Patents by Inventor Gerhard Thiele

Gerhard Thiele has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240030817
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes: 1) a main comparator; 2) a bias current source coupled to the main comparator and configured to provide a bias current to the main comparator; and 3) a dynamic biasing circuit coupled to the main comparator and configured to add a supplemental bias current to the bias current in 100% mode of the buck converter. The supplemental bias current varies depending on an input voltage (VIN) and an output voltage (VOUT) of the buck converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Manuel WIERSCH, Gerhard THIELE, Antonio PRIEGO, Johann Erich BAYER
  • Patent number: 11881780
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes: 1) a main comparator; 2) a bias current source coupled to the main comparator and configured to provide a bias current to the main comparator; and 3) a dynamic biasing circuit coupled to the main comparator and configured to add a supplemental bias current to the bias current in 100% mode of the buck converter. The supplemental bias current varies depending on an input voltage (VIN) and an output voltage (VOUT) of the buck converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Manuel Wiersch, Gerhard Thiele, Antonio Priego, Johann Erich Bayer
  • Patent number: 11784568
    Abstract: A switching converter circuit includes a voltage regulation loop configured to provide an output voltage (VOUT) based on an input voltage (VIN). The switching converter circuit also includes a 100% mode circuitry coupled to the voltage regulation loop, wherein the 100% mode circuitry is configured to apply an offset to VOUT in response to detecting that VIN is approaching VOUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Antonio Priego, Gerhard Thiele, Manuel Wiersch, Johann Erich Bayer
  • Publication number: 20230308019
    Abstract: In a circuit for DC-DC voltage converters, an amplifier has first and second inputs coupled to a reference voltage terminal and an output voltage terminal, respectively. A comparator has first and second inputs coupled to an amplifier output and a switching terminal, respectively. A logic circuit has inputs coupled to the comparator output and a clock terminal. A driver circuit has first and second inputs coupled to first and second logic outputs, respectively. A first transistor having a first control terminal coupled to the first driver output is coupled between a supply voltage terminal and the switching terminal. A second transistor is coupled between the switching terminal and a ground terminal, and has a second control terminal coupled to the second driver output. A threshold detection circuit is configured to provide a threshold signal responsive to a current through the second transistor crossing a current threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Antonio Priego, Gerhard Thiele, Erich-Johann Bayer
  • Publication number: 20230198402
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes: 1) a main comparator; 2) a bias current source coupled to the main comparator and configured to provide a bias current to the main comparator; and 3) a dynamic biasing circuit coupled to the main comparator and configured to add a supplemental bias current to the bias current in 100% mode of the buck converter. The supplemental bias current varies depending on an input voltage (VIN) and an output voltage (VOUT) of the buck converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Manuel WIERSCH, Gerhard THIELE, Antonio PRIEGO, Johann Erich BAYER
  • Publication number: 20230188037
    Abstract: In described example, a circuit includes an error amplifier that receives a reference voltage and an output voltage, and generates an error signal. A comparator receives the error signal and a feedback signal, and generates a primary signal. A logic circuit is coupled to an output terminal of the comparator, and receives a clocking pulse. A clocking circuit is coupled to one of a first and a second output terminal of the logic circuit. The clocking circuit receives a clock signal and generates the clocking pulse. A driver circuit is coupled to the logic circuit. A switching circuit, coupled to the driver circuit, receives an input voltage and generates a switching voltage at a switching node. The switching circuit having a first switch coupled to a second switch at the switching node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Antonio Priego, Gerhard Thiele, Johann-Erich Bayer, Mitsuyori Saito, Rida Assaad, Angelo Pereira
  • Patent number: 11646666
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first power converter having a first voltage input and a first output. The circuit also includes a second power converter having a second voltage input coupled to the first voltage input, a clock input, and a second output. A phase shifter is coupled between the first output and the clock input of the second power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Erich-Johann Bayer, Gerhard Thiele, Antonio Priego
  • Patent number: 11616439
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes: 1) a main comparator; 2) a bias current source coupled to the main comparator and configured to provide a bias current to the main comparator; and 3) a dynamic biasing circuit coupled to the main comparator and configured to add a supplemental bias current to the bias current in 100% mode of the buck converter. The supplemental bias current varies depending on an input voltage (VIN) and an output voltage (VOUT) of the buck converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Manuel Wiersch, Gerhard Thiele, Antonio Priego, Johann Erich Bayer
  • Patent number: 11218076
    Abstract: A switching converter circuit includes a hysteretic comparator with a reference voltage (VREF) node and a feedback node. The switching converter circuit also includes a switchable error amplifier circuit coupled to the feedback node of the hysteretic comparator. The switchable error amplifier circuit includes an error amplifier that is coupled to the feedback node during a power-save mode and that is decoupled from the feedback node during a deep power-save mode initiated in response to a duration of the power-save mode being greater than a time threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Antonio Priego, Johann Erich Bayer, Gerhard Thiele
  • Publication number: 20210376731
    Abstract: A circuit includes a first power converter having a first voltage input and a first output. The circuit also includes a second power converter having a second voltage input coupled to the first voltage input, a clock input, and a second output. A phase shifter is coupled between the first output and the clock input of the second power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Erich-Johann Bayer, Gerhard Thiele, Antonio Priego
  • Patent number: 11101727
