Abstract: A power supply circuit has a push-pull portion having a transformer; first and second terminals of the primary winding, each connected to ground via first and second switches; an inductor connected between an input voltage and the primary winding centre tap via a third switch; an energy storage portion connected between the primary winding and ground, and to the inductor via a fourth switch; a controller arranged to monitor the input voltage and to apply partially overlapping first and second PWM signals to the first and second switches; when input voltage is between first and second thresholds, the controller closes the third switch and opens the fourth switch; above the second threshold, the controller applies a third PWM signal to the third switch and opens the fourth switch; and below the first threshold, the controller closes the third switch and applies a fourth PWM signal to the fourth switch.

Abstract: A controller for a switching regulator receiving an input voltage and generating a regulated output voltage includes a buck control circuit and a boost control circuit. The controller activates the buck control circuit to generate the regulated output voltage having a first voltage value less than the input voltage. The controller activates the boost control circuit to return charges stored on the output capacitor at the output node to the input node, thereby driving the regulated output voltage to a second voltage value lower than the first voltage value. In some embodiments, in response to a command instructing the controller to allow the output voltage to decay, the controller operates in the boost mode using the boost control circuit to recycle the stored charge at the output node while ramping down the output voltage.

Abstract: A system and method of fault detection based on a detailed waveform analysis is presented for transient and steady-state fault operation of 3-? DAB converter. Main symptoms of the converter during normal and fault conditions have been identified and a unique pattern in DC bias of phase currents under fault mode is noted. The logic-based fault diagnosis scheme is used to detect the fault and identify the faulty transistor.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a non-regulated power converter includes a plurality of switching tank converter (STC) modules configured to be connected in parallel and to a load. The plurality of STC modules includes a first STC module configured to generate a first output current and a second STC module configured to generate a second output current. The first STC module includes an output current (OC) measuring circuit configured to measure a value of the first output current, and a dead time (DT) adjustor configured to compare the value of the first output current with a value of a minimum output current provided by the plurality of STC modules. The DT adjustor is configured to adjust a dead time in response to the value of the first output current being greater than the value of the minimum output current.

Abstract: Circuits and methods encompassing a power converter that can be started and operated in a reversed unidirectional manner or in a bidirectional manner while providing sufficient voltage for an associated auxiliary circuit and start-up without added external circuitry for a voltage booster and/or a pre-charge circuit—that is, with zero external components or a reduced number of external components. Embodiments include an auxiliary circuit configured to selectively couple the greater of a first or a second voltage from a power converter to provide power to the auxiliary circuit. Embodiments include an auxiliary circuit configured to select a subcircuit coupled to the greater of a first or a second voltage from a power converter to provide an output for the auxiliary circuit. Embodiments include a charge pump including a gate driver configured to be selectively coupled to one of a first voltage node or second voltage node of the charge pump.

Abstract: A switching converter with adaptive constant on-time control has a power switch and a control circuit. The switching converter converts an input voltage into an output voltage. When the switching converter is in a light-load state, the on-time of the power switch is controlled to be smaller than the on-time of the power switch in a normal-load state, wherein the normal-load state includes a continuous current mode (CCM) or a discontinuous current mode (DCM).

Abstract: A control circuit includes a timeout circuit configured to receive a first control signal. The timeout circuit asserts a timeout output signal on a timeout circuit output responsive to an expiration of a time period following assertion of the first control signal. A counter circuit has an input coupled to the timeout circuit output and has a counter circuit output. Responsive to assertion of the first control signal, the counter circuit selectively increments an output count value on the counter circuit output responsive to the timeout output signal having a first logic state or decrements the output count value on the counter circuit output responsive to the timeout output signal having a second logic state. A comparator circuit has a control input coupled to the counter circuit output. The comparator circuit adjusts a magnitude of a reference signal responsive to the output count value from the counter circuit.

Abstract: A power converter for converting an input voltage at an input of the power converter into an output voltage at an output of the power converter may include a switching node, a power inductor coupled between the switching node and the output, a flying capacitor having a first flying capacitor terminal and a second flying capacitor terminal, a pump capacitor having a first pump capacitor terminal and a second pump capacitor terminal, the second pump capacitor terminal coupled to ground, a first switch coupled between the input and the first flying capacitor terminal, a second switch coupled between the first flying capacitor terminal and the switching node, a third switch coupled between the second flying capacitor terminal and the switching node, a fourth switch coupled between the second flying capacitor terminal and a ground voltage, a fifth switch coupled between the second flying capacitor terminal and the first pump capacitor terminal, and a sixth switch coupled between the output and the first pump capac

Abstract: A three-phase multilevel inverter is connected to a first direct-current voltage source having a first voltage. Single-phase inverters are each connected in series to a corresponding phase of the three-phase multilevel inverter, and include a second direct-current voltage source, respectively, each having a second voltage. Combined output voltages, which are combinations of boost voltages generated by the three single-phase inverters and output voltages of the three-phase multilevel inverter, are supplied to a load. The control device adjusts a common mode voltage of the combined output voltages to be within a predetermined allowable range, and variation ranges of the line voltages in the combined output voltages to satisfy a specified condition established with the second voltage as a reference.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for supplying DC power to control circuitry of a matrix converter is provided. In certain embodiments, a matrix converter includes an array of switches having AC inputs for receiving a multi-phase AC input voltage and AC outputs for providing a multi-phase AC output voltage to a load, such as an electric motor. The matrix converter further includes control circuitry for opening or closing individual switches of the array, and a clamp circuit connected between the AC inputs and AC outputs of the array and operable to dissipate energy of the load in response to an overvoltage condition, such as an overvoltage condition arising during shutdown. The clamp circuit includes a switched mode power supply operable to generate a DC supply voltage for the control circuitry.

