Patents by Inventor Sombuddha Chakraborty
Sombuddha Chakraborty 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: 10404175Abstract: In described examples, a DC-DC converter provides electrical power. In response to an input voltage falling below a high voltage operation threshold, the converter repeatedly performs a first normal (N) phase and a second N phase. The first N phase includes delivering power through an inductor from the input voltage. The second N phase includes coupling an input terminal of the inductor to a ground. In response to the input voltage rising above a normal operation threshold, the converter performs a first high voltage (HV) phase, then a second HV phase, then a third HV phase, then the second HV phase, and then repeats from the first HV phase. The first HV phase includes delivering power through the inductor from the input voltage and charging a flying capacitor. The second HV phase includes coupling the input terminal of the inductor to the ground. The third HV phase includes delivering power through the inductor by discharging the flying capacitor through the inductor.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Jeffery Lee Nilles, Mervin John, Farzad Sahandiesfanjani, Yogesh Kumar Ramadass
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Publication number: 20190207519Abstract: In described examples, a DC-DC converter provides electrical power. In response to an input voltage falling below a high voltage operation threshold, the converter repeatedly performs a first normal (N) phase and a second N phase. The first N phase includes delivering power through an inductor from the input voltage. The second N phase includes coupling an input terminal of the inductor to a ground. In response to the input voltage rising above a normal operation threshold, the converter performs a first high voltage (HV) phase, then a second HV phase, then a third HV phase, then the second HV phase, and then repeats from the first HV phase. The first HV phase includes delivering power through the inductor from the input voltage and charging a flying capacitor. The second HV phase includes coupling the input terminal of the inductor to the ground. The third HV phase includes delivering power through the inductor by discharging the flying capacitor through the inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Jeffery Lee Nilles, Mervin John, Farzad Sahandiesfanjani, Yogesh Kumar Ramadass
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Publication number: 20190207505Abstract: In described examples, a system regulates provision of DC-DC electrical power. The system includes a DC-DC converter, an input voltage node to receive an input voltage, a current source, a voltage source node, and a ground switch. The DC-DC converter includes a flying capacitor and multiple converter switches. The current source is coupled between the input voltage node and a top plate of the flying capacitor, to provide current to the top plate when the current source is activated by an activation voltage. The voltage source node is coupled to the input voltage node and to the current source, to provide the activation voltage to the current source, such that the activation voltage is not higher than a selected voltage between: a breakdown voltage of the converter switches; and a maximum value of the input voltage minus the breakdown voltage. The ground switch is coupled between a bottom plate of the flying capacitor and a ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Yogesh Kumar Ramadass, Jeff Lee Nilles, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Farzad Sahandiesfanjani
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Publication number: 20190081548Abstract: In methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture to a high efficient hybrid power converter, an example apparatus includes: a switched capacitor (SC) converter to generate a first voltage based on a voltage source; and a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter to generate a second voltage based on the voltage source of the apparatus, the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage corresponding to an output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventors: Timothy McRae, Aleksandar Prodic, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Alvaro Aguilar, William James McIntyre
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Patent number: 10222814Abstract: A method for controlling a number of phases that are active in a multiphase direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-to-DC) converter includes (a) filtering a current signal representing a magnitude of current processed by the multiphase DC-to-DC converter to generate a filtered signal, (b) comparing the filtered signal to a first threshold value, (c) deactivating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the filtered signal falling below the first threshold value, (d) comparing the current signal to a second threshold value, the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value, and (e) activating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the current signal rising above the second threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Anthony J. Stratakos, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrew Burstein, Andrea Pizzutelli
