Abstract: A power transistor having: a p-body region, coupled to a first voltage; a first p-type buried layer under the p-body region; a n-implant region surrounding the p-body region and the p-type buried layer; a p-implant region surrounding the n-implant region; and a p-implant guard ring region inserted into the n-implant region to split the n-implant region to a first part and a second part, wherein the first part of the n-implant region is between the p-body region and the p-implant guard ring region, and the second part of the n-implant region is between the p-implant guard ring region and the p-implant region; wherein the second part of the n-implant region has a Schottky contact region coupled to a second voltage via a metal contact.

Abstract: An electronic device with substrate current management. The electronic device has a semiconductor substrate in which a Schottky diode is formed. A parasitic PN diode is also formed in the semiconductor substrate, and coexisted with the Schottky diode in parallel. The forward voltage of the Schottky diode is limited to be larger than the forward conduction threshold voltage of the Schottky diode and to be smaller than the forward conduction threshold voltage of the parasitic PN diode.

Abstract: An electronic device with substrate current management. The electronic device has a semiconductor substrate in which a Schottky diode is formed. A parasitic PN diode is also formed in the semiconductor substrate, and coexisted with the Schottky diode in parallel. The forward voltage of the Schottky diode is limited to be larger than the forward conduction threshold voltage of the Schottky diode and to be smaller than the forward conduction threshold voltage of the parasitic PN diode.

Abstract: A high voltage analog switch can be used in medical ultrasound applications. The high voltage analog switch can pass high voltage transducer excitation signals without necessarily having any high voltage power supplies. The high voltage analog switch can include three output switches, with one of the output switches having a clamp circuit for ensuring that transistors of an output switch on an input end of the high voltage analog switch remain OFF when the high voltage analog switch is OFF.

Abstract: A high voltage analog switch can be used in medical ultrasound applications. The high voltage analog switch can pass high voltage transducer excitation signals without necessarily having any high voltage power supplies. The high voltage analog switch can include three output switches, with one of the output switches having a clamp circuit for ensuring that transistors of an output switch on an input end of the high voltage analog switch remain OFF when the high voltage analog switch is OFF.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a power supply system. The power supply system comprises a variable voltage source configured to provide and incrementally increase a control voltage associated with a pass-transistor. The power supply system also comprises an inrush current monitor configured to monitor a current-flow through the pass-transistor. The power supply system further comprises a voltage control circuit configured to halt the incremental increase of the control voltage in response to the current-flow exceeding a predetermined current limit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce propagation delay of circuits are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus to reduce propagation delay of a circuit comprises a level shifter to selectively turn a first circuit on and off; a first switch to couple the first circuit to a second circuit when the first circuit is on, wherein the second circuit is to selectively receive a first current from the first circuit based on a signal the second circuit receives from the level shifter; and a second switch to couple the first circuit to a reference signal based on the first current, the second switch causing the first circuit to start to turn off.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a switched-capacitor soft-start ramp generator circuit are described. In an example, an apparatus to provide a soft-start voltage is described, comprising a first capacitor, a feedback circuit to increase a reference voltage based on an output voltage, a second capacitor, having a capacitance value greater than a capacitance value of the first capacitor, a first device to couple and decouple the first capacitor to the reference voltage and a second device to couple and decouple the first capacitor to the second capacitor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce propagation delay of circuits are disclosed. A disclosed apparatus to reduce propagation delay of a circuit comprises a level shifter to selectively turn a first circuit on and off; a first switch to couple the first circuit to a second circuit when the first circuit is on, wherein the second circuit is to selectively receive a first current from the first circuit based on a signal the second circuit receives from the level shifter; and a second switch to couple the first circuit to a reference signal based on the first current, the second switch causing the first circuit to start to turn off.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to test power transistors of integrated circuits on a wafer are disclosed. An example method comprises measuring a drain-source on resistance of a first transistor, measuring a drain-source on resistance of a second transistor, computing a scaling ratio between the transistors based on the drain-source on resistances of the transistors, measuring a first current indicative of an over-current condition of the first transistor, and computing a second current of the second transistor based on the current of the second transistor and the scaling ratio.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention includes a power supply system. The power supply system comprises a variable voltage source configured to provide and incrementally increase a control voltage associated with a pass-transistor. The power supply system also comprises an inrush current monitor configured to monitor a current-flow through the pass-transistor. The power supply system further comprises a voltage control circuit configured to halt the incremental increase of the control voltage in response to the current-flow exceeding a predetermined current limit.

Abstract: In a method and system for controlling a direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter includes an inductor coupled to receive a voltage input at an input terminal. A diode is coupled in series between the inductor and an output terminal of the DC-DC converter. A switch is coupled between the inductor and a ground reference. The switch receives a control signal from a controller for adjusting a duty cycle of the DC-DC converter. The duty cycle controls an output voltage at the output terminal. The controller generates the control signal in response to receiving a feedback signal, which is derived as a predefined function of a voltage feedback signal indicative of the output voltage and a current feedback signal indicative of a current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for regulating an output current in a switching supply circuit. In one embodiment, a switching supply circuit comprises a high-side field-effect transistor (FET), a low-side FET, and a driver control circuit operative to switch the high-side FET and the low-side FET between opposing “ON” and “OFF” states. The system further comprises a simulated output generator that is operative to combine both a first output waveform associated with the high-side FET and a second output waveform associated with the low-side FET to generate a simulated output signal that is a substantial representation of an output signal of the switching supply circuit, the simulated output signal being provided as a feedback to the driver control circuit.

Abstract: In a method and system for controlling a direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter includes an inductor coupled to receive a voltage input at an input terminal. A diode is coupled in series between the inductor and an output terminal of the DC-DC converter. A switch is coupled between the inductor and a ground reference. The switch receives a control signal from a controller for adjusting a duty cycle of the DC-DC converter. The duty cycle controls an output voltage at the output terminal. The controller generates the control signal in response to receiving a feedback signal, which is derived as a predefined function of a voltage feedback signal indicative of the output voltage and a current feedback signal indicative of a current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A switching regulator having a current limit with adaptive cycle skipping. A buck type switching regulator circuit is provided, including an energy storage component, such as an inductor or capacitor, and a switch for controllably providing an input current to the energy storage component. A control unit controls the on time and the off time of the switch by providing cyclically recurring control pulses to the switch that cause the switch to be on during the pulses and off otherwise. A current monitor circuit monitors a current corresponding to the input current applied to the energy storage component during the periodic control pulses. An overcurrent signal generator generates an overcurrent signal pulse upon detection of the monitored current at a level above a predetermined level corresponding to an overcurrent condition.