Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080197823 | CONVERTER CIRCUIT - A multiphase converter comprising a plurality of converter circuits, each converter circuit having series connected high and low side switches connected across a voltage bus with a common node provided therebetween, each of the common nodes connected through a respective inductor to an output node of the converter coupled to a load, the high and low side switches each being controlled by a control circuit to provide a desired output voltage at the output node, the control circuit including a first circuit for disabling and enabling at least one phase in response to a condition of the load, the circuit causing the high side switch to be turned on prior to the lower side switch when a disabled phase is enabled. | 08-21-2008 |
20080211467 | Method and circuit for reducing switching ringing in switching regulator - The present invention discloses a method and a circuit for reducing switching ringing in a switching regulator. The switching regulator comprises two transistors, and the two transistors are never simultaneously OFF. A phase lock loop may be provided to fix the output signal frequency of a PWM control circuit to a set frequency. | 09-04-2008 |
20080224673 | Circuit for starting up a synchronous step-up DC/DC converter and the method thereof - The low voltage circuit for starting up a synchronous step-up DC/DC converter, which connects to a voltage source through an inductor, includes a P-type power transistor, an N-type power transistor and a controller. The P-type power transistor includes a body diode, and one end of the P-type power transistor acts as a power source of an oscillator. The N-type power transistor connects the P-type power transistor in series, and both of the power transistors are not enabled at the same time. The oscillator electrically connects to the controller, which enables the P-type power transistor at initialization time, and enables the N-type power transistor a period after the initialization time. | 09-18-2008 |
20080224674 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A DC-DC converter prevents localization of switching operations at light loads and is able to improve power conversion efficiency. The DC-DC converter of some variations performs pulse frequency modulation control at light loads, and includes a reducing circuit configured to skip an oscillation frequency signal at light loads and to generate a skipped signal. | 09-18-2008 |
20080238382 | Anti-ringing switching regulator and control method therefor - The present invention discloses an anti-ringing switching regulator, comprising a variable resistor, a transistor, and an inductor electrically connected to a common node, in which the variable resistor is electrically connected with an input voltage, the transistor is electrically connected to ground, and the inductor is electrically connected to an output terminal, whereby the input voltage is converted and transmitted to the output terminal according to the resistance variation of the variable resistor and the switching of the transistor. | 10-02-2008 |
20080238383 | Power converter and multiport power converter - The DC/DC converter is that which is constituted so as to have a failure detecting circuit in which a first capacitor and a second capacitor are connected in series, a plurality of switches are switched according to a predetermined operating mode to select an inductor, the first capacitor and the second capacitor, allowing them to function, thereby performing any one of the boost, buck, and conducting operations of input voltage. | 10-02-2008 |
20080252271 | Power conversion device - In a power conversion device having high side and low side switches connected to a coil, a direction of a coil current is determined during a dead time period where the respective switches turn off at the same time to make the increase/decrease ratio of the coil current correspond to a command value. Based on a direction detection signal and a PWM signal of a PWM signal generation unit, an operation mode of a power converter circuit is determined, and a ratio correction value and an offset value of the PWM signal is set with respect to a control period of the PWM signal. As a result, a change in the operation mode of the power converter circuit is detected to allow the increase/decrease ratio of the coil current to correspond to a command switching ratio. | 10-16-2008 |
20080272751 | PARAMETER CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD THEREFOR - In one embodiment, a single input terminal of a parameter control circuit is utilized to form two different parameters of the parameter control circuit. | 11-06-2008 |
20080278125 | APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING DIODE CONDUCTION TIME DURING A DEADTIME INTERVAL - Deadtime optimization techniques and circuits are provided which implement closed loop feedback to reduce a duration of a deadtime interval by reducing a diode conduction time (DCT) to an optimized or minimized value. Information regarding DCT is fed back to continuously adjust the relative delay between a first driver path which drives a first transistor and a second driver path which drives a second transistor. For instance, information regarding DCT can be measured and stored, and then used to generate a control signal which continuously adjusts (e.g., increases or decreases) a variable delay associated with a delay element in one of the driver paths of one of the transistors. The delay is adjusted to a value which drives the DCT towards an optimum value. By continuously changing the relative delay between the first driver path and the second driver path, the DCT can be driven to an optimum value | 11-13-2008 |
20080284390 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a series circuit of a switch element Q | 11-20-2008 |
20080297125 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR, VOLTAGE REGULATING METHOD THEREOF AND VOLTAGE GENERATOR USING THE SAME - A voltage regulator and a voltage regulating method thereof and a voltage generator using the voltage regulator are disclosed by the present invention. The voltage regulator of the present invention uses a first switching unit and a second switching unit to respectively provide an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) with different closed-loop feedback paths during a first period and a second period. In this way, an auto-zeroing unit is able to exactly store an input offset voltage presented between the inverting input terminal and the non-inverting input terminal of the OTA. | 12-04-2008 |
20080297126 | Combined type transformer and buck-boost circuit using the same - Combined type transformer includes: a transformer core; first and second coils provided with respect to the transformer core; first and second inductor cores provided around the first coil; and third and fourth inductor cores provided around the second coil. The transformer core and the first and second coils constitute a transformer, the first coil and the first and second inductor cores constitute a first inductor, and the second coil and the third and fourth inductor cores constitute a second inductor. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303493 | Boost regulator startup circuits and methods - Embodiments of the present invention include a method of starting a boost regulator comprising during an initial phase beginning when the boost regulator is powered off, coupling a first current from the input node to the output node to increase a voltage on the capacitor to a first voltage level, during a second phase following the first phase, switching the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor, during a third phase following the second phase, turning said PMOS off and switching said NMOS transistor, and during a fourth phase, synchronously switching the PMOS transistor and NMOS transistor. | 12-11-2008 |
20080315848 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes a comparator for providing a gated output signal; and a state machine for receiving the gated output signal. The voltage regulator further includes at least one switch cell controlled by the state machine, for delivering charge to a load. Accordingly, a voltage regulator in accordance with the present invention yields N times (where N is an integer greater than one) the linear efficiency over typical linear regulators without requiring any external components. Therefore improved regulator efficiency is provided for low power devices. | 12-25-2008 |
20090001947 | Low power optimized voltage regulator - Methods and apparatus relating to low power optimized voltage regulators are described. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator controller may cause leakage current from a load to drain a capacitor (e.g., coupled in parallel with the load) during a reduced power state. Other embodiments are also disclosed. | 01-01-2009 |
20090001948 | Programmable Power Limiting for Power Transistor System - Various systems, methods and apparatuses are provided herein for limiting power dissipation in a switch. As one example, a method for limiting power dissipation is disclosed. The method includes monitoring current through the switch, and based at least in part on detecting that the current is at least as great as a predetermined current limit, regulating the current to the predetermined current limit. The method also includes measuring an amount of power dissipated in the switch while the current is being regulated, and opening the switch when the amount of power has reached a predetermined power limit. | 01-01-2009 |
20090015219 | Voltage Regulator Pole Shifting Method and Apparatus - A voltage regulator comprises first and second amplifier stages, a common-source output stage and a feedback path. The output stage drives a capacitive load with a regulated voltage responsive to a signal applied to the output stage. The capacitive load sets the dominant pole of the voltage regulator. The first amplifier stage amplifies the difference between the regulated voltage and a reference voltage. The second amplifier stage drives the output stage with a signal corresponding to the difference between the regulated voltage and the reference voltage. The feedback path couples an output node of the second amplifier stage to an input node of the second amplifier stage for reducing the output resistance of the second amplifier stage to shift a non-dominant pole of the voltage regulator set by the second amplifier stage. | 01-15-2009 |
20090015220 | Switching power supply device, semiconductor intergrated circuit device and power supply device - A switching power supply device performs a stable operation with fast response for a semiconductor integrated circuit device. A capacitor is provided between the output side of an inductor and a ground potential. A first power MOSFET supplies an electric current from an input voltage to the input side of the inductor. A second power MOSFET turned on when the first power MOSFET is off allows the input side of the inductor to be of a predetermined potential. A first feedback signal corresponding to an output voltage obtained from the output side of the inductor and a second feedback signal corresponding to an electric current flowed to the first power MOSFET are used to form a PWM signal. The first power MOSFET has plural cells of a vertical type MOS-construction. | 01-15-2009 |
20090033298 | Voltage regulator with a hybrid control loop - A voltage regulator circuit and method are provided for regulating a voltage accurately in response to rapid variations in the regulator's load. The voltage regulator utilizes a hybrid loop; an embodiment of such utilization is exemplified by circuit | 02-05-2009 |
20090039841 | Controlling Switching Regulator for Maintaining High Efficiency for Wide Input Voltage Range - This disclosure relates to a voltage regulator system where duty cycle value of an input voltage is measured, where the input voltage is supplied to a regulator circuit that provides a regulated output voltage. Based on a calculated ideal duty cycle, which is derived from the measure duty cycle, a determination is made as to whether the regular circuit operational mode is to be changed to achieve greater efficiency. | 02-12-2009 |
20090058380 | MULTIPLE OUTPUT AMPLIFIERS AND COMPARATORS - An amplifier/comparator includes a multitude of output stages all sharing the same input stage. One or more of the output stages are amplification stages and have compensated output signals. A number of other output stages are not compensated and provide comparison signals. Each uncompensated output stage is adapted to switch to a first state if it detects a first input signal as being greater than a second signal, and further to switch to a second state if it detects the first input signal as being smaller than the second signal. By varying the channel-width (W) to channel-length (L) ratio (W/L) of the transistors disposed in the output stages, the trip points of the comparators and/or the electrical characteristics of the amplifiers are selectively varied. | 03-05-2009 |
20090066301 | Buck-boost switching regulator - A buck-boost switching regulator which includes a first switch, a first diode, an inductor, a second switch, a second diode, and a controller for controlling the first switch and the second switch, the controller being configured to receive a current signal indicative of a inductor current flowing in the inductor, and generating a signal indicative of an average current flowing in the inductor, the average current being utilized to control the first switch and the second switch, wherein the controller includes a first compensator circuit for outputting a voltage error signal, a second compensator circuit for outputting a current error signal and a modulator circuit to output a first control signal to control the first switch and a second control switch to control the second switch. | 03-12-2009 |
20090066302 | BOOST DC/DC CONVERTER - A disclosed boost DC/DC converter includes a direct-current power source, of which a negative terminal is connected to ground; an inductor connected to a positive terminal of the direct-current power source; a first switching element connected between the inductor and ground and having a control node for controlling an on-resistance thereof; a second switching element connected in series to the inductor and having a control node for controlling an on-resistance thereof; a smoothing capacitor connected between the second switching element and ground; a switching circuit configured to select a voltage of the direct-current power source during a start-up phase, and to select an output voltage of the smoothing capacitor after the start-up phase; and a control unit configured to cause the switching circuit to apply the voltage selected by the switching circuit to the control node of each of the first and the second switching elements at a predetermined cycle. | 03-12-2009 |
20090072800 | Circuit and Method for a Fully Integrated Switched-Capacitor Step-Down Power Converter - A circuit and method for providing a fully integrated DC-DC converter using on-chip switched capacitors is disclosed. A switched capacitor matrix is coupled as a digitally controlled transfer capacitor. A pair of non-overlapping, fixed frequency clock signals is provided to a switched capacitor circuit including the switched capacitor matrix and a load capacitor coupled to the output terminal. A DC input voltage supply is provided. A hysteretic feedback loop is used to control the voltage at the output as a stepped-down voltage from the input by digitally modulating the transfer capacitor using switches in the switch matrix to couple more, or fewer, transfer capacitors to the output terminal during a clock cycle. A coarse and a fine adjustment circuit are provided to improve the regulation during rapid changes in load power. A method of operating the regulator is disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090079404 | SINGLE-INDUCTOR MULTIPLE-OUTPUT DC/DC CONVERTER METHOD - A method of configuring a DC/DC converter having a plurality of outputs for providing a regulated voltage to each output electrically coupled to an error amplifier of a plurality of error amplifiers and an inductor includes configuring a plurality of controllable switches coupled to the plurality of error amplifiers to operate using a plurality of duty cycles according to D | 03-26-2009 |
20090079405 | Linearized controller for switching power converter - A linearized controller to operate a switching power converter which includes an inductor having its first terminal coupled to a first voltage (V | 03-26-2009 |
20090102440 | Buck-Boost Switching Voltage Regulator - A buck-boost switching regulator includes two buck switches and two boost switches. Two ramp voltages VY and VY are generated. The voltage VY is compared to a voltage VEA | 04-23-2009 |
20090102441 | DC to DC converter - A DC to DC converter comprising: an inductor; a plurality of switches for controlling current flow in the inductor such that the inductor is connected to a supply in a first phase of operation such that the inductor receives energy from the supply, and such that the inductor is connected to an output in a second phase of operation in order to deliver energy to the output; and a controller arranged to monitor the current flow in the inductor at the end of the second phase of operation and to modify the relative duration of the second phase compared to the first phase as a function of the current flow. | 04-23-2009 |
20090108820 | Topology for a positive buck-boost switching regulator - A new topology for a buck-boost switching regulator is provided herein. Embodiments provide an efficient buck-boost switching regulator that provides a regulated output voltage from an unregulated input voltage. Embodiments include a buck-boost switching regulator topology, where the operating mode is determined separately from the pulse-width modulated (PWM) control signal. This topology, in one embodiment, provides a better transient response than typical buck-boost switching regulator topologies, where PWM control circuitry and operating mode circuitry are combined. Furthermore, embodiments provide a buck-boost switching regulator that allows for high efficiency when the output voltage is close to the input voltage. | 04-30-2009 |
20090115381 | AUTOMATIC FREQUENCY CONTROL FOR SERIES RESONANT SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLY - A switched mode power supply comprises a half bridge circuit or a full bridge circuit. A resonant circuit is connected to the bridge circuit and comprises an inductive element ( | 05-07-2009 |
20090121691 | Voltage supply device and nonvolatile memory device having the same - A voltage supply device comprises: a charge pump configured to boost a power voltage and to supply the boosted power voltage to a output line; and a voltage control circuit configured to maintain a voltage level of the output line at a target voltage level; wherein the voltage control circuit comprises a reach-through element including a first region and a second region provided in a well, the reach-through element configured to control the voltage level of the output line, using a reach-through function between the first region and the second region. | 05-14-2009 |
20090146623 | DC to DC converter - A DC to DC converter comprising an inductor, first and second electrically controllable switches and a controller, wherein the first electrically controllable switch is interposed between an input node and a first terminal of the inductor and the second electrically controllable switch extends between a second terminal of the inductor and a common node or a ground, and where a first rectifier extends between the common node or ground and the terminal of the inductor and a second rectifier connects the second terminal of the inductor to an output node, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first and second switches to perform voltage step down or step up, as appropriate, to achieve a desired output voltage and wherein a decision about when to switch the first electrically controlled switch is made as a first function of a voltage error between the output voltage and a target output voltage, and an estimate of the current flowing in the inductor. | 06-11-2009 |
20090146624 | SHUNT REGULATOR HAVING OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - A shunt regulator includes a control circuit, a bypass circuit and a protection circuit. The control circuit is coupled between a first node and a ground, and generates a gate control signal in response to a voltage of the first node and a reference voltage. The bypass circuit forms a first current path between the first node and the ground in response to the gate control signal. The protection circuit has an MOS transistor that is filly turned on in response to a current flowing through the bypass circuit, and forms a second current path between the first node and the ground. Therefore, the shunt regulator occupies a relatively small area in an integrated circuit. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153110 | Control method for multi-phase DC-DC controller and multi-phase DC-DC controller - A multi-phase DC-DC controller. The multi-phase DC-DC controller comprises converter channels, a channel control device and a power control device. Each converter channel comprises a switch device, a first output node and an inductor coupled between the switch device and the first output node. The channel control device generates adjusted pulse width modulation signals according to control signals of the converter channels to respectively control operation of the switch device in each converter channel. The power control device generates the control signals according to sensed currents in the converter channels so as to dynamically turn on or off each converter channel according to the sensed currents. | 06-18-2009 |
20090167265 | CURRENT ZERO CROSSING DETECTOR IN A DIMMER CIRCUIT - A method and circuit for controlling the delivery of power having a current component to a load having an inductive component, the method comprising selectively switching power to the load with a switch, wherein the switch is caused to operate at the threshold of saturation during a conduction state such that the switch self commutates to its off state when the magnitude of the current through the load is substantially zero. The method and circuit may be used in a number of applications for detecting a current zero crossing and may be applied to circuits such as dimmer circuits. | 07-02-2009 |
20090206805 | Converter and Driving Method Thereof - The present invention relates to a converter and a driving method thereof. The converter includes a switch controller that controls switching operation of a master switch and a slave switch. The switch controller detects a center point of one switching operation period of the master switch by using an internal triangular wave having a period that is the same as that of the one switching operation period, and starts the switching operation of the slave switch at the detected point. The internal triangular wave signal has a waveform that varies within one period, and detects a crossing point of an average value of the internal triangular wave and the internal triangular wave as a center point of one switching operation period of the master switch. | 08-20-2009 |
20090224732 | POWER SUPPLY UNIT - To provide a power supply unit capable of realizing a multiphase power supply at low cost. For example, each of a plurality of semiconductor devices DEV[ | 09-10-2009 |
20090237045 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY WITH HIGH EFFICIENCY NEAR ZERO LOAD CONDITIONS - An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a switching power supply with high efficiency near zero load conditions. A power detection module detects power provided to a load. The switching power supply is capable of operating in a zero voltage switching mode. The power detection module detects when the load power falls below a minimum power threshold. A low load power control module operates the switching power supply in a low load mode if the power detection module detects that the power to the load is below the minimum power threshold. The low load mode includes operating the power supply in zero voltage switching mode in response to an output voltage of the power supply falling below a regulation voltage threshold. The low load mode includes turning off switching of the power supply in response to the output voltage of the power supply rising above the regulation voltage threshold. | 09-24-2009 |
20090256536 | INTEGRATED SWITCH WITH INTERNALLY ADJUSTED CONDUCTION TIME - An apparatus and method of providing a pulse width modulated signal that is responsive to a current are disclosed. An integrated circuit according to aspects of the present invention regulates an output of a power supply and includes a switch coupled to receive an external current. The integrated circuit also includes a controller coupled to the switch to control a switching of the external current by the switch in response to an external control signal and an internal current sense signal. The internal current sense signal is proportional to a current in the switch. The output of the power supply is also regulated in the absence of the internal current sense signal. | 10-15-2009 |
20100019745 | Multiple switch node power converter control scheme that avoids switching sub-harmonics - A method of and system for modulating buck and boost modulation ramps of a multiple switch node power converter without overlap. As the pulse width or duty cycle of the signal to a modulated complementary switching pair approaches a pre-established reference pulse width or duty cycle, plural fixed-width or fixed duty cycle pulses are generated and introduced to a nonmodulated complementary switching pair. A controller detects proximity to the pulse width or duty cycle limit and, correspondingly, initiates prematurely a pseudo-buck-boost mode in the power converter by generating fixed-width or fixed duty cycle pulses to the nonmodulated complementary switching pair while the duty cycles or pulse widths to the modulated complementary switching pair are still controlled by the appropriate modulation ramp. The net effect is that the power converter reaches its optimal operating point without overlap and eliminates any sub-harmonic switching. | 01-28-2010 |
20100026250 | MULTIMODE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CIRCUIT - A multimode voltage regulator circuit includes a linear regulator sub-circuit configured to supply current to a load in a low-current mode, responsive to a first control signal from a first control path, as well as a switching regulator sub-circuit configured to supply current to the load in a high-current mode, responsive to a second control signal from a second control path. The circuit further comprises a shared error amplifier configured to generate an error signal based on the difference between a reference voltage and a feedback signal coupled from the load, and a switch configured to selectively route the error signal to the first control path in the low-current mode and to the second control path in the high-current mode. | 02-04-2010 |
20100127673 | Power feed system and voltage stabilization method - A voltage stabilizing circuit is provided between an insulated converter and a non-insulated converter. When an input voltage Vin from the insulated converter rises, a base current Ib is caused to flow into a transistor via a capacitor, thereby causing a collector current Ic that is hfe times larger than the base current Ib to flow into a collector of the transistor. As a result, a capacitance C of the capacitor is caused to produce approximately the same effect as that produced in a case where a capacitor whose capacitance is equivalent to a value obtained by multiplying the capacitance by the current amplification factor hfe of the transistor is inserted between a power supply line and a ground. | 05-27-2010 |
20100134078 | STEP-DOWN SWITCHING REGULATOR - A step-down switching regulator includes a switching device coupled to an input terminal to which an input voltage is applied, an inductor having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the switching device, a smoothing unit having an output terminal and configured to smooth a voltage at the second end of the inductor and generate an output voltage at the output terminal, a rectifier configured to flow a current to the inductor when the switching device is in an OFF state, and a control circuit configured to drive the switching device so that the output voltage becomes equal to a set target voltage. The control circuit detects a difference voltage between the input voltage and the output voltage or a difference voltage between the input voltage and the set target voltage, and causes the switching device to be in an ON state when the difference voltage is lower than or equal to a predetermined voltage value. | 06-03-2010 |
20100171473 | POWER CONVERTER - A high-side MOSFET ( | 07-08-2010 |
20100171474 | TRANSIENT VOLTAGE COMPENSATION APPARATUS AND POWER SUPPLY USING THE SAME - A transient voltage compensation apparatus and a power supply using the same are provided. The power supply mainly uses a compensation circuit coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of a power converter. When a load of the power supply is switched in a very short time, a power coupled to the compensation circuit is retrieved to compensate the output of the power supply, such that the output voltage is kept steady, and the transient response of the power supply is increased. | 07-08-2010 |
20100188062 | HYBRID ANALOG/DIGITAL POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - According to example configurations as described herein, a power supply system includes a unique circuit including an analog summer circuit, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital controller. An output voltage feedback control loop of the power supply system feeds back the output voltage to the analog summer circuit. The analog summer circuit generates an analog error voltage signal based on: i) the output voltage received from the output voltage feedback loop, ii) an analog reference voltage signal, and iii) an analog reference voltage adjustment signal. The analog reference voltage adjustment signal varies depending on a magnitude of current provided by the output voltage to the dynamic load. Accordingly, the analog summer circuit can be configured to support adaptive voltage positioning. The analog-to-digital converter converts the analog error voltage signal into a digital error voltage signal. A controller generates output voltage control signal(s) based on the digital error voltage signal. | 07-29-2010 |
20100237838 | SWITCH-MODE POWER SUPPLY (SMPS) CONTROLLER INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DETERMINING OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS FROM FILTER COMPONENT INFORMATION - A switch-mode power supply (SMPS) controller integrated circuit (IC) provides ease of integration and SMPS designs. Value and/or types of components external to the controller IC that affect the SMPS control loop response are provided to the IC and an internal conversion block determines coefficients for a digital compensator in conformity with the provided value/type information. The conversion block may be a look-up table, processor or dedicated logic, and the component value/type information may be provided via terminals of the controller IC via logic state, attached resistance/capacitance or from external storage. Alternatively, the component values may be programmed into non-volatile storage within the controller IC. | 09-23-2010 |
20100244789 | INTERLEAVED CONVERTER - The present invention includes: an input voltage detector detecting an input voltage of a parallel converter and outputting an input voltage signal; an output voltage detector detecting an output voltage of the parallel converter; and a controller. The controller includes an error amplifier comparing the output voltage signal and a reference voltage and outputting an error amplification signal; an arithmetic operator generating an ON time signal and an OFF time signal based on the input and output voltage signals and the error amplification signal; a phase signal generator generating plural phase signals having different phases based on the ON and OFF time signals and the error amplification signal; a pulse generator generating plural pulse-train signals synchronized with the respective phase signals based on the ON time signal, the error amplification signal and the phase signals; and a driver driving the switching units in accordance with the pulse-train signals. | 09-30-2010 |
20100259234 | Power FET gate charge recovery - A circuit for recovering charge at the gate of an output transistor arranged to drive the output of a switching circuit such as a switching regulator or controller. A substantial portion of the charge for each switching cycle is recovered under a wide range of load conditions for the switching circuit, e.g., no load, partial load, or full load. Also, charge recovery operates effectively with a switching circuit that is arranged to switch in a synchronous or asynchronous manner. Additionally, if the output voltage of a switching circuit is 12 or more volts, the amount of charge that can be saved can be relatively substantial. | 10-14-2010 |
20100277143 | POWER SUPPLY UNIT - To provide a power supply unit capable of realizing a multiphase power supply at low cost. For example, each of a plurality of semiconductor devices DEV[1]-DEV[n] comprises a trigger input terminal TRG_IN, a trigger output terminal TRG_OUT, and a timer circuit TM that delays a pulse signal input from TRG_IN and outputs it to TRG_OUT. DEV[1]-DEV[n] are mutually coupled in a ring shape by its own TRG_IN being coupled to TRG_OUT of one semiconductor device other than itself. Each of DEV[1]-DEV[n] performs switching operation by using the pulse signal from TRG_IN as a starting point, and feeds a current into an inductor L corresponding to itself. Moreover, DEV[1] generates the above-described pulse signal only once during startup by a start trigger terminal ST being set to a ground voltage GND, for example. | 11-04-2010 |
20110018507 | SWITCHED POWER REGULATOR - A regulator circuit comprising an input for receiving an input voltage; an output stage, configured to switch between said input voltage and a reference voltage to generate an output voltage, in dependence on a modulated signal; a controller, configured to receive an error signal (V | 01-27-2011 |
20110050185 | DC-DC CONVERTERS - Methods and apparatus for control of DC-DC converters, especially in valley current mode. The DC-DC converter is operable so that a low side supply switch may be turned off, before the high side supply switch is turned on. During the period when both switches are off the current loop control remains active and the change in inductor (L) current is emulated. One embodiment uses a current sensor for lossless current sensing and emulates the change in inductor current by holding the value of the output of the current sensor (ISNS) at the time that the low side switch turns off and adding an emulated ramp signal (VISLP) until the inductor current reaches zero. Embodiment employing a pulse-skip mode of operation based on a minimum conduction time are also disclosed. The invention enables a seamless transition from Continuous Conduction Mode the Discontinuous Conduction Mode and Pulse Skipping and provide converters that are efficient at low current loads. | 03-03-2011 |
20110062920 | POWER SUPPLY, TEST APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD - A power supply that outputs an output voltage corresponding to a specified voltage through an output terminal includes a plurality of switches that selects which of a high voltage and a low voltage is coupled to the output terminal, a multi-phase pulse width modulating section that controls a pulse width of the high voltage output from each of the plurality of the switches to cause the output voltage to approach the specified voltage, and a changing section that changes a voltage difference between the high voltage and the low voltage according to the specified voltage or the output voltage. | 03-17-2011 |
20110068757 | Switching converter having a plurality N of outputs providing N output signals and at least one inductor and method for controlling such a switching converter - This invention provides a switching converter having a plurality N of outputs providing N output signals and at least one inductor, comprising a first controlling device for controlling the total energy flowing over the inductor to the N outputs dependent on a first control signal, at least a second controlling device for distributing the total energy between the N outputs by means of at least a second control signal, wherein the first controlling device is coupled to all N outputs for receiving a number M of the respective feedback output signals of the N outputs, M≦N, wherein the first controlling device comprises first means for weighting the M feedback output signals and second means for providing the first control signal dependent on the weighted M feedback output signals. | 03-24-2011 |
20110084673 | OPERATING PHASE NUMBER DEPENDENT COMPENSATION OF A MULTI-PHASE BUCK CONVERTER - A multi-phase buck converter has a digital compensator to select a set of compensation coefficients depending on the operating phase number of the multi-phase buck converter, or including different compensators for each operation phase number to improve the loop gain bandwidth, transient response and stability of the multi-phase buck converter. The multi-phase buck converter operates with more phase circuits for higher loading and operates with fewer phase circuits for lower loading. The compensation varies with the number of the operated phase circuits so to be adaptive to the operation condition with an optimized control-to-output voltage transfer function. | 04-14-2011 |
20110089915 | HYSTERETIC CONTROLLED BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER - An apparatus includes a buck boost converter for generating a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage. The buck boost converter includes an inductor, a first pair of switching transistors responsive to a first PWM signal and a second pair of switching transistors responsive to a second PWM signal. An error amplifier generates an error voltage responsive to the regulated output voltage and a reference voltage. A control circuit generates the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal responsive to the error voltage and a sensed current voltage responsive to a sensed current through the inductor. The control circuit controls switching of the first pair of switching transistors and the second pair of switching transistors using the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal responsive to the sensed current through the inductor and a plurality of offset error voltages based on the error voltage. | 04-21-2011 |
20110095736 | Monolithic III-nitride power converter - A power arrangement that includes a monolithically integrated III-nitride power stage having III-nitride power switches and III-nitride driver switches. | 04-28-2011 |
20110101932 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND DC VOLTAGE CONVERSION METHOD - It is desired to provide a DC-DC converter realizing proper slope compensation when an output voltage is dynamically changed with low power consumption, high efficiency and stable operation. Such DC-DC converter includes: a circuit converting an input voltage being switched in response to a drive signal to an output voltage; an amplifier generating an error signal based on an error between a target output voltage and the output voltage; a comparator generating a PWM signal based on the error signal, a current feedback signal corresponding to a current value between the input and output, and a slope compensation signal of a current value between the input and output; a circuit generating the drive signal based on the PWM signal and a period signal; a register recording a set voltage value corresponding to the target output voltage; and a circuit generating the slope compensation signal corresponding to the set voltage value. | 05-05-2011 |
20110101933 | Power Converter with Controller Operable in Selected Modes of Operation - A power converter and method of controlling the same for selected modes of operation. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second power switches during selected modes of operation. | 05-05-2011 |
20110101934 | Power Converter with Controller Operable in Selected Modes of Operation - A power converter and method of controlling the same for selected modes of operation. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second power switches during selected modes of operation. | 05-05-2011 |
20110115450 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING START UP OF A VOLTAGE REGULATOR SYSTEM WITH INDEPENDENT VOLTAGE REGULATION - A multichannel voltage regulator includes a plurality of voltage regulator modules for generating a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage and a feedback voltage. Synchronization circuitry controls a release of PWM signals during soft start within each of the plurality of voltage regulator modules. The PWM signals release are synchronized to occur substantially at a same point in time. | 05-19-2011 |
20110127974 | SWITCHING CONTROL CIRCUIT AND POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - A switching control circuit includes: a drive circuit configured to turn on/off a transistor according to a duty ratio of a drive signal so as to generate an output voltage of a target level from an input voltage, the transistor configured to be applied with the input voltage at an input electrode thereof; and a drive signal generation circuit configured to change the duty ratio of the drive signal based on a reference voltage and a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage, to generate the drive signal having the duty ratio which is changed so that the feedback voltage becomes equal in level to the reference voltage, and which is changed so that the output voltage is reduced with a rise in temperature. | 06-02-2011 |
20110127975 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - The present invention provides a switching power source and a semiconductor integrated circuit which realize an acquisition a sufficient driving voltage of a high-potential side switching element M1 even when a power source voltage VDD is low. In a switching power source which controls a current which flows in an inductor through a switching element which performs a switching operation in response to a PWM signal, and forms an output voltage by a capacitor which is provided in series in the inductor, a booster circuit which is constituted of a bootstrap capacity and a MOSFET is provided between an output node of the switching element and a predetermined voltage terminal, the boosted voltage is used as an operational voltage of a driving circuit of the switching element, another source/drain region and a substrate gate are connected with each other such that when the MOSFET is made to assume an OFF state, and a junction diode between one source/drain region and the substrate gate is inversely directed with respect to the boosted voltage which is formed by the bootstrap capacity. | 06-02-2011 |
20110133708 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY UNIT - A switching power supply unit of a non-insulated, synchronous rectification type converts a voltage input to an input terminal into a predetermined voltage and outputs the voltage. The unit includes an inductor, a plurality of output switching elements, a plurality of rectifying switching elements, a switching element control circuit, a switching regulator integrated circuit, and a plurality of buffer circuits. The output switching elements, the rectifying switching elements, the switching element control circuit and the buffer circuits are integrated on the switching regulator integrated circuit. | 06-09-2011 |
20110133709 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH LOW AND HIGH POWER MODES - A voltage regulator comprising at least first and second regulator elements connected between an output node and a supply rail for supplying load current to a load connected to the output node. The voltage regulator comprises first and second control modules for controlling the first and second regulator elements respectively to maintain the output node at a regulated voltage in the presence of a variable impedance presented by the load to the output node, the second regulator element and the second control module having a smaller load current capacity and smaller leakage current than the first regulator element and the first control module. The voltage regulator also comprises a mode selector for de-activating the first regulator element and the first control module in a first operational mode in response to a load current less than a threshold value, for activating the first regulator element and the first control module in a second operational mode in response to a load current greater than a threshold value, and an additional current-carrying path for carrying supplementary current for the first control module at least during a transition from the first operational mode to the second operational mode. | 06-09-2011 |
20110140676 | Mismatch-Free Charge Pump and Method Thereof - The charge-pump apparatus is disclosed having a substantially fixed current source for outputting a first current of a first polarity; a variable current source for outputting a second current of a second polarity opposite to the first polarity; a first current steering network for steering the first current into either an output node or a termination node in accordance with a first control signal; a second current steering network for steering the second current into either the output node or the termination node in accordance with a second control signal; a voltage follower for receiving a first voltage associated with the output node and outputting a second voltage at an internal node; a current sensor inserted between the termination node and the internal node for sensing a current flowing between the termination node and the internal node; and a feedback network for adjusting the variable current source in accordance with an output of the current sensor. | 06-16-2011 |
20110148370 | VOLTAGE CONVERSION APPARATUS AND ELECTRICAL LOAD DRIVING APPARATUS - The present invention is related to a voltage conversion apparatus having a first loop circuit and a second loop circuit which share an inductance component, in which a current passes through the first and second loop circuits alternately in accordance with ON/OFF operation of a first switching element provided in the first loop circuit, characterized in that a direction of a magnetic field through the first loop circuit generated at the ON operation of the first switching element in the first loop circuit is the same as a direction of a magnetic field through the second loop circuit generated at the OFF operation of the first switching element in the first loop circuit subsequent to the ON operation. | 06-23-2011 |
20110148371 | SWITCHED-MODE POWER SUPPLY - A switched-mode power supply (SMPS) uses an equivalent inductor of bonding wire(s) and lead frame(s) to replace a traditional external inductor. A current-controlled pulse width modulation (PWM) modulator and a current-controlled pulse frequency modulation (PFM) modulator are optionally employed for high frequency switching, so as to mate a low inductance value of the bonding wire(s) and lead frame(s) and achieve reduced cost, low power consumption and low complexity. | 06-23-2011 |
20110156669 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a bootstrap circuit including a capacitor which is configured to be charged when a low-side switch is an on-state, and being configured to pull up an on-drive voltage of the high-side switch by a charged voltage of the capacitor, a control circuit configured to perform switching control of the high-side switch and the low-side switch, and a predetermined-time trigger circuit configured to cause an output to be active for a predetermined time, when a break signal for instructing switching control of the high-side switch and the low-side switch to be halted is inactive. The control circuit performs switching control to turn the high-side switch off and the low-side switch on, when the output of the predetermined-time trigger circuit is active. | 06-30-2011 |
20110163731 | THRESHOLD VOLTAGE MONITORING AND CONTROL IN SYNCHRONOUS POWER CONVERTERS - A method of providing threshold voltage monitoring and control in synchronous power converters is provided. The method includes establishing a threshold voltage level for at least one of a gate drive voltage for an upper and a lower power switch in a synchronous power converter, each threshold voltage level controlling a switching delay time for one of the upper and lower power switches. The method further includes detecting body diode conduction levels for at least one of the upper and lower power switches and adjusting the threshold voltage level for at least one of the upper and lower power switches, based on the detected body diode conduction levels, to fine-tune a body diode conduction time around an equilibrium for the at least one of the upper and lower power switches. | 07-07-2011 |
20110169463 | ADJUSTABLE DRIVER VOLTAGE SOURCE FOR A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING DRIVER VOLTAGE IN A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - An adjustable driver voltage source for a switching power supply uses a linear regulator to provide a driver voltage, and a modulator to adjust the driver voltage according to the loading change of the switching power supply. The modulator may lower the driver voltage at light load to reduce the switching loss and thereby increase the power efficiency of the switching power supply. | 07-14-2011 |
20110169464 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter to convert an input voltage into a predetermined voltage includes a first switching device to provide energy for an inductor; a second switching device to discharge the energy from the inductor to an output terminal; an error amplifier to amplify an error voltage between a first reference voltage and a monitoring voltage obtained by dividing an output voltage output from the output terminal; a set signal generation circuit including a first comparator into which a second reference voltage and an output of the error amplifier are input; a reset signal generation circuit; a control circuit into which an output from the set signal generation circuit and an output from the reset signal generation circuit are input; and a detection circuit to detect a switching frequency of an electric power supply, wherein a characteristic of the first comparator is changed according to the switching frequency. | 07-14-2011 |
20110175581 | Switching Power Supply Circuit - A switching power supply circuit comprises: a differential amplification stage for outputting an error signal representing a difference voltage between a preset reference voltage and a voltage based on an output voltage; an ON-time generation circuit for defining a period of time during which a main switching element is kept ON; a flip-flop circuit which is set by a set signal based on the error signal and reset by a reset signal being an output of the ON-time generation circuit; current information means for detecting current information representing a current flowing to a subordinate switching element; current information detecting means for supplying a current information detecting signal, which makes an adjustment based on the current information so as to delay the timing of the rise of the set signal, to the output side or the interior of the differential amplification stage; and current information holding means for holding the current information detected by the current information means at a moment when the subordinate switching element is turned on, and supplying a current information holding signal, which makes an adjustment so as to advance the timing of the rise of the set signal, to the output side or the interior of the differential amplification stage. | 07-21-2011 |
20110175582 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTROL OF SWITCHES IN POWER REGULATORS/POWER AMPLIFIERS - A system includes a first switch connected to a voltage input and a switching node. A second switch is connected to the switching node and a reference potential. A first circuit generates first rising edges and first falling edges by comparing a voltage at the switching node to a first voltage reference. The first voltage reference is between the reference potential and the voltage input. A second circuit generates second rising edges and second falling edges by comparing the switching node voltage to a second voltage reference. The second voltage reference is less than the reference potential. The controller calculates delay times based on the first rising edges, the first falling edges, the second rising edges and the second falling edges. The controller generates drive signals for the first switch and the second switch based on a duty cycle and the delay times. | 07-21-2011 |
20110187335 | CONTROL OF A HALF RESONANT CONVERTER FOR AVOIDING CAPACITIVE MODE - This invention relates to improved methods of preventing MOSFET damage in a resonant switched mode power converter ( | 08-04-2011 |
20110193537 | NON-LINEAR PWM CONTROLLER FOR DC-TO-DC CONVERTERS - A controller for switching power supplies includes a nonlinear controller component capable of providing a duty cycle to a pulse width modulator. The duty cycle corresponds to at least one predetermining switching power supply state variable. A nonlinear controller component receives as inputs at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable. A relationship between duty cycle and at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable is obtained by a predetermined method. The nonlinear controller component comprises memory for access by an application component. The memory includes a data structure stored in memory and a plurality of duty cycles. Each of the plurality of duty cycles has a corresponding at least one predetermined switching power supply state variable. Each duty cycle, when provided to the pulse width modulator of the switching power supply, provides a predetermined switching power supply output. | 08-11-2011 |
20110204859 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - A switching power supply apparatus has a power circuit unit, the power circuit unit including a first switching element connected at a first end to a first end of a power supply, an inductor connected at a first end thereof to a second end of the first switching element, a second output terminal connected to a second end of the inductor, a capacitor connected between a first output terminal and the second output terminal, and a second switching element connected between a second end of the power supply and a second end of the first switching element. The switching power supply apparatus has an optimal response multi-mode digital current program mode control unit, the optimal response multi-mode digital current program mode control unit including an error signal generator which generates an error signal according to a potential difference between an output voltage and a preset voltage, and an inductor current detector which detects and amplifies an inductor current. | 08-25-2011 |
20110204860 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH AUTOMATIC INDUCTOR DETECTION FOR EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION - A DC-DC converter has high-side power and low-side power transistors connected in series between supply terminals, an inductor connected between the power transistors and an output terminal. A comparator compares the output voltage with a reference voltage. A detector detects when inductor current approaches zero. A timer is configured to determine a minimum ON time of the high-side power transistor optimized for a particular value inductor. A current detector detects current flow in the back-gate diode of the low-side power transistor. timer is configured to determine an overriding ON time in response to the back-gate current detector. Logic provides control signals to gate power transistors in response to the comparator and the longer one of the minimum ON time and the overriding ON time. The minimum ON time for the high-side power transistor is adjusted in response to the actual inductance of the inductor. | 08-25-2011 |
20110210707 | PULSE MODULATION CONTROL IN A DC-DC CONVERTER CIRCUIT - In a device, a pulse modulation switching logic is provided to generate switching signals of a pulse modulator so as to generate a pulse modulated signal with a first pulse modulation control parameter and a second pulse modulation control parameter. The first pulse modulation control parameter is controlled on the basis of a first control signal, and the second pulse modulation control parameter is controlled on the basis of a second control signal. A first control loop is provided to generate the first control signal from an output signal derived from the pulse modulated signal. A second control loop is provided to generate the second control signal on the basis of the output signal. The first and second control signals are applied to concurrently control the first and second pulse modulation control parameters. | 09-01-2011 |
20110210708 | High Frequency Power Supply Module Having High Efficiency and High Current - A high frequency power supply module ( | 09-01-2011 |
20110210709 | MULTIMODE VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A MULTIMODE VOLTAGE REGULATOR OUTPUT VOLTAGE AND AN OUTPUT CURRENT TO A LOAD - A multimode voltage regulator comprises an output for providing a regulator output voltage Vdd and an output current to a load and a low power reference voltage source having a reference voltage output providing the regulator output voltage Vdd, when in a first low power mode the output current is not greater than a threshold value. It may comprise a buffer amplifier having an output providing the regulator output voltage Vdd, when the output current is greater than the threshold value and a first bias voltage input being connected in a second low power mode to the reference voltage output when the output current is greater than the threshold value for less than a predefined time. And it may comprise a mode controller for automatically determining the output current and automatically switching from first low power mode to second low power mode. | 09-01-2011 |
20110221406 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATION CIRCUIT - Disclosed is a reference voltage generation circuit comprising a reference voltage generation and comparison unit, a drive unit, and M drive unit candidate circuits. The reference voltage generation and comparison unit generates reference voltage. An output voltage output from the reference voltage generation circuit is input into the reference voltage generation and comparison unit as a negative feedback voltage. After being compared with the reference voltage, the output voltage is output from the reference voltage generation and comparison unit to the drive unit and the M drive unit candidate circuits. When power supply voltage of the reference voltage generation circuit varies, after being driven by the drive unit and the drive unit candidate circuits, the output voltage is output to an output terminal of the reference voltage generation circuit so that the output voltage can be stabilized at the level of the reference voltage. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221407 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A DC-DC converter according to an aspect of the present invention includes an error generator, a mode selection reference voltage generator, an operation mode selector, and a driver controller. The error generator generates an error signal based on a direct-current output voltage. The mode selection reference voltage generator generates a first mode selection reference voltage and a second mode selection reference voltage lower than the first mode selection reference voltage. The first and second mode selection reference voltages vary based on amplitude of an alternating-current component included in the error signal. The operation mode selector compares the error signal with the first and second mode selection reference voltages. The driver controller switches a generating method of the direct-current output voltage from one of a PWM method and a PFM method to the other according to the result of the comparison. | 09-15-2011 |
20110227546 | DC-DC CONVERTER - To eliminate the problem that a magnetic deflection is caused in a transformer even when a coupled inductor converter is in a stationary operation state, provided is a DC-DC converter including a first series circuit portion formed by a first switching transistor, a first capacitor, a first inductor, and a second capacitor which are connected to a DC power in series in this order, and a second series circuit portion formed by a second switching transistor and a second inductor which are connected in series in this order, the second series circuit portion is connected in parallel to the first capacitor and the first inductor, and the first inductor and the second inductor constitute a coupled inductor having a plurality of windings and a common magnetic core. | 09-22-2011 |
20110234183 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT AND DYNAMIC SWITCH VOLTAGE CONTROL - According to one configuration, a monitor circuit monitors a delivery of power supplied by one or more switch devices to a dynamic load. Based on an amount of power delivered to the load as measured by the monitor circuit, a control circuit produces a voltage control signal. A gate bias voltage generator circuit utilizes the voltage control signal to generate a switch activation voltage or bias voltage. A switch drive circuit uses the switch activation voltage as generated by the bias voltage generator to activate each of the one or more switch devices during a portion of a switching cycle when a respective switch device is in an ON state, and the respective switch device conducts current from a voltage source through the switch device to the load. The control circuit adjusts the voltage control signal to modify a level of the switch activation voltage depending on the dynamic load. | 09-29-2011 |
20110241633 | SWITCHING CONVERTER CONTROL CIRCUIT - A DC-DC converter has a control circuit for controlling a high-side power transistor and a low-side power transistor connected in series between supply terminals to which an input supply voltage is applied. The converter has a switching node at the interconnection of the power transistors for connection of an inductor to which a load is connected. The control circuit has a feedback loop that provides a pulse width modulated control signal, logic circuitry to which the pulse width modulated control signal is applied and gate drivers with inputs connected to outputs of the logic circuitry and outputs applying gate drive signals to the gates of the power transistors. A digital signal is obtained which is indicative of whether the converter switching node is at a potential above or below a zero reference at the time of the turn-off edge of the low-side gate drive signal. The turn-off edge of the low-side gate drive signal is advanced or delayed by a predetermined amount in response to the value of the digital signal. | 10-06-2011 |
20110241634 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR CONDUCTION MODE CONTROL - Methods for selecting between the two modes (states) of operation, continuous conduction and discontinuous conduction, are disclosed. Systems that are capable of selecting the operating mode and operating in the continuous conduction mode or the discontinuous conduction mode are also disclosed. | 10-06-2011 |
20110241635 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND BOOSTER CIRCUIT INCLUDING THE SAME - A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a first transistor and a second transistor connected in series between a first voltage and a second voltage; a first inverter configured to control the first transistor; a second inverter configured to control the second transistor; and a current source, wherein the current source is connected in series with at least one of the first inverter or the second inverter. | 10-06-2011 |
20110248691 | Method Of Starting DC/DC Converter Using Synchronous Freewheeling MOSFET - A DC/DC converter including an inductor and a capacitor is started by connecting an input voltage to the inductor and shunting a current around the inductor so as to pre-charge the capacitor to a predetermined voltage. | 10-13-2011 |
20110260703 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTION AND COMPENSATION OF AGGRESSIVE OUTPUT FILTERS FOR SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLIES - A controller for a switched mode power supply converting an input voltage to a regulated output voltage according to one embodiment includes a control network and a detection network. The control network develops a pulse width control signal for regulating a level of the output voltage. The detection network detects a phase lag of the output voltage and adjusts operation of the control network based on the phase lag. The phase lag may be determined from any parameter incorporating phase shift, such as the output voltage or the compensation voltage. Various alternative schemes are disclosed for adjusting the control loop, including, but not limited to, adding slope compensation, adjusting window resistance or window current, adding adjustment current to adjust ripple voltage, adjusting ripple transconductance, and adjusting ripple capacitance. Digital and analog compensation adjustment schemes are disclosed. | 10-27-2011 |
20110267016 | SWITCHING REGULATION CONTROLLER, SWITCHING REGULATOR AND CONTROLLING METHOD FOR SWITCHING REGULATION - A switching regulation controller for driving a switch circuit included in a switching regulator which converts an input voltage to a target voltage, and outputs the target voltage. The switching regulation controller detects an error between the output voltage and the target voltage, and uses the detected error and a control amount generated before to generate a control amount for controlling the switch circuit so that the output voltage is coincident with the target voltage according to a given transfer function. When the detected error reaches below a given value, the switching regulation controller generates the control amount using a candidate value smaller than the control amount instead of the control amount generated before. With switching regulation controller, the switching regulator, and the controlling method for switching generation, the overshoot at the rise of an output voltage is reduced without sacrificing the rising time of the output voltage. | 11-03-2011 |
20110273150 | Control Loop for Switching Power Converters - A pulse regulation loop for a clocked switching power converter where the loop is around a bridge converter. The loop features a comparator, a charge pump and a filter in series, feeding a pulse modulator controlling the clock duty cycle of the bridge. Ripple in the bridge converter output is feed to the comparator which causes the charge pump to inject or remove charge from the filter at the clock rate providing control over the modulator that establishes converter efficiency. The charge pump is of the PLL type, having switches responsive to voltage output from the comparator, evaluating the converter ripple relative to a reference voltage. | 11-10-2011 |
20110273151 | DC-DC CONVERTER CIRCUITS, AND METHODS AND APPARATUS INCLUDING SUCH CIRCUITS - Electrical power from an input voltage supply is converted to first and second output voltages of opposite polarities using a single inductor (L) and only four principal switches (S | 11-10-2011 |
20110279100 | POWDER CORE MATERIAL COUPLED INDUCTORS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A multi-phase coupled inductor includes a powder core material magnetic core and first, second, third, and fourth terminals. The coupled inductor further includes a first winding at least partially embedded in the core and a second winding at least partially embedded in the core. The first winding is electrically coupled between the first and second terminals, and the second winding electrically is coupled between the third and fourth terminals. The second winding is at least partially physically separated from the first winding within the magnetic core. The multi-phase coupled inductor is, for example, used in a power supply. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279101 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH UNDER VOLTAGE LOCK OUT CIRCUIT - A switching power supply system controlling switching operations of switching devices by a control circuit to convert an input voltage into a desired output voltage, the system being provided with a under voltage lock out circuit including: an input voltage detection unit detecting an input voltage and producing an input voltage digital signal corresponding to the input voltage Vin; and a voltage level comparison unit carrying out digital comparison of the input voltage digital signal with each of two voltage detection level data and outputting the results of the comparisons as an output signal, in which by changing voltage detection level data stored in two registers, desired voltage detection levels and hysteresis characteristic are easily actualized. | 11-17-2011 |
20110285365 | DC TO DC CONVERTER - A DC to DC converter comprising an inductor, first and second electrically controllable switches and a controller, wherein the first electrically controllable switch is interposed between an input node and a first terminal of the inductor and the second electrically controllable switch extends between a second terminal of the inductor and a common node or a ground, and where a first rectifier extends between the common node or ground and the terminal of the inductor and a second rectifier connects the second terminal of the inductor to an output node, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first and second switches to perform voltage step down or step up, as appropriate, to achieve a desired output voltage and wherein a decision about when to switch the first electrically controlled switch is made as a first function of a voltage error between the output voltage and a target output voltage, and an estimate of the current flowing in the inductor. | 11-24-2011 |
20110291623 | METHOD AND MEANS TO IMPLEMENT A CURRENT FOLLOWER OPERATION OF A BUCK MODE, SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A buck mode power supply monitors the pulse load current for use as a scaled reference for comparison to a measured output current from each stage of the supply. A correction signal is generated for each stage by comparing the reference to the measured output currents. This result is compared to a second reference created from the system clock. A resulting second correction signal is used to alter the threshold reference voltage in a manner that provides proportional pulse width control to the supply output. | 12-01-2011 |
20110291624 | SWITCH DRIVING CIRCUIT AND SWITCH DRIVING METHOD - The present invention relates to a switch driving circuit and a driving method thereof that are capable of preventing hard switching. | 12-01-2011 |
