Patents by Inventor Narasimhan Trichy
Narasimhan Trichy 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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Patent number: 11002772Abstract: A system comprises an integrated circuit package, an inductor that is part of a power supply, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a metal trace disposed directly below the inductor when viewed from a top-down perspective. The integrated circuit package includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a novel inductor current detection and calibration circuit. The first terminal is coupled to a first end of the metal trace and the second terminal is coupled to a second end of the metal trace. During operation of the power supply, the novel circuit detects an OCP condition whereby an output current of the power supply exceeds an OCP level. The novel circuit detects the OCP condition in part by sensing a voltage across the metal trace. After calibration at room temperature, the novel circuit performs accurate OCP detection over a range of temperatures without using any temperature sensor near inductor.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
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Patent number: 10917015Abstract: A multiphase operation control method comprises configuring a plurality of power phases of a power converter to operate in an interleaved manner by passing a token sequentially among the plurality of power phases, turning on a first power phase after the first power phase possesses the token and receives a trigger signal from a control circuit of the first power phase, passing the token to a second power phase after the first power phase finishes, passing the token sequentially until a last power phase of the plurality of power phases possesses the token and forwarding the token to the first power phase after the last power phase finishes.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Active-Semi (BVI) Inc.Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, Masashi Nogawa
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Patent number: 10445281Abstract: An apparatus comprises a positive data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a positive data line of a USB device, wherein the positive data input/output port is weakly pulled up to a first voltage potential through a pull-up resistor, a negative data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a negative data line of the USB device, wherein the negative data input/output terminal is connected to a second voltage potential, a window comparator having an input detecting a voltage across the two data input/output terminals and a wake-up signal generator connected to an output of the window comparator, wherein the wake-up signal generator is configured to generate a signal for adjusting a switching frequency of a power converter after the USB device is connected to the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Active-Semi (BVI) Inc.Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
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Patent number: 10404168Abstract: A power converter comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor and a comparator having a first input connected to a reference, a second input configured to receive a sum of a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal and an output configured to generate a turn-on signal of the first switch, wherein the first feedback signal is proportional to an voltage across the output capacitor and the second feedback signal is generated by applying at least one low-pass filter to a switching ripple voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Active-Semi (BVI), Inc.Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, Masashi Nogawa
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Patent number: 10291124Abstract: A power converter includes a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator configured to generate a gate drive signal for the first switch, wherein a leading edge of the gate drive signal is determined by a comparison result between a reference and a voltage proportional to an output voltage of the power converter and a trailing edge of the gate drive signal is determined by a comparison result between a voltage ramp and a variable voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Active-Semi (BVI) Inc.Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, Masashi Nogawa
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Publication number: 20190074770Abstract: A multiphase operation control method comprises configuring a plurality of power phases of a power converter to operate in an interleaved manner by passing a token sequentially among the plurality of power phases, turning on a first power phase after the first power phase possesses the token and receives a trigger signal from a control circuit of the first power phase, passing the token to a second power phase after the first power phase finishes, passing the token sequentially until a last power phase of the plurality of power phases possesses the token and forwarding the token to the first power phase after the last power phase finishes.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: March 7, 2019Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, Masashi Nogawa
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Publication number: 20190013733Abstract: A power converter comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator configured to generate a gate drive signal for the first switch, wherein a leading edge of the gate drive signal is determined by a comparison result between a reference and a voltage proportional to an output voltage of the power converter and a trailing edge of the gate drive signal is determined by a comparison result between a voltage ramp and a variable voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, Masashi Nogawa
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Publication number: 20180375429Abstract: A power converter comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor and a comparator having a first input connected to a reference, a second input configured to receive a sum of a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal and an output configured to generate a turn-on signal of the first switch, wherein the first feedback signal is proportional to an voltage across the output capacitor and the second feedback signal is generated by applying at least one low-pass filter to a switching ripple voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, Masashi Nogawa
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Publication number: 20180321287Abstract: A system comprises an integrated circuit package, an inductor that is part of a power supply, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a metal trace disposed directly below the inductor when viewed from a top-down perspective. The integrated circuit package includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a novel inductor current detection and calibration circuit. The first terminal is coupled to a first end of the metal trace and the second terminal is coupled to a second end of the metal trace. During operation of the power supply, the novel circuit detects an OCP condition whereby an output current of the power supply exceeds an OCP level. The novel circuit detects the OCP condition in part by sensing a voltage across the metal trace. After calibration at room temperature, the novel circuit performs accurate OCP detection over a range of temperatures without using any temperature sensor near inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
