Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system including a power transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to a supply node, a second conduction terminal coupled to an output node, and a control terminal controlled by a drive signal. The system further includes a driver configured to receive an input voltage from an external component and generate the drive signal based thereupon, and a sense circuit. The sense circuit is configured to, when the power transistor is powering a load coupled to the output node: detect whether the power transistor has entered an overload condition, and if so, determine a duration of time that the power transistor is in the overload condition; and assert a diagnostic signal in response to the duration of time being outside of a time window.

Abstract: A device for measuring the current flowing through a power transistor of a voltage regulator, the voltage regulator having an input voltage and providing a regulated output voltage and the power transistor coupled between the input and output voltages. The measuring device includes a further transistor adapted to mirror a portion of the current flowing through the power transistor, the further transistor and the power transistor have a first non-drivable terminal in common that is coupled to the input voltage. The measuring device also includes a circuit block to connect the second non-drivable terminals of the power and the further transistor and to provide an output current equal to the portion of the current flowing through the first transistor; the measuring device further including a circuit adapted to detect the output current of said circuit block.

Abstract: A device for measuring the current flowing through a power transistor of a voltage regulator, the voltage regulator having an input voltage and providing a regulated output voltage and the power transistor coupled between the input and output voltages. The measuring device includes a further transistor adapted to mirror a portion of the current flowing through the power transistor, the further transistor and the power transistor have a first non-drivable terminal in common that is coupled to the input voltage. The measuring device also includes a circuit block to connect the second non-drivable terminals of the power and the further transistor and to provide an output current equal to the portion of the current flowing through the first transistor; the measuring device further including a circuit adapted to detect the output current of said circuit block.

Abstract: A control circuit for a DC/DC converter has a linear-control loop, which receives a quantity to be controlled and a first reference quantity, and generates a modulation value. A nonlinear modulation unit is activated in presence of a variation of the quantity to be controlled higher than a preset intervention threshold and modifies in a nonlinear way the reference quantity supplied to the linear-control loop. In the case of large variation and of preset sign of the quantity to be controlled, the linear-control loop is deactivated, a signal for switching-off of the DC/DC converter is initially generated, and then a false steady-state-modulation value is supplied to the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a first switchcoupled to an input voltage and to a reference voltage. The first switch is suitable for driving a load connected to the output terminal of the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter includes an inductor having an intrinsic resistance and being connected to a terminal of the first switch, and a control circuit suitable for generating a driving signal of the first switch at a switching pulse. The control circuit has a first input terminal connected to the output terminal of the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter comprises a resistive element and a capacitor connected between the terminal of the first switch and the reference voltage. The control circuit has a second input terminal connected with the terminal in common of the capacitor and of the resistance.

Abstract: A control circuit for a DC/DC converter has a linear-control loop, which receives a quantity to be controlled and a first reference quantity, and generates a modulation value. A nonlinear modulation unit is activated in presence of a variation of the quantity to be controlled higher than a preset intervention threshold and modifies in a nonlinear way the reference quantity supplied to the linear-control loop. In the case of large variation and of preset sign of the quantity to be controlled, the linear-control loop is deactivated, a signal for switching-off of the DC/DC converter is initially generated, and then a false steady-state-modulation value is supplied to the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a first switchcoupled to an input voltage and to a reference voltage. The first switch is suitable for driving a load connected to the output terminal of the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter includes an inductor having an intrinsic resistance and being connected to a terminal of the first switch, and a control circuit suitable for generating a driving signal of the first switch at a switching pulse. The control circuit has a first input terminal connected to the output terminal of the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter comprises a resistive element and a capacitor connected between the terminal of the first switch and the reference voltage. The control circuit has a second input terminal connected with the terminal in common of the capacitor and of the resistance.

Abstract: A digital control apparatus for a switching DC-DC converter includes at least one power transistor and is able to provide a regulated output voltage on a load. The apparatus includes digital control having a reference digital input signal and provides a modulating signal to a PWM device to which is input the modulating signal and which provides an output square wave signal for driving the power transistor of the DC-DC converter such that there is non-linear modulation only when the value of a signal on the load is lower or higher than a prefixed value range.

Abstract: A digital control apparatus for a switching DC-DC converter is described. The converter comprises at least one power transistor and is able to provide a regulated output voltage on a load. The apparatus comprises control digital means having in input a reference digital signal and being able to provide a modulating signal to a PWM device; the PWM device has in input the modulating signal and provides an output square wave signal for driving the power transistor of said DC-DC converter. The apparatus comprises digital means able to operate on the square wave signal to obtain that it has a non-linear modulation only when the value of a signal on the load is lower or higher than prefixed value range of said signal on the load.