Patents Assigned to Champion Microelectronics Corporation
  • Patent number: 11228237
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a switching power supply and improvements thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, a switching power supply is provided. The switching power supply comprises: a first power supply stage that forms an intermediate regulated voltage; and a second power supply stage configured to accept the intermediate regulated voltage and configured to form a regulated output voltage, wherein the intermediate voltage is set to an initial target level upon start-up of the power supply and wherein the intermediate regulated voltage is set to a second target level during steady-state operation of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 10530235
    Abstract: Systems for and methods of synchronous rectification in a flyback power converter are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment, a switching power supply comprises a power converter and a controller. The power converter has an inductor, a capacitor and a switching element. The switching element is configured to rectify a current in the inductor for charging the capacitor to form a voltage for powering a load. The switching element comprises a switch and a diode. The controller is configured to control the switching element and to detect a load condition. When the load condition is detected, the controller controls the switching element to actively rectify the current in the inductor for charging the capacitor. When the load condition is not detected, the controller holds the switching the element open such that the current is passively rectified by the diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hwang, Alland Chee
  • Patent number: 10361625
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a switching power supply and improvements thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, a switching power supply is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 10230309
    Abstract: A synchronous bridge rectifier comprises a plurality of synchronously switched elements and a plurality of controller circuits, one for each of the synchronously switched elements. The synchronously switched elements may be field-effect transistors. Each controller circuit is configured to sense voltage across the corresponding synchronously switched element to control opening and closing of the synchronously switched element so as to rectify the alternating current input signal to form a direct current output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 10103637
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises a power converter that includes a transformer, a low side switch and a high side switch. The low side switch draws current from a supply voltage through a primary winding of the transformer. The high side switch discharges current from the primary winding of the transformer to a snubber capacitor. The controller synchronously controls the opening and closing of the low side switch and the high side switch. The power converter can be included in a flyback converter. The power converter can generate a regulated output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Publication number: 20180226884
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a switching power supply and improvements thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, a switching power supply is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 9966840
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a switching power supply and improvements thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, a switching power supply is provided. The switching power supply comprises: a first power supply stage that forms an intermediate regulated voltage; and a second power supply stage configured to accept the intermediate regulated voltage and configured to form a regulated output voltage, wherein the intermediate voltage is set to an initial target level upon start-up of the power supply and wherein the intermediate regulated voltage is set to a second target level during steady-state operation of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 9929639
    Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a switching power supply and improvements thereof. In accordance with an embodiment, a switching power supply is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 9716437
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises a power converter that includes a transformer, a low side switch and a high side switch. The low side switch draws current from a supply voltage through a primary winding of the transformer. The high side switch discharges current from the primary winding of the transformer to a snubber capacitor. The controller synchronously controls the opening and closing of the low side switch and the high side switch. The power converter can be included in a flyback converter. The power converter can generate a regulated output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 9680367
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages configured to receive power from an input power source and to generate an output voltage for powering a load by alternately opening and closing a set of switches. An output current sensor is configured to monitor a level of an output current of the switching power supply. The opening and closing of the set of switches is controlled so as to maintain the output voltage at a desired level when the level of the output current is below the threshold and so as to limit the output current when the level of the output current exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hwang, Alland Chee
  • Patent number: 9438119
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages that receive power from an input power source and that generate a regulated output voltage for powering a load by alternately opening and closing a set of switches. Controller circuitry monitors the input power source for loss of power as well as a state of the load. When loss of power is detected, the controller circuitry saves a state of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Patent number: 9178439
