Output Level Responsive Patents (Class 323/234)
  • Publication number: 20140062430
    Abstract: In a multi-phase power supply voltage regulator functioning at a nominal switching frequency, one or more phases are kept off for optimizing energy efficiency at relatively low load conditions. Reactivation of stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient is made more efficiently by exploiting information already present in the output voltage control loop. The technique comprises a) deriving from the control loop information on the equivalent nominal switching frequency given by the product of the nominal switching frequency by the number of active phases; b) updating at every beat of a clock signal the instantaneous value of the equivalent switching frequency; c) determining the band of equivalent switching frequency values to which the instantaneous value belongs; d) logically combining the equivalent switching frequency information with a determined band of output current level, for switching on one or more stand-by phases in response to a load increase transient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.I.
    Inventors: Osvaldo Enrico Zambetti, Daniele Giorgetti, Alessandro Zafarana
  • Publication number: 20140062338
    Abstract: A lighting control device can include a control module and a processing module. The control module can provide a driving signal. The driving signal can modify a control voltage on a control interface. The control voltage can control a controllable ballast or driver. The processing module can determine a duty cycle of the driving signal. The control module and the processing module can receive power via the control interface and a power supply on the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: ABL IP Holding LLC
    Inventors: Dalibor Zulim, Richard L. Westrick, JR., Stephen Haight Lydecker
  • Publication number: 20140062429
    Abstract: A rectifier circuit capable of attenuating an offset voltage wherein the rectifier circuit includes an amplification unit configured to generate an output voltage through an output terminal in response to a reference voltage and a voltage at a feedback node, a plurality of first unit resistors connected between the output terminal and the feedback node, and a plurality of second unit resistors connected between the feedback node and a ground terminal, and wherein each of the first unit resistors and each of the second unit resistors are designed to have different resistance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Sung Wook CHOI
  • Publication number: 20140062990
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a field of display technique. It is provided a circuit and method for compensating a common voltage and a liquid crystal display apparatus, which have a high accuracy in compensation, may acquire a more stable common voltage, avoid phenomena such as a residual image, the abnormality of displaying gray scales, a crosstalk and the like caused by a shift of the common voltage, and raise the display effect. The method for compensating the common voltage according to the embodiments of the present invention comprises: comparing a feedback voltage with a reference common voltage output from a common voltage generation circuit and outputting a compared result; generating a compensation control signal according to the compared result; and compensating the common voltage according to the compensation control signal. The common voltage compensation circuit comprises: a comparison unit, a logic unit and a compensation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicants: Beijing BOE Display Technology Co., Ltd., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chunbing ZHANG
  • Patent number: 8666560
    Abstract: A power control system/method implementing Internet based access to hybrid home automation networks is disclosed. The system utilizes a smart gateway power controller (SGPC) to selectively switch an AC power source to a load device under control of local or remote network commands that may be routed through a variety of network interfaces and protocols present within home or other structure-local communications network. SGPC configurations may be nested within a home automation network to permit separation of control for load devices within a common home automation environment. Present invention methods may include routing protocols between disparate home automation networks as well as remote access protocols that permit control of disparate home automation networks via the Internet using a wide variety of remote access interfaces including mobile devices, tablet computers, laptops, desktop computers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Advanergy, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Lu, Todd Scott Kelly, Lee Cheung
  • Publication number: 20140055106
    Abstract: A control circuit, a time calculating unit, and operating method for control circuit are disclosed. The control circuit is operated in a power converter and coupled to a load. The control circuit includes an output stage and a time calculating unit. The time calculating unit receives a control signal and a reference voltage and provides a switch conducting signal to the output stage. The generation of the control signal is related to an output voltage of the power converter. When the difference between the control signal and the reference voltage becomes larger due to the change of the load, the time calculating unit dynamically increases an on-time of the switch conducting signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: UPI SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wei-Ling Chen
  • Publication number: 20140055107
    Abstract: A current driver is coupled to an inductor; a digital control for regulation of the current driver turns the current driver on or off coupled to the current driver; a comparator output coupled to the input of the digital control for regulation of the driver with inputs to compare a voltage of the inductor to a target voltage, a digital control for selection of one of a set of peaks and valleys of allowable current levels of the current driver, the digital control for selection of one of a set of peaks and valleys coupled to the output of the comparator and an input of the current driver, the digital control for the peak/valley current to monitor the duration of each high and low output state of the comparator output to determine the selection of one of the set of peak and valley of allowable current levels for the current driver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Naoyuki Tsuruoka, Daijiro Otani, Keita Ikai, Masaki Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140049232
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a ripple suppressor circuit includes a configuring the ripple suppressor circuit to receive a first signal that is representative of a requested voltage and a second signal that is a filtered value of the first signal. The method also includes configuring the ripple suppressor circuit to determine a peak value of the second signal responsively to the first signal and to determine a minimum value of the second signal responsively to the first signal. The method may also include configuring the ripple suppressor circuit to form an average value of the peak value and the minimum value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Chunbo Liu, Gabor Reizik
  • Publication number: 20140049233
    Abstract: The invention relates to a virtual admittance controller based on static power converters, comprising a control loop into the inlet of which is injected the difference in voltage between a virtual internal voltage (e) and the voltage at the network connection point (v). Said difference in voltages feeds a virtual admittance processor (13) that determines the value of a reference current (i*) that it communicates to a current source (14), said current source physically injecting said current into the network (15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Abengoa Solar New Technologies, S.A.
