Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080224681 | Controller for a DC to DC Converter - A controller for a DC to DC converter. The controller may include a resistor coupled to a switching node of the DC to DC converter. The switching node may be coupled to a high side switch and a low side switch of the DC to DC converter. A current level through the resistor may be responsive to a state of the high side switch and said low side switch. The controller may further include ramp generation circuitry responsive to the current level through the resistor to provide a ramp signal, and pulse width modulation (PWM) circuitry configured to generate a PWM signal in response to at least the ramp signal. | 09-18-2008 |
20080232139 | Power Converter - The present disclosure is directed towards a method for power conversion. The method may include controlling a first rectifier switch coupled to one end of a secondary winding of a transformer via a first control signal. The method may further include controlling a first low side switch via said first control signal, said first low side switch and a first high side switch coupled in series along a first path of a full bridge circuit, a first node located between said first high side switch and said first low side switch. The method may also include controlling a second rectifier switch coupled to an opposite end of said secondary winding via a second control signal. The method may additionally include controlling a second low side switch via said second control signal, said second low side switch and a second high side switch coupled in series along a second path of said full bridge circuit, a second node located between said second high side switch and said second low side switch, wherein said primary winding is coupled between said first node and said second node. Of course additional embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure. | 09-25-2008 |
20080252272 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR WITH COTROL OF SWITCHING ELEMENTS - A regulator comprises an output terminal producing a regulated output voltage, a first comparator, a second comparator, a first sourcing circuit coupled to the output terminal, and a first sinking circuit coupled to the output terminal. The first comparator compares a feedback signal representative of the output voltage and a first sourcing reference signal that is less than a reference signal. The second comparator compares the feedback signal and a first sinking reference signal that is greater than the reference signal. The first sourcing circuit is configured to be responsive to the first comparator by sourcing a first current to the output terminal. The first sinking circuit is configured to be responsive to the second comparator by sinking a second current from the output terminal. | 10-16-2008 |
20090027015 | DC/DC CONVERTER WITH IMPROVED STABILITY - The DC/DC converter according to one embodiment includes a switch, an inductor, a capacitor, a resistor, and a voltage divider. The switch is coupled to the input voltage. The inductor is used for coupling the first switch to an output node of the DC/DC converter so as to generate the output voltage at the output node. The capacitor is coupled to the output voltage. The resistor is coupled to the capacitor in series, and is coupled to ground. The voltage divider is coupled across the capacitor so as to reduce the zero frequency of the DC/DC converter. | 01-29-2009 |
20090184380 | Metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors with increased break down voltages and methods of making the same - A transistor comprises a substrate of a first conductivity type, a drain region and a source region of a second conductivity type, a gate, a gate oxide layer, an adjustment implant region of the first conductivity type and a planar junction. The drain region and the source region are disposed in the substrate. The gate is placed over the substrate between the source region and the drain region. The gate is separated from the substrate by the gate oxide layer. The adjustment implant region is disposed under the gate oxide layer and in the substrate. A second doping concentration of the adjustment implant region is higher than a first doping concentration of the substrate. The adjustment implant region and the drain region in a predetermined shape form the planar junction with a surface curvature pointing towards the drain region to relax electrical field intensity at a location of the planar junction. | 07-23-2009 |
20090262478 | ELECTRICITY DELIVERY SYSTEM - An electronic system can include a switch and a regulator coupled to the switch. The switch can be used to deliver electricity from a first terminal to a second terminal. The switch can also be used to prevent the second terminal from having a level that is higher than a predefined operation level limit by controlling the status of the switch according to a supply signal at the first terminal. The regulator can be used to adjust a regulated signal at the second terminal according to the supply signal. | 10-22-2009 |
20090273326 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING OUTPUT CURRENTS OF POWER CONVERTERS - A power converter can include a high-side switch coupled to a power supply terminal and selectively coupled to ground via a conduction path. During an on state duration, the high-side switch can be enabled and the conduction path can be disabled. During an off state duration, the high-side switch can be disabled and the conduction path can be enabled. During a skip state duration, the high-side switch and the conduction path both can be disabled. A controller coupled to the high-side switch can control the on state duration and the skip state duration based on a current reference. The controller can further generate a first control signal for controlling the high-side switch and the conduction path according to the on state duration and the skip state duration, and adjust an output current of the power converter to the current reference according to the first control signal. | 11-05-2009 |
20090309562 | POWER REGULATOR - A power regulator for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes a pass device, a reference signal circuit and an error amplifier. The pass device receives the input voltage and provides the output voltage at an output terminal of the power regulator. The reference signal circuit coupled to the output terminal is powered by the output voltage to provide a reference signal. The error amplifier coupled to the pass device is powered by the output voltage to compare the reference signal with a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage. The error amplifier can generate a control signal according to a result of the comparison to drive the pass device. | 12-17-2009 |
