Patents Assigned to Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
  • Patent number: 11177203
    Abstract: In a general aspect, an apparatus can include a leadframe including a plurality of leads disposed along a single edge of the apparatus. The apparatus can also include an assembly including a substrate and a plurality of semiconductor die disposed on the substrate, the assembly being mounted on the leadframe and an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the inductor can be electrically coupled with the leadframe via a first conductive clip, where the first terminal of the inductor can be coupled with a contact pad of the first conductive clip. The second terminal of the inductor can be electrically coupled with the leadframe via a second conductive clip, where the second terminal of the inductor can be coupled with a contact pad of the second conductive clip. The leadframe, the assembly and the inductor can be arranged in a stacked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerome Teysseyre, Romel Manatad, Chung-Lin Wu, Bigildis Dosdos, Erwin Ian Almagro, Maria Cristina Estacio
  • Patent number: 11018577
    Abstract: A charge pump circuit generates a charge pump voltage that powers a bias circuit. The bias circuit generates a reference current and generates switch currents from the reference current. Gate-source voltages are generated from the switch currents and applied to switching components of switch circuits to connect two nodes. The gate-source voltages can be generated in the bias circuit and provided to the switch circuits. The gate-source voltages can also be generated in the switch circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Lei Huang
  • Patent number: 11005377
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller, or alternately a semiconductor device having a power supply controller, may have a first circuit configured to form a sense signal that is representative of a signal from an auxiliary winding of a transformer. A feedback circuit may be configured to allow the sense signal to increase in response to a turn-off of the power switch, to subsequently detect a second increase of the sense signal prior to subsequently turning on the power switch, and to form a feedback signal as a value of the sense signal responsively to the second increase of the sense signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhibo Tao, Chih-Hsien Hsieh, Yue-Hong Tang
  • Publication number: 20210091657
    Abstract: A multi-phase power supply includes a plurality of phase controllers each driving a first terminal of a respective inductor alternatively between an input voltage and a ground voltage to regulate an output voltage in a work mode, keeping the first terminal of the respective inductor in a high impedance state during a non-work mode, having an input for receiving an enable signal for selecting between the work mode and the non-work mode, and generating a current monitor signal to represent a current through the respective inductor during both the work mode and the non-work mode, and a controller coupled to each phase controller for selectively enabling respective ones of the phase controllers in response to a load demand, receiving the current monitor signal from each phase controller, and selectively shutting down the multi-phase power supply when a total of current monitor signals from the phase controller exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Enzhu LIANG, Kaiwei YAO, Ming GU
  • Patent number: 10897206
    Abstract: A switched-mode power supply with near valley switching includes a quasi-resonant converter. The converter includes a switch element that is turned on not only at the valley, but also in a window range of ?tNVW close to the valley, where the voltage across the switch element is at its minimum. This advantageously reduces switching loss and maintains a balance between efficiency and frequency variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhibo Tao, Jung-Sheng Chen, Li Lin, Kai-Fang Wei, Chih-Hsien Hsieh, Hangseok Choi, Yue-Hong Tang
  • Patent number: 10886833
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply controller includes a switch terminal adapted to be coupled to an inductor that drives a load, high- and low-side switches a pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit, and a current monitor circuit. The PWM circuit is coupled to a feedback terminal for receiving a feedback signal, and alternatively drives the high-side switch and the low-side switch with a duty cycle set using the feedback signal to regulate an output voltage to a desired level in a work mode, and keeps both the high-side switch and the low-side switch non-conductive in a non-work mode. The current monitor circuit provides a current monitor signal representative of a current driven from the inductor to the load, wherein the current monitor circuit forms the current monitor signal by measuring an inductor current during a work mode, and by emulating the inductor current during a non-work mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Enzhu Liang, Kaiwei Yao, Ming Gu
  • Patent number: 10868113
    Abstract: Exemplary power semiconductor devices with features providing increased breakdown voltage and other benefits are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joseph A. Yedinak, Ashok Challa, Dean E. Probst, Daniel Kinzer
  • Patent number: 10826471
    Abstract: A switch mode power supply includes an error amplifier, an oscillator, a pulse width modulation logic circuit, and an output stage. The oscillator includes a current generator that receives a clock signal and provides a current proportional to a frequency of the clock signal, a current mirror having an input coupled to the output of the current generator, and a first capacitor having a first terminal coupled to an output of the current mirror and providing a ramp signal, and a second terminal coupled to power supply voltage terminal. The pulse width modulation logic circuit compares the output of the error amplifier with the ramp signal, and generates a high- and low-side drive signals respectively to first and second outputs in response to the comparing. The output stage is responsive to the high- and low-side drive signals for alternatively coupling a switch terminal between an input voltage terminal and ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hua Zhu, Kaiwei Yao
  • Patent number: 10826488
    Abstract: A switch device includes a common node that is connected to end nodes, such as that of computer interface ports. The switch device includes several switch circuits that can be connected in series to form a switch path between the common node and an end node. A switch circuit can include a main switch, such as a transistor that can be configured to withstand a positive or negative voltage surge by automatically changing the connection of its gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lei Huang, Na Meng, Kenneth P. Snowdon
  • Patent number: 10817457
    Abstract: A paddle board includes an electronic marker circuit configured to indicate at least one capability of a cable assembly to a device coupled to the cable assembly and to select the device as one of a source or a sink, the paddle board being powered by the device, a register configured to store at least one variable value associated with at least one of the cable assembly and the paddle board, and a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the paddle board and configured to store a value indicating the sensed temperature in the register.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert A. Card, Erik Maier