    Inventors: Pedro Rodríguez Cortés, José Ignacio Candela Garcia, Joan Rocabert Delgado, Remus Teodorescu
  • Publication number: 20140043742
    Abstract: A peripheral device configured to be plugged into an audio jack of an electronic device includes an audio plug having an input terminal; a load electrically connected to the input terminal of the audio plug and configured to draw a first amount of current; a variable resistor electrically connected to the input terminal; a sensor configured to measure a voltage at the input terminal or an amount of current flowing into the load; and a controller that receives a signal from the sensor and is configured to control a resistance of the variable resistor such that a sum of the first amount of current and a second amount of current flowing through the variable resistor is substantially equal to a predetermined current value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SQUARE, INC.
    Inventor: Kartik Lamba
  • Publication number: 20140042994
    Abstract: A power supply system including switched-mode power supply circuitry configured to generate a DC output voltage from a DC input voltage and soft-start feedback circuitry configured to control the switched-mode power supply circuitry to generate a predefined output voltage during a soft-start period of operation. The soft-start feedback circuitry includes a controllable current source configured to generate a reference current and a reference voltage, wherein the reference current is based on a difference between the reference voltage and a feedback voltage proportional to the output voltage, and amplifier circuitry configured to compare the feedback voltage with the reference voltage and generate a control signal to control the operation of the switched-mode power supply during a soft-start period of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hangseok Choi
  • Publication number: 20140042996
    Abstract: A voltage regulating device includes a power supply adapter, a voltage and current signal processing module, a control module, and a voltage regulating module. The power supply adapter supplies voltage to an electronic device. The voltage and current signal processing module detects the current and voltage supplied by the power supply adapter, and calculated the desired voltage adapted for the electronic device according to the detected current and voltage and a preset voltage for the electronic device. The control module generates a control signal according to the calculated desired voltage. The voltage regulating module regulates the voltage supplied by the power supply adapter according to the control signal, to cause the voltage supplied by the power supply adapter to adapt for the electronic device. As a result, the voltage regulating device can regulate the voltage supplied by the power supply adapter to adapt for the electronic device, which can be used conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Minwa Energy Auto Switch Technology Company Limited
    Inventor: Hak Wah Lau
  • Publication number: 20140042995
    Abstract: A negative terminal voltage of a cell is changed from a first to a second negative terminal voltage so that a cell voltage is changed from a first to a second output voltage. A differential-mode calibration parameter is calculated based on a difference between the first and second output voltages and a difference between the first and second negative terminal voltages. The negative terminal voltage of the cell is then changed from the first to second negative terminal voltage so that the positive terminal voltage of the cell is changed from a first to a second positive terminal voltage and the output voltage is changed from a third to a fourth output voltage. A common-mode calibration parameter is calculated based on the differential-mode calibration parameter and a difference between the third and fourth output voltages and a difference between the first and second positive terminal voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: O2MICRO INC.
