With Ramp Generator Or Controlled Capacitor Charging Patents (Class 323/288)
  • Patent number: 8779748
    Abstract: An error amplification circuit includes an integrated circuit and a phase compensation capacitor. The integrated circuit includes an error amplifier to amplify a difference between a predetermined reference voltage and an input feedback voltage for output; a current generator circuit to generate a bias current for supply to the error amplifier; a phase compensation resistor; a bias-current control terminal; and a phase compensation terminal connected to an output terminal of the error amplifier via the phase compensation resistor. The phase compensation capacitor is connected to the phase compensation terminal, the phase compensation capacitor being provided outside the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Gotoh
  • Patent number: 8773872
    Abstract: A control device for a switching circuit of a resonant converter having a direct current at the output, the switching circuit having at least one half bridge of at least first and second transistors connected between an input voltage and a reference voltage. The half bridge is adapted to generate a periodic square wave voltage to drive the resonant circuit of the resonant converter; The control device has a circuit to proportionally generate a first voltage to a switching period, and a circuit adapted to limit the voltage at the ends of a capacitor between a reference voltage and the first voltage, and a further circuit structured to control the switching off of a first or second transistor at the time instant in which the voltage across the capacitor has reached the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventor: Claudio Adragna
  • Patent number: 8773102
    Abstract: A novel switching hysteretic power converter is presented. The power converter combines the function of a capacitive charge pump with the function of an inductive step down converter to obtain a switching boost converter with a much simpler control method with respect to conventional inductive boost power converters. The hysteretic control provides stable operation in all conditions with excellent load transient response. Furthermore the hysteretic control allows high frequency switching reducing the size and cost of the passive components. The Discontinuous Conduction Mode of operation provides very high efficiency even at light loads. The presented power converter can be operated as a boost converter or as a buck converter simply by changing the switching phase of one switch. In both types of operation the efficiency of the hysteretic power converter can be quite high even at high switching frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: ETA Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Paolo Menegoli, Fabio Alessio Marino
  • Patent number: 8760129
    Abstract: A driver circuit, in accordance with one example, includes a controllable current source operably coupled to the load and configured to sink or source a first current in accordance with a control signal. A controllable switch is responsive to an input signal, operably coupled to the current source, and configured to take over, or not, the first current in accordance with an input signal. The first current is directed as a load current through the load when the controllable switch is driven into a blocking state. The first current is directed through the controllable switch when the controllable switch is driven into a conducting state thus bypassing the load. An input signal includes a first series of pulses defining the desired load current waveform in accordance with a desired modulation scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Fabrizio Cortigiani, Franco Mignoli
  • Patent number: 8754626
    Abstract: A switching regulator includes a capacitor, a charge control circuit, a discharge detector, a switch circuit, and a feedback circuit. The charge control circuit charges and discharges the capacitor. The discharge detector has an input coupled to the capacitor to detect when the capacitor has discharged to a predetermined level to indicate an over-current condition. The switch circuit is coupled to receive an input voltage. The switch circuit is made conductive and non conductive by a switching signal for supplying an output voltage at a regulated voltage level. The duty cycle of the switching signal is reduced in response to an indication of an over-current condition. The feedback circuit is for controlling a discharge rate of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira G. Miller, Ricardo Takase Goncalves, John M. Pigott
  • Publication number: 20140159695
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a switch power supply controller can include: (i) a switch configured to operate in first and second states during each switch cycle; (ii) a switch time regulating circuit that compares a duration of the first state in a present switch cycle against an expected first state duration; (iii) the switch time regulating circuit decreasing a duration of the second state in the present switch cycle when the first state duration is greater than the expected first state duration, to decrease a first state duration for a next switch cycle; and (iv) the switch time regulating circuit being increasing the second state duration in the present switch cycle when the first state duration is less than the expected first state duration, to increase a first state duration for a next switch cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD
    Inventor: Jin Jin
  • Patent number: 8748791
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a band gap reference unit configured to provide a reference voltage having a predetermined voltage level, a storage unit configured to store the reference voltage, a switch configured to selectively connect the storage unit to the band gap reference unit, and a ramp signal generation unit configured to receive an input voltage corresponding to the reference voltage stored in the storage unit and generate a ramp signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Bum Lee, Tae Woo Kim