  • Patent number: 10818582
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a method for producing a packaged semiconductor device can include coupling a semiconductor device to a leadframe structure having a signal lead that is electrically coupled with the semiconductor device. The method can also include forming, with a laser, a groove in the signal lead, the groove having a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and applying solder plating to the signal lead, including the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the groove. The method can further include separating, at the groove, the signal lead into a first portion and a second portion, such that the second portion of the signal lead is separated from the metal leadframe structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Aira Lourdes Villamor, Erwin Victor Cruz, Geraldine Suico, Silnore Sabando
  • Patent number: 10790810
    Abstract: In at least one general aspect, an apparatus can include a first field effect transistor (FET) device and a second FET device. The apparatus can include a characterization circuit coupled to the first FET device and the second FET device where the characterization circuit can be configured to characterize a responsiveness of each of the first FET device and the second FET device. The apparatus can include a balancer configured to produce a modified gate drive signal for the first FET device based on the responsiveness of the first FET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adrian Mikolajczak, Chang Su Mitter
  • Patent number: 10790689
    Abstract: In a general aspect, a charging apparatus can include a power converter circuit configured to supply, from an input voltage, charging power for charging a battery of an electronic device; and a control circuit configured to determine a charging current limit and a charging voltage of the power converter circuit for charging the battery. Determining the charging current limit and the charging voltage can include: setting the current limit of the power converter circuit to an initial charging current limit and setting the charging voltage to an initial charging voltage; determining whether the power converter circuit is operating in a current limit mode or a voltage limit mode; and iteratively modifying the current limit of the power converter circuit until the power converter circuit dithers between the current limit mode and the voltage limit mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mukund Krishna, Karttikeya Shah, Alvin Fok
  • Patent number: 10749027
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a semiconductor region, and a trench defined within the semiconductor region. The trench can have a depth aligned along a vertical axis and have a length aligned along a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the vertical axis. The trench can have a first portion of the length included in a termination region of the semiconductor region and can have a second portion of the length included in an active region of the semiconductor region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph A. Yedinak, Richard Stokes, Jason Higgs, Fred Session
  • Publication number: 20200244079
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus, systems, and methods to prevent a voltage of a charging battery from exceeding a voltage threshold, including receiving charging information from a battery and controlling an output current of a travel adapter, including adjusting the received battery current information using a load current to prevent the voltage of the battery from exceeding a voltage threshold, and providing output current limit information to the travel adapter using the adjusted battery current information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. MEACHAM, II, Robert A. CARD
  • Patent number: 10720770
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a power supply circuit including an external power source, an ID pin provided in a universal serial bus (USB) port on a printed circuit board (PCB), and an internal power and signal management subsystem. The external power source is configured to power the internal power and signal management subsystem via the ID pin. A power supply method and a portable device are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Luo, Percy Shi, Kevin Yang
  • Publication number: 20200219866
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a device can include a leadframe including at least one of an external input terminal or an external output terminal, an interposer made of an insulating material, and a redistribution layer coupled to the interposer and made of a conductive material. The redistribution layer can include a plurality of traces. The device can also include a semiconductor die disposed between the redistribution layer and the leadframe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Elsie Agdon CABAHUG, Marie Clemens Ypil QUINONES, Maria Cristina ESTACIO, Romel Nogas MANATAD, Chung-Lin WU, Jerome TEYSSEYRE
  • Patent number: 10666070
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, apparatus, systems, and methods to prevent a voltage of a charging battery from exceeding a voltage threshold, including receiving charging information from a battery and controlling an output current of a travel adapter, including adjusting the received battery current information using a load current to prevent the voltage of the battery from exceeding a voltage threshold, and providing output current limit information to the travel adapter using the adjusted battery current information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Meacham, II, Robert A. Card
  • Patent number: 10664562
    Abstract: A method includes calculating a first estimated state of charge (SOC) of a battery at a first time, receiving a voltage value representing a measured voltage across the battery at a second time, calculating a filter gain at the second time, and calculating a second estimated SOC of the battery at the second time based on the first estimated SOC, the voltage value, and the filter gain. Another method includes storing, in a memory, a library of equivalent circuit models representing a battery, determining an operational mode of a battery based on a load associated with the battery, selecting one of the equivalent circuit models based on the determined operational mode, and calculating a state of charge of charge (SOC) of the battery using the selected equivalent circuit model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation and University of Connecticut
    Inventors: Balakumar Balasingam, Brian French, Yaakov Bar-Shalom, Bharath Pattipati, Krishna Pattipati, James Meacham, Travis Williams, Gopi Vinod Avvari, Tai-Sik Hwang
  • Patent number: 10634109
    Abstract: In a general aspect, an ignition circuit can include a control circuit that is coupled with an engine control unit (ECU) to receive a command signal from the ECU. The control circuit can include a multi-pulse generator configured to, in response to the command signal, generate a multi-pulse drive signal. The multi-pulse drive signal can include a first pulse cycle having a first duty cycle, a second pulse cycle having a second duty cycle, and a dwell period during which the multi-pulse drive signal continuously remains at a logic high value. The control circuit can be configured to provide the multi-pulse drive signal to an ignition switch coupled with the control circuit to receive the multi-pulse drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Qingquan Tang