Abstract: A secondary controller for use in a synchronous flyback converter includes a comparator, a drive circuit, and logic circuitry. The comparator is coupled to generate a compare signal in response to a comparison of a threshold to an input signal representative of a secondary winding voltage of the synchronous flyback converter. The drive circuit is coupled to generate a drive signal to control a first switch to be coupled to a primary side of the synchronous flyback converter. The drive signal is coupled to be generated by the drive circuit in response to a feedback signal representative of an output of the synchronous flyback converter. The logic circuitry is coupled to the drive circuit and coupled to the comparator. The logic circuitry is also coupled to generate a control signal to control a second switch in response to the drive signal and in response to the compare signal.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter includes a switching control circuit to output a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate the output power of the power converter, and output a switching signal representative of the drive signal. A cable drop compensator receives the switching signal, and outputs a compensated reference voltage signal to the switching control circuit. The cable drop compensator further includes a switching coefficient calculator to output a switching coefficient signal in response to the switching signal. The switching coefficient signal is representative of a ratio of a load current to a maximum deliverable load current. A voltage compensation calculator outputs the compensated reference voltage signal in response to the switching coefficient signal. The switching control circuit outputs the drive signal in response to the compensated reference voltage signal.

Abstract: A multi-die isolated integrated circuit controller includes a magnetically coupled communication link, a transmitter circuit coupled to the magnetically coupled communication link, and a receiver circuit coupled to the magnetically coupled communication link. The transmitter circuit is galvanically isolated from the receiver circuit. The transmitter circuit is coupled to send an input pulse to the receiver circuit by way of the magnetically coupled communication link. The receiver circuit is coupled to receive a receiver voltage by way of the magnetically coupled communication link to generate an output voltage in response to the receiver voltage and a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A controller includes a bypass terminal, a first power circuit, a second power circuit, and a charging control circuit. The bypass terminal is to be coupled to a bypass capacitor coupled to a secondary side of an isolated power converter. The first power circuit is coupled to the bypass terminal and a first terminal to be coupled to a first node of the secondary side. The first power circuit transfers charge from the first terminal to the bypass terminal for storage on the bypass capacitor. The second power circuit is coupled to the bypass terminal and a second terminal to be coupled to a second node of the secondary side. The second power circuit transfers charge from the second terminal to the bypass terminal for storage on the bypass capacitor. The charging control circuit controls which of the first and second power circuits transfers charge to the bypass terminal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit controller includes a switching control circuit coupled to output a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output power of a power converter to be coupled to a distribution network. An oscillator is coupled to output a clock signal coupled to be received by the switching control circuit. The switching control circuit is coupled to output the drive signal in response to the clock signal. A cable drop compensator is coupled to output a compensated reference voltage signal coupled to be received by the switching control circuit in response to a switching signal from the switching control circuit. The switching signal is representative of the drive signal. The cable drop compensator is coupled to adjust the compensated reference voltage signal proportionately to a load current to compensate for a distribution voltage across the distribution network.

Abstract: A receive circuit for use in a power converter controller includes a first amplifier coupled to receive an input pulse. A second amplifier is coupled to a first output of the first amplifier. The first output is coupled to be responsive to the input pulse and to a second output of the second amplifier. An output circuit is coupled to generate an output signal in response to the second output.

Abstract: A controller includes a switching control coupled to switch a power switch of a power converter to regulate an output of the power converter. A sensor is coupled to receive a signal from a single terminal of the controller. The signal from the single terminal is representative of a line input voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an on time of the power switch, and an output voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an off time of the power switch. The switching control is responsive to an output of the sensor, and includes a first current source, an internal voltage supply coupled to the first current source, and a buffer circuit coupled to receive the signal from the single terminal. The first current source is coupled to supply a first current to the buffer circuit.

Abstract: A power converter controller includes a primary controller coupled to operate in a first mode to control a power switch with a primary switching pattern. A secondary controller is galvanically isolated from the primary controller. The secondary controller is coupled to initiate a transition operation with the primary controller to take control of the power switch with one or more control signals through a communication link. The primary controller is coupled to acknowledge receipt of the one or more control signals to the secondary controller and transition from the first mode to a second mode.

Abstract: A controller includes a first controller terminal, a second controller terminal, a first p-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor, and a second pMOS transistor. The first controller terminal is to be coupled to a bypass capacitor coupled to a secondary side of an isolated power converter. The second controller terminal to be coupled to an output node of the secondary side. The first pMOS transistor includes a first source terminal coupled to the second controller terminal, a first drain terminal, and a first body diode. The second pMOS transistor includes a second source terminal coupled to the first controller terminal, a second drain terminal coupled to the first drain terminal, and a second body diode. A cathode of the second body diode is coupled to the second source terminal. An anode of the second body diode is coupled to the second drain terminal.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a switching control and a sensor. The switching control generates a first signal to control switching of a power switch between a first state and a second state. The sensor receives a second signal from a single terminal of the controller during at least a portion of the time that the power switch is in the first state and during at least a portion of the time that the power switch is in the second state. The second signal is representative of a line input voltage during at least the portion of time that the power switch is in the first state and is representative of an output voltage during at least the portion of time that the power switch is in the second state. The sensor is coupled to be responsive to the first signal.

