Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining a voltage output of a programmable power converter based on programming voltage data received from one of a variety of alternate sources. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a control unit is adapted to monitor a digital data serial interface, a digital data parallel interface, and an analog data interface to determine whether programming voltage data has been received. If programming voltage data has been received, the data is used to determine an output voltage for the programmable power converter. If more than one set of programming voltage data has been received, a determination is made as to which set of data takes priority. The selected set of data is then used to determine an output voltage for the programmable power converter.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for utilizing output-timing data to control at least one output timing parameter of a point-of-load (“POL”) regulator. Specifically, a power supply controller (“controller”) is adapted to transmit output-timing data to at least one POL regulator. In one embodiment of the present invention, each POL regulator includes an output builder, a control unit and a storage device. The control, unit is adapted to store the output-timing data in the storage device. The control unit and the output builder are then adapted to produce an output having at least one output timing parameter in accordance with the output-timing data. Examples of output-timing data include sequencing data, turn-on data, turn-off data, termination data, slew-rate data, etc. For example, a POL regulator may be adapted to utilize output-timing data, or a portion thereof (e.g., slew-rate data), to generate an output having a particular slew rate.

Abstract: A packaging system for a high current, low voltage power supply. The power supply uses bare die power FETs which are directly mounted to a thermally conductive substrate by a solder attachment made to the drain electrode metallization on the back side of the FETs. The source electrode and gate electrode of each FET are coupled to the circuitry on an overhanging printed circuit board, using CSP solder balls affixed to the front side of the FET die. The heat generated by the FETs is effectively dissipated by the close coupling of the FETs to the thermally conductive underlying substrate.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply comprises at least one power switch adapted to convey power between input and output terminals of the power supply, and a digital controller adapted to control operation of the at least one power switch responsive to an output parameter of the power supply. The digital controller comprises an analog-to-digital converter providing a digital error signal representing a difference between the output parameter and a reference value, a digital filter providing a digital control output based on a sum of current and previous error signals and previous control outputs, the error signals comprising integers having a relatively low numerical range and said control outputs comprising integers having a relatively high numerical range, and a digital pulse width modulator providing a control signal to the power switch having a pulse width corresponding to the digital control output.

Abstract: A power supply comprises at least one power switch adapted to convey power between input and output terminals of the power supply, and a digital controller adapted to control operation of the at least one power switch responsive to an output measurement of the power supply. The digital controller comprises an analog-to-digital converter providing a digital error signal representing a difference between the output measurement and a reference value, a digital filter providing a digital control output based on a sum of previous error signals and previous control outputs, an error controller adapted to modify operation of the digital filter upon an error condition, and a digital pulse width modulator providing a control signal to the power switch having a pulse width corresponding to the digital control output.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interleaving point-of-load (POL) regulators such that each regulator's switching cycle is phase displaced with respect to those of other POL regulators in the array is disclosed. As a result, the aggregate input and/or output reflected ripple and noise of the input, output, or both is reduced. Each regulator in the array is associated with an unique address. A serial data-line writes the phase spacing programmed to each addressable POL regulator in the array. The present invention permits phase displacement of POL regulators without limitation to the input and output voltages of each of the regulators in the array. The array of POL regulators may also operate in a phase displaced mode with only a single control line. The need for separate controllers and multiple control lines is thereby eliminated.

Abstract: A power control system comprises a plurality of POL regulators, at least one serial data bus operatively connecting the plurality of POL regulators, and a system controller connected to the serial data bus and adapted to send and receive digital data to and from the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus further comprises a first data bus carrying programming and control information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The serial data bus may also include a second data bus carrying fault management information between the system controller and the plurality of POL regulators. The power control may also include a front-end regulator providing an intermediate voltage to the plurality of POL regulators on an intermediate voltage bus.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for driving transistors. One embodiment includes a driver circuit that can drive power transistors at relatively high switching speeds, which can advantageously decrease the size of associated electronics systems that use the driver circuit and power transistors. Embodiments of the invention can drive a switching device that needs a negative voltage bias in order to be shut off. For example, the switching device can correspond to a junction field effect transistor (JFET). Advantageously, one embodiment of the invention can drive such switching devices on and off from a single positive voltage supply.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation system for use in a switching power supply circuit provides high-resolution pulse width modulated signals. The pulse width modulation system is configured to receive a control signal comprising a (m+n)-bit binary word and to provide a pulse width modulated signal with a predetermined average duty cycle having a resolution of substantially 2−(m+n). The pulse width modulation system includes a timing circuit for providing 2m timing signals, a dithering circuit, and a signal generator. Upon receiving the control signal, the dithering circuit is configured to provide a modified control signal, which comprises a series of up to 2n m-bit binary words. The signal generator is configured to receive the timing signals and the modified control signal and to provide the pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle, which, when averaged over 2n timing cycles, is approximately equal to the predetermined average duty cycle.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using a serial bus to communicate (either passively or actively) with a point-of-load (“POL”) regulator. Specifically, a power supply controller (“controller”) communicates with at least one POL regulators by writing and/or reading data (either synchronously or asynchronous) over a unidirectional or bi-directional serial bus. In one embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to write initial-configuration data (e.g., output voltage set-point, current limit set-point, etc.) to at least one POL regulator via the serial bus. At least a portion of the initial-configuration data is then used by the POL regulator to produce a particular output. In another embodiment of the invention, each POL regulator includes at least one register for maintaining POL information, such as unique identification information, fault protection information, output voltage set-point data, current limit set-point data, etc.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using a point-on-load (“POL”) control unit to program and/or monitor a POL regulator. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a power supply controller is adapted to provide initial-configuration data to at least one POL regulator. A POL control unit (located within the POL regulator) then stores at least a portion of the initial-configuration data in a storage device and uses at least a portion of the initial-configuration data to produce an output. The POL control unit is further adapted to store fault-monitoring data in the storage device and provide at least a portion of the fault-monitoring data to the controller. If the provided portion violates a known parameter, the controller (or POL control unit) may respond by perform a particular action (e.g., disable the POL regulator, etc.).