  • Patent number: 8749211
    Abstract: A high voltage power supply is provided. The high voltage power supply includes a soft-start circuit unit which outputs a natural voltage that decreases exponentially as time elapses and converts the natural voltage into a forced voltage having a predetermined scale if an enable signal is applied, a controller which compares the natural voltage output from the soft-start circuit unit with a reference voltage and outputs a control signal, and a converting unit which delays outputting a final voltage during a first predetermined time period and outputs the final voltage, which gradually increases as time elapses according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pankaj Agarwal, Joon-hyun Yang, Sung-jin Choi
  • Patent number: 8749216
    Abstract: A constant on-time converter has an input terminal, an output terminal, a feedback circuit, an operating circuit, a comparison circuit, a timer, a driving circuit and a switching circuit. The operating circuit is coupled to a compensation signal adjusted by a digital controller, and the compensation signal rises up to a predetermined amplitude when a feedback signal is less than a reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Li, Xiaokang Wu, Qian Ouyang
  • Patent number: 8742743
    Abstract: A switching-control circuit to control a switching operation of a transistor, having an input electrode applied with the input voltage and an output electrode connected to a load via an inductor, to generate an output voltage of a target level from an input voltage, includes: a voltage-generating circuit to generate a slope voltage based on the output voltage in each of a switching period of the transistor, the slope voltage changing with a slope corresponding to the output voltage; an adding circuit to add the slope voltage to a reference voltage, indicating a reference of the output voltage of the target level, or a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage; and a drive circuit to perform the switching operation of the transistor, when a level of either one voltage, added with the slope voltage, of the reference and feedback voltages reaches a level of an other voltage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Masao Seki
  • Patent number: 8736244
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing capacitive current-mode control of a voltage regulator or converter, such as a DC/DC buck converter, are provided. An inductor current flowing from an inductive element into a first node of the converter, and, an output current flowing from the first node into an external load coupled to the converter may be determined. The measured output current may be subtracted from the measured inductor current to indirectly determine a capacitor current flowing from the first node into a capacitive element coupled between the first node and ground. The inductor current may then be adjusted based on the indirect measure of the capacitor current. The output current provided to the external load by the converter may be current-limited. The inductor current and the output current may be determined by sensing one or more voltage differentials across discrete or parasitic resistances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Voigtlander
  • Patent number: 8729882
    Abstract: An example circuit includes a capacitance circuit coupled between a first node and a second node. A regulator circuit is coupled to the capacitance circuit to regulate a supply voltage across the capacitance circuit with a charge current during a normal operation mode of the circuit. A slew rate control circuit is coupled to the capacitance circuit and the regulator circuit. The slew rate control circuit is coupled to set a slew rate of a change in voltage over change in time between the first and second nodes during a power up mode of the circuit. The slew rate control circuit includes a transistor coupled between the first and second nodes to shunt excess current from the charge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kung, Leif Lund
  • Patent number: 8716987
    Abstract: A power supply arrangement is specified in which a capacitor with a low internal resistance, in particular a supercap (3), is connected via a means for charging (4) to an input (1) and via a load current regulator (9) to a connecting means (7) for an electrical load (8). Together with a feedback path, a control loop is formed for the load current through the electrical load (8). It is therefore possible to allow flash operation in applications such as mobile telephones with rechargeable batteries with a high internal resistance, with provision for high energy utilization from the capacitor, with controlled discharging with a regulated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: ams AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pauritsch, Peter Trattler
  • Patent number: 8710821
    Abstract: A method for mitigating aliasing effects in a single phase power converter and mitigating aliasing effects and inhibiting thermal run-away in a multi-phase power converter at varying load transition rates. A single phase or multi-phase power converter having an on-time is provided and the frequency of the power converter is adjusted so that a load step period and the on time of the single phase power converter are in a temporal relationship. Alternatively, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the single phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal. In accordance with another alternative, a load step rate is inhibited from locking onto a phase current of the single phase power converter by suspending an oscillator signal and dithering an input signal to the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Ole P. Moyer, Paul Jay Harriman, Benjamin M. Rice, Christopher J. Gass, Michael A. Stapleton
  • Patent number: 8710817
