Abstract: The invention concerns a device (3) for synchronizing at least two DC/DC converters. It is characterized in that it comprises receiving means (21A, 21B, 23A, 23B) for receiving a switching signal generated by each of the converters; means (25) for detecting a transition type of the received switching signals; means (27) for generating a synchronization signal when a transition is detected; and means (27, S1, S2) for supplying the synchronization signal to one of the converters, said means (27, S1, S2) being configured to supply the synchronization signal to a different converter and in an order of succession each time a transition is detected.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for a power supply includes a primary-side controller integrated circuit (IC) that outputs a drive signal on a switch pin to control a switching operation of a switch that is coupled to a primary winding of a transformer. The primary-side controller IC places the switch pin at high impedance during a sense window and turns on the switch in response to sensing a dynamic detection signal on the switch pin during the sense window. The dynamic detection signal is induced by a secondary-side controller IC by controlling switching of a switch that is coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer when the output voltage drops below a predetermined threshold during standby or other low load conditions.

Abstract: A controller includes a drive circuit that generates a drive signal to switch a power switch to control a transfer of energy to of a power converter output in response to a current sense signal, a feedback signal, and a current limit signal. A current limit generator generates the current limit signal in response to a load coupled to the output. An exclusion frequency range detection circuit generates a frequency skip signal in response to the drive signal to indicate when an intended frequency of the drive signal is within an exclusion frequency window. The current limit signal is unvarying for at least a switching cycle when the intended frequency of the drive signal is within the exclusion frequency window. A first latch generates a hold signal to control the current limit generator to hold the current limit signal in response to the frequency skip signal and the feedback signal.

Abstract: A neutral point clamped, multilevel level converter includes a DC voltage link; a first capacitor coupling one side of the DC link to a neutral point; a second capacitor coupling another side of the DC link to the neutral point; a plurality of phase legs, each phase leg including switches, each phase leg coupled to an AC node; a current sensor associated with each AC node; and a controller generating a PWM signal to control the switches, the controller generating a current zero sequence component in response to current sensed at each of the current sensors, the controller adjusting a modulation index signal in response to the current zero sequence component to produce the PWM signal.

Abstract: A control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is configured to control a switching element of a switching power supply. The control circuit includes a comparator having a first input terminal configured to receive an output voltage of the switching power supply. The comparator has a second input terminal that is connectable to a positive terminal of a reference voltage source. The comparator has an output. The output brings the reference voltage to a first voltage while the output signal takes a first voltage level. The output brings the reference voltage to a second voltage while the output signal takes a second voltage level. The constant voltage source has a positive terminal connected to a negative terminal of the reference voltage source and a ground of the comparator.

Abstract: A tunable DC voltage generating circuit includes: a resonance circuit including an inductor and an input capacitor coupled in a series connection, and arranged to operably receive an input signal and to operably generate a resonance signal at an output node between the inductor and the input capacitor; a rectifying circuit arranged to operably rectify the resonance signal; a current control unit, coupled with an output of the rectifying circuit, and coupled with the inductor or the input capacitor in a parallel connection; a stabilizing capacitor, coupled with the output of the rectifying circuit, arranged to operably provide a DC output signal having a voltage level greater than that of the input signal; and a control circuit arranged to operably adjust a current passing through the current control unit according to a setting signal to thereby manipulate the DC output signal.

Abstract: An internal voltage generation circuit includes a first control signal generation unit suitable for generating a first control signal activated to a level of a second external voltage when a first external voltage is activated, a second control signal generation unit suitable for generating a second control signal that equals the higher of the second external voltage and an internal voltage, and a voltage generation unit suitable for generating the internal voltage by performing a charge pumping operation based on the second external voltage and an oscillation signal while blocking a current flowing through a generation node from which the internal voltage is generated, based on the first and second control signals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control circuit configured for an interleaved switching power supply having first and second voltage conversion circuits, can include: a feedback compensation signal generation circuit that generates a feedback compensation signal; a first power switch control circuit that activates a first on signal when a first voltage signal that represents an inductor current of the first voltage conversion circuit is less than the feedback compensation signal, a first power switch of the first voltage conversion circuit being turned on based on the first on signal, and turned off after a predetermined time; and a second power switch control circuit that activates a second on signal after half of a switching period from a rising edge of the first on signal, and a second power switch control signal to turn on a second power switch of the second voltage conversion circuit based on the second on signal.

Abstract: A circuit and method for protecting circuit elements, vehicle having the circuit, and method for controlling the vehicle are provided. The circuit for protecting circuit elements includes a circuit element, a driving signal generator that applies a driving voltage to the circuit element and an inductor with a first terminal electrically connected to the circuit element. A circuit protector obtains information regarding the driving voltage applied to the circuit element and a differential voltage across the first terminal and a second terminal of the inductor, compares the driving voltage applied to the circuit element with a first reference voltage, compares the differential voltage with a second reference voltage, and then transmits a control signal to the driving signal generator according to the comparison results.

