Abstract: A switching power converter with a hysteretic current-mode controller switches at a fixed frequency responsive to a pulse generator that pulses a set signal and a reset signal at the fixed frequency. A power switch in the switching power converter is configured to close responsive to the pulsing of the set signal and to open responsive to the pulsing of the reset signal.

Abstract: A startup circuit is provided for establishing the Vcc voltage level of a switching power converter. The startup circuit uses a switch controller and path switching transistor to provide a two-stage Vcc capacitor charging that reduces startup time while avoiding short circuit damage through the alternate usage of a high impedance charging path and a low-impedance charging path.

Abstract: A startup circuit is provided for establishing the Vcc voltage level of a switching power converter. The startup circuit uses a switch controller and path switching transistor to provide a two-stage Vcc capacitor charging that reduces startup time while avoiding short circuit damage through the alternate usage of a high impedance charging path and a low-impedance charging path.

Abstract: A voltage sensing circuit for a switching power converter includes a comparator having a comparator input stage that processes a voltage from a main DAC and a current from a tracking DAC.

Abstract: In some examples, a method includes measuring, by a secondary controller, an output voltage and determining, by the secondary controller, a duration for a ringing time based on the output voltage. In some examples, the method further includes delivering, by the secondary controller, a non-enabling control signal to a secondary switch during the ringing time and measuring, by a primary controller, a duration of the ringing time. In some examples, the method also includes determining, by the primary controller, a duration for a charging time based on the duration of the ringing time and delivering, by the primary controller, an enabling control signal to a primary switch during the charging time.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides feedback voltage DC level cancelling for a configurable output of a DC-DC switching converter. By simplifying the design, the operational amplifier can be used for a wider output voltage range. Extension of the usage case to a Boost DC-DC switching converter can give noticeable performance improvements. Offset introduction using a flying capacitor is attractive because it does not require trimming. The proposal also allows for improvements for DC-DC switching converters designed for lower supply voltages, with no decrease in the differential input signal swing.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a process of powering an electronic device through a cable assembly is proposed. The cable assembly comprises a cable which is connected between a power supply and the electronic device. The method comprises generating a synchronization signal, generating a test signal based on the synchronization signal and applying the test signal to one end of the cable, detecting a response signal at the one end of the cable, the response signal resulting from applying the test signal to the cable assembly, and determining, based on the response signal and the synchronization signal, a first and a second quantity indicative of a real part and an imaginary part of the impedance of the cable assembly, respectively. Further, an apparatus for monitoring a process of powering an electronic device through a cable assembly is proposed.

Abstract: An isolated switching power converter is provided wherein a secondary side is valley mode switched to transmit data to a primary side. This provides secondary side regulation without the need for an optocoupler. Data communication between the primary and secondary sides of switching power converters is presented.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a process of powering an electronic device through a cable assembly is proposed. The cable assembly comprises a cable which is connected between a power supply and the electronic device. The method comprises generating a synchronization signal, generating a test signal based on the synchronization signal and applying the test signal to one end of the cable, detecting a response signal at the one end of the cable, the response signal resulting from applying the test signal to the cable assembly, and determining, based on the response signal and the synchronization signal, a first and a second quantity indicative of a real part and an imaginary part of the impedance of the cable assembly, respectively. Further, an apparatus for monitoring a process of powering an electronic device through a cable assembly is proposed.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a process of powering a portable device through a cable connected between a power supply and a portable device is presented. The method includes applying a time-dependent current variation to one end of the cable in accordance with a spreading sequence, detecting a time-dependent voltage variation at the one end of the cable, the time dependent voltage variation resulting from the applying of the time-dependent current variation, and determining a quantity indicative of an impedance of the cable assembly based on the time-dependent voltage variation and the spreading sequence. Further, an apparatus for monitoring a process of powering a portable device through a cable connected between a power supply and a portable device is presented.

Abstract: A power converter has a transformer including a primary winding coupled to an input voltage, a secondary winding coupled to an output of the power converter, and an auxiliary winding is configured to detect an open connection fault of the auxiliary winding. The power converter includes a current source coupled to the auxiliary winding that, when activated, supplies a current to the auxiliary winding. A controller measures a voltage across the auxiliary winding. Responsive to detecting an increase in the voltage across the auxiliary winding while the current source is activated, the controller disables the power converter.

