Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: To conserve power when regulating the output voltage (Vo) of a power converter, no adjustment is made to the converter's pulse width modulation times (Tp, Ts) even if the output voltage is off target (Vtar), provided that the output voltage does not change or is moving towards the target voltage. In some embodiments, the output voltage is not allowed to stay off target for more than a predetermined length of time. In some embodiments, the minimal adjustments are always large enough to overcome ringing (1004).

Abstract: Electrical components which substantially dissipate the power provided them in the form of heat will change temperature in response to self heating, heat transfer to their surroundings, and heat transferred from one component to another. A method is disclosed for calculating the temperature of a component(s) using a thermal model. In one embodiment the power dissipation of each component is controlled to limit the temperature of the component. In one embodiment the temperature of a component is modified by changing the power dissipation of another component. In some embodiments the power dissipation of a component is modified by modifying its performance. In another embodiment power dissipation is modified by selecting one or more programs for modified execution.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling an operation of a switching power converter which includes a first and second series connected transistors. Each of the transistors includes a conduction control terminal for receiving a conduction control signal. A first series of conduction control signals is applied to the control terminal of the first transistor and a second series of conduction control signals is applied to the control terminal of the second transistor, with the second series of conduction control signals being applied out of phase with respect to the first series of conduction control signals. A ratio of an input voltage to an output voltage for the series connected transistors is measured for a first spacing between an edge of a falling transition of the conduction control signal for the first transistor and an edge of a rising transition of the conduction control signal for the second transistor.

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a switching power converter which is implemented by providing a ring oscillator made up of a plurality of series-connected inverters. A feedback loop from the output of the last inverter in the series to an input lead of the first inverter in the series is provided. A selection circuit is provided which has a plurality of inputs and one or more outputs. An output of each of the inverters is connected to an associated input of the selection circuit. An exclusive OR gate is provided which has first and second inputs. The selection circuit is configured to selectively provide to the first input of the exclusive OR gate an output signal from an inverter in the string of series connected inverters, and further the selection circuit is configured to provide to the second input of the exclusive OR gate an output signal from an output lead of another inverter in the string of inverters.

Abstract: The output voltage of a power converter is controlled by comparing the output voltage to a target output voltage during a first time interval and calculating an inductor current required in a second time interval immediately following the first time interval to increase the output voltage to the target output voltage. A duty cycle of a switch is varied to modify the current in the inductor during the second time interval according to the calculated inductor current. In one embodiment a fixed duty cycle response is provided if the output voltage is less than a predefined maximum and greater than a predefined minimum. In another embodiment the duty cycle of the switch is bounded by a predetermined maximum and minimum value.

Abstract: A series connected pair of switching transistors in a switching power converter is controlled by a method to improve the efficiency of the switching power converter. The transition times of the first and second transistors are stored and the timing of the application of conduction control signals is determined based on the transition times of the first and second transistor. The conduction control signals provided to the first and second transistors may include pulse width modulated signals.

Abstract: A plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power converters are controlled in a system which includes a programmable control circuit which provides control information to cause generation of pulse-width-modulated signals as appropriate to correct an operation of a switching power converter. The programmable control circuit receives digital information which identifies the topology of each of the switching power converters being controlled. The programmable control circuit also receives digital information which identifies associated target performance for the switching power converters under its control. The programmable control circuit also receives information which is indicative of the performance of the power converters and compares the performance of the power converters with respect to the target performance of the power converters.

Abstract: A touch screen display circuit is disclosed which includes means for measuring a voltage at two separate input terminals which represent a location on a touch screen where pressure was applied. The display circuit includes means for defining a time period during which the voltage is measured and means for converting the measured voltage to a digital value. The means for measuring a voltage includes an amplifier and a capacitor which are configured as an integrator. The means for converting comprises a counter that measures an amount of time required for the capacitor to dissipate its charge. A touch screen display system having a touch screen which includes first and second sheets of conductive materials positioned in a spaced apart relationship is disclosed.

