Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090237054 | Digital Control of Power Converters - A system and method for controlling a power converter is presented. An embodiment comprises an analog differential circuit connected to an analog-to-digital converter, and comparing the digital error signal to at least a first threshold value. If the digital error signal is less than the first threshold value, a pulse is generated to control the power converter. Another embodiment includes multiple thresholds that may be compared against the digital error signal. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237959 | Digital Control of Power Converters - A system and method for controlling a power converter is presented. An embodiment comprises an analog differential circuit connected to an analog-to-digital converter, a digital pulse generator, and a pre-driver to control the power converter. Another embodiment also includes a digital filter as part of the control loop that may be used to control the loop characteristics of the control circuit. Yet another embodiment replaces the differential circuit with a sigma-delta analog-to-digital modulator and a decimator. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237966 | DIGITAL CONTROL OF POWER CONVERTERS - A system and method for controlling a power converter is presented. An embodiment comprises an analog differential circuit connected to an analog-to-digital converter, and comparing the digital error signal to at least a first threshold value. If the digital error signal is less than the first threshold value, a pulse is generated to control the power converter. Another embodiment includes multiple thresholds that may be compared against the digital error signal. | 09-24-2009 |
20100045376 | CLASS D AMPLIFIER CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD - Circuit and method for a Class D amplifier. In one exemplary embodiment, an audio amplifier is disclosed. A closed loop configuration for driving high and low side driver transistors is provided, each circuit is compatible with advanced sub micron semiconductor processes. The analog time varying input is coupled to one input of a sigma delta analog to digital converter. A feedback signal from the output is also input to the analog to digital converter. A bit stream is output by the analog to digital converter. A decimator receives this bit stream and downconverts the samples to digital values at a lower frequency. A digital filter with adaptable coefficients is used to filter that signal and a digital pulse width modulator then develops an analog differential PWM signal. A predriver inputs the PWM signal and derives the output gating signals to control the high and low side drivers of a Class D amplifier. | 02-25-2010 |
20100259239 | REGULATOR CONTROL CIRCUITS, SWITCHING REGULATORS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR OPERATING SWITCHING REGULATORS - A regulator control circuit includes a high side driver that is configured to receive a supply voltage. A capacitor is configured to store charges. A first transistor is coupled between the capacitor at a first node and a gate of a high side driver at a second node. The first node is capable of being boosted to a voltage to operate the first transistor at a saturation mode for a charge sharing between the first node and the second node so as to substantially turn on the high side driver. | 10-14-2010 |
20110006844 | Class D Amplifier Control Circuit and Method - Circuit and method for a Class D amplifier. In one exemplary embodiment, an audio amplifier is disclosed. A closed loop configuration for driving high and low side driver transistors is provided, each circuit is compatible with advanced sub micron semiconductor processes. The analog time varying input is coupled to one input of a sigma delta analog to digital converter. A feedback signal from the output is also input to the analog to digital converter. A bit stream is output by the analog to digital converter. A decimator receives this bit stream and downconverts the samples to digital values at a lower frequency. A digital filter with adaptable coefficients is used to filter that signal and a digital pulse width modulator then develops an analog differential PWM signal. A predriver inputs the PWM signal and derives the output gating signals to control the high and low side drivers of a Class D amplifier. | 01-13-2011 |
20110089916 | LDO REGULATORS FOR INTEGRATED APPLICATIONS - Embodiments of the invention are related to LDO regulators. In an embodiment, an amplifier drives the gate of a master source follower and of at least one slave source follower to form an LDO regulator. In an alternative embodiment, a charge pump drives the master source follower to form the regulator. Additional slave source followers may be used in conjunction with the charge pump and the master source follower to improve the regulator performance. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 04-21-2011 |
20110102223 | AMPLIFIER WITH DIGITAL INPUT AND DIGITAL PWM CONTROL LOOP - A class D amplifier is configured to accept a digital input signal wherein the control loop of the class D amplifier employs a hybrid filter merged with the front-end of a sigma-delta ADC converter. The term hybrid refers to the filter using both digital and analog components in which the digital delay elements serve as shift registers while the filter coefficients are analog. The filter converts the digital PDM data into a step-wise sinusoidal signal. The sigma-delta ADC receiving a feedback signal subtracts the step-wise sinusoidal signal from the continuous sinusoidal signal and converts the result to a digital PDM signal, without decimation, which passes through a digital filter, a PWM generator, and a pre-driver, to provide power to the load. | 05-05-2011 |
