Abstract: A high voltage power supply for use in a system such as a microfluidics system, uses a DC-DC converter in parallel with a voltage-controlled resistor. A feedback circuit provides a control signal for the DC-DC converter and voltage-controlled resistor so as to regulate the output voltage of the high voltage power supply, as well as, to sink or source current from the high voltage supply.

Abstract: A converter system and method of operating a converter system are disclosed. The converter system comprises a converter power stage that can operate in a Discontinuous Conduction Mode (DCM) in a range of output currents and a Continuous Conduction Mode (CCM) in another range of output currents. The converter power stage includes at least an inductor with an inductor value and a control switch. The converter power stage provides an average current. A current controller is coupled to the converter power stage. When the converter power stage operates in DCM, the converter power stage provides the average current and the current controller is configured to measure the inductor value of the inductor. Furthermore, the current controller can also be configured to measure an input-to-output conversion ratio from the converter power stage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is disclosed. The voltage regulator has a voltage generation circuit that outputs a regulated voltage and a load current. The voltage regulation circuit has a sensing circuit that senses a peak magnitude of the load current and stores a peak signal that is based on the peak load current magnitude. The sensing circuit receives at least one signal that is input to the voltage regulation circuit and senses the peak magnitude of the load current. The voltage regulation circuit has a current generation circuit that generates a compensation current that has a magnitude that is proportional to the peak load current magnitude. The current generation circuit generates the compensation current based on the peak signal. The compensation current is provided during a time interval that is defined by at least one signal that is input to the voltage regulation circuit.

Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator with switching output current boost circuit. In one aspect of the invention, a voltage regulator circuit includes a low dropout voltage regulator providing an output voltage at an output based on an input voltage at an input, and a boost circuit connected to the low dropout voltage regulator. The boost circuit includes a comparator and a boost transistor device for allowing additional current to be provided to the output of the low dropout voltage regulator when the output voltage of the current regulator falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for operating a current limit power switch for supplying power to a load include activating the power switch to start supplying power to the load; limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a first current limit for a first, fixed duration; after the first, fixed duration, limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a second current limit for a second duration where the second current limit is less than the first current limit; and after the second duration, limiting the current drawn by the power switch to a third current limit where the third current limit is less than the second current limit.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an activation signal at a semiconductor device and generating an output power signal at the semiconductor device in response to receiving the activation signal. The output power signal has a duty cycle. The method also includes providing the output power signal to a load. The output power signal provides power to the load. An amount of power provided to the load is based on the duty cycle of the output power signal. In addition, the method includes adjusting the duty cycle of the output power signal using at least one of a current limiter and a power limiter integrated in the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulator with efficient frequency compensation is disclosed. The LDO voltage regulator includes an error amplifier, a transmission element, a voltage divider and a pole control unit. The error amplifier generates a control signal according to a reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The transmission element is coupled to the error amplifier, and adjusts an input voltage to generate an output voltage according to the control signal. The voltage divider is coupled to the transmission element, and performs a voltage division operation on the output voltage to generate the feedback voltage. The pole control unit is coupled to the transmission element, and provides and adjusts an output capacitor of the LDO voltage regulator to fix a frequency of a pole according to variation of an output impedance of the transmission element, so as to maintain loop stability.

Abstract: A low-dropout (LDO) voltage regulator for generating an output voltage is disclosed. The voltage regulator includes a startup circuit, a curvature corrected bandgap circuit, an error amplifier, a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) pass device and a voltage slew rate efficient transient response boost circuit. The MOS pass device has a gate node which is coupled to the output of the error amplifier, and a drain node for generating the output voltage. The voltage slew rate efficient transient response boost circuit applies a voltage to the gate node of the MOS pass device to accelerate the response time of the error amplifier in enabling the LDO voltage regulator to reach its final regulated output voltage when an output voltage drop occurs in the LDO voltage regulator.

Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator having an overcurrent protective circuit, which is excellent in detection precision and small in current consumption. The voltage regulator having the overcurrent protective circuit which detects that overcurrent flows in an output transistor, and limits the current of the output transistor, includes a regulated cascode circuit that makes a voltage at a source of the output transistor equal to a voltage at a source of the output current detection transistor, in which the operating current of the regulated cascode circuit is supplied by a transistor that is controlled by the output voltage of an error amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a first multi-gate transistor, a differential stage, a second stage having a second multi-gate transistor, and a pass transistor to apply an output voltage and output current to a device load. Based on a feedback voltage associated with the output voltage, the differential stage modulates a bias voltage applied to a control electrode of the pass transistor. A first gate of the second multi-gate transistor generates a nominal bias current for the pass transistor, and the second gate adjusts the bias voltage based on an output of the differential stage so that transients in the regulator output voltage resulting from sudden changes in current drawn by the device load are reduced.

Abstract: An ultra low dropout voltage regulator, which separately supplies operating power for internal circuits, but controls the operating power to perform the operation of a voltage regulator chip, so that an ultra low dropout voltage regulator can be designed to reduce standby power consumption and to minimize the size of the chip, can be designed to more rapidly respond to the overload or overvoltage of the chip and to stably and precisely shut down the chip in the event of the overload or overvoltage, and can be designed to realize ultra low dropout characteristics even at a low output voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a glitch-free, regulated voltage at a voltage output includes a main transistor, which is connected between an intermediate potential and the voltage output, a bypass transistor, which is connected between a supply potential and the voltage output, the intermediate potential being lower than the supply potential and the intermediate potential and the supply potential being derived from a common voltage source, a regulation circuit for applying a main control potential to the main transistor, in order to regulate a voltage at the voltage output to a desired voltage, and a control circuit for generating a bypass control potential as a function of the supply potential and the main control potential, and to apply the bypass control potential to the bypass transistor.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, in a DC/DC converter delivering current to load, a method is provided for rapidly responding to changes in load current. The method includes: detecting fast changes in load current; and when a fast change in load current is detected, providing non-linear control of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: In a constant voltage generating apparatus where an output circuit is controlled in accordance with a control voltage, a voltage detection signal generating circuit generates a voltage detection signal in accordance with a difference between an output voltage signal of the output circuit and a first reference signal. A current detection signal generating circuit generates a current detection signal in accordance with a difference between an output current signal of the output circuit and a second reference signal. A control current generating circuit generates a control current in accordance with the voltage detection signal and the current detection signal. A control current-to-control voltage converting circuit converts the control current into the control voltage.

Abstract: A system and method providing output voltage control in a power supply circuit. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise at least a first module adapted to receive an input DC voltage and at least one voltage control signal and output an output DC voltage that is a function of the input DC voltage and the voltage control signal. At least a second module may be adapted to receive a feedback signal representative of the output DC voltage and output the at least one voltage control signal as a function of at least the feedback signal. The second module may, for example, be a digital module adapted to generate the at least one voltage control signal utilizing digital active components. The second module may also, for example, utilize transistors and/or passive components controlled by the digital active components to generate the at least one voltage control signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically controlling the mode of an output that can be coupled to one of several types of actuators or the like. In one illustrative embodiment, an actuator controller is provided that can automatically detect what controlled mode an output of the controller should be set, and set the controlled mode accordingly. In some cases, the actuator controller may monitor a measure related to the resistance of the load, and set the controlled mode of the output to a first controlled mode if the measure that is related to the resistance of the load is below a threshold value, and set the controlled mode of at least selected outputs to a second controlled mode if the measure that is related to the resistance of the load is above a threshold value. The controlled modes may, in some cases, correspond to a current controlled mode and a voltage controlled mode, but this is not required.

Abstract: Techniques for reliably and efficiently generating an output voltage for use within an electronic device, such as a memory system, are disclosed. A voltage generation circuit generates the output voltage. The voltage generation circuit includes regulation circuitry that controls regulation of the output voltage to maintain the output voltage at a substantially constant level. According to one aspect, regulation is provided through use of different feedback circuits. By selectively disabling one of the feedback circuits, power consumption can be reduced and the other of the feedback circuits can support the continued regulation of the output voltage. The voltage generation circuit is therefore able to operate in an accurate, stable and power efficient manner.

