Abstract: A charging system includes an AC-DC converter for connecting to AC mains; a DC-link connected to the AC-DC converter output; and a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to the AC-DC converter output, a control input, and an output. The DC-DC converter includes drive circuitry for controlling the DC-DC converter. A controller has a feedforward input for receiving a signal corresponding to a voltage across the DC-link, a feedback input for receiving a signal corresponding to an output current provided by the DC-DC converter, and an output coupled to the control input of the DC-DC converter. The controller generates a control signal which controls the drive circuitry based upon a positive half cycle and a negative half cycle of ripple voltage at the DC-link, and a ripple current amplitude at the DC-DC converter output during at least one of the positive half cycle or the negative half cycle.

Abstract: A power factor correction (PFC) circuit is provided. The PFC circuit includes an input for receiving alternating current and a converter for converting the received alternating current to a direct current. The PFC circuit also includes a direct current link that includes at least one capacitor. Additionally, the PFC circuit includes a voltage regulator control loop operating in burst mode under light load conditions by switching between an ON-state and an OFF-state periodically. The PFC circuit also includes a controller preloading the voltage regulator control loop with an initial value corresponding to the circuit current load under light conditions, when the voltage regulator control loop is transitioning to an ON-state of the burst mode. The initial value is based on the rate of change of the voltage at the direct current link and the capacitance of the capacitor of the direct current link.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for providing a plurality of supply voltages at output terminals respectively assigned to said supply voltages from an input voltage applied to an input terminal. A digital interface receives of a serial digital control signal that contains the information as to which of the supply voltages is/are to be applied to the output terminals respectively assigned to them. A hard-wired delay circuit is configured, under control by the serial digital control signal, to relay the supply voltages to be applied to the respectively assigned output terminals to the output terminals one after another with a respectively predetermined delay.

Abstract: A charging system includes an AC-DC converter for connecting to AC mains; a DC-link connected to the AC-DC converter output; and a DC-DC converter having an input coupled to the AC-DC converter output, a control input, and an output. The DC-DC converter includes drive circuitry for controlling the DC-DC converter. A controller has a feedforward input for receiving a signal corresponding to a voltage across the DC-link, a feedback input for receiving a signal corresponding to an output current provided by the DC-DC converter, and an output coupled to the control input of the DC-DC converter. The controller generates a control signal which controls the drive circuitry based upon a positive half cycle and a negative half cycle of ripple voltage at the DC-link, and a ripple current amplitude at the DC-DC converter output during at least one of the positive half cycle or the negative half cycle.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for providing a plurality of supply voltages at output terminals respectively assigned to said supply voltages from an input voltage applied to an input terminal. A digital interface receives of a serial digital control signal that contains the information as to which of the supply voltages is/are to be applied to the output terminals respectively assigned to them. A hard-wired delay circuit is configured, under control by the serial digital control signal, to relay the supply voltages to be applied to the respectively assigned output terminals to the output terminals one after another with a respectively predetermined delay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a power converter assembly detects an over-current, latches off a low-side switch if an over-current is detected, holds the low-side switch latched off until a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch (for the duration of the over-current), and unlatches the low-side switch if a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch. A power converter assembly includes a PWM controller coupled to the main switch, the PWM controller configured to control the main switch according to a duty cycle. A latch is coupled with a secondary switch and configured to selectively turn off the secondary switch. The PWM controller is configured to provide a PWM control signal to the latch, and the control signal is configured to reset the latch to allow the secondary switch to turn on only when the PWM begins operating with a minimum pulse width.

Abstract: The maximum time that external components of a switch mode power supply over-conduct is determined by an actual ambient temperature at which the devices are operating before they are turned on. Their operation time is thus extended when temperatures are low and decreased when temperatures are high.

Abstract: A conventional single-ended, primary-inductance converter (SEPIC) has its switching frequency determined by a controller, which determines the duty cycle at which the switch operates by measuring differences between the SEPIC output voltage and a reference voltage. A controller is coupled to a switch of the SEPIC and provides a pulse train which determines the duty cycle and frequency at which the switch operates. The duty cycle is selectable between first and second percentages, the frequency is selectable between first and second frequencies, and the duty cycle and frequency are selected by the controller responsive to a voltage at an input voltage terminal of the SEPIC. Output voltage overshoot and undershoot are reduced.