20110187566 | NOISE SHAPING FOR DIGITAL PULSE-WIDTH MODULATORS - A noise shaper that compares an input signal to a feedback output signal, which is a truncated version of the input signal, and generates the difference between the two signals (i.e., the error). The noise shaper then integrates the errors by adding to the error multiple of its delayed versions, and quantizes the integrated errors in such a way that the spectrum of the quantization noise is shaped toward high frequencies to be removed by a LC low-pass filter used in conjunction with the noise shaper. The low frequency content of the desired signal is mostly unaffected. | 08-04-2011 |
20120038340 | DYNAMIC CONTROL LOOP FOR SWITCHING REGULATORS - Some embodiments regard a method of controlling a regulator having an input voltage and an output voltage, comprising: turning on a first driver; determining a duration ratio having a first time period over the first time period and a second time period; the first time period and the second time period indicating a duration when the first driver and a second driver is on, respectively; generating a second voltage level for the reference voltage based on the duration ratio and a ripple voltage that is a difference between a high threshold voltage and a low threshold voltage; turning off the first driver and turning on the second driver based on a relationship between the second voltage level and a voltage level of the output voltage; turning off the second driver when a current flowing through a node of the output voltage reaches a pre-determined level; and generating a change in the first time period based on the duration ratio and a voltage difference between a peak of the output voltage and the high threshold voltage. | 02-16-2012 |
20120133345 | HYSTERETIC POWER CONVERTER WITH CALIBRATION CIRCUIT - A hysteretic power converter includes a comparator, a calibration circuit, and an output node having an output voltage. The calibration circuit is configured to supply a calibrated voltage to the comparator. The comparator controls the output voltage based on the calibrated voltage and a feedback voltage representing at least a portion of the output voltage. | 05-31-2012 |
20120146716 | Apparatus for Controlling Slew Rate - An apparatus for controlling slew rate is coupled to two adjustable voltage rails. The output of the apparatus is coupled to the gate of a switching element. By employing two adjustable voltage rails, the slew rate of the switching element is proportional to the voltage difference between the first adjustable rail and the second adjustable rail. The slew rate control apparatus can be applied to a variety of switching elements including N channel Field Effect Transistors (NFETs), P channel Field Effect Transistors (PFETs), current mode logic circuits and level shifter circuits. | 06-14-2012 |
20120194141 | Battery Charger Digital Control Circuit and Method - A digital controlled battery charger comprises a power converter, a voltage sensor, a current senor, a mode selector and a digital controller. The voltage sensor and current sensor detect the voltage of a rechargeable battery and the current flowing through the rechargeable battery respectively. The mode selector selects a feedback signal from either the output of the voltage sensor or the output of the current sensor. The digital controller receives the selected feedback signal and generates a pulse width modulated signal for the power converter. Additionally, the digital controller is capable of dynamically adjusting its coefficients so that the control loop can maintain a stable system when the battery charger operates in different battery charging phases. | 08-02-2012 |
20120235728 | Level Shifter Design - A level shifter receives an input voltage signal and produces an output voltage signal. The level shifter includes a first inverter, configured to operate at a potential difference between a first voltage V | 09-20-2012 |
20130009795 | NOISE SHAPING FOR DIGITAL PULSE-WIDTH MODULATORS - A circuit including an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The ADC is configured to receive an analog feedback signal and an analog input signal and generate a digital output. The circuit further includes a noise shaper. The noise shaper is configured to truncate the digital output and generate a noise shaper output having a lower number of bits than the digital output, and to shape quantization noise generated during truncation. The circuit further includes a pulse width modulation digital-to-analog converter (PWM DAC). The PWM DAC configured to process the truncated digital output of the noise shaper output and generate a PWM DAC output. | 01-10-2013 |
20130058049 | PACKAGE SYSTEMS INCLUDING PASSIVE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS - A package system includes at least one active circuitry disposed over a substrate. A passivation structure is disposed over the at least one active circuitry. The passivation structure has at least one opening that is configured to expose at least one first electrical pad. At least one passive electrical component is disposed over the passivation structure. The at least one passive electrical component is electrically coupled with the at least one first electrical pad. | 03-07-2013 |
20130082668 | SINGLE-INDUCTOR MULTIPLE-OUTPUT DC TO DC CONVERTER - A DC to DC converter includes a switching circuit and a controller. The switching circuit includes an inductor coupled to first and second voltage supply nodes and to a plurality of output loads. The controller is configured to monitor a current through the inductor and to selectively couple the inductor to each of the plurality of output loads such that at least one of the following criteria is met: 1) an average current through the inductor is minimized for the particular output loads coupled to the switching circuit, or 2) minimize a number of times the switching circuit is switched during a charging period for the particular output loads coupled to the switching circuit. | 04-04-2013 |
