Abstract: A power converter and method to provide a small conversion ratio between an input and an output voltage. The power converter has an inductor coupled to the input port of the power converter. The power converter has a first stage with an input node; a first switch; a second switch; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the first stage and to a reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the input node. The power converter also has a second stage with an input node; a first switch coupled to the input node of the second stage and to the output port of the power converter; a second switch coupled to the input node of the first stage; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the second stage and to the reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the inductor.

Abstract: A power converter and method to provide a small conversion ratio between an input and an output voltage. The power converter has an inductor coupled to the input port of the power converter. The power converter has a first stage with an input node; a first switch; a second switch; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the first stage and to a reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the input node. The power converter also has a second stage with an input node; a first switch coupled to the input node of the second stage and to the output port of the power converter; a second switch coupled to the input node of the first stage; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the second stage and to the reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the inductor.

Abstract: A power converter and method to provide a small conversion ratio between an input and an output voltage. The power converter has an inductor coupled to the input port of the power converter. The power converter has a first stage with an input node; a first switch; a second switch; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the first stage and to a reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the input node. The power converter also has a second stage with an input node; a first switch coupled to the input node of the second stage and to the output port of the power converter; a second switch coupled to the input node of the first stage; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the second stage and to the reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the inductor.

Abstract: DC-DC voltage regulators for converting an input voltage into one or more output voltages and methods for operating such voltage regulators are described. The voltage regulator may have a high side switching device coupled between the input port and a first intermediate node. The voltage regulator may have an inductive element having one port coupled to the first intermediate node and may have a capacitive element having two ports, coupled between the first intermediate node and a second intermediate node, with its one port coupled to the first intermediate node. The voltage regulator may have a charging switching device coupled between the other port of the capacitive element and a predetermined voltage level, for charging the capacitive element when the high side switching device and the charging switching device are both in an ON state.

Abstract: A power converter and method to provide a small conversion ratio between an input and an output voltage. The power converter has an inductor coupled to the input port of the power converter. The power converter has a first stage with an input node; a first switch; a second switch; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the first stage and to a reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the input node. The power converter also has a second stage with an input node; a first switch coupled to the input node of the second stage and to the output port of the power converter; a second switch coupled to the input node of the first stage; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the second stage and to the reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the inductor.

Abstract: A power converter and a method to convert between a first voltage at a first node and a second voltage at a second node is presented. The power converter has a flying capacitor, an inductor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and a fifth switch. Furthermore, the power converter has a control unit to control the first, second, third, fourth and fifth switches in a first sequence of operation phases to provide step-up conversion between the first voltage and the second voltage; and in a second sequence of operation phases to provide step-down conversion between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: DC-DC voltage regulators for converting an input voltage into one or more output voltages and methods for operating such voltage regulators are described. The voltage regulator may have a high side switching device coupled between the input port and a first intermediate node. The voltage regulator may have an inductive element having one port coupled to the first intermediate node and may have a capacitive element having two ports, coupled between the first intermediate node and a second intermediate node, with its one port coupled to the first intermediate node. The voltage regulator may have a charging switching device coupled between the other port of the capacitive element and a predetermined voltage level, for charging the capacitive element when the high side switching device and the charging switching device are both in an ON state.

Abstract: A power converter and a method to convert between a first voltage at a first node and a second voltage at a second node is presented. The power converter has a flying capacitor, an inductor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a fourth switch, and a fifth switch. Furthermore, the power converter has a control unit to control the first, second, third, fourth and fifth switches in a first sequence of operation phases to provide step-up conversion between the first voltage and the second voltage; and in a second sequence of operation phases to provide step-down conversion between the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: A voltage or current regulated power converter for charging batteries, is described. The power converter comprises an inductor (L), a capacitor cell (C1, C2), switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8) and a controller. The controller controls the switches such that a commutation cycle of the power converter comprises a first phase, during which the capacitor cell and the inductor are arranged in series and during which a voltage across the serial arrangement of the capacitor cell and the inductor corresponds to Vin?Vout; a second phase, during which the capacitor cell and the inductor are arranged in series and during which the voltage across the serial arrangement of the capacitor cell and the inductor corresponds to ?Vout; and a third phase, during which the capacitor cell is floating and during which the voltage across the inductor corresponds to Vin?Vout or to ?Vout.

Abstract: A voltage or current regulated power converter for charging batteries, is described. The power converter comprises an inductor (L), a capacitor cell (C1, C2), switches (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8) and a controller. The controller controls the switches such that a commutation cycle of the power converter comprises a first phase, during which the capacitor cell and the inductor are arranged in series and during which a voltage across the serial arrangement of the capacitor cell and the inductor corresponds to Vin?Vout; a second phase, during which the capacitor cell and the inductor are arranged in series and during which the voltage across the serial arrangement of the capacitor cell and the inductor corresponds to ?Vout; and a third phase, during which the capacitor cell is floating and during which the voltage across the inductor corresponds to Vin?Vout or to ?Vout.

Abstract: A power switch circuit for driving an airbag squib module has a power transistor, a pre-charge capacitance for storing a charge, a charging circuit and a controllable energy-coupling element. The power transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A path between the first electrode and the second electrode is connected in series with the airbag squib module between a supply potential and a reference potential. The charging circuit charges the pre-charge capacitance and the charging circuit is therefore coupled with the pre-charged capacitance. The controllable energy coupling element is connected between a first electrode of the pre-charge capacitance and the control electrode of the power transistor. The power switch exhibits a high degree of stability, allows a fast switching of the power transistor and further has an advantageous transient response.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a component arrangement including a load and an open-load detector. The load transistor has a first transistor region arranged in a semiconductor body, a second transistor region arranged in the semiconductor body and a third transistor region arranged between the first transistor region and the second transistor region and doped in complementary fashion to the first transistor region and the second transistor region. The open-load detector has a sense region arranged in the third transistor region and of conduction type complementary to the third transistor region and having an evaluation circuit connected to the sense region.

Abstract: A driver circuit driving at least a first light emitting diode. The driver circuit includes: a first bypass current source coupled in parallel to the first light emitting diode. The first bypass current source and the first light emitting diode form a first parallel circuit. A main current source is coupled in series with the first parallel circuit. A first regulator unit is configured to control a first bypass current of the first bypass current source.

Abstract: A power switch circuit for driving an airbag squib module has a power transistor, a pre-charge capacitance for storing a charge, a charging circuit and a controllable energy-coupling element. The power transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A path between the first electrode and the second electrode is connected in series with the airbag squib module between a supply potential and a reference potential. The charging circuit charges the pre-charge capacitance and the charging circuit is therefore coupled with the pre-charged capacitance. The controllable energy coupling element is connected between a first electrode of the pre-charge capacitance and the control electrode of the power transistor. The power switch exhibits a high degree of stability, allows a fast switching of the power transistor and further has an advantageous transient response.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a component arrangement including a load and an open-load detector. The load transistor has a first transistor region arranged in a semiconductor body, a second transistor region arranged in the semiconductor body and a third transistor region arranged between the first transistor region and the second transistor region and doped in complementary fashion to the first transistor region and the second transistor region. The open-load detector has a sense region arranged in the third transistor region and of conduction type complementary to the third transistor region and having an evaluation circuit connected to the sense region.