    Inventor: Guoxing LI
  • Publication number: 20140042997
    Abstract: An operational transconductance amplifier used in conjunction with a multiple chip voltage feedback technique allows multiple strings of LEDs and current sinks to be efficiently powered by a simple feedback oriented voltage regulator within an appliance. A connected series of differential amplifiers or multiplexors are used to monitor the voltages between the connected LEDs and the current sinks, in order to progressively determine the lowest voltage. The operational transconductance amplifier compares this voltage to a reference voltage and injects or removes current from the feedback node of a voltage regulator, thereby altering the voltage present at the feedback node. This causes the voltage regulator to adjust its output, ensuring that the current sinks of the LED strings have adequate voltage with which to function, even as the LEDs have different forward voltages and the strings are asynchronously enabled and disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANCED ANALOGIC TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Kevin D'Angelo
  • Publication number: 20140035369
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a power supply device (12) having a control and/or regulating unit (22), a reference potential connection (26), at least one voltage potential connection (28), and a ground connection (30) for grounding the power supply device (12). It is provided that the power supply device has a permanent or switchable device internal short-circuit current path (40) between the reference potential connection (26) and the ground connection (30), a detection device (44) for the continuous or quasi-continuous detection of a current flowing through the short-circuit current path (46), which connects the detection device (44) with the control and/or regulating unit (22) in a signal technical manner. The invention further relates to a respective power supply system (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Wolff, Christoph Leifer
  • Publication number: 20140036558
    Abstract: Disclosure includes an exemplified power controller for controlling a power switch in a power supply. The power supply converts an input power source into an output power source. The exemplified power controller comprises a maximum frequency maker, a voltage detector, and a logic circuit. Based on dependence of a maximum switching frequency upon a compensation signal, the maximum frequency maker provides a control signal with a minimum switching cycle. The compensation signal correlates to an output power from the output power source, and the minimum switching cycle is the reciprocal of the maximum switching frequency. The voltage detector detects a line voltage of the input power source. The logic circuit controls the power switch in response to the control signal, and makes a switching cycle of the power switch not less than the minimum switching cycle. The line voltage determines the dependence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Ming Chang Tsou, Meng Jen Tsai, Chao Chih Lin, Ren Yi Chen
  • Patent number: 8644962
    Abstract: The present application provides an adaptive control system for controlling a plant in particular a DC-DC power converter. The control system has two controllers of differing characteristics. The output of the individual controllers H0 and H1 are combined together to provide a combined control signal H to the plant, where H=?H1+(1??)H0 and where the adaptive control system is tuned by adjusting the value of ? between 0 and 1 to find an optimum control position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Powervation Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140027188
    Abstract: A boost converter is provided for tracking change in input voltage. The boost converter comprises at least one input for connection to a DC voltage source for supplying an input voltage; at least one output configured to supply an output voltage having a value that is greater than a value of said input voltage by at least a predetermined offset value; feedback means adapted to provide a feedback voltage, based on said output voltage, to a switching element of said boost converter, and a feedback voltage regulator means adapted to combine said feedback voltage with an input voltage characteristic so as to adjust said output voltage to be offset and proportional to said input voltage characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Eric J. HOLLAND
  • Publication number: 20140015499
    Abstract: A voltage resolution adjustment system and method increase voltage resolution of an output voltage of a processor from a first voltage resolution to a second voltage resolution. The system includes a processing module, a voltage-dividing module, and an amplifying unit. The processing module generates a first voltage of a first voltage resolution. The voltage-dividing module increases the first voltage of the first voltage resolution to a second voltage of a second voltage resolution. The amplifying unit increases the second voltage to a third voltage (i.e., the output voltage). After comparing the third voltage and the first voltage and detecting a voltage difference therebetween, the processing module generates a control signal for changing a voltage partitioning ratio of the voltage-dividing module to render the third voltage and the first voltage equal, wherein the third voltage is of the second voltage resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: ASKEY COMPUTER CORP.