Abstract: Transient processing mechanisms for power converters. Error generation circuitry in a power converter may generate an error signal based on the difference between a power converter output voltage and a reference voltage. Transient detection circuitry may detect whether the error signal exceeds at least a first threshold. If the first threshold is exceeded, timing control logic may generate a low band correction pulse to adjust the power converter output voltage, and thereby adjust the error signal to a level within the first threshold. If the error signal exceeds a second threshold, the timing control logic may generate a high band correction pulse to adjust the power converter output voltage, and thereby adjust the error signal to a level within the second threshold. The timing control logic may initiate a low band blanking period following the low band correction pulse and high band blanking period following the high band correction pulse.

Abstract: A voltage regulator including a voltage regulation unit and an over driving unit is provided. The voltage regulation unit outputs a corresponding output voltage according to an input voltage. The over driving unit is coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of the voltage regulation unit and regulates the input voltage according to the comparison result between the output voltage and a reference voltage.

Abstract: System and methodology for supplying power to a load using a pass device for connecting the load. A current limit circuit prevents current supplied to the load from exceeding a current threshold. A foldback circuit modifies the current threshold in accordance with a prescribed condition. The foldback circuit is configured to vary the current threshold in accordance with an approximate safe operating area of the pass device.

Abstract: A power converter having an aircraft power source detector configured to limit the amount of power that can be drawn by the power converter when utilized in an aircraft. The power converter may detect an artifact of the aircraft power source, such as the 400 Hz ripple noise on an aircraft power line, or existing in the aircraft cabin, such EMI or aircraft lighting.

Abstract: A low dropout (LDO) voltage regulator includes an output terminal for providing a regulated voltage output to a load, and a plurality of PFETs connected in parallel. Each PFET drains a level of current and the sum of the levels of current are provided as a current output at the output terminal. The LDO voltage regulator also includes a feedback network coupled to the output terminal for providing a voltage feedback signal, and an error amplifier coupled between the plurality of PFETs and the feedback network for sensing a differential voltage. The error amplifier includes an output voltage which is provided to the plurality of PFETs for adjusting the drain of current from each PFET. A summation of the drains of current from each PFET is provided as the current output to regulate the voltage output at the output terminal. Each PFET drains a current level of I0/n and the summation of the drains of current is the current output I0.

Abstract: A controller for use with a power converter including a switch configured to conduct to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output of the power converter, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a linear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a first control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller also includes a nonlinear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a second control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller is configured to select one of the first and second control signals for the switch in response to a change in an operating condition of the power converter.

Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator in which a rush current of an output circuit can be limited and a rise time of an output voltage is short. The voltage regulator includes a first output current limiting circuit and a second output current limiting circuit which are used to control the output circuit, and a detecting circuit for detecting a rise speed of an input voltage. The operation of the first output current limiting circuit whose detection current value is low is controlled by the detecting circuit.

Abstract: An LDO regulator includes two linear regulator circuits and an internal priority logic scheme that favors generating a regulated output voltage using a regulated supply voltage over an unregulated supply voltage. The unregulated supply voltage is applied to a first input terminal from a raw voltage source. The regulated supply voltage is applied to a second input terminal from, for example, a switching (e.g., BUCK) regulator. Two output devices are respectively connected between the first and second input terminals and the LDO output terminal. The first regulator circuit causes the first output device to supply the desired regulated output voltage while the switching regulator ramps up. Once the regulated supply voltage is high enough to allow regulation, the internal priority logic scheme disables the first regulator circuit, whereby the desired regulated output voltage is generated solely by the second regulator circuit through the second output device.