    Abstract: A power converter includes an input and an output. A regulation circuit is coupled between the power converter input and the power converter output. The regulation circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of the power converter output. The feedback signal has a first feedback state that represents a level at the power converter output that is above a threshold level and a second feedback state that represents a level at the power converter output that is below the threshold level. An oscillator is included in the regulation circuit that provides an oscillation signal that cycles between two states. The regulation circuit is coupled to be responsive to the oscillation signal and to a change between the first and second feedback states to enable or disable a flow of energy from the power converter input to the power converter output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, Alex B. Djenguerian, Leif O. Lund
  • Patent number: 8710820
    Abstract: A power architecture receives an input signal at an input node and converts the input signal into an intermediate signal with a power conversion stage. The power conversion stage supplies the intermediate signal to an output node of the power conversion stage where the intermediate signal is filtered with an operating capacitance coupled to the output node. A hold-up capacitance is charged, and when a loss of the input signal is detected, the hold-up capacitance is coupled to the input node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ernest Clyde Parker
  • Patent number: 8710905
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bias voltage generating circuits configured for switching power supplies, and associated control methods. In one embodiment, a bias voltage generating circuit can include: (i) a first control circuit configured to compare a drain-source voltage of a switch against a bias voltage; (ii) a capacitor, with the bias voltage across the capacitor; (iii) a second control circuit configured to control the switch, and that is enabled when the bias voltage is at least as high as an expected bias voltage; (iv) the first control circuit being configured to control the capacitor to charge when the drain-source voltage of the switch is greater than the bias voltage; and (v) the bias voltage being less than an overvoltage protection voltage when the capacitor charges, and where the overvoltage protection voltage comprises a voltage that is a predetermined amount higher than the expected bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8704505
    Abstract: A switching power source apparatus includes a high-side MOSFET 11 connected to an input voltage Vin, a ramp signal generator 18 to generate a ramp signal in synchronization with a switching frequency of the high-side MOSFET 11, an amplitude signal generator (second feedback controller 2) to generate an amplitude signal Comp corresponding to an amplitude of the ramp signal, and a controller 1 to control ON timing of the high-side MOSFET 11 according to the ramp signal, a feedback signal FB corresponding to an output voltage Vout, and a first reference voltage REF, as well as controlling an ON width of the high-side MOSFET 11 according to the amplitude signal Comp, the input voltage Vin, and the output voltage Vout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8698476
    Abstract: A control circuit and method for a current mode controlled power converter to convert an input voltage into an output voltage, dynamically adjust the peak or the valley of a ramp signal depending on either or both of the input voltage and the output voltage. Under different conditions of the input voltage and the output voltage, the current mode controlled power converter can generate stable output voltages with an invariant inductor and an invariant compensation circuit, without sub-harmonic which otherwise may happen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Wen-Wei Chen, Kuo-Chi Liu
  • Patent number: 8698465
    Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a power supply including a first switch and a second switch coupled in series between a first potential and a second potential. The control circuit includes a detection circuit that detects a magnitude relation of a voltage value at a node between the first and second switches and a reference value during a period in which the first switch and the second switch are inactivated. The detection circuit generates a control signal corresponding to the magnitude relation. A regulation circuit regulates a switching timing of the second switch in response to the control signal to decrease a difference between the voltage value at the node and the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Futamura, Takashi Matsumoto, Ryuta Nagai
  • Patent number: 8698467
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a first switching element and a second switching element that are provided in series between a first power line and a second power line; a power supply circuit that outputs a given output voltage by on/off controlling the first switching element and the second switch element; a current detection circuit that detects a current corresponding to an output load current of the power supply circuit; a switching time control circuit that controls a switching time defined by a power supply voltage and the output voltage based on a current value detected by the current detection circuit; and a switching element control circuit that controls the first switching element and the second switching element based on an output signal of the switching time control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Hideta Oki
  • Patent number: 8698471
