Abstract: A boost apparatus including a boost power conversion circuit and a control chip is provided. The boost power conversion circuit is configured to receive a DC input voltage and provide a DC output voltage to a light-emitting-diode (LED) load in response to a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal. The control chip has a first complex function pin, and is configured to: generate the PWM signal to control the operation of the boost power conversion circuit; perform an OCP detection on the boost power conversion circuit through the first complex function pin when the PWM signal is enabled to determine whether to activate an OCP mechanism; and perform an OVP detection on the boost power conversion circuit through the first complex function pin when the PWM signal is disabled to determine whether to activate an OVP mechanism.

Abstract: A boost apparatus adapted for providing a direct-current (DC) output voltage to a load is provided, and the boost apparatus includes a boost power conversion circuit and a control chip. The boost power conversion circuit has a diode coupled to the load. Besides, the boost power conversion circuit is configured to receive a DC input voltage and provide the DC output voltage to the load in response to a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal. The control chip is coupled to the boost power conversion circuit and configured to generate the PWM signal to control the operation of the boost power conversion circuit. The control chip is also configured to stop outputting the PWM signal and enter into a shutdown state when the diode is an open circuit or a short circuit, so as to protect the boost apparatus and/or the load from being damaged.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current. Furthermore, by detecting the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip, the control chip would enter into a shutdown status in response to the detected compensation voltage being greater than a predetermined threshold voltage for a predetermined counting time in case that the LED string is failure.

Abstract: A successive approximation register (SAR-ADC) including a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit, a sample-and-hold circuit, a comparison circuit and a SAR logic control circuit is provided. The DAC circuit is configured to convert an N-bits digital logic signal into a comparison signal, where N is a positive integer. The sample-and-hold circuit is configured to sample and hold an analog input signal. The comparison circuit is configured to use the analog input signal held by the sample-and-hold circuit as a basis for comparing with the comparison signal and thereby generates a comparison result signal. The SAR logic control circuit is configured to provide the N-bits digital logic signal and determine a logic state of each of bits of the digital logic signal one by one according to the comparison result signal, and thus generate a digital output signal related to the analog input signal.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus and an LED driving method suitable for driving an LED load are provided. The LED driving apparatus includes a driving circuit, a feedback circuit, and a control chip. The driving circuit provides a driving voltage to one terminal of the LED load according to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driving signal. The feedback circuit generates a feedback voltage according to a voltage on the other terminal of the LED load. The control chip is configured to generate the PWM driving signal and adjust the duty cycle of the PWM driving signal in response to the feedback voltage. If the control chip determines the PWM driving signal with a threshold duty cycle continues being output over a preset period of time, the control chip determines that the current leakage phenomenon occurs on the LED load and stops generating the PWM driving signal.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current.

Abstract: A boost type power converting apparatus is disclosed. The boost type power converting apparatus includes a boost type power converting circuit and a protection circuit. The boost type power converting circuit receives an input voltage and generates an output signal at an output terminal thereof according to the input voltage, and outputs the output signal to a load. The protection circuit is coupled between the boost type power converting circuit and the load in series to form an electrical loop, and turns on or off the electrical loop according to the output signal.

Abstract: An LED load driving apparatus including a power conversion circuit and a control chip is provided. The power conversion circuit receives an input voltage and drives an LED load in response to a PWM signal. The control chip includes a control core circuit and a memory unit. The control core circuit is operated under a system voltage to provide the PWM signal for controlling operation of the power conversion circuit. The control core circuit is inactivated during a power-off period and restarted during a power-on period. The memory unit is operated under the input voltage and is configured to: store a dimming operation data before the control core circuit is inactivated during the power-off period; and provide the stored dimming operation data during the power-on period to the control core circuit, so as to make the control core circuit perform corresponding dimming operation relating to the LED load.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus related to light emitting diodes (LED) is provided. The load driving apparatus includes a power conversion circuit, a complex function circuit, and a control chip. The power conversion circuit receives a DC input voltage and provides a DC output voltage to at least one LED string in response to a gate pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal. The complex function circuit is serially connected with the LED string and provides a short-protection mechanism. The control chip is coupled to the power conversion circuit and the complex function circuit. The control chip generates the gate PWM signal to control the operation of the power conversion circuit, and when the LED string is short-circuited, the control chip controls the complex function circuit to activate the short-protection mechanism, so as to protect the load driving apparatus from being damaged.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus and a driving method thereof are provided. The load driving apparatus includes a power conversion circuit and a control chip. The power conversion circuit receives a DC input voltage, and drives an LED load in response to a gate PWM signal. The control chip is configured to: provide the gate PWM signal having a first preset duty cycle during a light operation period of a dimming operation, so that the LED load is fully turned on; and provide the gate PWM signal having a second preset duty cycle during a dark operation period of the dimming operation, so that the LED load is slightly turned on. The second preset duty cycle is far less than the first preset duty cycle. A current of the LED load during the light operation period is far more than a current of the LED load during the dark operation period.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip would not be changed in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin (CMP) of the control chip would be maintained in unchanging regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving a fluorescent lamp are provided. The apparatus submitted by the present invention includes an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The LC resonator is used for receiving and converting a square signal to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is used for making a frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically following a resonant frequency of the LC resonator according to a feedback signal related to the sinusoidal driving signal.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus including a power conversion circuit, a current balance circuit, a protection unit and a control chip is provided. The power conversion circuit is configured to receive a DC input voltage, and provide a DC output voltage to a plurality of light emitting units in response to a control signal. The current balance circuit has a plurality of switch elements corresponding to the light emitting units, and is configured to balance currents flowing through the light emitting units. The protection unit detects statuses of the switch elements and/or the DC output voltage. The control chip generates the control signal to control operations of the power conversion circuit; and stops generating the control signal and enters into a shutdown status when any one of the switch elements is open-circuit and/or the DC output voltage is over-voltage, thereby protecting the load driving apparatus and/or the switch elements from damaging.