Abstract: There is provided a voltage generating apparatus that outputs a power source voltage from a voltage outputting terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a power supply stabilizing circuit provided in a chip of an electronic device. The power supply stabilizing circuit stabilizes a power supply voltage supplied to an operational circuit of the electronic device, and includes a current bypass section that supplies a bypass current from an auxiliary power supply interconnection to a main power supply interconnection, where the main power supply interconnection supplies the power supply voltage to the operational circuit, and the auxiliary power supply interconnection is different from the main power supply interconnection, and a current control section that varies an amount of the bypass current supplied by the current bypass section to the main power supply interconnection in accordance with a predetermined current variation pattern, under an external control, during an operation of the operational circuit.

Abstract: A multi-function voltage regulator for both DCDC function and LDO function includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a voltage control unit. The first transistor has a first terminal and a second terminal respectively connected to a first node and a second node. The second transistor has a first terminal and a second terminal respectively connected to the first node and a third node (voltage output node). The voltage control unit has a first output terminal and a second output terminal for respectively controlling actions of the first transistor and the second transistor so that an output voltage of the third node is a default voltage. The voltage control unit further has a first input terminal, a second input terminal and a ground terminal respectively connected to the second node, the third node and a ground node. The voltage control unit utilizes a voltage of the second node as a mode selection signal to select the DCDC function or LDO function.

Abstract: A low drop-out voltage regulator having soft-start. A low drop-out regulator circuit is provided having an input node, an output node, a power FET connected by a source and drain between the input node and the output node, and a feedback circuit having an output connected and providing a control signal to a gate of the power FET. A current limit circuit is configured to control the power FET to limit the current through it when the voltage across a controllable sense resistor connected to conduct a current representing the current through the power FET exceeds a predetermined limit value. At start-up, control unit provides a control signal to the controllable resistor to cause the resistance value of the controllable resistor to decrease incrementally in value at respective predetermined incremental times during a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a standard voltage generator, a regulator, a capacitor and a discharging circuit. The standard voltage generator is configured to generate a standard voltage. The regulator is configured to control an output voltage by use of a reference voltage based on the standard voltage outputted from the standard voltage generator, and to be capable of being switched ON/OFF. The capacitor is connected in parallel to the regulator between the standard voltage generator and the regulator. The discharging circuit is configured to discharge electrical charges from the capacitor while the regulator is in an OFF state.

Abstract: A charging device that may perform charging with larger current is provided. The charging device comprises a switching element for increasing or decreasing charging power, a PWM controlling circuit for intermittently turning the switching element on or off, a current detecting circuit for detecting current flowing through the switching element, and a rectifying circuit for rectifying output voltage of the current detecting circuit in response to power supply voltage. The PWM controlling circuit has a limiter terminal for turning off the switching element when voltage equal to or above a determined value is input, and rectified voltage from the rectifying circuit is input to the limiter terminal. In this charging device, an amount of temperature increase of the switching element is suppressed so as to remain within a fixed range, and the charging power is not restricted unnecessarily.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital controller for adjusting the duty ratio a pulse width modulation control signal used to control a power switch of a switch mode power converter. According to various embodiments, the digital controller comprises a voltage compensator module for generating a first signal (Dvoltage) representative of the duty ratio of the control signal based on a difference between an output voltage of the converter and a reference voltage. The controller also includes a current compensator module for generating a second signal (Dcorrection) representative of a modification to the duty ratio of the control signal based on an output current of the converter. A subtraction module subtracts the second signal (Dcorrection) from the first signal (Dvoltage) to thereby generate a third signal (D), which is used by a duty ratio PWM generator module to generate the pulse width modulation control signal with the appropriate duty ratio.