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Publication number: 20190058385Abstract: In described examples of methods and control circuitry to control a multi-level power conversion system, the control circuitry generates PWM signals having a duty cycle to control an output signal. The duty cycle is adjustable in different switching cycles. States of the system's switches are adjustable in one or more intervals within the switching cycles. In response to a voltage across a capacitor of the system being outside a non-zero voltage range, the control circuitry adjusts states of the switches in two intervals to discharge or charge the capacitor in a given switching cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Orlando Lazaro, Kevin Scoones, Alvaro Aguilar, Jeffrey Anthony Morroni, Sombuddha Chakraborty
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Patent number: 10205390Abstract: A method for controlling a DC-to-DC converter includes: (a) regulating a magnitude of an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter according to a magnitude of a reference voltage; (b) in response to a command to enter the unregulated operating mode, allowing the magnitude of the output voltage to fall; and (c) adjusting the magnitude of the reference voltage to track the magnitude of the output voltage. A controller for a DC-to-DC converter includes reference and switching modules. The reference module generates a reference voltage, such that: (a) a magnitude of the reference voltage is fixed, in a regulated operating mode, and (b) the magnitude of the reference voltage tracks a magnitude of an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter, in the unregulated operating mode. The switching module controls a power stage of the DC-to-DC converter to regulate the magnitude of the output voltage, in the regulated operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Jingquan Chen, Paul H. Choi
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Patent number: 10050515Abstract: In described examples, a DC-DC converter provides electrical power. The converter includes an inductor and a flying capacitor. In response to an input voltage transitioning from below a normal operation threshold to above the threshold, a first transition phase and a second transition phase are repeatedly performed. The first transition phase comprises coupling an input terminal of the inductor to a ground, and the second transition phase comprises delivering power through the inductor by discharging the flying capacitor through the inductor. After the input voltage is above the normal operation threshold, and a voltage across the flying capacitor has reached a target voltage proportional to the input voltage, a charging phase, a freewheeling phase and a discharging phase are repeatedly performed. The charging phase comprises charging the flying capacitor by coupling the flying capacitor to the input voltage, and delivering current from the input voltage through the inductor.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2017Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Jeff Lee Nilles, Mervin John
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Patent number: 9780661Abstract: Switch mode power supplies and integrated circuits are presented to provide a DC output voltage signal using high and low side switches, with a switching control circuit to turn off the high side switch and engage an active shunt circuit to provide a reduced voltage to continue converter operation to accommodate high input voltage transients when the DC input voltage exceeds a threshold voltage without requiring an oversized low side switch for improved efficiency through reduced switching and conduction losses in normal operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yogesh Kumar Ramadass
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Patent number: 9729052Abstract: A method for controlling a DC-to-DC converter includes: (a) regulating a magnitude of an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter according to a magnitude of a reference voltage; (b) in response to a command to enter the unregulated operating mode, allowing the magnitude of the output voltage to fall; and (c) adjusting the magnitude of the reference voltage to track the magnitude of the output voltage. A controller for a DC-to-DC converter includes reference and switching modules. The reference module generates a reference voltage, such that: (a) a magnitude of the reference voltage is fixed, in a regulated operating mode, and (b) the magnitude of the reference voltage tracks a magnitude of an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter, in the unregulated operating mode. The switching module controls a power stage of the DC-to-DC converter to regulate the magnitude of the output voltage, in the regulated operating mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Jingquan Chen, Paul H. Choi
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Patent number: 9680375Abstract: In described examples, a switching mode power supply includes an output filter, a driver, a pulse width modulator, and pulse adaptation circuitry. The output filter is configured to provide output of the switching mode power supply. The driver is coupled to the output filter and is configured to switch current to the output filter. The pulse width modulator is configured to generate pulses that control switching of current by the driver. The pulse width modulator includes spread spectrum logic configured to randomize timing of the pulses generated by the pulse width modulator. The pulse adaptation circuitry is configured to identify an instantaneous excursion of the output of the switching mode power supply beyond a predetermined threshold, and to modify the randomized timing of the pulses produced by the pulse width modulator based on the identified instantaneous excursion.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Theodore Ernest Yu, Ali Motamedi, Dingkun Du, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Patrick Teterud, Keith Thomas Sanders, Jr.