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a digital-to-charge converter (“DQC”) are disclosed. A DQC may include a converting circuit configured to receive a first digital signal indicative of a voltage across a capacitor coupled to an output pin of the digital-to-charge converter and to determine a present charge of the capacitor based at least in part on the first digital signal. The DQC may also include an error determining circuit coupled to the converting circuit, wherein the error determining circuit is configured to receive a second digital signal indicative of a target charge via an input pin of the digital-to-charge converter and to determine a difference between the target charge and the present charge. The DQC may further include a correction circuit coupled to the error determining circuit and configured to control a programmable current source to produce an analog signal at the output pin in response to the determined difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson L. Gokingco, Stephen C. Gerber, Wayne T. Holcombe, Miroslav Svajda, Robert G. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8698475
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a SMPS. The SMPS comprises an output port, configured to supply a load; a control signal generator, having an input and an output configured to provide a first control signal; a first switch configured to receive the first control signal and regulate the voltage at the output port; and a ramp signal generator, comprising an input and an output, wherein the input is configured to receive the control signal and the output is configured to provide a current signal simulating an output signal at the output port, and wherein the output of the ramp signal generator is further coupled to the input of the means for generating control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Yan Dong, Peng Xu
  • Publication number: 20140097815
    Abstract: Circuits and related methods for energy efficient battery supplied switching DC-to-DC regulators are disclosed. When entering a power-down state the energy in an output capacitor is harvested and charged back to the battery. This is achieved by ramping-down a reference voltage after a power-down sequence is initiated. The output voltage of the regulator is ramped-down accordingly. At the end of the power down sequence the output voltage of the regulator is down to 0V. The disclosure is especially important for regulators, which frequently are started up and switched down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR GMBH
    Inventors: Takashi Fujisaki, Hidenori Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8692536
    Abstract: Provided is a switching regulator including a circuit for detecting a short-circuit state easily and reliably, without the need of an adjustment step such as trimming. In accordance with a drive signal of a power switching element of the switching regulator, a discharge circuit is controlled. When the power switching element is short-circuited and becomes the ON state all the time, the discharge circuit stops its operation, and a capacitor is continuously charged. A voltage detection circuit detects that a charge voltage of the capacitor has reached a predetermined potential, to thereby detect the short-circuit state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Michiyasu Deguchi
  • Patent number: 8686697
    Abstract: A DC voltage booster apparatus includes a booster coil, a first capacitor, a switching device, and a second capacitor. The booster coil includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the booster coil is connected to a DC power supply source. The second end of the booster coil is connected to a rectifier diode. The first capacitor is connected between the rectifier diode and a ground. The first capacitor includes a smoothing capacitor. The switching device is disposed between the second end of the booster coil and the ground. The second capacitor is connected in parallel with the rectifier diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironori Ujike, Minoru Torii
  • Publication number: 20140077783
    Abstract: An adjusting apparatus sets a designated value of a current source circuit to be a predetermined value, and causes discharging of a capacitor to end by switching a switch to a discharging side when the capacitor is not being charged by current output from a switching power source circuit. After the discharging of the capacitor ends and the designated value is set, the adjusting apparatus causes the capacitor to be charged by switching the switch to a charging side. The adjusting apparatus further measures a time period from the time when the switch is switched to the charging side until an electric potential difference of the capacitor exceeds a threshold value. Based on the measured time period and the predetermined value, the adjusting apparatus calculates the designated value such that the measured time period is a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventors: Masahiro TANAKA, Hiroyuki MATSUNAMI, Osamu YAMAGUCHI, Osamu SUGAYA
  • Publication number: 20140070784
    Abstract: Analog pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuits and techniques are presented for improving output voltage load transient response in controlling DC to DC conversion systems in which a transient detector circuit restarts a PWM carrier ramp waveform to initiate asynchronous injection of a pulse between the regular periodic PWM pulses in a fixed frequency pulse stream to mitigate the effect of output inductor energy depletion on output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Lynch, Neeraj Keskar
  • Patent number: 8664982
    Abstract: A buck-boost power converter includes a power stage to convert an input voltage to an output voltage, an error amplifier to generate an error signal according to a reference voltage and a feedback signal proportional to the output voltage, a ramp generator to provide two ramp signals, and two comparators to generate two control signals according to the error signal and the two ramp signals to drive the power stage. By using feed-forward technique, one of the two ramp signals has a peak varying with the input voltage and the other ramp signal has a valley varying with the input voltage, so that the power converter has fast line response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technoloy Corp.