Abstract: Switching power converter controller providing control of plurality of switching power converters which provide power to a host microprocessor. A watchdog timer included in the switching power converter controller is configured to countdown a timer unless it receives a reset signal from the host microprocessor. The switching power converter controller is configured to assert a reset command for the host microprocessor if the watchdog timer expires and to not de-assert the reset command until the plurality of switching power converters are operating as desired.

Abstract: A switching power supply controller coupled to a first switching power supply circuit and a second switching power supply circuit, the controller sensing voltages provided to the first switching power supply circuit and the second switching power supply circuit. Based on voltages sensed, the switching power supply controller provides signals to operate the second switching power supply in either a first or a second mode of operation. In one of the modes of operation, the second switching power supply includes a transistor which is coupled between a first source of electrical potential and an input terminal of the first switching power supply. If switching power supply controller determines that the magnitude of the first source of electric potential is sufficient to operate the first switching power supply, the switching power supply controller provides a control signal to turn on the transistor continuously.

Abstract: Controller configured to control the pulse widths with respect to periods of a plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power supplies to regulate the output from each power supply. Controller utilizes feedback information from a previous period to control the pulse width in a next period. The controller stores operating parameters of the switching power supplies and calculates initial pulse widths for an initial period based on the stored operating parameters.

Abstract: Cross-channel interference can be a problem in multi-channel switched power systems. A multi-channel switched power converter is provided a reference count generator that generates a reference count signal that is commonly distributed to multiple, pulse width modulating (PWM) channels of the converter. The common reference count signal counts through a sequence of successive timing values. Events in each channel are scheduled relative to the common reference count. Examples of such events include the amplification or de-application of a driving voltage pulse to an inductive means of the channel and the taking of voltage and current measurement samples. Cross channel interference is avoided or minimized by scheduling or re-scheduling events in each active channel so that they do not occur simultaneously in potentially-interfering channels, for example the taking of a current measurement sample in one channel and the turning on of an inductance-driving voltage pulse is a second channel.

Abstract: The output voltage of a power converter is regulated by comparing the output voltage to a target output voltage during a first time interval and calculating an inductor current required in a second time interval immediately following the first time interval to increase the output voltage to the target output voltage in the second time interval. The duty cycle of a switch in the power converter is varied to modify the current in the inductor during the second time interval according to the calculated next current and a saturation current of the inductor. In one embodiment the power converter includes a reference resistor. By measuring the voltage across the reference resistor at certain times various parameters, including coil inductance and capacitor capacitance, are calculated. In some embodiments a linear model of the power converter is used.

Abstract: A method of operating a switching power converter circuit having first and second transistors connected to an inductor, where a conduction control signal is selectively applied to the second transistor as a function of an operation of the first transistor during a conduction cycle. The decision on whether to provide a conduction control signal to the second transistor is made in one mode of operation as a function of the length of the first conduction control signal applied to the first transistor during the conduction cycle. In another mode of operation a comparison is made of the on-to-off conduction transition time of the second transistor to the length of time remaining in a conduction cycle after the first transistor ceases to conduct.

Abstract: A power converter output voltage regulation method in which sensed output voltages and sensed currents are stored in a memory during a plurality of time intervals. In each time interval the sensed output voltage and the sensed current is compared with the sensed output voltage and sensed currents in time intervals previously stored in the memory. If preceding data are found to match the most recent data, an open loop response is applied. If the most recent data and stored previous data do not match, a closed loop response is applied.

Abstract: A driver including first and second buffers connected in parallel between a power source and a return path. In one configuration, the buffer outputs are commonly connected to an external coil and optionally a capacitive load. In another configuration, the buffers' outputs independently drive first and second external transistors. The external transistors are in series between a supply voltage source and its return path.

Abstract: A controller, including a microprocessor, controls a plurality of switching power converters. The microprocessor monitors the input to each power converter. If the input to a power converter is determined to be outside of a desired range, the power converter is powered down by the microprocessor. In one embodiment the input is the remaining charge in a battery. In another embodiment, the input is a minimum supply voltage for the switching power converter.