20130119511 | INDUCTOR HAVING BOND-WIRE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - The present application discloses an inductor including a substrate, a first conductive line and a second conductive line formed over the substrate, a passivation layer formed over the first and the second conductive lines, and a bond wire coupling an end of the first conductive line and an end of the second conductive line. At least a portion of the at least one bond wire is positioned above an upper surface of the passivation layer. The first conductive line, the bond wire, and the second conductive line are connected to form a coil. | 05-16-2013 |
20130135131 | IDLE TONE SUPPRESSION CIRCUIT - A hysteretic digital filter includes a first multi-bit flip-flop having an input for receiving a series of multi-bit sigma-delta ADC codes, a clock input for receiving a clock signal and an output; a second multi-bit flip-flop having an input coupled to the output of the first multi-bit flip-flop, an output for providing an output code of the digital filter, and an input for receiving a latch control signal, the second multi-bit flip-flop latching its input to its output under control of the latch control signal; and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to selectively provide the latch control signal to trigger latching by the second multi-bit flip-flop dependent on a running comparison of the output code of the digital filter and the value of individual ones of the multi-bit sigma-delta ADC codes from the series of multi-bit sigma-delta ADC codes. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135782 | VARIABLE PRECISION THERMAL SENSOR - A high accuracy on-chip thermal sensor includes an integrated circuit and sensing elements. The thermal sensor finds application in various mobile and battery powered devices and includes a processor that analyzes a measured temperature signal and decides if the thermal sensor operates in low or high power operational mode, or if the device's CPU is to be reset. A method utilizing the thermal sensor includes making comparisons to two threshold temperatures and operating at low power mode below the first threshold temperature, high power mode between the two threshold temperatures and causing reset if the second threshold temperature is exceeded. Low power operational mode includes a lower clock frequency, lower bias current and lower power consumption. Higher power operational mode is used when the upper threshold temperature is being approached and includes a higher data sampling frequency and more accurate temperature control and uses higher power. | 05-30-2013 |
20130136149 | TEMPERATURE SENSOR WITH DIGITAL TRIM AND TRIMMING METHOD THEREOF - A method for calibrating a temperature sensor comprises: receiving first and second reference voltages from respective first and second tap points within a string of sequentially connected resistive devices of the temperature sensor. Each resistive device has a resistance that varies as a function of temperature. The receiving is performed at two or more known temperatures. A respective code is output corresponding to each respective one of the two or more known temperatures, based on the first and second reference voltages. At least one of the tap points is adjusted, based on the two or more known temperatures and the respective output codes. | 05-30-2013 |
20130241510 | DYNAMIC CONTROL LOOP FOR SWITCHING REGULATORS - In accordance with an embodiment, a regulator includes a controller, a driving unit, a digital-to-analog converter, and a comparator. The controller is configured to output a digital reference voltage and to output a control signal responsive to a comparison signal. The driving unit is configured to generate an output voltage at a first node responsive to the control signal. The digital-to-analog converter is configured to generate an analog reference voltage responsive to the digital reference voltage. The comparator is configured to generate the comparison signal based on the analog reference voltage and the output voltage. | 09-19-2013 |
20130241599 | COMPARATOR CIRCUIT HAVING A CALIBRATION CIRCUIT - A comparator has a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output terminal. A selection circuit is coupled to the first terminal. A calibration circuit is coupled to the output terminal and the second terminal. The comparator is configured to operate in a first mode when the selection circuit provides a first input signal to the first terminal and the calibration circuit provides a second input signal to the second terminal. The comparator is configured to operate in a second mode when the selection circuit provides a first calibration signal to the first terminal and the calibration circuit provides a second calibration signal to the second terminal based on an output signal at the output terminal. The comparator generates the output signal based on the first calibration signal and the second calibration signal. | 09-19-2013 |
20130272545 | MULTI-STAGE AMPLIFIER WITH PULSE WIDTH MODULATION (PWM) NOISE SHAPING - A pulse width modulation (PWM) amplifier includes a first amplifier stage, a second amplifier stage, and a gain module. The first amplifier stage is configured to amplify an analog input signal in the analog and digital domains using a first pulse width modulation (PWM) generator, to provide a first stage output for coupling to a load. The gain module is configured to amplify a quantization error of the first PWM generator by a predetermined gain. The second amplifier stage is configured to spectrally shape and attenuate the amplified quantization error of the first PWM generator using a second PWM generator, to provide a second stage output for coupling to the load. | 10-17-2013 |