20110291625 | Low Power Regulator - A voltage regulator may derive current from a bias circuitry having a constant-transconductance. The bias circuitry may generate the bias current using three NMOS devices. The temperature coefficient of the bias current may be within a specified, desired range. The bias current may be mirrored to low-power regulator circuitry to bias a diode-connected transistor in the low-power regulator circuitry to operate in the strong inversion region. A ratioed current based on the output load current may be injected into a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) device to cause the gate-source voltage (V | 12-01-2011 |
20110291626 | SWITCHING POWER SOURCE DEVICE - A switching power source device disclosed in this specification includes a switching power source portion of nonlinear control method to generate an output voltage from an input voltage by performing an ON/OFF control of a switch element according to a comparison result between a feedback voltage and a reference voltage, wherein a ripple component is injected to either one of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage, and an offset control portion to adjust either one of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage for cancelling a DC offset of the output voltage caused by the ripple component. | 12-01-2011 |
20110298431 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR OPERATING DEVICES WITH SOLAR POWER - Solar power tracking techniques are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, a solar power tracking apparatus includes, but is not limited to, a voltage converter and a controller coupled to the voltage converter. The voltage converter includes an input capable of being coupled to a solar power source and an output capable of being coupled to an electronic load, such as, for example, a portable electronic device. The voltage converter is configured to monitor or detect an amount of power drawn by the electronic load at the output of the voltage converter. In response to the monitored power drawn, the controller is configured to control the voltage converter to reduce amount of power to be drawn subsequently if the monitored amount of power exceeds a predetermined threshold. As a result, the output voltage from the solar power source is maintained within a predetermined range. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. | 12-08-2011 |
20110316502 | FEEDBACK FOR CONTROLLING THE SWITCHING FREQUENCY OF A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, units, systems, and processes for controlling the switching frequency of a voltage regulator. Frequency monitoring and adjustment circuitry is coupled to sense a switching frequency of a power switch coupled to an output filter of the voltage regulator. The frequency monitoring and adjustment circuitry is configured to provide a frequency adjustment signal based on the sensed switching frequency. Power switch control circuitry is coupled to receive the frequency adjustment signal and is configured to control switching of the power switch based on the frequency adjustment signal. | 12-29-2011 |
20110316503 | Control Method for Multi-Phase DC-DC Controller and Multi-Phase DC-DC Controller - A multi-phase DC-DC controller. The multi-phase DC-DC controller comprises converter channels, a channel control device and a power control device. Each converter channel comprises a switch device, a first output node and an inductor coupled between the switch device and the first output node. The channel control device generates adjusted pulse width modulation signals according to control signals of the converter channels to respectively control operation of the switch device in each converter channel. The power control device generates the control signals according to sensed currents in the converter channels so as to dynamically turn on or off each converter channel according to the sensed currents. | 12-29-2011 |
20120001603 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH ADAPTIVE HYSTERETIC CONTROL - A voltage regulator with adaptive hysteretic control. The voltage regulator may include a top switch (e.g., MOSFET) configured to couple a power supply supplying an input voltage to a load. An adaptive hysteretic control circuit of the voltage regulator may turn on the top switch when the feedback voltage reaches the low threshold and turn off the top switch when the feedback voltage reaches the high threshold. The adaptive hysteretic control circuit may adjust the upper and lower threshold to make the voltage regulator working like a constant on time control circuit in steady state. When a step down transient happens, the top switch could be turned off when the output voltage reaches the upper threshold, and when a step up transient happens, the top switch could be turned on when the output voltage reaches the lower threshold, it makes the voltage regulator working like a hysteretic control circuit. | 01-05-2012 |
20120007571 | POWER SUPPLY, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICAL POWER TO A LOAD - A power supply adapted for supplying electrical power to a load ( | 01-12-2012 |
20120013316 | DC-DC CONVERTER - According to one embodiment, a DC-DC converter includes a mounting substrate and a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a first switch element, a second switch element, a first interconnect layer receiving an input potential, a second interconnect layer connected with an inductor, a third interconnect layer receiving a reference potential, and a fourth interconnect layer connected with the inductor. These layers are disposed side by side in one direction on one layer. The mounting substrate includes a fifth interconnect pattern receiving an input potential and disposed adjacently on one side of a mounting region of the semiconductor device, a sixth interconnect pattern receiving a reference voltage and disposed adjacently on the one side of the mounting region, and a seventh interconnect pattern disposed adjacently on one other side opposite to the one side of the mounting region. | 01-19-2012 |
20120019218 | Constant on-time switching regulator, and control method and on-time calculation circuit therefor - The present invention discloses a constant on-time switching regulator, a control method therefor, and an on-time calculation circuit for calculating an on-time period of a constant on-time switching regulator. The on-time calculation circuit calculates on-time according to practical conditions. It includes: a driver gate receiving a gate signal of a power switch in a switching regulator, the driver gate operating between high and low levels of a first reference voltage and ground; a low pass filter receiving an output from the driver gate and generating a second reference voltage, a ratio between the second reference voltage and the first reference voltage being substantially the same as a duty ratio of the gate signal; and an on-time generator comparing the second reference voltage with a ramp signal to determine an on-time of the power switch. | 01-26-2012 |
20120019219 | Constant on-time switching regulator, and control method and on-time calculation circuit therefor - The present invention discloses a constant on-time switching regulator, a control method therefor, and an on-time calculation circuit for calculating an on-time period of a constant on-time switching regulator. The on-time calculation circuit calculates on-time according to practical conditions. It includes: a driver gate receiving a gate signal of a power switch in a switching regulator, the driver gate operating between high and low levels of a first reference voltage and ground; a low pass filter receiving an output from the driver gate and generating a second reference voltage, a ratio between the second reference voltage and the first reference voltage being substantially the same as a duty ratio of the gate signal; and an on-time generator comparing the second reference voltage with a ramp signal to determine an on-time of the power switch. | 01-26-2012 |
20120025791 | COUPLED INDUCTORS FOR IMPROVED POWER CONVERTER - The disclosure relates to inductors fabricated on a substrate. A first inductor is formed by depositing conducting material on a first side of the substrate and a second inductor is formed by depositing material on a second side of the substrate. The inductors have the same cross section and the paths of the conducting materials are mirror images and provide magnetic flux on a portion of the substrate when equal currents flow in the inductors. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025792 | CONTROLLERS FOR POWER CONVERTERS - A controller for a power converter includes a first amplification stage and a second amplification stage coupled to the first amplification stage. The first amplification stage generates a first amplified signal at a first terminal of an energy storage element according to an output signal the power converter. The second amplification stage generates a second amplified signal at a second terminal of the energy storage element and varies the second amplified signal in response to a change in the output signal. The second amplification stage further decreases the variation of the second amplified signal based on the first amplified signal. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025793 | OFFSET AND DELAY CANCELLATION CIRCUIT FOR A SWITCHING DC-DC POWER SUPPLY - A control circuit and method of a switching DC-DC power supply detects the error between the output voltage of the power supply and a design value of the output voltage and according to the error, determines an offset adjust signal to adjust the offset of an error comparator of the power supply to pull the output voltage toward the design value. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025794 | DRIVE CONTROLLER - A drive controller for driving an inductive load connected to a node between first and second switches connected in series with a direct current voltage source includes a first diode, a series circuit of a second diode and an inductor, and a control circuit. The first diode is a parasitic diode of the first switch and connected in antiparallel with the first switch. The series circuit is connected in parallel with the first diode. The control circuit drives the inductor load by applying a control voltage to the first switch before applying a first ON-voltage to the second switch. The first ON-voltage turns ON the second switch. The control voltage is greater than zero and less than a second ON-voltage. The second ON-voltage turns ON the first switch. The control voltage causes the first switch to operate in weak inversion. | 02-02-2012 |
20120025795 | COMPARATOR AND DC/DC CONVERTER - There is provided a PWM comparator which needs no current detecting differential amplifier in a control circuit constituting a current mode control DC/DC converter. The comparator includes a differential input stage including two pairs of input differential transistors whose sources are commonly connected for each pair; two constant-current sources connected to the common sources of the pairs of input differential transistors, respectively; a load transistor commonly connected to drain sides of the pairs and performing a current-voltage conversion; and an output stage connected to a point where the differential input stage and the load transistor are connected to each other. A feedback voltage of an output voltage and a slope compensating waveform signal are input to terminals, respectively, of one pair, and voltages at both ends of a current detecting resistor, which is connected in series to the inductor, are input to terminals, respectively, of the other pair. | 02-02-2012 |
20120032657 | REDUCING SHOOT-THROUGH IN A SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Methods, apparatuses, and devices for a voltage regulator are provided. In certain examples, a method for preventing shoot-through in a voltage regulator includes determining whether an output stage for a voltage regulator is operating in a continuous-conduction mode (CCM) or a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM); and setting the voltage regulator in one of adaptive dead time mode and programmable dead time mode based on whether the output stage is operating in CCM or DCM. | 02-09-2012 |
20120032658 | Buck-Boost Converter Using Timers for Mode Transition Control - A DC-to-DC, buck-boost voltage converter includes a duty cycle controller configured to generate control signals for a buck driver configured to drive first and second buck switching transistors at a buck duty cycle and to generate control signals for a boost driver configured to drive first and second boost switching transistors at a boost duty cycle. The duty cycle controller includes at least a duty cycle timer and an offset timer where the duty cycle controller applies the duty cycle timer and the offset timer to control transitions between the buck, the buck-boost and the boost operation modes of the voltage converter. | 02-09-2012 |
20120043949 | SWITCHING POWER SOURCE APPARATUS - A switching power source apparatus includes a high-side MOSFET | 02-23-2012 |
20120056605 | Integrated circuit device for switching regulator and designing method therefor - An integrated circuit device for a switching regulator, includes: a controller configured to generate a digital duty signal for a current mode control of the switching regulator based on an output voltage to be supplied from the switching regulator to a load circuit; and a switching pulse generating section configured to set a time ratio of a switching pulse signal for controlling turning-on and turning-off of a switching circuit which is provided in the switching regulator, based on the digital duty signal. The controller is a digital circuit which operates based on a master clock of the same frequency as a switching frequency of the switching circuit. | 03-08-2012 |
20120062189 | Switching regulator and control circuit and control method thereof - The present invention discloses a switching regulator, and a control circuit and method for controlling a switching regulator. The switching regulator includes a power stage driven by a driver voltage outputted from a driver circuit. The present invention detects an input current to generate an input current detection signal, and adjusts an operation voltage supplied to the driver circuit according to the input current detection signal. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062190 | DC-DC CONVERTERS - This application relates to switch mode DC-DC converter circuitry having a power switch operably connected between a supply node and an inductor node. The DC-DC converter has switch control circuitry for driving the power switch which is configured to controllably vary the rate of at least one of turn-on or turn-off of the first power switch. The rate may be based on the operational conditions of the converter, e.g. inductor current, one or more supply voltages and/or operating mode or activity level of a host device. By increasing the rate at which the switch turns-on or off switch transition power losses can be reduced. However a faster switching speed can lead to an increased voltage stress on the circuitry. Embodiments of the present invention varying the rate or turn-on and/or turn-off of the switch to reduce power losses but remain with the safe operating limits for the circuitry. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062191 | DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - In general, according to one embodiment, a DC-to-DC converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a diode, a high-side controller and a low-side controller. The low-side switch is connected in series with the high-side switch. The diode is connected in parallel with the low-side switch. The high-side controller has a detector for detecting a current of the high-side switch and controls the high-side switch to be turned on or off in accordance with an output of the detector. The low-side controller controls the low-side switch to be turned off when the high-side switch is ON and controls the low-side switch to be turned on or off in accordance with a peak value of the output of the detector when the high-side switch is OFF. | 03-15-2012 |
20120068674 | MULTIPHASE CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTROL UNIT - A multiphase control system is provided, which is adapted to convert power of an input power source into an output voltage for outputting through an output terminal. The multiphase control system comprises a plurality of control units connected in series to form a loop. Each of the control units receives a sequential input signal from an adjacent control unit connected there before through a multiphase input terminal, and generates a control signal to control power transmission from the input power source to the output terminal when determining that the output voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage value, and generates a sequential output signal at a multiphase output terminal for outputting to an adjacent control unit connected there after. | 03-22-2012 |
20120068675 | Voltage generation circuit - A voltage generation circuit includes a voltage detection circuit that generates a detection voltage according to an output voltage, a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a reference voltage which changes periodically, a comparison circuit that generates a control signal according to a result of a comparison between the detection voltage and the reference voltage, wherein control pulses each having a pulse width according to the detection voltage are sequentially appeared in the control signal, and a driving pulse generation circuit that generates a driving pulse corresponding to the control pulse and supplies the generated driving pulse to a transistor connected to a DC power source when the pulse width of the control pulse exceeds a predetermined width, and stops generating the driving pulse when the pulse width of the control pulse becomes smaller than the predetermined width. | 03-22-2012 |
20120068676 | VOLTAGE GENERATION CIRCUIT - A voltage generation circuit includes a voltage detection circuit that generates a detection voltage according to an output voltage, a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a reference voltage which changes periodically, a comparison circuit that generates a control signal according to a result of a comparison between the detection voltage and the reference voltage, wherein control pulses each having a pulse width according to the detection voltage are sequentially appeared in the control signal, and a driving pulse generation circuit that generates a driving pulse corresponding to the control pulse and supplies the generated driving pulse to a transistor connected to a DC power source when the pulse width of the control pulse exceeds a predetermined width, and stops generating the driving pulse when the pulse width of the control pulse becomes smaller than the predetermined width. | 03-22-2012 |
20120068677 | RESONANT POWER CONVERTER DRIVING AN INDUCTIVE LOAD LIKE A DISCHARGE LAMP - A resonant power converter ( | 03-22-2012 |
20120074916 | Switch-Mode Voltage Regulator - The invention concerns a switch-mode voltage regulator, comprising : an inductor (L); a generator for producing a voltage ramp ( | 03-29-2012 |
20120081085 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY - A comparator type power supply controller that controls an output voltage. The power supply controller includes a comparator that compares a feedback voltage, which corresponds to the output voltage, with a reference voltage, wherein the comparator instructs power supply when the feedback voltage decreases when the feedback voltage decreases from the reference voltage. An offset application circuit is coupled to the comparator. The offset application circuit controls an input offset voltage of the comparator and decreases the input offset voltage as time elapses when the feedback voltage becomes lower than the reference voltage after the power supply ends. An amplifier amplifies a voltage difference of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. The offset application circuit increases a change speed of the input offset voltage as the voltage difference increases in accordance with an output voltage of the amplifier. | 04-05-2012 |
20120086417 | CONVERTER CONTROLLING APPARATUS - A load variation detecting section 10a determines whether or not the actual load variation falls below a load variation threshold stored in a memory. If a load variation detecting section determines that a specific time period (for example, one minute) has elapsed since the actual load variation fell below a load variation threshold, a power supply section applies same power to reactors for the respective phases. On the other hand, a heat dissipation property calculating section measures temperature-rise rates of the elements for the respective phases, ranks the rates in order from the one having a higher heat dissipation property, and notifies the priority drive phase determining section of the result. A priority drive phase determining section chooses a phase having the highest heat dissipation property as a priority drive phase. | 04-12-2012 |
20120091976 | BOOTSTRAP CIRCUIT WITHOUT A REGULATOR OR A DIODE - A bootstrap circuit without a regulator and a diode includes a comparator, a first switch, and a capacitor. The comparator has a first terminal for receiving a reference voltage, a second terminal coupled to a bootstrap voltage output terminal of the bootstrap circuit, and a third terminal for outputting a switch control signal. The first switch has a first terminal for receiving an input voltage, a second terminal for receiving the switch control signal, and a third terminal coupled to the bootstrap voltage output terminal. The capacitor is coupled between a voltage switching terminal and the second terminal of the comparator. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091977 | MASTER/SLAVE POWER SUPPLY SWITCH DRIVER CIRCUITRY - A power supply circuit can be configured to include a first circuit and a second circuit. Each circuit can be substantially identical to each other but provide different functionality depending on how they are configured. For example, each of the first circuit and second circuit can be chips having substantially the same pin layout and internal circuitry. However, the functionality provided by the circuits varies depending on whether a respective circuit is configured as a master or slave. The first circuit is configured as the master and generates multiple phase control signals. The first circuit uses a portion of the multiple phase control signals to control a first set of phases. The first circuit transmits a second portion of the multiple phase control signals to the second circuit configured as a slave. The second circuit is configured to receive and use the second portion of control signals to control a second set of phases. | 04-19-2012 |
20120091978 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter transforms a DC input voltage to generate a DC output voltage by complementary switching control of a main switching transistor and a synchronous rectifying transistor. The DC-DC converter includes a soft-start circuit configured to generate a soft-start voltage rising from an initial voltage at start-up of the DC-DC converter; and a control circuit configured to control switching of the main switching transistor and the synchronous rectifying transistor based on the soft-start voltage to perform soft start of the DC-DC converter. The control circuit brings both of the main switching transistor and the synchronous rectifying transistor to an off state while the soft-start voltage is lower than the DC output voltage. | 04-19-2012 |
20120098507 | CONVERTER CONTROL DEVICE - Provided is a converter control device which detects an on-failure of an auxiliary switch constituting an auxiliary circuit of a soft switching converter and can prevent element failures. A current sensor for detecting the current flowing in a coil is provided between a fuel cell and the. A controller sequentially detects current by use of the current sensor and makes a judgment as to whether or not the detected has exceeded an overcurrent threshold value stored in a memory (not shown). When the controller judges that the current has exceeded the overcurrent threshold value, the controller judges that a second switching element has an on-failure, and performs a fail-safe operation by stopping the driving of a converter (for example, a U-phase converter) of an auxiliary circuit provided with this second switching element. | 04-26-2012 |
20120105029 | SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator includes: switching transistors configured to perform switching according to a control signal; an inductor connected to the switching transistors; a control mode switch unit configured to switch between a first control mode and a second control mode based on a direction in which a current flows through the inductor; an amplifier configured to operate as an error amplifier or a comparator; and a phase compensation unit connected to the amplifier by a switch unit, wherein, in the first control mode, the control mode switch unit connects the amplifier and the phase compensation unit by turning on the switch unit so as to cause the amplifier to operate as the error amplifier, and in the second control mode, the control mode switch unit turns off the switch unit so as to cause the amplifier to operate as the comparator. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105030 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR A CURRENT MODE CONTROLLED POWER CONVERTER - A control circuit and method for a current mode controlled power converter to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, dynamically adjust the peak or the valley of a ramp signal depending on either or both of the input voltage and the output voltage. Under different conditions of the input voltage and the output voltage, the current mode controlled power converter can generate stable output voltages with an invariant inductor and an invariant compensation circuit, without sub-harmonic which otherwise may happen. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105031 | SWITCHING POWER-SUPPLY UNIT - A switching power-supply unit which controls current flowing through an inductor in a switchable manner and outputs a voltage different from input voltage, the unit including: a terminal-potential detecting circuit which monitors terminal potential of the inductor and outputs a predetermined signal; a comparator which compares an output feedback voltage with a threshold voltage; and a logic circuit which generates a signal for controlling a switching element based on an output from the comparator and an output from the terminal-potential detecting circuit, wherein the comparator compares a first threshold voltage with the feedback voltage in a period in which the output voltage rises, and compares a second threshold voltage which is lower than the first threshold voltage with the feedback voltage in a period in which the output voltage drops. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105032 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING AN ACTIVE CURRENT ASSIST WITH ANALOG BYPASS FOR A SWITCHER CIRCUIT - A system and method are disclosed for providing an active current assist with analog bypass for a switcher circuit. An active current assist circuit is coupled to a buck regulator circuit, which includes a switcher circuit, an inductor circuit and a capacitor circuit. The active current assist circuit includes an active current analog bypass control circuit and a current source. The active current analog bypass control circuit receives and uses current limit information, voltage error information, and drop out information to determine a value of assist current that is appropriate for a current operational state of the buck regulator circuit. The active current analog bypass control circuit causes the current source to provide the appropriate value of assist current to the buck regulator circuit. | 05-03-2012 |
20120112715 | SNUBBER CIRCUIT FOR BUCK CONVERTER - A snubber circuit for decreasing a voltage spike of a buck converter includes a resistor unit, a capacitor unit, a detecting unit, and a control unit. The resistor unit provides multiple groups of resistance values. The capacitor unit provides multiple groups of capacitance values. The detecting unit detects voltage spikes of the buck converter corresponding to each group of resistance values and capacitance values. The control unit selects each group of resistance and capacitance to respectively connect to the buck converter and determines a group of resistance and capacitance corresponding to a lowest voltage spike by comparing the detected voltage spikes with each other. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112716 | POWER REGULATION FOR LARGE TRANSIENT LOADS - Methods and circuits for power supply arrangement and control are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a power supply can include: (i) an input capacitor coupled to an input terminal that is coupled to a power source, where the power source provides power that is constrained by a predetermined limit; (ii) an output capacitor coupled to an output terminal that is coupled to a load, where the load has a first load condition or a second load condition; (iii) a first regulator to convert an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal to power the load; (iv) a second regulator coupled to the first regulator; and (v) an energy storage element coupled to the second regulator, where the second regulator delivers energy from the energy storage element to the first regulator to maintain regulation of an output voltage at the output terminal when in the second load condition. | 05-10-2012 |
20120119716 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A power supply circuit is disclosed in embodiments of the present invention, which includes: a voltage output device, configured to generate an output voltage; a parasitic resistance, connected between an output end of the voltage output device and an external load, where two ends of the parasitic resistance generate a voltage drop; and a compensation circuit, connected to the output end of the voltage output device and configured to generate a compensation voltage, where the compensation voltage is loaded onto the voltage output device, so as to offset the voltage drop generated by the parasitic resistance, so that a voltage obtained at an input end of the load is roughly equal to the output voltage generated by the voltage output device. The circuit is applicable to improving load regulation of a power supply. | 05-17-2012 |
20120126760 | LOW DROPOUT REGULATOR - A low-drop out (LDO) regulator circuit is provided having a gate of a pass transistor coupled to an output of an operational transconductance amplifier, the LDO regulator exhibiting a non-dominant pole at an output of the LDO. A dynamic zero-compensation circuit is coupled in parallel to the pass transistor. A compensation control circuit is coupled and configured to adjust a frequency, at which a zero is generated, and cause the generated zero to track with the non-dominant pole. | 05-24-2012 |
20120126761 | CIRCUITRY FOR CONTROLLING A VOLTAGE - Circuitry configured for controlling a voltage is described. The circuitry includes a transient detector that detects a transient in a first frame. The circuitry also includes a controller coupled to the transient detector. The controller determines a duty cycle during a period upon detection of the transient and promotes a second frame based on the period. | 05-24-2012 |
20120133344 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A switching power supply device of a nonlinear control manner is provided, which includes: a reference voltage generation portion, for generating a reference voltage; a ripple injection portion, for using a switch voltage at one end of a switch element to generate a ripple component, and injecting the ripple component into the reference voltage to generate a ripple reference voltage; a comparator, for comparing a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage with the ripple reference voltage; a switching control portion, for performing on/off control on the switch element based on an output signal of the comparator; and an offset adjustment portion for generating an offset voltage corresponding to the switch voltage, and setting any of the reference voltage, the feedback voltage, and the ripple reference voltage to the offset voltage. | 05-31-2012 |
20120139512 | DC-DC CONVERTER - The present invention provides a DC-DC converter including: a first series circuit which is connected to the two ends of a direct-current power source Vi, and in which a first switching element Q | 06-07-2012 |
20120146599 | COMPARATOR, CONTROL CIRCUIT OF SWITCHING REGULATOR USING THE SAME, SWITCHING REGULATOR, AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT - The present invention provides a comparator with novel output logic. The comparator makes a comparison between an input voltage and a reference voltage. A differential amplifying circuit includes a first input transistor with a control terminal applied with the reference voltage and a second input transistor with a control terminal applied with the input voltage. An output section receives an export signal of the differential amplifying circuit and outputs an output signal that corresponds to the export signal and denotes a result of the comparison. A feedback circuit receives the output signal of the output section, and if the output signal is changed from a first level to a second level, the output signal feeds back to the differential amplifying circuit or the output section while it is restored to the negated level. | 06-14-2012 |
20120146600 | POWER CIRCUIT AND CIRCUIT BOARD, ELECTRICAL DEVICE USING THE SAME - A power circuit includes a control unit, a logic control circuit, a first driver amplifier, a second driver amplifier and a logic determination circuit. The control unit is used to output a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal and an enable (EN) signal. The logic control circuit receives the PWM signal and the EN signal, and outputs a first voltage signal and a second voltage signal. The first driver amplifier receives the first voltage signal, and outputs a first gate (UGATE) drive signal. The second driver amplifier receives the second voltage signal, and outputs a second gate (LGATE) drive signal. The logic determination circuit receives the PWM signal and the first and second gate drive signals. When the PWM signal and the first and second gate drive signals meet an abnormal logical relation, the logic determination circuit disables the logic control circuit. | 06-14-2012 |
20120153908 | POWER MANAGEMENT CIRCUIT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE EMPLOYING THE SAME - A power management circuit for managing power of an electronic device includes a regulator and a protection circuit. The regulator converts an input voltage into a corresponding rated voltage and includes an enable pin and an output pin. The enable pin receives a voltage signal to enable or disable the regulator, and the output pin selectively outputs the rated voltage. When the electronic device is implemented as a slave universal serial bus (USB) device and the enable pin receives a low voltage signal, the regulator is disabled, and the protection circuit receives an output voltage. When the electronic device is implemented as a USB host and the enable pin receives a high voltage signal, the regulator is enabled, and the output protection circuit outputs the rated voltage. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153909 | HYBRID FAST-SLOW PASSGATE CONTROL METHODS FOR VOLTAGE REGULATORS EMPLOYING HIGH SPEED COMPARATORS - Voltage regulator circuits and methods implementing hybrid fast-slow passgate control circuitry are provided to minimize the ripple amplitude of a regulated voltage output. In one aspect, a voltage regulator circuit includes a comparator, a first passgate device, a second passgate device, and a bandwidth limiting control circuit. The comparator compares a reference voltage to a regulated voltage at an output node of the voltage regulator circuit and generates a first control signal on a first gate control path based on a result of the comparing. The first and second passgate devices are connected to the output node of the regulator circuit. The first passgate device is controlled in a bang-bang mode of operation by the first control signal to supply current to the output node. The bandwidth limiting control circuit has an input connected to the first gate control path and an output connected to the second passgate device. The bandwidth limiting control circuit generates a second control signal based on the first control signal, wherein the second control signal is a slew rate limited version of the first control signal, and wherein the second passgate is controlled by the second control signal to supply current to the output node. | 06-21-2012 |
20120161728 | SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATORS WITH HYSTERETIC CONTROL FOR ENHANCED MODE-TRANSITION SPEED AND STABILITY - Switching voltage regulator embodiments are provided with hysteretic control to thereby switch between pulse-width modulation and pulse-frequency modulation operational modes. The switching is in response to different levels of an error voltage V | 06-28-2012 |
20120169306 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR STRUCTURES AND METHODS WITH BOOTSTRAPPED BIAS CAPACITOR - Voltage regulator structures and methods embodiments are provided which employ a high-side N-type switching transistor to thereby enhance system efficiency and also reduce the die area required by these regulator structures. This structure and its advantages, however, require a gate drive signal higher than the input voltage of the voltage regulator. The embodiments resolve this need with a bias capacitor in a bootstrapped arrangement and a control loop arranged to maintain a bias voltage across the capacitor sufficient to always insure rapid switching of the high-side switching transistor during a pulse-width modulation (PWM) operational mode. The embodiments further include a second control loop arranged to insure sufficient voltage across the capacitor during a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) operational mode. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169307 | SIDO POWER CONVERTER AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - The present invention relates to a Single Inductor Double Output (SIDO) power converter, which comprises a power-stage circuit, a current detector, a slope compensation device, at least two error amplifiers, a comparing unit, a mode exchange circuit, a logical device and a driver. The SIDO current converter achieves an optimal SIDO power converting efficiency by controlling a full-current mode. Furthermore, different power transferring modes, under a variety of loadings, are used to address the issue of cross regulation and at meanwhile solving output voltage ripples and transient response to ensure the SIDO power converter a more flexible usage environment and better output performance. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169308 | RELATIVE EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENT IN A PULSE WIDTH MODULATION SYSTEM - A pulse width modulation (PWM) power conversion system has improved efficiency over a wide operating input voltage and load range. Being able to measure relative efficiency of an analog PWM system allows enhanced control while maintaining the benefits of analog control. An analog low pass filter produces an average value of the PWM pulse train, then this analog average value is converted into digital values with an analog-to-digital converter and stored so that relative efficiencies of the PWM power conversion system may be compared for various combinations of operating parameters. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169309 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION - A boost converter includes an input terminal and an output terminal. A first switch is connected between a first intermediate node and a reference potential node. An inductive component is connected between the input terminal and the first intermediate node. A rectifying component is connected between the first intermediate node and a second intermediate node. A multi-state module is connected between the second intermediate node and the output terminal, and has at least a low resistance state and a high resistance state. A control module is coupled to the output terminal, the first switch and the multi-state module, and is operable in response to an output voltage to control the first switch and the multi-state module so that the first switch is open and the multi-state module is in the high resistance state if the output voltage is lower than a threshold value. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169310 | ADAPTIVE INTEGRATED ANALOG CONTROL SYSTEM COMPENSATION - An analog closed-loop, negative feedback system that adapts feedback compensation during operation thereof to improve dynamic performance thereof. Using a pure analog control loop with digital assist provides speed and simplicity of an analog control loop with the flexibility of digital control. Adapting the compensation allows the system to accurately predict and adjust, at all DC operating points, (1) the margin of stability of the converter, against closed loop oscillation, and (2) the frequency-domain and time-domain responses to perturbations in the input voltage and/or the output current. Operational transconductance amplifiers (OTAs) and digitally controlled digital-to-analog converters (IDACs) are used to dynamically change the operating parameters of the analog closed-loop of the negative feedback system. The negative feedback system may be a switch mode power supply (SMPS). | 07-05-2012 |
20120176106 | SWITCHING SUPPLY CIRCUITS AND METHODS - In one embodiment the present invention includes a switching circuit. The circuit comprises a first transistor, a second transistor, and a boost circuit. The first transistor couples a first power source to a first intermediate node during a first phase of operation and the second transistor couples a second intermediate node to the first intermediate node during a second phase of operation. The boost circuit is coupled to the second intermediate node and provides a second power source by a transferring of energy from the first power source. The transferring of energy includes an inductor receiving energy from the first power source during the first phase of operation and providing a portion of said energy to the boost circuit during the second phase of operation. The boost circuit provides a biasing to enable deactivation of the second transistor during the first phase of operation. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176107 | LDO LINEAR REGULATOR WITH IMPROVED TRANSIENT RESPONSE - An LDO regulator system has first and second current mirror circuits connected to its output terminal. A load attached to the output terminal is supplied with a constant voltage. Variations in the load that cause variations in the magnitude of the output voltage trigger one of the first or second current mirror circuits to generate a current that varies the magnitude of a gate voltage of a pass-transistor. The variation in the gate voltage in turns varies the drain current of the pass-transistor, which varies the output voltage to counter the change in the magnitude of the output voltage. Using the first and second current mirror circuits avoids the need for a large load capacitor and very high bandwidth of a conventional LDO regulator. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176108 | DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - According to one embodiment, a DC-to-DC converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a high-side controller, and a low-side controller. The low-side switch is connected to the high-side switch in series. The high-side controller is configured to control the high-side switch. The low-side controller includes a first detector and an offset canceller. The first detector is configured to detect a current of the low-side switch. The offset canceller is configured to hold an output of the first detector as an offset voltage when the low-side switch is off and compensate an output of the first detector by the offset voltage when the low-side switch is on. The low-side controller is configured to compare a compensated output of the first detector with a reference voltage and turn off the low-side switch. | 07-12-2012 |
20120181995 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND VOLTAGE REGULATION METHOD - A voltage regulator includes a voltage output unit configured to output an output voltage to a voltage output terminal; a first resistance divider configured to regulate a divided resistance value in response to a first series of control signals; and a second resistance divider configured to regulate the divided resistance value, which is determined in the first resistance divider, in response to a second series of control signals. A voltage level of the output voltage output through the voltage output terminal is regulated according to a ratio of the divided resistance value determined through the first resistance divider and the second resistance divider and a resistance value of a reference resistor. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181996 | MULTI CHIP MODULE, METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME AND DC/DC CONVERTER - A multi chip module having a current sensing circuit and a semiconductor half bridge configuration having two vertically stacked field effect transistor dies that are connected by horizontally extending tap clips at respective opposite sides of their channels, wherein the current sensing circuit is coupled to two checkpoints, at least one being located on one of the tap clips so as to measure a voltage drop over a predetermined portion of the tap clip acting as a shunt resistor for sensing a current that is provided to a switching node of the half bridge configuration. | 07-19-2012 |
20120181997 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HYSTERESIS CONTROL OF A POWER CIRCUIT - A device for providing electric power to a load, having two switch members (Z | 07-19-2012 |
20120187927 | VOLTAGE REGULATION CIRCUITRY AND RELATED OPERATING METHODS - Apparatus for voltage regulation circuits and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary voltage regulation circuit includes a voltage regulation arrangement that provides a regulated output voltage based on an input voltage reference, a phase compensation arrangement coupled to the voltage regulation arrangement and configured to increase a phase margin of the voltage regulation arrangement, and detection circuitry coupled to the phase compensation arrangement. The detection circuitry is configured to disable the phase compensation arrangement in response to detecting an output current that is less than a threshold value. | 07-26-2012 |
20120187928 | Synchronous Buck Converter Including Multi-Mode Control for Light Load Efficiency and Related Method - According to one embodiment, a synchronous buck converter comprises a multi-mode control circuit for detecting a load condition of a variable load, an output stage driven by the multi-mode control circuit, wherein the variable load is coupled to the output stage, and a feedback circuit connected between the output stage and the multi-mode control circuit. The multi-mode control circuit is configured to adjust a current provided by the output stage to the variable load based on the load condition. In one embodiment, the multi-mode control circuit selectably uses one of at least a first control mode and a second control mode according to the load condition, wherein the first control mode is a pulse-width modulation (PWM) mode selected for switching efficiency when the load condition is heavy and the second control mode is an adaptive ON-time (AOT) mode selected for switching efficiency when the load condition is light. | 07-26-2012 |
20120194148 | POWER MODULE AND THE METHOD OF PACKAGING THE SAME - A power module includes a substrate; a conductive path layer formed on the substrate with a specific pattern as an inductor; a connection layer being formed on the substrate and electrically connected to a first terminal of the inductor; and a first transistor, electrically mounted on the substrate through the connection layer. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200273 | SWITCH CONTROLLER AND CONVERTER INCLUDING THE SAME - The present invention relates to a switch controller and a converter including the same. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200274 | MULTIPHASE POWER REGULATOR WITH ACTIVE TRANSIENT RESPONSE CIRCUITRY - A multiphase power regulator includes a multiphase pulse width modulator, an output stage and an active transient response circuit. The output stage includes a high side transistor, a low side transistor and an inductor. The output stage is configured to supply power to a load responsive to signals generated by the multiphase pulse width modulator. The active transient response circuit is coupled between the output stage and the multiphase pulse width modulator and configured to detect the voltage level at the output stage and provide a signal to the multiphase pulse width modulator that is a function of the amplitude of the deviation of the detected voltage level from a target voltage. | 08-09-2012 |
20120206116 | ACTIVE VOICE BAND NOISE FILTER - Systems and methods for actively reducing or eliminating conducted noise from power provided to DC circuits include a current sensor, a boost converter, a buck converter, and energy supply capacitors. The current sensor senses the input current provided by the power source. The boost converter increases the voltage level above that provided by the power source while maintaining current at or near the level sensed by the current sensor, and while also maintaining a charge on the energy supply capacitors. The buck converter is powered by the output from the boost converter and provides an output voltage to a load. The operation of the boost converter and the buck converter may be controlled to maintain a continuous and low ripple current from the power source and to maintain a continuous and low ripple voltage to the load. | 08-16-2012 |
20120212195 | CONTROL CIRCUIT, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY - A control circuit arranged in a power supply including first and second switches to control an output voltage of the power supply. The control circuit includes a first control circuit that switches the first and second switches in a complementary manner in accordance with a comparison result of a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage of the power supply. A first comparison circuit compares the output voltage or feedback voltage with a second reference value. A second comparison circuit compares a coupling point current flowing through a coupling point between the first and second switches with a third reference value. A second control circuit disables complementary switching of the first and second switches in accordance with an output signal from the first comparison circuit and enables the complementary switching in accordance with an output signal of the second comparison circuit. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212196 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, AC POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A switching power supply device includes a switching power supply integrated circuit that includes a dead time generating unit that generates high-side and low-side drive signals having a dead time based on a PWM signal, a drive signal generating unit that generates first and second PWM signals based on the drive signals and a voltage of an output terminal, and a driver that includes high-side and low-side switch elements driven by the PWM signals; a filter that is connected to the output terminal; a first diode having a cathode connected to the source of the high-side switch element and an anode connected to the output terminal; and a second diode having a cathode connected to the source of the low-side switch element and an anode connected to the output terminal. The first and second diodes are arranged outside the switching power supply integrated circuit. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212197 | System and Method for Providing Power Via a Spurious-Noise-Free Switching Device - A method of generating spurious-noise-free power from a switching device. The method includes generating an oscillating signal in the form of a series of pulse trains, and randomly changing the switching frequency, or the on-time, or both the switching frequency and the on-time of the switching device. The method further includes causing the switching device to change from a first frequency to a second frequency only at the end of a pulse train of the first frequency, and causing the second frequency to start at the beginning of its first pulse train such that no switching duty-cycle disturbance at the time of the change from first to second frequency. In a particular embodiment, the method further generates spurious-noise-free power from a switching device by implementing a relationship between the different switching frequencies involved such that spurious-noise-free operation is achieved. | 08-23-2012 |
20120212198 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A semiconductor device includes: a high-side switching element having a first switching element connected between an input voltage line and an inductive load; and a low-side switching element having a second switching element and a third switching element that are connected in parallel between the inductive load and a reference voltage line. A surge current is discharged through the third switching element to the reference voltage line when a surge is applied to a terminal connected to the inductive load in the low-side switching element. | 08-23-2012 |
20120217940 | DELAY COMPENSATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DC TO DC CONVERTERS - A control system for a DC to DC converter includes a predicted state generator module, a voltage estimation module, an error module, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) module. During a prior sampling period, the predicted state generator module generates a predicted capacitor voltage and a predicted capacitor current for a current sampling period. The voltage estimation module generates an estimated value of an output voltage of the DC to DC converter during the current sampling period based on the predicted capacitor current, the predicted capacitor voltage, a delay value, and a duty cycle value for the prior sampling period. The error module generates a voltage error value based on difference between a measured value of the output voltage and the estimated value. The PWM module controls the duty cycle of the DC to DC converter based on the voltage error value. | 08-30-2012 |
20120217941 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR A RIPPLE REGULATOR SYSTEM - A control circuit and method for a ripple regulator system generate a ripple signal in-phase and synchronous with an inductor current of the ripple regulator system, and extract a ripple information proportional to the amplitude of the ripple signal. The ripple signal is used for triggering control in PWM signal generation to make the ripple regulator system have small ripples and better loop stability simultaneously. The ripple information is used to improve the output offset of the ripple regulator system that is caused by the ripple signal. | 08-30-2012 |
20120217942 | SEMICONDUCTOR CIRCUIT AND SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - The power supply apparatus realizes a high-speed response, a stable operation, and a low output ripple with low power consumption. The first stage switching regulator receives an input voltage and forms a first voltage. The second stage switching regulator receives the first voltage and forms a second voltage. The second stage switching regulator includes an N-phase (N is two or more) switching regulator, and the first voltage is set to be N times a target value of the second voltage. The input voltage is set to be higher than the first voltage. | 08-30-2012 |
20120223687 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW STANDBY CURRENT SWITCHING REGULATOR - A regulator controller which controls conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, including a switching regulator, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a mode controller. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal to regulate the output voltage when enabled. The LDO regulator also regulates the output voltage when enabled. The mode controller enables or disables the switching regulator and the LDO regulator based on a load condition. The switching regulator is enabled and the LDO regulator is disabled during normal operation. The LDO regulator is enabled when the low load condition is detected, such as a skipped pulse on the pulse control signal. The switching regulator is disabled when the pulse control signal reaches a minimum level. The LDO regulator is disabled and the switching regulator is re-enabled based on threshold conditions of the current output of the LDO regulator. | 09-06-2012 |
20120229105 | Hysteretic Switching Regulator With Reduced Switching Frequency Variation - Embodiments of a hysteretic switching regulator with reduced switching frequency variation over changes in one or more of input voltage, output voltage, and temperature are provided herein. A frequency adjust controller is specifically used to adjust a parameter of an integrator within the hysteretic switching regulator to compensate for changes in one or more of input voltage, output voltage, and temperature to maintain the switching frequency of the regulator within a narrow frequency range. Limiting the potentially wide switching frequency variation makes filtering of electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused by the switching action of the hysteretic switching regulator more effective and simpler to implement. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229106 | REGULATOR - A regulator includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, a current control circuit, a first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, a second P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, and a feedback circuit. The current control circuit includes a controller and at least one switch, and a second terminal of the first P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor is coupled to a second terminal of the second P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor. The regulator utilizes the controller to turn off the at least one switch during operation of the regulator in a light load mode, and the regulator utilizes the controller to turn on the at least one switch in turn when the regulator changes from the light load mode to a heavy load mode. Thus, the regulator can quickly recover a load current in the heavy load mode. | 09-13-2012 |
20120229107 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURRENT SENSING WITHIN A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A current sense amplifier includes a high-side current sense amplifier and a low-side current sense amplifier. The high-side current sense amplifier provides a current sense voltage signal for use with a voltage regulator and generates the current sense voltage signal responsive to a first current sensed through a high-side switching transistor in a first mode when the high-side switching transistor is turned on and the low-side switching transistor is turned off. The high-side current sense amplifier generates the current sense voltage signal responsive to a second current through the low-side switching transistor in a second mode when the low-side switching transistor is turned on and the high-side switching transistor is turned off. The low-side current sense amplifier senses the second current through the low-side switching transistor and generates a current control signal to the high-side current sense amplifier in the second mode. | 09-13-2012 |
20120235652 | SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY WITH VIRTUAL CURRENT SENSING AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - The present technology is related generally to a switching mode power supply with virtual current sensing. The switching mode power supply comprises a power stage that includes a first power switch and a second power switch coupled in series. The switching mode power supply senses a first current flowing through the first power switch during on-time and provides a virtual current sense signal that is proportional to a second current flowing through the second power switch during on-time. The switching mode power supply further combines the real current sense signal and the virtual current sense signal to form a current sense signal, which is sent to the controller to realize desired control. | 09-20-2012 |
20120235653 | Zero Current Detecting Circuit and Related Synchronous Switching Power Converter - A zero current detecting circuit is disclosed. The zero current detecting circuit includes a first zero current comparator for determining current variation on an inductor of a synchronous switching power converter so as to accordingly turn off a down-bridge transistor of the synchronous power converter; a second zero current comparator for determining whether the first zero current comparator turns off the down-bridge transistor too early or too late and outputting a comparison result, and a counter coupled to the second zero current comparator for ascending or descending a control bit according to the comparison result. | 09-20-2012 |
20120235654 | SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY COMPRISING ASYNCHRONOUS LIMITER CIRCUIT - The invention relates to a switching mode power supply device comprising at least one MOS power transistor made on an integrated circuit and operating in switching mode, the drain and the source of said at least one MOS power transistor being connected, via connecting members having a non-null inductance, to one or several external circuits to said integrated circuit. According to the invention, the device further comprises a limiter circuit able to limit the current variations in at least one of said connecting members during the switching of said MOS power transistor. This limiter circuit enables to maintain the drain-source voltage of the MOS power transistor below a predetermined threshold value when it commutes. | 09-20-2012 |
20120242304 | Source Driver Current Fold-Back Protection - A load current is limited to a safe level with a current protection logic circuit within a first selected interval after detection of a fault condition. The current protection logic circuit returns the load current to a normal level within a second selected interval after correction of the fault condition, wherein said safe level is less than one half of the normal level. The current protection logic circuit is a feature of a high side driver comprising at least two source drivers, each source driver being configured to switch an electrical load to a common power supply, and comprising a respective current protection logic circuit. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242305 | SWITCHING CIRCUIT AND DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - According to one embodiment, a switching circuit includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and a driver. The high-side switch is connected between a power supply terminal and an output terminal. The low-side switch is connected between the output terminal and a ground terminal. The driver is configured to turn off any one of the high-side switch and the low-side switch according to a control signal. The driver is configured to supply a first voltage to a control terminal of one other switch in a first period to turn on the one other switch, and supply a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the control terminal of the one other switch after the first period. | 09-27-2012 |
20120249099 | BOOT-STRAP REGULATOR FOR GATE DRIVER - Techniques are disclosed relating to supplying a power supply voltage to a gate driver. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a first transistor configured to raise a voltage at a node and a second transistor configured to lower the voltage at the node. The apparatus further includes a first driver configured to receive a first power supply voltage, and to use the first power supply voltage to control a gate voltage of the first transistor. The apparatus further includes a second driver configured to receive a second power supply voltage, and to use the second power supply voltage to control a gate voltage of the second transistor. In such an embodiment, the apparatus includes a first regulator coupled to the first driver and configured to generate the first power supply voltage based on the second power supply voltage. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249100 | HIGH BOOST RATIO DC CONVERTER - Disclosed is a high boost ratio DC converter, wherein the first and second switches are controlled by a control chip and the control chip controls the first and second switches in the following sequence: the first and second switches both conduct; the first switch conducts and the second switch is cut off; the first and second switches both conduct; the first switch is cut off and the second switch conducts thus making a first and second inductors and a first and second clamp capacitors charge to a first and second output capacitors. Then the first and second output capacitors discharge a load. Therefore, the load voltage output from the DC power supply will be boosted owing to the discharged load from the first and second output capacitors. The boost ratio is 4/(1−D). | 10-04-2012 |
20120256608 | LINEAR VOLTAGE STABILIZING CIRCUIT - A linear voltage stabilizing circuit includes a main stabilizing unit, a first resistor, a second resistor, and a sub-stabilizing unit. The main stabilizing unit includes a first transistor connected between a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal, and a first comparator controlling the first transistor. The first and the second resistor are connected between the signal input terminal and ground. The voltage between the first resistor and the second resistor is equal to a first reference voltage. The sub-stabilizing unit includes a third resistor, a fourth resistor, a second transistor connected between the signal input terminal and the first transistor, and a second comparator. The third and fourth resistor are connected between the second comparator and ground. The node of the third and fourth resistor is connected to the node between the first and the second resistor. The second comparator controls the second transistor turn on or off. | 10-11-2012 |
20120268088 | DC TO DC BUCK CONVERTING CONTROLLER - A constant on-time period of a DC to DC buck converting controller is adjusted according to a level of a preset output voltage. Therefore, the DC to DC buck converting controller of the present invention is suitable for any applications with different requests of output voltages or different operating mode. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268089 | LEVEL SHIFTER, CONTROLLER, AND DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - According to one embodiment, a level shifter includes a current generator, a current switch, and a protection circuit. The current generator is connected between a first high potential terminal and a first low potential terminal and configured to generate a first current at a first output line. The current switch is connected between a second high potential terminal and a second low potential terminal. The current switch is configured to receive the first current with a higher current supply capacity than the current generator and pass the first current or cut off the first current in accordance with an input signal. The protection circuit is connected to the first output line between the current generator and the current switch. The protection circuit is configured to limit an electric potential of the first output line. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268090 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A switching power supply device of the present invention switches an application of a voltage to a coil. The switching power supply device includes: a switching element that (i) has a normally-on type first switching element and a normally-off type second switching element which are cascode-connected to each other at and (ii) switches the application of the voltage to the coil; and a control circuit that (i) detects a voltage at a cascode connecting point and (ii) controls turning-on of the switching element in accordance with the detected voltage. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274292 | BUCK CONVERTER - A buck converter includes a power supply unit, two MOSFETs and a delay circuit. The PWM module is coupled to the gates of the two MOSFETs to alternatively turn on the two MOSFETs. The delay circuit is coupled between an output terminal and an input node of the PWM module for making sure that a voltage applied to the PWM module is after a voltage applied to a drain the MOSFETs. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274293 | MULTIPHASE CONVERTER WITH CONTROLLABLE PHASE SHIFT - In one embodiment, a multiphase converter is disclosed. The multiphase converter may comprise a plurality of phase circuits and a plurality of phase control circuits. Each phase circuit may comprise a switch having a control terminal, and the control terminal of the switch may be configured to receive a drive signal. Each phase control circuit may be corresponding to one of the phase circuits, and each phase control circuit may be configured to provide a phase control signal to adjust an ON-time period or a reference signal for the corresponding phase circuit. The phase control signal may be responsive to the drive signal of the corresponding phase circuit. | 11-01-2012 |
20120286747 | BUCK CONVERTER - A buck converter includes an input terminal, two MOSFETs, a PWM module and a control module. The input terminal is coupled to a power source, the PWM module is coupled to the gates of the two MOSFETs to turn on and turn off the two MOSFETs alternately. The control module is configured to shut down the power source if a drain-source resistance in each one of the two MOSFETs is not within normal values when either MOSFET is turned on. | 11-15-2012 |
20120286748 | BUCK CONVERTER - A buck converter includes an input terminal, two MOSFETs, a PWM module and a control module. The input terminal is coupled to a power source to provide power to the buck converter. The PWM module is coupled to the gates of the two MOSFETs to alternately turn on and turn off the two MOSFETs. The control module is configured to shut down the power source if a drain-source resistance or a gate-source resistance in either one of the two MOSFETs is not within normal values when the two MOSFETs are turned off. | 11-15-2012 |
