Abstract: A power converter for delivering power from a source to a load includes a switch, pulse generation circuitry producing one or more drive signals for cycling the switch ON and OFF, wherein if the switch is cycled ON and OFF according to a cycle of a drive signal, power is transferred from the source to the load, a comparator for comparing a feedback signal approximating an output voltage at the load to a reference, and a controller coupled to the pulse generation circuitry for controlling which, if any, cycle of a drive signal cycles the switch in response to an output of the comparator.

Abstract: An AC to DC power converter, comprising an input, an output, a plurality of pass elements connected in parallel between the input and output, and a controller for switching ON a subset of the plurality of pass elements. The controller sets an ON time for at least one pass element in the subset based on a load at the output and a phase angle of an input voltage at the input. The input voltage may comprise a single or multi-phase signal. The number of pass elements in the subset is based on the load. In one embodiment, each pass element comprising a pair of series-connected field effect transistors coupled source to source and operated in fully enhanced mode.

Abstract: A power converter for delivering power from a source to a load includes a switch, pulse generation circuitry producing one or more drive signals for cycling the switch ON and OFF, wherein if the switch is cycled ON and OFF according to a cycle of a drive signal, power is transferred from the source to the load, a comparator for comparing a feedback signal approximating an output voltage at the load to a reference, and a controller coupled to the pulse generation circuitry for controlling which, if any, cycle of a drive signal cycles the switch in response to an output of the comparator.

Abstract: A method of regulating voltage at an output of a switching power converter, the converter comprising a switch and pulse generation circuitry, the pulse generation circuitry producing one or more drive signals for cycling the switch ON and OFF, wherein if the switch is cycled ON and OFF according to a cycle of a drive signal, power is transferred from a source to a load. The method includes sensing an output voltage feedback signal, comparing the sensed feedback signal to a reference at a determined time during a cycling of the switch, and regulating an output voltage at the load by controlling whether a cycle of one of the drive signals cycles the switch in response to the comparison.

Abstract: An AC to DC power converter, comprising an input, an output, a plurality of pass elements connected in parallel between the input and output, and a controller for switching ON a subset of the plurality of pass elements. The controller sets an ON time for at least one pass element in the subset based on a load at the output and a phase angle of an input voltage at the input. The input voltage may comprise a single or multiphase signal. The number of pass elements in the subset is based on the load. In one embodiment, each pass element comprising a pair of series-connected field effect transistors coupled source to source and operated in fully enhanced mode.

Abstract: Various three, four and five terminal power supply control packages for controlling delivery of power from a source to a load in both single and dual switch transformer coupled power converters are disclosed. By way of example, a three-terminal control package has a first terminal for coupling to a primary winding of a transformer, a second terminal for coupling to a ground reference and a third terminal for coupling to a source of operating power. An internal power switch has an input coupled to the first terminal, an output coupled to the second terminal, and an activation gate. The package includes pulse train control circuitry coupled to the power switch activation gate and responsive to an error signal for driving the power switch, the error signal derived from an internally generated compensation signal corresponding to an expected voltage loss between the source and the load.

Abstract: A digitally controlled, transformer-coupled switching power supply for conversion of power between a source and a load includes a power switch that, when coupled to the source and cycled ON and OFF by a controller, supplies a pulse of power to the load. Control circuitry for the power converter includes a pulse generator for generating switch activation pulses to cycle the power switch, each switch activation pulse produced by the pulse generator defining a new switching cycle. A pulse rate controller is coupled to the pulse generator for regulating an output voltage at the load by selectively allowing, on a pulse by pulse basis, switch activation pulses to cycle the power switch.

Abstract: A switching power converter wherein a controller determines whether cycles of a drive signal to a power switch define pulses of power at a load.

Abstract: A power converter control system is provided which combines a pulse train regulation control technique with a pulse train optimization technique, to control the output level of the power converter, while maintaining optimal performance for other power converter parameters. The power converter control system describe herein provides versatility not previously available in power converter control systems by providing features such as quasi-resonant mode control, discontinuous mode control, and/or power factor correction. A pulse optimizer adjusts or customizes, for example, the ON time, duty cycle or frequency of pulse train pulses output by a pulse generator. The adjusted pulses are gated by a pulse rate controller to selectively actuate a power switch, thereby regulating the output power level and optimize the overall performance of the power converter.

Abstract: A switching power converter for conversion of power between a source and a load includes a power switch, a free running oscillator for producing a drive signal to cycle the power switch ON and OFF, wherein the power switch, when coupled to the source and cycled ON and OFF, defines a pulse of power at the load, and a controller which regulates an output voltage at the load by varying the number of pulses of power occurring at the load over time.