Abstract: An LDO (low dropout) regulator including a pass transistor having a first electrode coupled to produce an output voltage of the LDO regulator, a control electrode, and a second electrode coupled to receive an input voltage of the LDO regulator. An error amplifier has a first input coupled to a first reference voltage and an output coupled to the gate control electrode of the pass transistor. A first feedback circuit has an input coupled to the first electrode of the pass transistor and an output producing a first feedback voltage coupled to a second input of the error amplifier. The auxiliary amplifier has a first input coupled to a second reference voltage and an output coupled to the output of the error amplifier. A second feedback circuit has an input coupled to the output of the auxiliary amplifier and an output producing a second feedback voltage coupled to a second input of the auxiliary amplifier.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for intelligent power management of actuators such as those used in papermaking. Multiple power supply units are connected to a common power bus. The power bus is connected at predetermined locations to a communications bus. The communications bus is connected in series with all of the actuators. The actuators are arranged in predetermined groups. A computing device determines if electrical power can be supplied to some or all of the actuators that are requesting simultaneous movement and if there is insufficient power for all such actuators the computing device issues permission for actuators to move based on a preselected criteria.

Abstract: A constant voltage circuit which is capable of quickly responding to a sudden change of an output voltage includes an output transistor, and first and second error amplifiers. The output transistor outputs a power with an output voltage and an output current to a load. The first error amplifier is configured to increase a response speed with respect to changes of the output voltage in accordance with an increase of the output current so as to control operations of the output transistor. The second error amplifier has a response speed faster than the first error amplifier with respect to changes of the output voltage, and is configured to decrease a gain thereof in response to a drain current of the output transistor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator converts a voltage from a direct current power supply into a predetermined voltage, and outputs the predetermined voltage from an output terminal thereof to supply electric power to a load. The voltage regulator includes a first power supply circuit and a second power supply circuit. The first power supply circuit supplies the electric power to the load in accordance with a switching signal, when a load current is relatively high. The second power supply circuit supplies the electric power to the load in accordance with the switching signal, when the load current is relatively low. A bias current for operating the second power supply circuit is set to be proportional to the load current during the supply of the electric power to the load by the second power supply circuit.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a voltage-regulator and a power supply having a current-sharing circuit. The voltage-regulator capable of current sharing uses an enabling terminal as a current-sharing control interface. A pass transistor supplies an output voltage and an output current to an output terminal of the voltage-regulator. A feedback control circuit generates a control signal to control the pass transistor in response to a reference voltage. A current-sharing unit is coupled to the enabling terminal and the feedback control circuit for generating a bus signal in response to the current-sense signal and the reference voltage and generating the reference signal in response to the reference voltage, the bus signal and the current-sense signal.

Abstract: A voltage regulator comprising two feedback loops for regulating a load voltage, where the first feedback loop comprises a pass transistor to source current to the load, and the second feedback loop comprises a shunt transistor to shunt current from the pass transistor to ground. The use of two feedback loops allows the design of a voltage regulator in which it small-signal impedance, as seen by a power rail, has a phase not less than ?90 degrees. This mitigates interactions between the power rail and the voltage regulator that may lead to oscillations, without the need for a relatively large de-coupling capacitor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A high voltage power supply for use in a system such as a microfluidics system, uses a DC-DC converter in parallel with a voltage-controlled resistor. A feedback circuit provides a control signal for the DC-DC converter and voltage-controlled resistor so as to regulate the output voltage of the high voltage power supply, as well as, to sink or source current from the high voltage supply.

Abstract: An electrical circuit that provides accurate, regulated output voltage over a wide range of input voltages, while exhibiting each of three desired characteristics: accuracy across different supply/process/temperature; stability and linearity yielding phase/gain margins; and high (good) power supply rejection ratio (PSRR). The circuit comprises an output node having a load current and an amplifier having a first input coupled to a reference voltage and receiving a bias input current that is a pre-established proportionate size of the load current across the output node, such that a change in the load current results in a proportionate change in the bias input current. The electrical circuit represents a voltage regulator that provides accurate, linear output voltage that is a predictable portion of the reference voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing driver power dissipation efficiency in a low noise current supply utilizing a power supply and a voltage regulator to power an output current regulator. An analog processing circuit adjusts the voltage drop on the voltage regulator, to make it equal with the voltage drop on current regulator.

