Abstract: Disclosed include switching-mode power supplies and control methods thereof. A disclosed switching-mode power supply is coupled to an input power node and a ground node, comprising a controller, a first inductor, and a bootstrap circuit. The controller is for controlling a power switch coupled to the input power node and a connection node. The controller is powered by the connection node and an operation power node. The first inductor is coupled between the connection node and a discharge node. The bootstrap circuit is coupled between the discharge node, the operation power node and the connection node, to make an operation voltage at the operation power node substantially not less than a discharge voltage at the discharge node. The discharge node is coupled to power an output load.

Abstract: Disclosed are a voltage waveform detector, a power controller and a control method used therein, adaptive for a switched-mode power supply having a power switch and an inductive device. A disclosed power controller has a voltage waveform detector and a constant-current control unit. The voltage waveform detector estimates a discharge time of the inductive device when the power switch is turned off. In the voltage waveform detector, a differential capacitor is coupled between an input node of a comparator and a feedback node, at which the feedback voltage corresponds to a reflection voltage of the inductive device. The constant-current control unit integrates a current-detection signal over the discharge time to control a maximum output current of the switched-mode power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are a controller and a relevant LED lighting module. A disclosed controller comprises a high-voltage power terminal and a low-voltage power terminal, a major switch circuit, an upward-connection terminal and a downward-connection terminal, and a management circuit. The major switch circuit is coupled between the high-voltage and low-voltage power terminals, and has a driving terminal for coupling to at least one LED. The management circuit is coupled to control the major switch circuit, and configured to communicate with an upstream controller via the upward-connection terminal and to communicate with a downstream controller via the downward-connection terminal. The upward-connection terminal is coupled to the downward-connection terminal of an upstream controller. The downward-connection terminal is coupled to the upward-connection terminal of a downstream controller. The management circuit is capable of operating in one of operation conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a voltage waveform detector, a power controller and a control method used therein, adaptive for a switched-mode power supply having a power switch and an inductive device. A disclosed power controller has a voltage waveform detector and a constant-current control unit. The voltage waveform detector estimates a discharge time of the inductive device when the power switch is turned off. In the voltage waveform detector, a differential capacitor is coupled between an input node of a comparator and a feedback node, at which the feedback voltage corresponds to a reflection voltage of the inductive device. The constant-current control unit integrates a current-detection signal over the discharge time to control a maximum output current of the switched-mode power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are a controller and a relevant LED lighting module. A disclosed controller comprises a high-voltage power terminal and a low-voltage power terminal, a major switch circuit, an upward-connection terminal and a downward-connection terminal, and a management circuit. The major switch circuit is coupled between the high-voltage and low-voltage power terminals, and has a driving terminal for coupling to at least one LED. The management circuit is coupled to control the major switch circuit, and configured to communicate with an upstream controller via the upward-connection terminal and to communicate with a downstream controller via the downward-connection terminal. The upward-connection terminal is coupled to the downward-connection terminal of an upstream controller. The downward-connection terminal is coupled to the upward-connection terminal of a downstream controller. The management circuit is capable of operating in one of operation conditions.

Abstract: Switching mode power supplies (SMPS) and control methods used thereof are disclosed. An exemplifying SMPS is coupled to control an inductive device. The SMPS comprises a voltage divider and a peak controller. The voltage divider comprises a resistor and a controllable resistor connected in series through a connection node. The resistance of the controllable resistor is variable, controlled by a control signal. The voltage divider generates a limiting signal at the connection node based on a line voltage at a line voltage power node. The peak controller controls a peak current flowing through the inductive device according to the limiting signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention pertain to windings and methods thereof. A disclosed winding is for an inductive device, having a winding core and a winding portion. The winding portion has a first winding layer, a connection section, and a second winding layer. The first winding layer comprises a first solenoid wound around the winding core along a step direction. The connection section is on the first winding layer, substantially in parallel to the step direction. The second winding layer comprises a second solenoid wound around the first winding layer along the step direction. The connection section electrically connects the first and second winding layers.

Abstract: Disclosed include switching-mode power supplies and control methods thereof. A disclosed switching-mode power supply is coupled to an input power node and a ground node, comprising a controller, a first inductor, and a bootstrap circuit. The controller is for controlling a power switch coupled to the input power node and a connection node. The controller is powered by the connection node and an operation power node. The first inductor is coupled between the connection node and a discharge node. The bootstrap circuit is coupled between the discharge node, the operation power node and the connection node, to make an operation voltage at the operation power node substantially not less than a discharge voltage at the discharge node. The discharge node is coupled to power an output load.

Abstract: Power switch controllers and methods used therein are disclosed. An exemplifying power switch controller includes a window provider, a sensor and a logic controller. The window provider provides minimum and maximum time signals to indicate the elapses of a minimum time and a maximum time, respectively. The sensor detects a terminal of an inductive device, to generate a trigger signal. The logic controller prevents a power switch connected to the inductive device from being turned on before the elapse of the minimum time, forces the power switch to be turned on after the elapse of the maximum time, and turns on the power switch if the trigger signal is asserted.

Abstract: Control method and power controller suitable for a switched mode power supply with a power switch are provided. An ON time of the power switch is recorded. An estimated OFF time is provided based on the ON time. The estimated OFF time is in positive correlation with the ON time. The power switch is turned ON after the elapse of the estimated OFF time.

Abstract: Switching mode power supplies (SMPS) and control methods used thereof are disclosed. An exemplifying SMPS is coupled to control an inductive device. The SMPS comprises a voltage divider and a peak controller. The voltage divider comprises a resistor and a controllable resistor connected in series through a connection node. The resistance of the controllable resistor is variable, controlled by a control signal. The voltage divider generates a limiting signal at the connection node based on a line voltage at a line voltage power node. The peak controller controls a peak current flowing through the inductive device according to the limiting signal.