Abstract: A power converter has a transformer including a primary winding coupled to an input voltage, a secondary winding coupled to an output of the power converter, and an auxiliary winding is configured to detect an open connection fault of the auxiliary winding. The power converter includes a current source coupled to the auxiliary winding that, when activated, supplies a current to the auxiliary winding. A controller measures a voltage across the auxiliary winding. Responsive to detecting an increase in the voltage across the auxiliary winding while the current source is activated, the controller disables the power converter.

Abstract: A capacitor drop power supply is provided where excess charge is damped into a low impedance switch, avoiding the dissipation of extra energy seen in current designs. Also, because the excess charge is not dissipated, it then becomes available for when a load is applied thus increasing the efficiency of the power supply. The present disclosure therefore provides various advantages compared with existing capacitor drop power supplies. It provides the simplicity and low cost of a capacitor drop power supply, but with an efficiency that is equivalent or superior to that of a switching mode power supply.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a process of powering a portable device through a cable connected between a power supply and said portable device is proposed, the method comprising applying a time-dependent current variation to one end of the cable in accordance with a spreading sequence, detecting a time-dependent voltage variation at the one end of the cable, the time dependent voltage variation resulting from said applying of the time-dependent current variation, and determining a quantity indicative of an impedance of the cable assembly based on the time-dependent voltage variation and the spreading sequence. Further, an apparatus for monitoring a process of powering a portable device through a cable connected between a power supply and said portable device is proposed.

Abstract: A power converter with fast discharging to adapt to a load disconnect. The power converter comprises a magnetic component coupled between an input of the power converter and an output of the power converter. The magnetic component includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A switch controls transfer of energy from the primary winding to the secondary winding according to on and off times of the switch. A discharge circuit is coupled to the output of the power converter. The discharge circuit is adapted to receive a signal indicative of whether the load is disconnected and to decrease an output voltage at the output of the power converter based on the signal indicative of whether the load is disconnected.

Abstract: A power converter with fast discharging to adapt to a load disconnect. The power converter comprises a magnetic component coupled between an input of the power converter and an output of the power converter. The magnetic component includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A switch controls transfer of energy from the primary winding to the secondary winding according to on and off times of the switch. A discharge circuit is coupled to the output of the power converter. The discharge circuit is adapted to receive a signal indicative of whether the load is disconnected and to decrease an output voltage at the output of the power converter based on the signal indicative of whether the load is disconnected.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier circuit rectifies an AC input voltage to produce a DC output voltage. The synchronous rectifier circuit comprises MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) switches coupled within secondary transformer windings resulting in a shortened AC current path compared to conventional synchronous rectifier circuits. The shortened current path mitigates skin and proximity effects, substantially improving the power efficiency of the synchronous rectifier circuit. A rectifier assembly integrates one or more synchronous rectifier circuits within a magnetic core.

Abstract: A controller, power converter, and a related method for secondary side control of a switch are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the present invention includes a controller. The controller comprises a drain to source voltage (VDS voltage) input configured to receive the VDS voltage of a transistor, a gate drive output configured to output a gate drive voltage to a gate of the transistor, and control logic configured to initiate a minimum on time signal independent of triggering the gate drive voltage to activate the transistor. A related method comprises comparing a VDS voltage of a transistor to a plurality of voltage threshold levels, driving a gate of the transistor when the VDS voltage crosses a predetermined voltage threshold, and asserting a minimum on time signal when the VDS voltage crosses another predetermined voltage threshold independent of driving the gate of the transistor.

Abstract: A controller, power converter, and a related method for secondary side control of a switch are disclosed herein. An embodiment of the present invention includes a controller. The controller comprises a drain to source voltage (VDS voltage) input configured to receive the VDS voltage of a transistor, a gate drive output configured to output a gate drive voltage to a gate of the transistor, and control logic configured to initiate a minimum on time signal independent of triggering the gate drive voltage to activate the transistor. A related method comprises comparing a VDS voltage of a transistor to a plurality of voltage threshold levels, driving a gate of the transistor when the VDS voltage crosses a predetermined voltage threshold, and asserting a minimum on time signal when the VDS voltage crosses another predetermined voltage threshold independent of driving the gate of the transistor.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier circuit rectifies an AC input voltage to produce a DC output voltage. The synchronous rectifier circuit comprises MOSFET switches coupled within the secondary transformer windings resulting in a shortened AC current path compared to conventional synchronous rectifier circuits. The shortened current path mitigates skin and proximity effects, substantially improving the power efficiency of the synchronous rectifier circuit. A rectifier assembly integrates one or more synchronous rectifier circuit within a magnetic core.