20120286749 | STEP-UP/DOWN DC-DC CONVERTER AND SWITCHING CONTROL CIRCUIT - A step-up/down DC-DC converter and switching control circuit are described. According to one implementation, a switching control circuit generates an on/off signal of a first switching device supplying a current to a voltage conversion inductor of a step-up/down DC-DC converter and a second switching device receiving the current from the inductor. The switching control circuit includes an error amplifier circuit, an inverting amplifier circuit, a waveform generator circuit, a first voltage comparator circuit, a second voltage comparator circuit, and a peak-value detector circuit. The peak-value detector circuit detects a peak value of triangle waves generated at the waveform generator circuit and supplies a voltage corresponding to the peak value to the inverting amplifier circuit as a reference voltage. | 11-15-2012 |
20120293144 | VOLTAGE/CURRENT CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD - A voltage/current control apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a low-side field effect transistor (FET) having a source, a gate and a drain, a high-side field effect transistor (FET) having a source, a gate and a drain, a gate driver integrated circuit (IC), a sample and hold circuit, and a comparator configured to produce a trigger signal at the output when a sum of the first and second input signals is equal to a sum of the third and fourth input signals, wherein the trigger signal is configured to trigger a beginning of a new cycle by turning the gate of the high-side FET “on” and the gate of the low-side FET “off”. | 11-22-2012 |
20120299562 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCORPORATING SAME - A switching regulator includes a first switching element connected between an input terminal and an output terminal; a second switching element connected between the output terminal and a ground; a switching-time control circuit to generate a first switching-time control signal indicating finish timing of an ON-period of the first switching element, based on a ratio of a length of the ON-period of the first switching element to a sum of lengths of ON-periods of the first and second switching elements; a comparator generate a second switching-time control signal indicating finish timing of the ON-period of the second switching element when a feedback voltage is smaller than a reference voltage; and a switching-element control circuit to control switching of the first and second switching elements so that the first and second switching elements are turned on complementarily based on the first and second switching-time control signals. | 11-29-2012 |
20120299563 | POWER CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD USING THE SAME - A power converter and a control method using the same are provided. The converter includes a power output stage, a feedback circuit, and an input detecting circuit. The power output stage transfers an input voltage to an output voltage, and adjusts the output voltage according to a feedback signal. The feedback circuit is used for generating the feedback signal associated with the output voltage. The input detecting circuit is used for detecting a variation of the input voltage to produce an input related signal associated with the input voltage. The input related signal is used to influence the feedback signal in linkage, so as to change the output voltage of the power output stage. | 11-29-2012 |
20120306463 | RESONANT-RECOVERY POWER-REDUCTION TECHNIQUE FOR BOOST CONVERTERS - The disclosed embodiments relate to a power converter system. This power converter system includes an inductor which is coupled between an input that receives an input voltage V | 12-06-2012 |
20120313595 | Power Converter Package Structure and Method - An embodiment power converter package comprises a semiconductor die, an output inductor, a plurality of input capacitors and output capacitors. The semiconductor die, the output inductor and the plurality of capacitors are mounted on a lead frame and connected one to another through various pads on the lead frame. The semiconductor die comprises a high side switch, a low side switch and a driver. The power converter package is electrically coupled to an external pulse width modulation controller through a variety of input and output pads. | 12-13-2012 |
20120313596 | HIGH-FREQUENCY SUPPLY OF A LOAD WITHOUT IMPEDANCE MATCHING - An energy supplying device for a load has a direct current source, a number of switching stages, and a control device. The switching stages are connected to the direct current source, the load, and the control device such that the control device can drive the switching stages to selectively connect the load to the direct current source. Each switching stage has a field effect transistor and a number of freewheeling diodes connected in opposition to the respective field effect transistor in parallel. The field effect transistors have a maximum operational threshold frequency. Each freewheeling diode has a recovery time. For each switching stage, the recovery times of the respective freewheeling diodes correspond with the reciprocal value of the threshold frequency of the respective field effect transistor. The control device controls the switching stages at least intermittently such that power is reflected back into the switching stages on the basis of a mismatch. | 12-13-2012 |
20120319662 | Switching Regulator and Control Circuit and Method Therefor - The present invention discloses a switching regulator, a control circuit and a control method therefor. The switching regulator comprises an upper gate switch, a lower gate switch, and an inductor connected to a switching node. When a current passing through the upper gate switch or the inductor is lower than a threshold, the lower gate switch is kept OFF until a next cycle, and during the cycle wherein the lower gate switch is OFF, the upper gate switch is turned ON for a period of time. | 12-20-2012 |
20120319663 | LOAD-TESTING CIRCUIT FOR USB PORTS - A power supply circuit is configured for simulating the maximum standard load currents for different kinds of USB ports, and each of the USB ports includes a power terminal; the load-testing circuit includes a voltage regulating circuit, a voltage dividing circuit, a first operational amplifier, a first transistor, and a current limiting resistor. The voltage regulating circuit is configured for supplying a reference voltage to the voltage dividing circuit. The reference voltage is divided by sub-circuits of the voltage dividing circuit. When the sub-circuit connected to the voltage regulating circuit and the first operational amplifier is changed, a current flows from the first transistor and the current limiting resistor is changed. | 12-20-2012 |
20120319664 | DC POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A DC power supply system delivers DC output having a neutral point and higher than the input voltage of a single DC power supply by a circuit with series-connected switching elements. The DC power supply system addresses the problem of imbalance between the voltage between a positive terminal and the neutral point and the voltage between a negative terminal and the neutral point. In operational control of the DC power supply system, a capacitor voltage between the neutral point and the positive terminal and a capacitor voltage between the neutral point and the negative terminal are compared, and four switching elements are operated to equalize the two capacitor voltages. | 12-20-2012 |
20120326681 | POWER SUPPLY UNIT - A power supply unit includes first and second sub-power supply module, each having first and second inductor, first and second switching element which switches current supplied from an input power supply to the first and second inductor, first and second drive control circuit which drives the first and second switching element, and first and second sub-output terminal to which current is output from the first and second inductor respectively; and a common output terminal to which the first sub-output terminal and the second sub-output terminal are coupled, wherein an ON operation of the first switching element is controlled depending on whether or not an output voltage of the common output terminal is lower than a first voltage, and an ON operation of the second switching element is controlled depending on whether or not the output voltage is lower than a second voltage, which is different from the first voltage. | 12-27-2012 |
20130002214 | CURRENT BALANCE CIRCUIT - A current balance circuit includes a first branch and a second branch in parallel between a power supply unit and at least one load, which respectively include a switch. The current balance circuit detects and compares currents flowing through the first branch and the second branch. The current balance circuit also generates triangle waves and reversed triangle waves, compares voltage of a control pole of a first switch with the triangle waves, and compares voltage of the control pole of a second switch with the reversed triangle waves. Then the current balance circuit controls if the triangle waves and the reversed triangle waves are input to the first switch and the second switch according to the currents flowing through the first branch and the second branch to adjust impedance of the first switch and the second switch to balance the currents flowing through the first branch and the second branch. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002215 | DC-DC POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - Disclosed is a DC-DC power conversion apparatus ( | 01-03-2013 |
20130009617 | CONTROL CIRCUITS FOR SWITCHING POWER CONVERTERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - The present application discloses a control circuit of a switching power converter, wherein the switching power converter comprises a power switch, and is configured to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, the control circuit comprises: a first time generating circuit configured to generate a first time signal; a phase lock circuit configured to generate a second time signal; and a switching signal generating circuit configured to generate a switching signal to control the ON and OFF switching of the power switch. The phase lock circuit generates the second time signal in accordance with the frequency difference between the switching signal and a reference clock signal, so as to get the frequency of the switching signal to be substantially equal to the frequency of the reference clock signal. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009618 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - The present invention relates to a voltage converter, which uses an inductor coupled between a power supply and a reference voltage for providing a supply voltage. A plurality of output capacitors are coupled to both sides of the inductor, respectively, and receive the supply voltage for producing a positive voltage and a negative voltage. A plurality of output switches are coupled to both sides of the inductor, respectively, and control the inductor to charge the plurality of output capacitors. A feedback control circuit produces a control signal according to the positive and negative voltages for controlling the plurality of output switches. Thereby, the present invention can produce positive and negative voltage by means of the inductor. Accordingly, the voltage converter according to the present invention avoids usage of multiple inductors and capacitors in producing voltages with different levels, and thus reducing the circuit area as well as the manufacturing cost. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009619 | Multi-Phase Power System with Redundancy - An integrated circuit device for delivering power to a load includes a controller circuit, a cascade circuit, and a power delivery circuit. The controller circuit generates a plurality of control signals. The cascade circuit receives the control signals from the controller circuit and sequentially outputs the control signals onto a cascade bus. The power delivery circuit receives the control signals from the controller circuit and delivers an amount of current to the load, in response to one of the control signals. | 01-10-2013 |
20130021008 | POWER CONVERTER APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH COMPENSATION FOR LIGHT LOAD CONDITIONS - A switch mode power converter provides high efficiency at light and no load conditions by utilizing a variable inductance swinging choke at the output of a synchronous rectifier. The use of the swinging choke with a synchronous rectifier eliminates power inefficiencies caused by currents that circulate from the output capacitance to the input capacitance during no load conditions. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021009 | POWER CONVERTER APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH COMPENSATION FOR CURRENT LIMIT/CURRENT SHARE OPERATION - A power converter provides current limit/current share functionality, allowing use in a point-of-load architecture and/or in parallel with one or more other power converters. An inner current control loop may sense output current over only a portion of a duty cycle, for example at a low side active switch. The resulting signal is compensated, and may be level shifted, for example via a resistor divider network, and supplied to a current control amplifier. An outer voltage control loop may sense output voltage, and provide a voltage error signal from a voltage error amplifier to the resistor divider network. Power converters are operable as masters or slaves, and include sense input and trim input terminals. | 01-24-2013 |
20130027009 | Switching Regulator with Increased Light Load Efficiency - A switching regulator includes a multiphase converter which includes a plurality of main phases configured to covert a power supply voltage to a lower voltage for application to an electronic device at different load conditions. The switching regulator also includes an auxiliary phase configured to operate in a pulse frequency modulation mode during a light load condition so that power is supplied to the electronic device by at least the auxiliary phase during the light load condition. | 01-31-2013 |
20130033243 | DRIVE CIRCUIT OF POWER UNIT, AND POWER UNIT - A drive circuit of a power unit, which includes a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor connected in series between a high potential power-supply line and a low potential power-supply line, and an inductor provided between a connection node of both of the transistors and an output terminal, and which drives both of the transistors, the drive circuit has: a first gate driver which drives a gate of the high-side transistor; and a second gate driver which drives a gate of the low-side transistor. In a transitional period of changing from a first state where the high-side transistor is ON and the low-side transistor is OFF to a second state where the high-side transistor is OFF and the low-side transistor is ON, the first gate driver drives the gate of the high-side transistor to a first voltage which is lower than a potential of the low potential power-supply line. | 02-07-2013 |
20130038300 | SWITCHING REGULATOR, CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREOF, CONTROL METHOD THEREOF AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A control circuit for controlling a switching transistor of a switching regulator includes a hysteresis comparator circuit comparing a feedback voltage according to an output signal of the switching regulator with a reference voltage and a threshold voltage and outputting a pulse width modulation signal as an output signal of the hysteresis comparator circuit, where the threshold voltage has a hysteresis according to the pulse width modulation signal. The control circuit further includes a driver driving the switching transistor based on the pulse width modulation signal, a phase comparator generating a phase difference signal based on a phase difference between a reference clock signal and a pulse signal corresponding to the pulse width modulation signal, and a loop filter generating a control voltage by filtering the phase difference signal. The hysteresis comparator circuit is further configured to control a response speed thereof depending on the control voltage. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038301 | CONVERTER CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A converter control circuit for converting an input voltage to an output voltage comprises: an error amplifier, coupled to an output voltage or a feedback output signal from the output voltage, and a reference signal, operable to generate an error signal accordingly; a ramp signal generator, generating a first ramp signal and a second ramp signal; a first comparator, coupled to the error signal and the first ramp signal, operable to generate a first comparing signal accordingly; a second comparator, coupled to the error signal and the second ramp signal, operable to generate a second comparing signal accordingly; and a control signal generator, coupled to the first comparing signal and the second comparing signal, operable to generate a control signal to turn switches in the converter circuit ON and OFF accordingly. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038302 | CONTROL CIRCUIT OF A DC/DC CONVERTER AND THE METHOD THEREOF - A control circuit of a DC/DC converter, wherein the DC/DC converter further comprises a high-side switch and a low-side switch, and wherein the DC/DC converter provides an output signal to a load. The control circuit comprises: an amplifier configured to receive a feedback signal and a reference signal to provide an error signal; a ramp generator configured to provide a ramp signal; a comparator configured to receive the ramp signal and the error signal to provide a comparison signal; and a COT generator configured to receive the comparison signal, to provide a COT signal to control the high-side switch and the low-side switch. | 02-14-2013 |
20130038303 | CONTROLLER AND A METHOD FOR A DC CONVERTER, AND ALSO A DC CONVERTER - A controller ( | 02-14-2013 |
20130043849 | Voltage Converter Including Variable Mode Switching Regulator And Related Method - According to one embodiment, a voltage converter comprises a switching regulator, a driver, and a power stage receiving an input voltage and producing a converted output voltage. The switching regulator is configured to utilize a voltage control path and a current control path to provide feedback to the driver corresponding to a load condition of a load in the power stage, allowing the driver to adjust the converted output voltage in response to the feedback. In one embodiment, the switching regulator utilizes the voltage control path and the current control path to transition control of the voltage converter between a fixed frequency mode control, such as a current-programmed mode (CPM) control, and a variable frequency mode control, such as a hysteretic mode control. | 02-21-2013 |
20130043850 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND CONTROL METHOD FOR SAME - A switching regulator and control method for the same. The switching regulator employs a hybrid mode. A ramp voltage signal is added to the current sense signal to make the ramp voltage signal overtake the current information when the duty cycle becomes low. | 02-21-2013 |
20130049714 | PWM Control Circuit of A Converter And the Control Method Thereof - A PWM control circuit of a power converter includes an upper-bridge element Q | 02-28-2013 |
20130049715 | FEEDBACK CONTROL OF A DC/DC POWER CONVERTER - A current mode power conversion system and method operates in cycles. Each cycle includes an on time and an off time. The system includes an inductor connected to store energy during the on time of each cycle and use the energy during the off time of each cycle. The system provides a stable output voltage and a maximum-limited output current to a load during constant load conditions. The system comprises a feedback control linearly operable so as to control the output voltage across the load during constant load conditions, and non-linearly operable so as to control the output voltage across the load during certain detected changes in load conditions as a function of the derivative of the current in the inductor so as to speed up the transient response of the power conversion system when a fault condition exists. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049716 | DC-DC CONVERTER, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM - A DC-DC converter includes: an inductor provided between a power input node and a power output node; a plurality of switching elements which switch an input route of a power toward the inductor and a discharge route of the power from the inductor; a first pulse generation circuit which generates a first pulse based on a feed-back signal according to an output of the output node; a second pulse generation circuit which generates a second pulse having a second frequency being equal to or higher than a first frequency set as an upper limit of a human audible frequency band; a driver which drives the switching element based on one of the first pulse and the second pulse; and a control circuit which supplies the first pulse or the second pulse to the driver based on a load state of a load coupled to the output node. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049717 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A switching power supply circuit includes a PWM drive circuit ( | 02-28-2013 |
20130049718 | CLASS D AMPLIFIER AND CONTROL METHOD - A Class D power amplifier is for driving a load between first and second output nodes defined between two bridges. A controller is adapted to derive an amplifier hold signal when an overcurrent state is detected in an output bridge, and to prevent switching of the other output bridge between the two main output states. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049719 | VOLTAGE CLAMP CIRCUIT, A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, A SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE, AND A VOLTAGE LEVEL CONVERSION CIRCUIT - A voltage clamping circuit which operates in a stable manner and a switching power source device which enables high-speed operation. In the switching power source device, one source/drain route is connected to an input terminal to which an input voltage is supplied, a predetermined voltage to be restricted is supplied to a gate, and using a MOSFET which provides a current source between another source/drain route and a ground potential of the circuit, a clamp output voltage which corresponds to the input voltage is obtained from another source/drain route. The switching power source device further includes a first switching element which controls a current in an inductor and a second switching element which clamps a reverse electromotive voltage generated in the inductor. The voltage clamping circuit is used in a feedback route for setting a dead time. | 02-28-2013 |
20130049720 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR CONTROLLER AND RELATED REFERENCE VOLTAGE ADJUSTING METHOD - A voltage regulator controller is disclosed including: a reference voltage generator for generating a reference voltage; a comparison circuit, coupled with the reference voltage generator, for comparing the reference voltage with an output voltage of a voltage regulator; and a control circuit, coupled with the reference voltage generator and the comparison circuit, for controlling the reference voltage generator to stepwise lower the reference voltage when a power saving command is received by the voltage regulator controller. | 02-28-2013 |
20130057237 | MULTI-PHASE SWITCHING REGULATOR AND DROOP CIRCUIT THEREFOR - The present invention discloses a multi-phase switching regulator and a droop circuit therefor. The droop circuit includes: multiple first resistors, which are coupled to corresponding phase nodes respectively to sense current through the phase nodes; a second resistor, which is coupled to the multiple first resistors; an error amplifier circuit, which has an inverting input end and a non-inverting input end, wherein the inverting input end is coupled to the second resistor and an output end of the error amplifier circuit, and the non-inverting input end is coupled to an output node; and a droop capacitor, which is coupled between the second resistor and the output node; wherein the droop circuit provides the droop signal according to a voltage drop across the second resistor or current through the second resistor. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057238 | AMPLIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS WITH NOISE REDUCTIONS - System and method for amplifying an input signal to generate an output signal. The system includes a current generator, an oscillator, and a comparator. The current generator is configured to receive a first voltage signal, and generate a first current signal based on at least information associated with the first voltage signal and the first reference signal. The oscillator is configured to receive at least the first current signal and a second reference signal, and to generate a second voltage signal based on at least information associated with the first current signal and the second reference signal, the second voltage signal being associated with a modulation frequency. Additionally, the comparator is configured to receive the second voltage signal and a third voltage signal, and to generate a modulation signal related to the modulation frequency based on at least information associated with the second voltage signal and the third voltage signal. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057239 | Multi-Phase Power Block For a Switching Regulator for use with a Single-Phase PWM Controller - A multi-phase power block for a switching regulator includes a phase control circuit, N power cells and a current sharing control circuit. The phase control circuit is configured to receive a single phase PWM clock signal and generate N clock signals in N phases. Each of the N power cells includes a pair of power switches, gate drivers, a control circuit receiving one of the N clock signals and generating gate drive signals for the gate drivers, and an inductor. The current sharing control circuit is configured to assess the inductor current at the inductor of the N power cells and to generate duty cycle control signals for the N power cells. The duty cycle control signals are applied to the control circuits to adjust the duty cycle of one or more clock signals supplied to the power cells to balance a current loading among the N power cells. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057240 | SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A switching voltage regulator includes a comparison module configured to receive a reference voltage and a feedback voltage and to generate a comparison signal based on a difference between the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, and a control module configured to generate a gain control threshold signal based on at least one of the reference voltage and the feedback voltage. The control module may be configured to control a duration of a PWM pulse based on the at least one of the reference voltage and the feedback voltage. The feedback voltage may a regulated output voltage of the switching voltage regulator. The switching voltage regulator may be implemented in an analog or a digital manner. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057241 | POWER SWITCHING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING CURRENT SENSE ACCURACY - A power switching apparatus having a mechanism for improving current sense accuracy is provided. The power switching apparatus includes an output arranged to provide a sense current depending on a load current, a power switching device, a sense device, and a difference amplification device. The difference amplification device includes a first and a second amplifier input, at least one amplifier output connected to a current sense feedback loop arranged to reduce a difference of potentials between the first and the second amplifier input. A terminal of the power switching device and a terminal of the sense device are connected to an input and another terminal of the power switching device and a second terminal of the sense device are coupled to a first cross-coupling switching module. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063104 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DC-DC CONVERSION WITH LOW POWER MODE - The invention relates to an electronic device and a method for DC-DC-conversion. The electronic device includes energizing switch and a commutating switch coupled at a switching node. The switching node is configured to be coupled to an inductor. The electronic device is configured to repeatedly suspend the regular synchronous switching of the commutating switch during a load detection period, to sense the voltage at the output node during the load detection period and to determine a high-load condition or a light-load condition of the DC-DC-conversion based on the sensed voltage at the output node. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063105 | DC-DC CONVERTER CONTROL CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER INCLUDING SAME - A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switches, including a first feedback circuit; a second feedback circuit; a synthesis circuit to add a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter and a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component thereof to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a comparison result; and an on-time adjusting circuit to adjust on/off time of the switches based on the comparison result for outputting a control signal depending on the adjusting result. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063106 | DC-DC CONVERTER CONTROL CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER INCLUDING SAME - A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063107 | DC-DC CONVERTER CONTROL CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER INCLUDING SAME - A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switches, including a first feedback circuit; a second feedback circuit; a synthesis circuit to add a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current based on an output current of the DC-DC converter and a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component thereof to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a comparison result; and an on-time adjusting circuit to adjust on/off time of the switches based on the comparison result for outputting a control signal depending on the adjusting result. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063108 | DC-DC CONVERTER CONTROL CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER INCLUDING SAME - A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output current of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high. | 03-14-2013 |
20130069607 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator having good transient response characteristics and maintaining stable operation is provided. The voltage regulator includes: a first MOS transistor having a gate terminal connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit; a first constant current source provided between the first MOS transistor and a ground terminal; an output MOS transistor having a gate terminal connected to a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor via a phase compensation circuit; a second MOS transistor having a gate terminal to which an output of the differential amplifier circuit is input and a drain terminal connected to the gate terminal of the output MOS transistor; and a second constant current source provided between the second MOS transistor and a ground terminal. | 03-21-2013 |
20130076320 | INTERNAL CAPACITOR LINEAR REGULATOR WITH TRANSIENT DIP COMPENSATOR FOR INTERNAL-SWITCH SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator arrangement utilizes internal capacitors rather than external capacitors for driving output power transistors. Low-dropout linear voltage regulators together with a dip compensation circuit provide an intermediate supply voltage for driving power transistors under circumstances in which a supply voltage is greater than a gate drive voltage of the power transistor, allowing for a more efficient absorption of transient current. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076321 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND DC-DC CONVERSION METHOD - A DC-DC converter has a plurality of DC-DC converting units, a plurality of inductor elements, a plurality of duty detection circuits, and a duty adjustment circuit configured to compare output signals from two detection circuits as each group, and to adjust the duty ratio of the DC-DC converting unit connected to one of the two duty detection circuits based on a result of comparing the output signals so that the duty ratio of the square wave voltage of each group becomes equal. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076322 | POWER CONVERSION CIRCUIT, MULTIPHASE VOLTAGE REGULATOR, AND POWER CONVERSION METHOD - Disclosed is a power conversion circuit that suppresses the flow of a through current to a switching element based on a normally-on transistor. The power conversion circuit includes a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor, which are series-coupled to each other to form a half-bridge circuit, and two drive circuits, which complementarily drive the gate of the high-side transistor and of the low-side transistor. The high-side transistor is a normally-off transistor. The low-side transistor is a normally-on transistor. | 03-28-2013 |
20130082669 | SCALABLE MULTIPHASE-REGULATOR POWER-INTEGRATED CIRCUIT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SCALABLE POWER TO THE SAME - In one embodiment, a modular master chip includes an output module, a phase control module in communication with the output module, the phase control module including a master chip switch, wherein the phase control module is adapted for regulating the master chip switch at one or more interleaved clock speeds with one or more phase shifts, and a control module in communication with the output module and the phase control module, the control module being adapted for monitoring an amount of current drawn by a current load, determining one or more interleaved clock speeds, sending the one or more interleaved clock speeds, and regulating a scalable amount of current supplied to the current load by adjusting a number of output modules contributing to the scalable amount of current supplied to the current load. More methods and systems are described according to other embodiments. | 04-04-2013 |
20130082670 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION USING DUTY CYCLE MEASUREMENTS - A method and system control the adding or dropping of phases in a multiphase voltage regulator. The regulator has an efficiency and this efficiency of the regulator is calculated for a given number of phases being activated from an output voltage, input voltage, output current, and duty cycle of the regulator. The efficiency of the regulator is also calculated if a phase is added using the derivative of the duty cycle as a function of the output current. The efficiency of the regulator is further calculated if a phase is dropped using the derivative of the duty cycle as a function of the output current. From these operations of calculating, a phase is either added, dropped, or the phase is maintained at its current value to thereby optimize the efficiency of the regulator. | 04-04-2013 |
20130088208 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCORPORATING SAME - A switching regulator switch between an input terminal and an output terminal; a second switch between the output terminal and ground; a switching-time control circuit to generate a first signal when a first period corresponding to a ratio of ON-period of the first switch to a sum of those of the switches has elapsed from a reset-release timing and a reset signal when a second period longer than the first period has elapsed from the rest-release timing; a comparator to generate a second signal when a feedback voltage is smaller than a reference voltage; and a switch control circuit to control the switches so that the first switch is turned off and the second switch is turned on in response to the first signal, and the second switch is turned off and the first switch is fumed on in response to the second signal. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088209 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURRENT LIMITING A DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC voltage converter has a pair of switching transistors to provide an output voltage and are alternately switched in a boost mode of operation responsive to control signals. An inductor is connected to the pair of switching transistor and has an inductor current flowing there through. A current sensor monitors an input current and generates a current sense signal responsive thereto. Control circuitry generates the control signals to the second pair of switching transistors responsive to the current sense signal, the output voltage and a current limit signal, wherein when the current limit signal indicates the inductor current exceeds a current limit the control signals configure the pair of switching transistors to decrease the inductor current. | 04-11-2013 |
20130099760 | DIRECT-CURRENT STABILIZED POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A direct-current stabilized power supply device that drops a voltage from a power supply of a solar cell in which output power is unstable, and supplies a stable voltage necessary for measurement equipment and the like. | 04-25-2013 |
20130099761 | Switching-Mode Power Supply with Ripple Mode Control and Associated Methods - The present invention discloses a SMPS. The SMPS comprises an output port, configured to supply a load; a control signal generator, having an input and an output configured to provide a first control signal; a first switch configured to receive the first control signal and regulate the voltage at the output port; and a ramp signal generator, comprising an input and an output, wherein the input is configured to receive the control signal and the output is configured to provide a current signal simulating an output signal at the output port, and wherein the output of the ramp signal generator is further coupled to the input of the means for generating control signal. | 04-25-2013 |
20130099762 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COUNTERACTING OVERVOLTAGE EVENTS - This disclosure involves methods and systems for reducing the voltage by a circuit such as a switching regulator during an overvoltage event by draining current from a voltage source when voltage exceeding a desired level is generated. | 04-25-2013 |
20130099763 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUPPRESSING UNDESIRABLE LIMIT CYCLES IN SWITCHING REGULATORS - This disclosure involves methods and systems for suppressing undesired limit cycles in switching regulators by determining when a limit cycle causes the inductor to charge for a time greater than the clock period and destabilizing such cycles. | 04-25-2013 |
20130106373 | Systems and Methods for Adaptive Body Braking Control in a Voltage Regulator | 05-02-2013 |
20130106374 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER AND METHOD THEREFOR | 05-02-2013 |
20130119953 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter operates as a step-down chopper using a main switch element, a sub switch element, an inductor and a capacitor. A sub switch control signal generating circuit discharges a capacitor with a voltage that is proportional to a difference between a voltage of a power supply input unit and a voltage of a power supply output unit when a PGATE signal is at an “L” level, and charges the capacitor with a voltage that is proportional to the voltage of the power supply output unit when an NGATE signal is at an “H” level. The sub switch element is forcibly turned off and reverse flow of an inductor current is prevented even at the time of a light load as a result of the voltage of the capacitor being generated as an NCTL signal. Thus, reverse flow of an inductor current is prevented and a high-efficiency DC-DC converter is provided without the use of a high-speed comparator or any other kind of comparator. | 05-16-2013 |
20130127428 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a first switching element and a second switching element; a pulse signal generating circuit which generates a pulse signal used to control on/off periods of the switching elements; a limiting circuit which generates a minimum pulse width signal; a selector configured to select one of the pulse signal and the minimum pulse width signal, and a driver circuit switches the first and second switching element and a reverse current detecting circuit detects a reverse current. The driver circuit controls the first or second switching element, when the reverse current is detected. The selector selects the pulse signal when the reverse current is not detected, and selects the minimum pulse width signal when the reverse current is detected. | 05-23-2013 |
20130141058 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED VOLTAGE CONTROLLER - An integrated circuit device has a housing having a plurality of external pins; a central processing unit (CPU) operating at an internal core voltage and being coupled with the plurality of pins; and an internal switched mode voltage regulator receiving an external supply voltage being higher than the internal core voltage through at least first and second external pins of the plurality of external pins and generating the internal core voltage, wherein the internal switched mode voltage regulator is coupled with at least one external component through at least one further external pin of the plurality of external pins. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141059 | DYNAMIC BIAS SOFT START CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHODS - Apparatus and methods operate to disable a dynamically biased apparatus and a dynamic bias current source providing dynamic bias current to the apparatus at the beginning of a static bias startup period shortly after power-on. The dynamically biased apparatus is then gradually enabled in a static bias mode of operation during the static bias startup period. Following the end of the static bias startup period, operation of the dynamically biased apparatus in a dynamic transconductance mode is gradually enabled during a dynamic bias startup period. Such startup sequence operates to prevent damaging in-rush currents in a system employing the dynamically biased apparatus in a feedback control loop. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141060 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a smoothing capacitor connected between a first output terminal connected to a first end of a load and a second output terminal connected to a second end of the load, the smoothing capacitor smoothing an output voltage. The DC-DC converter includes a choke coil having a first end connected to a first end of a battery. The DC-DC converter includes a semiconductor integrated circuit having a switch terminal connected to a second end of the choke coil, a first potential terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a second potential terminal connected to the second output terminal and a second end of the battery. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141061 | BUCK COVERTER WITH OVERCURRENT PROTECTION FUNCTION - A buck converter configured for converting a voltage output from a power supply to a load includes a first switch, a second switch, an inductor, three compensators and a control microchip. The first switch and the second switch are connected in series between two ends of the power supply. A first end of the inductor is connected to a node between the first switch and the second switch; a second end of the inductor serves as an output terminal connected to the load. The compensators are correspondingly connected to the first switch, the second switch and the inductor. The control microchip is electrically connected to the first and second switches and the node. The control microchip controls the first and second switches to turn on or off, and executes a current protective process when output current of the output terminal exceeds a current protective threshold of the load. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141062 | RF POWER CONVERTER - This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) power converters and methods of operating the same. In one embodiment, an RF power converter includes an RF switching converter, a low-drop out (LDO) regulation circuit, and an RF filter. The RF filter is coupled to receive a pulsed output voltage from the RF switching converter and a supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit. The RF filter is operable to alternate between a first RF filter topology and a second RF filter topology. In the first RF filter topology, the RF filter is configured to convert the pulsed output voltage from a switching circuit into the supply voltage. The RF filter in the second RF filter topology is configured to filter the supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit to reduce a ripple variation in a supply voltage level of the supply voltage. As such, the RF filter provides greater versatility. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141063 | MULTIPLE MODE RF POWER CONVERTER - This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) power converters and methods of operating the same. In one embodiment, an RF power converter includes an RF switching converter, a low-drop out (LDO) regulation circuit, and an RF filter. The RF filter is coupled to receive a pulsed output voltage from the RF switching converter and a supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit. The RF filter is operable to alternate between a first RF filter topology and a second RF filter topology. In the first RF filter topology, the RF filter is configured to convert the pulsed output voltage from a switching circuit into the supply voltage. The RF filter in the second RF filter topology is configured to filter the supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit to reduce a ripple variation in a supply voltage level of the supply voltage. As such, the RF filter provides greater versatility. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141064 | VOLTAGE OFFSET LOOP FOR A SWITCHING CONTROLLER - This disclosure relates to radio frequency (RF) power converters and methods of operating the same. In one embodiment, an RF power converter includes an RF switching converter, a low-drop out (LDO) regulation circuit, and an RF filter. The RF filter is coupled to receive a pulsed output voltage from the RF switching converter and a supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit. The RF filter is operable to alternate between a first RF filter topology and a second RF filter topology. In the first RF filter topology, the RF filter is configured to convert the pulsed output voltage from a switching circuit into the supply voltage. The RF filter in the second RF filter topology is configured to filter the supply voltage from the LDO regulation circuit to reduce a ripple variation in a supply voltage level of the supply voltage. As such, the RF filter provides greater versatility. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147445 | VOLTAGE MULTIPLIER CHARGE PUMP BUCK - DC to DC converter circuitry includes a dual phase charge pump and at least one pair of multiplier phase circuits. The dual phase charge pump is coupled to each one of the at least one pair of multiplier circuits and adapted to receive a DC input voltage and only four control signals, and produce a stepped-up output voltage. Each one of the at least one pair of multiplier phase circuits are adapted to receive the stepped-up output voltage, a cross-coupled control signal from the other multiplier phase circuit in the pair of multiplier phase circuits, and a different one of the control signals and further multiply the stepped-up output voltage to produce a multiplied stepped-up output voltage with a magnitude that is approximately three times that of the DC input voltage or greater. | 06-13-2013 |
20130154589 | DC TO DC CONVERTER DESIGNED TO MITIGATE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH LOW DUTY CYCLE OPERATION - DC to DC converters are described that include two converters interconnected and operated to mitigate at least some of the effects of low duty cycle operation. | 06-20-2013 |
20130154590 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REGULATING A SWITCHING CONVERTER - Systems and methods for regulating a switching converter are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a power supply system that comprises a switching converter that provides an output voltage by alternately turning on and off a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor both coupled to an output inductor through a switching node. The switching converter includes a drive circuit that regulates the output voltage based on a feedback signal. The power supply system also comprises a simulated output generator that generates and provides the drive circuit with a simulated inductor waveform as the feedback signal based on a low-side output waveform of the low-side transistor measured at the switching node during off-times of the switching converter. | 06-20-2013 |
20130154591 | Symmetrical Output Switch-Mode Power Supply - The invention relates to a switched-mode power supply delivering a first (V | 06-20-2013 |
20130162230 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a drive circuit configured to drive a first switching element, and a second switching element coupled between a low potential power terminal of the drive circuit and a first node corresponding to the input voltage or the output voltage. A current detecting section detects a load current flowing in the output terminal. A control circuit turns on a third switching element, which is coupled between the low potential power terminal of the drive circuit and a second node having a potential lower than both the input voltage and the output voltage, in a case where a difference between the input voltage and the output voltage is lower than a threshold. The control circuit controls the second and third switching elements based on a detection result of the current detecting section in a case where the difference is equal to or greater than the threshold. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162231 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator including a soft-start circuit having a small area and capable of suppressing an inrush current by causing a reference voltage circuit to rise gently with time. In the soft-start circuit, a capacitor is connected to an output of a reference voltage circuit driven by a constant current of a constant current circuit, and hence the soft-start circuit can raise a reference voltage gently to prevent an inrush current with a small area. After the end of a soft-start period, the constant current circuit is disconnected, and the reference voltage circuit is driven by a power source. Thus, the operation becomes stable. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162232 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A switching power supply circuit includes a pair of input nodes to which an input voltage is applied, a pair of output nodes from which an output voltage is outputted and to which a load is connected, a cascode element and a coil connected between the input node and the output node, and a control circuit outputting a drive signal that controls a conduction state of the cascode element. The control circuit controls the conduction state of the cascode element in response to a potential of a point connecting a normally-on type transistor and a normally-off type transistor that constitute the cascode element. | 06-27-2013 |
20130169248 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING DCM-CCM OSCILLATION IN A CURRENT-CONTROLLED SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY CONVERTER - A constant-frequency current-mode-controlled boost converter circuit provides slope compensation of an inductor current, reduces reverse inductor current in light output load conditions, and reduces oscillation between a discontinuous current mode and a continuous current mode by enabling or disabling an inductor current threshold. The constant-frequency current-mode-controlled boost converter circuit is efficient and stable in light, medium, and heavy output load conditions. | 07-04-2013 |
20130181692 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A power supply system for supplying a power to a device is disclosed. The power supply system includes a solar cell and a regulator coupled with the solar cell. The solar cell receives and converts sunlight into an output voltage. The regulator converts the output voltage into a desired voltage level to be supplied to the device. The regulator is a DC-DC converter. | 07-18-2013 |
20130187623 | SMART DIMMING SOLUTION FOR LED LIGHT BULB AND OTHER NON-LINEAR POWER AC LOADS - A dimmer is provided that includes an MCU, a first power switch, and a pair of second power switches. The MCU is coupled to and configured to control the first power switch and the pair of second power switches, wherein the MCU is configured to activate the first power switch to conduct current to a load during a first continuous period of time. The MCU is also configured to alternately activate the pair of second power switches to conduct current to the load during a second continuous period of time. The MCU is configured to deactivate the pair of second power switches during the entire first period of time, and the MCU is configured to deactivate the first power switch during the entire first period of time. The first and second continuous periods do not overlap in time. | 07-25-2013 |
20130193936 | Switched-Mode Power Supply - The switched-mode power supply includes a power stage, and a control unit to control the operation of the power stage based on a critical parameter of the power stage, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of the power stage to change from a first operational mode to a second operation mode if the critical parameter leaves a pre-defined range, and to change from the second operational mode to the first operational mode based on a measurement of a first time interval. | 08-01-2013 |
20130193937 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, a switching regulator includes a switching controller, a driver, a detector, and an adjustment module. The switching regulator outputs a first switch control signal for controlling switching of a high-side transistor and a second switch control signal for controlling switching of a low-side transistor. The driver supplies an output signal for driving the high-side transistor to a gate of the high-side transistor in accordance with the first switch control signal. The detector detects a ringing voltage on a switching node between the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor. The adjustment module adjusts a level of the output signal of the driver so as to decrease the level if the detected ringing voltage exceeds a threshold value. | 08-01-2013 |
20130193938 | DEAD-TIME COMPENSATION IN A POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - One embodiment includes a power supply system. The system includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) system configured to generate a PWM signal. The system also includes a power stage comprising a gate driver, a high-side switch, and a low-side switch. The gate driver can be configured to alternately activate the high-side and low-side switches to provide an output signal to a load in response to the PWM signal, and to provide an activation dead-time between the alternate activation of the high-side and low-side switches. The system further includes a digital delay system configured to measure the activation dead-time and to add the measured activation dead-time to the activation of the high-side switch. | 08-01-2013 |
20130200864 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND VOLTAGE CONVERSION METHOD THEREOF - A DC-DC converter and a voltage conversion method thereof are provided. The DC-DC converter includes an output unit, a control unit and a trigger unit. The output unit converts an input voltage into an output voltage. The control unit generates a control signal according to the input voltage, an output feedback voltage related to the output voltage and a reference voltage, so as to make the output unit generate the output voltage. The trigger unit generates a first trigger signal according to the control signal, the output feedback voltage and the reference voltage. When the output feedback voltage is less than the reference voltage by a preset voltage, the control unit controls the output unit to perform a voltage-regulating process to the output voltage in advance. | 08-08-2013 |
20130200865 | SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY FOR ENVELOPE TRACKING - There is disclosed an envelope tracked power supply comprising a high bandwidth, low delay closed loop switch mode power supply stage comprising: a pulse width modulator for generating a width modulated pulse in dependence on an input signal and an output voltage of the switch mode power supply stage; a wideband transformer, having a winding of a first side connected to receive the modulated pulse, and a winding of a second side; and an output stage connected to the winding of the second side of the transformer, and for generating the output voltage in dependence on the modulated pulse induced in the winding of the second side. | 08-08-2013 |
20130207625 | SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator controls an output transistor supplying current to an inductor and generates a second supply voltage from a first supply voltage. The switching regulator has: an error amplifier amplifying a difference between the second supply voltage and a reference voltage; a current sense amplifier converting an inductor current into voltage; a current comparator comparing an output voltages of the error amplifier and the current sense amplifier, so as to output a trigger signal when the second supply voltage decreases; a pulse generation circuit generating a control pulse to drive the first output transistor in response to the trigger signal; and a sleep control circuit, during a sleep period by a sleep signal supplied from a load side, suspending operation of the current sense amplifier or the pulse generation circuit, and tentatively resuming the suspended operation in response to the trigger signal, and thereafter suspending the operation again. | 08-15-2013 |
20130207626 | Switching Power Supply Circuit - A switching power supply circuit includes: a reactor that has a main winding and an auxiliary winding having a leakage inductance, which are magnetically coupled with each other and are connected with each other at one ends thereof; a first series circuit, which has an auxiliary switch and a resonance capacitor connected in series, and which is connected in parallel with a direct current power supply via a main switch; a first diode that, which is connected in parallel with the first series circuit via the auxiliary winding; a smoothing capacitor, which is connected in parallel with at least one of the first series circuit and first diode via the main winding; and a control circuit, which alternately turns on and off the main switch and auxiliary switch to thus control an output voltage of the smoothing capacitor to be a predetermined value. | 08-15-2013 |
20130207627 | VIRTUAL OUTPUT VOLTAGE SENSING FOR FEED-FORWARD CONTROL OF A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, systems, and methods for virtual output voltage sensing for feed-forward control of a voltage regulator. A buffer has an input coupled to sense a monitored signal indicating a duty cycle of switch circuitry coupled to an output filter of the voltage regulator. The buffer is configured to provide at an output, responsive to the monitored signal, a buffer output signal having a high reference voltage for a high side on time and a low reference voltage for a low side on time of the switch circuitry. A filter is coupled to receive and filter the buffer output signal to provide a feed-forward signal indicating the output voltage of the voltage regulator. Control circuitry is configured to control the switching of the switch circuitry responsive to the feed-forward signal. | 08-15-2013 |
20130207628 | Power Supply Circuit, Switching Regulator, and Control Circuit and Control Method Thereof - The present invention discloses a switching regulator having a control circuit which includes an error amplifier circuit. The error amplifier circuit compares a feedback signal relating to an output voltage with a reference signal, to regulate the feedback signal to a level of the reference signal. When it is determined that the switching regulator has entered a shutdown procedure, the reference signal gradually decreases so that the output voltage is decreased to a shutdown threshold. | 08-15-2013 |
20130214749 | DC CONVERTER - A DC converter is provided for converting a first supply voltage into a second supply voltage. The first supply voltage is higher than the second supply voltage. The DC converter includes a driving stage and an output stage. The driving stage includes a modulation circuit, a pull-up driving unit, a pull-up unit, a pull-down driving unit, and a pull-down unit. The modulation circuit generates a control signal according to the second supply voltage. The pull-up driving unit generates a first P-type driving signal and a second P-type driving signal to the pull-up unit according to the control signal. The pull-down driving unit generates a first N-type driving signal and a second N-type driving signal to the pull-down unit according to the control signal. | 08-22-2013 |
20130214750 | Voltage Converter and Voltage Conversion Method - A voltage converter includes a first converter stage including a unipolar transistor coupled to a first inductive storage element, where the first converter stage is configured to provide a first output power signal including a first output current. Also, the voltage converter includes a second converter stage including a bipolar transistor coupled to a second inductive storage element, where the second converter stage is configured to provide a second output power including a second output current, and where a third output current is a sum of the first output current and the second output current. Additionally, the voltage converter includes a control circuit configured to control a power converter including the first output current and the second output current, where the first output current is higher than the second output current when the third output current has a first range of output current. | 08-22-2013 |
20130221937 | Voltage Regulator with Adjustable Feedback - A voltage regulator circuit with variable feedback is disclosed. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes an amplifier having a first input configured to receive a reference voltage and a second input configured to receive a feedback signal. The voltage regulator further includes first and second transistors each having respective gate terminals coupled to an output of the amplifier. A resistor network coupled to the second input of the amplifier and further coupled to the first and second transistors. The resistor network is configured to produce the feedback signal based on currents through the first and second transistors, respectively. | 08-29-2013 |
20130221938 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR CONTACT-LESS ELECTRONIC DEVICES - A voltage regulator has an input terminal for receiving a supply voltage and an output terminal for providing a regulated voltage and a regulated current. Furthermore, the voltage regulator includes a regulator for generating the regulated voltage and the regulated current according to a regulation of the supply voltage. The regulator includes a plurality of regulation branches arranged between the input terminal and the output terminal, each one for providing an output voltage used for obtaining the regulated voltage and for providing an output current contributing to define the regulated current. The regulation branches are partitioned into a plurality of subsets each one including components adapted to operate within a corresponding maximum voltage different from the maximum voltage of the other subsets. In addition, the regulator includes a selector for selectively enabling the regulation branches according to an indicator of the supply voltage. | 08-29-2013 |
20130221939 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - There is provided a voltage regulator equipped with a reverse-current prevention function capable of ensuring safe performance without causing a large overshoot at an output terminal against a sharp fluctuation in source voltage. The voltage regulator provides a source voltage fluctuation detecting circuit for detecting a fluctuation in source voltage in a comparison circuit for comparing the source voltage with output voltage so that when the source voltage rises sharply, the current through constant current circuits for limiting the consumption current of the comparison circuit will be increased to improve the response characteristics. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229160 | OPERATION CONTROLLER, DC-DC CONVERTER CONTROLLER, AND DC-DC CONVERTER - An operation controller has a reference voltage generator, a starter circuit, and a switch element. The reference voltage generator is connected to an enable terminal to which an enable signal is supplied. After the enable signal is supplied and a start signal is generated, the reference voltage generator generates a reference voltage up to a stable value. After the reference voltage rises to the stable value, it generates a stop signal. When the enable signal is supplied, the starter circuit generates the start signal, and supplies it to the reference voltage generator. When the enable signal is no longer supplied or the stop signal is generated, the start signal is terminated. The switch element has one end connected to the enable terminal and the other end supplied with a prescribed voltage; it turns on when the start signal is generated, and turns off when the start signal is terminated. | 09-05-2013 |
20130241503 | Last Gasp Hold-Up Circuit Using Adaptive Constant On Time Control - A hold-up circuit coupled to a first node to receive an input voltage and to provide a hold-up voltage includes an inductor, a constant on-time buck-boost control circuit configured to drive a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch to operate in a buck mode and a boost mode of operation, and an energy storage capacitor. When the input voltage is greater than a predetermined threshold, the buck-boost control circuit is configured in the boost mode to drive the low-side power switch with constant on-time pulses and to charge the energy storage capacitor under non-synchronous operation. When the input voltage is less than a predetermined threshold, the buck-boost control circuit is configured in the buck mode to drive the high-side power switch with constant on-time pulses and to drive the low-side power switch under synchronous operation to provide the hold-up voltage to the first node. | 09-19-2013 |
20130249508 | Voltage Regulator Having an Emulated Ripple Generator - According to an exemplary implementation, a voltage regulator includes an emulated ripple generator. The emulated ripple generator includes a high side switch configured to control charging of an emulated ripple. The emulated ripple generator further includes a low side switch configured to control discharging of the emulated ripple. The high side switch and the low side switch are configured to control the charging and the discharging such that the emulated ripple is substantially in-phase with an inductor current of the voltage regulator. The high side switch can be configured to control the charging by selectively enabling a high side current source. Furthermore, the low side switch can be configured to control the discharging by selectively enabling a low side current source. | 09-26-2013 |
20130249509 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT, MOBILE TERMINALS USING THE SAME, AND CONTROL METHOD OF THE SAME - A power supply circuit includes: a first switch and a second switch that are connected in series between an input voltage terminal and a reference power supply; a controller that controls the first and second switches to be turned on and off by turns; a comparator that has an inverting input terminal connected to a voltage supply and that has a non-inverting input terminal connected to a first terminal of a capacitor; a third switch that is provided between an output terminal and the non-inverting input terminal of the comparator; a fourth switch that is provided between a connection node of the first and second switches, and a second terminal of the capacitor; and a latch circuit that detects change of output of the output terminal of the comparator and controls the second switch to be turned off. | 09-26-2013 |
20130249510 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator which includes an inrush current prevention circuit so that no current is consumed after the start-up of the voltage regulator. A start-up circuit of the voltage regulator includes: a constant current circuit; a first transistor connected between the constant current circuit and a constant voltage generation circuit; a second transistor including a drain connected to a gate of the first transistor, and a gate to which a voltage based on an output voltage is input; a first depletion transistor including a gate connected to the drain of the second transistor, and a source connected to a source of the second transistor; and a third transistor including a gate connected to the gate of the second transistor, and a drain connected to the drain of the second transistor. | 09-26-2013 |
20130249511 | CONFIGURABLE MULTI-MODE PWM CONTROLLER - A multi-mode pulse width modulation (PWM) controller for a buck switching regulator includes a multi-mode PWM control circuit where the PWM control circuit is configured to operate in one of multiple control schemes selectable by a mode select signal. In one embodiment, the multi-mode PWM control circuit incorporates a peak current mode control scheme, a voltage mode control scheme, and a valley current mode control scheme. In another embodiment, the multi-mode PWM control circuit further incorporates a constant ON-time control scheme. | 09-26-2013 |
20130249512 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a device main body, a semiconductor substrate. The device main body includes a semiconductor substrate mounting part and a first conductor provided around the semiconductor substrate mounting part. The semiconductor substrate includes a DC-to-DC converter control circuit having a detector to detect at least one of a current flowing through the first conductor and a voltage supplied to the first conductor. The semiconductor substrate is disposed on the semiconductor substrate mounting part so that the detector comes close to the first conductor. | 09-26-2013 |
