Abstract: A split drive transformer (SDT) and use of such a transformer in a power converter is described. The power converter includes a power and distributor circuit configured to receive one or more input signals and provides multiple signals to a first side of the SDT. The SDT receives the signals provided to the first side thereof and provides signals at a second side thereof to a power combiner and rectifier circuit which is configured to provide output signals to a load. In some embodiments, the SDT may be provided as a switched-capacitor (SC) SDT. In some embodiments, the power converter may optionally include a level selection circuit (LSC) on one or both of the distributor and combiner sides.

Abstract: A power converter for converting DC power to DC power includes an inverter stage having two or more switched inverters configured to receive DC power from a source and produce a switched AC output power signal. A transformation stage is coupled to receive the switched output power signal from the inverter stage, shape the output power signal, and produce a shaped power signal. A rectifier stage having two or more switched inverters coupled to receive the shaped power signal and convert the shaped power signal to a DC output power signal is included. A controller circuit is coupled to operate the power converter in a variable frequency multiplier mode where at least one of the switched inverters is switched at a frequency or duty cycle that results in an output signal having a frequency that is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency being generated by the power converter.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide a radio frequency (RF) amplifier system having at least one amplifier. The at least one amplifier includes an RF input port, an RF output port and a drain bias port. At least one voltage modulator is coupled to the bias port of the least one amplifier to provide a bias voltage. The bias voltage is selected by switching among a plurality of discrete voltages. At least one filter circuit is coupled between the at least one voltage modulator and the at least one amplifier. The at least one filter circuit controls spectral components resultant from transitions in the bias voltage when switching among the plurality of discrete voltages. A controller dynamically adapts at least one setting of the at least one voltage modulator by using multi-pulse transitions when switching among the plurality of discrete voltages for a first operating condition of the RF amplifier.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) amplification system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. The system may include a single digital-to-RF modulator and a power divider to drive multiple power amplifiers. A power combiner may also be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers. In at least one implementation, amplitude adjustment of the RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers may be used to provide transmit power control and/or power backoff.

Abstract: A stacked switched capacitor (SSC) energy buffer circuit includes a switching network and a plurality of energy storage capacitors. The switching network need operate at only a relatively low switching frequency and can take advantage of soft charging of the energy storage capacitors to reduce loss. Thus, efficiency of the SSC energy buffer circuit can be extremely high compared with the efficiency of other energy buffer circuits. Since circuits utilizing the SSC energy buffer architecture need not utilize electrolytic capacitors, circuits utilizing the SSC energy buffer architecture overcome limitations of energy buffers utilizing electrolytic capacitors. Circuits utilizing the SSC energy buffer architecture (without electrolytic capacitors) can achieve an effective energy density characteristic comparable to energy buffers utilizing electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: Described is a phase-switched tunable impedance matching network (PS-TMN). The PS-TMN has an input that can be coupled to a source and an output that can be coupled to a load. The PS-TMN includes one or more phase-switched reactive elements and a controller. The controller provides a control signal to each of the one or more phase-switched reactive elements. In response to one or more control signals provided thereto, each phase-switched reactive element provides a corresponding selected reactance value.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide an integrated power supply and modulator system. The system includes a magnetic regulation stage, a switched-capacitor voltage balancer stage, and at least one output switching stage. The switched-capacitor voltage balancer stage is coupled to an output of the magnetic regulation stage, and maintains a substantially ratiometric set of voltages with respect to a reference potential. The magnetic regulation stage includes an inductor and at least two switches to selectively couple the inductor to two or more of (a) an input of the magnetic regulation stage, (b) a first voltage node of the switched-capacitor voltage balancer stage, and (c) a second voltage node of the switched-capacitor voltage balancer stage. The output switching stage selectively couples at least two voltages from the switched-capacitor voltage balancer stage to an output of the system in response to control signals. The system may include startup circuitry, feedback/feedforward circuitry, and control circuitry.

Abstract: A converter circuit and related technique for providing high power density power conversion includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor transformation stage coupled to a magnetic converter (or regulation) stage. The circuits and techniques achieve high performance over a wide input voltage range or a wide output voltage range. The converter can be used, for example, to power logic devices in portable battery operated devices.

