Abstract: A coupled inductor includes a ladder magnetic core including (a) a first rail and a second rail separated from each other in a first direction and (b) a plurality of rungs separated from each other in a second direction. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction, and each rung of the plurality of rungs is disposed between the first rail and the second rail in the first direction. The coupled inductor further includes a plurality of windings, where each winding of the plurality of windings is partially wound around a respective one of the plurality of rungs such that each winding of the plurality of windings does not overlap with itself when the coupled inductor is viewed cross-sectionally in a third direction. The third direction is orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A charging integrated circuit for use in an electronic device may include an input interface configured to receive input electrical energy from a power supply, wherein the input interface is controllable to modify characteristics of the input electrical energy, a regulator configured to receive a supply voltage based on the input electrical energy and generate an output voltage, and a controller configured to control characteristics of the input electrical energy to maximize power efficiency associated with at least one of the charging integrated circuit and the electronic device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switching circuit including an input port electrically coupled to a photovoltaic device and an output port electrically coupled to a load includes (1) entering a voltage limiting operating mode and (2) in the voltage limiting operating mode (i) causing a control switching device of the switching circuit to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states in a manner which limits magnitude of an output voltage to a maximum voltage value, the output voltage being a voltage across the output port, and (ii) varying the maximum voltage value as a function of magnitude of an output current, the output current being a current flowing through the output port.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for display of a diffractive pattern. An array of optical elements called phasels are operative to transmit light of different phase shifts to create a diffractive pattern. Individual optical elements may create fixed phase shifts, or the phase shift may be variable. A method is demonstrated for encoding a diffractive pattern onto an array of phasels for display of a three dimensional image.

Abstract: A multi-level switching power converter includes a string of N upper transistors and a string of N lower transistors, where N is an integer greater than one. The N upper transistors are electrically coupled in series between a first power node and a switching node, and the N lower transistors are electrically coupled in series between the switching node and a reference node. The multi-level switching power converter further includes N?1 flying capacitors, an inductor, a bypass transistor, and a controller. The bypass transistor is electrically coupled between the switching node and the reference node. The controller is configured to (a) control switching of the N upper transistors and the N lower transistors and (b) cause the bypass transistor to operate in its on state in response to all of the N lower transistors operating in their respective on states.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking controller includes an input port for electrically coupling to an electric power source, an output port for electrically coupling to a load, a control switching device, and a control subsystem. The control switching device is adapted to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to transfer power from the input port to the output port. The control subsystem is adapted to control switching of the control switching device to regulate a voltage across the input port, based at least in part on a signal representing current flowing out of the output port, to maximize a signal representing power out of the output port.

Abstract: Various applications of interconnect substrates in power management systems are described.

Abstract: A multi-level switching power converter includes a string of N upper transistors and a string of N lower transistors, where N is an integer greater than one. The N upper transistors are electrically coupled in series between a first power node and a switching node, and the N lower transistors are electrically coupled in series between the switching node and a reference node. The multi-level switching power converter further includes N?1 flying capacitors, an inductor, a bypass transistor, and a controller. The bypass transistor is electrically coupled between the switching node and the reference node. The controller is configured to (a) control switching of the N upper transistors and the N lower transistors and (b) cause the bypass transistor to operate in its on state in response to all of the N lower transistors operating in their respective on states.

Abstract: A current sense device includes a reference transistor for electrically coupling to a power transistor, a sense transistor for electrically coupling to the power transistor, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to (a) control current through the sense transistor such that a voltage at the sense transistor has a predetermined relationship to a voltage at the power transistor, and (b) control current through the sense transistor according to one or more operating conditions at the reference transistor, to compensate for aging of the power transistor.

