Patents by Inventor Luca Scandola
Luca Scandola 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).
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Publication number: 20240178755Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for controlling a power converter, such as a closed loop synchronous buck converter that implements a low side switch as a so-called active diode. According to this disclosure, in response to a load dump event in which current from an LC circuit causes a negative load dump current at the power converter, the system may be configured operate in a forced continuous conduction mode (CCM) for a period of time associated with the load dump event, after operating in a normal CCM, and prior to operating in a discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). Unlike normal CCM mode where current is always positive on the power converter, in the forced CCM, current on the power converter is allowed to go negative, in order to dissipate the load event in a quick and effective manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2022Publication date: May 30, 2024Inventor: Luca Scandola
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Patent number: 11804775Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a selector circuit configured to deliver power to a first driver circuit, where the first driver circuit is configured to activate and deactivate a first switch of a postregulator. The device also includes a startup regulator and a controller configured to cause the selector circuit to deliver power from the startup regulator to the first driver circuit. The controller is also configured to determine that a boost regulator is operational after delivering power from the startup regulator to the first driver circuit. The controller is further configured to cause the selector circuit to deliver power from the boost regulator to the first driver circuit in response to determining that the boost regulator is operational.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Cristian Garbossa, Alberto Arpino, Michele Bergo, Dario Cappuzzo, Bogdan Dimitriu, Vlad Alexandru Mircea Ionescu, Paola Lops, Luca Scandola, Ozan Serpedin, Silvia Solda
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Patent number: 11682962Abstract: This disclosure includes systems, methods, and techniques for controlling a semiconductor device of a power converter. For example, a circuit includes first control circuitry configured to receive an indication of a first voltage which represents a voltage output from a power source to the power converter. Additionally, the first control circuitry is configured to output a control signal to second control circuitry in order to control, based on the first voltage and the second voltage, the semiconductor device so that a second voltage is lower than the first voltage, wherein the second voltage represents a voltage output from the power converter to a load.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Alberto Arpino, Michele Bergo, Cristian Garbossa, Luca Scandola
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Patent number: 11552544Abstract: A circuit may be configured detect current in different phases of an N-phase power converter. The circuit may comprise a first set of elements defining at least part of a first current loop associated with a first phase of the power converter, wherein the first set of elements is configured to detect current during the first phase of the power converter. In addition, the circuit may comprise a second set of elements defining at least part of a second current loop associated with a second phase of the power converter, wherein the second set of elements is configured to detect current during the second phase of the power converter when a duty cycle associated with the different phases is greater than 100/N, and wherein the first set of elements is configured to detect current during the second phase of the power converter when the duty cycle is less than 100/N.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Luca Scandola, Cristian Garbossa
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Publication number: 20220368210Abstract: This disclosure includes systems, methods, and techniques for controlling a semiconductor device of a power converter. For example, a circuit includes first control circuitry configured to receive an indication of a first voltage which represents a voltage output from a power source to the power converter. Additionally, the first control circuitry is configured to output a control signal to second control circuitry in order to control, based on the first voltage and the second voltage, the semiconductor device so that a second voltage is lower than the first voltage, wherein the second voltage represents a voltage output from the power converter to a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Alberto Arpino, Michele Bergo, Cristian Garbossa, Luca Scandola
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Publication number: 20220345024Abstract: A circuit may be configured detect current in different phases of an N-phase power converter. The circuit may comprise a first set of elements defining at least part of a first current loop associated with a first phase of the power converter, wherein the first set of elements is configured to detect current during the first phase of the power converter. In addition, the circuit may comprise a second set of elements defining at least part of a second current loop associated with a second phase of the power converter, wherein the second set of elements is configured to detect current during the second phase of the power converter when a duty cycle associated with the different phases is greater than 100/N, and wherein the first set of elements is configured to detect current during the second phase of the power converter when the duty cycle is less than 100/N.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Luca Scandola, Cristian Garbossa
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Publication number: 20220345039Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a selector circuit configured to deliver power to a first driver circuit, where the first driver circuit is configured to activate and deactivate a first switch of a postregulator. The device also includes a startup regulator and a controller configured to cause the selector circuit to deliver power from the startup regulator to the first driver circuit. The controller is also configured to determine that a boost regulator is operational after delivering power from the startup regulator to the first driver circuit. The controller is further configured to cause the selector circuit to deliver power from the boost regulator to the first driver circuit in response to determining that the boost regulator is operational.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2021Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Cristian Garbossa, Alberto Arpino, Michele Bergo, Dario Cappuzzo, Bogdan Dimitriu, Vlad Alexandru Mircea Ionescu, Paola Lops, Luca Scandola, Ozan Serpedin, Silvia Solda
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Patent number: 10784780Abstract: A controller circuit for generating a Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) signal for activating a switching device of a Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) includes gap detection circuitry, Pulse Frequency Modulated (PFM) circuitry, PWM circuitry and logic circuitry. The gap detection circuitry is configured to generate a shift signal based on an indication of a voltage difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage corresponding to voltage output by the SMPS. The PFM circuitry is configured to generate a hold signal indicating a target PFM frequency for the PWM signal. The PWM circuitry is configured to shift, based on the shift signal, a pedestal current to generate a shifted pedestal current and to generate, based on the shifted pedestal current, a peak signal indicating a target PWM on time for the PWM signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventors: Luca Scandola, Stefano Orlandi, Cristian Garbossa
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Patent number: 9490719Abstract: According to an embodiment, a power supply controller includes a first controller, a second controller, a transformation circuit, a switch signal generator. The first controller is configured to provide a first control parameter based on a first power supply measurement signal and the second controller is configured to provide a second control parameter based on a second power supply measurement signal. The transformation circuit is configured to provide a first switching control parameter dependent on both the first control parameter and the second control parameter, and to provide a second switching control parameter dependent on both the first control parameter and the second control parameter. The switch signal generator is configured to generate switching signals that depend on both the first switching control parameter and the second switching control parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Luca Scandola
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Publication number: 20150171729Abstract: According to an embodiment, a power supply controller includes a first controller, a second controller, a transformation circuit, a switch signal generator. The first controller is configured to provide a first control parameter based on a first power supply measurement signal and the second controller is configured to provide a second control parameter based on a second power supply measurement signal. The transformation circuit is configured to provide a first switching control parameter dependent on both the first control parameter and the second control parameter, and to provide a second switching control parameter dependent on both the first control parameter and the second control parameter. The switch signal generator is configured to generate switching signals that depend on both the first switching control parameter and the second switching control parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AGInventor: Luca Scandola