    Abstract: A power converter includes a watchdog circuit having an input adapted to be coupled to a pause signal of a switching power supply. The watchdog circuit is configured to provide a start signal at an output thereof based on the pause signal indicating that the power converter has stopped switching for a threshold duration that is less than an audible range. A pulse generator circuit has an input coupled to the output of the watchdog circuit and is configured to generate at least one pulse based on the start signal. A switch circuit has an input terminal adapted to be coupled to an input voltage and at least one other terminal adapted to be coupled to an inductor. The switch circuit is configured to provide negative current from an output of the power converter through the at least one other terminal based on the at least one pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Anmol Sharma, Thomas Keller, Gerhard Thiele
  • Publication number: 20210257898
    Abstract: A power converter includes a watchdog circuit having an input adapted to be coupled to a pause signal of a switching power supply. The watchdog circuit is configured to provide a start signal at an output thereof based on the pause signal indicating that the power converter has stopped switching for a threshold duration that is less than an audible range. A pulse generator circuit has an input coupled to the output of the watchdog circuit and is configured to generate at least one pulse based on the start signal. A switch circuit has an input terminal adapted to be coupled to an input voltage and at least one other terminal adapted to be coupled to an inductor. The switch circuit is configured to provide negative current from an output of the power converter through the at least one other terminal based on the at least one pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: ANMOL SHARMA, THOMAS KELLER, GERHARD THIELE
  • Patent number: 10992229
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes a comparator with preamplifier gain adjustment circuitry configured to adjust a preamplifier gain of the comparator based on an overdrive voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerhard Thiele, Manuel Wiersch, Antonio Priego, Johann Erich Bayer, Stefan Herzer
  • Patent number: 10965216
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising: a high-side pMOSFET comprising a drain and a gate; a node coupled to the drain of the high-side pMOSFET; a voltage-to-current circuit comprising a first nMOSFET and a first resistor, the first nMOSFET comprising a gate and a source, the first resistor comprising a terminal coupled to the source of the first nMOSFET; an error amplifier comprising an output port coupled to the gate of the first nMOSFET; a skip clamp nMOSFET comprising a source coupled to the output port of the error amplifier; and a current limit clamp pMOSFET comprising a source coupled to the output port of the error amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gerhard Thiele, Manuel Wiersch
  • Publication number: 20200127569
    Abstract: A switching converter circuit includes a hysteretic comparator with a reference voltage (VREF) node and a feedback node. The switching converter circuit also includes a switchable error amplifier circuit coupled to the feedback node of the hysteretic comparator. The switchable error amplifier circuit includes an error amplifier that is coupled to the feedback node during a power-save mode and that is decoupled from the feedback node during a deep power-save mode initiated in response to a duration of the power-save mode being greater than a time threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Antonio PRIEGO, Johann Erich BAYER, Gerhard THIELE
  • Publication number: 20200127570
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes a comparator with preamplifier gain adjustment circuitry configured to adjust a preamplifier gain of the comparator based on an overdrive voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Gerhard THIELE, Manuel WIERSCH, Antonio PRIEGO, Johann Erich BAYER, Stefan HERZER
  • Publication number: 20200106357
    Abstract: An electrical system includes: 1) a buck converter; 2) a battery coupled to an input of the buck converter; and 3) a load coupled to an output of the buck converter. The buck converter includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and regulation loop circuitry coupled to the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The regulation loop circuitry includes: 1) a main comparator; 2) a bias current source coupled to the main comparator and configured to provide a bias current to the main comparator; and 3) a dynamic biasing circuit coupled to the main comparator and configured to add a supplemental bias current to the bias current in 100% mode of the buck converter. The supplemental bias current varies depending on an input voltage (VIN) and an output voltage (VOUT) of the buck converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Manuel WIERSCH, Gerhard THIELE, Antonio PRIEGO, Johann Erich BAYER
  • Publication number: 20200106360
    Abstract: A switching converter circuit includes a voltage regulation loop configured to provide an output voltage (VOUT) based on an input voltage (VIN). The switching converter circuit also includes a 100% mode circuitry coupled to the voltage regulation loop, wherein the 100% mode circuitry is configured to apply an offset to VOUT in response to detecting that VIN is approaching VOUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: Antonio PRIEGO, Gerhard THIELE, Manuel WIERSCH, Johann Erich BAYER
  • Patent number: 10608538
    Abstract: A device includes a first transistor coupled to a ground node and a current source. The first transistor includes a control terminal coupled to a reference voltage source, where the current source is coupled to an input voltage source. The device includes a second transistor coupled to the input voltage source, where the second transistor includes a control terminal coupled to the first transistor. The device includes a third transistor coupled to the second transistor, where the third transistor includes a control terminal coupled to an output voltage node. The device includes a fourth transistor coupled to the third transistor, where the fourth transistor includes a control terminal coupled to the output voltage node. The device includes a fifth transistor coupled to the fourth transistor and a resistor, where the fifth transistor includes a control terminal coupled to the fourth transistor. The resistor is coupled to the ground node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Manuel Wiersch, Gerhard Thiele
  • Publication number: 20200099299
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising: a high-side pMOSFET comprising a drain and a gate; a node coupled to the drain of the high-side pMOSFET; a voltage-to-current circuit comprising a first nMOSFET and a first resistor, the first nMOSFET comprising a gate and a source, the first resistor comprising a terminal coupled to the source of the first nMOSFET; an error amplifier comprising an output port coupled to the gate of the first nMOSFET; a skip clamp nMOSFET comprising a source coupled to the output port of the error amplifier; and a current limit clamp pMOSFET comprising a source coupled to the output port of the error amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Gerhard THIELE, Manuel WIERSCH