20130257398 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPPRESSION OF PEAKING IN AN EXTERNAL LC FILTER OF A BUCK REGULATOR - Disclosed are systems and methods for suppressing voltage peaking in a buck regulator. In one aspect, a buck regulator comprises: a pulse-width modulator (PWM) that generates a pulsed signal; a switch operable to selectively connect the regulator to a DC power supply in response to the pulsed signal and output a pulsed output DC signal; a filter for filtering out high frequency noise from the pulsed output DC signal and generating a regulated output signal; an integrator for comparing the pulsed output DC signal with a reference voltage signal and generating an error signal for input to the PWM; a subtractor operable to subtract the reference voltage signal from the filtered output signal to generate an error feedback signal; and an adder operable to add the error feedback signal to the error signal for input to the pulse-width modulator in order to suppress voltage peaks in the filtered output signal. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257399 | CONSTANT ON-TIME SWITCHING CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A controller used in a switching converter. The switching converter includes a switching circuit having at least one switch. The controller comprises an on-time control circuit generating an on-time control signal, a slope compensation circuit generating a slope compensation signal, a comparing circuit, a logic circuit and a load detection circuit. The comparing circuit generates a comparison signal based on the slope compensation signal, a reference signal and the output voltage of the switching circuit. The logic circuit generates a control signal to control the ON and OFF switching of the at least one switch based on the on-time control signal and the comparison signal. The load detection circuit detects the load condition. The slope compensation circuit adjusts the slope compensation signal based on the load condition. | 10-03-2013 |
20130257400 | CURRENT CONTROL FOR DC-DC CONVERTER - A current control circuit includes an input circuit for receiving an input signal, an output circuit for providing an output signal. The output circuit is coupled to the input circuit to receive a current therefrom. The current control circuit also includes a feedback circuit coupled to the input circuit and the output circuit to form a feedback loop. The current control circuit further includes a first slope compensation current coupled to the output circuit for controlling the output signal, the first slope compensation current being a periodic current. The current control circuit also includes a second slope compensation current coupled to the feedback circuit, wherein the second slope compensation current has the same phase and period as the first slope compensation current. | 10-03-2013 |
20130265016 | Direct Current Converter for Bootstrap Circuit - A direct current converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, includes a driving-stage circuit having an upper switch and a lower switch for converting the input voltage to a switch signal according to an upper switch control signal and a lower switch control signal and transmitting the switch signal through an output terminal, an output-stage circuit for converting the switch signal to the output voltage, a bootstrap circuit, an upper switch driving circuit for generating the upper switch control signal, and a control module for detecting a characteristic of the bootstrap circuit for generating the lower switch control signal accordingly, and controlling the upper switch driving circuit to generate the upper switch control signal. | 10-10-2013 |
20130265017 | CONSTANT CURRENT DRIVING DEVICE HAVING AN IMPROVED ACCURACY - An embodiment of a driving device is proposed for supplying at least one regulated global output current to a load. The driving device includes programming means for programming a value of the global output current within a global current range. Reference means are provided for supplying a reference voltage, which has a value corresponding to the value of the global output current. Conversion means are then used for converting the reference voltage into the global output current. The conversion means may further include a plurality of conversion units for corresponding partial current ranges, which partition the global current range. | 10-10-2013 |
20130265018 | DIFFERENTIAL DRIVER FOR INDUCTIVE LOAD - A small and low-cost load driving circuit device that reduces common mode noise without using a transformer, has a first switching arrangement provided between a high potential source and a terminal of an electrical load; a second switching arrangement provided between ground and the other terminal of the electrical load; a control arrangement that controls the first and second switching arrangements so as to simultaneously disconnect each other with the same frequency and the same duty ratio; and a synchronization arrangement that synchronizes the disconnect timing of the first switching arrangement and the disconnect timing of the second switching arrangement. | 10-10-2013 |
20130271096 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A switching power supply device includes: a positive voltage output circuit connected to a direct-current power supply, the positive voltage output circuit including a first switching element, a voltage boosting inductor, a first rectifying element and a first capacitor; a negative voltage output circuit connected to the power supply, the negative voltage output circuit including a second switching element, a voltage dropping inductor, a second rectifying element and a second capacitor; and an adder circuit configured to add switching currents flowing when the first and the second switching elements are operated. The circuit elements of the positive voltage output circuit are symmetrical with those of the negative voltage output circuit. The first switching current of the positive voltage output circuit and the second switching current of the negative voltage output circuit are generated in mutually opposite directions and are inputted to the adder circuit. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271097 | CONTROLLER AND CONVERTING CONTROLLER WITH MULTI-FUNCTION PIN - A controller with a multi-function pin, adapted to control a converting circuit according to a control signal for converting an input voltage into an output voltage, is disclosed. The controller has the multi-function pin, an enable unit, an over-current detecting unit and a logic control unit. The enable unit is coupled to the multi-function pin for receiving an enable signal and activates the controller in response to the enable signal. The over-current detecting is coupled to the multi-function pin and determines an over-current value according to an over-current set resistance coupled between the multi-function pin and a voltage source. The over-current detecting unit generates an over-current protection signal according to the over-current value and a current flowing through the converting circuit. The logic control unit determines whether executing an over-current protection according to the over-current protection signal. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271098 | METHOD FOR ENHANCING CONVERSION EFFICIENCY AT LOW LOAD OF A STEP-DOWN DC-DC SWITCHING CONVERTER AND RELATED CIRCUIT - Powering the internal circuitry, that is the controller of the power switch of a step-down DC-DC converter for a broad range of values of output voltage and achieving an enhanced energy saving in a low load conditions of operation is made possible by a method and implementing circuit based on defining two distinct thresholds of discrimination of the output voltage, both tied to a reference voltage, for generating two respective control signals and defining, from logical combinations of said two control signals, three distinct regions of operation of the converter upon the varying of electrical parameters, respectively identified by logical combinations of a pair of enabling signals. | 10-17-2013 |
20130285626 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter is provided. The DC-DC converter a power stage includes a first high side driver and a protecting circuit including a second high side driver, wherein the first high side driver and the second high side driver are connected in parallel, and operate in complementary. | 10-31-2013 |
20130285627 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF POWER CONVERTING MODULES AND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING POWER QUANTITY IMBALANCE - Disclosed is a technology related to an apparatus for controlling or analyzing a power converting module, and more particularly, to a technology for improving imbalance of power quantities processed by a plurality of power converting modules. Relative power quantities processed by the modules are detected through a common circuit element installed in an input terminal or an output terminal shared by the plurality of modules, without detecting information acquired through current or voltage sensors individually installed in respective modules, and control values of the respective modules may be compensated for through the detected relative power quantities or may be output in a form where a user can easily identify them. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293206 | SWITCH-MODE POWER SUPPLY HAVING REDUCED AUDIBLE NOISE - A power supply having an input and an output, includes a power converter coupled between the input and output of the power supply including at least one switch that is controlled by comparing a sensed voltage, the sensed voltage corresponding to a current flowing through the switch, to a reference voltage. A controller, in response to a change detected in a switching frequency of the switch, reduces audible noise generated by the power supply by at least one of: adjusting the reference voltage; adjusting the current sense voltage; or adjusting a resistance used to generate the sensed voltage. | 11-07-2013 |
20130300383 | CURRENT MODE CONTROL FOR DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a current control stage configured to provide a threshold based on an output voltage, an input voltage, and a reference voltage for the DC-DC converter. An off time control can be configured to receive the threshold and control an off time for the DC-DC converter based on the threshold such that the off time is inversely proportional to the peak current generated by the DC-DC converter. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300384 | ISOLATED SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY AND THE METHOD THEREOF - An isolated switching mode power supply, having: a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and a third winding; a current limit comparator configured to provide a current limit signal based on the current sense signal and the peak current signal; a logic circuit configured to provide a logic control signal based on the frequency control signal and the current limit signal; a startup control circuit configured to generate a startup control signal based on the current sense signal; a load detecting circuit configured to provide a load detecting signal based on the second feedback signal and the switching signal; and a selector configured to provide the logic control signal or the startup control signal based on the load detecting signal. | 11-14-2013 |
20130300385 | CHARGE-PUMP VOLTAGE DIVIDER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - The embodiments of the present invention disclose a charge-pump voltage divider and associated start-up method. The charge-pump voltage divider comprises a start-up circuit that can regulate an inrush current during start up. The start-up circuit comprises a switch, which operates in linear region state during start-up, and operates in switching state after the start-up completes. The charge-pump voltage divider may further comprise a load control switch configured to ensure the start-up is independent of a load current. | 11-14-2013 |
20130307498 | MULTI-PHASE SWITCHING CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A multi-phase switching converter comprising a plurality of switching circuits, a comparing circuit and a control circuit. The comparing circuit generates a comparison signal based on a reference signal and the output voltage of the multi-phase switching converter. The control circuit can turn on the following switching circuit based on the comparison signal only after the time from the current switching circuit being turned on reaches a first time threshold or the off-time of the current switching circuit reaches a second time threshold, wherein the first time threshold is longer than the second time threshold. | 11-21-2013 |
20130307499 | SWITHCED MODE POWER SUPPLY - A power supply includes an adapter, first, second, and third switches, a control circuit, and a pulse modulating chip. The second switch is connected to the first switch and a node. The third switch is connected to an output terminal via the node. The third switch is grounded. The control circuit is connected between the node and a first control end of the first switch. The pulse module is connected to a second control end of the second switch and a third control end of the third switch. The control circuit sends a control signal to the first control end to switch off the first switch after determining that a voltage of the node is low level for a period of time longer than a predetermined time. | 11-21-2013 |
20130307500 | POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS - A power conversion apparatus includes a power-conversion circuit unit that includes at least two voltage-type bridge circuits of an upper and lower arm configuration including switching elements connected in series, each of the switching elements including a transistor and a free wheel diode connected to the transistor in inverse parallel. Each of the voltage-type bridge circuits is configured to include, as the free wheel diodes: a SiC-SBD (SiC-Schottky-Barrier Diodes) in both upper and lower arms; a SiC-SBD only in the upper arm; a SiC-SBD only in the lower arm; or a diode other than the SiC-SBD in both the upper and lower arms; and the power-conversion circuit unit is configured by combining at least two configurations among the four configurations for the voltage-type bridge circuits. | 11-21-2013 |
20130314061 | POWER REGULATION WITH LOAD DETECTION - One embodiment of the present invention includes a power regulator system. The system includes a power stage configured to provide an output voltage to a load in response to an input voltage and a control signal. The system also includes a feedback system that receives the input voltage and is configured to generate the control signal based on the output voltage. The system further includes a load detector configured to determine a state of the load and to set the power to the feedback system based on determining the state of the load. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314062 | DC-DC CONVERTERS OPERABLE IN A DISCONTINUOUS SWITCHING MODE - Methods and apparatus for control of DC-DC converters, especially in valley current mode. The DC-DC converter is operable so that a low side supply switch may be turned off, before the high side supply switch is turned on. During the period when both switches are off the current loop control remains active and the change in inductor (L) current is emulated. One embodiment uses a current sensor for lossless current sensing and emulates the change in inductor current by holding the value of the output of the current sensor (ISNS) at the time that the low side switch turns off and adding an emulated ramp signal (VISLP) until the inductor current reaches zero. Embodiment employing a pulse-skip mode of operation based on a minimum conduction time are also disclosed. The invention enables a seamless transition from Continuous Conduction Mode the Discontinuous Conduction Mode and Pulse Skipping and provide converters that are efficient at low current loads. | 11-28-2013 |
20130328533 | LEAKAGE CURRENT REDUCTION IN AN INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - An integrated circuit is provided with operational mode header transistors which connect a virtual power rail to a VDD power supply. A controller circuit, responsive to a sensed voltage signal from a voltage sensor which reads the virtual rail voltage VVDD, generates a control signal which controls the operational mode transistors. The control signal is derived from an interface voltage power supply that provides higher voltage VDD IO than the VDD power supply and thus able to overdrive the operational mode transistors via either a gate bias voltage or a bulk bias voltage. The amount of leakage through the operational mode transistors is controlled in a closed loop feedback arrangement so as to maintain a predetermined target value or range for the virtual rail voltage. The operational mode transistor may also be controlled to support dynamic voltage and frequency scaling. | 12-12-2013 |
20130328534 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A POWER CONVERTING DEVICE AND RELATED CIRCUIT - A method of controlling a power converting device which includes an inductor, a first switch coupled between an input end and a first node of the inductor, a second switch coupled between a second node of the inductor and ground, a third switch coupled between the first node of the inductor and ground and a fourth switch coupled between the second node of the inductor and an output end includes generating a pulse width modulation signal according to an output voltage of the output end, a switch current of the first switch and a ramp voltage; and controlling the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch according to the pulse width modulation signal and a clock signal. | 12-12-2013 |
20130328535 | CURRENT OUTPUT STAGE HAVING AUTOMATIC ACTIVE-PASSIVE SWITCHING - The invention relates to a current output stage ( | 12-12-2013 |
20130328536 | DC-DC CONVERTING CIRCUIT - A DC-DC converter converts an input voltage into an output voltage and includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a power stage, a switch driving circuit, a charge pump, and a capacitor. The power stage includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch and an inductor. The switch driving circuit generates a high-side switch driving signal and a low-side switch driving signal. The charge pump generates a first polarity current according to the high-side switch driving signal, and generates a second polarity current having an opposite polarity to the first polarity current according to the low-side switch driving signal. The capacitor generates a first voltage by integrating the first and second polarity currents generated by the charge pump. The switch driving circuit generates the high-side switch driving signal and the low-side switch driving signal according to a difference between the first voltage and a reference voltage. | 12-12-2013 |
20130328537 | BUCK CONVERTER WITH REVERSE CURRENT PROTECTION, AND A PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM - A buck converter is disclosed comprising a series combination of high-side and low-side switches, and including a protection switch in anti-series with the high-side switch. The protection switch is controlled by means of a shutter switch, which is powered from the output of the converter and gated from the half bridge node of the converter. | 12-12-2013 |
20130335045 | POWER CONVERTER WITH THE FUNCTION OF DIGITAL ERROR CORRECTION - This invention relates to the output voltage regulator of step-down switching power converters. This invention provides regulator with digitally adjusted output voltage. It solves the problem of low regulation due to low error amplifier (EA) gain. This invention is a power converter with the function of Digitally Error Correction, consisting of Logic Control, EA, PWM comparator, Driver, power devices and passive components. It features Digital Calibration Circuit whose input terminal is connected to the output voltage and output terminal is connected to the error signal. When the output voltage exceeds the tolerance range, this Digital Calibration Circuit will increase or decrease the error signal step by step, keeping the output voltage in the tolerance range. The Digital Calibration Circuit of this invention can be applied not only in nanometer scale process, but also in traditional process. For those power converters in traditional process, it is also quite promising in applications. | 12-19-2013 |
20130342181 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR CONTROL USING INFORMATION FROM A LOAD - Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, systems, and processes for controlling a voltage regulator in response to information from a load. In some implementations, transient minimizer circuitry is coupled to receive a notification signal indicating a change or an anticipated change in an electrical characteristic of the load. The transient minimizer circuitry is configured to generate a state command signal responsive to the notification signal. The state command signal indicates a state of the voltage regulator. The switching control circuitry is coupled to receive the state command signal from the transient minimizer circuitry. The switching control circuitry is configured to operate switch circuitry to control the state of the voltage regulator in accordance with the state command signal. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002037 | Switching Regulator Cycle-by-Cycle Current Estimation | 01-02-2014 |
20140002038 | MULTIPHASE DC-to-DC CONVERTER | 01-02-2014 |
20140002039 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROL OF AC/AC CONVERSION | 01-02-2014 |
20140009130 | Suppressing Oscillations in an Output of a Switched Power Converter - Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a PWM controller, and a mode controller. The PWM controller includes an error amplifier and a switching controller. The error amplifier generates an error signal based on a difference between a reference voltage and an output voltage. Further, the switching controller is operative to generate switch element control voltages based on the error signal, for controlling opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element, wherein the opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element generates a switching voltage. The mode controller is operative adjust a gain of the error amplifier over a selected range of frequencies based on a parameter indicative of a likelihood of oscillations in the output voltage. | 01-09-2014 |
20140009131 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator may be provided that includes a first circuit to receive at least one feedback signal from a buck converter and to provide at least one driving signal to the buck converter to provide an output voltage based on the at least one feedback signal, and a second circuit to control a super-capacitor to provide the output voltage when the first circuit is not using the buck converter to provide the output voltage. | 01-09-2014 |
20140021927 | ADAPTIVE CURRENT CONTROL FOR INDUCTIVE LOADS - A current control system for controlling current provided to a load includes a current sensor that senses a current to the load; a first power switch selectively enabled to supply power to the load and disabled to prevent power from being supplied to the load; and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a comparator that compares the sensed current with a commanded current to determine whether to enable or disable the first power switch, and a timer circuit that prevents the power switch from being enabled by the comparator more than once within a predetermined time period. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021928 | DC-DC CONTROLLER AND DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC controller and a DC-DC converter are provided. The DC-DC converter includes the DC-DC controller and an output stage circuit. The DC-DC controller includes an error amplifier, a comparator, a constant on time calculation circuit, and a ramp generator. The error amplifier receives a first reference voltage and a feedback signal to generate an error signal. The comparator compares a ramp signal and the error signal to generate a trigger signal. The constant on time calculation circuit receives the trigger signal and generates a pulse width modulated signal to the output stage circuit according to the trigger signal, and provides a minimum on time signal. The ramp generator receives the minimum on time signal and generates the ramp signal, wherein an amplitude of the ramp signal has no proportional relationship with an input voltage or an output voltage of the output stage circuit. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021929 | MULTI-PHASE SWITCHING REGULATOR AND DROOP CIRCUIT THEREFOR - The present invention provides a multi-phase switching regulator and a droop circuit for use in the multi-phase switching regulator. The multi-phase switching regulator generates pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to an output voltage and a droop signal, to drive a plurality of switching sets to convert an input voltage to the output voltage. The droop circuit detects the sum of the currents generated by the plurality of switching sets and provides the droop signal which is related to the sum of the currents to the multi-phase switching regulator. The droop signal can be used for over current protection (OCP) or for the droop control. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021930 | VOLTAGE REGULATION METHOD AND APPARATUS - Hybrid buck converters that incorporate switching converter and auxiliary linear regulators are described. The auxiliary linear regulators are automatically activated during load transients to source or sink large currents to the output to achieve fast transient responses and are automatically deactivated during steady states to maintain high power efficiencies. With the proposed control scheme of automatic loop transition between linear and switching regulation loops, the power management interface design is simplified while the transient response performances are improved without compromising the power efficiencies. | 01-23-2014 |
20140021931 | MULTIPHASE LOW LC BUCK REGULATOR - A buck power converter creates a desired output voltage from a greater input voltage with higher efficiency than linear regulators or charge pumps. For compact-size and cost sensitive products, the use of the buck power converter is hindered mainly because of lack of physical space and increases in the cost of the passive components like the inductor and capacitor. Techniques are presented to reduce the sizes of the passive components so that they can be integrated on-chip or in-package or on board. A signal converter in the buck power converter determines the duty cycle of a switching control signal. The switching control signal would ordinarily have driven a power switching circuit that provides current to the inductor in the buck power converter. The signal converter outputs a modified (multiphase) switching control signal that includes multiple separated on-periods that taken together approximate the duty cycle of the switching control signal while maintaining the same control loop frequency. The multiphase switching signal drives the power switching circuit to provide current to the inductor during each of the multiple separated on-periods so that the output voltage ripple decreases by a factor of the number of phases in the modified switching signal. In this way, if the ripple amplitude is kept same, the sizes of the passive components can be reduced by the factor of the number of phases in the modified switching control signal. | 01-23-2014 |
20140028270 | SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION TYPE POWER CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF ADJUSTING THE SAME - According to one embodiment, a synchronous rectification type power circuit includes a first power terminal to which a voltage on a high potential side is supplied, a second power terminal to which a voltage on a low potential side is supplied, an output terminal that outputs an output voltage to a load having an inductance and a capacitor, a first switch unit connected between the first power terminal and the output terminal, a second switch unit connected between the second power terminal and the output terminal, a control signal generating circuit which controls ON/OFF of the first and second switch units, and a control circuit that compares the output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage for a predetermined period when the second switch unit is turned OFF. A timing for turning OFF the second switch unit is adjusted based on a result of the comparison. | 01-30-2014 |
20140028271 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A DC-DC converter includes: a high-side switch; a low-side switch coupled to the high-side switch in series; a capacitor configured to be charged while the low-side switch is turned on and to increase a driving voltage for turning on the high-side switch by a charged voltage; a buffer configured to output a control signal for controlling the high-side switch; a latch configured to receive the control signal at a first input terminal, retain the control signal, and output the control signal to the high-side switch; and a switch configured to receive the control signal from the latch and deactivate the buffer. | 01-30-2014 |
20140028272 | MEASURING CURRENT IN A POWER REGULATOR SYSTEM - One embodiment includes a power regulator system. The system includes a gate driver circuit configured to generate switching signal and a switching circuit package configured to receive the switching signal at a gate terminal. A signal return associated with the switching signal is provided at a gate return terminal. The switching circuit package also includes a switch that is periodically activated in response to the switching signal to generate a switching voltage at a switching node terminal. A filter stage includes an inductor interconnecting the switching node terminal and a node. The inductor can be configured to conduct a current in response to the switching voltage to generate an output voltage. A current sense circuit interconnects the gate return terminal and the node and measures a magnitude of the output current. | 01-30-2014 |
20140028273 | ARRANGEMENT FOR GENERATING AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE - When generating a voltage V | 01-30-2014 |
20140035542 | NON-LINEAR PWM CONTROLLER - A switching power supply includes a circuit having at least two reactive components to provide an output voltage and capable of being switched from a first output state to a second output state. A switching component switches the circuit between at least two switching states including the first output state and the second output state. A pulse width modulator receives a duty cycle and drives the switching component to cause switching between two of the at least two switching states. A nonlinear controller component provides a duty cycle to the pulse width modulator. The duty cycle corresponds to at least one predetermined power supply state variable. The nonlinear controller component includes a processor to apply an optimization technique to minimize a predetermined function of the duty cycle and internal states of the power supply and to obtain a relationship between the duty cycle and at least one predetermined state variable. | 02-06-2014 |
20140035543 | PHASE DOUBLING FOR SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A switching power supply control system may include logic to generate a greater number of second switching control signals in response to a first number of original switching control signals. For example, the logic may increase the number of phases that may be controlled by an existing switching power supply controller. The logic may be configured to steer feedback signals from the increased number of phases back to original feedback inputs on the controller. | 02-06-2014 |
20140035544 | Hysteretic Control Conversion Circuit and Power Supply System - The invention discloses a hysteretic control conversion circuit. The circuit includes a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor that are connected in series between a voltage input terminal and a ground terminal, a first voltage divider resistor string connected in series between a voltage output terminal and the ground terminal, a comparator, and a logic controller, where an output terminal of the comparator is connected to an input terminal of the logic controller, and two output terminals of the logic controller are respectively connected to grid electrodes of the PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor. The hysteretic control conversion circuit also includes: a negative feedback module connected between the voltage output terminal and the input terminal of the comparator, and configured to perform negative feedback control over an output voltage of the hysteretic control conversion circuit and clamp the output voltage to a preset reference voltage. | 02-06-2014 |
20140042998 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a high-side circuit supplied with a power supply voltage and a first internal reference voltage generated by a first regulator. The high-side circuit provides a current to an inductor, which is used for generating an output voltage. The first and second regulators each generate respective internal reference voltages. The second internal reference voltage is provided to a signal processing module, which controls the high side circuit so that the output voltage of the DC-DC converter corresponds to regulated target voltage level. The first and second regulators include a differential circuit comparing voltages and generating a corresponding comparison signal, a transistor for generating the internal reference voltage according to a gate voltage applied to its gate, and a circuit to change the gate voltage to reduce a signal amplitude of the comparison signal. | 02-13-2014 |
20140042999 | SWITCHED MODE ASSISTED LINEAR REGULATOR WITH AC COUPLING WITH CAPACITIVE CHARGE CONTROL - The disclosed switched mode assisted linear (SMAL) amplifier/regulator architecture may be configured as a SMAL regulator to supply power to a dynamic load, such as an RF power amplifier. Embodiments of a SMAL regulator include configurations in which a linear amplifier and a switched mode converter (switcher) parallel coupled at a supply node, and configured such that the amplifier sets load voltage, while the amplifier and the switched mode converter are cooperatively controlled to supply load current. In one embodiment, the linear amplifier is AC coupled to the supply node, and the switched converter is configured with a capacitive charge control loop that controls the switched converter to effectively control the amplifier to provide capacitive charge control. In another embodiment, the amplifier includes separate feedback loops: an external relatively lower speed feedback loop may be configured for controlling signal path bandwidth, and an internal relatively higher speed feedback loop may be configured for controlling output impedance bandwidth of the linear amplifier. | 02-13-2014 |
20140049235 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND THE METHOD THEREOF - A switching regulator including: a power stage having a first power switch and a second power switch coupled in series; a filter circuit having an inductor and an output capacitor; a feedback circuit configured to provide a feedback signal indicating an output voltage of the regulator; and a control circuit configured to provide a switching signal to control the ON and OFF of the first power switch so as to regulate the energy supplied to a load; wherein the control circuit has a peak current generator configured to generate a peak current signal, wherein the gain of a variation of the peak current signal between the contiguous switching cycles is less than one. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049236 | SWITCH CONTROL CIRCUIT, CONVERTER INCLUDING THE SAME AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed are a switch control circuit, a converter including the same, and a driving method thereof. The converter includes an inductor for storing energy of an input end and providing the same to an output end, a first switch coupled between the inductor and a ground, and a switch control circuit for controlling the first switch by comparing a ramp voltage that corresponds to a current that flows through the first switch and a first voltage that corresponds to an output voltage of the output end. The switch control circuit compares the ramp voltage and the first reference voltage to change the slope of the ramp voltage. | 02-20-2014 |
20140049237 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE THEREWITH - Provided is a switching power source device in which fluctuation of the switching frequency can be suppressed without impairing the advantages of a non-linear control system. A switching power source device is provided with: switching control units of non-linear control type that generate an output voltage (out) from an input voltage (IN) by performing ON/OFF control of switching elements in accordance with the results of comparing a feedback voltage (FB) and reference voltage (REF); and an ON time setting unit that monitors switching voltage (SW) appearing at one end of the switch terminals, and sets the ON time (Ton) of the switching element in the switching control units based on the duty of the switching voltage (SW). | 02-20-2014 |
20140055108 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE, CONTROL CIRCUIT, ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD FOR POWER SUPPLY - A power supply device that includes a switch circuit to which an input voltage is supplied, a coil coupled between the switch circuit and an output terminal from which an output voltage is outputted. A voltage adding circuit adds a slope voltage to a reference voltage. A control unit compares a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage and the reference voltage and switches the switch circuit at a timing corresponding to a comparison result of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. A slope adjustment circuit differentiates a current flowing in the coil and adjusts a slope amount of the slope based on a differentiation result of the current. | 02-27-2014 |
20140062431 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A DC-DC converter includes an input terminal connected to one end of a boot capacitor and a boot terminal connected to the other end of the boot capacitor. A first transistor has a drain connected to the input terminal and a source connected to a switch terminal. A second transistor has a drain connected to the switch terminal and a source connected to ground. Agate of the first transistor is connected to a first driver circuit, which is connected to the boot capacitor. A gate of the second transistor is connected to a second driver circuit. The DC-DC converter includes an oscillator circuit outputting a pulse signal and a voltage detecting circuit which detects the voltage of the boot capacitor. The voltage detecting circuit outputs a signal based on the detected voltage. A timing circuit controls the first and second drivers in accordance with the detected voltage signal. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062432 | POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - According to one embodiment, the voltage divider circuit divides the output voltage, and generates a feedback voltage. The output voltage switching transistor has one end connected to a feedback voltage side, and operates based on an output voltage switching signal. The first condenser has one end connected to the one end of the output voltage switching transistor, and the other end connected to a control terminal of the output voltage switching transistor. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062433 | MULTIPHASE SWITCHING CONVERTERS OPERATING OVER WIDE LOAD RANGES - A system includes a multi-phase switching converter and a converter control module. The multi-phase switching converter receives an input voltage and that supplies an output voltage to a load via a plurality of phases. Each phase includes a plurality of switches, an on-time generator module that determines an on-time of the switches, and a switch control module that controls a switching frequency of the switches based on the on-time and a clock signal, and an inductance that connects the switches to the load. The converter control module varies the switching frequency without varying the on-time or varies the on-time without varying the switching frequency when current through the load varies. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062434 | SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - A switch mode power supply having an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage which is regulated to an output target, the switch mode power supply has a first switch and a control circuit. When the output voltage increases to a first threshold voltage, the control circuit is configured to turn OFF the first switch until a time period expires. | 03-06-2014 |
20140070776 | Switching Regulator - A switching regulator for outputting an output voltage is disclosed. The switching regulator includes an upper gate switch, for turning on and turning off according to an upper gate control signal; a lower gate switch, coupled to the upper gate switch, for turning on and turning off according to a lower gate control signal; and a logic circuit, for generating the lower gate control signal according to a lower gate off signal. The lower gate switch turns off during an activation period of the switching regulator. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070777 | BAND GAP REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR - A band gap reference voltage generator has first and second current conduction paths between a first node and a second node. The first current conduction path has first resistive elements in series with a first forward-biased PN junction element. A tap is connected selectively to the first resistive elements through switches that are controllable to select a voltage divider ratio at the tap. The second current conduction path includes a second resistive element in series with a second PN junction element of greater current density than the first PN junction. A voltage error amplifier has inputs connected to the tap and the second PN junction element, and an output for providing a thermally compensated output voltage V | 03-13-2014 |
20140070778 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of suppressing excessive overshoot at the output terminal when the power supply fluctuates in a non-regulate state. The voltage regulator includes: an error amplification circuit that amplifies a difference between reference voltage and divided voltage, thus controlling a gate of an output transistor; an amplifier that compares the reference voltage and the divided voltage to detect overshoot at the output voltage; a first transistor that lets current that is proportional to current flowing through the output transistor pass therethrough; a current mirror circuit that mirrors current that is proportional to the current flowing through the output transistor; and a first bias circuit connected to the amplifier via the current mirror circuit, the first bias circuit increasing bias current of the amplifier to increase a response speed. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070779 | SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator includes a coil, switching transistor, a synchronous rectifying transistor, a switching control circuit, a comparator, a first buffer circuit operated by an input voltage, and a second buffer circuit operated by an output voltage. The switching control circuit assumes control such that control signals are outputted from the first buffer circuit to a switching transistor and a synchronous rectifying transistor, respectively, in response to a power supply switching signal indicating that the output voltage is lower than the input voltage, while the switching control circuit assumes control such that the control signals are outputted from the second buffer circuit to the switching transistor and the synchronous rectifying transistor, respectively, in response to the power supply switching signal indicating that the output voltage is equal to or higher than the input voltage. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070780 | SWITCHING REGULATOR, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A control circuit for controlling a switching transistor and a synchronous rectifying transistor of a switching regulator includes: a bottom detection comparator configured to assert an on signal; a timer circuit configured to generate an off signal; a zero current detector configured to assert a zero current detection signal; and a driving circuit configured to receive the on signal, the off signal and the zero current detection signal, and (i) turn on the switching transistor and turn off the synchronous rectifying transistor when the on signal is asserted, (ii) turn off the switching transistor and turn on the synchronous rectifying transistor when the off signal is asserted, and (iii) turn off the switching transistor and the synchronous rectifying transistor when the zero current detection signal is asserted. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070781 | SWITCHING REGULATOR, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A control circuit for controlling a switching transistor and a synchronous rectifying transistor of a switching regulator includes: a bottom detection comparator configured to assert an on signal; an off signal generator configured to assert an off signal; a zero current detector configured to assert a zero current detection signal; and a control logic part configured to receive the on signal, the off signal and the zero current detection signal and generate a control signal such that the control circuit (i) transitions to a first state where, when the on signal is asserted, (ii) transitions to a second state where, when the off signal is asserted, and (iii) transitions to a third state where, when the zero current detection signal is asserted; In the third state, the control logic part reduces an operation current of at least a portion of the control circuit. | 03-13-2014 |
20140077776 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A voltage regulator is provided that includes a converter including a first switch transistor, a second switch transistor and a capacitor. The converter may receive a direct current (DC) voltage and may provide a voltage to the capacitor. The converter may operate as a buck converter and the converter may operate as a boost converter. The voltage regulator may also include a voltage controller to control the converter to operate as the buck converter or as the boost converter. | 03-20-2014 |
20140084882 | STEP-UP/DOWN TYPE POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A first added signal that is acquired by adding a reference current signal that is in proportion to a current flowing through an inductance element, a slope compensation signal and a voltage difference signal that is in proportion to a difference between an input voltage and an output voltage and a second added signal that is acquired by adding the reference current signal and the slope compensation signal are compared with a difference signal of a voltage that is in proportion to the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, and pulse widths of driving pulse signals of a step-down switching circuit and a step-up switching circuit are controlled as a result of the comparison. | 03-27-2014 |
20140084883 | WINDOWLESS H-BRIDGE BUCK-BOOST SWITCHING CONVERTER - A “windowless” H-bridge buck-boost switching converter includes a regulation circuit with an error amplifier which produces a ‘comp’ signal, a comparison circuit which compares ‘comp’ with a ‘ramp’ signal, and logic circuitry which receives the comparison circuit output and a mode control signal indicating whether the converter is to operate in buck mode or boost mode and operates the primary or secondary switching elements to produce the desired output voltage in buck or boost mode, respectively. A ‘ramp’ signal generation circuit operates to shift the ‘ramp’ signal up by a voltage Vslp(p−p)+Vhys when transitioning from buck to boost mode, and to shift ‘ramp’ back down by Vslp(p−p)+Vhys when transitioning from boost to buck mode, thereby enabling the converter to operate in buck mode or boost mode only, with no need for an intermediate buck-boost region. | 03-27-2014 |
20140084884 | LC SWITCHING REGULATORS - A switching regulator is used in a circuit having an inductor and one or more switches that control charges applied to the inductor from an input voltage source. The switching regulator has an error amplifier configured to generate an error voltage signal by amplifying a difference between a feedback output voltage and a reference voltage, an inductor current emulation circuit configured to generate an emulated inductor current signal that emulates an inductor current that flows through the inductor, an error voltage comparator configured to generate a timing pulse signal by comparing the error voltage signal to the emulated inductor current signal and a controller configured to modulate at least one switching intervals of the switches by control signals generated based on the timing pulse signal. | 03-27-2014 |
20140084885 | SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - A switch mode power supply having an output terminal configured to provide an output voltage, the switch mode power supply has a first switch and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to provide a switching control signal to turn ON and turn OFF the first switch, an on-time period of the first switch is proportional to a first value when the switch mode power supply works in a power saving mode, and the on-time period of the first switch is proportional to a second value when the switch mode power supply works in a normal mode, wherein the first value is larger than the second value. | 03-27-2014 |
20140091773 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A REGULATED BOOSTED VOLTAGE USING A CONTROLLED VARIABLE NUMBER OF CHARGE PUMP CIRCUITS - A system, method, and computer program product for generating a regulated boosted load voltage. A comparator may use reduced versions of a reference voltage, a supply voltage, and a fed-back output load voltage to determine whether the output load voltage requires adjustment. If so, a controller may responsively vary the number of voltage boosting charge pumps connected in parallel to the load to best match a target voltage. The target voltage may be the reference voltage plus the supply voltage. A counter may track the number of active charge pumps, and may increment or decrement the number more slowly than the charge pumps operate. Loop gain may be limited by an integrating filter to prevent oscillation. The embodiments are of particular utility for signal conversion circuitry as they eliminate difficulties arising from gate-source voltage inadequacies and differences in switch transistors. A wider range of reference voltages may be accommodated. | 04-03-2014 |
20140091774 | SPREAD-SPECTRUM SWITCHING REGULATOR FOR ELIMINATING MODULATION RIPPLE - A spread-spectrum switching regulator for eliminating modulation ripple includes high gain amplifier that is responsive to reference voltage and feedback voltage of feedback loop to generate differential voltage, the feedback voltage being one of output voltage of the spread-spectrum switching regulator and a fraction of the output voltage; compensation circuit, coupled to the high gain amplifier, that maintains stability of the feedback loop to generate error level voltage in response to differential voltage; ramp generator that generates ramp waveform with slope adaptable to switching frequency to maintain duty cycle at constant value; pulse width modulator, coupled to compensation circuit and ramp generator, that compares error level voltage and ramp waveform to generate pulsed waveform; driver circuit, coupled to pulse width modulator, that drives the pulsed waveform to alternately switch a pair of transistors; and LC network, coupled to the pair of transistors, to average pulsed waveform to the output voltage. | 04-03-2014 |
20140097811 | CURRENT-LIMIT SYSTEM AND METHOD - A current-limit system for limiting an average current of an output signal of a DC-DC converter includes a current sensing device, coupled to the DC-DC converter, for detecting the average current of the output signal of the DC-DC converter; and a current-to-voltage converting module, coupled to the current sensing device, for converting the average current into a clamp voltage, in order to control the DC-DC converter according to the clamp voltage. | 04-10-2014 |
20140097812 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AGE-COMPENSATING CONTROL FOR A POWER CONVERTER - In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for providing age-compensation control for a power converter is provided. The apparatus comprises a controller for being coupled to a power converter including a plurality of phases for converting a first input signal into a first output signal. The controller is configured to activate at least one first switch for a first phase from the plurality of phases for converting the first input signal into the first output signal. The controller is further configured to determine an aging condition for the at least one first switch for the first phase based on an equivalent time, Teq of the at least one first switch, wherein Teq corresponds to an amount of time the at least one first switch is active and on an operating temperature of the at least one first switch while the at least one first switch is active. | 04-10-2014 |
20140103891 | Systems And Methods For Controlling Maximum Power Point Tracking Controllers - A method for operating a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller including a switching circuit adapted to transfer power between an input port and an output port includes the steps of: (a) in a first operating mode of the MPPT controller, causing a first switching device of the switching circuit to operate at a fixed duty cycle; and (b) in a second operating mode of the MPPT controller, causing a control switching device of the switching circuit to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to maximize an amount of power extracted from a photovoltaic device electrically coupled to the input port. | 04-17-2014 |
20140103892 | SCALABLE MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING CONTROLLERS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS - A scalable maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller includes an input and an output port, a switching circuit adapted to transfer power from the input port to the output port, and a controller core. The controller core is adapted to (a) control the switching circuit to maximize an amount of power extracted from a photovoltaic device electrically coupled to the input port, and (b) set one or more parameters of the MPPT controller based at least in part on a configuration code representing a number of photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic device electrically coupled in series. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111169 | Systems and Methods of Auto-configurable Switching/Linear Regulation - The systems and methods of auto-configurable switching/linear regulation disclosed herein enable a device to operate in both DC-to-DC switching regulation and linear regulation applications. The systems and methods disclosed herein differentiate between switching and linear mode. If the application is for a linear regulator, there will only be a capacitor on the output. If the application is for switching mode regulation, there will be an inductor and a capacitor on the output. Then based on the determination, the mode is selected and the hardware is converted into switching regulator operation or linear regulator operation. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111170 | BOOST CONVERTER CONTROL - Simple and efficient techniques for closed loop control of a boost converter. In an aspect, a current feed-forward (CFF) mode of operation includes providing current information to a control logic block controlling transistor switches of the boost converter to advantageously smooth the signals present in the closed loop control of the system. In another aspect, a modified peak current (MPC) mode of operation includes providing a simplified control mechanism based on a peak current mode of operation. Both CFF mode and MPC mode may share similar circuit elements, allowing a single implementation to selectively implement either of these modes of control. Further techniques are provided for determining average current information for the logic block. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111171 | SWITCHING CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A switching control circuit includes voltage application means that applies a first voltage to a gate of a power device in a first period and applies a second voltage to the gate of the power device in a second period, wherein the first period starts when the power device is turned on; current detection means that detects whether a current flowing through the power device exceeds a threshold; and voltage decrease means that decreases the voltage with a first speed if the current detection means detects that the current exceeds the threshold in a second detection period, decreases the gate voltage with a second speed, lower than the first speed, if the current detection means detects that the current exceeds the threshold in a third detection period, and does not decrease the gate voltage if the current detection means detects that the current exceeds the threshold in the first period. | 04-24-2014 |
20140111172 | DC/DC CONVERTER AND GAME MACHINE USING IT - The present disclosure is to provide a DC/DC converter capable of suppressing increase in the ripple amount of the output voltage in association with switching of the number of drive phases. N (N is an integer equal to or larger than 2) switching circuits each generate a switching voltage at the switching node according to an input pulse signal. A phase controller dynamically switches the number K (K is an integer equal to or smaller than N) of drive phases according to the state of a DC/DC converter at the time. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal whose frequency changes according to the number K of drive phases. A distributor selects K switching circuits among the N switching circuits and distributes the pulse signal to each of the selected K switching circuits with a phase difference of (360/K) degrees. | 04-24-2014 |
20140117952 | REGULATOR WITH IMPROVED WAKE-UP TIME - A regulating circuit includes a first comparator configured to control a turning on and a turning off of a first transistor based on a first comparison a reference voltage to a feedback voltage. The first transistor is coupled between an output node and a first voltage supply. A second comparator is configured to control a turning on and a turning off of a second transistor based on a second comparison of the reference voltage to the feedback voltage. The second transistor is coupled to the output node. A high-impedance circuit is coupled in series with the second transistor such that the high-impedance block is disposed between the second transistor and a second power supply. The high-impedance circuit is configured to generate a constant current between the output node and the second voltage supply when the second transistor is turned on. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117953 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A TUNABLE DRIVER CIRCUIT - A driver circuit having an adjustable output signal includes a logic circuit configured to receive an input signal into a first input terminal and an output circuit coupled to the logic circuit, wherein the output circuit is configured to generate, at an output terminal of the output circuit, an output signal having a signal level that changes in response to a signal level of the input signal. The driver circuit further includes a feedback circuit coupled to a second input terminal of the logic circuit. The feedback circuit includes first and second gate terminals coupled to the output terminal and a third gate terminal coupled to a control signal supply, wherein the feedback circuit is configured to control a maximum level of the output signal from the driver circuit based on an operating threshold of the feedback circuit as set by a control signal generated by the control signal supply. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117954 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A power supply circuit is configured to supply a working voltage for an electric load. The power supply circuit includes a controller and a power supply module connected to the controller. The power supply module includes a first output channel and a second output channel both of which are connected to the electric load. A current sensor is connected to the controller and configured to sense a current output from the first output channel. Either the first output channel or the second output channel is deactivated by the controller when the current sensed by the current sensor is less than a predetermined current value. Both of the first output channel and the second output channel are activated when the current sensed by the current sensor is greater than the predetermined current value. | 05-01-2014 |
20140117955 | DIGITAL CONTROLLER FOR SWITCH-MODE DC-DC CONVERTERS AND METHOD - A fully digital synthesizable digital controller ( | 05-01-2014 |
20140132232 | BUCK DC-DC CONVERTER WITH ACCURACY ENHANCEMENT - A buck switching regulator includes a feedback control circuit including a first gain circuit generating a first feedback signal indicative of the regulated output voltage; a ripple generation circuit generating a ripple signal that is injected to the first feedback signal; and a comparator receiving a first reference signal and the first feedback signal to generate a comparator output signal. The switching regulator further includes an offset compensation circuit including a second gain circuit generating a second feedback signal indicative of the regulated output voltage; and an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to receive the second feedback signal and the first reference signal and to generate an output signal. The output signal of the OTA is coupled to the comparator to adjust an offset to the comparator so as to cancel the offset at the regulated output voltage due to the injected ripple signal. | 05-15-2014 |
20140139196 | LOW-NOISE MULTI-OUTPUT POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Disclosed herein are low-noise multi-output power supply circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a low-noise multi-output power supply circuit, can include: (i) detecting operation states of each of a plurality of switch mode power supplies; (ii) generating a frequency modulation signal to control an operating frequency of a switch mode power supply to be substantially equal to a main frequency signal when the switch mode power supply is detected to operate in a heavy-load steady state; and (iii) controlling the operating frequency of the switch mode power supply to be independent of the main frequency signal when the switch mode power supply is detected to operate in a light-load or a dynamic state. | 05-22-2014 |
20140145691 | METHOD AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT THAT PROVIDES TRACKING BETWEEN MULTIPLE REGULATED VOLTAGES - An IC provides tracking between multiple regulated voltages. The IC includes, a voltage reference circuit, a voltage multiplier circuit, and first and second voltage regulator circuits. The voltage reference circuit generates a first reference voltage. The first voltage regulator circuit generates, at a first terminal of a first output transistor, a first regulated voltage that is based on the first reference voltage. The voltage multiplier circuit generates a second reference voltage from an equivalent of the first reference voltage. The second voltage regulator circuit generates, at a first terminal of a second output transistor, a second regulated voltage that is based on the second reference voltage. At least one terminal of the second output transistor is capacitively coupled to the first terminal of the first output transistor. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145692 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY - A power supply device includes a coil, a first switch circuit that accumulates energy in the coil, and a plurality of second switch circuits that couple the coil to a plurality of output terminals. A first control unit generates a first control signal that controls the first switch circuit to turn on and off based on a combined value of a plurality of output voltages respectively output from the plurality of output terminals and a first reference value. A second control unit generates a second control signal that controls the plurality of second switch circuits to turn on and off in a cycle that is the same as the first control signal based on a first output voltage of the plurality of output voltages and a second reference value. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145693 | PULSE WIDTH MODULATION DC-DC CONVERTER - A PWM DC-DC converter includes a switching unit converting an input voltage into an output voltage, a PID controller producing a PID control voltage, a comparator producing a switching control voltage, a switching controller which supplies a switching control signal to the switching unit, turns on a charge switch and at the same time turns off a discharge switch in an on-period of the switching control voltage, and turns off the charge switch and at the same time turns on the discharge switch in an off-period of the switching control voltage, and an operating point compensation unit which operates in response to an operating point compensation signal and supplies an initialization voltage of a uniform level to a node during a predetermined period for an initial drive. | 05-29-2014 |
20140145694 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A power source system ( | 05-29-2014 |
20140152274 | CONTROLLER WITH PROTECTION FUNCTION - A controller with protection function, comprising a feedback circuit, a logic control circuit, an over-state judgment circuit, and a protection control circuit, is disclosed. The feedback circuit generates a modulation signal according to an output of a converting circuit. The logic control circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit and controls the converting circuit according to the modulation signal for stabilizing the output of the converting circuit. The over-state judgment circuit receives an over-state reference signal and a detecting signal, and generates a protection signal in response to levels of the detecting signal and the over-state reference signal. The protection control circuit is coupled to the logic control circuit and the over-state judgment circuit and controls the logic control circuit to lower the output of the converting circuit when receiving the protection signal. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152275 | Bootstrap Capacitor Detecting Circuit and Bootstrap DC-DC Converter Thereof - A bootstrap capacitor detecting circuit includes a current source, for providing a discharging current; a first switch, for conducting connection between a system voltage and a bootstrap voltage node according to a power-on-reset signal, to charge the bootstrap voltage node; a second switch, for conducting connection between a current source and the bootstrap voltage node according to the power-on-reset signal, to discharge the bootstrap voltage node; and a detecting unit, for determining whether a bootstrap capacitor is connected normally according to a bootstrap voltage of the bootstrap voltage node after the current source discharges the bootstrap voltage node. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152276 | DC/DC VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND VOLTAGE CONVERSION CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A power module includes at least two pairs of two power semiconductor units (PSUs), each of which includes a switch element and a rectifier element connected in anti-parallel. One of two PSUs in one pair and one of two PSUs in another pair are connected in series between primary and secondary positive terminals of a DC/DC voltage converter. Another of two PSUs in the one pair and another of two PSUs in the another pair are connected in series between the primary positive terminal and a secondary negative terminal in a direction reverse to a direction of the ones of two PSUs. Control is performed to suppress transient voltage fluctuations that occur in switching between the state where the polarity of a reactor current is only one of positive and negative and the state where the polarity remains one of positive and negative. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152277 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - The present invention includes: an ON-timer configured to control a period of time in which a main switching element is on; a voltage detecting circuit configured to detect an output voltage of a filter circuit; a triangular wave generator; a feed-forward circuit configured to generate a feed-forward output whose value decreases as a value of a DC voltage from a DC power supply increases; and a comparator configured to compare a second reference voltage generated by adding together a first reference voltage, a triangular wave signal from the triangular wave generator, and the feed-forward output from the feed-forward circuit, with the output voltage of the voltage detecting circuit, and based on a result of the comparison, output an ON-trigger signal for turning on the main switch element to the ON-timer. | 06-05-2014 |
20140159679 | TARGET VOLTAGE GENERATOR FOR A DC TO DC CONVERTER, A COMBINATION OF A TARGET VOLTAGE GENERATOR AND A DC TO DC CONVERTER, AND A METHOD OF OPERATING A DC TO DC CONVERTER - A target voltage generator for use with a DC to DC converter, the DC to DC converter having a first input for receiving a voltage to be converted, an output for outputting a converted voltage, a first reference voltage input for receiving a first reference voltage and a controller arranged to compare the output voltage of the DC to DC converter with the first reference voltage and to modify the operation of the DC to DC converter so as to reduce a difference between the output voltage and the first reference voltage; the target voltage generator comprising a circuit arranged to compare the output voltage of the DC to DC converter with a second reference voltage and to use a result of the comparison to generate or modify the first reference voltage. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159680 | Bootstrap DC-DC Converter - The present invention discloses a bootstrap DC-DC converter. The bootstrap DC-DC converter includes a lower gate driver, for generating a lower gate control signal according to a control signal; a lower gate, for turning on and turning off according to a lower gate control signal; and a bootstrap voltage maintaining circuit, for generating the control signal, such that the lower gate turns on at least a minimum off time each time. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159681 | SERIES AND PARALLEL HYBRID SWITCHED CAPACITOR NETWORKS FOR IC POWER DELIVERY - Series switches for power delivery. A regulator operated as a current source is arranged in parallel with a switched capacitor divider. A switched capacitor divider is configured in series with a plurality of linear regulators with each regulating one of a plurality of voltage outputs from the switched capacitor divider. In another embodiment, a series switch bridge has a first pair of switches connected in series with a second pair of switches across a voltage input, each switch within a pair of switches is switched in-phase with the other while the first pair of switches is switched out of phase with the second pair of switches. A balancing capacitor is coupled across one switch in both the first and second pair to be in parallel when either of the pair of switches is closed to reduce a charge imbalance between the switches. | 06-12-2014 |
