Patents Assigned to M3 TECHNOLOGY, INC.
  • Patent number: 11901821
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ramp generator configured to produce a set signal for determining a phase shift between a first phase and a second phase of a power converter, a first phase on-timer configured to produce a first reset signal for determining a turn-on time of a high-side switch of the first phase of the power converter, a second phase on-timer configured to produce a second reset signal for determining a turn-on time of a high-side switch of the second phase of the power converter, and a control logic block configured to generate gate drive signals for the first phase and the second phase of the power converter based on the set signal, the first reset signal and the second reset signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11848609
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first conversion unit configured to convert a ramp voltage signal into a ramp current signal flowing through a first resistor, a second conversion unit configured to convert a feedback voltage signal into a feedback current signal flowing through the first resistor, a third conversion unit configured to convert a control voltage signal generated by an error amplifier into a control current signal flowing through a second resistor, and a comparator having a first input coupled to the first resistor and a second input coupled to the second resistor, wherein an output of the comparator determines a turn-on of a high-side switch of a power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: M3 Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Bo Yang
  • Publication number: 20230268837
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a buck converter portion of a buck-boost converter configured to operate under a constant on-time control scheme, wherein an on-time of a high-side switch of the buck converter portion is determined by a buck on-time timer, and a boost converter portion of the buck-boost converter configured to operate under a constant off-time control scheme, wherein an off-time of a low-side switch of the boost converter portion is determined by a boost off-time timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11705811
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a buck converter portion of a buck-boost converter configured to operate under a constant on-time control scheme, wherein an on-time of a high-side switch of the buck converter portion is determined by a buck on-time timer, and a boost converter portion of the buck-boost converter configured to operate under a constant off-time control scheme, wherein an off-time of a low-side switch of the boost converter portion is determined by a boost off-time timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11682973
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first timer configured to determine a turn-off time of a first high-side switch of a buck-boost converter, and a second timer configured to determine a turn-off time of a second low-side switch of the buck-boost converter based on a comparison between a first signal and a second signal, the first signal being proportional to an input voltage of the buck-boost converter, and the second signal being generated based on a signal proportional to an output voltage of the buck-boost converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11522457
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a buck-boost converter comprising a buck portion and a boost portion connected in cascade, and a controller comprising a first timer and a second timer, wherein the first timer is configured to determine a turn-on time of a high-side switch of the buck portion, and wherein the first timer determines the turn-on time of the high-side switch of the buck portion based on a comparison between a first signal and a second signal, and wherein the first signal is proportional to an output voltage of the buck-boost converter and the second signal is generated based on a signal proportional to an input voltage of the buck-boost converter, and the second timer is configured to determine a turn-on time of a low-side switch of the boost portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11303213
    Abstract: A method includes converting a ramp voltage signal into a ramp current signal, a feedback signal into a feedback current signal, a reference signal into a reference current signal, and a control signal into a control current signal through a plurality of adjustable-gain units, and determining a turn-on of a high-side switch of a power converter through comparing a first control voltage and a second control voltage, wherein the first control voltage is generated based on a sum of the ramp current signal and the feedback current signal, and the second control voltage is generated based on a sum of the reference current signal and the control current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Bo Yang
  • Patent number: 11121632
    Abstract: A buck-boost converter comprises generating a first ramp using a first current source having a current level proportional to an input voltage of a buck-boost converter, and a second ramp using a second current source having a current level proportional to an output voltage of the buck-boost converter, generating a first threshold voltage proportional to a difference between the input voltage and the output voltage of the buck-boost converter, and a second threshold voltage proportional to the input voltage of the buck-boost converter, terminating a gate drive signal of a first low-side switch of the buck-boost converter based upon comparing the first threshold voltage and the first ramp, and terminating a gate drive signal of a second high-side switch of the buck-boost converter based upon comparing the second threshold voltage and the second ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 11121626
    Abstract: A switch frequency control apparatus comprises a timer configured to receive a ramp and a threshold voltage, and generate a control signal for setting gate drive signals of a power converter, a ramp generator configured to generate the ramp through charging a ramp capacitor using a current source having a current level equal to a bias voltage divided by a resistor, and a threshold generator configured to generate the threshold voltage proportional to the bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Bo Yang, Lou Nuo
  • Patent number: 10992231
    Abstract: A controller includes a first timer for setting a turn-on time of a first high-side switch of a buck-boost converter, wherein the turn-on time of the first high-side switch is determined by an input voltage of the buck-boost converter, an output voltage of the buck-boost converter and a first predetermined bias voltage, a second timer for setting a turn-on time of a second low-side switch of the buck-boost converter, wherein the turn-on time of the second low-side switch is determined by the input voltage of the buck-boost converter, the output voltage of the buck-boost converter and a second predetermined bias voltage, and a valley current mode control device for setting a turn-on time of a first low-side switch and a turn-on time of a second high-side switch of the buck-boost converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 10778102
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first adjustable-gain conversion unit configured to receive a ramp signal, a second adjustable-gain conversion unit configured to receive a feedback signal proportional to an output voltage of a power converter, a third adjustable-gain conversion unit configured to receive an output signal of an error amplifier and a comparator configured to determine a turn-on of a high-side switch of the power converter based on outputs of the first adjustable-gain conversion unit, the second adjustable-gain conversion unit and the third adjustable-gain conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Bo Yang