    Inventors: CHIH-SUNG LAI, CHENG-HUNG WU
  • Publication number: 20140009129
    Abstract: A main reference value setting unit generates a voltage reference value DREF—V which represents a target level of a power supply voltage VDD. A digital calculation unit generates a main control value DOUT by digital calculation such that a digital voltage measurement value DM—V which represents the voltage level of the current power supply voltage VDD matches the voltage reference value DREF—V. A main D/A converter converts the main control value DOUT into an analog power supply signal SPS, and supplies the analog power supply signal SPS thus generated to a power supply terminal of a DUT via a power supply line. An auxiliary current source supplies an auxiliary current ISUB to the power supply terminal of the DUT via a sub-path that differs from the power supply line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko Shimizu, Katsuhiko Degawa
  • Publication number: 20140009982
    Abstract: A feedback control circuit for a power converter and a power converter system, includes a sampling network, configured to sample an input or output of the power converter, and output a first sampled signal; a filtering network, configured to receive the first sampled signal and output a second sampled signal, the filtering network filtering a ripple signal at a preset frequency out from the first sampled signal, so as to remain signals therein outside the preset frequency, while maintaining a phase delay between the second sampled signal and the first sampled signal within a preset range; a control and drive circuit, configured to receive the second sampled signal, and regulate in accordance with the second sampled signal a control signal outputted from the control and drive circuit to the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Zhengrong Li, Bin Wang, Shouyan Wang, Hongyang Wu, Wentao Zhan
  • Patent number: 8624561
    Abstract: A power conversion system may include a controller to cause a power stage to control the flow of power to or from an energy storage device in response to a dynamic reference. The flow of power to or from the energy storage device may be controlled at a substantially higher speed than power fluctuations in a power source or load. In a power conversion system, a model including an energy storage device may be generated in real-time, and a condition of the energy storage device may be determined in response to the model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith Slavin
  • Publication number: 20140002036
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus supplies a power supply signal to a device's power supply terminal via a power supply line. An A/D converter receives, via a feedback line, an analog measurement value corresponding to the power supply signal supplied to the device's power supply line, and converts the analog measurement value into a digital measurement value. A digital calculation unit generates a control value by digital calculation such that the digital measurement value from the A/D converter matches a predetermined reference value. A D/A converter digital/analog converts the control value so as to supply the analog power supply signal to the device's power supply terminal via the power supply line. A feedback ratio calculation unit calculates the ratio between the control value and the digital measurement value. The digital calculation unit is configured to change its calculation content based on the ratio calculated by the feedback ratio calculation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Takahiko Shimizu, Katsuhiko Degawa
  • Publication number: 20130343100
    Abstract: In fly-back and buck-boost converters (21, 22), to reduce distortions and to increase distortion power factors, arrangements (1) are introduced for adjusting control signals generated by controllers (2) for controlling switches (3) of the converters. The arrangements (1), in response to increased/decreased amplitudes of voltage signals from voltage supplies (4) for feeding the converters, increase/decrease durations of conducting times of the switches (3). This way, unwanted losses in the grid and power generators are avoided. The converters are relatively low cost single stage converters. Preferably, the durations are substantially proportional to sums of the amplitudes of the voltage signals and design parameters. These design parameters may comprise amplitudes of other voltage signals such as output voltages. Arrangements (1) are provided for controllers (2) that can only produce fixed durations as well as for controllers (2) that can produce adaptable durations via adaptable external elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Willibrordus Jurrianus Dijkman
  • Publication number: 20130342180
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide voltage regulator circuitry and devices. An exemplary voltage regulator circuitry can include a current comparing unit configured to convert an output voltage from a charge pump to a current and to compare the current with at least two different reference currents to generate a comparison result. A logic controller can be configured to generate a clock frequency adjustment signal based on the comparison result. A programmable clock unit can be configured to adjust a frequency of a clock signal according to the clock frequency adjustment signal to send the clock signal to the charge pump. Accordingly, the disclosed voltage regulator device can have reduced power consumption and improved reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp.
    Inventors: SHICONG ZHOU, EDWARD YU, XIAO ZHENG, JOSH YANG, MICHAEL YANG
  • Publication number: 20130342176
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a multi-phase switch-mode power supply (SMPS). The multi-phase SMPS may comprise a plurality of comparing circuits and a controller. Wherein each comparing circuit comprises a first input coupled to a threshold voltage, a second input coupled to a feedback signal of the output voltage, and an output configured to provide a load indication signal. The controller may have a plurality of inputs coupled to the outputs of the comparing circuit, and a plurality of outputs configured to provide control signals for driving a plurality of switches of the multi-phase SMPS. And the controller is configured to selectively turn on a plurality of the switches according to the load indication signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Yang, Lijie Jiang, Qian Ouyang, Xiaokang Wu, Bo Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130342177
    Abstract: Controlling the output voltage of a power supply involve determining a remote load coupled to the power supply and setting the output voltage based on the determined remote load and a predetermined maximum current for the power supply. The remote load may be measured, for example, by applying a predetermined current to the load, measuring the voltage across the load, and computing the effective load (resistance) value based on the supplied current and the measured voltage. Such measurement may be done using an analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Colm F. Slattery
  • Publication number: 20130342178
    Abstract: A power supply mode switching circuit and method switch between power supply modes of a power supply device dynamically based on an operating current required for operation of an electronic product, such that the power supply device supplies a supplying current corresponding to the operating current. The circuit comprises a sampling unit, an amplifying unit, a comparing unit. The circuit is disposed between the power supply device and the electronic product, samples the supplying current from the power supply device with the sampling unit, and converts the supplying current into a sampling voltage. The amplifying unit converts the sampling voltage into an amplifying voltage by voltage amplification and outputs the amplifying voltage to the comparing unit. After comparing the voltage level of a reference voltage and that of the amplifying voltage, the comparing unit generates a control signal for switching the power supple modes of the power supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ASKEY COMPUTER CORP.
