the third switch transistor Q3, and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are N-Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (NMOS) transistors.

[0013] Optionally, the power switch transistor Q0 and the first switch transistor Q1 are integrated on a silicon slice, and are integrated in a same chip with a synchronous rectification control circuit that does not include a high-voltage device.

[0014] Optionally, a source of the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to an internal ground GND, a drain of the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to an external power supply VD, and a gate of the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to the drive circuit 303.

[0015] Optionally, a gate of the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to the third output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, a source of the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to a source of the second switch transistor Q2, and a drain of the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to an external ground VSS; a gate of the second switch transistor Q2 is connected to the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, and a drain of the second switch transistor Q2 is connected to an internal ground GND; a gate of the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, a source of the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to the internal ground GND, and a drain of the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to a source of the fourth switch transistor Q4; and a gate of the fourth switch transistor Q4 is connected to the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, and a drain of the fourth switch transistor Q4 is connected to an internal power supply VDD.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a switching power supply is provided, including a transformer, a charge transfer circuit, and the above-mentioned synchronous rectification controller; wherein in a demagnetization stage of the transformer, the drive circuit 303 is configured to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned on, to make the synchronous rectification controller perform synchronous rectification, wherein energy stored in the transformer is transferred to the charge transfer circuit; and in a magnetization phase of the transformer, the drive circuit 303 is configured to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned off, to make the synchronous rectification controller stop synchronous rectification, and the charge transfer circuit is configured to supply power to the synchronous rectification controller.

[0017] Optionally, the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to a secondary high-voltage side of the transformer; the charge transfer circuit includes a power supply capacitor C3 and an energy storage capacitor C4; the power supply capacitor C3 is connected between the internal ground GND and the internal power supply VDD; the energy storage capacitor C4 is connected between the source of the first switch transistor Q1 and the drain of the third switch transistor Q3; in the demagnetization phase of the transformer, the energy stored in the transformer is transferred to the energy storage capacitor C4; and in the magnetization phase of the transformer, the energy on the energy storage capacitor C4 is transferred to the power supply capacitor C3 for storage, and the power supply capacitor C3 supplies power to the synchronous rectification controller.

[0018] Optionally, in the demagnetization stage of the transformer, the first output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level, the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level, the third switch transistor Q3 is turned on, and the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are turned off; and in the magnetization phase of the transformer, the first output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level, the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level, the third switch transistor Q3 is turned off, and the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are turned on.

[0019] Optionally, the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to a secondary low-voltage side of the transformer; the charge transfer circuit includes an energy storage capacitor C4; the energy storage capacitor C4 is connected between the internal power supply VDD and the internal ground GND; in the demagnetization stage of the transformer, the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level, the fourth switch transistor Q4 is turned on, and the energy stored in the transformer is transferred to the energy storage capacitor C4; and in the magnetization phase of the transformer, the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level, the fourth switch transistor Q4 is turned off, and the energy storage capacitor C4 supplies power to the synchronous rectification controller.

[0020] Optionally, a voltage on the energy storage capacitor C4 has a proportional relation with an output voltage V_O of the transformer.

[0021] With the synchronous rectification controller and the switching power supply provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, efficient power supply is realized through charge transfer by using switching of the switch transistors, which improves energy conversion efficiency of a system.

[0022] Further, the high-voltage power supply switch transistor and the power switch transistor are integrated on a silicon slice and integrated in a same chip with a synchronous rectification control circuit that does not include a high-voltage device, which improves reliability, greatly reduces an application volume of a system, and effectively reduces application cost.

[0023] Further, with the synchronous rectification controller provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, sampling of an output voltage in high-side application can be realized.

[0024] Further, the synchronous rectification controller provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied not only to a secondary high-voltage side of a transformer, but also to a secondary low-voltage side of the transformer.

[0034] In order to clarify the objects, characteristics and advantages of the disclosure, embodiments of present disclosure will be described in detail in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a synchronous rectification controller according to an embodiment.

[0036] The synchronous rectification controller 300 includes: a power switch transistor Q0, a drive circuit 303, a power supply control circuit 304, and a switch circuit 305 which includes a plurality of power supply switch transistors.

[0037] The drive circuit 303 is configured to control an on or off state of the power switch transistor Q0, to make the synchronous rectification controller 300 perform synchronous rectification or stop synchronous rectification.

