Abstract: A magnetic device includes a magnetic core, a plurality of first windings forming respective first winding turns, and a second winding forming a second winding turn. Each first winding turn is within the second winding turn, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in a first direction. Yet another magnetic device includes a magnetic core, one or more first windings, and one or more second windings magnetically isolated from the one or more first windings.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a magnetic core, a plurality of first windings forming respective first winding turns, and a second winding forming a second winding turn. Each first winding turn is within the second winding turn, as seen when the magnetic device is viewed cross-sectionally in a first direction. Yet another magnetic device includes a magnetic core, one or more first windings, and one or more second windings magnetically isolated from the one or more first windings.

Abstract: A switching power converter includes a first and second switching device, an air core coupled inductor, and a controller. The air core coupled inductor includes a first winding electrically coupled to the first switching device and a second winding electrically coupled to the second switching device. The first and second windings are magnetically coupled. The controller is operable to cause the first and second switching devices to repeatedly switch between their conductive and non-conductive states at a frequency of at least 100 kilohertz to cause current through the first and second windings to repeatedly cycle, thereby providing power to an output port. The switching power converter may have a topology including, but not limited to, a buck converter topology, a boost converter topology, and a buck-boost converter topology.

Abstract: A maximum power point tracking controller includes an input port for electrically coupling to an electric power source, an output port for electrically coupling to a load, a control switching device, and a control subsystem. The control switching device is adapted to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to transfer power from the input port to the output port. The control subsystem is adapted to control switching of the control switching device to regulate a voltage across the input port, based at least in part on a signal representing current flowing out of the output port, to maximize a signal representing power out of the output port.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a high-side device, a low-side device, and a controller. The high-side device includes first and second transistors each coupled between an input terminal and an intermediate terminal, where the first transistor has a higher breakdown voltage than the second transistor. The low-side device is coupled between the intermediate terminal and a ground terminal. The controller is configured to drive the high-side and low-side devices to (a) alternately couple the intermediate terminal to the input terminal and the ground terminal and (b) cause the first transistor to control a voltage across the second transistor during switching transitions of the second transistor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intelligent, adaptive management of energy storage packs are disclosed. A method comprises receiving a first current measurement of a first energy storage cell electrically connected to a first converter circuit. The first converter circuit controls the charge and discharge of the first energy storage cell. A first voltage measurement of the first energy storage cell is received. A first temperature measurement of the first energy storage cell is received. The first current measurement, the first voltage measurement, and the first temperature measurement are translated into a state of charge of the first energy storage cell.

Abstract: A coupled inductor includes a ladder magnetic core including two opposing rails extending in a lengthwise direction and joined by a plurality of rungs. The coupled inductor further includes a respective winding wound around each of the plurality of rungs. The plurality of rungs are divided into at least two groups of rungs, and a lengthwise separation distance between adjacent rungs in each group of rungs is less than a lengthwise separation distance between adjacent rungs of different groups of rungs.

Abstract: The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes a voltage regulator having an input terminal and an output terminal. The voltage regulator includes a high-side transistor between the input terminal and an intermediate terminal, and a low-side transistor between the intermediate terminal and ground. The voltage regulator includes a low-side driver circuit including a capacitor and an inverter. The output of the inverter is connected to the gate of the low-side transistor. The voltage regulator also includes a controller that drives the high-side and low-side transistors to alternately couple the intermediate terminal to the input terminal and ground. The controller is configured to drive the low-side transistor by controlling the inverter. The voltage regulator further includes a switch coupled to the low-side driver circuit. The switch is configured to block charge leakage out of the capacitor during an off state of the low-side transistor.

Abstract: A method for controlling a number of phases that are active in a multiphase direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-to-DC) converter includes (a) filtering a current signal representing a magnitude of current processed by the multiphase DC-to-DC converter to generate a filtered signal, (b) comparing the filtered signal to a first threshold value, (c) deactivating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the filtered signal falling below the first threshold value, (d) comparing the current signal to a second threshold value, the second threshold value being greater than the first threshold value, and (e) activating one or more phases of the multiphase DC-to-DC converter in response to the current signal rising above the second threshold value.

Abstract: The present application features a transistor that includes an n-well region implanted into a surface of a substrate, a gate region, and a source region, and a drain region. The source region is on a first side of the gate region and includes a p-body region in the n-well region. An n+ region and a p+ region are implanted in the p-body region such that the p+ region is below the n+ region. The drain region is on a second side of the gate region and includes an n+ region.

Abstract: A coupled inductor array includes a monolithic magnetic core formed of magnetic materials having a distributed gap, first and second windings, and a low-permeability magnetic structure. The first and second windings form respective first and second winding turns around a common winding axis extending in the height direction. The low-permeability magnetic structure is embedded in the monolithic magnetic core and forms a loop around the common winding axis. The low-permeability magnetic structure separates the first and second winding turns in the height direction, and the low-permeability magnetic structure is formed of a magnetic material having a lower magnetic permeability than the one or more magnetic materials forming the monolithic magnetic core. One possible application of the coupled inductor array is in a multi-phase switching power converter.