20140167715 | POWER CONVERTER FOR GENERATING BOTH POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE OUTPUT SIGNALS - A power converting system is responsive to an input signal to produce an output signal regulated with respect to the input signal. The power converting system has an input node for receiving the input signal, an output node for producing the output signal, and first and second inductive elements. The first inductive element has a first node coupled to the input node, the second inductive element has a first node coupled to the output node. A first switching element is coupled to a second node of the first inductive element. A first capacitive element is coupled between the second node of the first inductive element and a second node of the second inductive element. A control circuit is provided for controlling the first switching element. The control circuit is configured to set a duty cycle of the first switching element to a first value for providing the output signal of a first polarity in response to the input signal of the first polarity, and to set the duty cycle of the first switching element to a second value for providing the output signal of a second polarity in response to the input signal of the first polarity. | 06-19-2014 |
20140167716 | DC-DC Converter, Timing Signal Generating Circuit, and Operating Method Thereof - A DC-DC converter including an output stage, a feedback loop, a pulse-width modulation (PWM) generating circuit, and a driving circuit is disclosed. The output stage is coupled to an input voltage and an output inductor to provide an output voltage. The feedback loop is coupled to the output inductor and receives the output voltage to generate a control signal. The PWM generating circuit is coupled to the feedback loop and receives the control signal. The PWM generating circuit also includes a timing signal generating unit which makes the PWM generating circuit to generate a PWM signal according to a correction voltage. The correction voltage is reacted in the output voltage and a first current source related to the input voltage. | 06-19-2014 |
20140176095 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING PROGRAMMABLE POWER CONVERTER - The present invention provides a circuit for controlling a programmable power converter. The circuit includes a micro-controller, a controller, and a timer. The controller includes a voltage error amplifier. The micro-controller has a program memory and a data memory. The controller generates switching signals in response to a voltage-feedback signal for regulating an output voltage of the programmable power converter. The voltage error amplifier generates the voltage-feedback signal according to a voltage reference signal and the output voltage of the programmable power converter. A gain of the voltage error amplifier and a value of the reference signal are programmed by the micro-controller. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176096 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - In a semiconductor device, a resistance divider includes a first resistor connecting a supply line to an output node of an analog control signal, a second resistor connecting an output node to ground, a first switching device that is turned on or off by a control circuit, and a second switching device that turns on in response to a voltage equal to the voltage of the supply line. The control circuit turns on the first switching device until a power supply voltage reaches a predetermined voltage, and then turns on or off the first switching device. | 06-26-2014 |
20140184179 | EFFICIENT VOLTAGE SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Presented systems and methods can facilitate efficient voltage sensing and regulation. In one embodiment, a presented multiple point voltage sensing system includes Multiple point voltage sensing. Multi-point sensing is the scheme where voltage feedback from Silicon to the voltage regulator is an average from multiple points on the die. In one embodiment, multi-point sensing is done by placing multiple sense points across the partition/silicon and merging the sense traces from each sense point with balanced routing. In one embodiment, a presented multiple point voltage sensing system includes Virtual VDD Sensing with guaranteed non-floating feedback. In one exemplary implementation, Virtual VDD Sensing with guaranteed non-floating feedback allows more accurate sensing when a component is power gated off by removing the sensing results associated with the component. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184180 | Phase Lock Loop Controlled Current Mode Buck Converter - A current mode buck converter has a power stage and a feedback stage. The power stage converts a higher power supply voltage level to a lower output voltage level. The feedback stage is connected with the power stage for controlling the levels of repetitive switching of an output current by phase and frequency locking a switching frequency of the output current to an external clocking signal. The feedback stage controls two levels of output current bounds by transforming a current error to a phase error to prevent error amplification such that an average output current remains constant at any duty cycle. | 07-03-2014 |
20140184181 | POWER GOOD SIGNAL GENERATION CIRCUIT - A power good signal generation circuit includes first and second resistors, a comparator, and first and second electronic switches. A power source is grounded through the first and second resistors. A non-inverting input of the comparator is connected to a power circuit. An inverting input of the comparator is connected between the first and second resistors. The comparator output controls the first electronic switch and the first electronic switch controls the operation of the second electronic switch. When the power circuit is operating properly, the power good signal generation circuit outputs a high level signal indicating power good, but when the power circuit is not operating properly a low level signal indicating power not good is output. | 07-03-2014 |
20140191735 | DIGITAL DUTY CYCLE CONTROLLER FOR A SWITCHING MODE POWER SUPPLY - Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems to digitally control a duty cycle of a switching mode power supply. In one embodiment, a method comprises calculating a base duty cycle using a power management unit of a high-speed processing unit, calculating a dynamic offset duty cycle using the power management unit to apply a transfer function to a sampled feedback voltage signal, and adding the base duty cycle to the dynamic offset duty cycle to obtain a duty cycle of the switching mode power supply. A system comprises a switching mode power supply, a power management unit, a voltage sensor, and an analog to digital converter all embedded within a high-speed processing unit, and a pulse-width modulator coupled between the switching mode power supply and the high-speed processing unit to modulate the duty cycle of the switching mode power supply. | 07-10-2014 |
20140191736 | Active Transient Response for DC-DC Converters - A first power transistor of a DC-DC converter is connected between a voltage supply node and a common node, a second power transistor is connected between a reference node and the common node, and an inductor is connected between the common node and the output node of the DC-DC converter. A controller switches the first transistor off and the second transistor off during a step-down event at the load if current in the inductor exceeds a positive threshold value. | 07-10-2014 |
20140197809 | SWITCHING REGULATOR INCLUDING CHARGE PUMP - The present invention discloses a switching regulator. The switching regulator converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The switching regulator includes: a power stage circuit, which switches at least one power switch thereof according to a driving signal to convert the input voltage to the output voltage; and a control circuit, which is coupled to the power stage circuit, for generating the driving signal according to a feedback signal. The power stage circuit includes: an active circuit, which includes the power switch and at least one inductor, and is controlled by a driving signal to convert the input voltage to a middle voltage; and a passive circuit, which is coupled to the active circuit, and includes a charge pump for converting the middle voltage to the output voltage. | 07-17-2014 |
20140203790 | Hybrid Continuous and Discontinuous Mode Operation - This disclosure is directed to hybrid continuous and discontinuous mode operation. In general, a system comprising a control module and voltage converter module may be configured to operate in a continuous conduction mode (CCM) until a current through an inductor in the voltage converter module is determined to be at or below zero (e.g., negative). The controller may then transition to operating the voltage converter module in a discontinuous control mode (DCM). Some or all of the DCM may be implemented digitally within the controller. In this manner, benefits may be realized from operating in either CCM or DCM while minimizing the disadvantages associated with these control schemes. Moreover, digitizing DCM control may allow for easier implementation and better performance than traditional DCM operation. | 07-24-2014 |
20140210433 | NEGATIVE CURRENT SENSE FEEDBACK FOR REVERSE BOOST MODE - Techniques for providing negative current information to a control loop for a buck converter in reverse boost mode. In an aspect, negative as well as positive current through an inductor is sensed and provided to adjust a ramp voltage in the control loop for the buck converter. The techniques may prevent current through the inductor during reverse boost mode from becoming increasingly negative without bound; the techniques thereby reduce settling times when the target output voltage is reduced from a first level to a second level. In an aspect, the negative current sensing may be provided by sensing negative current through a charging, or PMOS, switch of the buck converter. The sensed negative current may be subtracted from a current used to generate the ramp voltage. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210434 | CURRENT-PARKING SWITCHING REGULATOR DOWNSTREAM CONTROLLER - A system and method are provided for regulating a voltage level at a load. A current source generates a current and a voltage control mechanism provides a portion of the current to regulate the voltage level at the load. When the voltage level at the load is greater than a maximum voltage level, the current source is decoupled from the load and the current source is coupled to a current sink to reduce the voltage level at the load. An electric power conversion comprises the current source and the voltage control mechanism. A downstream controller is configured to control the voltage control mechanism to decouple the current source from the load and couple the current source to a current sink to reduce the voltage level at the load when the voltage level at the load is greater than a maximum voltage level. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210435 | Regulator - A regulator includes a first transistor, a first bias circuit, a second bias circuit, a differential circuit having second to fifth transistors, and a current mirror circuit. The first transistor outputs an output voltage lower than the input voltage. The first bias circuit generates a first bias voltage lower than a reference voltage. The second bias circuit generates a second bias voltage lower than a feedback voltage relating to the output voltage. The second transistor into which the reference voltage is inputted and the third transistor into which the feedback voltage is inputted are a pair of differential transistors. The fourth transistor is complementarily connected to the second transistor. The fifth transistor is complementarily connected to the third transistor. The differential circuit outputs a comparison signal to the first transistor. The current mirror circuit is connected to the second and third transistors. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210436 | LOW NOISE RADIO FREQUENCY SWITCHING CIRCUITRY - Radio frequency (RF) switching circuitry includes support circuitry for maintaining one or more RF switching elements in either an ON or OFF state. The support circuitry includes a negative charge pump adapted to quickly generate a negative voltage during a “boost” mode of operation, and maintain the negative voltage during a normal mode of operation. The negative charge pump includes an oscillator adapted to generate a high frequency oscillating signal for driving the charge pump during the boost mode of operation and a low frequency oscillating signal for driving the charge pump during the normal mode of operation. By generating the high frequency oscillating signal only during a boost mode of operation, spurious noise coupled to the RF switch circuitry is minimized during a normal mode of operation. | 07-31-2014 |
20140210437 | EFFICIENT BOOST-BUCK CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - In one embodiment, a boost-buck converter can include: (i) first and second switches coupled in series between input and an output of the boost-buck converter; (ii) a first inductor coupled to the input and third and fourth switches, where the third switch is coupled to ground, and the fourth switch is coupled to the output; (iii) a second inductor coupled to the output and a common node of the first and second switches; and (iv) a control circuit configured to control switching of the first, second, third, and fourth switches according to the input and output voltages, such that the boost-buck converter operates in at least one of: a buck mode and a boost mode. | 07-31-2014 |
20140217996 | HYSTERETIC CURRENT MODE CONTROL CONVERTER WITH LOW, MEDIUM AND HIGH CURRENT THRESHOLDS - A converter constituted of: an inductor; a plurality of electronically controlled switches; and a control circuitry arranged to operate in a buck-boost mode responsive to the output voltage of the converter being within a predetermined range of the input voltage of the converter, the control circuitry arranged in the buck-boost mode: responsive to a current flowing through the inductor being lower than a predetermined low current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and a common potential; responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined medium current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and the output voltage; and responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined high current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the output voltage and the common potential. | 08-07-2014 |
20140217997 | ASYMMETRIC TOPOLOGY TO BOOST LOW LOAD EFFICIENCY IN MULTI-PHASE SWITCH-MODE POWER CONVERSION - Techniques for performing DC to DC power conversion in switch-mode converter circuits include combinations of dynamic switch shedding, phase shedding, symmetric phase circuit topologies, and asymmetric phase circuit topologies. In at least one embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a power converter circuit includes operating a first phase switch circuit portion using a first number of switch devices when the power converter circuit is configured in a first mode of operation. The first number is greater than zero. The method includes operating the first phase switch circuit portion using the first number of switch devices when the power converter circuit is configured in a second mode of operation. The method includes operating a second phase switch circuit portion using a second number of switch devices when the power converter circuit is configured in the second mode of operation. The second number is greater than the first number. | 08-07-2014 |
20140232361 | PULSED CURRENT SENSING - A system and method are provided for sensing current. A current source is configured to generate a current and a pulsed sense enable signal is generated. A sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism is sampled according to the sense enable signal, where the sense voltage represents a measurement of the current. A system includes the current source and a current sensing unit. The current source is configured to generate a current. The current sensing unit is coupled the current source and is configured to generate a pulsed sense enable signal and sample the sense voltage across a resistive sense mechanism according to the pulsed sense enable signal. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232362 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPROVING DEVICE RELIABILITY USING ESTIMATED CURRENT IN A DYNAMIC PROGRAMMABLE SWITCHER DRIVER - A method and apparatus for a dynamic programmable switcher driver using estimated current for device reliability is provided. The method adjusts a rate of closure of an electronic switch and begins when the load current of the Buck regulator is estimated. This estimated current flow is then compared with a predetermined threshold. If the estimated current flow is greater than the predetermined threshold then the rate of closure of the electronic switch is decreased. If the estimated current flow is less than the predetermined threshold then the rate of closure of the switch is increased. An apparatus for adjusting a rate of closure of an electronic switch is also provided. The apparatus includes: an adjustable p-driver having an internal register value; an adjustable n-driver having an internal register value; a positive switch connected to the adjustable p-driver; and a negative switch connected to the adjustable n-driver. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232363 | STEP-DOWN REGULATOR - The step-down regulator includes a first error amplifying circuit that receives a first reference voltage and the first voltage and supplies a first control signal to a control terminal of the first transistor so that the first reference voltage and the first voltage are equal to each other. The step-down regulator includes a second error amplifying circuit that receives a voltage at the second end of the current controlling circuit and a second reference voltage and supplies a second control signal to the current controlling circuit so that the voltage at the second end of the current controlling circuit and the second reference voltage are equal to each other. The step-down regulator includes a diode that is connected to the second end of the current controlling circuit at an anode thereof and to the second potential at a cathode thereof. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232364 | Efficient Regulation of Capacitance Voltage(s) in a Switched Mode Multilevel Power Converter - A power conversion circuit uses smaller, cheaper, and faster analog and digital circuits, e.g., buffers, comparators, and processing circuits, to provide the information necessary to control a multilevel power converter faster, cheaper, and with a smaller footprint than conventional techniques. For example, a current detection circuit indirectly measures a direction of a current through an inductor connected between midpoint node and an output node of a multilevel power converter based on comparisons between voltages associated with the multilevel power converter. A capacitor voltage detection detects a capacitor voltage across the flying capacitor to generate a logic signal based on a comparison between the capacitor voltage and a first reference voltage. A control circuit selects an operating state of the multilevel power converter to regulate a first capacitor voltage across the first capacitor based on the indirectly measured direction of the inductor current, the logic signal, and an input command signal. | 08-21-2014 |
20140239924 | EMULATED CURRENT RAMP FOR DC-DC CONVERTER - A voltage converter (FIG. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239925 | INDUCTOR CURRENT EMULATION CIRCUIT FOR A SWITCHING CONVERTER - An inductor current emulation circuit for use with a switching converter in which regulating the output voltage includes comparing an output which varies with the difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage with a ‘ramp’ signal which emulates the current in the output inductor. A current sensing circuit produces an output which varies with the current in the switching element that is turned on during the ‘off’ time, an emulated current generator circuit produces the ‘ramp’ signal during both ‘off’ and ‘on’ times, a comparator circuit compares the ‘ramp’ signal with at least one threshold voltage which varies with the sensed current and toggles an output when the ‘ramp’ exceeds the thresholds, and a feedback circuit produces an output which adjusts the ‘ramp’ signal each time the comparator circuit output toggles until the ‘ramp’ signal no longer exceeds the threshold voltages. | 08-28-2014 |
20140239926 | SEMICONDUCTOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVICE - A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to an embodiment includes at least one first transistor connected at its source to an input power supply line, connected at its drain to an output power supply line, and connected at its gate to a first control line, at least one second transistor connected at its source to the input power supply line, connected at its drain to the output power supply line, and connected at its gate to a second control line, a first buffer which drives the first control line, a second buffer configured to receive a control signal input via the first control line and drive the second control line, and a plurality of transfer gates provided to divide the first control line into a plurality of pieces, the plurality of transfer gates being capable of connecting pieces obtained by dividing the first control line. | 08-28-2014 |
20140247025 | MULTIPHASE CURRENT-PARKING SWITCHING REGULATOR - A system and method are provided for regulating a voltage at a load. A target current is obtained and a number of regulator phases needed to provide the target current to a load is computed based on an efficiency characteristic of the regulator phases. The regulator phases are configured to provide the target current to the load. A multi-phase electric power conversion device comprises at least two regulator phases and a multi-phase control unit. The multi-phase control unit is configured to obtain the target current, compute the number of the regulator phases needed to provide the target current to the load based on the efficiency characteristic of the regulator phases, and configure the regulator phases to provide the target current to the load. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247026 | Loss-Less Coil Current Estimator for Peak Current Mode Control SMPS - The present disclosure relates to a high efficiency switched mode power supply (SMPS) having increased efficiency due to loss-less coil current estimation for current control. A circuit in the control unit of SMPS comprises a capacitor and the voltage on the capacitor is an integral of the current flowing into the cap over time and if there are current sources which depend on the input and the output voltage, periodically switched with the same signals as the P and N switches, the voltage on the charged capacitor has the same shape as the current through the coil. The signal gleaned from the capacitor voltage are used the same manner by the control unit as it was with the signals from prior art current sensing. | 09-04-2014 |
20140247027 | Method of Automatic Mode Change in Switching Regulators - A switching regulator with an output high threshold voltage setting and an output low threshold voltage setting that permits a plurality of different operating modes to be established. Combined with these two threshold voltages is the ability to adjust both threshold voltages over the full range of the regulator output voltage, which yields switching regulator modes of forced normal operation, automatic where the operating mode is dependent upon output current and forced sleep mode. | 09-04-2014 |
20140253059 | ADAPTIVE SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Exemplary embodiments are related to a switching voltage regulator. A device may include a first transistor having a gate configured to receive a first signal and a second transistor having a gate configured to receive a second signal. The device may also include a controller configured to measure at least one of a difference between a rising edge of the first signal and an associated rising edge of the second signal and a difference between a falling edge of the first signal and an associated falling edge of the second signal. The controller may also be configured to delay one of the first signal and the second signal if the rising edge of the first signal occurs before or after the associated rising edge of the second signal or if the falling edge of the first signal occurs before or after the associated falling edge of the second signal. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253060 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage converter includes a constant on time signal generator, a first transistor, a second transistor, an inductor, and a ripple injection circuit. The constant on time signal generator generates a first driving signal and a second driving signal. The ripple injection circuit receives an output signal and generates a ripple injection signal. The constant on time signal generator generates the first and second driving signals according to the ripple injection signal, the output signal, and a reference signal. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253061 | SKIP MODE METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A CURRENT MODE SWITCHING CONVERTER - A method and system to inhibit the switching of a current mode switching converter having high and low side switching elements coupled to an output inductor, the other end of which is coupled to an output node, and operated with respective modulated switching signals to regulate an output voltage Vout produced at the node. A current I | 09-11-2014 |
20140253062 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR BIDIRECTIONAL CURRENT SENSING IN A SWITCHING REGULATOR - Apparatus and methods for current sensing in switching regulators are provided. In certain implementations, a switching regulator includes a switch transistor, a replica transistor, a current source, a sense resistor, and a current sensing circuit. The drain and gate of the switch transistor can be electrically connected to the drain and gate of the replica transistor, respectively. Additionally, the current sensing circuit can control the voltage of the source of the replica transistor based on the polarity of a current through the switch transistor to generate an output current that changes in response to the switch transistor's current. The sense resistor can receive an offset current from the first current source and the output current from the current sensing circuit such that the voltage across the sense resistor changes in relation to the current through the switch transistor. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253063 | CURRENT BALANCING IN A MULTI-PHASE POWER SUPPLY - According to example configurations herein, a controller is operated in a control mode (such as a high-speed control mode) in which the controller controls multiple phases in the power supply to produce an output voltage. The output voltage produced by the controller supplies current to power a dynamic load. While in the (high-speed current balance) control mode, the controller: i) produces, for each of the multiple phases, a respective current value representative of an estimated amount of current supplied by that phase to the dynamic load; and ii) modifies an order of activating the phases based on magnitudes of respective estimated current values produced for the multiple phases. | 09-11-2014 |
20140266090 | SWITCHING REGULATOR WITH ADAPTIVE PWM/PFM MODULATOR - A switching regulator controller for a buck switching regulator incorporates a multi-mode adaptive modulator configured to automatically select between a first operation mode and a second operation mode as a function of the output voltage being generated. In one embodiment, the switching regulator controller compares the output voltage to a comparator reference voltage and is configured to operate in a selected operation mode based on the output voltage. In this manner, a single switching regulator controller can be used in multiple instances of an electronic system to supply circuitry that may have different operational requirements. In one embodiment, the switching regulator controller is configured to operation in a PWM/PFM mode and a PWM mode as a function of the output voltage, which indicates the circuit application to which the switch regulator controller is used to supply. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266091 | Voltage Regulators with Load-Dependent Bias - This document describes systems and techniques related to voltage regulators. The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes measuring an output current of a switching regulator. The switching regulator includes a high-side transistor and a low side-transistor wherein the high-side transistor and the low-side transistor are driven using a first gate voltage and a second, different gate voltage, respectively. The method also includes adjusting a direct-current (DC) voltage source of the switching regulator such that the first gate voltage is adjusted in accordance with the measured output current. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266092 | REFERENCE COMPENSATION MODULE AND SWITCHING REGULATOR CIRCUIT COMPRISING THE SAME - A switching regulator circuit and a reference compensation module employed for compensating a reference signal in the switching regulator circuit. The switching regulator circuit with a reference ground having an average offset voltage referenced to a package ground pin, wherein the average offset voltage is proportional to an output current of the switching regulator circuit with a first factor. The reference compensation module may be configured to receive a second reference signal having a bandgap reference voltage with respect to the reference ground and a reference compensation signal proportional to the output current with a second factor, and configured to provide the first reference signal based on compensating the second reference signal with the reference compensation signal to substantially cancel out the average offset voltage from the first reference signal with respect to the ground pin. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266093 | INTERNAL COMPENSATION FOR POWER MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED CIRCUITS - A voltage regulator integrated circuit comprises a control circuit driving at least one power switch to provide a regulated voltage at an output of an inductor/capacitor (LC) circuit coupled to the at least one power switch; an error amplifier having a first input coupled to a feedback signal representative of the regulated output voltage and a second input coupled to a reference signal; and a compensation network coupled to an output of the error amplifier and configured to provide a compensation voltage. The compensation network includes at least one digitally programmable resistor array and at least one digitally programmable capacitor array. Each array provides a plurality of user selectable component values. The control circuit includes a pulse modulator configured to modulate an input voltage based on the compensation voltage. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266094 | Split-Switcher Voltage Regulator Architecture - A power management system that can include an application processor and a power management unit (PMU). The PMU can generate a regulated output voltage based on control signals generated by a switch control module of the application processor. The control signals can be determined based on a comparison of monitored voltages within the application processor and a generated reference voltage. The reference voltage can be generated based on fed back signals corresponding to the control signals. The application processor and the PMU can be formed utilizing different size manufacturing process technologies. For example, the PMU can be formed utilizing a larger size manufacturing process technology than the application processor. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266095 | STEP-DOWN SWITCHING CIRCUIT - The step-down switching circuit includes an amplifier capacitor having a first end connected to the feedback terminal and a second end connected to a second input of the amplifier. The step-down switching circuit includes a first resistor having a first end connected to the first end of the amplifier capacitor. The step-down switching circuit includes a second resistor having a first end connected to a second end of the first resistor and a second end connected to an output of the amplifier. The step-down switching circuit includes a third resistor having a first end connected to the second end of the first resistor and a second end connected to the second end of the amplifier capacitor. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266096 | BUCK-BOOST CIRCUIT - In accordance with some embodiments, a buck-boost circuit is contemplated which is bi-directional. That is, the buck-boost circuit be configured to produce a load voltage for a load responsive to a source voltage from a voltage source, and the buck-boost circuit may also be configured to produce a charging voltage for the voltage source responsive to a second voltage source connected to the load. In an embodiment, the buck-boost circuit may be operating in boost mode when providing the load voltage and may be operating in buck mode when providing the charging voltage. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266097 | METHOD FOR CONVERTING A HIGH VOLTAGE LEVEL TO A LOW VOLTAGE LEVEL - An integrated circuit for converting a high voltage level to a low voltage level comprises a high side driver, a low side driver electrically coupled with the high side driver, a circuit electrically coupled with the high side driver and a first node between the high side driver and the low side driver, and a false signal filter electrically coupled with the circuit. The circuit is configured to substantially turn off the high side driver if the high side driver leaves a cutoff region of the high side driver during a tri-state mode. The false signal filter is configured to screen signals that are outside of the tri-state mode. | 09-18-2014 |
20140292291 | MULTIPHASE CONVERTING CONTROLLER - A multiphase converting controller, adapted to control a plural converting circuits coupled to an input voltage to commonly supply an output voltage, is disclosed. The multiphase converting controller comprises a feedback control circuit, an on-time control circuit, and a multiphase logic control circuit. The feedback control circuit determines a conduction starting point in time according to the output voltage and accordingly generates a conduction signal. The on-time control circuit determines a conduction time period. The multiphase logic control circuit controls the plural converting circuit in sequence in accordance to the conduction signal and the conduction time period. The on-time control circuit adjusts a length of the conduction time period according to a mode signal. | 10-02-2014 |
20140292292 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR OVER-CURRENT PROTECTION - Exemplary embodiments are related to a buck regulator. A buck regulator may include an inductor selectively coupled to an output and a power supply. The regulator may also include a controller configured to detect an over-current event if an amount of current flowing from the power supply to the inductor is equal to or greater than a current threshold and detect a low-voltage event if a voltage at the output is less than or equal to a reference voltage. Further, in response to the over-current event and the low-voltage event, the controller may be configured to prevent current from flowing from the power supply to the inductor until substantially all energy stored by the inductor has been dissipated. | 10-02-2014 |
20140300330 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - There is provided a switching power supply circuit ( | 10-09-2014 |
20140306674 | CHARGE AND DISCHARGE SIGNAL CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER - A charge and discharge signal circuit includes: high side transistors connected in series; low side transistors connected in series; high side drive circuits; low side drive circuits; and a drive signal generation circuit, wherein each drive circuit includes: a high side level shifter; a high side capacitor switch string of a capacitor and a switch element connected in series, being connected in parallel with the high side transistor; and a high side drive part, to which an output of the high side level shifter is supplied, and each of the low side drive circuits includes: a low side level shifter; a low side capacitor switch string of a capacitor and a switch element connected in series, being connected in parallel with the low side transistor; and a low side drive part, to which an output of the low side level shifter is supplied. | 10-16-2014 |
20140312860 | CONTROL OF A SOFT-SWITCHED VARIABLE FREQUENCY BUCK REGULATOR - A system and method are provided for controlling a soft-switched modified buck regulator circuit. A voltage (V | 10-23-2014 |
20140312861 | POWER SUPPLY - There is provided a power supply, including, a boost converter unit including a first boost converter having a first inductor, a first diode, and a first switching element, and a second boost converter having a second inductor, a second diode and a second switching element, an input voltage sensing unit sensing an input voltage applied to the boost converter unit, a control unit selecting one of a first boost mode in which current is divided between the first inductor and the second inductor, based on the input voltage, and a second boost mode in which current flows through the first inductor and the second inductor in this order, based on the input voltage, and a switching unit selecting one of the first boost mode and the second boost mode, based on the selection of the control unit. | 10-23-2014 |
20140312862 | DC-DC CONVERTER - The present invention is applicable to the field of direct current conversion, and provides a DC-DC converter. In the present invention, a DC-DC converter including a triangular wave generation module and a switch control module is adopted. The triangular wave generation module generates a triangular wave signal according to voltages at both ends of an energy storage inductor L | 10-23-2014 |
20140320095 | CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR REPRODUCING A CURRENT - A circuit arrangement including a first branch, a second branch and a switching feedback structure is provided. The switching feedback structure may be coupled to the first branch and to the second branch. The switching feedback structure may be configured to adjust a current in the second branch to track a current in the first branch. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320096 | Voltage Generator - The disclosure relates to a voltage generator for providing an output voltage in accordance with a received target signal, the voltage generator comprising: a resonant converter configured to receive an input voltage, the resonant converter comprising: a first switch; a second switch connected in series with the first switch between the input voltage and ground (GND); a resonant tank associated with the second switch; an output capacitor coupled to the resonant tank and configured to provide an output voltage; and a rectifier configured to allow charge to flow in a single direction between the resonant tank and the output capacitor; and a controller configured to receive the target signal and to set an operating parameter of the resonant converter in accordance with a difference between an output value which is related to the output voltage and the target signal. | 10-30-2014 |
20140333271 | SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS - A semiconductor apparatus includes a first structural body including a first temperature voltage generation unit configured to generate first and second temperature voltages which have different voltage level variations according to a temperature variation, in response to a temperature measurement command, and a first temperature information determination unit configured to generate first temperature information depending on a difference between levels of the first and second temperature voltages; and a second structural body including a second temperature voltage generation unit configured to generate a third temperature voltage and a fourth temperature voltage which have different voltage level variations according to a temperature variation, when a predetermined time elapses after the first and second temperature voltages are generated from the first structural body, and a second temperature information determination unit configured to generate second temperature information depending on a difference between levels of the third and fourth temperature voltages. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333272 | SWITCHING REGULATOR WITH REDUCED BODY DIODE CONDUCTION - A switching regulator that includes a high-side MOSFET, a low-side MOSFET, a high-side driver circuit, a low-side driver circuit, and a capacitive coupling circuit. An output of the high-side driver circuit is coupled to a gate of the high-side MOSFET to control the high-side MOSFET to be substantially depleted during a first operational phase and to be substantially enhanced during a second operational phase. An output of the low-side driver circuit is coupled to a gate of the low-side MOSFET to control the low-side MOSFET to be substantially enhanced during the first operational phase and to provide a regulated drain-to-source current during the second operational phase. The capacitive coupling circuit is coupled to an input of the high-side driver circuit and the gate of the low-side MOSFET and decreases the regulated drain-to-source current during a transition from the first operational phase to the second operational phase. | 11-13-2014 |
20140340059 | TIMING GENERATOR AND TIMING SIGNAL GENERATION METHOD FOR POWER CONVERTER - A timing generator and a timing signal generation method for a power converter are provided. The timing generator includes an adjusting circuit and a timing generation unit. The adjusting circuit receives an error signal related to an output voltage of the power converter. The adjusting circuit generates an adjusting signal according to the error signal and a delay circuit. The timing generation unit generates a timing signal according to the error signal, the adjusting signal and a control signal. A width of the timing signal is changed with the error signal and the adjusting signal. Accordingly, the timing generator adjusts On-time/Off-time in response to a transient response. | 11-20-2014 |
20140354249 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator having satisfactory transient response characteristics. The voltage regulator includes: a first amplifier for detecting that undershoot occurs in an output voltage; a second amplifier for detecting that overshoot occurs in the output voltage; a first constant current circuit for increasing a bias current of an error amplifier circuit by a first amount for a first time period in response to a signal determined based on one of an output signal of the first amplifier and an output signal of the second amplifier; a second constant current circuit for increasing the bias current of the error amplifier circuit by a second amount larger than the first amount for a second time period shorter than the first time period in response to a signal determined based on the output signal of the first amplifier; and a first switch circuit for pulling up a gate of an output transistor in response to a signal determined based on the output signal of the second amplifier. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354250 | HIGH EFFICIENT CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR BUCK-BOOST CONVERTERS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A controller used in a buck-boost converter includes a clock generator, an error amplifying circuit, a comparing circuit, a proportional sampling circuit, a logic circuit, a pulse width increasing circuit, first and second driving circuits. Based on a clock signal generated by the clock generator, the proportional sampling circuit samples the difference between a current sensing signal and a compensation signal generated by the error amplifying circuit, and generates a proportional sampling signal. The pulse width increasing circuit generates a sum control signal based on the proportional sampling signal and a logic control signal generated by the logic circuit, wherein a modulation value adjusted by the proportional sampling signal is added to the pulse width of the logic control signal to generate the pulse width of the sum control signal. The first and second driving circuits generate driving signals based on the sum control signal and the logic control signal. | 12-04-2014 |
20140354251 | MULTIPLE OUTPUT DUAL-POLARITY BOOST CONVERTER - A dual-polarity multiple-output boost converter that includes an inductor coupled in series between a high-side switch and a low-side switch. A first terminal of the inductor is coupled to an output of the high-side switch and the second terminal of the inductor is coupled to an input of the low side switch, with an output of low-side switch being coupled to a reference terminal. A plurality of outputs provide a plurality of output voltages, including a first plurality of outputs to provide a first plurality of different output voltages having a first polarity and at least one second output to provide at least one second output voltage having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. A control circuit is coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch to control an on-time of the high-side switch and the low-side switch. | 12-04-2014 |
20140361755 | DC TO DC CONVERTERS, PWM CONTROLLERS, AND INDUCTOR CURRENT EMULATION CIRCUITS THEREFOR - DC to DC converters and pulse width modulation controllers are presented with compensation circuitry to mitigate discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) undershoot and continuous conduction mode offsets in inductor current emulation information by providing compensation signals proportional to the output voltage and the converter off time (Toff) when the low side converter switch is actuated. | 12-11-2014 |
20140368174 | AUDIO FREQUENCY DEADBAND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCH MODE REGULATORS OPERATING IN DISCONTINUOUS CONDUCTION MODE - A controller for controlling operation of a switching regulator including a modulator, a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) controller, an audible DCM (ADCM) controller, and a sub-sonic discontinuous conduction mode (SBDCM) controller. The modulator generally operates in a continuous conduction mode. The DCM controller modifies operation to DCM during low loads. The ADCM controller detects when the switching frequency is less than a super-sonic frequency threshold and modifies operation to maintain the switching frequency at a super-sonic frequency level. The SBDCM controller detects a sub-sonic operating condition during ADCM operation and responsively inhibits operation of the ADCM mode controller to allow a SBDCM mode within a sub-sonic switching frequency range. The SBDCM operating mode allows for efficient connected standby operation. The SBDCM controller allows operation to return to other modes when the switching frequency increases above the sub-sonic level. | 12-18-2014 |
20140375285 | DC-DC BOOST CONVERTER - The present disclosure provides a DC-DC boost converter operating in a pulse frequency modulation mode. The DC-DC boost converter includes an inductor, a first switch, a capacitor, a second switch and a control circuit. The inductor is coupled between an input voltage node and a phase node. The first switch is coupled between the phase node and an output voltage node. The capacitor is coupled between the output voltage node and a ground. The second switch is coupled between the phase node and the ground. The control circuit controls the conducting status of the first switch and the second switch. The control circuit detects whether the voltage at the phase node is changed. When the voltage at the phase node is not changed during a predetermined time interval, the control circuit turns on the first switch. Therefore, the noise with frequency could be hear by human is avoided. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375286 | CONSTANT ON-TIME SWITCHING CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A switching converter providing an output voltage has at least one switch and a control circuit. The control circuit has a slope compensation module, an output correction module and a control module, wherein the slope compensation module provides a slope compensation signal, the output correction module provides a voltage trim signal based on the slope compensation signal, and the control module provides a control signal to control the at least one switch based on the slope compensation signal, the voltage trim signal, a reference signal, the output voltage and an error compensation signal provided based on a difference between the output voltage and a set target of the output voltage. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375287 | SYSTEMS, CIRCUITS, DEVICES, AND METHODS WITH BIDIRECTIONAL BIPOLAR TRANSISTORS - Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low. | 12-25-2014 |
20150008890 | STEP-DOWN DIRECT-CURRENT TO DIRECT-CURRENT CONVERTER, CONTROLLER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS USING SAME - An M-channel (M is an integer of at least two) synchronous rectification type step-down DC/DC converter is provided. A controller in the converter (i) calculates a load current on a basis of currents flowing through M inductors, (ii) dynamically changes the number K of driving phases (K is an integer of up to M) on the basis of the calculated load current, (iii) generates a pulse signal adjusted in duty ratio such that an output voltage of an output line coincides with a predetermined reference voltage, (iv) selects K drivers among M drivers, and distributes the pulse signal with a phase difference of (360/K) degrees to each of the selected K drivers, and (vi) monotonically increases an amplitude control signal indicating the amplitude of a gate driving voltage with respect to the calculated load current in a range determined in advance for each number K of driving phases. | 01-08-2015 |
20150008891 | POWER SUPPLY CONVERSION APPARATUS - Embodiments of the present invention disclose a power supply conversion apparatus, where a control unit generates a corresponding control signal according to a received high level pulse width modulation signal, to control a first PMOS transistor Q | 01-08-2015 |
20150015219 | DC/DC CONVERTER - A DC/DC converter comprises: inductors L provided for respective channels; switching circuits provided for the respective channels; and a controller configured to change the number of channels to be activated, i.e., K, according to an amount of a load current I | 01-15-2015 |
20150015220 | CONTROL FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN PWM AND PFM OPERATION IN A BUCK CONVERTER - Mode control circuitry is disclosed for use in a buck switching voltage regulator capable of operating in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode and a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode, with the regulator including an inductor having first and second opposite inductor terminals, a first transistor switch connected between the first inductor terminal and a power input terminal and a second transistor switch connected between the first inductor terminal and a circuit common. Current sensing circuitry is provided to sense inductor current through the second switching transistor when the second switching transistor is switched to an ON state and to produce a current sense signal which is integrated over time starting when the second switching transistor is switched to an ON state and to produce a sense signal. The mode switching circuitry switches between the PWM and PFM modes in response to the sense signal. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015221 | SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING HIGH FREQUENCY VOLTAGE MODE SWITCHING REGULATORS - A circuit for controlling a switching regulator is provided. The circuit includes a first input to receive a feedback signal from the switching regulator proportional to an output voltage of the switching regulator, a second input to receive a voltage reference signal, an output to be coupled to an input of the switching regulator, an error amplifier having a first input terminal coupled to the first input to receive the feedback signal, a second input terminal coupled to the second input to receive the voltage reference signal, and an output terminal coupled to the output, and a compensation network coupled between the second input and the output. The compensation network includes a series combination of a first capacitance and a first resistance coupled between the second input and a node, a second resistance coupled between the node and the output, and a second capacitance coupled to the node. | 01-15-2015 |
20150022165 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND PULSE WIDTH MODULATION CIRCUIT USED THEREIN - A problem of the present invention is to provide a switching power supply device and a pulse width modulation circuit capable of operating stably in synchronization with a clock signal. To solve the problem, a pulse width modulation circuit | 01-22-2015 |
20150028829 | Envelope Tracking Power Supply with Direct Connection to Power Source - A communication device, such as a smart phone, includes an envelope tracking power supply. The envelope tracking power supply is configured for direct connection to a supply voltage. The direct connection may be made without connection through an intermediate voltage regulator, such as a low drop out regulator. The supply voltage may be a relatively high battery voltage, for example, that would normally result in greater than permissible voltage limits on the transistors used in conventional envelope tracking power supplies. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028830 | CURRENT-MODE BUCK CONVERTER AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A current-mode buck converter is disclosed, wherein the current-mode buck converter operates in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode or a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode. When the current-mode buck converter enters into the PFM mode, the voltage level of the parking voltage is maintained at the voltage level of compensation voltage, so as to decrease switch loss of the current-mode buck converter operating between PWM mode and PFM mode, and stabilize the output voltage of the current-mode buck converter. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028831 | VOLTAGE SETTING DEVICE - A voltage setting device has at least one multi-step voltage output, at least one power converter unit, which has at least one first power element that forms at least a part of a power converter branch, and a control unit that controls the first power element according to a first voltage step structure to provide a branch voltage. The power converter unit includes at least one second power element that, together with the first power element, forms the power converter branch and includes a group of modules, each with at least one energy storage device, a switch group and a module output. In a given control mode the control unit controls the group of modules to provide the branch voltage in cooperation with the first power element according to a second voltage step structure which is more detailed than the first voltage step structure. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028832 | SWITCHING REGULATOR CIRCUITS AND METHODS - The present disclosure includes switching regulator circuits and methods. In one embodiment, multiple switching regulator stages are coupled to an output. A first switching regulator stage is operated at a different frequency than a second switching regulator stage. In another embodiment, one switching regulator stage is operated at a different duty cycle. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include multiple switching regulator stages that cancel ripple at an output node. | 01-29-2015 |
20150028833 | NATURALLY FREEWHEELING ALTERNATING CURRENT CHOPPER MAIN CIRCUIT STRUCTURE - The present disclosure provides a naturally freewheeling alternating (AC) current chopping main circuit structure. The naturally freewheeling AC chopping main circuit structure includes an AC chopping main circuit ( | 01-29-2015 |
20150028834 | DC-DC CONVERTER FOR ENVELOPE TRACKING - Embodiments provide a DC-DC converter (DC-DC=direct current to direct current) for envelope tracking. The DC-DC converter includes a digital control stage and a driving stage. The digital control stage is configured to provide a digital control signal based on digital information describing an amplitude of a digital baseband transmit signal. The driving stage is configured to provide a supply voltage for an RF amplifier (RF=radio frequency) based on the digital control signal. | 01-29-2015 |
20150035502 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Aspects include a power supply system. The system includes an oscillator system configured to generate a clock signal at a clock node. The oscillator system includes a comparator configured to compare a first variable voltage at a first comparator node and a second variable voltage at a second comparator node. The first and second variable voltages can have respective magnitudes that are based on a state of the clock signal. The system also includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) generator configured to generate a PWM signal based on an error voltage and the clock signal. The system further includes a power stage configured to generate an output voltage based on the PWM signal. | 02-05-2015 |
20150035503 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - One aspect includes power supply systems. The system includes an error amplifier system configured to generate an error voltage based on a feedback voltage of the power supply system relative to a reference voltage. The system also includes a PWM generator comprising a comparator configured to generate a PWM signal based on the error voltage and a ramp signal. The system further includes a power stage configured to generate the output voltage based on the PWM signal, the power stage comprising a transconductance amplifier configured to generate a temperature-compensated sense current associated with a magnitude of an output current associated with power stage. The ramp signal being generated based on the temperature-compensated sense current. | 02-05-2015 |
20150035504 | SWITCHING REGULATOR INPUT CURRENT SENSING CIRCUIT, SYSTEM, AND METHOD - A Buck switching regulator includes first Buck switching regulator circuitry is operable to generate a first output voltage from an input voltage and operable to generate a first sensed voltage having a value that is proportional to an output current being provided by the first Buck switching regulator circuitry. The first Buck switching regulator circuitry receives an input current and operates at a first duty cycle determined by a duty cycle signal. Input current sensing circuitry includes second Buck switching regulator circuitry coupled to the first Buck regulator switching circuitry to receive the duty cycle signal and to receive the first sensed voltage as an input voltage to the second Buck switching regulator circuitry. The second Buck switching regulator circuitry is operable responsive to the duty cycle signal to generate a second output voltage from the first sensed voltage. The second output voltage has a value that is proportional to the input current being supplied to the first Buck switching regulator circuitry. Such a Buck switching regulator can be utilized in a variety of different types of electronic systems, such as laptop computer systems, and can also be used in charging systems in laptop computer and other types of electronic systems. | 02-05-2015 |
20150042297 | Voltage Converting Device and Electronic System thereof - A voltage converting device with a self-reference feature for an electronic system includes a differential current generating module, implemented in a Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processing for generating a differential current pair according to a converting voltage; and a voltage converting module, coupled to the differential current generating module, a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage of the electronic system for generating the converting voltage according to the differential current pair, the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042298 | BUCK SWITCHING REGULATOR - The present invention discloses a buck switching regulator including a power stage, a driver circuit and a bootstrap capacitor. The power stage includes an upper-gate switch, a lower-gate switch and an inductor. The upper-gate switch is electrically connected between an input terminal and a switching node. The lower-gate switch is electrically connected between the switching node and ground. The bootstrap capacitor is electrically connected between a boost node and the switching node, wherein the boost node is electrically connected to a voltage supply. When a voltage across the bootstrap capacitor is smaller than a reference voltage, the lower-gate switch is turned on to charge the bootstrap capacitor from the voltage supply. When the charging operation to the bootstrap capacitor has been conducted over a predetermined time period or when the current of the inductor has reached a predetermined value, the charging operation to the bootstrap capacitor is ceased. | 02-12-2015 |
20150042299 | SOFT START SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A switching power supply system includes a switching converter, to convert an input voltage into an output voltage and to generate a switching signal; a feedback circuit, to generate a feedback signal; an error amplifier to generate an error signal; a triangle signal generator to generate a triangle signal; a constant on time control circuit to receive error signal and the triangle signal, and to generate a constant on time control signal to control power switch; in the system. The triangle signal has a DC bias based on either a soft start signal or a second reference signal. The system could perform soft start function and meanwhile keep matching between the error signal and the triangle signal. | 02-12-2015 |
20150048809 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A regulator includes a capacitor connected between a ground terminal and an output terminal at which a first voltage is supplied. The first voltage is higher than a power source voltage supplied to the regulator. A feedback circuit in the regulator is configured to output a boost signal corresponding to a comparison between the first voltage and a threshold voltage value. A clock generating circuit includes an oscillator circuit that outputs an oscillation signal and a buffer circuit that outputs a clock signal according to the oscillation signal. The clock signal has an electric current level that is controlled in accordance with the boost signal. A charge pump outputs the first voltage in accordance with the clock signal. | 02-19-2015 |
20150048810 | BIDIRECTIONAL DC-DC CONVERTER - A bidirectional DC-DC converter includes a series circuit of a first winding of a first reactor, a second reactor, and a first switch connected to both ends of a first DC power source, a series circuit of a second switch and a second DC power source connected to both ends of the first switch, a series circuit of a second winding of the first reactor, a third reactor, a first selector switch, and a first diode connected to both ends of a series circuit of the second reactor and the first switch, a series circuit of a second selector switch, a second diode, and the second DC power source connected to both ends of a series circuit of the first selector switch and first diode, and a controller turning on/off the switches and the selector switches. | 02-19-2015 |
20150048811 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING POWER VIA A SPURIOUS-NOISE-FREE SWITCHING DEVICE - A switching power converter includes a converter input configured to receive a first electrical signal, and a converter output configured to supply a second electrical signal at a desired voltage. The switching power also converter includes a control circuit for controlling one or more switches to produce the desired voltage. The control circuit is configured to control the one or more switches using one of pulse-frequency modulation and pulse-width modulation, such that an oscillating signal is generated using a combination of random frequency-hopping and random phase-chopping. | 02-19-2015 |
20150054477 | POWER SWITCH WITH CURRENT LIMITATION AND ZERO DIRECT CURRENT (DC) POWER CONSUMPTION - Power switches with current limitation and zero Direct Current (DC) power consumption. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes switching circuitry coupled between a voltage supply node and a given one of a plurality of power domains, the switching circuitry configured to limit an amount of current drawn by the given power domain from the voltage supply node during a transition period, the switching circuitry further configured to consume zero DC power outside of the transition period. In another embodiment, a method includes controlling, via a switching circuit coupled between a voltage supply and an integrated circuit, an amount of current drawn by the integrated circuit from the voltage supply during a transition period; and causing the switching circuit to consume no static power during periods of time other than the transition period. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054478 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR AVERAGE CURRENT MODE DC-DC CONVERSION - An average current mode buck-boost DC to DC converter has a buck stage coupled between an input voltage source terminal and an output terminal. A boost stage is coupled between the input voltage source terminal and the output terminal. A current ramp control circuit generates a ramp signal for driving the buck and boost stages, the ramp signals being coupled to the buck and boost stages. A constant voltage related to the desired output voltage by a constant is applied directly to both a voltage control feedback loop for adjusting the output voltage and directly to an input to the current ramp control circuit, whereby the output voltage can be shifted from one voltage to another by feedforward control. | 02-26-2015 |
20150054479 | STEP UP/DOWN SWITCHING REGULATOR - A step up/down switching regulator converts an input voltage of an input terminal into a predetermined setting voltage in a step up/down manner and outputs the setting voltage as an output voltage from an output terminal. The step up/down switching regulator includes a bypass mode in which the input voltage is directly bypassed to the output terminal without performing a step up/down switching, and a step up/down switching mode in which the step up/down switching is performed. The step up/down switching regulator includes a step up/down output unit, a step up/down control unit, and a mode select terminal. | 02-26-2015 |
20150061612 | Switch mode power supply - A switch mode power supply has a first and second branch of an inductive element; a first switching element and a second switching element connected in series. Both branches are coupled to a power source in parallel. A controller controls said switching elements for operating said switch mode power supply in a plurality of consecutive time periods, wherein more than two of said switching elements are closed, i.e. at least one in each branch. The power supply has a polarity switching element coupled between said branches for receiving a pulsed voltage for providing an output voltage of a switchable polarity. The controller receives a feedback signal corresponding to the output voltage, compares the feedback signal to a reference waveform, and controls said switching elements and the polarity switching element in dependence of said comparing for generating the output voltage according to the reference waveform. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061613 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes: an inductor; a first capacitor and a second capacitor; a plurality of switching elements coupled to the inductor, the first capacitor, and the second capacitor; a control circuit configured to control the plurality of switching elements to be switched ON/OFF such that a connection form of the inductor, the first capacitor, and the second capacitor is alternately switched between a first form where the inductor, the first capacitor, and the second capacitor are coupled in series such that the first capacitor and the second capacitor are charged and a second form where the inductor, the first capacitor, and the second capacitor are coupled in parallel such that the first capacitor and the second capacitor are discharged; and a detection circuit configured to detect a difference between each of a voltage across the first capacitor and a voltage across the second capacitor. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061614 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CALCULATING AN AVERAGE VALUE OF AN INACCESSIBLE CURRENT FROM AN ACESSIBLE CURRENT - In a power converter, a circuit determines an average value of an inaccessible current from an average value of an accessible current and a value of the operating duty cycle of the converter. A method of measuring an average value of an inaccessible current from a measured value of a current in a power converter by a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal representing a duty cycle of the power converter. Coupling a voltage representing the measured value to an input of a low pass filter during a time period (D) and coupling the input of the low pass filter to a reference voltage during a time period (1−D). | 03-05-2015 |