20140002041 | DIGITAL LOW DROP-OUT REGULATOR | 01-02-2014 |
20140062743 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PULSE WIDTH MODULATION DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER - A system and method is disclosed for a digital to analog converter which includes an interpolation filter to up-sample a digital signal, a noise shaping modulator to suppress in-band quantization errors due to digital pulse width modulation and truncation errors, and a hybrid finite impulse response filter/digital to analog converter coupled to a reconstruction filter which outputs the analog signal. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062745 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL INPUT CLASS D AMPLIFIER WITH FEEDBACK - A system and method is disclosed for a digital input Class D amplifier which includes an interpolation filter to up-sample a digital signal, a noise shaping modulator to suppress in-band quantization errors due to digital pulse width modulation and truncation errors, and a hybrid finite impulse response filter/digital to analog converter coupled to an analog input Class D amplifier with digital pulse width modulation control loop. The hybrid finite impulse response filter/digital to analog converter uses N-taps implemented digitally and N-tap weights implemented in analog using resistors. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062747 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL INPUT CLASS D AMPLIFIER WITH FEEDBACK - A system and method is disclosed for a digital to analog converter which includes an interpolation filter to up-sample a digital signal, a noise shaping modulator to suppress in-band quantization errors due to digital pulse width modulation and truncation errors, and a hybrid finite impulse response filter/digital to analog converter coupled to a Class D delta-sigma pulse width modulation control loop. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062748 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PULSE WIDTH MODULATION DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER - A system and method is disclosed for a digital to analog converter which includes an interpolation filter to up-sample a digital signal, a noise shaping modulator to suppress in-band quantization errors due to digital pulse width modulation and truncation errors, and a hybrid finite impulse response filter/digital to analog converter coupled to a reconstruction filter which outputs the analog signal. The hybrid finite impulse response filter/digital to analog converter uses N-taps implemented digitally and N-tap weights implemented in analog using switched capacitors. | 03-06-2014 |
20140269839 | THERMAL SENSOR WITH TEMPERATURE CONTROL - In a thermal sensor. a capacitor voltage of a capacitor is compared with a reference voltage, and an output voltage is generated based on the comparison. The output voltage has a pulse density indicative of a temperature detected by the thermal sensor. The capacitor is charged or discharged using at least one of a first current signal or a second current signal based on a logic level of the output voltage. The first current signal is a temperature-independent signal, and the second current signal is a temperature-dependent signal dependent on the temperature detected by the thermal sensor. In some embodiments, a clock rate of a clock signal is varied in accordance with the detected temperature to control a timing operation for supplying the first current signal to the capacitor and/or the reference voltage is varied in accordance with the detected temperature. | 09-18-2014 |
20150022249 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A RAMP SIGNAL - An apparatus and method for generating a ramp signal includes applying a constant reference voltage to a reference capacitor and controlling charging or discharging of the reference capacitor with a programmable current generator to provide the ramp signal at a ramp signal node. The method can include, buffering the ramp signal to an output node to drive a load. When generating the ramp signal having a negative slope, the programmable current generator includes a programmable current sink coupled to the ramp signal node. When generating the ramp signal having a positive slope, the programmable current generator includes a programmable current source that is coupled between a positive power supply node and the ramp signal node. When generating the ramp signal having a bidirectional slope, the programmable current generator includes a programmable current source and a programmable current sink. | 01-22-2015 |
20150077078 | SELF-ADJUSTING REGULATOR AND METHOD OF USING SAME - A self-adjusting regulator includes a power stage adjusting an output voltage and a control loop for controlling the power stage. The control loop includes a compensator adjusting a bandwidth in response to at least one compensator control signal, and an oscillator controlling a switching speed in response to at least one oscillator control signal. The self-adjusting regulator further includes a voltage sensing control circuit controlling the control loop. The voltage sensing control circuit generating the at least one compensator control signal and the at least one oscillator control signal based on a comparison of the output voltage and a reference voltage. In a low speed mode, the compensator outputs a first bandwidth, and the oscillator outputs a first switching speed. In a high speed mode, the compensator outputs a second bandwidth greater than the first bandwidth, and the oscillator outputs a second switching speed faster than the first switching speed. | 03-19-2015 |