  • Patent number: 10770961
    Abstract: A power converter comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor, a control apparatus comprising a feedback control apparatus and an ramp generator, wherein the ramp generator is configured to dynamically adjust an amplitude of a ramp based upon different operating conditions, an on-time control generator and a latch having a set input configured to receive an output signal of the control apparatus and a reset input configured to receive an output signal of the on-time control generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 10651722
    Abstract: A buck-boost converter comprises a first high-side switch and a first low-side switch connected in series between an input voltage terminal and ground, a second high-side switch and a second low-side switch connected in series between an output voltage terminal and ground, an inductor connected to a common node of the first high-side switch and the first low-side switch, and a common node of the second high-side switch and the second low-side switch and a control apparatus configured to generate gate drive signals, wherein the control apparatus comprises a first timer for setting a turn-off time of the first low-side switch, a second timer for setting a turn-off time of the second high-side switch and a peak current mode control device for setting a turn-off time of the first high-side switch and a turn-off time of the second low-side switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Meng
  • Patent number: 10476387
    Abstract: A switch frequency control apparatus comprises a timer coupled between a bias voltage and ground, wherein the timer comprises a first input configured to receive a ramp, a second input configured to receive a threshold voltage and an output configured to be connected to an input of a PWM circuit, wherein the output of the timer is used for setting either a constant on-time or a constant off-time of a power converter and a threshold generator coupled between the bias voltage and ground, wherein the threshold generator is configured to receive a plurality of control signals of the power converter and generate the threshold voltage based upon a duty cycle of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Bo Yang, Lou Nuo
  • Patent number: 10418907
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first voltage-current conversion unit configured to receive a ramp signal, a second voltage-current conversion unit configured to receive a feedback signal proportional to an output voltage of a power converter, a third voltage-current conversion unit configured to receive an output signal of an error amplifier and a comparator having a first input coupled to an output of the third voltage-current conversion unit and a second input coupled to an output of the first voltage-current conversion unit and an output of the second voltage-current conversion unit through a first summing unit, wherein an output of the comparator determines a turn-on of a high-side switch of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: M3 Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, Bo Yang
  • Patent number: 10250142
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for managing a four-switch BUCKBOOST converter with a combination of a Constant Off-time (COT) control and a Peak Current Mode (PCM) control. With the COT control, the four-switch BUCKBOOST converter can automatically and smoothly transition between a BUCK mode, a BUCKBOOST mode, and a BOOST mode when input voltage varies. In some implementations, the four-switch BUCKBOOST converter only requires a simple, low-power-consumption and robust system control loop compensation with the PCM control for inductor current, and, thus, eliminates the need for oscillator and slope compensation circuit. The PCM control is used to determine turn-off-timing of switches of the four-switch BUCKBOOST converter. The system control loop compensation can provide cycle-by-cycle current limit function to protect the converter and load from over-current damages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: M3 TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Bo Yang, Xiaoyu Xi, David Da Meng
  • Patent number: 9774255
    Abstract: A synchronous buck direct current to direct current (DC-DC) converter includes a signal output terminal, an output stage circuit, a first comparator, a latch, a control logic circuit, a driver circuit and an on-time control circuit. The output stage circuit provides an output voltage to the signal output terminal according to an input voltage. The first comparator receives a reference voltage and a feedback signal related to the output voltage and outputs a control signal. The latch receives the control signal and a timing signal and outputs an on-enable signal. The control logic circuit receives the on-enable signal and outputs an on-control signal. The driver circuit controls charge/discharge time of the output stage circuit according to the on-control signal. The on-time control circuit receives the on-control signal and the input voltage and outputs the timing signal related to a duty cycle of the output stage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: M3 TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoyu Xi, David Da Meng
  • Publication number: 20140298236
    Abstract: A system and method support a supply chain management platform for a supply chain management environment. A supply chain management platform can display the violation bar on a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the violation bar operates to show one or more violations in a supply chain management environment. Furthermore, the supply chain management platform allows a user to interact with the violation bar in order to obtain detailed information on the one or more violations or launch a tool to resolve the one or more violations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: M3 Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David Jasper, Steven Green, Dong Dong
  • Publication number: 20140136272
    Abstract: A system and method support a supply chain management platform for a supply chain management environment. The supply chain management platform can provide a graphical representation of one or more material inventory trends in the supply chain management environment. Additionally, the supply chain management platform can using one or more tokens to display one or more activities on the graphical representation of the one or more material inventory trends, wherein the one or more activities contribute to inventory change in the supply chain management environment. Furthermore, the supply chain management platform allows a user to perform one or more supply chain scheduling operations in the supply chain management environment based on the graphical representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: M3 TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dong Dong, Larry Pan, David Jasper
  • Publication number: 20140114964
    Abstract: A system and method support a search process in a supply chain management environment, in order to make finding supply chain information simple. The search process can make instantaneous search suggestion based on different supply chain information categories in the environment. Furthermore, special search keywords can be used as shortcut for finding supply chain information. Also, the system can organize and display the search results in a clear and intuitive fashion, such as displaying the search results in multiple sections with mixing of graphs and texts. Additionally, the search process can be used together with other supply chain management processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: M3 Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Dong, Steven Green