Abstract: A boost DC-DC converter includes: an input terminal; an output terminal; a first boost circuit configured to generate, from an input power to the input terminal, a first boosted power having a higher voltage than a voltage of the input power, and outputs the generated first boosted power from the output terminal; a second boost circuit configured to generate, from the input power, a second boosted power having a higher voltage than the voltage of the input power; and a storage capacitor configured to store the second boosted power as a storage power, and supply the storage power to the first boost circuit as an operation power source. The first boost circuit is configured to start a boost operation with the storage power when a voltage of the storage power is equal to or higher than a minimum operation voltage of the first boost circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system, method and non-transitory program storage device that are intended to provide a control system with quick response for a multi-level power converter. The control system may regulate an output voltage of the power converter based on one or more feedback signals. The feedback signals may be generated based on a differential between the output voltage and a reference voltage. The control system may further include one or more feed-forward signals representative of either the output voltage or transients of the output voltage. The control system may further include one or more switches in parallel with the one or more capacitors to selectively enable and/or disable direct feed-forward and capacitive feed-forward responsive to the output voltage at different levels.

Abstract: A power source apparatus for supplying power to a load includes a switch and a controller. The controller detects voltage applied to the switch. The controller further switches a state of the switch from OFF to ON when the detected voltage is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A sub-nW voltage reference is presented that provides inherently low process variation and enables trim-free operation for low-dropout regulators and other applications in nW microsystems. Sixty chips from three different wafers in 180 nm CMOS are measured, showing an untrimmed within-wafer ?/? of 0.26% and wafer-to-wafer ?/? of 1.9%. Measurement results also show a temperature coefficient of 48-124 ppm/° C. from ?40° C. to 85° C. Outputting a 0.986V reference voltage, the reference operates down to 1.2V and consumes 114 pW at 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply apparatus and, more particularly, to a power supply apparatus for sub-modules of a MMC (Modular Multilevel Converter), the apparatus stably supplying power to the sub-modules of the MMC connected to an HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) system.

Abstract: A circuit for use with an external power source and at least one load. The circuit includes a Hydro-Pyroelectrodynamic (“H-PED”) storage/capture device (“SCD”), a plurality of contacts, and a recharging device. The H-PED SCD stores electrical energy and is configured to discharge power to at least one output contact of the plurality of contacts. The plurality of contacts also include an input contact configured to be connected to the external power source. The recharging device is configured to be powered by the external power source when the external power source is connected to the input contact and supplies power thereto. The recharging device is operable to charge the H-PED SCD when powered by the external power source. The recharging device may be an infrared light emitting diode configured to generate incident infrared radiation operable to charge the H-PED SCD.

Abstract: A switch mode power supply comprises a power converter including a transformer having a primary winding connected to a primary circuit, and a secondary winding connected to a secondary circuit delivering an output voltage to a load. The primary circuit comprises a controller for operating a switch element to chop the current flowing in the primary winding to transfer energy selectively to the secondary winding. The secondary circuit comprises a storage capacitor delivering the energy to the load, a first regulator receiving the output voltage and delivering a first control current for the controller via an isolator element, and a second regulator receiving an auxiliary output voltage that is an image of the output voltage and delivering a second control current for the controller. The second control current is added to the first control current to avoid any interruption in the chopping of the current flowing in the primary winding.

Abstract: An intraocular pressure sensor is presented that achieve very low power consumption. The intraocular pressure sensor takes the form of an implantable assembly configured to be implanted in an eye of a subject. Specifically, the implantable assembly is comprised of a capsular tension ring attached to a flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board includes a cutout that is sized to encircle the pupil of the eye and is C shaped. One or more electrical components are also mounted onto the flexible printed circuit board. One such component is a voltage reference generator that is implemented by a circuit which provides inherently low process variation and low power consumption.

Abstract: A voltage regulator having bias current boosting is provided. The voltage regulator includes a power stage for providing an output voltage to a load. The voltage regulator includes a differential stage that receives a feedback voltage representative of the output voltage and a reference voltage and controls the power stage based on a difference between the reference voltage and the feedback voltage. The voltage regulator includes a bias current boosting stage that receives the feedback and reference voltages. The bias current boosting stage provides a boosted bias current having a current level that is based on the difference between the reference and feedback voltages. The boosted bias current biases the differential stage and hastens a response of the differential stage, in response to a change in the difference between the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, in controlling the power stage.