Abstract: A converter circuit and related technique for providing high power density power conversion includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor transformation stage coupled to a magnetic converter (or regulation) stage. The circuits and techniques achieve high performance over a wide input voltage range or a wide output voltage range. The converter can be used, for example, to power logic devices in portable battery operated devices.

Abstract: A power converter circuit rectifies a line voltage and applies the rectified voltage to a stack of capacitors. Voltages on the capacitors are coupled to a plurality of regulating converters to be converted to regulated output signals. The regulated output signals are combined and converted to a desired DC output voltage of the power converter. Input currents of the regulating converters are modulated in a manner that enhances the power factor of the power converter.

Abstract: Circuit topologies and control methods for a dc-to-rf converter circuit are described.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) amplification system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. The system may include a single digital-to-RF modulator and a power divider to drive multiple power amplifiers. A power combiner may also be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers. In at least one implementation, amplitude adjustment of the RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers may be used to provide transmit power control and/or power backoff.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. In embodiments where multiple power amplifiers are used, a combiner may be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) amplification system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. The system may include a single digital-to-RF modulator and a power divider to drive multiple power amplifiers. A power combiner may also be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers. In at least one implementation, amplitude adjustment of the RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers may be used to provide transmit power control and/or power backoff.

Abstract: Described embodiments provide a transmission-line resistance compression network that includes an input port, a first output port coupled to a first load and a second output port coupled to a second load. The first and second loads may have substantially similar input impedances under substantially similar operating conditions. The transmission-line resistance compression network includes a transmission-line network coupled to the input port, the first output port and the second output port, and includes at least two transmission lines of different lengths. For a first operating range, the resistances at input ports of the first and second loads vary over first and second ratios, respectively. The resistance of the input impedance at the input port of the transmission-line resistance compression network varies over a third ratio that is smaller than at least one of the first and second ratios.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) power amplifier system or transmitter includes one or more power amplifiers and a controller that is configured to adjust amplitudes and phases of RF input signals of the one or more power amplifiers and supply voltages applied to the one or more power amplifiers. In embodiments where multiple power amplifiers are used, a combiner may be provided to combine outputs of the power amplifiers.

Abstract: A voltage-step down rectifier topology suitable for integration on a die of an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment, a switched capacitor rectifier is provided having an architecture such that an input voltage swing of the switched-capacitor rectifier is a factor N times an output voltage where N depends upon the number of stages such that the switched-capacitor rectifier can provide a ?/(2N) step-down voltage conversion ratio between an input fundamental ac peak voltage to the output dc voltage. In one embodiment, the rectifier is used in dc-dc conversion. In one embodiment, the rectifier is used in ac power delivery to low-voltage electronics.

Abstract: A power converter for converting DC power to DC power includes an inverter stage having two or more switched inverters configured to receive DC power from a source and produce a switched AC output power signal. A transformation stage is coupled to receive the switched output power signal from the inverter stage, shape the output power signal, and produce a shaped power signal. A rectifier stage having two or more switched inverters coupled to receive the shaped power signal and convert the shaped power signal to a DC output power signal is included. A controller circuit is coupled to operate the power converter in a variable frequency multiplier mode where at least one of the switched inverters is switched at a frequency or duty cycle that results in an output signal having a frequency that is a harmonic of the fundamental frequency being generated by the power converter.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for per-panel photovoltaic energy extraction with integrated converters. Also described are switched-capacitor (SC) converters have been evaluated for many applications because of the possibility for on-chip integration; applications to solar arrays are no exception. Also described is a comprehensive system-level look at solar installations, finding possibilities for optimization at and between all levels of operation in an array. Specifically, novel concepts include new arrangements and options for applying switched-capacitor circuits at 3 levels: for the panel and sub-panel level, as part of the overall control strategy, and for ensuring stable and robust interface to the grid with the possibility of eliminating or reducing the use of electrolytic capacitors.

Abstract: Circuit topologies and control methods for a multi-phase grid interface are described. In at least one embodiment, a power conversion circuit is provided that includes an inverter stage, a transformer stage, and a cycloconverter stage. The cycloconverter stage may include one cycloconverter circuit for each of multiple phases associated with a multi-phase grid. In some embodiments, each cycloconverter circuit may include first and second half-bridge circuits coupled back-to-back.