Abstract: A lamp driving apparatus and an illumination equipment using the same are provided. The provided lamp driving apparatus is responsible for driving a lamp. When any one of two terminals of the lamp is opened or the lamp is over-voltage, the provided driving apparatus stops driving the lamp, and thus achieving the purpose of open lamp and over-voltage protection/detection.

Abstract: A lighting apparatus for a fluorescent tube and a driving method thereof are provided. The lighting apparatus includes a fluorescent tube, an open-loop protection unit and a driving device. The driving device includes an inverter and a power unit. The open-loop protection unit detects and determines an open-loop situation of two nodes of the fluorescent tube to produce an open-loop protection signal. The inverter receives a power voltage to light the fluorescent tube with a dual high-voltage method according to a trigger signal. The power unit coupled to the open-loop protection unit and the inverter provides the power voltage and determines whether to turn off the inverter according to the open-loop protection signal. When the open-loop situation of the fluorescent tube is occurred or driving voltage of the fluorescent tube is greater than a rated operating voltage, the inverter is turned off immediately to avoid components from overheating or burning.

Abstract: A boost apparatus adapted for providing a direct-current (DC) output voltage to a load is provided, and the boost apparatus includes a boost power conversion circuit and a control chip. The boost power conversion circuit has a diode coupled to the load. Besides, the boost power conversion circuit is configured to receive a DC input voltage and provide the DC output voltage to the load in response to a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal. The control chip is coupled to the boost power conversion circuit and configured to generate the PWM signal to control the operation of the boost power conversion circuit. The control chip is also configured to stop outputting the PWM signal and enter into a shutdown state when the diode is an open circuit or a short circuit, so as to protect the boost apparatus and/or the load from being damaged.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) driving apparatus and an LED driving method suitable for driving an LED load are provided. The LED driving apparatus includes a driving circuit, a feedback circuit, and a control chip. The driving circuit provides a driving voltage to one terminal of the LED load according to a pulse-width modulation (PWM) driving signal. The feedback circuit generates a feedback voltage according to a voltage on the other terminal of the LED load. The control chip is configured to generate the PWM driving signal and adjust the duty cycle of the PWM driving signal in response to the feedback voltage. If the control chip determines the PWM driving signal with a threshold duty cycle continues being output over a preset period of time, the control chip determines that the current leakage phenomenon occurs on the LED load and stops generating the PWM driving signal.

Abstract: A trench gate MOSFET is provided. An N-type epitaxial layer is disposed on an N-type substrate. An N-type source region is disposed in the N-type epitaxial layer. The N-type epitaxial layer has at least one trench therein. An insulating layer serving as a gate insulating layer is disposed in the trench. A conductive layer serving as a gate fills up the trench. Two isolation structures are disposed in the N-type source region beside the trench and contact the trench. Two conductive plugs are disposed in the N-type epitaxial layer beside the trench and penetrate through the N-type source region. A dielectric layer is disposed on the N-type epitaxial layer. A metal layer is disposed on the dielectric layer and electrically connected to the N-type source region.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a fluorescent lamp is provided. The provided apparatus includes a power switching circuit, an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The power switching circuit is coupled between an input voltage and a ground potential, and configured for switching and outputting the input voltage and the ground potential in response to two output signals with a phase difference of 180 degrees so as to generate a square signal. The LC resonator is configured for receiving and converting the square signal, so as to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is configured for generating and adjusting the two output signals according to a current feedback signal relating to the sinusoidal driving signal, so as to make the frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically follow the resonant frequency of the LC resonator.

Abstract: A signal receiving device and an electronic apparatus using the same are provided. The signal receiving device includes a signal conversion unit, a signal analysis unit, and an impedance unit. The signal conversion unit receives an analog input signal and converts the analog input signal into a digital input signal. The signal analysis unit receives the digital input signal and analyzes a signal characteristic thereof to generate an impedance adjustment signal. The impedance unit coupled to the signal analysis unit and a signal input terminal of the signal receiving device receives the impedance adjustment signal to dynamically adjust an input impedance of the signal input terminal. Thereby, the signal receiving device analyzes an input signal to dynamically adjust the input impedance of the signal receiving device, so as to maintain an amplitude gain of the input signal to be within a limited input range of the signal receiving device.