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Patent number: 10024890Abstract: A system comprises an integrated circuit package, an inductor that is part of a power supply, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a metal trace disposed directly below the inductor when viewed from a top-down perspective. The integrated circuit package includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a novel inductor current detection and calibration circuit. The first terminal is coupled to a first end of the metal trace and the second terminal is coupled to a second end of the metal trace. During operation of the power supply, the novel circuit detects an OCP condition whereby an output current of the power supply exceeds an OCP level. The novel circuit detects the OCP condition in part by sensing a voltage across the metal trace. After calibration at room temperature, the novel circuit performs accurate OCP detection over a range of temperatures without using any temperature sensor near inductor.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
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Patent number: 9882485Abstract: Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2016Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, James Allen Kohout
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Patent number: 9817458Abstract: An adaptive USB port controller is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a source, a power adapter, a USB port controller, a USB plug and cable, and a device. In one example, the device includes a rechargeable battery. After connecting the device to the USB port controller via the USB plug and cable, a reconfigurable module within the USB port controller sets a power mode by: (1) configuring an impedance network to present impedance modes that indicate available power modes, (2) detecting voltages on one or more of the USB conductors in response to each impedance mode, and (3) comparing the detected voltages to reference voltage levels to set one of multiple power modes. The reconfigurable module then controls the power adapter to transfer power according to the determined power mode.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.Inventors: John H. Carpenter, Jr., Narasimhan Trichy, Sanjeeva Pindi
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Publication number: 20170308152Abstract: An apparatus comprises a positive data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a positive data line of a USB device, wherein the positive data input/output port is weakly pulled up to a first voltage potential through a pull-up resistor, a negative data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a negative data line of the USB device, wherein the negative data input/output terminal is connected to a second voltage potential, a window comparator having an input detecting a voltage across the two data input/output terminals and a wake-up signal generator connected to an output of the window comparator, wherein the wake-up signal generator is configured to generate a signal for adjusting a switching frequency of a power converter after the USB device is connected to the power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2016Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
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Publication number: 20170288417Abstract: A method comprises setting a first termination voltage, a first charging current and a first termination current in a first charging step, wherein the first termination current is a fraction of the first charging current, passing a current from a power source to a battery through a charger, wherein the charger operates in a first constant current mode and the current is equal to the first charging current, monitoring a voltage across two terminals of the battery and configuring the charger to operate in a first constant voltage mode when the voltage across the two terminals of the battery is equal to the first termination voltage and monitoring the current in the first constant voltage mode and configuring the charger to operate in a second charging step when the current is equal to the first termination current.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy
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Publication number: 20170110967Abstract: Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, James Allen Kohout
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Patent number: 9577527Abstract: Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Active-Semi, Inc.Inventors: Narasimhan Trichy, James Allen Kohout
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Patent number: 9559585Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel driver methods. The invention provides circuit driver and control methods for relatively high-current drivers, usable with relatively low-voltage battery power sources. Preferred embodiments include one or more high series resistance capacitors electrically connected with a power source. A low resistance driver circuit regulates power supplied from the capacitors to the load.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: TRIUNE SYSTEMS, LLCInventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Wayne Chen, Amer Atrash, Brett Smith, Narasimhan Trichy, James Kohout, Jonathan R. Knight
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Publication number: 20160352224Abstract: The invention provides advances in the arts with useful and novel driver methods. The invention provides circuit driver and control methods for relatively high-current drivers, usable with relatively low-voltage battery power sources. Preferred embodiments include one or more high series resistance capacitors electrically connected with a power source. A low resistance driver circuit regulates power supplied from the capacitors to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Ross E. Teggatz, Wayne Chen, Amer Atrash, Brett Smith, Narasimhan Trichy, James Kohout, Jonathan R. Knight
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Publication number: 20160349814Abstract: An adaptive USB port controller is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a source, a power adapter, a USB port controller, a USB plug and cable, and a device. In one example, the device includes a rechargeable battery. After connecting the device to the USB port controller via the USB plug and cable, a reconfigurable module within the USB port controller sets a power mode by: (1) configuring an impedance network to present impedance modes that indicate available power modes, (2) detecting voltages on one or more of the USB conductors in response to each impedance mode, and (3) comparing the detected voltages to reference voltage levels to set one of multiple power modes. The reconfigurable module then controls the power adapter to transfer power according to the determined power mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: John H. Carpenter, JR., Narasimhan Trichy, Sanjeeva Pindi
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Publication number: 20160313380Abstract: A system comprises an integrated circuit package, an inductor that is part of a power supply, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a metal trace disposed directly below the inductor when viewed from a top-down perspective. The integrated circuit package includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a novel inductor current detection and calibration circuit. The first terminal is coupled to a first end of the metal trace and the second terminal is coupled to a second end of the metal trace. During operation of the power supply, the novel circuit detects an OCP condition whereby an output current of the power supply exceeds an OCP level. The novel circuit detects the OCP condition in part by sensing a voltage across the metal trace. After calibration at room temperature, the novel circuit performs accurate OCP detection over a range of temperatures without using any temperature sensor near inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2015Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventor: Narasimhan Trichy