    Inventors: Ke-Horng Chen, Pin-Chin Huang, Hsin-Hsin Ho
  • Publication number: 20140055115
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a circuit including a DC-DC converter comprising: a boost converter to provide a DC voltage output from a DC input voltage, the DC output voltage configured to connect with a first load terminal, a feedback module configured to connect with a second load terminal, a switching module having a switching element coupled to the boost converter, and a control circuit coupled to the switching module to control operation of the switching element, the control circuit coupled to the feedback module, wherein the control circuit includes a slope generator to generate a ramp signal having a slope that can vary cycle to cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: PRANAV RAVAL, Gregory Szczeszynski, George Humphrey
  • Patent number: 8653805
    Abstract: A duty ratio/voltage conversion circuit that converts the duty ratio of an input signal into voltage level and outputs the voltage level includes: an input terminal to which the input signal is input; a first CR integrating circuit that integrates the input signal; a load resistor a first end of which is connected to an output point of the first CR integrating circuit, and a second end of which is grounded; and an output terminal connected to the load resistor. The first CR integrating circuit includes a first pathway that has a first resistor, and a second pathway in which a phase inversion portion, a second resistor and a first capacitor are connected in series, and is a parallel circuit in which first and second ends of the first pathway are connected to first and second ends, respectively, of the second pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Koichi Mizutani, Shoji Abo, Kouichi Yamanoue
  • Patent number: 8648577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a DC-DC converter including: a first series circuit which is connected to the two ends of a direct-current power source Vi, and in which a first switching element Q1 and a second switching element Q2 are connected together in series; a control circuit 10 configured to alternately turn on and off the first switching element and the second switching element; a second series circuit which is connected to the two ends of the first switching element, and in which a first capacitor Ci, a first reactor Ls and a second reactor Ll having a larger value than the first reactor are connected together in series; and rectifying/smoothing circuits (Do, Co) configured to rectify and smooth a voltage between the two ends of the second reactor, and to output a direct-current output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Usui
  • Patent number: 8643355
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a modulator includes a comparator and ramp generating circuitry. A first comparison signal is generated in response to comparing a first input signal with a compensation signal. A second comparison signal is generated in response to comparing a second input signal with the compensation signal. A first latch signal is generated in response to the first comparison signal and a second latch signal is generated in response to the second comparison signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Kisun Lee
  • Patent number: 8644039
    Abstract: A voltage multiplying circuit comprising: a first capacitor, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first capacitor is selectively coupled to a first voltage or a second voltage, and the second terminal is selectively coupled to the first voltage or a fourth voltage; a second capacitor, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second capacitor is selectively coupled to the second voltage or the fourth voltage, and the second terminal of the second capacitor is selectively coupled to a third voltage or the fourth voltage; and a third capacitor, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the third capacitor is selectively coupled to the second voltage or the fourth voltage, and the second terminal of the third capacitor is selectively coupled to a third voltage or the fourth voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: ILI Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chen-Jung Chuang, Chien-Kuo Wang
  • Patent number: 8638083
    Abstract: A control module includes a control unit that is configured to control an electrically adjustable item of furniture, and a switched mode power supply that is configured to supply the control unit. The control unit and power supply are integrated into a common housing. The switched mode power supply is configured to be switched to an idle operating state depending on a ready signal. The switched mode power supply includes, in a second stage, a switched mode regulator component, the supply voltage of which is made available in the idle operating state by a starting circuit in a clocked manner. The starting circuit has an energy store and a resistive element. The energy store and the resistive element are dimensioned so that, in the idle operating state, an interval for charging the energy is longer than an interval for discharging the energy store by the switched mode regulator component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: LOGICDATA Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Koch, Mario Schenk
  • Patent number: 8629666
    Abstract: A power supply controller produces a compensation value based at least in part on: an estimated or known output capacitance of the power supply, a specified rate of changing a magnitude of the output voltage as specified by the voltage setting information, and/or a load-line resistance of the power supply. The power supply controller utilizes the compensation value to adjust a magnitude of the output voltage during a voltage transition in which the output voltage is changed from an initial output voltage setting to a target output voltage setting at a pre-specified rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert T. Carroll, Venkat Sreenivas
