Abstract: A method to compute an amount of energy taken from a battery coupled to a switching power converter is disclosed. The switching power converter charges a capacitor to a voltage and by the application of one or more control pulses to the switching power converter the voltage on the capacitor is maintained within a predetermined range having an upper voltage. The voltage on the capacitor is sampled and one or more control pulses are applied to the switching power converter to raise the voltage on the capacitor to the upper voltage. The amount of energy taken from the battery is computed based on measurement of a change in voltage on the capacitor over an elapsed time.

Abstract: Interfering effects of output ripple on measurement of output voltage and output current in a switched power converter may be obviated by taking sampled measurements at time points which are synchronized to the cause of the output ripple to drop out. Different waveform features within the switch driving signal may be used as synchronization markers for respectively determining when to take measurement samples of converter output voltage and converter current.

Abstract: Method of tuning a drive circuit for a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The drive circuit includes a piezoelectric transformer coupled to an output of first and second transistors. The frequency of drive signals to the first and second transistors are varied until about a ninety degree phase relationship is achieved between the frequency of the drive signals and a frequency of voltage across a resistor connected to the CCFL is achieved. Alternatively, the frequency of the drive signals provided to the first and second transistor is adjusted as needed to achieve maximum output voltage.

Abstract: A digital signal to pulse converter including a spectral spreader which provides an adjusted clock signal that does not cycle during selected cycles. The adjusted clock signal is written into a multi-port content addressable memory which, as a function of the current count, provides output signals that determine a beginning or an end of a pulse within a frame. The spectral spreader varies the number of selected cycles to adjust the frame rate as desired, linearly or nonlinearly.

Abstract: A switching power converter including a ring oscillator constructed using a plurality of series connected inverters is utilized to generate a plurality of waveforms. A selection circuit, in cooperation with an exclusive OR gate, produces an output signal from the exclusive OR gate having a duty cycle which can vary from 0 to a nearly 100% duty cycle, depending upon which waveform is selected. The output signal is utilized to control a switching power converter.

Abstract: A switching power converter controller controls a plurality of switching power converters which provide power to a host microprocessor. A watchdog timer in the switching power converter controller counts down a timer unless it receives reset signals from the host microprocessor and the watchdog timer issues an interrupt to the microprocessor if the watchdog timer expires. The microprocessor in the switching power converter controller provides a reset command to the host microprocessor in response to receipt of the interrupt. If the host microprocessor does not respond to the reset command, the microprocessor causes the switching power supply controller to power down the power converters.

Abstract: A pulsed width generator provides a plurality of pulse width modulated signals based upon a reference frequency generated by a phase locked loop. A comparator watches for certain number of pulses of the reference frequency to generate an output signal which is compiled to a pulse width modulation circuit which provides a pulse width modulated signal. A sequencer may be used to control the start and stop times of each phase independently.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit is provided which includes first and second input circuits adapted to sample, respectively, first and second voltage measurements. The second voltage measurements correspond to current measurements. A multiplexer coupled to the first and second input circuits selected either the first or second measurements. A voltage sealer is provided between the output of the first input circuit and the multiplexer. A multiplier circuit, which may be a switched capacitor network, is utilized to multiply the second voltage measurements. The multiplexer provides its output to an analog-to-digital converter.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.