Abstract: A method of providing power includes providing no power to an output device if the output device cannot or should not use power. If the output device can use power, power is provided to the output device from an input source. If power available at the input source would not overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a maximum power point tracking algorithm. If power available at the input source would overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a target power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module assembly includes a photovoltaic module which is capable of wirelessly coupling to an energy-receiving device in order to transfer energy.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A method of providing power includes providing no power to an output device if the output device cannot or should not use power. If the output device can use power, power is provided to the output device from an input source. If power available at the input source would not overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a maximum power point tracking algorithm. If power available at the input source would overload the output device, power is provided to the output device from the input source according to a target power.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device includes at least one photovoltaic cell and a DC/DC converter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the DC/DC converter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device including at least one photovoltaic cell and a transformerless inverter electrically coupled to the at least one photovoltaic cell. The at least one photovoltaic cell and the transformerless inverter are integrated into a photovoltaic package.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A multi-phase, coupled-inductor, DC-DC voltage converter operates in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) when the system is operated at low output power demand. An embodiment of the converter switches to operating in continuous conduction mode (CCM) when the system is operated at high output power demand. Operation in single-drive and rotating phase DCM operation at low power are described. An alternative embodiment operates in a multiple-drive, rotating-phase, discontinuous conduction mode during at least one condition of output power demand.

Abstract: A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit. During each switching period of the switching circuit, the current for the slave is checked; namely, after the beginning of a low-side conduction period, and before the beginning of a high-side conduction period.

Abstract: A voltage regulator coupled to an unregulated DC input voltage source by an input terminal, and to a load by an output terminal is disclosed. The voltage regulator converts an input voltage at the input terminal to an output voltage at the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes one or more slaves, and each slave includes a switching circuit which serves as a power switch for alternately coupling and decoupling the input terminal to an intermediate node. The voltage regulator also includes a filter coupled to the slaves, the filter including one or more inductor banks each of which having a predetermined number of inductors.

Abstract: A digital voltage regulator has an input terminal coupled to an input voltage source, an output terminal coupled to a load, and a plurality of switching circuits to alternately couple and decouple the input terminal to the output terminal. An estimated current is calculated for each switching circuit, each estimated current representing a current passing through an inductor associated with the switching circuit. A total desired output current to pass through the inductors is calculated which will maintain an output voltage at the output terminal substantially constant. The switching circuits are controlled based on the estimated current and the total desired output current so that a total current passing through the inductors is approximately equal to the total desired output current.

Abstract: A digital control system for a voltage regulator calculates an estimated current representing a current passing through each inductor associated with a switching circuit. A desired total output current is calculated which will maintain an output voltage at the output terminal at a substantially constant level. Upper current limit and a lower current limit are calculated and the switching circuit to is caused couple an input terminal to an output terminal when the estimated current falls below the lower current limit, and caused to couple the output terminal to ground when the estimated current exceeds the upper current limit. Also, the estimated current may be compared to an individual current to trigger the switching circuit.

Abstract: A digital voltage regulator has an input terminal coupled to an input voltage source, an output terminal coupled to a load, and a plurality of switching circuits to alternately couple and decouple the input terminal to the output terminal. An estimated current is calculated for each switching circuit, each estimated current representing a current passing through an inductor associated with the switching circuit. A total desired output current to pass through the inductors is calculated which will maintain an output voltage at the output terminal substantially constant. The switching circuits are controlled based on the estimated current and the total desired output current so that a total current passing through the inductors is approximately equal to the total desired output current.

Abstract: A method of estimating a current passing through an inductor in a voltage regulator in which an initial estimated current is stored representing the current flowing through the inductor, and the initial estimated current is adjusted based on the status of the switching circuit in the voltage regulator to generate a new estimated current. An incremental current is added to the initial estimated current if an output terminal is coupled to an input terminal, and a decremental current is subtracted from the initial estimated current if the output terminal is coupled to ground. The estimated current can be used for controlling the switching circuit.