    Inventor: Wei-Chung Wang
  • Publication number: 20130342179
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating PWM signals is provided. Upon detection of a load transient, a new PWM period is started if the load transient occurs during the off-time of a PWM signal and exceeds a specific magnitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: ZENTRUM MIKROELEKTRONIK DRESDEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Trautmann, Armin Stingl
  • Patent number: 8615669
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an operational circuit module receiving a supply voltage from a voltage regulator external to the integrated circuit, and an adaptive voltage scaling module to adjust the supply voltage based on performance characteristics of the operational circuit module. The adaptive voltage scaling module can include a performance monitoring module disposed on the integrated circuit and configured to generate at least an indicator corresponding to at least one performance characteristic of the operational circuit module. The adaptive scaling module can include a voltage requirement determination and voltage feedback generator module disposed on the integrated circuit and coupled to the performance monitoring module. The voltage requirement determination and voltage feedback generator module is configured to output a feedback voltage signal having a voltage level as a function of at least the indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (M.I.S.L) Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Hasko, Erez Reches, Reuven Ecker, Ido Bourstein
  • Publication number: 20130335042
    Abstract: A power converter including a multi-phase output stage, a comparator, and a time calculating unit is disclosed. The multi-phase output stage includes a plurality of channels. The comparator compares a first input signal with a second input signal to provide a setting signal. The time calculating unit adjusts on time duty cycles of the channels with the variation of the load according to the setting signal. When the load becomes larger, the frequency that the comparator provides the setting signal will be increased to cause that the on time duty cycles of the channels are overlapped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: UPI SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Lien Chang
  • Publication number: 20130335043
    Abstract: A multi-level voltage regulator system/method providing discrete regulation of a DC-DC intermediate bus converter (IBC) output voltage (Vout) is disclosed. The disclosed system/method allows IBC Vout to be regulated in discrete steps during periods where IBC input voltage (Vin) falls below nominal operating values. Rather than shutting down or degrading IBC Vout in an unpredictable non-linear fashion based on IBC input/loading, IBC Vout is regulated in fixed discrete steps, allowing IBC-connected point-of-load (POL) converters to obtain stable power input that is well-defined over IBC Vin. IBC operating parameters may define multi-dimensional operational state spaces of IBC Vout regulation that ensure optimum power flow to attached POLs while maintaining operational stability within the IBC regulator. Instabilities in IBC/POL performance across variations in IBC Vin, load transients, POL loading, and environmental variables may be prevented using Vin voltage step hysteresis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Jin He, Jeffrey John Boylan
  • Publication number: 20130335044
    Abstract: A power supply circuit (106) for a switching voltage regulator (108) connectable to a load (110) is described. In order to manage a power consumption of the switching voltage regulator (108) and in particular to minimize a power consumption of the switching voltage regulator when being operative, the power supply circuit (106) is configured for selectively supplying the switching voltage regulator (108) with one of a first input voltage and a second input voltage in response to a control signal indicative of an operative state of the load (110) such that the switching voltage regulator (108) is switched between a working state in response to the first input voltage and a standby state in response to the second input voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: Telefonaktiebolget L M Ericsson (PUBL)
    Inventors: Harald Raffel, Peter Ott
  • Publication number: 20130328532
    Abstract: A multi-channel constant voltage and constant current converting controller is provided. It comprises a multi-channel balance circuit and an error amplifier circuit. The multi-channel balance circuit receives a first voltage signal and load current detecting signals and outputs a second voltage signal and amplifying load current detecting signals. The error amplifier circuit receives the second voltage signal, the amplifying load current detecting signals and a reference voltage and outputs an error amplifying signal. The error amplifier circuit outs the error amplifying signal according to the reference voltage and the maximum value between the second voltage signal and amplifying load current detecting signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: ANALOG VISION TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventor: MING-CHIANG TING
  • Patent number: 8604915
    Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Paul Clarke
  • Patent number: 8604914
    Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Paul Clarke
  • Patent number: 8605845
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit and a method for generating phase-shifted synchronization clock. The adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit includes: a current source generating a current which flows through a node to generate a node voltage on the node; a reverse-proportional voltage generator coupled to the node for generating a voltage which is reverse-proportional to the node voltage; a ramp generator receiving a synchronization input signal and generating a ramp signal; a comparator comparing the reverse-proportional voltage to the ramp signal; and a pulse generator for generating a clock signal according to an output from the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Isaac Chen, An-Tung Chen