Abstract: The maximum time that external components of a switch mode power supply over-conduct is determined by an actual ambient temperature at which the devices are operating before they are turned on. Their operation time is thus extended when temperatures are low and decreased when temperatures are high.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a micro power supply in a vehicle includes a processor on the micro power supply communicating with a processor on a microcontroller via a communication link. The communication includes a desired output voltage of the programmable micro power supply. In response to the communicated desired output voltage, the programmable micro power supply adjusts an output voltage of a power converter to be the desired output voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal generates a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, and generates a sawtooth ramp at a second frequency under alternative operating conditions. The sawtooth ramp is combined with an error threshold by a PWM controller to generate a square wave PWM control signal. The error threshold is adjusted simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing either a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A method for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal includes generating a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, generating a PWM square wave having a rising edge at a falling edge of the sawtooth ramp signal and a falling edge when the sawtooth ramp signal exceeds an error threshold, adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp in response to a changed operating parameter of the ramp generator, and adjusting a peak input voltage of the ramp generator simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing one of a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a power converter assembly detects an over-current, latches off a low-side switch if an over-current is detected, holds the low-side switch latched off until a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch (for the duration of the over-current), and unlatches the low-side switch if a PWM controller provides a predetermined minimum pulse to the latch. A power converter assembly includes a PWM controller coupled to the main switch, the PWM controller configured to control the main switch according to a duty cycle. A latch is coupled with a secondary switch and configured to selectively turn off the secondary switch. The PWM controller is configured to provide a PWM control signal to the latch, and the control signal is configured to reset the latch to allow the secondary switch to turn on only when the PWM begins operating with a minimum pulse width.

Abstract: A conventional single-ended, primary-inductance converter (SEPIC) has its switching frequency determined by a controller, which determines the duty cycle at which the switch operates by measuring differences between the SEPIC output voltage and a reference voltage. Output voltage overshoot and undershoot are reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a micro power supply in a vehicle includes a processor on the micro power supply communicating with a processor on a microcontroller via a communication link. The communication includes a desired output voltage of the programmable micro power supply. In response to the communicated desired output voltage, the programmable micro power supply adjusts an output voltage of a power converter to be the desired output voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal generates a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, and generates a sawtooth ramp at a second frequency under alternative operating conditions. The sawtooth ramp is combined with an error threshold by a PWM controller to generate a square wave PWM control signal. The error threshold is adjusted simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing either a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A method for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal includes generating a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, generating a PWM square wave having a rising edge at a falling edge of the sawtooth ramp signal and a falling edge when the sawtooth ramp signal exceeds an error threshold, adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp in response to a changed operating parameter of the ramp generator, and adjusting a peak input voltage of the ramp generator simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing one of a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A method for generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal includes generating a sawtooth ramp signal at a first frequency under standard operating conditions using a ramp generator, generating a PWM square wave having a rising edge at a falling edge of the sawtooth ramp signal and a falling edge when the sawtooth ramp signal exceeds an error threshold, adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp in response to a changed operating parameter of the ramp generator, and adjusting a peak input voltage of the ramp generator simultaneous with adjusting the frequency of the sawtooth ramp, thereby preventing one of a voltage overshoot and a voltage undershoot.

Abstract: A two-wire active sensor interface circuit includes a constant current circuit adapted to be coupled to a two-wire active sensor for receipt of a sensor current signal indicating one of two sensor states. The constant current circuit provides a preselected constant current amount positioned between the two sensor states that vary the sensor current signal thereby generating a current level indicator signal. Additionally, the two-wire active sensor interface circuit includes a digital interface circuit operably coupled to the constant current circuit for receipt of the current level indicator signal and produces an interface output indicating which of the two sensor states is present.

Abstract: A two-wire active sensor interface circuit includes a constant current circuit adapted to be coupled to a two-wire active sensor for receipt of a sensor current signal indicating one of two sensor states. The constant current circuit provides a preselected constant current amount positioned between the two sensor states that vary the sensor current signal thereby generating a current level indicator signal. Additionally, the two-wire active sensor interface circuit includes a digital interface circuit operably coupled to the constant current circuit for receipt of the current level indicator signal and produces an interface output indicating which of the two sensor states is present.