20150061615 | SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator includes a first switching element and a second switching element in a pair to be switched over to convert an input voltage to a certain constant voltage, and an operation monitor to monitor an operation state of the first switching element, in which a switching of the second switching element is changed according to a result of the monitoring by the operation monitor. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061616 | SWITCHING POWER VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A switching power voltage regulator includes a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator, an output circuit and a feedback circuit. The PWM signal generator is configured to generate a PWM signal. The feedback circuit is configured to provide a feedback signal to the output circuit according to an output voltage of the output circuit. The output circuit includes an inductor, a plurality of inverters, and a driver. Each of the inverters includes a first transistor and a second transistor. When the inductor needs to be charged, the driver selectively switches one or more corresponding first transistors on according to the feedback signal. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061617 | ADJUSTING A CURRENT THRESHOLD OF A POWER SUPPLY IN RESPONSE TO A PORTION OF A CURRENT-PULSE PERIOD - An embodiment of a power-supply controller includes switching circuitry and an adjuster circuit. The switching circuitry is configured to cause a charging current to flow until the charging current has a predetermined relationship to a threshold, and to cause a discharging current to flow after the charging current. The adjuster circuit is configured to adjust the threshold in response to at least one of a charging period during which the charging current flows and a discharging period during which the discharging current flows. For example, a power supply may include such a power-supply controller to maintain a length of a current pulse, or of a portion thereof, within a particular range, such as approximately at a particular value, during a pulse-frequency-modulation (PFM) mode despite variations in one or more parameters such as input voltage, output voltage, filter capacitance, phase inductance, charging-current-sense impedance, and load, from their respective nominal values. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061618 | TRANSITIONING A POWER SUPPLY FROM A MODE TO ANOTHER MODE IN RESPONSE TO A LENGTH OF A PORTION OF A CURRENT PULSE - An embodiment of a power-supply controller includes a switching circuit and a transition circuit. The switching circuit is configured to generate a regulated output voltage by generating first current pulses at an approximately fixed frequency during a first mode, and generating second current pulses at a variable frequency during a second mode. And the transition circuit is configured to transition the switching circuitry from the first mode to the second mode in response to a length of one of the first current pulses. For example, a power supply may include such a power-supply controller to transition the supply from a PWM mode to a PFM mode under light-load conditions. To cause this transition at a predictable load point, the controller may monitor the lengths of the current pulses during the PWM mode, and may transition the supply to a PFM mode in response to the lengths being below a threshold. | 03-05-2015 |
20150061619 | Switching Regulator with Increased Light Load Efficiency in Pulse Frequency Modulation Mode - A switching regulator includes a multiphase converter which includes a plurality of main phases configured to covert a power supply voltage to a lower voltage for application to an electronic device at different load conditions. The switching regulator also includes an auxiliary phase configured to operate in a pulse frequency modulation mode during a light load condition so that power is supplied to the electronic device by at least the auxiliary phase during the light load condition. | 03-05-2015 |
20150069983 | MULTI-OUTPUT BOOST REGULATOR WITH SINGLE CONTROL LOOP - A switching regulator circuit provides forward mode operation where a voltage provided at an input port can be boosted or bucked to produce a regulated voltage at an output port of the circuit. In accordance with the present disclosure, the switching regulator circuit includes two or more input ports. The switching regulator circuit provides a reverse boost operation in which a voltage provided at the output port of the circuit can be boosted to produce a regulated voltage at both of the input ports of the circuit. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069984 | BUCK CONVERTER WITH OVERSHOOT PROTECTION - A buck converter includes a pulse width modulation unit, a first switch, a second switch, an inductance, and a sensor near the inductance. The pulse width modulation unit controls the first switch and the second switch power to allow or disallow electrical conduction. The sensor senses the state of the inductance in respect of a sound event, a vibration event, and a drop in current level. When the inductance is saturated and gives rise to one or more of the foregoing events, the sensor sends a signal to the pulse width modulation unit, which controls the first switch to cut off power and the second switch to allow conduction, allowing the inductance to release all its electrical energy. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069985 | ASYNCHRONOUS SWITCH MODE SUPPLY - There is disclosed an asynchronous switch mode power supply comprising: a subtractor for subtracting an output of the switch mode power supply from a reference signal; a filter for filtering the subtracted output; a quantiser for generating a plurality of quantiser outputs in dependence on the integrated subtracted output; and a power switch stage for connecting one of a plurality of supply voltages to the output of the switch mode power supply in dependence on the quantiser outputs. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069986 | DC/DC CONVERTER, CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A control circuit of a step-up/step-down DC/DC converter includes: a hysteresis comparator configured to receive a feedback voltage and a reference voltage, compare the feedback voltage with a threshold voltage corresponding to the reference voltage, and generate a pulse signal indicating a result of the comparison; a logic unit configured to fix a second switching transistor at an OFF state and switch a first switching transistor based on the pulse signal in a step-down mode and fix the first switching transistor at an ON state and switch the second switching transistor based on the pulse signal in a step-up mode. | 03-12-2015 |
20150069987 | POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS AND METHODS - One example of generating a clock signal via an oscillator system includes increasing a first comparison voltage at a first comparison node from a first magnitude to a second magnitude in response to a clock signal. A second comparison voltage is increased at a second comparison node from the first magnitude to the second magnitude in response to the clock signal. The clock signal changes state in response to the second comparison voltage increasing to a magnitude that is greater than the first comparison voltage. The first comparison voltage decreases from the second magnitude to the first magnitude in response to the clock signal. The second comparison voltage decreases from the second magnitude to the first magnitude in response to the clock signal. The clock signal changes state in response to the second comparison voltage decreasing to a magnitude that is less than the first comparison voltage. | 03-12-2015 |
20150077072 | CONTROL CIRCUIT OF INTERLEAVED SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - In one embodiment, a control circuit configured for an interleaved switching power supply, can include: (i) a feedback compensation signal generation circuit configured to sample an output voltage of the interleaved switching power supply, and to generate a feedback compensation signal; (ii) a first switch control circuit configured to compare a first branch voltage signal that represents an inductor current of a first voltage regulation circuit against the feedback compensation signal, where when the first branch voltage signal is consistent with the feedback compensation signal, a first switch on signal is generated to control a first main power switch of the first voltage regulation circuit to be on for a predetermined time, and then off; and (iii) a second switch control circuit configured to compare a second branch voltage signal that represents an inductor current of a second voltage regulation circuit against the feedback compensation signal. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077073 | CONTROL CIRCUIT OF INTERLEAVED SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - In one embodiment, a control circuit configured for an interleaved switching power supply having first and second voltage conversion circuits, can include: a feedback compensation signal generation circuit that generates a feedback compensation signal; a first power switch control circuit that activates a first on signal when a first voltage signal that represents an inductor current of the first voltage conversion circuit is less than the feedback compensation signal, a first power switch of the first voltage conversion circuit being turned on based on the first on signal, and turned off after a predetermined time; and a second power switch control circuit that activates a second on signal after half of a switching period from a rising edge of the first on signal, and a second power switch control signal to turn on a second power switch of the second voltage conversion circuit based on the second on signal. | 03-19-2015 |
20150077074 | Circuit and Method for Producing an Average Output Inductor Current Indicator - In one implementation, a circuit for producing an average output inductor current indicator in a voltage converter is configured to start a counter when a high side power switch turns on, to sense a sample current through an output inductor of the voltage converter after the high side power switch turns off and when a low side power switch is on, and to register a first count of the counter when the low side power switch turns off. The circuit is further configured to register a second count of the counter when the high side power switch subsequently turns on, and to produce the average output inductor current indicator based on the sample current and the first and second counts of the counter. | 03-19-2015 |
20150084607 | POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - A power supply apparatus includes a power supply section and a control section. The power supply section includes a first switch which performs switching of power-supply output, an inductor and a capacitor which form an LC circuit that resonates current flowing through the first switch, and a second switch which changes capacitance of the capacitor. The control section finds in advance a correspondence between a time ratio of a switching pulse of the first switch and a resonance frequency which matches an edge of a switching pulse having each time ratio, and controls switching of the second switch so as to resonate the LC circuit at a resonance frequency corresponding to a time ratio at operation time. | 03-26-2015 |
20150084608 | VOLTAGE DETECTION METHOD AND CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - In one embodiment, a method of detecting a voltage can include: (i) generating a first current according to a first voltage and a converting resistor; (ii) charging a detection capacitor by the first current during a first time period of a switching cycle of a switching power supply; (iii) charging the detection capacitor by a second current during a second time period of the switching cycle; (iv) detecting a voltage across the detection capacitor to obtain a detection voltage at an end time of the second time period, where the first time period includes a rising portion of a current flowing through the inductor, and the second time period includes a decreasing portion of the inductor current; and (v) determining a state of a present output voltage of the switching power supply according to the detection voltage. | 03-26-2015 |
20150091538 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONVERTING A DC VOLTAGE - An output voltage is compared to a reference voltage, comparison signals are generated, and control signals and mode signals are generated in response thereto. The output voltage is generated in response to the control signals. A speed of the comparing is increased in response to the mode signals indicating that the output voltage is being increased. The speed is reduced in response to the mode signals indicating that the output voltage is being reduced. For increasing the speed, a path is enabled to conduct current. While the path is enabled, at least one switched voltage is connected to vary an amount of the current conducted through the path. The switched voltage is at least one of the reference voltage and the output voltage. For reducing the speed, the path is disabled against conducting current. While the path is disabled, the switched voltage is disconnected from varying the amount. | 04-02-2015 |
20150091539 | HALF-BRIDGE GATE DRIVER CONTROL - A power circuit is described that includes a half-bridge and a driver for controlling a first switch of the half-bridge. The driver is configured to cause the first switch to transition between operating in an on-state of the first switch and an off-state of the first switch based at least in part on a driver signal and a voltage at the half-bridge. | 04-02-2015 |
20150097535 | SWITCHED MODE DCDC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT BY ADAPTIVE DRIVER STAGE - In a switched mode inductive DCDC converter having a first mode that conducts a first current path through an inductor and through a first switch, and a second mode that conducts a second current path through the inductor and through a second switch, a detecting component detects a parameter. The detecting component outputs a biasing signal extend the turn OFF time of one of the switches in order to decrease a voltage build up on the other switch. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097536 | INCREASING EAP CONVERSION EFFICIENCY BY CONTINUOUS CURRENT - An electromechanical energy conversion system includes a variable capacitor, an electronic charging/discharging unit and a power source/sink; the power source/sink being coupled to the electronic charging/discharging unit which is coupled to the variable capacitor; the variable capacitor including first and second electrodes that are separated by an intermediate medium providing a gap distance therebetween; the gap distance being adjustable between a minimal distance and a maximal distance as a function of an externally applied mechanical force; the electronic charging/discharging unit being arranged for charging the variable capacitor from the power source/sink at substantially a state of the variable capacitor when the gap distance is minimal and the area of the elastically deformed body maximal, and for discharging the variable capacitor to the power source/sink at substantially a state of the variable capacitor when the gap distance is maximal and the area of the elastically deformed body minimal. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097537 | CIRCUIT AD METHOD TO COMPENSATE FOR EQUIVALENT SERIES INDUCTANCE (ESL) EFFECTS IN A BUCK REGULATOR - A fast transient switching voltage regulator includes a reference signal generator to provide a reference in a feedback path to control switching. The reference signal generator is operative to incorporate a voltage offset into the reference signal timed with the control pulses used to control the switching. The voltage offset moves the reference signal out of the way of pulses introduced in the feedback path due to capacitance ESL in the output capacitor of the switching voltage regulator. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097538 | FEEDBACK CONTROL IN HYBRID VOLTAGE REGULATORS - The present disclosure includes a feedback system that can control hybrid regulator topologies that have multiple converters or regulators connected in series. The hybrid regulator can include at least two regulators: a switched inductor regulator and a switched-capacitor regulator. The disclosed embodiments of the feedback system can simplify feedback design for the hybrid regulator that can include multiple converter stages. These disclosed embodiments can control the feedback to improve the efficiency of a hybrid regulator. | 04-09-2015 |
20150097539 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REAL-TIME INDUCTOR CURRENT SIMULATION FOR A SWITCHING CONVERTER - A switching converter having a high-side switching transistor and a low-side switching transistor and an inductor, having a circuit for generating a simulated waveform representing a sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for monitoring and voltage at a switch node between the high-side and low-side transistors to determine a time during which the inductor current is increasing and a time during which the inductor current is decreasing wherein voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting represents a first portion of the simulated sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for utilizing the time when the inductor current is increasing, the time when the inductor current is decreasing and the voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting to generate a portion of the simulated inductor current waveform when the high-side transistor is conducting. A method and a power supply utilizing this circuit are also disclosed. | 04-09-2015 |
20150102788 | Energy-Based Control Of A Switching Regulator - A system and method are provided for controlling a switching voltage regulator circuit. An energy difference between a stored energy of a switching voltage regulator and a target energy is determined. A control variable of the switching voltage regulator is computed based on the energy difference and the control variable is applied to a current control mechanism of the switching voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the control variable is pulse width of a control signal. | 04-16-2015 |
20150102789 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of keeping the accuracy of an output voltage thereof even at high temperature. The voltage regulator includes: a reference voltage circuit configured to output a reference voltage; an output transistor configured to output an output voltage; a voltage divider circuit configured to divide the output voltage to output a divided voltage; an error amplifier circuit configured to amplify a difference between the reference voltage and the divided voltage, and output the amplified difference to control a gate of the output transistor; a switching circuit configured to switch the divided voltage of the voltage divider circuit; and a temperature detection circuit configured to output a signal in accordance with temperature to control the switching circuit. | 04-16-2015 |
20150102790 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING A SHORT-LINE FAULT OR A LINE INTERRUPTION FOR A SWITCHED INDUCTIVE LOAD - A method identifies a short-line fault or line interruption in a circuit configuration having a series circuit of inductive load and controllable switching element. The series circuit is connected between high and low potentials of a supply voltage source. A connecting point between load and switching element is connected through at least one zener element to the high or low potential of the voltage source or the control connection of the switching element so that upon interruption of current flow through the load due to switching off the switching element, magnetic energy stored in the load can be reduced by a zener element becoming conductive. After switching off the switching element, the voltage at the connecting point is ascertained and a voltage pulse duration is compared with a first prescribed duration. If the duration is shorter than the first prescribed duration, a line interruption or a short is inferred. | 04-16-2015 |
20150108954 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter having a coupling network is provided, in which the coupling network is so configured as to forcibly add a noise source to a feedback output voltage of the DC-DC converter. The coupling network includes one coupling resistor and two coupling capacitors to include the switching voltage of a power switch and inductor output voltage into the output voltage, and transmit the result together with the feedback output voltage to the comparator. Accordingly, it is easier to compare the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, and stably maintain the output voltage of the DC-DC converter operating in constant on-time (COT). | 04-23-2015 |
20150108955 | Charge Transfer Circuit for Capacitive Sensing - A charge transfer circuit for capacitive sensing is disclosed. The charge transfer circuit for capacitive sensing includes a variable capacitor, an X-drive unit, and an active output voltage feedback (AVF) part. The variable capacitor is disposed between the output terminal of an X-drive line and the input terminal of a Y-drive line. The X-drive unit is connected between the input unit of the X-drive line and a voltage input terminal. The active output voltage feedback (AVF) part is connected between the output terminal of the Y-drive line and a voltage output terminal. The output terminal of the AVF part is connected to the output terminal of the Y-drive line. | 04-23-2015 |
20150108956 | SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLY PEAK-EFFICIENCY DETECTION - A peak efficiency detection system may include a switched power supply (SPS) module providing an output supply signal. The SPS module may have an internal node, and a plurality of SPS circuits configured to generate the output supply signal on the internal node. A dead type module may generate control signals. A central node external to the SPS module may deliver the output supply signal to a load module. A power stage size control module may generate control signals for controlling the SPS module. A peak-efficiency detection (PED) module may receive the output supply signal from the central node, the control signals from the SPS module, and the control signals from the power stage size control module. The PED module may generate a signal representative of an efficiency of the SPS module. | 04-23-2015 |
20150108957 | Voltage Generation Circuit - A voltage generation circuit supplies an internal power supply voltage to an internal circuit via an output terminal and includes a regulator, a second drive element, and a control circuit The regulator includes a first drive element disposed between an external power supply VDD (first power supply) and an output terminal, and supplies a voltage based on a reference voltage to the output voltage by controlling the first drive element. The second drive element is disposed between the external power supply VDD and the output terminal, and supplies a voltage of the external power supply VDD to the output terminal when activated. When a voltage of the external power supply is a previously set detection voltage value or less, the control circuit activates the first and the second drive element, and when the voltage of the external power supply exceeds the detection voltage value, deactivates the second drive element. | 04-23-2015 |
20150115910 | POWER SUPPLY WITH ENHANCED PHASE CURRENT SHARING - A system, power supplies, controller and method for enhanced phase current sharing are disclosed. For example, a power supply for enhanced phase current sharing is disclosed, which includes a plurality of power modules, a communication bus coupled to an input of each power module of the plurality power modules, and an output voltage node coupled to a first side of an inductor of each power module of the plurality of power modules, wherein each power module of the plurality of power modules includes a digital controller coupled to the input of the power module, and an RC circuit enabled to generate a feedback signal, coupled to a second side of the inductor and the output voltage node. In some implementations, the power supply is at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) or at least part of a power supply formed on a semiconductor IC, wafer, chip or die. | 04-30-2015 |
20150115911 | Adaptive Off Time Control Scheme for Semi-Resonant and Hybrid Converters - In one implementation, a voltage converter includes a high side power switch, and first and second low side power switches. The voltage converter also includes a driver stage for driving the high side power switch and the first and second low side power switches, and an adaptive OFF-time control circuit coupled to the driver stage. The adaptive OFF-time control circuit is configured to sense a current through one of the first and second low side switches, and to determine an adaptive off time for the high side power switch based on the sensed current. | 04-30-2015 |
20150115912 | REFERENCE VOLTAGE GENERATOR - Provided is a reference voltage generator having flat temperature characteristics. The reference voltage generator includes a resistor ( | 04-30-2015 |
20150115913 | HIGH FREQUENCY SERIES AC VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A bidirectional AC series voltage regulator that regulates an output AC voltage level regardless of the varying AC input voltage utilizing high frequency series inductors that only process a proportion of the total output power. The AC series voltage regulator detects the power inductor current direction data signal and can generate power inductor current direction data signals for its control to determine the AC input voltage polarity at all time; wherein the determination of the AC input voltage polarity is unambiguous during the AC input voltage zero crossover and near zero points; and wherein the determination of the AC input voltage polarity allows normal switching sequence of the AC bidirectional switches during the AC input voltage zero crossover and near zero points to prevent power “shoot-through.” | 04-30-2015 |
20150115914 | CONTROL CIRCUIT, SWITCHING CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A control circuit and a control method for a switching converter. The control circuit has a clock circuit and a comparing circuit. The clock circuit is configured to generate a clock signal to make at least one switch to operate in a first state once a rising edge of the clock signal arrives. The comparing circuit is configured to compare a feedback signal with a reference signal to generate a comparing signal, and wherein the comparing signal is configured to make the at least one switch to start to operate in a second state when the feedback signal is larger than the reference signal. The control circuit makes a switching converter to operate in a high dynamic speed with a constant switching frequency. | 04-30-2015 |
20150115915 | POWER SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A power switching voltage regulator includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, an inductor, a detection circuit, and a gate voltage adjusting unit. The high-side switch is coupled to a voltage source; the low-side switch is coupled between the high-side switch and a ground. A connection node is located between the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The inductor is coupled between the connection node and a power output terminal of the power switching voltage regulator. The detection circuit detects an output voltage of the power output terminal, when the output voltage swings out of a predetermined range. The gate voltage adjusting unit dynamically adjusts a gate voltage on-resistances of the high-side switch and the low-side switch. | 04-30-2015 |
20150123629 | OVERCURRENT PROTECTION POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - In a high voltage power supply apparatus, e.g., for an electric or hybrid vehicle, current is supplied from a high-voltage DC power source to a load via a power FET. A voltage detecting circuit detects the drain-source voltage V | 05-07-2015 |
20150123630 | Voltage Converter with VCC-Less RDSon Current Sensing Circuit - In one implementation, a voltage converter includes a driver providing a gate drive for a power switch and a sense circuit coupled across the power switch. The gate drive provides power to the sense circuit, and the sense circuit provides a sense output to the driver corresponding to a current through the power switch. In one implementation, the sense circuit includes a high voltage (HV) sense transistor coupled between a first sense input and a sense output, a delay circuit configured to be coupled to the gate drive to provide power to the HV sense transistor when the gate drive is high, and a pull-down transistor configured to couple the sense output to a second sense input when the gate drive is low. | 05-07-2015 |
20150123631 | OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION CONTROL METHOD AND CIRCUIT FOR FOUR-SWITCH BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER - In one embodiment, a method of over voltage protection control can include: (i) determining whether an output voltage of a buck-boost converter is in an over voltage condition, where the buck-boost converter includes a first switch coupled to an input terminal and an inductor, a second switch coupled to ground and a common node of the first switch and the inductor, a third switch coupled to ground and a common node of a fourth switch and the inductor, where the fourth switch is coupled to an output terminal of the buck-boost converter; and (ii) simultaneously controlling the first, second, third, and fourth switches in the buck-boost converter by turning on the second and third switches, and turning off the first and fourth switches, in response to the over voltage condition. | 05-07-2015 |
20150123632 | ADAPTIVE DEAD-TIME CONTROL - A DC-to-DC converter includes first and second switches connected to each other at a node and biased by PWM pulses. A timing module determines a first time difference between a first edge of a first signal at the node and a first edge of a second signal at a control terminal of the first switch, and a second time difference between a second edge of the first signal and a second edge of the second signal. The first and second edges of the second signal correspond to first and second edges of one of the PWM pulses, respectively. A delay module delays the first and second edges of the second signal based on the first and second time differences, respectively. The delay module delays an edge of one of the PWM pulses based on an amount of change in a voltage output by a charge pump. | 05-07-2015 |
20150130428 | LEVEL SHIFT CIRCUIT AND DC-DC CONVERTER FOR USING THE SAME - A level shift circuit and a DC-DC buck converter controller for using the same are disclosed. The level shift circuit is capable of detecting a state of a converting circuit, and avoids a current leakage when determining that the converting circuit is operating under a light-load. Therefore, the level shift circuit and the DC-DC converting controller provided by the present invention can reduce power consumption under the light-load and have power-saving advantage. | 05-14-2015 |
20150130429 | FEEDING APPARATUS AND FEEDING METHOD - A feeding apparatus feeds an electric power to an object to which the electric power is fed. The feeding apparatus includes a DC/DC converter and a driver. The DC/DC converter outputs a PWM signal. The driver feeds the electric power to the object to which the electric power is fed in accordance with the PWM signal. The DC/DC converter outputs a prescribed voltage value during a Tri-State shift. | 05-14-2015 |
20150130430 | Output Switching Circuit - An output switching circuit includes a switching circuit having a first transistor connected to a high-voltage power supply, a second transistor connected to a low-voltage power supply, and an output s terminal at a connection node between the first and second transistors; a comparison unit that compares an input signal with a feedback signal obtained by feedback of an output signal of the output terminal via a low-pass filter to generate a comparison signal; and a drive pulse generating unit that generates first drive pulses for driving the first transistor and second drive pulses for driving the second transistor in accordance with the comparison signal. | 05-14-2015 |
20150137776 | DC-DC Converter with Enhanced Automatic Switching Between CCM and DCM Operating Modes - A DC-DC converter transitions between continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) without causing any overshoot or undershoot deviation output voltage. The DC-DC converter operates in a PWM mode in CCM. During DCM, it skips PWM pulses when a sustained negative current is detected in an output inductor. The current sensing is achieved by sampling and integrating a voltage, the sign of which is inverse to current direction. The sample and hold and integrator circuits are small, simple, and scale to high frequencies. The pulse skipping circuit automatically adjusts the duty cycle of power pulses to force a zero inductor current at the end of each pulse. | 05-21-2015 |
20150137777 | ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, VOLTAGE CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND METHOD THEREOF - A voltage conversion circuit is disclosed. The voltage conversion circuit comprises an energy-storing inductor, an N-type transistor, a P-type transistor, a current comparator, a multiplexer, a first driver and a second driver. When load connected to the voltage conversion circuit is a light load, the P-type transistor will be switched off so as to avoid generating a switching current and the switching current flowing gate-source and gate-drain parasitic capacitor of the N-type transistor is generated from an input voltage. The number of N-type transistor and switching frequency also decrease accordingly so that voltage conversion efficiency of the voltage conversion circuit may be increased. | 05-21-2015 |
20150137778 | DC-DC CONVERTER - According to one embodiment, a DC-DC converter includes a comparator circuit that compares a feedback voltage of an output voltage with a reference voltage and a control circuit that controls an output voltage based on an output signal of the comparator circuit. The comparator circuit performs a discrete-time operation in response to a clock signal, and a frequency of the clock signal is adjusted according to a load condition. | 05-21-2015 |
20150145488 | SWITCHING OVERLAP AVOIDANCE SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a power supply system to avoid an over-voltage event across one or more switching devices of the power supply system, the controlling step based on switching overlap information that includes instructions for either advancing or retarding a switching signal associated with at least one of the switching devices. | 05-28-2015 |
20150145489 | ZERO-CROSSING DETECTION CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR SYNCHRONOUS STEP-DOWN CONVERTER - In one embodiment, a zero-crossing detection circuit for a synchronous step-down converter, can include: (i) a state determination circuit configured to compare a drain voltage of a synchronous transistor of the synchronous step-down converter against a reference voltage, and to generate a state digital signal indicative of whether a body diode of the synchronous transistor is turned on; (ii) a logic circuit configured to convert the state digital signal into a counting instruction signal; (iii) a plus-minus counter configured to generate a numerical signal in response to the counting instruction signal; (iv) a DAC configured to generate a correction analog signal based on the numerical signal; and (v) a zero-crossing comparator configured to receive the correction analog signal and the drain voltage of the synchronous transistor, and to provide a zero-crossing comparison signal to a driving circuit of the synchronous step-down converter. | 05-28-2015 |
20150145490 | CONTROL METHOD AND CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - In one embodiment, a method of controlling a switching power supply can include: (i) generating an ideal on time signal according to an input voltage and an output voltage of the switching power supply; (ii) generating a ripple voltage signal having a predetermined constant value when a power switch of the switching power supply is on, and a linearly decreasing value when the power switch is off; (iii) generating a regulating voltage signal according to an output voltage sense signal and the ripple voltage signal; (iv) generating a regulating control signal by comparing the regulating voltage signal against a first reference signal; (v) generating an on time control signal according to the regulating control signal and the ideal on time signal; and (vi) generating a driving signal according to the on time control signal for driving the power switch. | 05-28-2015 |
20150145491 | POWER CONVERTER - There is provided a power converter that is operated by using a power supply of one system and effectively using a current flowing in a load. A charging operation that supplies a charging current and the like to a load | 05-28-2015 |
20150145492 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL APPARATUS - A power supply control apparatus includes a first adder configured to generate a difference signal based on a target value and a feedback signal; a compensator having a first transfer function Wc(z) and configured to generate a control signal based on the difference signal; a control target having a second transfer function Wp(z) and configured to output an output signal generated in response to the control signal; a disturbance canceller having a third transfer function {l+Wc(z)·Wp(z)}/{Wc(z)·Wp(z)} and configured to generate a disturbance cancelling signal based on the output signal corresponding to a control amount y; a second adder configured to generate a differential disturbance signal based on an output of the first adder and the disturbance cancelling signal; and a filter circuit which generates the feedback signal based on the differential disturbance signal. | 05-28-2015 |
20150295495 | MOSFET SWITCH CIRCUIT FOR SLOW SWITCHING APPLICATION - A switch circuit includes a first MOS transistor and a second MOS transistor of a same conductivity type connected in parallel between a first terminal and a second terminal. The first and second MOS transistors have respective gate terminals coupled to the control terminal to receive a control signal to turn the switch circuit on or off where the control signal transitions from a first voltage level to a second voltage level at a slow rate of change. The first MOS transistor has a first threshold voltage and the second MOS transistor has a second threshold voltage where the first threshold voltage is less than the second threshold voltage | 10-15-2015 |
20150303685 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION METHOD - A power supply device and an overvoltage protection method are disclosed. The power supply device includes an energy storage unit, a first switch, a second switch and a driving module. The energy storage unit generates a driving voltage according to a supplied voltage. The first switch selectively transmits the supplied voltage to the energy storage unit according to a first driving signal. The second switch is selectively conducted to adjust the driving voltage according to a second driving signal. The driving module conducts the second switch when the supplied voltage is rose at a first predetermined value, and generates the first driving signal and the second driving signal after the supplied voltage is rose at a second predetermined value. The first predetermined value is smaller than the second predetermined value. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303799 | Voltage Regulator with Power Stage Sleep Modes - A power stage of a voltage regulator includes a first switch for connecting a load to a supply voltage in a first switching state of the power stage, a second switch for connecting the load to ground in a second switching state of the power stage and driver circuitry for setting the power stage in the first switching state, the second switching state or a non-switching state in which both switches are off responsive to a switching control signal received by the power stage. A power management unit moves the power stage from a nominal power mode to a first low power mode if the power stage is in the non-switching state for a predetermined time period. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303800 | Negative Current Clocking - A switching mode power supply (SMPS) is capable of clearing an overvoltage condition. The overvoltage is determined by detecting that the output voltage has exceeded the input voltage by a limited amount. The overvoltage is cleared by repetitively turning on and then off the switches controlling the flow of energy to the SMPS in sequence until the excess charge resulting from the overvoltage is couple to circuit ground, and the output is reduced to within acceptable limits. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303801 | Buck Variable Negative Current - An active diode formed within a buck power regulator with an NMOS transistor is connected to a PMOS transistor at a node that is further connected to the regulator output through an inductor. The active diode combines the NMOS transistor with circuitry to prevent conduction once the active diode passes a threshold voltage. Additional circuitry compares the output voltage to the target input voltage and varies the threshold voltage of the active diode such that the active diode can discharge excess current from the regulator each cycle until the output voltage is less than the target voltage. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303802 | Drive Scheme for Weakly Coupled Coils - A variable efficiency and response buck converter is achieved. The device includes a multi-phase switch, the coupled coils, the filter capacitor, and the load. The multi-phase switch includes the phase control inputs, the circuit common reference, at least two pairs of complementary switches with each switch containing one upper switch and one lower switch, at least two phase control outputs from the complementary switches. The coupled inductive coils are coupled to the phase control outputs to enable weak couplings and strong couplings. Based on the working mode, equivalently the coupled coils can provide strong mutual inductances and weak mutual inductances. The filter capacitors connected to the output of the coupled coils provide high efficiency output to the load. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303803 | POWER CONVERTER WITH SEPARATE BUCK AND BOOST CONVERSION CIRCUITS - An apparatus ( | 10-22-2015 |
20150303804 | Switched Mode Power Supply Compensation Loop - An apparatus ( | 10-22-2015 |
20150303805 | AN INDUCTIVE LOAD CONTROL CIRCUIT, A BRAKING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE AND A METHOD OF MEASURING CURRENT IN AN INDUCTIVE LOAD CONTROL CIRCUIT - A method and circuit for controlling current through an inductive load such as an electromagnetic valve of a vehicle anti-lock braking system includes first and second driver stages, controlled by PWM (pulse width modulation) signals, for providing, respectively, an actuation path for valve current in an “on” phase and a recirculation path for valve current in an “off” phase. A peak value of current flowing in the actuation path at the end of an “on” phase is compared with a peak value of current flowing in the recirculation path at the start of the “off” phase in order to detect any malfunction of the circuit. An embodiment of the invention has the advantage of being able to detect any malfunction at very low and very high PWM duty cycles. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303806 | SELF-OSCILLATING RESONANT POWER CONVERTER - The present invention relates to resonant power converters and inverters comprising a self-oscillating feedback loop coupled from a switch output to a control input of a switching network comprising one or more semiconductor switches (S | 10-22-2015 |
20150303807 | Switching Regulator Circuit Allowing a Lower Input Voltage - A buck-boost switching regulator has an output voltage boost circuit to provide a boosted output voltage. The boosted voltage is used to generate higher voltage control signals to gates of NMOS switches, resulting in an ability to operate at lower input voltages. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303808 | DC-DC CONVERTER AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - A DC-DC converter is provided. The DC-DC converter includes at least one converter circuit configured to include an inductor and to supply a current to a load through the inductor; and a controller configured to sense the current to generate a sensed signal, to sample and hold the sensed signal at a predetermined sampling time to detect an average current of the inductor, and to control an operation of the at least one converter circuit according to the average current. The sampling time is set to a time in a period while the inductor current is less than a peak and greater than a valley. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303809 | SLAB INDUCTOR DEVICE PROVIDING EFFICIENT ON-CHIP SUPPLY VOLTAGE CONVERSION AND REGULATION - A method is disclosed to operate a voltage conversion circuit such as a buck regulator circuit that has a plurality of switches coupled to a voltage source; a slab inductor having a length, a width and a thickness, where the slab inductor is coupled between the plurality of switches and a load and carries a load current during operation of the plurality of switches; and a means to reduce or cancel the detrimental effect of other wires on same chip, such as a power grid, potentially conducting return current and thereby degrading the functionality of this slab inductor. In one embodiment the wires can be moved further away from the slab inductor and in another embodiment magnetic materials can be used to shield the slab inductor from at least one such interfering conductor. | 10-22-2015 |
20150303810 | SLAB INDUCTOR DEVICE PROVIDING EFFICIENT ON-CHIP SUPPLY VOLTAGE CONVERSION AND REGULATION - A method is disclosed to operate a voltage conversion circuit such as a buck regulator circuit that has a plurality of switches coupled to a voltage source; a slab inductor having a length, a width and a thickness, where the slab inductor is coupled between the plurality of switches and a load and carries a load current during operation of the plurality of switches; and a means to reduce or cancel the detrimental effect of other wires on same chip, such as a power grid, potentially conducting return current and thereby degrading the functionality of this slab inductor. In one embodiment the wires can be moved further away from the slab inductor and in another embodiment magnetic materials can be used to shield the slab inductor from at least one such interfering conductor. | 10-22-2015 |
20150311787 | CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A power supply circuit is configured including a control circuit together with an output circuit including an external circuit component. A switching controller controls a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor each configured as a switching element. A degradation detection circuit monitors a detection signal having a correlation with characteristic degradation of the circuit component, and detects the degree of characteristic degradation of the circuit component. The switching controller is capable of changing its operation according to the degree of characteristic degradation of the circuit component. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311791 | SINGLE INDUCTOR MULTIPLE OUTPUT DC-DC CONVERTOR - A single inductor multiple output (SIMO) DC-DC convertor is provided. The SIMO DC-DC convertor is configured to establish a first DC voltage at a first node and establish a second DC voltage at a second node. A first switch of the SIMO DC-DC convertor is activated when a voltage at the first node is below the first DC voltage. A second switch of the SIMO DC-DC convertor is activated when a voltage at the second node is below the second DC voltage. The first switch is deactivated when the voltage at the first node is not below the first DC voltage. The second switch is deactivated when the voltage at the second node is not below the second DC voltage. The first switch and the second switch, and other switches in the SIMO DC-DC converter, are activated in any order and independently of one another to establish desired node voltages. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311792 | SWITCHED REFERENCE MOSFET DRIVE ASSIST CIRCUIT - A power converter includes at least a first phase including a high-side MOSFET transistor (HSA) and a low-side (LS) MOSFET transistor (LSA) driving a first output inductor. The first phase further includes an active gate drive assist circuit including first MOSFET switch (first switch) and second MOSFET switch (second switch) positioned in series between a source of HSA and a drain of LSA. A capacitor (CS) is between the source of HSA and drain of LSA. A bootstrap capacitor (CA) having a reference terminal is connected to a node between the first switch and the second switch. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311793 | SERIES CAPACITOR BUCK CONVERTER HAVING CIRCUITRY FOR PRECHARGING THE SERIES CAPACITOR - A series capacitor buck converter includes a first half-bridge circuit including a first high side power switch (HSA) and first low side power switch (LSA) connected in series having a first switching node (SWA) therebetween which drives a first output inductor, a second half-bridge circuit including a second HS power switch (HSB) and second LS power switch (LSB) connected in series having a second switching node (SWB) therebetween which drives a second output inductor. A transfer capacitor (Ct) is connected in series with HSA and LSA and between the first and second half-bridge circuits. A first current source is coupled for precharging Ct with a charging current (I_in) and a second current source is coupled to Ct for providing an output current (I_out). A feedback network providing negative feedback forces I_out to match I_in. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311794 | ADAPTIVE BOOST DRIVER CHARGING CIRCUIT - A power circuit combination includes a series capacitor buck converter including a first half-bridge including a first high side power switch (HSA), first low side power switch (LSA) and a second half-bridge. A transfer capacitor (Ct) is connected in series with HSA and LSA, and between the first and second half-bridges. An adaptive HS driver circuit has an output coupled to a gate of HSA and includes a power supply circuit including a summing circuitry that dynamically outputs a variable power supply level (V | 10-29-2015 |
20150311795 | CURRENT PULSE COUNT CONTROL IN A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A method of regulating voltage with a switching regulator is disclosed. The method includes sensing an output voltage provided by the regulator. If the output voltage drops below a low voltage threshold, a burst of one or more current pulses is provided. If the output voltage raises above a high voltage threshold during the burst, discontinuing the burst of current pulses. The method includes counting a number of the one or more current pulses in the burst, and comparing the number of the one or more current pulses with at least one pulse threshold. The upper current threshold is adjusted based on the number of the one or more current pulses. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311796 | DC-DC HIGH VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A DC-DC voltage converter including a main switch formed by a normally ON switch element connected in series with a normally OFF switch element including a control circuit, a load in series with the main switch, the main switch and the load being configured to be connected to terminals of a DC voltage source. A voltage source, that can be used for controlling is obtained by connecting a main peak detector circuit to the mid-point of the main switch. The control circuit of the normally OFF switch element can be supplied with the DC voltage that makes the entire device self-supplied. Such a converter can, for example, find application in aeronautics. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311797 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a switching device, a drive circuit for turning on and off the switching device, a bootstrap capacitor electrically connected to the drive circuit, and a control circuit electrically connected to the drive circuit. The control circuit is operable to charge the bootstrap capacitor for a charging duration periodically at a charging period longer than an on-off period at which the switching device is turned on and off periodically. This DC-DC converter performs efficient boost and step-down operations. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311799 | POWER SUPPLY - A power supply includes: a first connection terminal connectable with a DC power supply to which a first load and a generator are connected in parallel; a second connection terminal connectable with an electric storage which stores regenerative power generated by the generator; a third connection terminal connectable with a second load; a DC-DC converter; and a controller which controls the DC-DC converter. The power supply further includes: a first power path including one end connected to the first connection terminal and the other end connected to a first input/output terminal of the DC-DC converter; a second power path including one end connected to the second connection terminal and the other end connected to a second input/output terminal of the DC-DC converter; and a third power path including one end connected to the third connection terminal and the other end connected to the second power path. | 10-29-2015 |
20150318786 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT OUTPUT VOLTAGE RIPPLE IN A BUCK CONVERTER IN DISCONTINUOUS CONDUCTION MODE - The system and method creates a substantially constant output voltage ripple in a buck converter in discontinuous conduction mode by varying the on-time of a pulse width modulator (PWM) signal driving the buck converter when the buck converter is operating in discontinuous conduction mode. A first signal is generated that is a function of the switching frequency of the buck converter. This signal is low-pass filtered and compared with a second signal that is a function of the switching frequency of the buck converter when operating in continuous conduction mode and with constant PWM on-time. The output signal generated by the comparator is a signal that is equal to the ratio of said first signal and said second signal. The on-time of a voltage controlled oscillator is controlled by said output signal, the oscillator signal causing the on-time of said PWM signal to vary in a controlled fashion. | 11-05-2015 |
20150326102 | MINIMUM ON-TIME CONTROL FOR LOW LOAD DC/DC CONVERTER - Aspects of the present invention provide a DC/DC converter for use with a supply voltage and operable to drive a load, wherein the DC/DC converter includes a V | 11-12-2015 |
20150326106 | SOFT START CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED SOFT START METHOD - A soft start circuit for a switching converter, the soft start circuit has an internal soft start voltage generating circuit, an amplifier circuit and a buffer circuit, the internal soft start voltage generating circuit provides an internal soft start voltage, the amplifier circuit has a first input terminal receiving the internal soft start voltage, a second input terminal receiving a soft start reference signal and an output terminal, the buffer circuit has an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit and an output terminal providing the soft start reference signal. An external soft start capacitor coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit is charged to provide an external soft start voltage, and the soft start reference signal is provided based on the internal soft start voltage and the external soft start voltage. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326121 | METHOD AND CIRCUITRY FOR SENSING AND CONTROLLING A CURRENT - An inductor conducts a first current, which is variable. A first transistor is coupled through the inductor to an output node. The first transistor alternately switches on and off in response to a voltage signal, so that the first current is: enhanced while the first transistor is switched on in response to the voltage signal; and limited while the first transistor is switched off in response to the voltage signal. A second transistor is coupled to the first transistor. The second transistor conducts a second current, which is variable. On/off switching of the second transistor is independent of the voltage signal. Control circuitry senses the second current and adjusts the voltage signal to alternately switch the first transistor on and off in response to: the sensing of the second current; and a voltage of the output node. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326122 | CONVERTER ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING A CONVERTER ARRANGEMENT - A converter arrangement, in particular a switched DC/DC converter arrangement, comprises a control die and a converter die. The control die comprises a control logic for generating a control signal and a control output for controlling the converter die by means of the control signal. The converter die comprises at least one converter that is designed for converting an input signal into an output signal in dependence on the control signal, wherein the control signal can be received at a control input. A single-line interface connects the control output to the control input. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326123 | DC/DC CONVERTER, CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A control circuit of a DC/DC converter is disclosed. The control circuit includes a pulse modulator generating a comparison pulse, which is transitioned to an on level when a feedback voltage depending on an output voltage of the converter is lowered to a threshold voltage and then transitioned to an off level; a peak current detector asserting a detection signal when a coil current of the converter reaches a predetermined peak current; a logic part generating a control pulse which is transitioned to an on level when the comparison pulse is transitioned to the on level, and is transitioned to an off level at a time which is later among the time when the comparison pulse is transitioned to the off level and the time when the peak current detection signal is asserted; and a driver switching a switching transistor of the converter based on the control pulse. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326124 | BOOST CONVERTER DEVICE - A boost converter device includes a converter, a current sensor which detects a reactor current flowing through a reactor, and a control unit which controls the converter by using feedback control of the reactor current. The control unit executes at least one of reducing a carrier frequency which is used in the control of the converter and reducing a duty command value which is used in the control of the converter, detects an amplitude of current ripple by the current sensor during execution of the reduction of the carrier frequency or the reduction of the duty command value, and detects the current sensor as being abnormal in a case where the amplitude of the current ripple is less than a predetermined current fluctuation range at the time of abnormality of the current sensor. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326125 | System with Multiple Signal Loops and Switched Mode Converter - In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include an impedance estimator configured to estimate an impedance of a load and generate a target current based at least on an input voltage and the impedance, a voltage feedback loop responsive to a difference between the input voltage and an output voltage of the load, and a current controller configured to, responsive to the voltage feedback loop, the impedance estimator, and the input voltage, generate an output current to the load. | 11-12-2015 |
20150326126 | Switched Mode Converter with Low-Voltage Turn-Around Mode - A power converter may include a power inductor, a plurality of switches arranged to sequentially operate in a plurality of switch configurations, an output for producing the output voltage, wherein a first switch is coupled to a first output terminal of the output and a second switch is coupled to a second output terminal of the output, and a linear amplifier coupled to the output. The controller may be configured to, in a linear amplifier mode of the power stage, enable the linear amplifier to transfer electrical energy from an input source of the power stage to the load, and in at least one mode of the power stage other than the linear amplifier mode, sequentially apply switch configurations from the plurality of switch configurations to selectively activate or deactivate each of the plurality of switches in order to transfer the electrical energy from the input source to the load. | 11-12-2015 |
20150332844 | INDUCTOR AND CONVERTER HAVING THE SAME - The present disclosure discloses an inductor and a converter having the same. The inductor includes a magnetic core and a winding, the winding is provided within a window of the magnetic core, the winding includes a main body part and a sampling part, the main body part and the sampling part are connected in series, and a length ratio of the sampling part to the main body part is less than 2; wherein the main body part is formed of a low resistivity conductive material, the sampling part is formed of a low temperature coefficient conductive material, and a current flowing through the inductor is sampled across two ends of the sampling part. The inductor can obtain a current detection signal with high accuracy and low temperature drift with a compact structure, without increasing detection lo | 11-19-2015 |
20150333611 | ACCURATE ZERO CURRENT DETECTOR CIRCUIT IN SWITCHING REGULATORS - A switching regulator circuit includes a gate driver circuit driving a first switch and a second switch to generate a first voltage at a first node. Further, the switching regulator includes an LC filter circuit responsive to the first voltage to generate a desired output voltage. Moreover, the switching regulator includes a regulator circuit coupled to the LC filter circuit to control the gate driver circuit. The regulator circuit accurately controls variations in trip point. The trip point is a voltage at which the second switch is switched OFF by the gate control circuit. The regulator circuit includes one of a Delay Locked Loop (DLL) and a Pulse width modulator (PWM) controller. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333626 | SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY MODULE HAVING A HICCUP MODE AND ITEM OF EQUIPMENT POWERED BY SAID MODULE - The invention relates to switch mode power supply modules and items of equipment powered by these modules. The power supply module comprises means for cyclically interrupting the switching operation, during a so-called switching operation interruption phase, if the load current of the module is less than a current threshold value and sustaining the switching operation, during a so-called switching operation phase, if the load current is greater than the load current threshold value and means for ending the switching operation interruption phase if the power supply voltage of the item of equipment is greater than a voltage threshold value. The item of equipment powered by the module comprises a capacitive element able to store energy from the module during the switching operation phase and means for releasing the energy stored between the output terminals of the power supply module when it receives an activation signal. | 11-19-2015 |
20150333629 | MULTI-PHASE INTERLEAVED CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A multi-phase interleaved converter includes n sub-circuits of phases, a current controller and a balancing controller. The n sub-circuits of phases have inputs connected in parallel and outputs connected in parallel in order to convert a direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) input voltage of one level into a DC or AC output voltage of another level. The current controller receives a current control command and a phase current value of a particular sub-circuit of a particular phase among the n sub-circuits of the respective phases to output a control signal for controlling the particular sub-circuit of the particular phase. The balancing controller receives phase current values of the n sub-circuits of the respective phases and receives a control signal output from the current controller to adjust the duty ratios of control signals applied to the other sub-circuits. | 11-19-2015 |
20150340949 | PROGRAMMABLE VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage converter ( | 11-26-2015 |
20150340951 | BOOST CONVERTER AND POWER CONTROLING METHOD THEREOF - A boost converter and a power control method thereof. The boost converter includes an inductor, a first switch unit, a second switch unit, a discharging loop and a detecting circuit. The inductor is electrically connected to a power input end. The first switch unit is electrically connected between the inductor and ground. The second switch unit is electrically connected between the inductor and an output end. The discharging loop is connected with the inductor in parallel and includes a third switch unit. The detecting circuit is used to detect a discharging value of the inductor. When the discharging value exceeds a threshold value, the third switch unit is turned on, and the inductor releases energy via the discharging loop. | 11-26-2015 |
20150340952 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS TO LINEARIZE CONVERSION GAIN IN A DC-DC CONVERTER - Described examples include DC-DC power conversion systems, apparatus and methods for linearizing a DC-DC circuit conversion gain, including a gain circuit providing an output signal according to a gain value and the difference between a first compensation signal and a threshold signal, and a switching circuit selectively operative when the first compensation signal exceeds the threshold signal to linearize the conversion gain by providing a second compensation signal for pulse width modulation of at least one DC-DC converter switch according to the threshold signal and the gain circuit output signal. | 11-26-2015 |
20150340953 | DEAD-TIME COMPENSATION IN A POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM - One embodiment includes a power supply system. The system includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) system configured to generate a PWM signal. The system also includes a power stage comprising a gate driver, a high-side switch, and a low-side switch. The gate driver can be configured to alternately activate the high-side and low-side switches to provide an output signal to a load in response to the PWM signal, and to provide an activation dead-time between the alternate activation of the high-side and low-side switches. The system further includes a digital delay system configured to measure the activation dead-time and to add the measured activation dead-time to the activation of the high-side switch. | 11-26-2015 |
20150346245 | CURRENT OR VOLTAGE SENSING - An example relates to a circuit comprising an electronic switching element and an temperature compensating element, which is arranged in the vicinity of the electronic switching element. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349633 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - Systems, circuits, devices and methods related to voltage converters. In some embodiments, a control system for a voltage converter can include a driving unit configured to generate a driving signal having a pulse width and a frequency. The driving signal is provided to a voltage conversion circuit to control conversion of an input voltage into an output voltage. The control system can further include a modulation unit configured to modulate the pulse width of the driving signal based on the output voltage to thereby allow adjustment of the output voltage. The control system can further include a control circuit configured to adjust the frequency of the driving signal based on the modulated pulse width. Such a control system can be useful in situations such as when the output voltage is close to the input voltage, or when a load being driven by the output voltage is relatively low. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349634 | INDUCTOR CURRENT MEASUREMENT COMPENSATION FOR SWITCHING VOLTAGE REGULATORS - A current estimation method for a switching voltage regulator that delivers current to a load through an inductor includes measuring a voltage across a capacitor of an RC current sense network coupled in parallel with the inductor, generating an estimate of the current through the inductor based on the voltage measured across the capacitor of the RC current sense network and adjusting the estimate of the current through the inductor by a compensation filter that compensates for variation in the inductance of the inductor as a function of at least one of temperature and current. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349635 | LIGHT-LOAD CONTROL DEVICE, LIGHT-LOAD CONTROL METHOD, AND VOLTAGE CONVERTER - Light-load control devices and methods implemented in applications such as voltage converters. In some embodiments, a control system for a voltage converter can be configured to determine whether the voltage converter is in a first load state such as a light-load state. The control system can be further configured to generate a first driving signal when the voltage converter is in the light-load state. The control system can be further configured to route the first driving signal to a control element of the voltage converter when the voltage converter is in the light-load state, and to route a second driving signal to the control element when the voltage converter is in a second load state such as a heavier-load state. Such a control system can yield reduced power consumption of the control element when the voltage converter is in the light-load state. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349636 | System and Method for Switched Power Supply Current Sampling - According to an embodiment, a method of operating a switching power supply includes applying a periodic switching signal to a first switch that is coupled to an output node, detecting an offset delay between applying the periodic switching signal and a change in voltage of the output node, calculating a corrected midpoint of a half phase of the periodic switching signal based on the offset delay, generating a sampling pulse based on the corrected midpoint, and sampling a current at the output node according to the sampling pulse. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349637 | LOW QUIESCENT CURRENT PULL-DOWN CIRCUIT - A device to detect an electrical signal is provided. The device includes sensing, output, and pull-down nodes. The device includes a pull-down circuit having a native metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) to pull down the output node to approximately a voltage of the pull-down node. The device includes a switch circuit having a junction field-effect transistor (JFET). The JFET turns on the pull-down circuit in response to a voltage of the sensing node being less than a first threshold. The JFET also turns off the pull-down circuit in response to the voltage of the sensing node being greater than the first threshold. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349639 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS - A power supply device comprising: a switching power supply unit which operates in accordance with a PWM signal; and a controller configured to generate the PWM signal, the controller includes: a switching frequency control unit configured to generate a spreading spectrum signal whose period is changed, an output voltage detecting unit configured to detect an output voltage of the switching power supply unit, a reference voltage unit configured to generate a reference voltage, a difference computing unit configured to calculate a difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage, a compensator configured to generate a compensating value from an input voltage of the switching power supply unit, the reference voltage, and the period of the spreading spectrum signal, and a PWM generator configured to generate the PWM signal from the spreading spectrum signal and the compensating value. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349640 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT - A control circuit includes: a signal generating circuit configured to generate a PWM signal; and a drive control circuit configured to alternately turn on a first transistor and a second transistor in accordance with the PWM signal, the first transistor and the second transistor being connected in series between a wiring to which a first voltage is supplied and a wiring to which a reference potential is supplied. The drive control circuit turns on one of the first transistor and the second transistor when detecting that an electric potential of an N well of the first transistor or the second transistor in triple-well structure, connected to a wiring to which a second voltage lower than the first voltage is supplied via a resistor becomes lower than a threshold value after the other of the first transistor and the second transistor is turned off. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349641 | OSCILLATING CAPACITORS DIRECT CURRENT POWER SOURCE - A high frequency inductive emf circuit charges storage capacitors, one at a time, from a DC source to a voltage that is higher than the DC output voltage. After each storage capacitor is charged, it is disconnected from the charging circuit and then connected to an output device/regulator that uses the energy in each storage capacitor to provide the desired DC output voltage to a load. While one storage capacitor is being charged, a previously charged storage capacitor is being discharged through an output device/regulator. After being discharged, each storage capacitor is disconnected from its output device/regulator and reconnected to the charging circuit and is charged again. While being charged, the storage capacitors are in a parallel circuit to the inductor in the charging circuit. The inductor in the charging circuit and the DC source are never in a current loop with the load. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349642 | DC/DC CONVERTER - In a DC/DC converter, each channel operates under digital control using nonlinear control. The time interval between the time of turning ON of the switching element | 12-03-2015 |
