Abstract: A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator in a vehicle is provided. The direction indicator circuit may include a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a lighting means of a direction indicator and to a direction indicator switch; and a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is configured to provide the direction indicator with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by the size of the capacitor; wherein the capacitor is discharged essentially constantly during the on state, and wherein the capacitor is charged essentially constantly during the off state.

Abstract: A direction indicator circuit for controlling a direction indicator may include: a first terminal for connecting to a supply voltage terminal; a second terminal for connecting to a direction indicator switch and a lighting means; a third terminal for connecting to a capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit is designed to provide the lighting means with a current during an on state and with no current during an off state, wherein the duration of the on state and the duration of the off state are determined by a voltage at the capacitor; wherein the direction indicator circuit has a first and a second circuit, wherein the capacitor provides the supply voltage for the first and second circuits during the on state; wherein the current which flows through the first circuit has a negative temperature coefficient, and the current which flows through the second circuit has a positive temperature coefficient.

Abstract: A power converter includes a DC/AC converter with input terminals and output terminals. A DC/DC converter includes input terminals for receiving a DC input voltage and output terminals for providing a DC output voltage. The output terminals are coupled to the input terminals of the DC/AC converter. The DC/DC converter also includes a control circuit that is configured to control an output current of the DC/DC converter dependent on a reference signal. The reference signal has a frequency that is dependent on a frequency of the AC output voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter including a power factor corrector and a DC/DC converter and a power conversion method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter including a power factor corrector and a DC/DC converter and a power conversion method.

Abstract: A power converter includes a DC/AC converter with input terminals and output terminals. A DC/DC converter includes input terminals for receiving a DC input voltage and output terminals for providing a DC output voltage. The output terminals are coupled to the input terminals of the DC/AC converter. The DC/DC converter also includes a control circuit that is configured to control an output current of the DC/DC converter dependent on a reference signal. The reference signal has a frequency that is dependent on a frequency of the AC output voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter including a power factor corrector and a DC/DC converter and a power conversion method.

Abstract: Controlling a resonant switching system, which includes a first switch and a second switch in a half-bridge configuration for driving a resonant load. A corresponding control system includes command means for switching on and switching off the switches alternatively according to a working frequency of the switching system. The control system includes detection means for detecting a zeroing of a working current being supplied by the switching system to the resonant load in a temporal observation window; the observation window follows each switching off of at least one of the switches, and has a length equal to a fraction of a to working period of the switching system. Correction means are then provided for modifying the working frequency in response to each detection of the zeroing in the observation window.

Abstract: Controlling a resonant switching system, which includes a first switch and a second switch in a half-bridge configuration for driving a resonant load. A corresponding control system includes command means for switching on and switching off the switches alternatively according to a working frequency of the switching system. The control system includes detection means for detecting a zeroing of a working current being supplied by the switching system to the resonant load in a temporal observation window; the observation window follows each switching off of at least one of the switches, and has a length equal to a fraction of a working period of the switching system. Correction means are then provided for modifying the working frequency in response to each detection of the zeroing in the observation window.

Abstract: Controlling a resonant switching system, which includes a first switch and a second switch in a half-bridge configuration for driving a resonant load. A corresponding control system includes command means for switching on and switching off the switches alternatively according to a working frequency of the switching system. The control system includes detection means for detecting a zeroing of a working current being supplied by the switching system to the resonant load in a temporal observation window; the observation window follows each switching off of at least one of the switches, and has a length equal to a fraction of a working period of the switching system. Correction means are then provided for modifying the working frequency in response to each detection of the zeroing in the observation window.

Abstract: Some embodiments discussed relate to an apparatus comprising a temperature sensor disposed in an integrated circuit, the temperature sensor including a bipolar transistor having a collector coupled to a portion of a substrate of the integrated circuit, and a bandgap reference circuit configured to generate a reference voltage, and a comparator coupled to the temperature sensor and the bandgap reference circuit, the comparator configured to receive a first voltage from the emitter of the bipolar transistor and the reference voltage from the bandgap reference circuit and generate a switch-off signal based on a voltage difference between the first voltage and the reference voltage.

Abstract: Some embodiments discussed relate to an apparatus comprising a temperature sensor disposed in an integrated circuit, the temperature sensor including a bipolar transistor having a collector coupled to a portion of a substrate of the integrated circuit, and a bandgap reference circuit configured to generate a reference voltage, and a comparator coupled to the temperature sensor and the bandgap reference circuit, the comparator configured to receive a first voltage from the emitter of the bipolar transistor and the reference voltage from the bandgap reference circuit and generate a switch-off signal based on a voltage difference between the first voltage and the reference voltage.