Abstract: A first switching element and a gate of a voltage-driven switching element are connected by a gate turn-on wiring through a first resistor. The gate of the voltage-driven switching element and a second switching element are connected by a gate turn-off wiring through a second resistor. A charge pump unit has a first capacitor, and a second capacitor configured to output a negative voltage. A resistor unit is arranged in at least one of a first wiring configured to connect the gate turn-on wiring and the first capacitor and a second wiring configured to connect the gate turn-off wiring and the first capacitor, and is configured to charge the first capacitor through the first wiring when the first switching element is turned on and to discharge the first capacitor through the second wiring when the second switching element is turned on.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit has multiple phases wherein each of the phases has an inductor coupled to a power switch circuit and is coupled to an output node. A power conversion controller controls the switching of one or more of the phases to yield a regulated voltage on the output node. The controller uses a variable inductor current limit for one or more designated phases, and temporarily increases the variable inductor current limit during a transient condition. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An embedded magnetic component transformer device includes an insulating substrate with a cavity and a magnetic core housed within the cavity. First and second electrical windings pass through the insulating substrate around the magnetic core. The first electrical winding includes a first end terminal and a second end terminal, and a first tap terminal between the first and second end terminals. The device includes circuitry with a first input terminal electrically connected to the first end terminal and a first output terminal. In a first configuration of the circuitry, the first output terminal is electrically connectable to the second end terminal. In a second configuration of the circuitry, the first output terminal is electrically connectable to the first tap terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a temperature-compensated reference voltage are disclosed. The apparatus generates substantially equal temperature-compensated currents by controlling (through negative feedback) voltages across separate resistors through which the currents flow, respectively. Two of the temperature-compensated currents are formed by combining (e.g., summing) a complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) current (ICTAT) and a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current (IPTAT). A reference voltage VREF is produced by configuring the other the temperature-compensated current to flow through an output resistor.

Abstract: A power converter controller includes a drive circuit that generates a drive signal to switch a power switch to control a transfer of energy to an output of the power converter in response to a current sense signal, a feedback signal, and a current limit signal. A current limit generator generates the current limit signal in response to a load coupled to the output. An audible noise detection circuit generates a frequency skip signal in response to the drive signal to indicate when an intended frequency of the drive signal is within an audible noise frequency window. A state of the current limit signal fixed when the intended frequency of the drive signal is within the audible noise frequency window. A first latch generates a hold signal to control the current limit generator to hold the current limit signal in response to the frequency skip signal and the feedback signal.

Abstract: A power loss protection integrated circuit includes a current switch circuit (eFuse), a VIN terminal, a VOUT terminal, a buck/boost controller, and a storage capacitor terminal STR. The controller is adapted to work: 1) as a boost to take a low voltage from the VOUT terminal and to output a larger charging voltage onto the STR terminal, or 2) as a buck to take a higher voltage from the STR terminal and to buck it down to a lower voltage required on the VOUT terminal. The current switch circuit outputs a digital undervoltage signal (UV) and a digital high current signal (HC). These signals are communicated on-chip to the controller. Asserting UV causes the converter to begin operating in the buck mode. Asserting HC prevents the converter from operating in the boost mode.

Abstract: An inverter output current passes from an inverter phase output, through a non-linear inverter side inductor, and into a line that connects through a grid side inductor to a grid phase. An inductance of the inverter side non-linear inductor is estimated, a current passing through the grid side inductor is estimated, and a current through the inverter side inductor is measured. An inverter feeding the inverter output is controlled using a weighted average of the estimated current through the grid side inductor and the inverter side inductor current measurement, applying a weighting using the estimated inductance.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a power converter electrically connected between an external power supply and an electronic device. The electronic device has a first power-inputted terminal. The power converter includes a capacitor, a switch and an inrush-current-limit circuit. The capacitor is electrically connected to the external power supply. The switch has an input terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the capacitor, and an output terminal electrically connected to the first power-inputted terminal A first voltage detector has an output terminal electrically connected to the switch and configured to detect an output voltage of the capacitor. When the first voltage detector detects that an input voltage of the switch is higher than a first preset voltage, the switch is set in a conductive status.

Abstract: A method of identifying a faulty sub-module of a chain-link converter is provided, wherein the chain-link converter includes a plurality of sub-modules with each sub-module including at least one switching element and an energy storage device which together are selectively operable to provide a voltage source. The method comprises the steps of: measuring a switching characteristic of each sub-module of the chain-link converter; establishing a switching characteristic signature of the chain-link converter; and identifying the or each sub-module with a switching characteristic that deviates from the switching characteristic signature as being a faulty sub-module.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a drive circuit coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of a power switch of the power converter in response to a feedback signal to control a transfer of energy from an input to an output of the power converter. An audible noise window circuit is coupled to generate a frequency skip signal in response to the feedback signal. The frequency skip signal is activated in response to a frequency of a feedback request signal responsive to the feedback signal being within an audible noise window. An audible noise reduction circuit is coupled to output a reduction signal in response to the frequency skip signal. The drive circuit is coupled to generate the drive signal in response to the reduction signal from the audible noise reduction circuit.

Abstract: System and method for regulating a power conversion system. A system controller for regulating a power conversion system includes an operation-mode-selection component and a driving component. The operation-mode-selection component is configured to receive a first signal related to an output load of the power conversion system and a second signal related to an input signal received by the power conversion system and output a mode-selection signal based on at least information associated with the first signal and the second signal. The driving component is configured to receive the mode-selection signal and generate a drive signal based on at least information associated with the mode-selection signal, the driving signal corresponding to a switching frequency.