20100052783 | CLASS-D AMPLIFIER - An amplifier that receives an input signal and outputs an amplified output signal includes an integration stage, a comparison stage, and a full bridge circuit. The integration stage is be used for receiving a constant common mode voltage, for receiving a first signal representing the input signal of the amplifier, and for generating a ramp signal. The comparison stage coupled to the integration stage is used for generating a pulse width modulation signal according to the ramp signal and according to a hysteretic signal. The full bridge circuit coupled to the comparison stage is used for receiving a power supply and the pulse width modulation signal, and for generating the output of the amplifier. | 03-04-2010 |
20100079088 | Power systems with current regulation - A power system includes a current regulator coupled to a load and for generating an output current having a substantially constant ripple magnitude, and for adjusting the output current according to a sense signal indicative of the output current. In addition, the power system includes a filter element coupled in parallel with the load and for passing an AC (alternating-current) portion of the output current. Furthermore, the power system includes a current sensor coupled between ground and the parallel-coupled filtering element and load, and for providing the sense signal indicative of the output current. | 04-01-2010 |
20100102773 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR POWER CONVERSION - A power conversion circuit includes a solar panel and a power converter. The solar panel is operable for providing electric power having an output voltage. The power converter coupled to the solar panel is capable of selectively operating in a charging mode and a powering mode. The power converter transfers the electric power from the solar panel to a power source and maintains the output voltage at a threshold voltage in the charging mode. The power converter delivers power from the power source to a load in the powering mode. | 04-29-2010 |
20100327836 | CONTROLLERS FOR DC TO DC CONVERTERS - A controller includes a ramp signal generator and control circuitry coupled to the ramp signal generator. The ramp signal generator provides a control current through a resistive component to control energy stored in a first energy storage component. The ramp signal generator further generates a ramp signal based on the energy stored in the first energy storage component. The control circuitry adjusts a voltage at one end of the resistive component thereby controlling the control current to indicate a voltage across a second energy storage component. The control circuitry further controls a current through the second energy storage component within a predetermined range based on the ramp signal. | 12-30-2010 |
20110108912 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING TRENCH METAL OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A method for fabricating a cellular trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) includes depositing a first photoresist atop a first epitaxial (epi) layer to pattern a trench area, depositing a second photoresist atop a first gate conductor layer to pattern a mesa area, etching away part of the first gate conductor layer in the mesa area to form a second gate conductor layer with a hump, and titanizing crystally the second gate conductor layer to form a Ti-gate conductor layer. Edges of the mesa area are aligned to edges of the trench area. Hence, approximately more than half of polysilicon in the second gate conductor layer is titanized crystally. A spacer can be formed to protect corners of the first gate conductor layer and to make the gate conductor structure more robust for mechanical support. | 05-12-2011 |
20110121653 | PARALLEL POWERING OF PORTABLE ELECTRICAL DEVICES - A system may include an electronic device configured to consume a supply current; an AC to DC adapter configured to be coupled to the electronic device, wherein the AC to DC adapter has a maximum rated output current; a battery configured to be coupled to the electronic device; DC to DC converter configured to be coupled to the battery and the electronic device; and a controller configured to couple the AC to DC adapter to the electronic device, the controller further configured to couple the DC to DC converter to the battery and the electronic device when the supply current exceeds the maximum rated output current of the AC to DC adapter. | 05-26-2011 |
20110156483 | POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - A power management system includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller coupled to the first and second switches. The first switch has a first transfer terminal. The second switch has a second transfer terminal. The controller controls power conversion by turning on a third switch periodically. The first and second transfer terminals and a third transfer terminal of the third switch are coupled to a common node. The resistance between the first transfer terminal and the common node, the resistance between the second transfer terminal and the common node, and the resistance between the third transfer terminal and the common node are substantially equal to zero. | 06-30-2011 |
20110254520 | CONTROLLERS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING MULTI-PHASE CONTROL - A controller includes an input selector, multiple cores and a multiplexer. The multiplexer is operable for multiplexing control signals to multiple output channels to provide multiple output signals. Each output channel can output a respective output signal, and each output signal represents a cyclic rotation of the control signals. The input selector is operable for enabling the cores to operate in a standby state alternately to control a multiplexing sequence of the control signals. | 10-20-2011 |
20120013315 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A DC/DC CONVERTER - A converter circuit includes a converter and a controller. The converter converts an input voltage to an output voltage. The controller receives a reference voltage, generates a slew voltage having a substantially constant first slew rate if the reference voltage changes from a first level to a second level, and controls the converter based on the slew voltage to cause the output voltage to change from a third level to a fourth level at a substantially constant second slew rate. | 01-19-2012 |
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 |
