Abstract: A charging system includes a temperature sensor to generate a temperature signal responsive to a temperature of an energy storage device. A circuit temperature sensor generates a circuit temperature signal responsive to a temperature of a semiconductor device. A charge adjuster generates a desired current signal responsive to the temperature signal and the circuit temperature signal. A comparator compares a charge-current level signal to the desired current signal to generate a charge adjustment signal. A charge controller on the semiconductor device generates and adjusts a current of a charging signal for charging the energy storage device responsive to the charge adjustment signal. The charge adjuster may generate a reduction signal when the temperature signal is above a throttle threshold, reduce a digital desired current signal responsive to the reduction signal, and convert the digital desired current signal to the desired current signal as an analog signal.

Abstract: Charging systems and related methods are disclosed for switching voltage regulators. A charging controller may be configured to generate a control signal indicating a first level of an output current generated by a switching voltage regulator for charging an energy storage device, determine that an output voltage exceeded a predetermined threshold, and generate the control signal indicating a new level of the output current that is reduced from the first level. A method of controlling charging of an energy storage device may comprise monitoring an output voltage charging an energy storage device, comparing a reference signal and a current sense signal to generate a PWM control signal that determines an output current for a switching voltage regulator generating the output voltage, and decrementing the reference signal in response to the output voltage exceeding a predetermined level for a maximum charging voltage for the energy storage device.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes an adjustable frequency oscillator configured to free-run at a first frequency below a desired second target frequency. This adjustable frequency oscillator is configured to modulate a frequency of its periodic output signal upwards from the first frequency to the second frequency in response to a feedback bias current. A divider is also provided, which is configured to convert the periodic output signal to a reduced-frequency control signal. This reduced-frequency control signal is provided to a frequency-to-current (F2C) converter, which is configured to drive the adjustable frequency oscillator with the feedback bias current (e.g., pull-down current) in response to the reduced-frequency control signal.

Abstract: Charging systems and related methods are disclosed for switching voltage regulators. A charging controller may be configured to generate a control signal indicating a first level of an output current generated by a switching voltage regulator for charging an energy storage device, determine that an output voltage exceeded a predetermined threshold, and generate the control signal indicating a new level of the output current that is reduced from the first level. A method of controlling charging of an energy storage device may comprise monitoring an output voltage charging an energy storage device, comparing a reference signal and a current sense signal to generate a PWM control signal that determines an output current for a switching voltage regulator generating the output voltage, and decrementing the reference signal in response to the output voltage exceeding a predetermined level for a maximum charging voltage for the energy storage device.

Abstract: A charging system includes a temperature sensor to generate a temperature signal responsive to a temperature of an energy storage device. A circuit temperature sensor generates a circuit temperature signal responsive to a temperature of a semiconductor device. A charge adjuster generates a desired current signal responsive to the temperature signal and the circuit temperature signal. A comparator compares a charge-current level signal to the desired current signal to generate a charge adjustment signal. A charge controller on the semiconductor device generates and adjusts a current of a charging signal for charging the energy storage device responsive to the charge adjustment signal. The charge adjuster may generate a reduction signal when the temperature signal is above a throttle threshold, reduce a digital desired current signal responsive to the reduction signal, and convert the digital desired current signal to the desired current signal as an analog signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating signals. According to one embodiment, the apparatus has an oscillator generating a series of signals, an output stage for transforming the series of signals into a second series of signals, and a watchdog for providing a control signal to the output stage to hold the output stage in a selected state and for changing the control signal to enable the output stage in the selected state when the oscillator generates a first signal of the series of signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a DC-AC converter having a transformer. According to one embodiment, an oscillator generates a periodic signal having a frequency. A switch switches an input voltage across a first winding of the transformer in accordance with the periodic signal. A watchdog device disables the switch if the frequency falls below a threshold frequency.