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for inserting and/or holding electronic modules into equipment racks. For example, the electronic module can correspond to a power supply, and the equipment rack can correspond to a shelf for a standardized equipment rack. One embodiment includes a handle that is movable from a first position to a second position. A power supply is inserted into an equipment rack with a handle in a first position. The first position of the handle permits partial insertion of the power supply, thereby permitting electrical connection of pre-charge contacts. The handle is then moved to a second position, thereby pulling in the power supply and permitting regular power contacts to make an electrical connection. One embodiment further includes a tongue and groove arrangement to prevent vertical displacement of an electronic module.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for inserting and/or holding electronic modules into equipment racks. For example, the electronic module can correspond to a power supply, and the equipment rack can correspond to a shelf for a standardized equipment rack. One embodiment includes a handle that is movable from a first position to a second position. A power supply is inserted into an equipment rack with a handle in a first position. The first position of the handle permits partial insertion of the power supply, thereby permitting electrical connection of pre-charge contacts. The handle is then moved to a second position, thereby pulling in the power supply and permitting regular power contacts to make an electrical connection. One embodiment further includes a tongue and groove arrangement to prevent vertical displacement of an electronic module.

Abstract: A carrier board which has a plurality of conduction layers is provided. A plurality of electronic units are produced on surface regions of the board with electronic components arranged at regular spacing. The surface regions, for use in a separation operation, are held at predetermined separating regions to a frame. The frame has an externally contactable, connecting region for an operating voltage or load for electronic units. Each electronic unit can be acted upon with the operating voltage or a load, by way of supply, load and/or signal lines in the frame and at separating regions of the carrier board. The electronic units can be operated and tested by the supply as well as the load and/or signal lines in a full-load mode of operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power supply module for high output currents, particularly a DC-DC converter, with a plate-shaped carrier element (10) configured to interact with a planar inductor and having a plurality of conductor layers, which has a suitably formed opening (12) to receive a core element of the planar inductor, on the component side is formed for automated mounting of electronic components (16), particularly a power semiconductor (14), and on the output side has a contact arrangement (40) to discharge the high output current. On the component side a strip- and/or rail-shaped bridge element (18) is provided, which forms a conductor for the output current and has a conductor cross section greater than 2 mm2. The bridge element, as a component independent of the carrier element, is preferably mounted and contacted on the carrier element by means of an automated assembly process.

Abstract: A multiple output voltage power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. The primary winding is adapted to have an input voltage coupled thereto. A primary side switch is coupled to the primary winding and is adapted to control power applied to the transformer in a power cycle responsive to a peak current mode control signal. A plurality of output circuits are coupled to respective ones of the plurality of secondary windings and provide respective output voltages. The plurality of output circuits each further includes a forward rectifier adapted to rectify power during a positive portion of the power cycle and a free-wheeling rectifier adapted to rectify power during a negative portion of the power cycle. One of the plurality of output circuits further includes a bypass switch adapted to interrupt operation of the respective forward rectifier. A secondary side post regulation circuit controls operation of the bypass switch.

Abstract: The invention concerns a voltage converter of a flux converter type with a self-regulating synchronous rectifier in the secondary circuit related to a transformer (17), with a capacitor device (C1; C1, C2) being provided, for driving an active switching element (V1, V2) of the synchronous rectifier, which is charged by means of an auxiliary winding (W1, W2) of the transformer in the secondary circuit, and its charge is applied to a control terminal of the active switching element by means of a semiconductor element (D1, D2; 30, 32), with the capacitor device being implemented in such a way that the charge allows synchronous switching operation of the active switching element.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a semiconductor device to a heat sink is disclosed. The mounting system is for mounting a semiconductor package having a semiconductor die, a heat spreader, a body of non-conductive material around the semiconductor die, and a plurality of leads to a heat sink comprising a sheet of thermally conductive material. The mounting system comprises two primary elements: a rigid retainer and a pressure clamp. The rigid retainer comprises a block of non-conductive material having recess open to at least two adjacent faces of the block of non-conductive material and configured to expose at least a portion of the heat spreader when the semiconductor package is disposed in the recess with the plurality of leads extending from the retainer. The pressure clamp is configured for disposing against an exterior of the retainer opposite to the body and attaching to the heat sink, for compressing the package against the heat sink.

Abstract: A coil element with no solder joints is made of a continuous conductive strip includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a conductive path between the first terminal and the second terminal. The conductive path has curved regions and foldable hinge regions shaped such that the coil element may be folded into single or multi-turn coils for use in transformers and other electronic devices.