Abstract: A coupled inductor includes a ladder magnetic core including (a) a first rail and a second rail separated from each other in a first direction and (b) a plurality of rungs separated from each other in a second direction. The second direction is orthogonal to the first direction, and each rung of the plurality of rungs is disposed between the first rail and the second rail in the first direction. The coupled inductor further includes a plurality of windings, where each winding of the plurality of windings is partially wound around a respective one of the plurality of rungs such that each winding of the plurality of windings does not overlap with itself when the coupled inductor is viewed cross-sectionally in a third direction. The third direction is orthogonal to each of the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switching circuit including an input port electrically coupled to a photovoltaic device and an output port electrically coupled to a load includes (1) entering a voltage limiting operating mode and (2) in the voltage limiting operating mode (i) causing a control switching device of the switching circuit to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states in a manner which limits magnitude of an output voltage to a maximum voltage value, the output voltage being a voltage across the output port, and (ii) varying the maximum voltage value as a function of magnitude of an output current, the output current being a current flowing through the output port.

Abstract: Various applications of interconnect substrates in power management systems are described.

Abstract: A current sense device includes a reference transistor for electrically coupling to a power transistor, a sense transistor for electrically coupling to the power transistor, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to (a) control current through the sense transistor such that a voltage at the sense transistor has a predetermined relationship to a voltage at the power transistor, and (b) control current through the sense transistor according to one or more operating conditions at the reference transistor, to compensate for aging of the power transistor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switching circuit including an input port electrically coupled to a photovoltaic device and an output port electrically coupled to a load includes (1) entering a voltage limiting operating mode and (2) in the voltage limiting operating mode (i) causing a control switching device of the switching circuit to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states in a manner which limits magnitude of an output voltage to a maximum voltage value, the output voltage being a voltage across the output port, and (ii) varying the maximum voltage value as a function of magnitude of an output current, the output current being a current flowing through the output port.

Abstract: Various applications of interconnect substrates in power management systems are described.

Abstract: A method for controlling a number of phases that are active in a multiphase direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-to-DC) converter includes (a) filtering a current signal representing a magnitude of current processed by the multiphase DC-to-DC converter to generate a filtered signal, (b) comparing the filtered signal to a first threshold value, (c) deactivating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the filtered signal falling below the first threshold value, (d) comparing the current signal to a second threshold value, the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value, and (e) activating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the current signal rising above the second threshold value.

Abstract: A method for testing a photovoltaic device electrically coupled to an input port of a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller, where the MPPT controller includes a switching circuit adapted to transfer power between the input port and an output port of the MPPT controller, includes the steps of: (a) driving a test current into the output port of the MPPT controller; (b) detecting presence of the test current; and (c) in response to detecting presence of the test current, causing the switching circuit to provide a path for the test current from the output port to the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic panel has one or more integral DC-DC converter circuits. The DC-DC converter input port couples to a section of at least one photovoltaic (PV) device of the panel separate from PV devices feeding other converters. The converter has an MPPT controller for operating the converter to transfer maximum power from coupled photovoltaic devices to its output port. The PV panel has a transparent substrate to which PV devices are mounted. A laminating material seals PV devices and converters to the substrate. In embodiments, the panel has multiple converters connected with output ports in series. The integrated PV panel provides summed maximum powers of each section of PV devices. In some embodiments the DC-DC converters are complete with inductors, in other embodiments a common inductor is shared by multiple converters of the panel, in a particular embodiment the common inductor is parasitic inductance of the panel.

Abstract: A semiconductor package can include a semiconductor die having an integrated circuit, a first die surface, and an opposite second die surface. A packaging can be attached to the die and have a holder surface opposite the first die surface. A heat spreader can be configured to cover the second die surface and the packaging surface and can be attached thereto by a layer of adhesive positioned between the heat spreader and the semiconductor die. A semiconductor package array can include an array of semiconductor dies and a heat spreader configured to cover each semiconductor die. A conductive lead can be electrically connected to the integrated circuit in a semiconductor die and can extend from the first die surface. Manufacturing a semiconductor package can include applying thermally conductive adhesive to the heat spreader and placing the heat spreader proximate the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A switching circuit for extracting power from an electric power source includes (1) an input port for electrically coupling to the electric power source, (2) an output port for electrically coupling to a load, (3) a first switching device configured to switch between its conductive state and its non-conductive state to transfer power from the input port to the output port, (4) an intermediate switching node that transitions between at least two different voltage levels at least in part due to the first switching device switching between its conductive state and its non-conductive state, and (5) a controller for controlling the first switching device to maximize an average value of a voltage at the intermediate switching node.