Abstract: A method for operating an electronic switch is described hereinafter. According to one exemplary embodiment, the method (for an electronic switch in the switched on state) comprises detecting whether there is an undervoltage condition at a supply voltage node and providing an undervoltage signal which indicates an undervoltage condition. The method further comprises switching off the electronic switch if the undervoltage signal indicates an undervoltage condition and switching (back) on the electronic switch if the undervoltage signal no longer indicates an undervoltage condition. If the undervoltage signal indicates an undervoltage condition during a switch-on process of the electronic switch, the electronic switch is switched off again and switching back on is prevented for a defined period of time, irrespective of the undervoltage signal. Moreover, a corresponding circuit is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply. In an example, the power supply comprises a switched mode power converter. The switched mode power converter comprises an input terminal for receiving an input voltage, and an output terminal for supplying a power to a load. A control unit of the power supply controls a switch of the switched mode power converter. A current-limited power supply powers the control unit, and is connected to the input voltage, whereby the control unit is configured to control an input current to the switched mode power converter.

Abstract: A power converter can include: positive and negative input terminals configured to receive an input voltage; positive and negative output terminals configured to generate an output voltage; first and second power switches sequentially coupled in series between the positive input terminal and a first node; third and fourth power switches sequentially coupled in series between a second node and the negative input terminal, where there is no physical connection between the first node and the second node; a first energy storage element coupled between a common terminal of the first and second power switches and a common terminal of the third and fourth power switches; a first multi-level power conversion circuit coupled between the first node and the positive output terminal; and a second multi-level power conversion circuit coupled between the first node and the positive output terminal.

Abstract: A power converter can include: N switching power stage circuits, where output terminals of the N switching power stage circuits are connected in parallel, and N is a positive integer; an energy storage element coupled between an input terminal and the output terminal of the power converter, where the energy storage element is configured to periodically store energy for delivery to the output terminal of the power converter; and where after a main transistor of an M-th switching power stage circuit is turned off, a main transistor of the (M+1)-th switching power stage circuit is turned on, in order to realize zero-voltage-switching (ZVS) of the main transistor of (M+1)-th switching power stage circuit, where M is a positive integer less than N.

Abstract: In preferred embodiments, a short circuit protection system for a wide-band gap power electronics converter composed of multiple half-bridge legs is presented. The main approaches of the system are a single point of monitoring (SPM) for multiple switching legs, and non-invasive implementation and fast speed of the short circuit current detection. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) AC current, tens or hundreds of MHz, flowing through the DC-link capacitors represents the short circuit current occurred at the multiple switching legs. To capture the UHF AC current, a non-invasive MHz bandwidth magnetic current sensor is applied to the PCB conduction path of the converter. In this digest, simulation results of the short circuit current representation through the DC-link network and the magnetic field distribution in PCB layout for the selection of the proper location of the detection, and experimental results showing the UHF AC current sensing performance are presented.

Abstract: Proposed is a submodule of an MMC converter configured to stably supply power to a submodule controller controlling the submodule of an MMC converter. The submodule includes: an energy storage part storing electric energy therein; a plurality of switching elements connected in parallel to the energy storage part to have a shape of a bridge; a plurality of serially-connected resistors connected in parallel to the energy storage part; a plurality of DC-DC converters connected in parallel to a resistor of the plurality of resistors; a power switching part operating to select and output one voltage of voltages output from the plurality of DC-DC converters and a plurality of voltages input from outside; and a submodule controller operating with the voltage output by the power switching part so as to control switching operations of the plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: A power conversion device of an embodiment includes a rectifier that full-wave rectifies alternating current of a plurality of phases supplied from a power supply side, a capacitor that smoothes an output voltage of the rectifier, a voltage detection unit that detects the smoothed voltage, and an open phase detection unit that detects that an open phase has occurred in the alternating current of the plurality of phases based on a component having a frequency that is twice as high as a fundamental frequency of the alternating current of the plurality of phases included in frequency components of the smoothed voltage.

Abstract: An example controller includes: an absolute value circuit having a voltage output and first and second power inputs, the first and second power inputs adapted to be coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source, and a comparator having a comparator output and first and second comparator inputs, the first comparator input coupled to the voltage output, the second comparator input adapted to be coupled to an output terminal of a power factor correction (PFC) circuit, and the comparator output adapted to be coupled to a control input of the PFC circuit.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes an N-level PWM power converter and a switching capacitor power converter. The N-level PWM power converter includes shared switches shared with the switching capacitor power converter, and PWM switches. In an N-level PWM mode, the shared switches and the PWM switches periodically switch an inductor and a capacitor, to execute power conversion between a first power and a second power by N-level PWM switching operation. The switching capacitor power converter includes the shared switches and auxiliary switches. In a capacitive conversion mode, the shared switches and the auxiliary switches periodically switch the capacitor, to execute power conversion between the first power and the second power by capacitive power conversion operation. In the capacitive conversion mode, a portion of the plural PWM switches are always OFF such that one end of the inductor is floating.

Abstract: A controller for controlling a DC-DC converter in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) includes an output module configured to provide a switch control signal to the DC-DC converter having an on-time and a switching frequency. The controller includes an on-time-control-module configured to receive a first compensation signal based on the output voltage of the DC-DC converter; and set the on-time of the switch control signal based on the first compensation signal. The controller also includes a frequency-control-module configured to receive a second compensation signal, wherein the second compensation signal is based on the output voltage of the DC-DC converter, and regulate the second compensation signal to a target range by setting the switching frequency of the switch control signal to one of a plurality of pre-defined discrete switching frequencies.