Abstract: A method for regulating a voltage in an integrated circuit device includes providing a first regulated output based upon a first voltage input range and subsequently receiving the first regulated output and providing a second regulated output based upon a second voltage input range of the first regulated output. A circuit is further provided that operates accordingly. Additionally, a clipper circuit is provided at the input to protect for over voltage conditions that may results, for example, from a charging battery to cause an output voltage of the battery to substantially exceed ordinary output voltage levels.

Abstract: A power converter that can continue to operate after suffering a partial failure. The power converter includes multiple array transformers; normally-on switches connected respectively in series with the ends of each of the primary windings of the array transformers; normally-off current bypass devices connected in parallel with the series connections of the primary windings of the array transformers and the switches at the transformer ends; AC-DC converter units having AC sides respectively connected secondary windings of the array transformers; and mutually independent DC circuits respectively connected to DC sides of the AC-DC converter units. By turning on the current bypass device of the primary winding of a specified array transformer and turning off the switches at the ends of that primary winding, it is possible to isolate the specified array transformer and the AC-DC converter unit connected to it.

Abstract: A power control system includes a voltage control circuit and a plurality of balance circuits. The voltage control circuit controls a voltage level at an output of the power control system according to a reference voltage. Each of the plurality of balancing circuits outputs a current, whose magnitude is a specific ratio to an output current outputted from the voltage control circuit. The power control system is capable of balancing output currents of the voltage control circuit and the plurality of balance circuits in order to share output load of the power control system.

Abstract: A current-sense circuit for measuring a load current in a switching power regulator may operate independently of process variation and temperature, and measure bi-directional load currents without requiring high-speed, high-voltage amplifiers for operation. A positive sense voltage may be generated for positive and/or negative values of a switch current conducted by a power switching device in the switching power regulator, by applying a linear transformation to a switch voltage developed across the power switching device according to the switch current. A first sense current may be generated by applying the positive sense voltage across a matching switching device having a same channel length as the power switching device. A second sense current may be generated independently of the switch voltage, and a total sense current that is proportional to the switch current may be calculated by subtracting the second current from the first current.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a charge pump boosting an input voltage and outputting the boosted voltage to a load, and a charge pump control circuit outputting a voltage to the charge pump based on the output voltage of the charge pump and determining an upper limit value of a current to be output to the charge pump based on the output voltage of the charge pump.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nonlinear adaptive voltage positioning DC-DC converter method and apparatus that enable improved voltage transient response under changing current conditions for a load with known current draw characteristics. The invention in some embodiments provides that the nonlinear adaptive voltage positioning be adaptable or configurable to a specific, known current load range that comprises less than the full current range that may be provided by the DC-DC converter, to optimize voltage transient response for a particular known load.

Abstract: A circuit for processing a supply voltage with a voltage peak to obtain an output signal with reduced or eliminated voltage peak, comprises a first capacitance and a second capacitance, wherein a controllable resistor is formed between the first and second capacitance in series to the same, which has a high resistance when a voltage at the first capacitance is smaller than an input voltage set value, and whose resistance is reduced to a lower resistance when the input voltage at the first capacitance is higher than or equal to the input voltage set value, so that finally, when the output voltage at the second capacitance reaches an output voltage set value, the controllable resistor is substantially no longer visible, but connects the two capacitances in parallel.

Abstract: A heavy duty cycle power converter (2) has current mode control in which the closed loop control is carried out by a controller (5) using a desired signal (11) which is a function of the difference between the desired duty cycle (7) and the measured duty cycle (6). This fluctuates current mode control without voltage feedback.

Abstract: A low drop-out voltage regulator having a pass device (Mp), an error amplifier (M1-M51) and a double regulation loop including DC feedback loop (R1, R2) and an AC feedback loop (Rf, Cf) including a high pass filter (Cf). Combining these two loops creates an ultra low frequency internal pole which makes the regulator stable substantially independent of the output bypass capacitor's value. This provides the following advantages: allows the use of very low bypass capacitors; allows to extend the PSRR frequency behavior; allows an increase in the regulator's efficiency (reduced power consumption on heavy loads).