Abstract: A voltage comparator includes an amplifier coupled to receive an input signal at an amplifier input and generate an output signal at an amplifier output in response to the input signal. The amplifier includes a current generation circuit coupled to generate a first current flowing through a first branch and a second current flowing through a second branch. A first transistor has a first terminal coupled to the amplifier input and a second terminal coupled to the first branch. A second transistor has a third terminal coupled to the second branch, a fourth terminal coupled to a reference voltage. A second control terminal of the second transistor is coupled to the first control terminal. An output circuit is coupled to the amplifier output to generate a comparator output signal in response to the output signal. The amplifier output is coupled to the second branch.

Abstract: A power converter controller includes a primary controller that is galvanically isolated from a secondary controller. The primary controller controls a state of a power switch during a first mode of operation according to a switching pattern defined by the primary controller. During a second mode of operation, the primary controller controls the state of the power switch in response to control signals received via a communication link. The secondary controller operates in a powered down state during the first mode of operation. The secondary controller initiates a transition operation with the primary controller that transitions the primary controller and the secondary controller from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation, the secondary controller transmit the control signals to the primary controller via the communication link.

Abstract: An integrated circuit controller includes a switching control circuit coupled to output a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output power of a power converter to be coupled to a distribution network. An oscillator is coupled to output a clock signal coupled to be received by the switching control circuit. The switching control circuit is coupled to output the drive signal in response to the clock signal. A cable drop compensator is coupled to output a compensated reference voltage signal coupled to be received by the switching control circuit in response to a switching signal from the switching control circuit. The switching signal is representative of the drive signal. The cable drop compensator is coupled to adjust the compensated reference voltage signal proportionately to a load current to compensate for a distribution voltage across the distribution network.

Abstract: A secondary control circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit coupled to an output of the power converter to provide a regulated power supply. One or more switched loads are coupled between a first terminal and an output ground terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the output of the power converter. Each switched load is coupled to draw a respective current from a load current to clamp the output of a power converter. One or more comparator circuits are coupled to a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to receive an output sense signal. Each comparator circuit is coupled to receive a reference signal that is a scaled representation of a first reference signal. Each switched load is switched in response to a respective comparator circuit to draw a respective current from the load current of the power converter to clamp the output of the power converter.

Abstract: A controller includes a control, a sensor, and a fault detector. The control is configured to control a switch to regulate an output of the power converter. The sensor receives a signal from a terminal of the controller that is representative of an input voltage during an ON state of the switch and is representative of an output voltage during an OFF state of the switch. The sensor is configured to sample the signal from the terminal during the ON state to generate a first sample signal and to sample the signal from the terminal during the OFF state to generate a second sample signal. The fault detector detects a fault condition in response to either the first or the second sample signals. The control inhibits the switching of the switch to reduce a power output level of the power converter in response to the fault condition.

Abstract: An integrated circuit controller for a power converter to be coupled to a distribution network is disclosed. An example integrated circuit controller according to aspects of the present invention includes a switching control circuit that outputs a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output of the power converter. The integrated circuit controller also includes a cable drop compensator that outputs a compensated reference voltage signal to the switching control circuit in response to a switching signal. The switching signal is responsive to the drive signal. The compensated reference voltage signal is representative of a voltage value that is responsive to a distribution voltage across the distribution network and a load voltage across a load to be coupled to the distribution network. The switching of the switch is responsive to the compensated reference voltage signal and a feedback signal.

Abstract: A secondary control circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit to be coupled to an output of a power converter to provide a regulated power supply. One or more switched loads is coupled between a first terminal to be coupled to the output of the power converter and an output ground terminal. One or more comparator circuits is coupled to a second terminal coupled to receive an output sense signal. Each one of the one or more comparator circuits is coupled to receive a respective one of one or more reference signals. Each respective one of the one or more reference signals is a scaled representation of a first one of the one or more reference signals. Each one of the one or more switched loads is coupled to be switched in response to an output of a respective one of the one or more comparator circuits.

Abstract: A control circuit for use in a power converter includes a drive signal generator coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of a switch to regulate an output of the power converter. An event detection circuit is coupled to the drive signal generator to indicate if a switching period of one switching cycle of the drive signal exceeds a threshold switching period. An event counter circuit is coupled to the event detection circuit to render dormant the drive signal generator if the event detection circuit indicates a period of a switching cycle of the drive signal exceeds the threshold switching period for a threshold consecutive number of switching cycles.

Abstract: An example control circuit for use in a power converter includes an input voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a drive signal generator. The input voltage sensor generates a first signal representative of an input voltage (Vin) of the power converter. The current sensor generates a second signal representative of a switch current through a power switch of the power converter. The drive signal generator generates a drive signal to control switching of the power switch in response to the first and second signals. The drive signal generator adjusts a duty cycle of the drive signal based on a product K×Vin×t to control a maximum output power of the power converter, where K is a fixed number and t is a time it takes the second signal to change between two values of the switch current when the power switch is in an on state.

Abstract: An example controller for a primary side control power converter includes a feedback circuit, a driver circuit, and an adjustable voltage reference circuit. The feedback circuit compares a feedback signal representative of a bias winding voltage of the power converter with a voltage reference. The driver circuit outputs a switching signal having a switching period to control a switch to regulate an output of the power converter in response to the feedback signal and enables or disables a switching period based on the output of the feedback circuit. The adjustable voltage reference circuit adjusts the voltage reference by a first amount in response to a first number of disabled switching periods indicating a first load condition at the output of the power converter and by a second amount in response to a second number of disabled switching periods indicating a second load condition at the output of the power converter.