20150349643 | AUDIO FREQUENCY DEADBAND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCH MODE REGULATORS OPERATING IN DISCONTINUOUS CONDUCTION MODE - A controller for controlling operation of a switching regulator including a modulator, a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) controller, an audible DCM (ADCM) controller, and a sub-sonic discontinuous conduction mode (SBDCM) controller. The modulator generally operates in a continuous conduction mode. The DCM controller modifies operation to DCM during low loads. The ADCM controller detects when the switching frequency is less than a super-sonic frequency threshold and modifies operation to maintain the switching frequency at a super-sonic frequency level. The SBDCM controller detects a sub-sonic operating condition during ADCM operation and responsively inhibits operation of the ADCM mode controller to allow a SBDCM mode within a sub-sonic switching frequency range. The SBDCM operating mode allows for efficient connected standby operation. The SBDCM controller allows operation to return to other modes when the switching frequency increases above the sub-sonic level. | 12-03-2015 |
20150349644 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED EFFICIENCY AUXILIARY POWER SUPPLY MODULE - Provided is a power supply for use in a solar electric production system, including: a first stage having an input connected to a voltage from a photovoltaic panel and an output providing a first voltage different from the voltage from the photovoltaic panel; and a second stage connected to the output of the first stage, the second stage supplying power at a second voltage to a micro-controller, where the output of the first stage is turned on and stable for a period of time before the second stage is turned on to supply the power at the second voltage to the micro-controller. | 12-03-2015 |
20150357914 | Method for a Current Mode Buck-Boost Converter - A current mode control buck-boost converter with improved performance utilizes separate buck and boost pulses. The buck-boost converter utilizes a buck/boost decision method with continuous control voltage for buck and boost mode, therefore eliminating transients in the control loop between operation modes and preventing voltage overshoots. If switching in Boost mode and the buck duty cycle is smaller than a set duty cycle, then in the next cycle Buck mode switching will occur. It is possible to track a Buck comparator output and the related duty cycle during Boost mode operation. Thus a mode change decision will only be dependent on a single input. A control loop will incorporate a single loop filter and error amplifier, wherein control voltages for Buck comparator and Boost comparator will be related. | 12-10-2015 |
20150357915 | DRIVING CIRCUIT, VOLTAGE CONVERTER HAVING ADAPTIVE DEAD TIME CONTROL FUNCTION AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING DEAD TIME - A voltage converter includes a switching driver, a controller, a low-pass filter and a pulse width modulation signal generator. The switching driver includes a pull-up switching circuit connecting an input voltage to a switching node in response to a pull-up signal and a pull-down switching circuit connecting a ground voltage to the switching node in response to a pull-down signal. The controller generates the pull-up signal and the pull-down signal in response to a pulse width modulation signal and measures pull-up and pull-down turn-on times of the pull-up and pull-down switching circuits in real time to control a dead time. The low-pass filter filters a switching voltage signal on the switching node to generate an output voltage. The pulse width modulation signal generator generates the pulse width modulation signal based on a reference signal and the output voltage. | 12-10-2015 |
20150357916 | BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER AND OPERATING METHOD - A method of operating a buck-boost converter including an inductor and a capacitor includes; operating the buck-boost converter in boost mode until a level of an input voltage applied at an input node of the buck-boost converter reaches a desired level of an output voltage apparent at an output node of the buck-boost converter, and after the level of an input voltage reaches the desired level of the output voltage, operating the buck-boost converter in buck mode, wherein operating the buck-boost converter in buck mode and operating the buck-boost converter in boost mode overlap at least in part temporally proximate a point at which the level of the input voltage exceeds the level of the output voltage. | 12-10-2015 |
20150357917 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes first and second switching devices electrically connected in series between an input terminal and a ground terminal, third and fourth switching devices electrically connected in series between an output terminal and the ground terminal, an inductor, a drive circuit that drives the first switching device to turn on and off, a bootstrap capacitor circuit connected electrically to the drive circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit is operable to turn on and off the switching devices serially connected with each other after a simultaneous-off duration for which both of the switching devices are continuously turned off. The control circuit is operable to charge the bootstrap capacitor by continuously turning on keeping the second switching device for a charging duration while continuously turning off the first switching device for a sustaining duration determined by the simultaneous-off duration and the charging duration. This DC-DC converter can reduce a current ripple even when the bootstrap capacitor is charged. | 12-10-2015 |
20150357918 | REGULATOR CIRCUIT AND METHOD OF OPERATING REGULATOR CIRCUIT - A regulator circuit includes a regulator output node, at least (N+1) regulator control circuits, and N drivers. N is an integer greater than 1. Each one of the N drivers includes a multiplexer, a driver stage, and a pre-driver stage. The multiplexer includes an input port and an output port, where the input port of the multiplexer is coupled with output nodes of the at least (N+1) regulator control circuits. The driver stage is coupled with the regulator output node. The pre-driver stage is configured to control the driver stage based on a signal on the output port of the multiplexer. | 12-10-2015 |
20150364995 | CURRENT SENSING CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING POWER CONVERTERS - A current sensing circuit for a switched mode power converter employs a passive current sensing network coupled in parallel with the switched inductor. The passive current sensing network is impedance matched to the inductance its inherent resistance, and provides a current sensing node for single wire current sensing by a current sensing circuit. The passive current sensing network can be employed in each of a plurality of phased switching circuits that each contribute to an output of the power converter. | 12-17-2015 |
20150364996 | POWER CONVERTER AND CONTROLLER DEVICE - A switching power converter for DC-DC converting has an inductance coupled between a power output and a high side switch in a controller device. The controller device has an error amplifier coupled to the power output and a reference voltage for activating the high side switch. The controller device has a bypass circuit including a bypass switch coupled between the supply input and the power output, a bypass driver having a first input coupled to the power output and a second input coupled to the reference voltage, and an output coupled to the bypass switch for activating the bypass switch. The controller further has a high bypass current sensor for generating a transient signal based on a current via the bypass switch, and a bandwidth control circuit for increasing the bandwidth of the error amplifier based on the transient signal. | 12-17-2015 |
20150364997 | CONTROL CIRCUIT, BATTERY POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD - A control circuit can include: (i) a boost mode controller configured to control a switch type converter to operate in a boost mode such that an input current is less than a first input current threshold, where the switch type converter comprises a first terminal coupled to a power supply line from an external power supply to a load, and a second terminal coupled to a battery; (ii) a buck mode controller configured to control the switch type converter to operate in a buck mode; and (iii) a select circuit configured to select either the boost mode controller or the buck mode controller to control the switch type converter based on a detected value of the input current of the external power supply and a detected value of a battery charging/discharging current. | 12-17-2015 |
20150364998 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH IMPROVED DISCONTINUOUS CONDUCTION MODE EFFICIENCY - A switch-mode DC converter configured to generate a converted voltage from an input voltage is provided. The switch-mode DC converter includes an inductor configured to store energy, and a switch coupled with the inductor at a switching node, wherein the switch is configurable to be turned on or off to control the discharging of the energy stored at the inductor to an output node of the converter, wherein the output node is configured to provide the converted voltage. The switch-mode DC converter also includes a circuit configured to control a timing of turning-off of the switch based on a voltage difference between the switch, wherein a measurement of the voltage difference is adjusted based on a voltage at the switching node. | 12-17-2015 |
20150365000 | FULL BRIDGE DC/DC CONVERTER CONTROL TECHNIQUES - The present disclosure describes full bridge power supply systems and control methods. In at least one embodiment, the full bridge power supply system may be driven utilizing a two-phase continuous conduction switching mode to control the inductor current. In another embodiment, the full bridge power supply system may be driven utilizing variably-configured three-phase continuous conduction modes to control the inductor current when an input voltage is within a window value to the output voltage. In another embodiment, the full bridge power supply may be driven using a four-phase discontinuous conduction switching mode to control the inductor current when a load current is below a current lower threshold. | 12-17-2015 |
20150372595 | ALTERNATING CURRENT INJECTION FOR CONSTANT-ON TIME BUCK CONVERTER - A REGULATOR CONTROL METHOD - The present invention discloses a voltage control method. At first, the load voltage of the load is divided to generate a feedback voltage. The feedback voltage and a triangular wave of a triangular wave periodic signal, including the positive voltage and negative voltage, are combined to generate a sum signal. The sum signal is compared with a target voltage, and when the sum signal is less than the target voltage signal, a control signal is generated to control the switches to turn on or off. Finally, the switch receives the control signal and accordingly providing an input voltage to update and stabilize the load voltage. | 12-24-2015 |
20150372596 | Maximum Power Point Tracking Controllers And Associated Systems And Methods - A maximum power point tracking controller includes an input port for electrically coupling to an electric power source, an output port for electrically coupling to a load, a control switching device, and a control subsystem. The control switching device is adapted to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to transfer power from the input port to the output port. The control subsystem is adapted to control switching of the control switching device to regulate a voltage across the input port, based at least in part on a signal representing current flowing out of the output port, to maximize a signal representing power out of the output port. | 12-24-2015 |
20150372597 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING LIGHT LOAD EFFICIENCY FOR POWER STAGES OF MULTI-PHASE VOLTAGE REGULATOR CIRCUITS - Methods and systems are disclosed that may be employed to improve efficiency of smart integrated power stages (IPstages) of multi-phase VR systems while operating under relatively light, ultra-light, or partial or reduced loads. The disclosed methods and systems may be implemented to improve VR system light load efficiency by providing and enabling reduced power IPstage operating modes in one or more smart IPstage/s of a VR system, and by enabling state transition between IPstage active and reduced power operating modes such as IPstage standby and IPstage hibernation modes. | 12-24-2015 |
20150375501 | LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS, HEAD UNIT, AND CONTROL METHOD OF LIQUID DISCHARGING APPARATUS - Provided is a liquid discharging apparatus which includes a modulation circuit which generates a modulation signal which is obtained by pulse-modulating a source signal, a transistor which generates an amplified modulation signal by amplifying the modulation signal, a low pass filter which generates a drive signal by smoothening the amplified modulation signal, a piezoelectric element which is displaced by receiving the drive signal, and a multilayer circuit substrate on which the modulation circuit, the transistor, and the low pass filter are mounted. Furthermore, the multilayer circuit substrate has a multilayer configuration constituted of three or more layers which include at least one layer other than two surface layers. In addition, a feedback wiring pattern through which the modulation signal, the amplified modulation signal, or the drive signal is fed back to the modulation circuit is provided in the one layer. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381026 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CURRENT TO A LOAD - The present disclosure includes switching regulator circuits and methods. In one embodiment, cross coupled circuits are provided. In one embodiment, a first switching regulator stage has an output coupled to a first node, and a second switching regulator stage has an output coupled to a second node. The first switching regulator stage includes a feedback input coupled to the second node, and the second switching regulator stage includes a feedback input coupled to the first node. The first and second nodes may be coupled together through a capacitor. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381032 | SOFT-OFF CONTROL CIRCUIT, POWER CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - A power converter having a soft-off control circuit and a variable reference signal generation module and associated method for controlling the power converter. The variable reference signal generation module is configured to provide a variable reference signal to the power converter. The soft-off control circuit is configured to determine whether an input voltage of the power converter exceeds an over-voltage threshold, and to control the variable reference signal to increase once the input voltage reaches the over-voltage threshold and to decrease when the input voltage is lower than the over-voltage threshold. The power converter can regulate an output voltage to increase with the increase of the variable reference signal and to decrease with the decrease of the variable reference signal so that during a soft-off procedure the input voltage may not exceed the over-voltage threshold, enabling the power converter to be safely shut off. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381039 | CASCADED BUCK BOOST DC TO DC CONVERTER AND CONTROLLER FOR SMOOTH TRANSITION BETWEEN BUCK MODE AND BOOST MODE - Cascaded buck boost DC to DC conversion systems, controllers and methods are presented, in which a buck converter stage is pulse width modulated in a first mode and a boost converter stage is pulse width modulated in a second mode, with the pulse width modulation using a first one of peak current control in valley current control in the first mode, and using the other of peak current control in valley current control in the second mode, and operation is switched between the first and second modes based on an on-time of a low side driver switch of the buck converter stage or the boost converter stage. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381040 | HIGH-FREQUENCY ON-PACKAGE VOLTAGE REGULATOR - An on-package voltage regulation system includes a platform controller hub (PCH), a driver metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (DRMOS) control unit, and a plurality of inductors coupled to an output node. The PCH receives a voltage feedback signal corresponding to an output voltage at the output node, and outputs a control signal based on a difference between the voltage feedback signal and a reference voltage. The DRMOS control unit includes a plurality of switch transistors and a DRMOS controller. The switch transistors are coupled to the output node through the plurality of inductors. The DRMOS controller includes logic to determine an output current based on the control signal from the PCH, and to determine a distribution of the output current through the plurality of inductors. Transistor drivers control the switch transistors to share the output current through the plurality of inductors based on the determined output current and distribution. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381041 | LOW-LIGHT SOLAR BOOST CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - The present disclosure provides a low-light solar boost converter and a control method therefore. The control method comprises the boost converter starting to operate in a PWM mode; determining whether the voltage of the input terminal is larger than a reference input voltage, the boost converter operating in the PWM mode when the voltage of the input terminal is larger than the reference input voltage, otherwise the boost converter operating in a burst mode, wherein a burst time period of the burst mode increases when the voltage of the input terminal decreases; during the burst mode determining whether the voltage of the output terminal is less than a first preset output voltage, the boost converter operating in the PWM mode when the voltage of the output terminal is less than the first preset output voltage, otherwise the boost converter operating in the burst mode. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381044 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - Methods and devices are provided wherein a change of a mode of operation is performed based on a time where both switches of a first and a second switch are open. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381045 | MODE CONTROL DEVICE, VOLTAGE CONVERTER, AND MODE CONTROL METHOD - Mode control device, voltage converter, and mode control method. In some embodiments, a voltage converter can include a voltage conversion circuit having an inductor configured to be charged and discharged to facilitate conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, and a switch configured to allow the inductor to be charged and discharged. The voltage converter can further include a logic drive unit configured to provide a drive signal to the switch to control the charging and discharging of the inductor. The voltage converter can further include a mode control unit configured to provide a mode-switching signal to the logic drive unit to control switching from a continuous control mode to a discontinuous control mode based on a first switching threshold, and from the discontinuous control mode to the continuous control mode based on a second switching threshold that is different from the first switching threshold. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381046 | CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR SWITCHING REGULATOR AND METHOD FOR REGULATING ELECTRICAL SIGNAL - A control circuit for the switching regulator and a method for regulating electrical signal are disclosed. The control circuit for the switching regulator includes a switching regulator and a clock control unit. The switching regulator regulates an output voltage according to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The clock control unit is coupled to the switching regulator, and the clock control unit includes an oscillator and a pulse blanking modulator. The oscillator provides an oscillation signal, and the pulse blanking modulator is configured to generate a control signal that blanks a portion of the oscillation signal. The clock control unit provides the control signal in order to maintain an output electrical signal in a sleep mode of the switching regulator within a predetermined range. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381048 | METHOD AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING SWITCHING REGULATOR - An electronic device includes: a first switching regulator configured to output a predetermined voltage to a first unit of an electronic device through on/off switching corresponding to a control signal received from a switching control unit; a second switching regulator configured to output a predetermined voltage to a second unit of the electronic device through on/off switching corresponding to a control signal received from the switching control unit; and a switching control unit configured to determine an off timing of each switching regulator corresponding to an on/off duty ratio of the each switching regulator and control on/off of the each switching regulator in order to turn on the second switching regulator at an off timing of the first switching regulator. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381050 | NEGATIVE VOLTAGE SIGNAL GENERATION CIRCUIT - A negative voltage signal generation circuit is described. The first thin film transistor (TFT) connects the first ground terminal to the control signal generation unit. The second TFT switch connects to the first TFT switch, the control signal generation unit and the negative voltage signal output terminal. The first capacitor connects to the first TFT switch, the second TFT switch and the control signal generation unit. The present invention is capable of improving the stability of the negative voltage signal generation circuit. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381051 | POWER CONVERTER WITH AVERAGE CURRENT DETECTION AND THE DETECTING CIRCUIT AND METHOD THEREOF - A power converter with average current detection and the corresponding detecting method and detecting circuit are disclosed. The average current detecting circuit has an average voltage detecting circuit and a voltage-current converting circuit. The average voltage detecting circuit generates a voltage across a detecting resistor by letting an inductor current flowing through an output inductor of the power converter flowing through the detecting resistor. Further, the average voltage detecting circuit samples the voltage across the detecting resistor when a switch of the power converter transits from an on state into an off state and the opposite and then calculates the average value of the two sampled voltages. The voltage-current converting circuit converts the average value into an average current by multiplying the average value by a scaling factor. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381052 | BURST-MODE CONTROL METHOD FOR LOW INPUT POWER CONSUMPTION IN RESONANT CONVERTERS AND RELATED CONTROL DEVICE - An effective method enhances energy saving at low load in a resonant converter with a hysteretic control scheme for implementing burst-mode at light load. The method causes a current controlled oscillator of the converter to stop oscillating when a feedback control current of the output voltage of the converter reaches a first threshold value, and introduces a nonlinearity in the functional relation between the frequency of oscillation and said feedback control current or in a derivative of the functional relation, while the control current is between a lower, second threshold value and the first threshold value, such that the frequency of oscillation remains equal or smaller than the frequency of oscillation when the control current is equal to the second threshold value. Several circuital implementations are illustrated, all of simple realization without requiring any costly microcontroller. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381053 | Apparatus for Stabilizing Supply to a Consumer - The invention relates to a device for stabilizing the supply to a consumer from a buffer store, wherein during normal operation the consumer is supplied from an energy store. The device, which includes a DC-to-DC converter, a plurality of controllable switching elements and a control unit, is configured to (i) supply the consumer during normal operation, while bypassing components having power losses, directly from the energy store when the input voltage is greater than a preset first limit voltage, (ii) supply the consumer via the DC-to-DC converter fed from the energy store when the input voltage is below the first preset limit voltage, wherein the DC-to-DC converter converts the input voltage into an operating voltage of the consumer, and (iii) feed the DC-to-DC converter from the buffer store when the input voltage is below a second preset limit voltage until a voltage of the buffer store reaches the second preset limit voltage. | 12-31-2015 |
20160006336 | DC TO DC CONVERTER AND PWM CONTROLLER WITH ADAPTIVE COMPENSATION CIRCUIT - DC to DC converters and PWM controllers are presented in which a slope compensation ramp signal is provided for current control operation via a frequency adaptive compensation circuit with a phase locked loop that provides a control output signal having an amplitude generally proportional to the frequency of a clock signal, and a slope generator circuit generating the slope compensation ramp signal with an amplitude generally proportional to the control output signal amplitude. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006340 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR SWITCHING CONVERTER - A control circuit for switching converter has an ON signal generating circuit, a current sensing circuit, an OFF signal generating circuit, a logic circuit and an OFF threshold generating circuit. The ON signal generating circuit provides an ON signal based on a reference signal and a feedback signal. The current sensing circuit provides a current sensing signal based on a current flowing through a power switch of the converter. The OFF signal generating circuit provides an OFF signal based on an OFF threshold signal and the current sensing signal. The logic circuit provides a control signal based on the ON signal and the OFF signal. The OFF threshold generating circuit adjusts the OFF threshold signal based on the difference between a frequency of the switching signal and a preset frequency, so as to make the frequency of the switching signal substantially equal or larger than the preset frequency. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006350 | TECHNIQUES FOR REDUCING SWITCHING NOISE AND IMPROVING TRANSIENT RESPONSE IN VOLTAGE REGULATORS - Methods and apparatus relating to reducing switching noise and improving transient response in voltage regulators are described. In an embodiment, one or more pulses are inserted into an output waveform of a voltage regulator. The one or more pulses introduce multiple frequencies into the output waveform of the voltage regulator (e.g., to reduce acoustic noise). In another embodiment, the output voltage of a voltage regulator is modified in response to comparison of the output voltage with at least one of a plurality of threshold values. The plurality of threshold values includes an upper trigger point voltage value and a lower trigger point voltage value. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006353 | Switching Converter with an Adjustable Transistor Component - A switching converter includes a transistor arrangement having a plurality of n transistors, with n≧2, each including a gate terminal, and a load path between a source and a drain terminal, and at least m, with m≦n and m≧1 of the n transistors having a control terminal. The control terminal of each of the m transistors is configured to receive a control signal that adjusts an activation state of the transistor. The load paths of the plurality of n transistors are connected in parallel to form a load path of the transistor arrangement. A drive circuit is configured to adjust the activation state of the m transistors. | 01-07-2016 |
20160011609 | DC-DC CONVERTER | 01-14-2016 |
20160013718 | VOLTAGE BOOST CIRCUIT | 01-14-2016 |
20160013719 | Method and Apparatus for Controller Optimization of a Switching Voltage Regulator | 01-14-2016 |
20160013720 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT | 01-14-2016 |
20160013721 | DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AND BALANCING CURRENTS FOR DC/DC CONVERTERS | 01-14-2016 |
20160020697 | DRIVE CIRCUIT AND METHOD - In accordance with an embodiment, a transformer-less drive circuit is provided that includes a switch control network having an output terminal connected to a first switch and another output terminal connected to a second switch. A driver connected to the second switch. In accordance with another embodiment, a method for generating a drive signal is provided that includes charging a first energy storage element to a first voltage level and a second energy storage element to a second voltage level. The charge stored in the second energy storage element is increased so that the second energy storage element stores a voltage at a third voltage level. The terminals of the second energy storage element are alternately connected to a fourth voltage level. The second energy storage element is used to supply or drive a driver. | 01-21-2016 |
20160020698 | Voltage Regulators with Kickback Protection - The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes a voltage regulator having an input terminal and an output terminal. The voltage regulator includes a high-side transistor between the input terminal and an intermediate terminal, and a low-side transistor between the intermediate terminal and ground. The voltage regulator includes a low-side driver circuit including a capacitor and an inverter. The output of the inverter is connected to the gate of the low-side transistor. The voltage regulator also includes a controller that drives the high-side and low-side transistors to alternately couple the intermediate terminal to the input terminal and ground. The controller is configured to drive the low-side transistor by controlling the inverter. The voltage regulator further includes a switch coupled to the low-side driver circuit. The switch is configured to block charge leakage out of the capacitor during an off state of the low-side transistor. | 01-21-2016 |
20160028309 | POWER SOURCE CIRCUIT - A power source circuit includes a first power source terminal, and a second power source terminal, an output terminal, a first switching transistor that is connected between the first power source terminal and the output terminal, a comparator that compares a feedback voltage of the output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage, a pulse forming circuit that forms a pulse signal having a predetermined width in accordance with an output from the comparator, a timing adjustment circuit that outputs a control signal for the first switching transistor according to a pulse width of the pulse signal, and a frequency-locked loop (FLL) circuit, which controls the pulse width of the pulse signal of the pulse forming circuit in accordance with a frequency of the reference frequency signal and a frequency of the pulse signal. | 01-28-2016 |
20160028310 | SUPPLY REGULATION CIRCUIT WITH ENERGY EFFICIENT DIGITAL CONTROL - A regulated voltage system with digital control to maintain a regulated voltage supply and protection against overcurrents is disclosed. A regulated supply voltage circuit including a voltage output and a charging capacitor is coupled to a direct current power source. The regulated supply voltage output supplies power to an electrical load. A shunt transistor is coupled between the direct current power source and the regulated supply voltage circuit and ground. A shunt control circuit operates the shunt transistor between an open and closed state. The shunt control circuit includes a cross-coupled bias circuit coupled to a controller. The controller operates the shunt transistor according to a state machine having a first state to close the shunt transistor when the regulated supply voltage exceeds a maximum hysteresis voltage and a second state to open the shunt transistor when the regulated supply voltage is less than a minimum hysteresis voltage. | 01-28-2016 |
20160028311 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A power control IC has a switching control circuit of a fixed on-period type which generates an output voltage from an input voltage by driving a coil by turning on and off an output transistor according to a result of comparison between a feedback voltage and a reference voltage, and a quieting circuit which forcibly turns on the output transistor by ignoring the result of comparison when, after an on-timing of the output transistor, a predetermined threshold time elapses without the next on-timing coming. | 01-28-2016 |
20160028312 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING CURRENT OF MULTI-PHASE INTERLEAVED CONVERTER - A method and apparatus for controlling a current of a multi-phase interleaved converter are provided. The method includes filtering, through a filter, currents flowing into converters of respective phases in a multi-phase interleaved converter having multiple phases, The method further includes receiving values of the filtered currents for respective phases and a duty ratio for any one of the multiple phases generated in response to a current flowing into the phase and adjusting duty ratios for phases other than the phase, based on the received current values for respective phases. | 01-28-2016 |
20160036313 | PROGRAMMABLE SNUBBER CIRCUIT - The present disclosure includes programmable snubber circuits and methods. In one embodiment, a circuit is configured between first and second power supply terminals. A programmable snubber circuit may be configured between the first and second power supplies to reduce ringing on the power supplies. In one embodiment, the circuit is a switching regulator and the power supply terminals are internal power supply terminals. The snubber circuit may be programmed to reduce ringing caused by switching currents through parasitic inductances in a package. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036325 | DIGITALLY CONTROLLABLE POWER SOURCE - Embodiments of power source circuits and methods for operating a power source circuit are described. In one embodiment, a method for operating a power source circuit involves receiving at the power source circuit at least one digital signal from a feedback loop and increasing or decreasing an output power signal of the power source circuit in response to the at least one digital signal. Other embodiments are also described. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036326 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL AND CURRENT EMULATION - According to example configurations herein, a power supply control circuit includes an emulator circuit. The emulator circuit includes: i) a first input to receive a first input value, the first input value indicating a magnitude of an input voltage used by a power supply circuit to produce an output voltage to power a respective load, and ii) a second input to receive a second input value, the second input value indicating a magnitude of the output voltage produced by the power supply circuit. The current emulator circuit uses the magnitude of the input voltage and the magnitude of the output voltage to emulate current flowing through the inductor of the power supply circuit. The emulated current flow represents an actual current supplied by the inductor to the load. The power supply control circuit uses the emulated current flowing through the inductor to control the magnitude of the output voltage within a desired range. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036327 | BUCK CONVERTER USING VARIABLE PULSE - A buck converter using a variable pulse includes a switching unit configured to convert a supply voltage supplied from an external device into an internal voltage, and a pulse controller configured to variably control a driving time of the switching unit according to a result obtained by detecting a difference between the supply voltage and an output voltage which is the internal voltage. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036328 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND A VOLTAGE CONVERSION METHOD OF THE VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage converter includes first and second charging elements, first and second switches, and first and second switch controllers. The first switch controller adjusts a first activation timing of a first control signal in response to a pulse width modulation signal, a switch signal, and a first control signal. The first control signal is a signal for controlling the first switch. The second switch controller adjusts a second activation timing of a second control signal in response to the pulse width modulation signal, the first control signal, and a second control signal. The second control signal is a signal for controlling the second switch. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036329 | NEGATIVE VOLTAGE GENERATOR - In an embodiment there is: A negative voltage generator configured to generate an output having a negative voltage from an input having a positive voltage comprising an input node configured to receive an alternating signal, an output node for outputting an output voltage of the generator and a ground node, a switching element configured to provide a conductive and non-conductive flow path between a first terminal and a second terminal in response to a control signal; a control element adapted to control the flow of current therethrough between a first terminal and a second terminal. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036330 | Apparatus and Methods for Integrated Power Converter with High Bandwidth - A DC-DC power converter includes a switched inductor power converter and a parallel linear voltage regulator. Two transistors are positioned in the switched inductor power converter to periodically set a bridge voltage thereby producing a square wave with a fixed frequency and variable duty cycle. An inductor and an output capacitor filter the bridge voltage so that only the average value of the bridge voltage is passed to the load. Parasitic impedance due to physical separation of the switched inductor power converter and the load is overcome by providing the parallel linear regulator with its own dedicated channel to the load. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036331 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - In general, according to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a device main body, a semiconductor substrate. The device main body includes a semiconductor substrate mounting part and a first conductor provided around the semiconductor substrate mounting part. The semiconductor substrate includes a DC-to-DC converter control circuit having a detector to detect at least one of a current flowing through the first conductor and a voltage supplied to the first conductor. The semiconductor substrate is disposed on the semiconductor substrate mounting part so that the detector comes close to the first conductor. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036332 | CONTROL APPARATUS, BUCK-BOOST POWER SUPPLY AND CONTROL METHOD - A control apparatus, a buck-boost power supply, and a control method that can control an output part comprising two primary switches which are N-type transistors without changing the switching frequency are provided. A control apparatus for a buck-boost power supply comprises: a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal generator configured to generate a PWM signal having a pulse whose pulse width is based on an output voltage; a mode pulse signal generator configured to generate a mode pulse signal having a signal whose time period is based on at least one of an input voltage, a difference between an input voltage and the output voltage, and a difference between an input voltage and a voltage proportional to the output voltage; a first delayed signal generator configured to generate a first delayed signal having a pulse whose rising edge or falling edge is delayed for a first delay time from a rising edge or a falling edge of the pulse of the PWM signal; and an output controller configured to control an output part of the buck-boost power supply, based on the PWM signal, the mode pulse signal, and the first delayed signal, the output part comprising: two primary switches that are each an N-type transistor; a boost capacitor for driving the high-side switch of the primary switches; and two secondary switches that are each a transistor, wherein the output controller controls switching of the output part so that a first time period during which the high-side switch of the primary switches is off and the low-side switch of the primary switches is on is longer than or equal to the first delay time. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036431 | Electronic Circuit Including A Switch Having An Associated Breakdown Voltage And A Method Of Using The Same - An electronic device can include a switch coupled to a switching node. In an embodiment, the switch has a breakdown voltage is less than 2.0 times the designed operating voltage. In another embodiment, the electronic device can further include another switch, wherein both switches are coupled to each other at a switching node. The switches can have different breakdown voltages. In a particular embodiment, either or both switches can include a field-effect transistor and a zener diode that are connected in parallel. The zener diode can be designed to breakdown at a relatively lower fraction of the designed operating voltage as compared to a conventional device. Embodiments can be used to reduce voltage overshoot and ringing at the switching node that may occur after changing the states of the first and second switches. Processes of forming the electronic device can be implemented without significant complexity. | 02-04-2016 |
20160036432 | WIDE INPUT RANGE, LOW OUTPUT VOLTAGE POWER SUPPLY - This disclosure describes techniques for generating relatively low regulated power supply voltages over a relatively wide range of input voltages. The techniques for generating the regulated voltages may include using at least two different pass transistors to regulate an output voltage of a voltage regulator. Both the turn-on threshold voltage and the maximum drain-to-source voltage rating of the first pass transistor may be greater than the corresponding characteristics of the second pass transistor. Using two different pass transistors with two different turn-on threshold voltages and two different maximum drain-to-source voltage ratings may increase the range of voltages over which a voltage regulator can generate a relatively low output voltage relative to the range of voltages that would be allowable if a single type of pass transistor were used. | 02-04-2016 |
20160043624 | Shared Bootstrap Capacitor for Multiple Phase Buck Converter Circuit and Methods - A multiple phase dc to dc converter with a shared bootstrap capacitor. In an embodiment, a multiple phase buck converter is disclosed including a plurality of n switching stages, each coupled to a corresponding switching node, each further including a high side driver MOS device coupled between a terminal for a positive voltage supply terminal and the corresponding switching node; and an inductor coupled in parallel between the corresponding switching node and an output terminal configured for providing the DC output voltage; and high side driver control circuitry configured to selectively couple a shared bootstrap capacitor to a gate terminal of each of the high side drivers, wherein the shared bootstrap capacitor is configured to charge a gate capacitance of each of the high side driver MOS devices. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-11-2016 |
20160043627 | OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND OVER-VOLTAGE PROTECTION METHOD - An over-voltage protection circuit is applied to a switching voltage converting circuit. The switching voltage converting circuit manipulates an upper bridge power switch in the circuit, so as to convert an input voltage into an output voltage by an inductor. A channel of the upper bridge power switch and the inductor are coupled to a phase end. The over-voltage protection circuit includes: a comparator, coupled to the switching voltage converting circuit, wherein when a voltage of the phase end is higher than a voltage limiting threshold, an output end of the comparator outputs a first voltage level; and a pulse width detection unit, coupled to the output end of the comparator, wherein when the output end of the comparator remains the first voltage level for a time period longer than a protection period, the pulse width detection unit outputs an over-voltage protection activation signal. | 02-11-2016 |
20160043640 | SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY WITH A CASCODE CIRCUIT - The invention relates to a switch mode power supply ( | 02-11-2016 |
20160043641 | CONVERTER - A converter having an inductor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch connected between the other ends of the inductor and the second switch. The converter is adapted to turn ON/OFF individually the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch so as to convert a voltage applied between the other ends of the first switch and the second switch. Also included is a diode, a maintaining device and a release device. The generating device generates small/large output electric current in correspondence with high/low of a voltage of a connection node between the semiconductor transistor and the resistor, and increases the output electric current by switching a voltage applied on the third end from a first voltage to a second voltage lower than the first voltage. | 02-11-2016 |
20160043642 | BOOTSTRAP REFRESH CONTROL CIRCUIT, VOLTAGE CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED METHOD - A voltage converter having a bootstrap refresh control circuit and a method for controlling the voltage converter. The bootstrap refresh control circuit monitors a bootstrap voltage across a bootstrap capacitor and provides a high side driving signal to a high side switch of the voltage converter. The bootstrap refresh control circuit also controls the charging of the bootstrap capacitor through decreasing the output voltage of the voltage converter once the bootstrap voltage is dropped to be smaller than a bootstrap refresh threshold. When the output voltage of the voltage converter is decreased enough, the bootstrap refresh control circuit switches the high side switch and the low side switch on and off to refresh the bootstrap voltage. | 02-11-2016 |
20160049862 | INTEGRATED THERMAL AND POWER CONTROL - A switching power regulator provides for power regulation for a load, based at least in part on comparison of an output voltage with a reference voltage. The reference voltage may be changed, and in some cases changed dynamically, while regulated power is provided to the load. The switching power regulator may include a bypass switch for coupling ends of an output inductor. | 02-18-2016 |
20160049871 | INTEGRATED THERMAL AND POWER CONTROL - A switching power regulator provides for power regulation for a load, based at least in part on comparison of an output voltage with a reference voltage. The reference voltage may be changed, and in some cases changed dynamically, while regulated power is provided to the load. The switching power regulator may include a bypass switch for coupling ends of an output inductor. | 02-18-2016 |
20160049873 | MULTI-OUTPUT BOOST REGULATOR WITH SINGLE CONTROL LOOP - A circuit may include a switching signal generator to generate a high-side switching signal and a low-side switching signal. A low-side switch may be connected to the output of the circuit and to the switching signal generator to receive the low-side switching signal. A plurality of high-side switches may be connected to corresponding inputs of the circuit. A matrix may be configured to selectively connect the high-side switching signal to two or more of the high-side switches. | 02-18-2016 |
20160049874 | Apparatus and Method for Current Sharing in a Multi-Phase Switching Regulator - An apparatus and method for a multi-phase switch regulator with improved efficiency is disclosed. The device has parallel implementations for the different phases comprising a driver, a current sense variable gain amplifier, a current share circuit, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a trim network, and an inductor. A method is disclosed of providing a system with current sharing function comprising a driver circuit, a current sense circuit, a current share circuit, a PWM control circuit and a trim circuit, providing a current sense circuit for each segment of a driver circuit, sensing a signal using a current sense circuit for each segment of a driver circuit, comparing the output of the current sense circuit, providing the current error information to a PWM controller, generating a PWM drive signal of each phase, and finally, equalizing the output of the current sense amplifier. Other methods that utilize dummy output stages and low pass filter feedback is disclosed. | 02-18-2016 |
20160056705 | DIRECT CURRENT (DC) VOLTAGE CONVERTER OPERATION MODE TRANSITION - A direct current (DC) voltage converter configured to transition between operation modes is disclosed. A voltage selection circuitry is provided in a DC voltage conversion circuit to control a buck-boost converter that generates a DC output voltage. As opposed to conventional methods of switching the buck-boost converter between a buck mode and a boost mode based on a single switching threshold, the voltage selection circuitry is configured to switch the buck-boost converter between the buck mode and the boost mode based on multiple voltage thresholds. Each of the multiple voltage thresholds defines a respective range for the DC output voltage. By controlling the buck-boost converter based on multiple voltage thresholds, it is possible to provide a smoother transition between the buck mode and the boost mode, thus reducing voltage errors in the DC output voltage and improving reliability of the DC voltage conversion circuit. | 02-25-2016 |
20160056706 | MATRIX CONVERTER, MATRIX CONVERTER CONTROL DEVICE AND MATRIX CONVERTER CONTROL METHOD - A matrix converter includes a selector, a commutation controller, a determinator, and a condition changer. The selector selects one commutation pattern from plurality of commutation patterns based on a state of a phase voltage of a AC power source and a state of a phase current of a load. The commutation controller performs commutation control by controlling bidirectional switches pursuant to the commutation pattern selected by the selector to switch a connection state of the AC power source and the load. The determinator determines a power loss generated by the commutation control in the bidirectional switches. The condition changer changes the commutation patterns which become a selection target of the selector or a selection condition of the commutation patterns which become the selection target of the selector, based on the power loss determined by the determinator. | 02-25-2016 |
20160056712 | AUDIBLE NOISE AVOIDING CIRCUIT AND DC-DC BOOST CONVERTER HAVING THE SAME - An audible noise avoiding circuit and a DC-DC boost converter for a DC-DC boost converter are provided. The audible noise avoiding circuit comprises a timing controller and a linear regulator. The timing controller discharges a timing capacitor to a low voltage according to switching of the DC-DC boost converter. A sink output stage of the liner regulator is coupled to the output voltage node. When the voltage of the timing capacitor is higher than a threshold voltage, the compensation unit compensates the output of the operational amplifier for gradually turning on the sink output stage in order to gradually reduce the voltage of the output voltage node. A predetermined charging time interval is defined by the time interval of charging the timing capacitor from the low voltage to the threshold voltage, the reciprocal of the predetermined time interval is a frequency in the ultrasonic wave frequency range. | 02-25-2016 |
20160056714 | A Voltage Modulator - A voltage modulator ( | 02-25-2016 |
20160056720 | POWER MANAGING APPARATUS, DC-DC CONTROL CIRCUIT, AND METHOD FOR ENABLING CHIP - A power managing apparatus, a DC-DC control circuit, and a method for enabling a chip are disclosed. The power managing apparatus has an enable pin and the enable pin is used to couple a first level control circuit. The power managing apparatus includes a second level control circuit and a level detecting circuit. The second level control circuit is coupled to the enable pin. The level detecting circuit is coupled to the enable pin and used to detect a control signal on the enable pin. The control signal is transmitted from the first level control circuit. The control signal has at least three levels according to operations of the first level control circuit and the second level control circuit. | 02-25-2016 |
20160056721 | POWER TRANSISTOR WITH DISTRIBUTED GATE - An electronic circuit is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a distributed power switch. In some embodiments, the electronic circuit also includes one or more of a distributed gate driver, a distributed gate pulldown device, a distributed diode, and a low resistance gate and/or source connection structure. An electronic component comprising the circuit, and methods of manufacturing the circuit are also disclosed. | 02-25-2016 |
20160056722 | DC-DC CONVERTER - A DC-DC converter includes a first switching element and a second switching element; a pulse signal generating circuit which generates a pulse signal used to control on/off periods of the switching elements; a limiting circuit which generates a minimum pulse width signal; a selector configured to select one of the pulse signal and the minimum pulse width signal, and a driver circuit switches the first and second switching element and a reverse current detecting circuit detects a reverse current. The driver circuit controls the first or second switching element, when the reverse current is detected. The selector selects the pulse signal when the reverse current is not detected, and selects the minimum pulse width signal when the reverse current is detected. | 02-25-2016 |
20160065063 | METHODS OF GENERATING OUTPUT VARIABLE VOLTAGE AND SYSTEMS THEREOF - At least one example embodiment discloses a method of generating an output variable voltage. The method includes obtaining a selected mode of operation, the selected mode of operation being one of an voltage control mode and a frequency mode, determining an input voltage command based on the selected mode of operation, determining an input frequency command based on the selected mode of operation, adjusting at least one of the input frequency command and the input voltage command based on the selected mode of operation, generating a pulse width modulation reference based on the adjusted at least one of the input frequency command and the input voltage command and generating the output variable voltage based on the pulse width modulation reference. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065064 | System and Method for a Switch Having a Normally-on Transistor and a Normally-off Transistor - In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a first driver having a first output configured to be coupled to a control node of a normally-off transistor. The first driver is configured to drive a first switching signal at the first output in a cascode mode and configured to drive a first constant voltage at the first output in a direct drive mode. The circuit further includes a second driver having a second output configured to be coupled to a control node of a normally-on transistor that has a second load path terminal coupled to a first load path terminal of the normally-off transistor. The second driver is configured to drive a second switching signal at the second output in the direct drive mode. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065065 | Switching Converter Control - A device and method for operating a switching power converter are disclosed. In an embodiment a circuit includes a switching power converter having a half bridge including a high-side semiconductor switch connected to a low-side semiconductor switch and an inductor coupled to a half-bridge output node. The circuit further includes a control circuit configured to generate drive signals to switch the high-side semiconductor switch and the low-side semiconductor switch on and off, wherein the drive signals are generated to ensure a dead time between a switch-off of the low-side switch and a subsequent switch-on of the high side switch, and wherein the dead time is set to a first value, when an inductor current is negative at a time of switching, and the dead time is set to a second value, which is lower than the first value, when the inductor current is positive at the time of switching. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065066 | BOOST CONVERTER WITH CIRCUIT TO CONTROL THE BODY OF THE BOOST OUTPUT RECTIFICATION TRANSISTOR AND METHOD - A first softstart signal indicates operation in a load phase for a boost rectifier and a second softstart signal indicates operation in a pulse drive phase which follows the load phase. A rectification transistor is actuated for the duration of the load phase in response to the first softstart circuit to generate a rising output voltage. The rectification transistor is further repeatedly actuated during the pulse drive phase in response to the second softstart circuit to generate a boosted output voltage. A first transistor coupled between a first conduction terminal and a body terminal of the rectification transistor is actuated, and a second transistor coupled between the body terminal and a second conduction terminal of the rectification transistor is deactuated, during the load phase. The first transistor is deactuated, and the second transistor is actuated, during the pulse drive phase. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065067 | CURRENT SENSING WITH RDSON CORRECTION - Current sensing with RDS | 03-03-2016 |
20160065069 | POWER CONVERTER - A power converting circuit includes a converter. The converter receives and converts an input power to provide power for a load. The converter includes a power storage unit, a switch unit, a capacitor unit, and a current sampling unit. The power storage unit includes input and output terminals. The switch unit includes first and second switches, which are series connected at a common terminal, and the common terminal is coupled to the output terminal of the power storage unit. The capacitor unit includes first and second capacitors. The first capacitor and the switch unit are parallel connected to form a capacitor-switch parallel structure. The second capacitor capacitance is more than ten times larger than the first capacitor capacitance. The current sampling unit and the capacitor-switch parallel structure are series connected to form a capacitor-sampling unit series structure. The capacitor-sampling unit series structure and the second capacitor are parallel connected. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065070 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes: a first switch SWx which switches whether or not to supply a first power supply voltage Vx generated by accumulating a charge outputted from a power source | 03-03-2016 |
20160065072 | POWER CONVERTER WITH BOOTSTRAP CIRCUIT - A power converter with bootstrap circuit, the power converter has a high side switch, a low side switch, a bootstrap circuit and a bootstrap capacitor for providing a bootstrap voltage to supply a high side driver of the high side switch. The power converter receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage based on driving the high side switch and the low side switch to switch on and off. The bootstrap circuit has a first comparing circuit, a first comparing circuit, a boost circuit and a second charging circuit. The second charging circuit charges the bootstrap capacitor when a voltage difference between the input voltage and the output voltage is smaller than a voltage threshold. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065073 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER CONTROL APPARATUS - A voltage converter control apparatus controls repetitive switching operations of a voltage converter, for conversion between a terminal voltage of a battery as an input-side voltage and a terminal voltage of a power inverter as an output-side voltage, by determining a command value of duty ratio of the switching in accordance with a command value of the output-side voltage. The voltage converter control apparatus sets a normal duty ratio range defining limit values of the duty ratio for normal operation of the voltage converter, with the limit values being determined based upon information including the command value of the output-side voltage. | 03-03-2016 |
20160072386 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - According to one embodiment, a first transistor is a high-side switching transistor. A second transistor is a low-side switching transistor. A third transistor has one end that is connected the other end of the first transistor and a control terminal that is connected to the ground potential, and is a normally-on type transistor. A diode has a cathode that is connected to the other end of the third transistor and an anode that is connected to the ground potential. | 03-10-2016 |
20160072387 | DC/DC CONVERTER - For a DC/DC converter with high dynamics and for high-voltage conditions, a provision is made that a capacitor series connection ( | 03-10-2016 |
20160072500 | CONTROLLER, CONVERTER AND CONTROL METHOD - According to one embodiment, a controller includes a processor. The controller is able to control a switching element. The processor changes a gate voltage applied to a gate terminal of the switching element from a first voltage value to a second voltage value, and controls the gate voltage to the first voltage value when a drain current flowing through a drain terminal of the switching element increases. | 03-10-2016 |
20160079851 | Dynamic Voltage Transition Control in Switched Mode Power Converters - A switched mode power converter includes a power stage, a main compensator, and a voltage ramp circuit. The power stage is operable to output a voltage to a load. The main compensator is operable to control switching of the power stage so that the voltage output by the power stage corresponds to a target voltage indicated to the switched mode power converter. The voltage ramp circuit includes a voltage ramp generator and a dynamic voltage transition compensation circuit. The voltage ramp generator is operable to generate a voltage ramp that starts at a first voltage corresponding to the target voltage and ends at a second voltage corresponding to a new target voltage. The dynamic voltage transition compensation circuit is responsive to the voltage ramp generator and operable to modify the output voltage response of the switched mode power converter based on one or more compensation parameters. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079852 | SWITCHING CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED DISCHARGE METHOD - A switching converter has an input port for receiving an input voltage and an output port for providing an output voltage. The switching converter has a power stage, an energy stored circuit, a power conversion circuit and a control circuit. The power stage has an input terminal coupled to the input port and an output terminal coupled to the output port. The energy stored circuit is charged by the input voltage and provides a first bias voltage which maintains a predetermined time period after the input voltage is less than a predetermined voltage level. The power conversion circuit provides a second bias voltage. The control circuit provides a control signal to control the power stage and discharges the output voltage based on a discharge control signal, wherein the control circuit is powered by either the first bias voltage or the second bias voltage. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079853 | INTEGRATED BIAS SUPPLY, REFERENCE AND BIAS CURRENT CIRCUITS FOR GAN DEVICES - GaN-based half bridge power conversion circuits employ control, support and logic functions that are monolithically integrated on the same devices as the power transistors. In some embodiments a low side GaN device communicates through one or more level shift circuits with a high side GaN device. Both the high side and the low side devices may have one or more integrated control, support and logic functions. Some devices employ electro-static discharge circuits and features formed within the GaN-based devices to improve the reliability and performance of the half bridge power conversion circuits. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079854 | GaN CIRCUIT DRIVERS FOR GaN CIRCUIT LOADS - An electronic circuit is disclosed. The electronic circuit includes a substrate having GaN, and a power switch formed on the substrate and including a first control gate and a first source. The electronic circuit also includes a drive circuit formed on the substrate and including an output coupled to the first control gate, and a power supply having a supply voltage and coupled to the drive circuit, where the output can be driven to the supply voltage. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079856 | DC-to-DC converter and converting method of discontinuous conduction mode - The present invention discloses a DC-to-DC converter of discontinuous conduction mode capable of preventing an inductor current from being reduced to zero under an idle state, comprising: an inductor operable to output the inductor current according to a DC-input signal under an energy-storage state, output the inductor current according to the DC-input signal and a DC-output signal under an energy-release state, and keep the inductor current unchanged under the idle state; a freewheel switch operable to be conductive under the idle state and nonconductive under the energy-storage and energy-release states according to a freewheel-control signal and form a current loop with the inductor; a current sensing circuit operable to detect the inductor current and generate a current-detection signal; and a control circuit operable to generate the freewheel-control signal according to the current-detection signal and control the state of the converter to be the energy-storage state, energy-release state or idle state. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079857 | BOOST CONVERTER AND RELATED INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A boost converter receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage and includes a power switch and a voltage control circuit configured to drive the power switch as a function of the output voltage. A voltage sensing circuit in the form of a voltage divider is coupled to sense the output voltage and provide a feedback voltage. The voltage control circuit drives the power switch. An electronic control switch is configured to selectively connect the voltage divider to sense the output voltage as a function of an enable signal generated by a timer circuit. The enable signal is pulsed such that the voltage divider is periodically connected to sense the output voltage during a first time and is disconnected from sensing during a second time. | 03-17-2016 |
20160079858 | CONTROL CIRCUIT WITH MULTIPLE FEEDBACK LOOPS AND SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY THEREOF - A control circuit with multiple feedback loops configured for a switching power supply, can include: (i) a plurality of feedback circuits configured to receive a plurality of feedback signals of a power stage circuit, and to correspondingly generate a plurality of error signals; (ii) a plurality of switching circuits configured to transfer the error signals to a compensation circuit, where each switching circuit is correspondingly coupled to one of the feedback circuits, and where only one of the switching circuits is turned on to correspondingly transfer one of the error signals to the compensation circuit when in a steady status; (iii) the compensation circuit being configured to receive the error signals, and to generate a compensation signal; and (iv) a PWM control circuit configured to receive the compensation signal, and to generate a PWM control signal to control operation of a power switch in the power stage circuit. | 03-17-2016 |