[0038] The power supply control circuit 304 is configured to control an on or off state of each power supply switch transistor in the switch circuit 305.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a synchronous rectification controller according to an embodiment.

[0040] In the embodiment, the switch circuit 305 in FIG. 1 includes a first switch transistor Q1, a second switch transistor Q2, a third switch transistor Q3, and a fourth switch transistor Q4.

[0041] The first switch transistor Q1 is connected to a third output terminal ON3 of the power supply control circuit 304.

[0042] The third switch transistor Q3 is connected to a first output terminal ON1 of the power supply control circuit 304.

[0043] The second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are respectively connected to a second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304.

[0044] In non-restrictive embodiments, the power switch transistor Q0, the first switch transistor Q1, the second switch transistor Q2, the third switch transistor Q3, and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are NMOS transistors.

[0045] To save an application volume of a system, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the power switch transistor Q0 and the first switch transistor Q1 are integrated on a silicon slice, which then serves as a power and power supply module 301.

[0046] Taking NMOS transistors as an example, a connection manner of each NMOS transistor is described below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 4, a source of the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to an internal ground GND, a drain of the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to an external power supply VD, and a gate of the power switch transistor Q0 is connected to the drive circuit 303.

[0048] A gate of the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to the third output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, a source of the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to a source of the second switch transistor Q2, and a drain of the first switch transistor Q1 is connected to an external ground VSS.

[0049] A gate of the second switch transistor Q2 is connected to the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, and a drain of the second switch transistor Q2 is connected to an internal ground GND.

[0050] A gate of the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, a source of the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to the internal ground GND, and a drain of the third switch transistor Q3 is connected to a source of the fourth switch transistor Q4.

[0051] A gate of the fourth switch transistor Q4 is connected to the second output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304, and a drain of the fourth switch transistor Q4 is connected to an internal power supply VDD.

[0052] With the above synchronous rectification controller, efficient power supply for the synchronous rectification controller is realized, which improves energy conversion efficiency of the system.

[0053] It should be noted that in practice, the synchronous rectification controller provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to a secondary high-voltage side or low-voltage side of a transformer, which are described in detail below.

[0054] Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a switching power supply. Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a structural schematic diagram of a switching power supply according to an embodiment.

[0055] In the embodiment, the synchronous rectification controller 300 is applied to a secondary high side of a transformer T3. The switching power supply includes the transformer T3, a charge transfer circuit, and the above-mentioned synchronous rectification controller 300.

[0056] In FIG. 5, N_P3 and N_S3 are a primary winding and a secondary winding of the transformer T3 respectively. A primary power transistor Q_SW3 is arranged on a primary side of the transformer T3. A capacitor C_O is a filter capacitor at an output terminal of the transformer T3. V_O is an output voltage of the transformer T3, and V_IN is an input source of a primary side of the transformer T3.

[0057] In some embodiments, the power switch transistor Q0 and the first switch transistor Q1 may be integrated together as the power and power supply module 301. The drive circuit 303, the power supply control circuit 304, and the other three switch transistors may be integrated together as a power supply setting module 302.

[0058] In a demagnetization stage of the transformer T3, the drive circuit 303 is configured to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned on, to make the synchronous rectification controller 300 perform synchronous rectification, wherein energy stored in the transformer T3 is transferred to the charge transfer circuit.

[0059] In a magnetization phase of the transformer T3, the drive circuit 303 is configured to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned off, to make the synchronous rectification controller 300 stop synchronous rectification, and the charge transfer circuit is configured to supply power to the synchronous rectification controller 300.

[0060] In the embodiment, the charge transfer circuit includes a power supply capacitor C3 and an energy storage capacitor C4.

[0061] The power supply capacitor C3 is connected between the internal ground GND and the internal power supply VDD.

[0062] The energy storage capacitor C4 is connected between the source CN of the first switch transistor Q1 and the drain CP of the third switch transistor Q3.

[0063] In the demagnetization phase of the transformer, the energy stored in the transformer is transferred to the energy storage capacitor C4.

[0064] In the magnetization phase of the transformer, the energy on the energy storage capacitor C4 is transferred to the power supply capacitor C3 for storage, and the power supply capacitor C3 supplies power to the synchronous rectification controller 300.

[0065] To further specify a working process of the switching power supply, FIG. 6 illustrates a specific structure of the switching power supply.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 6, the working process of the switching power supply is as follows.