  • Publication number: 20130314060
    Abstract: A constant on time mode power supplier uses longer constant on time when the output voltage of the constant on time mode power supplier is drooped due to load variation, to increase energy provided to the output of the constant on time mode power supplier for preventing the output voltage from undershooting and shortening the time for the output voltage to recover stable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Wei CHEN
  • Publication number: 20130314059
    Abstract: A power adapter system, method and device having two feedback loops that produces an output voltage on a load with a power converter using an input power. A feedback element coupled with the power converter comprises a first feedback loop that compensates for error on the output voltage. A noise detection element coupled with the power converter comprises a second feedback loop that detects noise and produces a noise feedback voltage based on the detected noise. Based on the noise feedback voltage a controller coupled with the power converter adjusts the operation of the power converter in order to compensate for or not respond to the effects of high frequency noise such as radio frequency noise on the first feedback loop of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: FLEXTRONICS AP, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Telefus
  • Publication number: 20130307496
    Abstract: One object of the invention is to reduce discharge of electric charge from a capacitor when supply of power supply voltage to a charge pump circuit is stopped and restarted, so that a time required after the supply of power supply voltage is restarted and before an input signal is boosted is shortened. A semiconductor device includes a boosting circuit portion including a charge transfer element and a capacitor, boosting a voltage level of an input signal, and outputting an output signal having a boosted voltage level; a detection circuit monitoring a voltage level of the output signal; and a control circuit outputting a signal for controlling boosting of the voltage level of the input signal to the boosting circuit portion in accordance with the voltage level obtained by the detection circuit. The boosting circuit portion includes a switch electrically connected to the capacitor and the charge transfer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8587264
    Abstract: A method includes coupling a variable output DC power source to power control circuitry, and detecting a type of the variable output DC power source in response to the coupling operation. In one embodiment, the detecting operation may include sending an interrogation signal from the power control circuitry to the variable output DC power source, and evaluating a response to the interrogation signal to determine the type of said variable output DC power source. Power control circuitry may include source type recognition circuitry configured to detect a type of a variable output DC power source in response to a coupling of the variable output DC power source to the power control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: Marian Niculae, Constantin Bucur, William L. Densham
  • Patent number: 8583111
    Abstract: An RF switch circuit and method for switching RF signals that may be fabricated using common integrated circuit materials such as silicon, particularly using insulating substrate technologies. The RF switch includes switching and shunting transistor groupings to alternatively couple RF input signals to a common RF node, each controlled by a switching control voltage (SW) or its inverse (SW_), which are approximately symmetrical about ground. The transistor groupings each comprise one or more insulating gate FET transistors connected together in a “stacked” series channel configuration, which increases the breakdown voltage across the series connected transistors and improves RF switch compression. A fully integrated RF switch is described including control logic and a negative voltage generator with the RF switch elements. In one embodiment, the fully integrated RF switch includes an oscillator, a charge pump, CMOS logic circuitry, level-shifting and voltage divider circuits, and an RF buffer circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark L. Burgener, James S. Cable
  • Publication number: 20130293203
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a current balance circuit for a multiphase DC-DC converter. The current balance circuit comprises a current error calculation circuit, for generating a plurality of current balance signals indicating imbalance levels of a plurality of inductor currents of a plurality of channels of the multiphase DC-DC converter according to a plurality of current sensing signals of the plurality of channels, a time shift circuit, for adjusting pulse widths of a plurality of clock signals according to the plurality of current balance signals, and a ramp generator, for deciding shift levels of a plurality of ramp signals according to the plurality of clock signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ke-Horng Chen, Yueh-Lung Kuo, Chih-Heng Su, Yi-Ping Su, Yu-Ping Huang, Yu-Huei Lee
  • Publication number: 20130293204