20160087518 | CIRCUIT FOR DRIVER CONTROL OF SWITCHING CIRCUIT - Several circuits and methods for driver control of a switching circuit are disclosed. In an embodiment, a circuit for driver control of a switching circuit includes a driver circuit and a control circuit. The driver circuit is capable of being coupled to the switching circuit. The switching circuit includes a first switch and a second switch. The driver circuit is configured to control a conductive state of the switching circuit by facilitating an alternate state change of the first switch and the second switch. The control circuit is coupled to the driver circuit and is configured to detect a noise signal during a state change of the first switch. The control circuit is further configured to control the driver circuit to thereby slow down the state change of the first switch. | 03-24-2016 |
20160087528 | SMPS WITH ADAPTIVE COT CONTROL AND METHOD THEREOF - A SMPS has a switching circuit and a controller. The switching circuit has an input terminal and an output terminal, and also includes a switch and an inductor, wherein the switching circuit regulates an output voltage at the output terminal based on an input voltage at the input terminal by controlling a switching action of the switch. The controller generates a switching control signal to control the switch, where the switching control signal transits from a first state to a second state when an output signal at the output terminal satisfies a predetermined condition, and the switching control signal transits from the second state to the first state after a period of time. And a switching frequency of the switch and an inductor ripple current of the inductor both vary with the input voltage. | 03-24-2016 |
20160087530 | Ringing Suppression Method and Apparatus for Power Converters - A method of controlling a power converter for converting a DC input voltage to a DC output voltage is presented The power converter comprises an inductor, one or more switching elements for energizing and de-energizing the inductor, a drive circuit for controlling switching operation of the one or more switching elements in accordance with a control signal, and a feedback circuit for generating the control signal on the basis of a first feedback quantity indicative of an actual output voltage of the power converter and in accordance with one or more circuit parameters of the feedback circuit, the method comprising: detecting an open loop condition of feedback control by the feedback circuit; and modifying at least one of the circuit parameters of the feedback circuit in such a manner that a time until the feedback control by the feedback circuit returns to the closed loop condition is reduced. | 03-24-2016 |
20160087531 | DCR INDUCTOR CURRENT-SENSING IN FOUR-SWITCH BUCK-BOOST CONVERTERS - An inductor current-sensing circuit for measuring a current in an inductor includes (a) a first RC network coupled between a first terminal of the inductor and a reference voltage source; and (b) a second RC network coupled between a second terminal of the inductor and the reference voltage source. The first RC network and the second RC network each have a time constant substantially equal to the ratio between the inductance and the DC resistance of the inductor. The inductor which current is being measured may be a primary inductor of a four-switch buck boost converter receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage. | 03-24-2016 |
20160087532 | Energy Harvesting Circuit and Method - An energy harvesting circuit is based on a switch mode inductive DC-DC converter circuit. The inductor current is sensed and a duration of an on-time is controlled in dependence on the sensed inductor current. A duration of an overall switching period of the converter circuit is controlled in dependence on an on-time set by a first timing control circuit and input and output voltages. This converter circuit enables independent control of the on-time and a full period of a converter cycle. Very rapid switching can be avoided which can give rise to very high energy consumption. The full cycle period can be set to achieve a desired constant value of an input resistance of the DC-DC converter, and thereby maximize power transfer. | 03-24-2016 |
20160087595 | MULTI-STAGE AMPLIFIER - In an embodiment, an amplifier includes first, second, and third stages, and a feedback network. The first stage has a first passband and is configured to generate a first output signal in response to first and second input signals, and the second stage has a second passband that is higher in frequency than the first passband and is configured to generate a second output signal in response to third and fourth input signals. The third stage has a first input node coupled to receive the first output signal, a second input node coupled to receive the second output signal, and an output node. And the feedback network is coupled between the second input node and the output node of the third stage. For example, where the first, second, and third stages are respective operational-transconductance-amplifier stages, such an amplifier may be suitable for low-power applications. | 03-24-2016 |
20160094025 | CURRENT DRIVERS THAT UTILIZE SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION - Embodiments described herein provide short circuit detection capabilities for current drivers. One embodiment includes a controller and a current driver. The current driver includes a power switch circuit that couples a supply rail to a high side of a load in response to receiving a drive signal. The current driver further includes a continuity circuit that couples the supply rail to the high side and indicates to the controller whether a first current flow to the high side exceeds a first threshold. The current driver further includes a current sense circuit that couples a low side of the load to ground and indicates to the controller whether a second current flow from the low side exceeds a second threshold. The controller identifies, based on the first current flow, the second current flow, and the drive signal, a plurality of short circuit conditions that may exist at the current driver. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094124 | FLIPPED GATE CURRENT REFERENCE AND METHOD OF USING - A current reference includes a tracking voltage generator. The tracking voltage generator includes a flipped gate transistor and a first transistor, the first transistor having a first leakage current, wherein the first transistor is connected with the flipped gate transistor in a Vgs subtractive arrangement. The tracking voltage generator further includes an output node configured to output a tracking voltage; and a second transistor connected to the output node, the second transistor having a second leakage current. The current reference further includes an amplifier configured to receive the tracking voltage and to output an amplified signal. The current reference further includes a control transistor configured to receive the amplified signal and to conduct a reference current therethrough. The current reference further includes a control resistor connected in series with the control transistor. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094125 | THREE PHASES CONTROLLER FOR BUCK-BOOST REGULATORS - Systems, devices and methods using three separate switching phases for a buck-boost regulator are disclosed. The regulator may operate in a boost mode, a buck mode or in a buck-boost mode. The output voltage remains constant through mode changes and the ripple voltage is well-controlled. If the input voltage is lower than the output voltage by a first threshold, the regulator operates in boost (step-up) mode. If the input voltage is higher than the output voltage by a second threshold, it operates in buck (step-down) mode. The regulator operates in the buck-boost mode when the difference between the input and output voltages is within a certain range. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094127 | SWITCHED MODE DCDC CONVERTER EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT BY ADAPTIVE DRIVER STAGE - In a switched mode inductive DCDC converter having a first mode that conducts a first current path through an inductor and through a first switch, and a second mode that conducts a second current path through the inductor and through a second switch, a detecting component detects a parameter. The detecting component outputs a biasing signal extend the turn OFF time of one of the switches in order to decrease a voltage build up on the other switch. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094129 | NON PWM DIGITAL DC-DC CONVERTER - A switched power converter includes a power stage for generating an output voltage according to a switching signal and an input voltage via a switching element. The switching signal is generated by a variable timing generator which is controlled by a compensator. The pulses of the switching signal are generated on a “need to have basis”. Hence, theses pulses may be generated independently of a PWM period. The pulses can be generated such that switching losses are minimized. A switching pattern can be matched to the load current pattern. Thus, the behavior of the compensator can be synchronized to a regular pattern of the load current. A high resolution variable timing generator may be employed. | 03-31-2016 |
20160099639 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO IMPROVE STANDBY EFFICIENCY OF LLC CONVERTER - A system includes an LLC converter to convert an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage. A burst generator generates a switching signal having a burst time and a sleep time to operate the LLC converter when output load current of the LLC converter is below a predetermined threshold. A burst power calculator adjusts the sleep time for the switching signal such that output power of the LLC converter during the burst time is held substantially constant with respect to changes in the output load current. | 04-07-2016 |
20160099640 | BUCK-BOOST CONVERTERS AND POWER MANAGEMENT INTEGRATED CIRCUITS INCLUDING THE SAME - A buck-boost converter includes: a converting circuit; a ripple injector; a hysteresis comparator; and a switching controller. The converting circuit is configured to generate an output voltage by adjusting an input voltage in a buck mode, a boost mode, and a buck-boost mode. The ripple injector is configured to generate a ripple based on switching signals corresponding to switching operations of the converting circuit. The hysteresis comparator outputs at least one switching control signal by comparing an output control voltage with a feedback voltage generated by adding the ripple to a divided voltage generated by performing a voltage division on the output voltage. The switching controller is configured to change a current flow path of the converting circuit based on the at least one switching control signal. | 04-07-2016 |
20160099642 | CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY - A circuit for controlling power supply includes a first switch situated between a first power supply and a first node coupled to a circuit block, a second switch situated between a second power supply having a voltage value different than the first power supply and a second node coupled to a back gate of a transistor of the circuit block, a third switch situated between the first node and the second node, and a control unit configured to place the second switch in an “on” state and the third switch in an “off” state during an “on” state of the first switch, and to place the second switch in an “off” state and the third switch in an “on” state during an “off” state of the first switch. | 04-07-2016 |
20160099643 | Configurable Power Supply Circuit with External Resistance Detection - A power supply circuit, suitable for use in an integrated circuit, the circuit configured to detect whether an output voltage has been specified using an external resistance network. The power supply circuit is configured to determine the appropriate output voltage to be generated based on a voltage measured at a single input pin of the power supply circuit, where the single input pin provides a feedback voltage used in the control loop of the power supply circuit. Based on the feedback voltage at the input pin, the power supply circuit is configured to detect the presence of a resistance network external to the single input pin. If an external resistance network is detected, the power supply is configured to generate the output voltage specified at the input pin. If no external resistance network is detected, the power supply is configured to generate a default output voltage. | 04-07-2016 |
20160099644 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator in which an output current can be controlled stably and accurately to an overcurrent protection set value without the need of providing a phase compensation circuit including an element having a large area. The voltage regulator includes a constant voltage control circuit including: a first differential amplifier circuit for comparing a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage to each other; and an output transistor to be controlled by an output voltage of the first differential amplifier circuit, and an overcurrent protective circuit including: a resistor for measuring the output current; a second differential amplifier circuit for measuring a difference between voltages at both terminals of the resistor; a comparator for comparing an output voltage of the second differential amplifier circuit and a second reference voltage to each other; and a switch to be controlled by a detection signal of the comparator. When the output current equal to or larger than an overcurrent protection set value flows, the output voltage of the second differential amplifier circuit is input to the first differential amplifier circuit via the switch, to thereby switch control of the output transistor from control based on the constant voltage control circuit to control based on the overcurrent protective circuit. | 04-07-2016 |
20160099645 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - To provide a voltage regulator capable of using as a capacitor of a phase compensation circuit, a capacitor large in capacitance value per unit area and thin in oxidation film thickness. A voltage limitation circuit that limits so that a voltage applied across a capacitor of a phase compensation circuit does not reach a predetermined value or greater is provided in parallel with the capacitor. | 04-07-2016 |
20160105107 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF PULSE WIDTH MODULATION WITH FEEDBACK CONTROL - According to one embodiment an apparatus of pulse width modulation with feedback control, adapted to drive an external load, the apparatus comprising a pulse width modulator, an adjustment encoder, a power driver, and a controller, wherein the pulse width modulator transfers a pulse code modulation code into a pulse width modulation code, the adjustment encoder transfers the pulse width modulation code into an upper-driven signal and a lower-driven signal, the power driver receives the upper-driven signal and the lower-driven signal to drive the external load, the controller measures the voltage of the external load to generate a control signal according to the upper-driven signal and the lower-driven signal, and transmits the control signal to the adjustment encoder to adjust the upper-driven signal and the lower-driven signal. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105108 | Method and Apparatus for a Buck Converter with Pulse Width Modulation and Pulse Frequency Modulation Mode - A buck converter device with minimum off-time operation, the device comprising a comparator providing an output signal of a minimum off time, a first amplifier, a p-channel MOSFET whose gate is connected to the output of a first amplifier providing a signal threshold voltage to a positive terminal of a comparator, a second amplifier; and, a second p-channel MOSFET whose gate is connected to the output of a second amplifier providing a signal to a negative terminal of a comparator, and a capacitor element. A capacitor establishes a voltage whose rate of change is proportional to power supply Vdd, establishing a time to charge the capacitor to a threshold voltage proportional to (Vdd-Vref)/Vdd, and establishing a minimum off time on the output of a comparator. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105109 | VOLTAGE SOURCE CONVERTER - A voltage source converter includes three branches connected at a first end to a junction to form a star configuration, the second end of each branch defining a DC terminal, the second ends of the second and third branches being connectable to a first DC voltage, and the second ends of the first and second branches being connectable to a second DC voltage. The first and second branches include primary switching elements, and the third branch includes a primary inductive element. The converter includes a converter limb connected in parallel with one of the first and second branches, the converter limb including a chain-link auxiliary converter including multiple series-connected modules controllable to selectively provide a voltage source to modify a branch voltage across the branch connected in parallel with the converter limb, each module including at least one secondary switching element and at least one energy storage device. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105110 | HYSTERETIC CURRENT MODE BUCK-BOOST CONTROL ARCHITECTURE - A hysteretic current mode buck-boost voltage regulator including a buck-boost voltage converter, a switching controller, a window circuit, a ramp circuit, and a timing circuit. The timing circuit may be additional ramp circuits. The voltage converter is toggled between first and second switching states during a boost mode, is toggled between third and fourth switching states during a buck mode, and is sequentially cycled through each switching state during a buck-boost mode. The ramp circuit develops a ramp voltage that simulates current through the voltage converter, and switching is determined using the ramp voltage compared with window voltages provided by the window circuit. The window voltages establish frequency, and may be adjusted based on the input and output voltages. The timing circuit provides timing indications during the buck-boost mode to ensure that the second and fourth switching states have approximately the same duration to provide symmetry of the ramp signal. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105111 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR SWITCHING CONVERTER - A control circuit for switching converter has an ON signal generating circuit, an OFF signal generating circuit, a first comparator, a second comparator and a logic circuit. The switching converter has a high switch and a low side switch connected in series. The ON signal generating circuit provides an ON signal based on a reference signal and a feedback signal. The OFF signal generating circuit provides an OFF signal. The first comparator provides a first comparing signal based on a comparing result between a first threshold and a current through the high side switch. The second comparator provides a second comparing signal based on a comparing result between a second threshold and a current through the low side switch. The logic circuit provides a first switching signal to control the high side switch ON and OFF and a second switching signal to control the low side switch ON and OFF. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105112 | POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS - A power supply apparatus is provided which includes a power supply; a DC/DC converter including a switching element of an upper arm, a switching element of a lower arm and a reactor; a first switch provided between the switching element of the lower arm and the negative electrode of the power supply, the first switch being normally closed; a power supply fuse provided between the positive electrode of the power supply and the other end of the reactor; a second power supply fuse connected to the power supply fuse in parallel; a second switch connected to the second power supply fuse in series and connected to the power supply in parallel, the second switch being normally opened; and a controller that opens the first switch and closes the second switch upon a short circuit failure of the switching element of the lower arm being detected. | 04-14-2016 |
20160105113 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR - Provided is a voltage regulator capable of stably suppressing overshoot. The voltage regulator includes a non-regulated state detection circuit for detecting a non-regulated state, and an overshoot suppression circuit. The overshoot suppression circuit is configured to operate when the non-regulated state detection circuit detects the non-regulated state. | 04-14-2016 |
20160111956 | Clocked Pulse Frequency Modulation Buck DC-to-DC Converter - A hysteretic mode control circuit within a DC-to-DC converter is configured for varying the current limit that controls the switching interval and duration of a power switching section of the DC-to-DC converter to permit the DC-to-DC converter to manage large changes in output current load of the DC-to-DC converter. The hysteretic mode control circuit has a positive and a negative current limit section that develop a first and a second reference signal for turning on and turning off the first and the second switching device. The first and second reference signals are compared to an output voltage of the power switching section to determine if the first switching device or the second switching device is to be turned on or turned off. | 04-21-2016 |
20160111957 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SELF-CALIBRATION OF A VOLTAGE REGULATOR - A method may include causing a first test current to be delivered for a period of time from a phase of a voltage regulator to a load coupled to the voltage regulator, the phase configured to deliver electrical energy to the load. The method may also include measuring a first measured output current associated with the first test current. The method may further include causing a second test current to be delivered from the phase to the load for the period of time, the second test current differing from the first test current by a known offset. The method may additionally include measuring a second measured output current associated with the second test current. The method may also include calculating the respective gain and the respective offset of the phase based on the first measured output current, the second measured output current, the period of time, and the known offset. | 04-21-2016 |
20160116929 | DRIVE CIRCUIT - A drive circuit of the present invention, which drives a switching device in response to a control signal, includes: a current mirror circuit including an output transistor connected to a control electrode of the switching device and a reference transistor that is connected to the output transistor in a current mirror manner and supplies a mirror current to the output transistor; and a potential change circuit that is connected to the reference transistor and changes a control potential of the output transistor from a potential during mirror operation of the current mirror circuit. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118825 | HIGH VOLTAGE GENERATION METHOD AT BATTERY SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for generating a high voltage at a battery system. The apparatus in one embodiment includes a supply node configured for direct or indirect coupling to a supply voltage. A converter is coupled between an input node and an output node, wherein the converter is configured to operate in a forward mode or a reverse mode. The converter generates a voltage at the converter output node for charging a battery when operating in the forward mode, wherein a magnitude of the voltage generated at the converter output node is less than a magnitude of the supply voltage. The converter generates a voltage at the converter input node when operating in the reverse mode, wherein a magnitude of the voltage generated at the converter input node is different than a magnitude of a voltage provided by the battery. A control circuit is coupled to and configured to control operation of the converter in the forward mode or the reverse mode. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118876 | Noise resistant regulator - A converter for supplying a regulated voltage from an input to a load is disclosed. The converter supplies a regulated DC voltage from an input to a load using a power switch driven by a gate driver. It also includes a control loop for carrying a load condition signal and a control signal. The converter also includes a controller located on the control loop that generates the control signal based on the load signal. The controller is located on a first integrated circuit. The gate driver is located on a second integrated circuit. The load condition signal is encoded on the first integrated circuit and is decoded on the second integrated circuit. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118881 | PWM CALCULATION AFTER LIGHT LOAD TO HIGH LOAD TRANSITION - A switchable power converter includes a switchable power stage comprising an inductor and a capacitor for generating an output voltage according to a switching signal and an input voltage via a switching element comprising a high-side switch and a low-side switch driven by a driver according to the switching signal generated either in a digital control path or a constant-on-time control path. A multi-mode controller is configured to toggle between a light load mode in which the constant-on-time control path is activated and a high load mode in which the digital control path is activated. The multi-mode controller is further configured to generate a control signal for turning on the high-side switch for an additional time when transitioning from the light load mode to the high load mode. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118885 | THREE-CHANNEL HIGH-SIDE GATE DRIVER HAVING STARTUP CIRCUIT AND CONFIGURABLE OUTPUTS - A driver circuit includes three non-contiguous high-voltage wells formed within a low-voltage monolithic silicon substrate; a high-side driver circuit fabricated within each of the wells; a separate logic input path for each of the high-side driver circuits, each input path comprising a logic signal input terminal, a signal amplifier, a noise filter, a pulse generator, and a high-voltage level shifter; an output terminal for each driver circuit, each output terminal coupled to its associated driver circuit output through a separate mask-configurable, variable-value output resistor bank, which reduces the number of external components needed for driver circuitry; a startup circuit which prevents operation of an associated high-side switch during periods of line voltage instability; and embedded capacitor banks, each of which is in close proximity to a high-side switch, for reducing capacitive, resistive and inductance losses associated with long metal lines. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118886 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS PROVIDING THREE-LEVEL SIGNALS AT A SYNCHRONOUS BUCK CONVERTER - A circuit including: a three-level buck converter having: a plurality of input switches and an inductor configured to receive a voltage from the plurality of input switches, the plurality of input switches coupled with a first capacitor and configured to charge and discharge the first capacitor; a second capacitor at an output of the buck converter; and a switched capacitor at an input node of the inductor, wherein the switched capacitor is smaller than either the first capacitor or the second capacitor. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118887 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A THREE-LEVEL BUCK CONVERTER - A circuit including: a control system for a three-level buck converter, the three-level buck converter including multiple input switches, each of the input switches receiving one of a plurality of different pulse width modulated signals, the control system including: a first clock signal and a second clock signal, the second clock signal being a phase-shifted version of the first clock signal; ramp generating circuitry receiving the first and second clock signals and producing first and second ramp signals, respectively, from the first and second clock signals; a first comparing circuit receiving the first ramp signal and producing a first one of the pulse width modulated signals therefrom; and a second comparing circuit receiving the second ramp signal and producing a second one of the pulse width modulated signals therefrom. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118889 | ADAPTIVE CONTROLLER FOR A VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A DC-to-DC converter includes an input voltage node, an inductor, and a switch coupled to the inductor and the input voltage node. More specifically, the switch has an on state and off state, wherein during the on state, current flowing through the inductor increases and the off state results in a decrease of the current flowing through the inductor via a driver coupled to the switch. The driver comprises a plurality of transistors and an adaptive voltage node, wherein a voltage level at the adaptive voltage node is to vary in accordance with the current flowing through the inductor so as to decrease a variation of the amount of time to turn off the switch. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118891 | APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING INSULATING GATE-TYPE SEMICONDUCTOR ELEMENT, AND POWER CONVERSION APPARATUS USING APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING INSULATING GATE-TYPE SEMICONDUCTOR ELEMENT - An apparatus is adapted to drive an insulating gate-type semiconductor element by a first control voltage and a second control voltage, that are supplied to a first insulating gate and a second insulating gate, respectively, and includes a first noise filter inputting a signal about current that passes through the insulating gate-type semiconductor element, a first comparator making a comparison between an output signal of the first noise filter and a first reference signal and outputting a first comparison result, a first control voltage output circuit, and a second control voltage output circuit, the second control voltage output circuit being adapted to reduce the second control voltage when it is determined from the first comparison result that overcurrent passes through the insulating gate-type semiconductor element, the first control voltage output circuit being adapted to reduce the first control voltage after the second control voltage is reduced. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118893 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS PROVIDING DEAD TIME ADJUSTMENT AT A SYNCHRONOUS BUCK CONVERTER - An apparatus and method are disclosed for efficiently using power at a voltage regulator, such as a synchronous buck converter. The synchronous buck converter includes a first switch and a second switch operated by a first control signal and a second control signal, respectively, where the first and second control signals have a corresponding phase difference. A logic circuit measures a duty cycle of an input pulse width modulated (PWM) signal against iterative changes of the phase difference between the first control signal and the second control signal. The logic circuit selects a phase difference corresponding to a minimum value of the PWM signal, thereby optimizing dead time at the synchronous buck converter. The logic circuit may include a Digital Pulse Width Modulator. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118894 | INVERTING BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER DRIVE CIRCUIT AND METHOD - A driver circuit includes a high-side power transistor having a source-drain path coupled between a first node and a second node and a low-side power transistor having a source-drain path coupled between the second node and a third node. A high-side drive circuit, having an input configured to receive a drive signal, includes an output configured to drive a control terminal of said high-side power transistor. The high-side drive circuit is configured to operate as a capacitive driver. A low-side drive circuit, having an input configured to receive a complement drive signal, includes an output configured to drive a control terminal of said low-side power transistor. The low-side drive circuit is configured to operate as a level-shifting driver. | 04-28-2016 |
20160118977 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH TEMPERATURE, PROCESS AND VOLTAGE COMPENSATED DEAD TIME DELAY - Temperature, process and supply compensated delay circuits, DC to DC converters and integrated circuits are presented in which switch driver dead time delays are provided using a plurality of cascaded CMOS inverter circuits with a first inverter coupled through a diode-connected MOS transistor to a regulated voltage or circuit ground and a MOS capacitor is provided between the first inverter output and the regulated voltage or circuit ground to provide a controlled delay time. A second cascaded CMOS inverter is powered by a compensated voltage which decreases with temperature to operate as a comparator, and certain embodiments include one or more intermediate CMOS inverters to form a level shifting circuit between the second inverter and the final output inverter, with the level shift inverters powered by successively higher compensated voltages that decrease with increasing temperature. | 04-28-2016 |
20160126836 | MULTI-MODE CONTROLLED POWER CONVERTER - A switched power converter includes a switchable power stage for generating an output voltage according to a switching signal and an input voltage via a switching element. The switching signal is generated by a multi-mode controller. The multi-mode controller controls a digital control path for generating a pulse width modulation switching signal and a constant-on-time control path for generating a constant-on-time switching signal. The switching signal for controlling the switching element is generated in the digital control path when the multi-mode controller is run in a high load mode. The switching signal is generated in the constant-on-time control path when the multi-mode controller is run in a light load mode. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126837 | Intermediate Voltage Bus Converter with Power Saving Modes - A DC/DC voltage converter includes a first stage operable to convert a first DC voltage rail to a second DC voltage rail different than the first DC voltage rail and a second stage operable to convert the second DC voltage rail to a third DC voltage rail lower than the second DC voltage rail and deliver current to a load at the third DC voltage rail, the amount of current delivered to the load corresponding to an operating set point of the second stage. The second stage is operable to change its operating set point responsive to a command received from the load, such that the amount of current delivered to the load is reduced. The first stage is operable to change its operating set point responsive to a command issued by the load, such that the amount of current delivered to the second stage is reduced. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126839 | BOOST CONVERTERS HAVING SELF-ADAPTIVE MAXIMUM DUTY-CYCLE-LIMIT CONTROL - In one embodiment, a control circuit adjusts a duty cycle of a boost converter and comprises a duty cycle limiter generator configured to receive an input voltage provided to the boost converter and to generate a control signal to be provided to the boost converter for adjusting the duty cycle of the boost converter to control the output voltage of the booster converter in response to the input voltage. In one embodiment, the maximum duty cycle limit generator further generates the maximum duty cycle signal in response to an output voltage of the boost converter. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126840 | POWER CONVERTER WITH CURRENT SENSING - A current sense arrangement for switched power converters is provided wherein the clock used for sampling a sensed current of a power stage of the switched power converter is derived asynchronously from a master clock such that the local clock and the master clock are de-correlated. De-correlation can be achieved by deriving the local clock from the master clock with a modulo-m-counter having a sequence length. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126841 | BUCK CONVERTER AND METHOD OF OPERATING A BUCK CONVERTER - A buck converter has an output node and a ground node, wherein a load is connected between the output node and the ground node and is arranged to drive an output current I_out through the output node, generating an output voltage V_out. A current control unit arranged to control the output current I_out in dependence on a control voltage V_ctl provided at a control node; and a voltage control unit arranged to provide the control voltage V_ctl. The voltage control unit comprises: an integrator unit arranged to control the control voltage V_ctl in dependence on a time integral of a difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage; at least one of an overshoot detector arranged to detect an overshoot of the output voltage V_out, and an undershoot detector arranged to detect an undershoot of the output voltage V_out. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126842 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A switching power supply includes: a switching output circuit generating an output voltage from an input voltage according to ON/OFF control of an output transistor by a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal; a first voltage generating circuit generating a first voltage based on a difference between the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage; a second voltage generating circuit generating a triangular second voltage; a comparing circuit generating a comparison signal by comparing the first voltage and the second voltage; a clock oscillating circuit generating a clock signal; and a logic circuit generating a PWM signal in response to the clock signal and the comparison signal, wherein the second voltage generating circuit generates the second voltage by adding a first slope voltage having a first slope and a second slope voltage having a second slope according to current flown through the switching output circuit. | 05-05-2016 |
20160126843 | POWER SYSTEM WITH ADAPTIVE CONTROL - A system includes a plurality of DC-DC converters connected in parallel. Each DC-DC converter of the plurality of converters comprising an adaptive controller is configured to adaptively alter an output resistance of the DC-DC converter by adaptively altering a load line of the DC-DC converter such that a difference between each current being supplied by each DC-DC converter of the plurality of DC-DC converters into a common load is minimized. | 05-05-2016 |
20160134190 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage converter in which switching between step-down conversion and step-up conversion is performed constantly, without being affected by a voltage drop of a circuit element, and temperature change and variation of the circuit element. The voltage converter includes a step-down PWM signal generation circuit and a step-up PWM signal generation circuit and component for increasing the step-down target voltage. | 05-12-2016 |
20160134191 | VARIABLE POWER ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM - The disclosed invention provides examples of preferred embodiments including systems for harvesting energy from variable output energy harvesting apparatus. The systems include energy harvesting apparatus for providing energy input to a switched mode power supply and a control loop for dynamically adjusting energy harvesting apparatus input to the switched mode power supply, whereby system output power is substantially optimized to the practical. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include systems for harvesting energy using solar cells in boost, buck, and buck-boost configurations. | 05-12-2016 |
20160141956 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH HYBRID ADAPTIVE VOLTAGE POSITION AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A voltage regulator with hybrid adaptive voltage position includes a resistor, a controllable current source, a current DAC and an error amplifier. The resistor has a first terminal coupled to the output voltage of the voltage regulator and a second terminal. The controllable current source is coupled to the second terminal of the resistor to provide a main current proportional to the output current of the voltage regulator. The current DAC is configured to receive a digital signal and the output current, and provide a tuning current to the second terminal of the resistor based on the digital signal and the output current. The error amplifier generates a compensation signal based on a reference voltage and the voltage at the second terminal of the resistor, so as to adjust the output voltage of the voltage regulator. | 05-19-2016 |
20160141957 | Output Current Monitor Circuit for Switching Regulator - A circuit and method for providing switching regulation with an improved current monitor comprising a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller configured to provide an output signal voltage, an output stage configured to provide switching comprising a first and second transistor, and first inverter, a sense circuit configured to provide signal sensing from said output stage, a sampling switch circuit configured to provide sample signals from said sense circuit, a differential integrator circuit configured to provide sample signals from said sampling switch circuit, a comparator configured to provide signals from said integrator circuit, a control logic circuit configured to provide signals from said comparator, a current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to provide feedback signal from said control logic circuit, and, a digital filter configured to provide output current information. | 05-19-2016 |
20160141958 | SWITCH CONTROL CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD FOR A FOUR-SWITCH BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER - An apparatus can include: (i) a power stage circuit including first, second, third, and fourth switches and an inductor; (ii) a constant time control circuit configured to generate a switch trigger signal according to switching signals of the first and third switches; (iii) a PWM control circuit configured to receive an input voltage signal via the input terminal, an output voltage via the output terminal, and the switch trigger signal, and to generate switching signals to control the first, second, third, and fourth switches; and (iv) the PWM control circuit being configured to turn on or off the first and third switches in response to the switch trigger signal being activated. | 05-19-2016 |
20160141959 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A power supply control IC includes: a switching control circuit of a fixed on-time type configured to generate an output voltage from an input voltage by driving an inductor by complimentarily turning on/off an output transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor based on a result of comparison between a predetermined reference voltage and a feedback voltage in accordance with the output voltage. The switching control circuit extends an on-time of the output transistor more when a backflow of a coil current is detected than when the backflow is not detected. | 05-19-2016 |
20160149488 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROL APPARATUS - A power supply control apparatus including a first adder configured to generate a difference signal based on a target value and a feedback signal; a compensator having a first transfer function W | 05-26-2016 |
20160149490 | Switching Power-Supply Device - A switching power-supply device configured to convert and output a first direct voltage supplied to a second direct voltage by alternately turning on and off a first switching element and a second switching element includes: an inductor; a detection unit; a reference voltage generation unit; a comparison unit; a driving unit; a driving signal generation unit; and a power supply circuit, the driving unit turns on the first switching element during a period where the driving signal is supplied, the reference voltage generation unit comprises: a capacitor; a superimposing unit; a charging-and-discharging unit; and a first charging current control unit, and the first charging current control unit charges the capacitor with the first charging current until regeneration of the inductor is completed and charges the capacitor with the second charging current after the regeneration of the inductor is completed until the driving signal is outputted. | 05-26-2016 |
20160149492 | VOLTAGE ADJUSTING APPARATUS - A voltage adjusting apparatus for an electronic device includes an input output control unit, a voltage dividing module, a switching module, and a voltage converting unit. The input output control unit outputs different voltage level control signals according to power requirements of the electronic device. The voltage dividing module includes at least a first resistor and a second resistor. The switching module receives the control signals, and selectively connects the at least first resistor or the second resistor in the voltage dividing module according to the different voltage level control signals. The voltage converting unit receives a first direct current (DC) voltage, and converts the first DC voltage to a feedback voltage. The voltage converting unit outputs a working voltage to the electronic device according to the feedback voltage and the at least first resistor or the second resistor connected in the voltage dividing module. | 05-26-2016 |
20160149494 | MULTI-MODE POWER CONVERTER AND ASSOCIATED CONTROL METHOD - A multi-mode power converter and associated method for configuring and controlling a multi-mode power converter. The multi-mode power converter may have a boost operation mode and a buck operation mode. A first transistor is coupled between a switching terminal and a ground, and a second transistor and a third transistor are coupled in series between the switching terminal and an output port of the multi-mode power converter. In the buck mode, an on-resistance of the second transistor is regulated to ensure the multi-mode power converter to operate normally in the buck operation mode. | 05-26-2016 |
20160154037 | CIRCUIT CONNECTIVITY AND CONVEYANCE OF POWER STATUS INFORMATION | 06-02-2016 |
20160156265 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH DIGITAL CURRENT SENSING | 06-02-2016 |
20160156266 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH DIGITAL CURRENT SENSING | 06-02-2016 |
20160156268 | DC-DC SWITCHING CONVERTER WITH ENHANCED SWITCHING BETWEEN CCM AND DCM OPERATING MODES | 06-02-2016 |
20160164409 | CURRENT FEEDBACK AND OFFSET VOLTAGE CANCELLATION FOR DC-DC CONVERTER - Embodiments of current feedback circuits for Direct Current (DC)-DC converters and methods for operating current feedback circuits for DC-DC converters are described. In one embodiment, a current feedback circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a current replication circuit configured to provide current feedback to the DC-DC converter based on an on-time of the DC-DC converter and an alternating current (AC)-coupling circuit configured to add the current feedback to a regulation circuit of the current feedback circuit and to remove a DC voltage from the current replication circuit. The regulation circuit includes a filter circuit configured to compensate for an offset of an output voltage of the DC-DC converter caused by the current feedback. Other embodiments are also described. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164410 | HIGH EFFICIENCY DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - A power converter is described herein. The power converter may be configured to enable a high-side switch when a resonating voltage at a switching net coupled between the high-side switch and a low-side switch reaches a maximum voltage while the power converter operates in a discontinuous current mode. The power converter may sample the resonating voltage at the switching net at a time when the high-side switch is enabled and compare the sampled voltage with a previously-sampled voltage of the switching net. A frequency of an oscillating signal that drives the activation of the high-side switch is periodically adjusted based on the comparison, which causes the high-side switch to be enabled at different times with respect to the resonating voltage. The frequency of the oscillating signal is continuously adjusted such that the high-side switch is enabled at time(s) where the resonating voltage reaches (or is near) its maximum voltage. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164411 | PEAK-BUCK PEAK-BOOST CURRENT-MODE CONTROL FOR SWITCHED STEP-UP STEP-DOWN REGULATORS - A peak-buck peak-boost current mode control structure and scheme for a synchronous four-switch and non-synchronous two-switch buck-boost regulators sense input and output voltages to smoothly transition between buck mode, buck-boost mode, and boost mode for high power efficiency and low output ripples. With the inductor current sensing, the control scheme achieves the best performance in continuous conduction and discontinuous condition mode operations. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164413 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND POWER CONVERSION DEVICE - Provided is a semiconductor device which drives a power semiconductor device, in which dead times generated when switch elements of upper and lower arms are turned on and off are minimized, and a loss of a power conversion device is reduced. A semiconductor device used in a power conversion device that includes a first switch element of which the drain is connected to a first power source voltage and a second switch element of which the source is connected to a second power source voltage includes a first drive circuit that drives the first switch element, a second drive circuit that drives the second switch element, a first level shift circuit, and a second level shift circuit. The first drive circuit is connected to a third power source voltage higher by a predetermined potential with respect to a source potential of the first switch element and the source potential of the first switch element. The second drive circuit is connected to a fourth power source voltage higher by a predetermined potential with respect to the second power source voltage and the second power source voltage. Power source potentials input to the first level shift circuit and the second level shift circuit are the third power source voltage and the second power source voltage. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164414 | MULTI-PHASE INTERLEAVED CONVERTER WITH AUTOMATIC CURRENT-SHARING FUNCTION AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A multi-phase interleaved converter can include: (i) a plurality of phases, where each phase of the multi-phase interleaved converter includes a buck-type power stage having a power switch, a freewheeling switch and an inductor, a switching control circuit and a reference signal generator, and where each switching control circuit includes: (ii) an adder that receives a ramp signal and a feedback signal that represents an output voltage, and generates a feedback voltage signal; (iii) a comparator that receives the feedback voltage signal and a reference voltage signal, and generates a comparator output signal; and (iv) a logic circuit that receives the comparator output signal and an output from an on time control circuit, and controls a switching operation of the power switch. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164415 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A switching power supply device includes a slope compensation circuit configured to start slope compensation for suppressing subharmonic oscillation in accordance with a timing signal from an oscillation circuit. The oscillation circuit is provided with a first circuit, which generates a signal of a fundamental oscillation frequency, and a second circuit, which applies logic processing to the signal of the fundamental oscillation frequency to form the timing signal. Thus, it is possible to provide a switching power supply device in which a variation in a start timing of slope compensation can be suppressed. | 06-09-2016 |
20160164417 | DC-DC CONVERTER MODULE - A DC-DC converter module includes a module substrate on which switching transistors and a controller IC chip are mounted, stud terminals mounted on a surface of the module substrate, and an inductor attached to the stud terminals such that the inductor faces the module substrate. In a plan view, the switching transistors are arranged within an area where the inductor overlaps the module substrate, whereas at least a portion of the controller IC chip is arranged outside the area. | 06-09-2016 |
20160172972 | VOLTAGE ADJUSTING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160172973 | MULTIPLE MODE POWER REGULATOR | 06-16-2016 |
20160172974 | POWER SUPPLY CIRCUIT AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF | 06-16-2016 |
20160172976 | Coupled Inductor for Interleaved Multi-Phase Three-Level DC-DC Converters | 06-16-2016 |
20160172977 | INTERLEAVED SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME | 06-16-2016 |
20160181917 | SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLY OUTPUT STAGE CONFIGURATION | 06-23-2016 |
20160181920 | Buck-Boost Power Converter and Method of Operation Thereof | 06-23-2016 |
20160181921 | ADAPTIVE CONTROL SCHEME OF VOLTAGE REGULATOR FOR LIGHT AND SINKING LOAD OPERATION | 06-23-2016 |
20160181922 | MULTIPHASE DC-TO-DC SWITCHING POWER CONVERTER WITH LEADING EDGE AND CROSS CHANNEL BLANKING | 06-23-2016 |
20160181924 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR | 06-23-2016 |
20160190921 | SELECTABLE-MODE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TOPOLOGY - One embodiment provides an apparatus. The apparatus includes a selectable-mode voltage regulator (VR) to implement one or more of a plurality of VR modes. The selectable-mode VR includes a plurality of switches, an inductor (L), a flying capacitor (Cf), and an output capacitor (Cout). | 06-30-2016 |
20160190922 | Feedback Scheme for Non-Isolated Power Supply - Embodiments described herein describe a switching power converter that includes a switch, an inductor, a diode, and a controller that generates a control signal to turn on and turn off the switch. The controller generates the control signal by generating a reference signal, integrating a difference between a voltage value of the generated reference signal, and a voltage difference between voltage values of the switching node and the second output terminal, and generating the control signal by processing the integrated voltage difference. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190923 | FAST MODE TRANSITIONS IN A POWER CONVERTER - A power conversion system includes, for example, a PFM controller, a PWM controller, and an auxiliary voltage output stage. The PFM controller controls a power output stage in a PFM mode in response to a power stage voltage output generated by the power output stage during a first period of time in which the power output stage is operating in the PFM mode. The PWM controller controls the power output stage in a PWM mode in response to a power stage voltage output generated by the power output stage during a second period of time in which the power output stage is operating in the PWM mode. The auxiliary voltage output stage generates an auxiliary voltage during a third period of time , where the PWM controller controls the auxiliary power output stage using the auxiliary voltage during the third period of time. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190924 | ELECTRIC POWER CONVERSION DEVICE - An electric power conversion device includes a plurality of cell converters connected in cascade and including main circuits, drive circuits, and self-feeding devices for supplying power to the drive circuits by being supplied with power from the main circuits. The drive circuit is supplied with power via a first feed line from the self-feeding device in the corresponding cell converter, and supplied with power from the self-feeding device in another cell converter via a second feed line on which an insulation input/output circuit is provided. When the self-feeding device is abnormal, the drive circuit is supplied with power from the self-feeding device in the other cell converter, whereby the electric power conversion device continuously provides a desired output. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190925 | CURRENT SENSE CONTROLLER FOR A DC-TO-DC CONVERTER - A DC-to-DC converter comprises a first switch, a second switch coupled to the first switch, an inductor, and a plurality of serially connected power transistors. The first switch is to couple an input voltage to a common node. The first and second switches to be turned on and off in a reciprocating manner so as to couple either the input voltage or ground to the common node. The inductor, connecting the common node to an output voltage node of the DC-to-DC converter, is configured to control a voltage at the output voltage node based on current flowing through the inductor. The plurality of power transistors are concurrently controlled by a first signal that is based on a value of a voltage at the common node and a supply voltage, the serially connected power transistors to control an amount of current flowing through the inductor. Moreover, the first signal is used to prevent a high voltage drop from overstressing the plurality of power transistors while the first switch is on. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190926 | INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH CONFIGURABLE CONTROL AND POWER SWITCHES - Disclosed examples include integrated circuits configurable according to sensed circuit conditions to provide configurable power converter topologies with externally connected circuitry to implement buck, boost, buck-boost, low dropout and/or hot-swap power converters. The ICs include one or more sets of series connected high and low side transistors connected with corresponding IC pads to allow connection to external circuitry to form a particular power converter configuration. The IC includes a control circuit and a configuration circuit to sense a circuit condition of the IC and to configure the control circuit to provide switching control signals to the transistors to implement one of a plurality of power converter topologies. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190931 | Buck-boost power converter and associated mode transition control module - A buck-boost power converter and a mode transition control module. The mode transition control module includes a buck duty cycle sensing and comparison circuit and a boost duty cycle sensing and comparison circuit. The buck duty cycle sensing and comparison circuit can provide a first mode transition control signal through comparing a first signal indicative of a buck duty cycle with a first threshold signal indicative of a buck duty threshold to regulate the buck-boost power converter to transit between a buck mode and a buck-boost mode. The boost duty cycle sensing and comparison circuit can provide a second mode transition control signal through comparing a second signal indicative of a boost duty cycle with a second threshold signal indicative of a boost duty threshold to regulate the buck-boost power converter to transit between a the buck-boost mode and a boost mode. | 06-30-2016 |
20160190932 | DC-DC CONVERTER - Embodiments of the present invention provide a DC-DC converter having a first DC voltage gate, a second DC voltage gate and a storage choke. The storage choke is coupled between the first DC voltage gate and the second DC voltage gate by means of electric switching elements. The DC-DC converter is configured such that a direction of a current flow through the storage choke is inverted at least once during a switching period of the electric switching elements. Further, the DC-DC converter is configured to track or readjust a switching frequency of the electric switching elements in case of a change of operating parameters of the DC-DC converter such that a change of direction of the current flow through the storage choke during a switching period of the electric switching elements is ensured. | 06-30-2016 |
20160197553 | Switched Mode Power Supply | 07-07-2016 |
20160197554 | POWER CIRCUIT | 07-07-2016 |
20160204701 | PRECISE AND DYNAMIC CONTROL OF SYNCHRONOUS RECTIFICATION SWITCH VOLTAGE IN A SWITCHED MODE POWER SUPPLY | 07-14-2016 |
20160204702 | Low Output Ripple Adaptive Switching Voltage Regulator | 07-14-2016 |
20160204704 | SWITCHING REGULATOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF | 07-14-2016 |
20160204775 | Dead-Time Compensation in a Power Supply System | 07-14-2016 |
20160254746 | MULTI-LEVEL SWITCHING REGULATOR CIRCUITS AND METHODS WITH FINITE STATE MACHINE CONTROL | 09-01-2016 |
20160254747 | MULTIPHASE DC/DC CONVERTER | 09-01-2016 |
20160254748 | POWER CONVERTER WITH EFFICIENCY CALCULATION | 09-01-2016 |
20160254749 | POWER SUPPLY DEVICE AND ABNORMALITY DETERMINATION METHOD FOR POWER SUPPLY DEVICE | 09-01-2016 |
20160254750 | CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR POWER CONVERTER | 09-01-2016 |
20160254751 | High Efficiency Power Regulator and Method | 09-01-2016 |
20160254808 | CASCODE CONNECTED SIC-JFET WITH SIC-SBD AND ENHANCEMENT DEVICE | 09-01-2016 |
20160380534 | BUCK CONVERTER - A buck converter is described having a buck converter output for outputting an output supply voltage; a first power supply domain operably coupled to a power source; a second power supply domain; a power supply controller coupled to the first power supply domain, the second power supply domain and the buck converter output; wherein the power supply controller is configured to supply power to the second power supply domain from the first power supply domain or the buck converter output, in dependence of the buck converter output supply voltage. Changing the current supplied to the second power supply domain to the buck converter output may reduce the quiescent current consumption from a battery power source, prolonging battery life. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380535 | DC-DC CONVERTER WITH DIGITAL CURRENT SENSING - A regulated DC-DC switching converter includes a bypass mode in which ends of an output inductor are coupled together. Circuitry determines output capacitor current and load current components of output inductor current during operation of the switching converter, for use in controlling switching operations. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380536 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DEAD TIME OPTIMIZATION - Switching control devices and related operating methods are provided. An exemplary electronic device includes a semiconductor die, a driver arrangement on the semiconductor die to generate a switch control output signal based on an input switching command signal, and a timer arrangement on the semiconductor die and coupled to the driver arrangement to measure a time difference between a first change in the command signal and an exhibited response in the switch control signal, which can then be utilized to achieve a desired dead time. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380537 | System and Method for Starting a Switched-Mode Power Supply - In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) includes starting up the switched-mode power supply by determining a rate of increase of a duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal based on an input voltage and a switching frequency of the SMPS; and generating the PWM signal having the duty cycle in accordance with determined rate of increase. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380538 | Current Distribution in DC-DC Converters - A DC-DC converter includes a substrate having opposing first and second sides, a power stage attached to the first side of the substrate and having active semiconductor components operable to provide an output phase of the DC-DC converter, an inductor attached to the first side of the substrate and electrically connected to the power stage through a first metal trace at the first side of the substrate, and a plurality of electrically conductive vias extending through the substrate from the first side to the second side. The vias are electrically connected to the first metal trace. At least some of the vias are disposed at least partly under the power stage. A corresponding method of assembling such a DC-DC converter also is disclosed. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380539 | SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY DEVICE - A switching power supply device includes a switching output circuit, an error amplifier, a slope voltage generating circuit, a PWM comparator, a logic circuit, a switch driving circuit, and a reverse current detection circuit. The slope voltage generating circuit increases a slope voltage from a reset level with a gradient corresponding to an input voltage during an on period of the output transistor, and maintains the slope voltage at an offset level corresponding not to the reset level but to an output voltage during an off period of the output transistor. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380541 | SOFT-START CIRCUIT AND BUCK CONVERTER COMPRISING THE SAME - A buck converter includes a power switch having a first end to receive an input voltage, and a soft start circuit configured to compensate a soft start voltage during a soft start time period according to a result of comparing a feedback voltage corresponding to an output voltage of the buck converter and an input detection voltage corresponding to the input voltage. The buck converter controls switching of the power switch using the soft start voltage. | 12-29-2016 |
20160380543 | Circuits and Methods Providing Three-Level Signals At A Synchronous Buck Converter - A circuit including: a three-level buck converter having: a plurality of input switches and an inductor configured to receive a voltage from the plurality of input switches, the plurality of input switches coupled with a first capacitor and configured to charge and discharge the first capacitor; a second capacitor at an output of the buck converter; and a switched capacitor at an input node of the inductor, wherein the switched capacitor is smaller than either the first capacitor or the second capacitor. | 12-29-2016 |
20170237337 | Method And Device For Regulating A Dead Time In Switching Power Supply Units | 08-17-2017 |
20170237346 | DC-DC CONVERTER | 08-17-2017 |
20170237347 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT OUTPUT VOLTAGE RIPPLE IN A BUCK CONVERTER IN DISCONTINUOUS CONDUCTION MODE | 08-17-2017 |
20170237348 | HYBRID CONTROL ARCHITECTURE FOR LOAD-ADAPTIVE POWER CONVERTER | 08-17-2017 |
20170237349 | MULTI-MASTER POWER CONTROLLER WITH MULTIPLE FEEDBACK LOOPS | 08-17-2017 |
20170237350 | DC-DC CONVERTER | 08-17-2017 |
20170237351 | Power Converter With Capacitive Energy Transfer And Fast Dynamic Response | 08-17-2017 |
20180026526 | MULTI-STAGED BUCK CONVERTER WITH EFFICIENT LOW POWER OPERATION | 01-25-2018 |
20180026535 | METHOD AND CIRCUITRY FOR GENERATING PULSE WIDTH MODULATED SIGNALS | 01-25-2018 |
20180026536 | HOLD UP ARCHITECTURE FOR POWER SUPPLY WITH DC-DC CONVERTER | 01-25-2018 |
20180026537 | OUTPUT VOLTAGE CONTROL IN OVERCURRENT CONDITIONS FOR SWITCHING CONVERTERS | 01-25-2018 |
20180026538 | Nulling Reverse Recovery Charge in DC/DC Power Converters | 01-25-2018 |
20180026539 | POWER CONVERSION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING ABNORMALITY IN VOLTAGE SENSOR CHARACTERISTICS | 01-25-2018 |
20180026541 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE | 01-25-2018 |
20190149035 | STEP-DOWN CHOPPER CIRCUIT | 05-16-2019 |
20190149046 | FREQUENCY CONTROL CIRCUIT, CONTROL METHOD AND SWITCHING CONVERTER | 05-16-2019 |
20190149049 | VOLTAGE CONVERSION DEVICE AND METHOD OF DECIDING LEAKAGE INDUCTANCE | 05-16-2019 |
20220140720 | CONTROL CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR FUEL-SAVING MULTI-STATE SWITCH - A control circuit and method for a fuel-saving multi-state switch is provided. The control circuit comprises a vehicle body ECU, a fuel-saving control unit, and a PWM voltage regulating unit. The fuel-saving control unit is connected to the vehicle body ECU through a CAN bus to collect CAN signals. The fuel-saving control unit determines a switch gear required by a current vehicle according to the CAN signals and outputs a PWM pulse signal having a corresponding duty cycle. The PWM voltage regulating unit is connected to the fuel-saving control unit to receive the PWM pulse signal. The PWM voltage regulating unit outputs a voltage value corresponding to the switch gear according to the PWM pulse signal. The vehicle body ECU is connected to the PWM voltage regulating unit to receive the voltage value, so as to control a speed and torque of an engine according to the voltage value. | 05-05-2022 |
20220140725 | ENERGY-ABSORBING CIRCUITS - An example electronic device is described. The electronic device includes a voltage converter and a switching circuit. The switching circuit includes a first switch to couple a first energy-absorbing circuit to the voltage converter to decrease a voltage spike generated during operation of the voltage converter when a value of an output current of the voltage converter is in a first current range. The switching circuit further includes a second switch to couple a second energy-absorbing circuit to the voltage converter to decrease the voltage spike, when the value of the output current is in a second current range. | 05-05-2022 |
20220140733 | BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER - A buck-boost converter including an inductor, a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a voltage detection circuit, and a voltage control circuit is provided. The first transistor is coupled to a first terminal of the inductor and receives a first control signal. The second transistor is coupled to the first terminal of the inductor and receives a second control signal. The third transistor is coupled to a second terminal of the inductor and receives a third control signal. The fourth transistor is coupled to the second terminal of the inductor and receives a fourth control signal voltage. The detection circuit detects the third control signal to selectively provide a voltage drop indication signal. When a voltage conversion mode is a buck mode, the voltage control circuit switches a conduction state of the third control signal in response to the voltage drop indication signal. | 05-05-2022 |