[0067] When the primary power transistor Q_SW3 is turned on, the primary winding N_P3 of the transformer T3 is charged and stored with energy through the input source V_IN, and the transformer T3 enters the magnetization stage. When the primary power transistor Q_SW3 is turned off, the transformer T3 enters the demagnetization phase, where the energy is induced to the secondary winding N_S3 through winding mutual inductance of the transformer T3.

[0068] When the transformer T3 enters the demagnetization stage, the driving circuit 303 outputs a high level to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned on, to make the secondary side of the transformer T3 start rectification. At this time, the third output terminal ON3 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level to control the first switch transistor Q1 to be turned on, the first output terminal ON1 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level to control the third switch transistor Q3 to be turned on, and the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level to control the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 to be turned off, so as to form a path from a dotted terminal of the secondary side of the transformer T3 to the external ground VSS through the third switch transistor Q3 and the capacitor C4. This path partially transfers the energy stored on the secondary winding N_S3 of the transformer T3 in the demagnetization stage to the energy storage capacitor C4 for temporary storage. This process not only completes the charge transfer, but also makes a voltage on the energy storage capacitor C4 have a proportional relation with the output voltage V_O of the transformer T3, so that the output voltage V_O can be sampled.

[0069] When the transformer T3 enters the magnetization stage, the drive circuit 303 outputs a low level to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned off, and the synchronous rectification controller 300 does not perform rectification. At this time, the third output terminal of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level to control the first switch transistor Q1 to be turned off, the first output terminal ON1 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level to control the third switch transistor Q3 to be turned off, the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level to control the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 to be turned on, so as to form two paths on the energy storage capacitor C4. A first path is to connect a lower plate of the energy storage capacitor C4 to the external ground GND through the second switch transistor Q2, and a second path is to connect an upper plate of the energy storage capacitor C4 to the internal power supply VDD through the fourth switch transistor Q4. In this process, the energy storage capacitor C4 is connected in parallel with the power supply capacitor C3, thereby realizing charge sharing. The energy stored in the energy storage capacitor C4 in the demagnetization phase is transferred to the power supply capacitor C3 for storage, and power supply to the synchronous rectification controller 300 is realized.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a working waveform diagram of the synchronous rectification controller in the switching power supply shown in FIG. 6.

[0071] From t0 to t1, the transformer T3 enters the demagnetization stage. The drive circuit 303 outputs a high level to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned on. After the power switch transistor Q0 is turned on, a voltage difference between the drain and the source of the power switch transistor Q0 is 0 in an ideal situation, that is, a voltage of a source node VD of the power switch transistor is zero. The second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level, and the first output terminal ON1 and the third output terminal ON3 of the power supply control circuit 304 output a high level, thus, the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 are turned off, and the first switch transistor Q1 and the third switch transistor Q3 are turned on. In this situation, part of the energy of the transformer T3 starts to charge the energy storage capacitor C4. At a moment t1, a voltage V_CP on the energy storage capacitor C4 reaches a maximum voltage.

[0072] From t1 to t2, the transformer T3 enters the magnetization stage. The power switch transistor Q0 receives a low-level signal from the drive circuit 303 and is turned off, that is, a voltage drop from the drain to the source of the power switch transistor Q0 becomes a voltage drop from the output voltage V_O to the ground. In this process, the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level, and the first output terminal ON1 and the third output terminal ON3 of the power supply control circuit 304 output a low level, which makes the second switch transistor Q2 and the fourth switch transistor Q4 be turned on, and the first switch transistor Q1 and the third switch transistor Q3 be turned off. At this stage, the energy storage capacitor C4 and the power supply capacitor C3 are in a parallel state. The energy stored in the energy storage capacitor C4 during a period from t0 to t1 is transferred to the power supply capacitor C3, and the voltage VDD on the power supply capacitor C3 reaches the highest at this time. As the synchronous rectification controller 300 needs to be powered, in a period from t1 to t2, the voltage VDD on the power supply capacitor C3 may be lowered.

[0073] FIG. 8 is another functional schematic diagram of a switching power supply according to an embodiment.

[0074] In the embodiment, the synchronous rectification controller 300 is applied to a secondary low side of a transformer T4. The switching power supply includes the transformer T4, a charge transfer circuit, and the above-mentioned synchronous rectification controller 300.