  • Patent number: 8629667
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are pulse width modulator (PWM) solutions with comparators not relying on a variable reference to adjust duty cycle. In accordance with some embodiments, a pulse width modulator having a comparator with an applied adjustable waveform to generate a bit stream with a controllably adjustable duty cycle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Fabrice Paillet, Peter Hazucha, Gerhard Schrom, Tanay Karnik, Sung T. Moon, Donald S. Gardner
  • Patent number: 8624574
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter including a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controller for converting an input voltage into an output voltage is provided. The PWM controller includes: an error amplifier, receiving a reference voltage and a feedback voltage and provides an error signal; a compensation unit coupled to an output of the error amplifier, compensating the error signal and comprising a first resister and a first capacitor; a ramp generator, generating a ramp signal according to a constant on time PWM signal; a first comparator coupled to the compensation unit and the ramp generator, comparing the compensated error signal with the ramp signal to generate a trigger signal; and a PWM generator coupled to the first comparator, providing the constant on time PWM signal according to the trigger signal, an input voltage of the DC-DC converter and the output voltage of the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: UPI Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Min-Chu Chien, Yung-Peng Huang
  • Patent number: 8618785
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a transistor having a gate, a drain, and a source. The drain is coupled to receive an AC power supply signal. A component is coupled between an output node and the gate of the transistor. The component couples an output voltage from the output node to charge a gate-source capacitor during a first portion of the AC power supply signal. The transistor is configured to turn on during a second portion of the AC power supply signal to send a charge to the output node where the charge is used to power a circuit of a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
    Inventor: Rajesh Tiruvuru
  • Patent number: 8618784
    Abstract: A regulator control circuit includes a high side driver that is configured to receive a supply voltage. A capacitor is configured to store charges. A first transistor is coupled between the capacitor at a first node and a gate of a high side driver at a second node. The first node is capable of being boosted to a voltage to operate the first transistor at a saturation mode for a charge sharing between the first node and the second node so as to substantially turn on the high side driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Justin Shi, Alan Roth, Eric Soenen
  • Publication number: 20130334876
    Abstract: A power supply device includes: a comparator that compares an error voltage and a slope voltage to generate a comparison signal; a PWM pulse generation portion that generates a PWM pulse based on a clock signal and the comparison signal; an on-time fixed pulse generation portion that uses the comparison signal as a trigger to generate an on-time fixed pulse where an on-time and an on-time number are constant; a one shot pulse generation portion that generates once, when a soft start voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, a one shot pulse where the on-time and the on-time number are constant; and a selector that selects any one of the PWM pulse, the on-time fixed pulse and the one shot pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Yuhei YAMAGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8604757
    Abstract: A DC/DC power conversion apparatus includes a reactor connected to a DC power supply and a DC voltage conversion section connected to the reactor. The DC voltage conversion section includes a plurality of switching devices, a charge-discharge capacitor which is charged or discharged by ON/OFF operations of the switching devices, a plurality of diodes which provide a charging route and a discharging route for the charge-discharge capacitor. The DC/DC power conversion apparatus also includes a smoothing capacitor on an output side, which is connected to the DC voltage conversion section and including a plurality of voltage division capacitors connected in series to each other, and a switching device for voltage equalization provided on a connection line provided between the negative terminal of the charge-discharge capacitor and a connection point between the voltage division capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Okuda, Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 8593126
    Abstract: A power supply device that includes a switch circuit to which an input voltage is supplied, a coil coupled between the switch circuit and an output terminal from which an output voltage is outputted. A voltage adding circuit adds a slope voltage to a reference voltage. A control unit compares a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage and the reference voltage and switches the switch circuit at a timing corresponding to a comparison result of the feedback voltage and the reference voltage. A slope adjustment circuit differentiates a current flowing in the coil and adjusts a slope amount of the slope based on a differentiation result of the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventors: Shinichiro Suga, Kenta Ido, Tomohiro Suzuki, Hiroaki Sumiya, Katsuyuki Yasukouchi, Takahiro Yoshino