20120028425 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING TRENCH METAL OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR FIELD EFFECT TRANSISTORS - A trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) can be fabricated in an upward direction. A trench bottom doping (TBD) process and/or a trench bottom oxide (TBO) process can be performed after formation of a substrate and a first epitaxial (epi) layer. Poly seal can be performed after the formation of TBO layers and before a merged epitaxial lateral overgrowth (MELO) step to improve quality and purity of a second epi layer formed in the MELO step. Plasma dry etching with an end point mode can be performed according to the locations of TBO layers to improve the uniformity of trench depth. | 02-02-2012 |
20120105008 | POWER TOPOLOGY WITH BATTERY CHARGING AND DISCHARGE CURRENT PROTECTION CAPABILITIES - Generally, a system includes a control circuitry configured to detect a current wherein the detected current is one of a battery discharge current or a battery charging current; a first transistor configured to disconnect a load from at least one of a battery and a DC/DC converter if the battery discharge current exceeds a maximum battery discharge current setting; and a second transistor configured to adjust the charging current to maintain the charging current at or near a charge current setting. | 05-03-2012 |
20120194158 | CONTROLLERS FOR CONTROLLING CURRENTS TO PREDETERMINED CURRENT REFERENCES - A high-side switch is coupled to a power supply terminal and selectively coupled to ground via a conduction path. During an on state duration, the high-side switch can be enabled and the conduction path can be disabled. During an off state duration, the high-side switch can be disabled and the conduction path can be enabled. During a skip state duration, the high-side switch and the conduction path both can be disabled. A controller coupled to the high-side switch can control the on state duration and the skip state duration based on a current reference. The controller can further generate a control signal for controlling the high-side switch and the conduction path according to the on state duration and the skip state duration, and adjust an output current to the current reference according to the control signal. | 08-02-2012 |
20120206120 | POWER REGULATOR - A power regulator for converting an input voltage to an output voltage includes an error amplifier, a start-up circuit, and a pass device. The error amplifier is powered by the output voltage and provides a control current according to a difference between a reference signal and a feedback signal indicative of the output voltage. The start-up circuit is powered by the input voltage and provides a start-up current. The pass device receives the input voltage, provides the output voltage at an output terminal of the power regulator, generates an output current flowing through the output terminal according to the start-up current during a start-up duration of the power regulator, and generates the output current through the output terminal according to the control current during a normal operation of the power regulator. | 08-16-2012 |
20120228699 | METHODS FOR FABRICATING TRANSISTORS INCLUDING ONE OR MORE CIRCULAR TRENCHES - A transistor and a method of fabricating a transistor, including a metal oxide deposited on an epitaxial layer, a photo resist deposited and patterned over the metal oxide and the metal oxide and epitaxial layer are etched to form at least one circular trench, wherein the trench surfaces are defined by the epitaxial layer. An oxide layer is grown on the trench surfaces of each trench, and a gate conductor is formed within the at least one trench. | 09-13-2012 |
20130016530 | CONTROLLERS FOR POWER CONVERTERSAANM LIPCSEI; LaszloAACI CampbellAAST CAAACO USAAGP LIPCSEI; Laszlo Campbell CA USAANM GHERGHESCU; AlinAACI Santa ClaraAAST CAAACO USAAGP GHERGHESCU; Alin Santa Clara CA USAANM POPOVICI; CatalinAACI Santa ClaraAAST CAAACO USAAGP POPOVICI; Catalin Santa Clara CA US - In a controller for a power converter, a control terminal can provide a control signal to control a power converter. A cycle of the control signal includes a first time interval and a second time interval. The control circuitry can increase a primary current flowing through a primary winding of transformer circuitry and a secondary current flowing through a secondary winding of the transformer circuitry in the first time interval, and can terminate the increasing of the primary current in the second time interval. The control circuitry can also control the first time interval to be inversely proportional to an input voltage provided to the primary winding. | 01-17-2013 |
20130099577 | POWER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - A power management system includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller coupled to the first and second switches. The first switch has a first transfer terminal. The second switch has a second transfer terminal. The controller controls power conversion by turning on a third switch periodically. The first and second transfer terminals and a third transfer terminal of the third switch are coupled to a common node. The resistance between the first transfer terminal and the common node, the resistance between the second transfer terminal and the common node, and the resistance between the third transfer terminal and the common node are substantially equal to zero. | 04-25-2013 |
20130307550 | STATE OF CHARGE INDICATORS FOR BATTERY PACKS - A state-of-charge (SOC) indicator for a battery pack is provided. The operation of the indicator is changed from a first mode to a second mode if a mechanism is activated, and is changed to a third mode if the mechanism remains activated after a timer expires. The indicator consumes a first amount of power in the second mode, and consumes a second amount of power which is less than the first amount in the third mode. The indicator blinks with a regular frequency when the SOC is less than a threshold. A comparator compares a divided signal and a reference signal during a first time interval, and the indicator displays the SOC based upon the comparison result during a second time interval separated from the first time interval. | 11-21-2013 |
20140218973 | DC/DC CONVERTERS - A controller for a DC/DC converter controls a first, second, third, and fourth switches according to pulse signals generated alternately. The controller turns off the third switch on detection of a first edge of a first pulse signal, turns on the first switch after a delay from the detection of the first edge, turns off the fourth switch on detection of a second edge of the first pulse signal, turns on the second switch after a delay from the detection of the second edge, turns off the first switch on detection of a third edge of a second pulse signal, turns on the third switch after a delay from the detection of the third edge, turns off the second switch on detection of a fourth edge of the second pulse signal, and turns on the fourth switch after a delay from the detection of the fourth edge. | 08-07-2014 |