Abstract: A switching power converter includes a first and second switching device, an air core coupled inductor, and a controller. The air core coupled inductor includes a first winding electrically coupled to the first switching device and a second winding electrically coupled to the second switching device. The first and second windings are magnetically coupled. The controller is operable to cause the first and second switching devices to repeatedly switch between their conductive and non-conductive states at a frequency of at least 100 kilohertz to cause current through the first and second windings to repeatedly cycle, thereby providing power to an output port. The switching power converter may have a topology including, but not limited to, a buck converter topology, a boost converter topology, and a buck-boost converter topology.

Abstract: A method for testing a photovoltaic device electrically coupled to an input port of a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controller, where the MPPT controller includes a switching circuit adapted to transfer power between the input port and an output port of the MPPT controller, includes the steps of: (a) driving a test current into the output port of the MPPT controller; (b) detecting presence of the test current; and (c) in response to detecting presence of the test current, causing the switching circuit to provide a path for the test current from the output port to the photovoltaic device.

Abstract: The subject matter of this document can be embodied in a method that includes a voltage regulator having an input terminal and an output terminal. The voltage regulator includes a high-side transistor between the input terminal and an intermediate terminal, and a low-side transistor between the intermediate terminal and ground. The voltage regulator includes a low-side driver circuit including a capacitor and an inverter. The output of the inverter is connected to the gate of the low-side transistor. The voltage regulator also includes a controller that drives the high-side and low-side transistors to alternately couple the intermediate terminal to the input terminal and ground. The controller is configured to drive the low-side transistor by controlling the inverter. The voltage regulator further includes a switch coupled to the low-side driver circuit. The switch is configured to block charge leakage out of the capacitor during an off state of the low-side transistor.

Abstract: An integrated photovoltaic panel has one or more integral DC-DC converter circuits. The DC-DC converter input port couples to a section of at least one photovoltaic (PV) device of the panel separate from PV devices feeding other converters. The converter has an MPPT controller for operating the converter to transfer maximum power from coupled photovoltaic devices to its output port. The PV panel has a transparent substrate to which PV devices are mounted. A laminating material seals PV devices and converters to the substrate. In embodiments, the panel has multiple converters connected with output ports in series. The integrated PV panel provides summed maximum powers of each section of PV devices. In some embodiments the DC-DC converters are complete with inductors, in other embodiments a common inductor is shared by multiple converters of the panel, in a particular embodiment the common inductor is parasitic inductance of the panel.

Abstract: A switching circuit for extracting power from an electric power source includes (1) an input port for electrically coupling to the electric power source, (2) an output port for electrically coupling to a load, (3) a first switching device configured to switch between its conductive state and its non-conductive state to transfer power from the input port to the output port, (4) an intermediate switching node that transitions between at least two different voltage levels at least in part due to the first switching device switching between its conductive state and its non-conductive state, and (5) a controller for controlling the first switching device to maximize an average value of a voltage at the intermediate switching node.

Abstract: A semiconductor package can include a semiconductor die having an integrated circuit, a first die surface, and an opposite second die surface. A packaging can be attached to the die and have a holder surface opposite the first die surface. A heat spreader can be configured to cover the second die surface and the packaging surface and can be attached thereto by a layer of adhesive positioned between the heat spreader and the semiconductor die. A semiconductor package array can include an array of semiconductor dies and a heat spreader configured to cover each semiconductor die. A conductive lead can be electrically connected to the integrated circuit in a semiconductor die and can extend from the first die surface. Manufacturing a semiconductor package can include applying thermally conductive adhesive to the heat spreader and placing the heat spreader proximate the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A multiple-output DC-DC converter has a first and a second DC-DC sub-converter, each DC-DC subconverter may be a buck, boost, or buck-boost converter having a primary energy-storage inductor. Each DC-DC subconverter drives a separate output of the multiple-output converter and typically has a separate feedback control circuit for controlling output voltage and/or current. The converter has a common timing circuit to maintain a phase offset between the first and DC-DC subconverters. The primary energy storage inductors of the first and second DC-DC converter are magnetically coupled to raise an effective ripple frequency of the converter and simplify output filtering.

Abstract: A coupled inductor includes a first end magnetic element, a second end magnetic element, N connecting magnetic elements, and N windings, where N is an integer greater than one. Each of the N connecting magnetic elements connects to both of the first and second end magnetic elements. Each of the N windings is wound around a respective one of the N connecting magnetic elements such that the N windings are wound in alternating opposing directions. Possible applications of the coupled inductor include, but are not limited to, switching power converter applications.

Abstract: A method for controlling a DC-to-DC converter includes: (a) regulating a magnitude of an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter according to a magnitude of a reference voltage; (b) in response to a command to enter the unregulated operating mode, allowing the magnitude of the output voltage to fall; and (c) adjusting the magnitude of the reference voltage to track the magnitude of the output voltage. A controller for a DC-to-DC converter includes reference and switching modules. The reference module generates a reference voltage, such that: (a) a magnitude of the reference voltage is fixed, in a regulated operating mode, and (b) the magnitude of the reference voltage tracks a magnitude of an output voltage of the DC-to-DC converter, in the unregulated operating mode. The switching module controls a power stage of the DC-to-DC converter to regulate the magnitude of the output voltage, in the regulated operating mode.