Abstract: A method for operating a phase-leg of a three-level active neutral point clamped (3L-ANPC) converter is presented. The phase-leg includes an output terminal, a plurality of input terminals, and a plurality of switches disposed therebetween. The method includes operating the phase-leg in a neutral state to generate an output voltage having a neutral level. The method further includes transitioning the phase-leg to a first intermediate neutral state from the neutral state. Moreover, the method includes transitioning the phase-leg from the first intermediate neutral state to a first state to generate the output voltage having a first level. A modulator for operating the phase-leg of the 3L-ANPC converter is also presented. Moreover, a 3L-ANPC converter including the modulator is presented.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter circuit includes a switched-capacitor circuit, an error amplifier, a latched comparator and a switching controller. The error amplifier adjusts an error amplification signal of the error amplifier in response to an output voltage of the switched-capacitor circuit and a reference voltage. The error amplification signal is then fed to the latched comparator as a comparison reference, resulting in the DC-DC power converter circuit being able to more precisely maintain the output voltage within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a voltage generating device and a calibrating method thereof. The voltage generating device includes a bandgap circuit, a regulator circuit and a calibrating circuit. The bandgap circuit provides a bandgap voltage. The regulator circuit generates an output voltage correspondingly according to the bandgap voltage. In a first stage of a calibration period, the calibrating circuit detects the bandgap voltage, and correspondingly sets a resistance of at least one resistor of the bandgap circuit according to the bandgap voltage. In a second stage of the calibration period, the calibrating circuit detects the output voltage, and correspondingly sets a resistance of at least one resistor of the regulator circuit according to the output voltage.

Abstract: A voltage conversion apparatus includes an output unit connected to an input voltage to output an output voltage according to a control signal. A comparator compares a reference voltage to a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage and outputs a comparison signal. A delay circuit outputs a delayed signal obtained by delaying either a rising timing or a falling timing of the comparison signal. The delay circuit varies a delay time of the delayed signal on basis of a modulating signal. A control circuit is configured to output the control signal to the output unit. The control signal is based on the delayed signal. The control circuit controls the output unit such that a frequency of the output voltage is tuned to a predetermined value set according to the modulating signal.

Abstract: To provide a multi-cell converter apparatus that is both miniature and low-cost, provided is a multi-cell converter apparatus including a plurality of AC/DC converting cells with AC sides that are connected in series to an AC power supply; and a plurality of isolating components that are connected in cascade and each transmit a potential difference input thereto to a later stage while providing isolation between input and output. Each AC/DC converting cell has a terminal that is at a reference potential inside the AC/DC converting cell connected to a terminal of a corresponding isolating component among the plurality of isolating components.

Abstract: A method and a device for monitoring the output current from a DC static converter. The monitoring device has a switching device for switching a switch on the DC static converter, in accordance with a hysteresis regulation of the output current from a DC static converter within a hysteresis range defined by a lower limit value and an upper limit value. A switch on the DC static converter is switched by the switching device when the value passes out of the hysteresis range and at least one limit value is modified to compensate for switching delays by way of a compensating circuit connected to the switching device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for driving a low quiescent current DCDC converter are disclosed. An error threshold compensation circuit of the DCDC converter is configured to detect an output voltage of the DCDC converter, compare the output voltage to a target voltage, and modify a first threshold voltage of the hysteresis control circuit based on the comparison.

Abstract: A boost circuit receives a DC signal at a first voltage, a duty clock, a reference at a second voltage, and a second intermediate signal at a fourth voltage; compares the reference and the second intermediate signal; generates a first intermediate signal at a third voltage based on the duty clock and the comparison of the reference and the second intermediate signal; and adjusts the third voltage to cause the fourth voltage to approach the second voltage based on the comparison of the reference and the second intermediate signal. The voltage converter receives the first intermediate signal at the second voltage and a clock and generates the second intermediate signal at the fourth voltage, which may be greater than the third voltage. The voltage driver receives the second intermediate signal at the fourth voltage and generates an AC signal at an AC voltage based on the second intermediate signal.

Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit includes a voltage reference circuit configured to generate a reference voltage at a first output and a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current source configured to generate a PTAT current reference at a second output. A divider circuit is coupled to the reference voltage and configured to generate a divided reference voltage at a third output of the bandgap reference circuit. The bandgap reference circuit further includes a tunable current source coupled to the divider circuit and configured to generate a tunable current reference at a fourth output of the bandgap reference circuit based, at least in part, on the divider circuit. A method of generating a tunable current with a bandgap circuit is also provided.

Abstract: An SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply) circuit includes a first switch element, a second switch element, an inductor, a capacitor, a current sensor, a current comparator, and a controller. The first switch element is coupled between a first power node and a switch node. The second switch element is coupled between the switch node and a second power node. The inductor is coupled between the switch node and an output node. The capacitor is coupled between the output node and the second power node. The current sensor detects a switch current through the second switch element. The current comparator compares the switch current with a first reference current to generate a comparison signal. The controller controls the first switch element and the second switch element according to the comparison signal and a switch voltage at the switch node. The invention can avoid an excessive SMPS output current.

Abstract: This invention is concerning a secondary side reflux circuit having a series circuit that is formed by connecting a secondary side reflux diode and a reflux reactor in series, the secondary side reflux circuit being provided on a secondary side of a DC/DC converter that subjects DC power from a DC power supply to DC/DC conversion and outputs the converted power to a load connected in series to a smoothing reactor connected to an output side of a rectifier circuit having a plurality of rectifying semiconductor switching elements. During a period in which a voltage from the DC power supply is not applied to a primary side of a transformer, the secondary side reflux circuit diverts a load current flowing through a load so as to return the load current to the load.