    Abstract: The switching regulator of a buck-boost converter includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth switches. A control circuit for controlling the switching regulator includes an error detector, a ramp signal generator, a comparator, an oscillator, and a control signal generator. The error detector generates an error signal corresponding to an output voltage of the switching regulator. The ramp signal generator generates a ramp signal. The comparator compares the error signal and the ramp signal to generate a comparison signal. The oscillator generates an oscillating signal. The control signal generator controls the first, the second, the third, and the fourth switches according to the comparison signal, the oscillating signal, and a clock signal, so that the switching regulator is configured to switch only between a boost mode and a buck mode, and not to operate at a buck-boost mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chien-Ping LU
  • Publication number: 20130285625
    Abstract: A load driving device and system, and a limiting point control method and device. The load driving device comprising: a voltage/current regulative main circuit placed under the control of an output current controller, for use in conducting a voltage conversion on an input voltage, and in supplying electric power to a subsequent load unit; a sampling unit connected to an output terminal of the main circuit, for use in sampling an output feature parameter of the main circuit; the output current controller, for use in controlling a limiting point of the main circuit, and on the basis of the adjustment direction of the limiting point and on changes of the output feature parameters of the main circuit before and after an adjustment, determining a steady working point for the main circuit, and controlling the main circuit to work at the steady working point. The load driving device and system enable an increase in driver reliability and a reduction in circuit complexity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: INVENTRONICS (HANGZHOU), INC.
    Inventors: Liang'an Ge, Guichao Hua, Xiaoli Yao, Yang Liu
  • Publication number: 20130278231
    Abstract: A duty cycle generator for generating a duty cycle signal to a power converter is disclosed. The duty cycle generator includes a first inverter, a second inverter, a signal protection unit including an input terminal coupled to the duty cycle signal for generating a break pulse to generate a protected duty cycle signal, a comparator for comparing a triangle-wave signal with a comparison signal to generate a comparison result, a NOR gate for generating a reset signal according to the comparison result and the protected duty cycle signal, an SR-latch for outputting a turn-on signal according to the clock signal and the reset signal, and an AND gate for generating the duty cycle signal according to the inverted clock signal and the turn-on signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yueh-Lung Kuo, Chih-Yuan Chen
  • Publication number: 20130278059
    Abstract: A conventional power supply device has a problem in miniaturization. A power supply device generates a prediction value of an error signal from first and second error signals, and controls an output voltage so that the prediction value lies between first and second threshold values. The first error signal is obtained by converting an error voltage based on the difference between the output voltage and a reference voltage at a first timing. The second error signal is obtained by converting an error voltage based on the difference between the output voltage and the reference voltage at a second timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Ming LIU, Tatsuo NAKAGAWA, Kenichi OSADA
  • Publication number: 20130278232
    Abstract: A digitally controlled buck boost regulator includes an H-bridge circuit including a plurality of switches configured to receive an input voltage signal and generate an output voltage signal based on the input voltage signal and switching signals provided thereto. A controller generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) control value in response to a value of the output voltage signal, and a quantizer/mapper receives the PWM control value and provides a first mapping to a mapped PWM control value if the PWM control value is outside a predetermined range of PWM control values, and generates a second mapping to a mapped PWM control value if the PWM control value is within the predetermined range. A digital pulse width modulator is configured to generate switching signals based on the mapped PWM control value, and provide the generated switching signals to the H-bridge circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: David Herbison
  • Publication number: 20130271094
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises an amplifier (10) having a first input coupled to a first reference voltage node; a power pass element (20) having a control terminal coupled to an output of the amplifier, an input coupled to a power supply input of the voltage regulator circuit, and an output coupled to an output of the voltage regulator circuit; a feedback circuit (30, 31) having an input coupled to the output of the power pass element and an output coupled to a second input of the amplifier; and a compensation module (60) comprising a transistor (61), wherein a gate or base terminal of the transistor is coupled to a second reference voltage node, a drain or collector terminal of the transistor is coupled to the output of the amplifier, and a source or emitter terminal of the transistor is coupled to the power supply input of the voltage regulator circuit. The voltage regulator circuit is capable to increase the power supply rejection ratio of low drop-out voltage regulators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SA
    Inventors: Amanda Sun, Zhen Yang, Kaihua Zheng
  • Patent number: 8560869
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include systems, apparatuses, and methods for dynamically reducing requested supply voltage based on idle functional blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Jose P. Allarey