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Publication number: 20170126120Abstract: Switch mode power supplies and integrated circuits are presented to provide a DC output voltage signal using high and low side switches, with a switching control circuit to turn off the high side switch and engage an active shunt circuit to provide a reduced voltage to continue converter operation to accommodate high input voltage transients when the DC input voltage exceeds a threshold voltage without requiring an oversized low side switch for improved efficiency through reduced switching and conduction losses in normal operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yogesh Kumar Ramadass
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DC-to-DC converter controllers including over-current protection, and associated systems and methods
Patent number: 9490629Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes a switching circuit, an energy storage inductor electrically coupled to the switching circuit, and a controller. The controller includes a control signal generator, a current sensing subsystem, an over-current detection subsystem, and filter logic. The control signal generator generates unfiltered control signals to control the switching circuit, and the current sensing subsystem senses current flowing through the energy storage inductor. The over-current detection subsystem asserts an over-current signal if a magnitude of positive current flowing through the energy storage inductor exceeds a maximum permissible value. The filter logic filters the unfiltered control signals to generate filtered control signals in response to assertion of the over-current signal, such that respective widths of one or more pulses of the filtered control signals are less than respective widths of corresponding pulses of the unfiltered control signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Luigi Panseri -
Patent number: 9407145Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Andrew Burstein, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Trey A. Roessig, Luigi Panseri, Paul H. Choi, Theodore V. Burmas, Biljana Beronja, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrea Pizzutelli, Anthony J. Stratakos
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Patent number: 9385608Abstract: A slave circuit for a DC-to-DC converter includes a switching circuit adapted to repeatedly switch a switching node between two different voltage levels, a slave control adapted to control switching of the switching circuit based at least in part on control signals from a master controller, a communication port, and a communication module. The communication module is adapted to (a) generate an analog slave communication signal at the communication port, where the analog slave communication signal represents information associated with the slave circuit, and (b) generate a digital slave communication signal at the communication port in response to occurrence of an event, where the digital slave communication signal represents additional information associated with the slave circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventor: Sombuddha Chakraborty
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Patent number: 9276471Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes one or more switching circuits, a respective energy storage inductor electrically coupled to each of the one or more switching circuits, and a controller. The controller includes a current deficit signal generator, an integration subsystem, one or more modulators, and a clamping subsystem. The current deficit signal generator is adapted to generate a current deficit signal. The integration subsystem is adapted to integrate the current deficit signal to generate a modulator control voltage. The one or more modulators are adapted to control the one or more switching circuits to transfer power from an input power source to a load, based at least in part on the modulator control voltage. The clamping subsystem is adapted to shunt a portion of the current deficit signal away from the integration subsystem, to prevent the modulator control voltage from falling below a predetermined minimum permissible value.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2013Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventor: Sombuddha Chakraborty
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Patent number: 9250640Abstract: A controller for a DC-to-DC converter includes a control signal generator and an oscillation prevention subsystem. The control signal generator is adapted to control one or more switching circuits of the DC-to-DC converter such that the DC-to-DC converter transfers power from an input power source to a load. The oscillation prevention subsystem is adapted to shift a switching frequency of the DC-to-DC converter away from a frequency of an alternating current component of a load current flowing between the DC-to-DC converter and the load.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventor: Sombuddha Chakraborty
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Publication number: 20150244269Abstract: In described examples, a switching mode power supply includes an output filter, a driver, a pulse width modulator, and pulse adaptation circuitry. The output filter is configured to provide output of the switching mode power supply. The driver is coupled to the output filter and is configured to switch current to the output filter. The pulse width modulator is configured to generate pulses that control switching of current by the driver. The pulse width modulator includes spread spectrum logic configured to randomize timing of the pulses generated by the pulse width modulator. The pulse adaptation circuitry is configured to identify an instantaneous excursion of the output of the switching mode power supply beyond a predetermined threshold, and to modify the randomized timing of the pulses produced by the pulse width modulator based on the identified instantaneous excursion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Theodore Ernest YU, Ali MOTAMEDI, Dingkun DU, Sombuddha CHAKRABORTY, Patrick TETERUD, Keith Thomas SANDERS, JR.
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Patent number: 9106201Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Anthony J. Stratakos, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrew Burstein, Andrea Pizzutelli
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Patent number: 8907642Abstract: A regulated, power supply system is described using multiphase DC-DC converters with dynamic fast-turnon, slow-turnoff phase shedding, early phase turn-on, and both load-voltage and drive-transistor feedback to pulsewidth modulators to provide fast response to load transients. In an embodiment, a system master can automatically determine whether all, or only some, slave phase units are fully populated. The programmable system includes fault detection with current and voltage sensing, telemetry capability, and automatic shutdown capability. In an embodiment, these are buck-type converters with or without coupled inductors, however some of the embodiments illustrated include boost configurations.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLCInventors: Andrew Burstein, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Yali Xiong, Michael D. McJimsey, Trey A. Roessig, Luigi Panseri, Paul H. Choi, Theodore V. Burmas, Biljana Beronja, Giovanni Garcea, Ilija Jergovic, Andrea Pizzutelli, Anthony J. Stratakos