  • Patent number: 8593128
    Abstract: Another embodiment includes a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes a series switch element connected between a first voltage supply and a common node, the series switch element comprising an NMOS series switching transistor, a shunt switch element connected between the common node and a second voltage supply, the shunt switch element comprising an NMOS shunt switching transistor. The voltage regulator further includes means for closing the series switch element during a first period by applying a switching gate voltage to a gate of the NMOS series switch transistor of the series switch element, wherein the switching gate voltage has a voltage potential of at least a threshold voltage greater than a voltage potential of the common node, means for closing the shunt switch element during a second period, the shunt switch element comprising an NMOS shunt switching transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burns, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 8593124
    Abstract: A switching power source apparatus includes a high-side MOSFET 11, a ramp generator 18 to generate a ramp signal, an amplitude signal generator (second feedback controller 2) to generate an amplitude signal Comp corresponding to an amplitude of the ramp signal, and a first feedback controller 1 to control the ON timing of the high-side MOSFET 11 according to the ramp signal, a feedback signal FB, and a first reference voltage REF and control the ON width of the high-side MOSFET 11 according to the amplitude signal Comp. The ramp generator 18 controls the inclination of the ramp signal so that the ramp signal maintains a predetermined amplitude. The first feedback controller 1 controls the ON width of the high-side MOSFET 11 so that the ON width does not become narrower than a predetermined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8593841
    Abstract: A compensation circuit and method for constant current regulation of switching mode power supply are disclosed. The ringing waveform of a feedback signal, indicative of the output current of the power supply, causes error. To eliminate the error, a current source charges a capacitor in response to a demagnetizing oscillation signal indicative of the error caused by the ringing waveform of the feedback signal. The voltage across the capacitor is compared to a reference signal to generate a more accurate signal indicative of the conductive time of a secondary diode in a secondary winding of the switching mode power supply. This more accurate signal is inputted to a logic circuit to generate a constant current control signal to control a power switch of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Siran Wang, Yuancheng Ren, Junming Zhang, En Li
  • Patent number: 8587269
    Abstract: A DC-DC voltage converter having a switching stage including high- and low-side switches connected in series at a switched node across a DC voltage bus; a control circuit; and a feedback loop connected between an output of the switching stage and an input of the control circuit, the control circuit having a clock signal input and including an error processing circuit coupled to the input for detecting an output of the feedback loop, the control circuit turning OFF the low-side switch and turning ON the high-side switch when the clock signal is detected. The control circuit operates in a cycle-by-cycle operation generating PWM modulation synchronous to the external clock source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Maurizio Salato
  • Patent number: 8587275
    Abstract: Circuitry and method for providing a signal indicative of instances of conduction of average inductor current in a DC-to-DC voltage converter. Such signal identifies a time when the instantaneous average current being conducted by the inductor in a DC-to-DC voltage converter can be measured by providing a signal edge approximately halfway through one of the increasing and decreasing current conduction intervals of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Faruk Jose Nome Silva, Karen Chan
  • Patent number: 8587285
    Abstract: A power regulator includes an output terminal, which outputs an output voltage, and a converter unit including a switch circuit, which is supplied with an input voltage, and a coil, which is coupled between the switch circuit and the output terminal. A control circuit compares a feedback voltage, which is in accordance with the output voltage, and a reference voltage and controls the switch circuit in response to a switching timing that is in accordance with the comparison result. The control circuit includes a voltage adding circuit, which adds a ramp voltage to the feedback voltage or the reference voltage, and a timing adjustment circuit, which is coupled to the voltage adding circuit to delay a timing for adding the ramp voltage with the voltage adding circuit from a switching timing of the switch circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Toru Miyamae
  • Publication number: 20130285635
    Abstract: There is provided a power supply circuit. A switching regulator is configured to drop a battery voltage to a first specific voltage. A series regulator includes a switching element and a capacitor connected at an output stage of the switching element. The series regulator is configured to drop the first specific voltage to a second specific voltage and output the second specific voltage. A control circuit is configured to adjust an amount of electric charge to be accumulated in the capacitor according to a voltage value of the first specific voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU TEN LIMITED
    Inventor: Yuichiro SHIMIZU