[0075] In FIG. 8, N_P4 and N_S4 are a primary winding and a secondary winding of the transformer T4 respectively. A primary power transistor Q_SW4 is arranged on a primary side of the transformer T4. A capacitor C_O is a filter capacitor at an output terminal of the transformer T4. V_O is an output voltage of the transformer T4, and V_IN is an input source of a primary side of the transformer T4.

[0076] In some embodiments, the power switch transistor Q0 and the first switch transistor Q1 may be integrated together as the power and power supply module 301. The drive circuit 303, the power supply control circuit 304, and the other three switch transistors may be integrated together as a power supply setting module 302.

[0077] In a demagnetization stage of the transformer T4, the drive circuit 303 is configured to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned on, to make the synchronous rectification controller 300 perform synchronous rectification, wherein energy stored in the transformer T4 is transferred to the charge transfer circuit.

[0078] In a magnetization phase of the transformer T4, the drive circuit 303 is configured to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned off, to make the synchronous rectification controller 300 stop synchronous rectification, and the charge transfer circuit is configured to supply power to the synchronous rectification controller 300.

[0079] In the embodiment, the charge transfer circuit includes an energy storage capacitor C4 that is connected between the internal ground GND and the internal power supply VDD.

[0080] In the demagnetization phase of the transformer, the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level, and the fourth switch transistor Q4 is turned on. The energy stored in the transformer T4 is transferred to the energy storage capacitor C4.

[0081] In the magnetization phase of the transformer, the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level, the fourth switch transistor Q4 is turned off, and the energy storage capacitor C4 supplies power to the synchronous rectification controller 300.

[0082] To further specify a working process of the switching power supply, FIG. 9 illustrates a specific structure of the switching power supply.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 9, the working process of the switching power supply is as follows.

[0084] When the primary power transistor Q_SW4 is turned on, the primary winding N_P4 of the transformer T4 is charged and stored with energy through the input source V_IN, and the transformer T4 enters the magnetization stage. When the primary power transistor Q_SW4 is turned off, the transformer T4 enters the demagnetization phase, where the energy is induced to the secondary winding N_S4 through winding mutual inductance of the transformer T4.

[0085] When the transformer T4 enters the demagnetization stage, the driving circuit 303 outputs a high level to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned on, to make the secondary side of the transformer T4 start rectification. At this time, the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a high level to control the fourth switch transistor Q4 to be turned on, so as to form a current path from a dotted terminal of the secondary winding N_S4 of the transformer T4 to a source node CP of the fourth switch transistor Q4 to the energy storage capacitor C4 to a heteronymous terminal of the secondary winding N_S4 of the transformer T4. This path partially transfers the energy stored on the secondary winding N_S4 of the transformer T4 in the demagnetization stage to the energy storage capacitor C4 for temporary storage. This process not only completes the charge transfer, but also makes a voltage on the energy storage capacitor C4 have a proportional relation with the output voltage V_O of the transformer T4, so that the output voltage V_O can be sampled.

[0086] When the transformer T4 enters the magnetization stage, the drive circuit 303 outputs a low level to control the power switch transistor Q0 to be turned off, and the synchronous rectification controller 300 does not perform rectification. At this time, the second output terminal ON2 of the power supply control circuit 304 outputs a low level to control the fourth switch transistor Q4 to be turned off, and the energy storage capacitor C4 supplies power to the synchronous rectification controller 300 using the energy stored in the demagnetization stage.

[0087] With the synchronous rectification controller and the switching power supply provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure, efficient power supply is realized through charge transfer by using switching of the switch transistors, which improves energy conversion efficiency of a system.

[0088] It should be understood that the term “and/or” in the present disclosure is merely an association relationship describing associated objects, indicating that there can be three types of relationships, for example, A and/or B can represent “A exists only, both A and B exist, B exists only. In addition, the character “/” in the present disclosure represents that the former and latter associated objects have an “or” relationship.

[0089] The “plurality” in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to two or more.

[0090] The descriptions of the first, second, etc. in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for illustrating and differentiating the objects, and do not represent the order or the particular limitation of the number of devices in the embodiments of the present disclosure, which do not constitute any limitation to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0091] In the above embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed method and device may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, division of units is merely one logical division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. Further, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

[0092] In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may be physically separate, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit. The integrated units can be realized in a form of hardware, or in a form of hardware plus a software functional unit.

[0093] Although the present disclosure has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the disclosure is presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Those skilled in the art can modify and vary the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.