Abstract: A control circuit for, and method of, allowing the power supply, having a controller and an output current limit, to be operated in parallel with other power supplies and a power supply incorporating the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the circuit includes: (1) a voltage sense subcircuit, coupled to an output of the power supply, that produces a voltage control signal that is a function of an output voltage of the power supply and a voltage proportional to an output current of the power supply and (2) a current sense subcircuit, coupled to the power supply, that produces a current sense signal that is a function of the output current of the power supply, a combination of the voltage control signal and current control signal employable to modify an output of the controller and thereby regulate said power supply and allow said power supply to continuously operate in a current limit region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for soldering components to a printed wiring board. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying a substantially lead-free solder to the printed wiring board, placing an electronic component having lead-free terminals on the solder, and heating the printed wiring board in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere to a temperature sufficient to reflow the solder. In an alternative embodiment, the method may further comprise applying a tin-based solder. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the method includes applying a solder alloy of tin and a metal selected from the group consisting of: silver, antimony, copper, and gold.

Abstract: For use with a controller, couplable to a network of first and second comparators, that disables a power converter an actual output current thereof exceeds a threshold output current, an integrated protection circuit and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the integrated protection circuit includes: (1) a sensor that senses an actual input voltage of the power converter and (2) an isolation circuit, coupled to the first comparator, that selectively decouples the first comparator from the controller, the second comparator causing the controller to disable the power converter when the actual input voltage falls below a threshold input voltage thereby allowing the protection circuit to provide both overcurrent and undervoltage protection.

Abstract: A self oscillating converter with regenerative switching includes circuitry to enhance the gain of circuity to turn off a MOSFET power switch and enhance the regenerative action culminating in turn off in order to eliminate bursting at low loads. The MOSFET power switching device turn off circuitry includes the addition of a supplementary drive transistor operative for counteracting the effects of the parasitic capacitances of the MOSFET power switching device. This permits the converter to operate with the shorter on times and to provide a low ripple output at very low load.

Abstract: The start-up trajectory of the operating point of a DC-to-DC converter normally includes a high current locus which must be traversed to reach the steady-state operating point. In the case of a converter powered by a current-limited source, such as a power supply system where one converter powers a plurality of subsequent converters, the subsequent converters may be unable to turn on due to inadequate current drive. By using a control circuit adapted to control the start-up trajectory of a DC-to-DC converter as a continuous function of the input voltage applied to it by the current-limited source, the start-up characteristics are constrained to be compatible to both source and load permitting the converter to proceed to its steady-state operating point.