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages configured to receive power from an input power source and to generate an output voltage for powering a load by alternately opening and closing a set of switches. An output current sensor is configured to monitor a level of an output current of the switching power supply. The opening and closing of the set of switches is controlled so as to maintain the output voltage at a desired level when the level of the output current is below the threshold and so as to limit the output current when the level of the output current exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hwang, Alland Chee
  • Patent number: 8867245
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages that receive power from an input power source and that generate a regulated output voltage for powering a load. A controller monitors at least the regulated output voltage and generates at least one switch control signal for alternately opening and closing a switch so as to regulate the regulated output voltage. A monolithic integrated circuit is coupled to receive the switch control signal. The monolithic integrated circuit is separate from the controller and comprises a plurality of transistors capable of operation at voltage levels that are at least one order of magnitude higher than voltage levels within the controller integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hwang
  • Publication number: 20140241018
    Abstract: A switching power supply comprises one or more power supply stages configured to receive power from an input power source and to generate an output voltage for powering a load by alternately opening and closing a set of switches. An output current sensor is configured to monitor a level of an output current of the switching power supply. The opening and closing of the set of switches is controlled so as to maintain the output voltage at a desired level when the level of the output current is below the threshold and so as to limit the output current when the level of the output current exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CHAMPION MICROELECTRONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hwang, Alland Chee
  • Patent number: 7660133
    Abstract: A resonant switching converter comprises a resonant tank having a resonant frequency; a synchronous rectifier coupled to the resonant tank, the synchronous rectifier drawing power from the resonant tank for forming an output voltage; and a controller coupled to the synchronous rectifier for controlling switching of the synchronous rectifier using frequency modulation. The controller operates in a first mode in which the switching of the synchronous rectifier is performed above the resonant frequency of the resonant tank. The first mode employs a duty cycle for the synchronous rectifier. In addition, the controller operates in a second mode in which the switching of the synchronous rectifier is performed below the resonant frequency and the duty cycle of the synchronous rectifier in the second mode is reduced from that of the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Hwang, Alland Chee
  • Publication number: 20090034298
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a control method and apparatus of resonant converter with low power loss at light load and standby. Based on the frequency response and loading condition of the resonant tank of a resonant converter, adjusts the switching frequency and the switching duty cycle to have a stable output voltage. Perform zero voltage switching and obtain higher converting efficiency by using the energy transfer in the resonant tank of the resonant type converter. Also have higher converting efficiency by combining with synchronize-rectify. Including: a resonant type converter, a controller of resonant type converter, and a regulated voltage mode (frequency modulation hybrid pulse width modulation, FMHYPWM) controller, and if the system specification require, a power factor correction or a double voltage rectifier circuit may be used in the advanced stage of the resonant type converter. The out put rectifier of the resonant type converter may be changed to a synchronized-rectifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventors: Ta-Kuang Liu, Yu-Chiao Lee, Shang-Chin Yen
  • Publication number: 20030034760
    Abstract: A current limiting technique for a voltage converter. A current through a reactive element in a voltage converter is limited. Current from a supply is switched through a reactive element in accordance with a switch control signal for forming a regulated output voltage in a feedback loop. A first signal that is representative of the input current is sensed. A voltage that is representative of the output voltage of the voltage converter is sensed. A second signal that is representative of a difference between the output voltage and a desired voltage is formed. A selected one of the first signal and the second signal is compared to a ramp signal for forming the switch control signal wherein the selected one of the first signal and the second signal is selected according to the relative magnitudes of the first and second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Applicant: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hwang
  • Patent number: 6483281
    Abstract: A low power mode and feedback arrangement for a switching power converter. Two or more main power switches, such as transistors, transfer energy from a supply to load by their opening and closing. When the load requires a relatively low power level, this condition is detected. In response, one or more of the transistor switches is disabled from switching and the reduced power requirements of the load are handled by the remaining one or more transistor switches. As a result, switching losses are reduced. This is because parasitic gate capacitance and on-resistance associated with the disabled switches no longer consume power from the power source. The invention provides significant efficiency advantages during periods when the load draws a low level of power. This is especially useful for battery-powered devices which may operate in a low power mode for extended periods of time, such as standby mode as in a portable telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Champion Microelectronic Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Hwang