Abstract: Many electronic devices, such as voltage converters, motors, etc., include electromagnetic components through which the current flow must be estimated. Such electromagnetic components include transformer windings, motor windings, and other types of inductors. In order to estimate the current through such components with reasonable accuracy and without unnecessary power loss, the inherent resistance of the electromagnetic component is used in conjunction with an auxiliary winding through which effectively no current flows. A first terminal of the auxiliary winding directly connects to a first terminal of the electromagnetic component and runs in parallel to the component. The voltage across a second terminal of the auxiliary winding and a second terminal of the electromagnetic component is measured and closely approximates the voltage across the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the electromagnetic component. This measured voltage is used to estimate the current through the component.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, method of controlling a switching transistor includes applying a first voltage to a first node of a switchable tank circuit, where the first node is coupled to a control node of the switching transistor, the first voltage has a first polarity with respect to a reference terminal of the switching transistor, and the first voltage is configured to place the switching transistor into a first state. After applying the first voltage, the switchable tank circuit is activated, where a voltage of the first node transitions from the first voltage to a second voltage that is configured to place the switching transistor in a second state different from the first state. The switchable tank circuit is deactivated after the voltage of the first node attains the second polarity.

Abstract: Many electronic devices, such as voltage converters, motors, etc., include electromagnetic components through which the current flow must be estimated. Such electromagnetic components include transformer windings, motor windings, and other types of inductors. In order to estimate the current through such components with reasonable accuracy and without unnecessary power loss, the inherent resistance of the electromagnetic component is used in conjunction with an auxiliary winding through which effectively no current flows. A first terminal of the auxiliary winding directly connects to a first terminal of the electromagnetic component and runs in parallel to the component. The voltage across a second terminal of the auxiliary winding and a second terminal of the electromagnetic component is measured and closely approximates the voltage across the equivalent series resistance (ESR) of the electromagnetic component. This measured voltage is used to estimate the current through the component.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switching transistor includes turning-off the switching transistor by transferring charge from a gate-drain capacitance of the switching transistor to a charge storage device, and turning-on the switching transistor by transferring charge from the charge storage device to a gate of the switching transistor. Turning off the switching transistor includes hard-switching and turning-on the switching transistor includes soft-switching.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switching transistor includes turning-off the switching transistor by transferring charge from a gate-drain capacitance of the switching transistor to a charge storage device, and turning-on the switching transistor by transferring charge from the charge storage device to a gate of the switching transistor. Turning off the switching transistor includes hard-switching and turning-on the switching transistor includes soft-switching.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, method of controlling a switching transistor includes applying a first voltage to a first node of a switchable tank circuit, where the first node is coupled to a control node of the switching transistor, the first voltage has a first polarity with respect to a reference terminal of the switching transistor, and the first voltage is configured to place the switching transistor into a first state. After applying the first voltage, the switchable tank circuit is activated, where a voltage of the first node transitions from the first voltage to a second voltage that is configured to place the switching transistor in a second state different from the first state. The switchable tank circuit is deactivated after the voltage of the first node attains the second polarity.