Abstract: A bootstrap circuit for switching power supplies (SMPS), a switching power supply including a bootstrap circuit, and an integrated circuit of a switching power supply, are provided. The bootstrap circuit (13) for switching power supplies includes a first supply voltage (Vin) coming from a first terminal and a second supply voltage (Vcc) coming from a second terminal and a third terminal (30). The bootstrap circuit includes: a first current path between the first terminal and the third terminal (30); a second current path between the first terminal and the second terminal; a third current path between the second terminal and the third terminal (30); and a two-way voltage regulator (M3, Dz2, R5, R6) placed along the second current path.

Abstract: An H-bridge circuit having a boost capacitor coupled to the gate of the low-side driver. A driver, in the form of a switching transistor is connected between the load and ground, thus providing a low-side driver. A capacitor is coupled to the gate of the low-side driver to provide a boosted voltage for rapid turn on of the gate. The size of the capacitor selected to be similar to the size of the capacitance associated with the low-side driver transistor.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a switching power supply, in particular to a power factor corrector, and more particularly to a circuit for the programmable protection against output over-voltages. It also refers to a power factor corrector integrated circuit comprising a circuit for the programmable protection against output over-voltages. In one embodiment the circuit for the programmable protection against output over-voltages in a power Factor corrector comprises means for detecting a signal proportional to the output voltage; a first preset reference voltage; a second preset reference voltage; a transconductance amplifier which receives in input the signal proportional to the output voltage and the first preset reference voltage; a comparator which receives in input the signal proportional to the output voltage and the second preset reference voltage; means suitable for absorbing a current coming from the signal proportional to the output voltage.

Abstract: A bootstrap circuit for switching power supplies (SMPS), a switching power supply including a bootstrap circuit, and an integrated circuit of a switching power supply, are provided. The bootstrap circuit (13) for switching power supplies includes a first supply voltage (Vin) coming from a first terminal and a second supply voltage (Vcc) coming from a second terminal and a third terminal (30). The bootstrap circuit includes: a first current path between the first terminal and the third terminal (30); a second current path between the first terminal and the second terminal; a third current path between the second terminal and the third terminal (30); and a two-way voltage regulator (M3, Dz2, R5, R6) placed along the second current path.

Abstract: A power factor correction device for switching power supplies is described, which comprises a converter (20) and a control device (100; 200; 300) coupled with said converter (20) in such a way as to obtain from a input network alternated voltage (Vin) a direct regulated voltage (Vout) at the output terminal. The converter (20) comprises a power transistor (M) and the control device (100; 200; 300) comprises an error amplifier (3) having in input at the inverting terminal a first signal (Vr) proportional to said regulated voltage (Vout) and at the non-inverting terminal a voltage reference (Vref), at least one capacitor (C) having a first terminal and a second terminal which are coupled respectively with the inverting terminal and the output terminal (31) of the error amplifier (3) and a driving circuit (4–6) of said power transistor (M) which is coupled with the second terminal of said capacitor (C).

Abstract: A programmable oscillator comprises a capacitor; a current generator couplable to said capacitor that generates a charging current of said capacitor; further comprising at least one resistance coupled to said capacitor; a comparator coupled to said capacitor for comparing a voltage at the terminals of said capacitor with a prefixed reference voltage and for generating an output signal; a first switch, controlled by said output signal, coupled to said capacitor that creates a current path able to facilitate the discharging of said capacitor.

Abstract: A power factor correction device for switching power supplies is described, which comprises a converter (20) and a control device (100; 200; 300) coupled with said converter (20) in such a way as to obtain from a input network alternated voltage (Vin) a direct regulated voltage (Vout) at the output terminal. The converter (20) comprises a power transistor (M) and the control device (100; 200; 300) comprises an error amplifier (3) having in input at the inverting terminal a first signal (Vr) proportional to said regulated voltage (Vout) and at the non-inverting terminal a voltage reference (Vref), at least one capacitor (C) having a first terminal and a second terminal which are coupled respectively with the inverting terminal and the output terminal (31) of the error amplifier (3) and a driving circuit (4-6) of said power transistor (M) which is coupled with the second terminal of said capacitor (C).

Abstract: A device is described for the correction of the power factor in power supply units with forced switching operating in transition mode. Said device comprises a converter and a control device coupled with said converter so as to obtain a regulated voltage on the output terminal from an alternating network input voltage. The converter comprises a power transistor whilst the control device comprises a pilot circuit suitable for determining the switch-on time and the switch-off time of the power transistor. The control device furthermore comprises control means coupled with said pilot circuit and with said converter and capable of prolonging the switch-on time of the power transistor at the instants of time wherein the alternating network voltage substantially takes on the value zero.