Abstract: A multi-rail power converter assembly includes first and second interleaved power converters configured to output first and second rail currents. A control driver circuit includes first and second control outputs configured to output first and second control signals configured to control power conversion in the first and second power converters to generate the first and second rail currents. A first PWM generator receives a compensator control signal and generates the first control signal based on the compensator control signal. A second PWM generator receives a first modified compensator control signal and generates the second control signal based on the first modified compensator control signal. The control driver circuit is configured to generate the first modified compensator control signal based on an average of the first rail current and the second rail current.

Abstract: A buck-boost converter circuit, such as a non-inverting buck-boost converter, can include two separate control loop circuits to separately control operation of the buck circuit and the boost circuit. The control loop circuits may include two different voltage reference signals, two different current reference signals, two different current feedback signals, two different voltage feedback signals, or a combination thereof. The buck-boost converter circuit can operate in three modes: a buck mode, a transition mode, and a boost mode.

Abstract: A buck-boost converter circuit, such as a non-inverting buck-boost converter, can include two separate control loop circuits to separately control operation of the buck circuit and the boost circuit. The control loop circuits may include two different voltage reference signals, two different current reference signals, two different current feedback signals, two different voltage feedback signals, or a combination thereof. The buck-boost converter circuit can operate in three modes: a buck mode, a transition mode, and a boost mode.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling multiple power supplies having their outputs coupled in series is configured to in response to an output current reaching a defined current threshold of a power supply of the power supplies, control the power supply to operate in its constant current mode so that the output current is regulated at the defined current threshold as the remaining power supplies operate in their constant voltage mode, and in response to the output voltage of the power supply reaching a defined voltage threshold, control the power supply to operate in its constant voltage mode so that the power supply provides a first regulated output voltage to its output as the remaining power supplies provide a second regulated output voltage different than the first regulated output voltage to their output. Various other systems, power supplies, control circuit and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter includes an input, an output, a transformer, a primary field-effect transistor (FET), and a synchronous rectifier. The synchronous rectifier includes a drain that experiences multiple resonant voltage valleys during each dead-time period of the converter. The converter further includes a synchronous rectifier drive circuit configured to turn on and turn off the synchronous rectifier, and a primary control circuit. The primary control circuit is configured to operate the primary FET in a valley skipping mode, and to transmit a drive signal to the synchronous rectifier drive circuit to turn on the synchronous rectifier during a specified one of the multiple resonant voltage valleys to generate a negative current through the synchronous rectifier. Methods of operating a DC-DC power converter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter includes an input, an output, a transformer, and a primary FET coupled to selectively conduct current though a primary winding of the transformer. The primary FET includes a drain that experiences multiple resonant voltage valleys during each dead-time period of the converter. The converter further includes a synchronous rectifier coupled to selectively conduct current through a secondary winding of the transformer, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate the primary FET in a valley skipping mode by turning on the primary FET during a second or subsequent one of the multiple resonant voltage valleys, and to allow a negative current in the secondary winding of the transformer before turning off the synchronous rectifier during one or more of the multiple resonant voltage valleys. Methods of operating DC-DC power converters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a power circuit having a power switch includes a control loop configured to generate a control signal for the power switch of the power circuit based on an error signal determined by comparing a sensed parameter of the power circuit and a reference signal, and a positive offset signal and a negative offset signal each configured to adjust the control signal. The control circuit is configured to detect a change in an output current of the power circuit and selectively apply only one of the offset signals based on the change in the output current to adjust the control signal thereby enhancing a dynamic response to the change in the output current. Additional example control circuits, example power supplies and/or power converters including a control circuit for controlling a power switch, and example control methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a power circuit having a power switch includes a control loop configured to generate a control signal for the power switch of the power circuit based on an error signal determined by comparing a sensed parameter of the power circuit and a reference signal, and a positive offset signal and a negative offset signal each configured to adjust the control signal. The control circuit is configured to detect a change in an output current of the power circuit and selectively apply only one of the offset signals based on the change in the output current to adjust the control signal thereby enhancing a dynamic response to the change in the output current. Additional example control circuits, example power supplies and/or power converters including a control circuit for controlling a power switch, and example control methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit is provided for controlling two power converters in a master-slave current sharing relationship. The control circuit is adapted to detect a presence of a dynamic load condition, control the two power converters in a default master-slave current sharing mode based on a current sharing correction function, and in response to detecting the presence of the dynamic load condition, disable the current sharing correction function so that the two power converters are controlled in a modified master-slave current sharing mode to substantially prevent oscillation between output currents of the two power converters. The control circuit may be one or more components of the power supply including the two power converters. Other example power supplies, control circuits and control methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling multiple power supplies having their outputs coupled in series is configured to in response to an output current reaching a defined current threshold of a power supply of the power supplies, control the power supply to operate in its constant current mode so that the output current is regulated at the defined current threshold as the remaining power supplies operate in their constant voltage mode, and in response to the output voltage of the power supply reaching a defined voltage threshold, control the power supply to operate in its constant voltage mode so that the power supply provides a first regulated output voltage to its output as the remaining power supplies provide a second regulated output voltage different than the first regulated output voltage to their output. Various other systems, power supplies, control circuit and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-stage power converter includes a pre-regulator circuit configured to provide a regulated output voltage, at least one DC/DC converter, and a control circuit coupled to the pre-regulator circuit and the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter is configured to provide an output voltage and an output current to a load. The DC/DC converter includes an input, an output, and at least one power switch. The input of the DC/DC converter is coupled to the pre-regulator circuit. The control circuit is configured to regulate the output voltage of the DC/DC converter and vary the regulated output voltage of the pre-regulator circuit as a function of the output current of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A multi-stage power converter includes a pre-regulator circuit configured to provide a regulated output voltage, at least one DC/DC converter, and a control circuit coupled to the pre-regulator circuit and the DC/DC converter. The DC/DC converter is configured to provide an output voltage and an output current to a load. The DC/DC converter includes an input, an output, and at least one power switch. The input of the DC/DC converter is coupled to the pre-regulator circuit. The control circuit is configured to regulate the output voltage of the DC/DC converter and vary the regulated output voltage of the pre-regulator circuit as a function of the output current of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a gain adjustment value Kadj for a digital controller in an isolated switched mode power supply. The power supply includes an opto-coupler having a current transfer ratio (CTRX) within a range defined by a minimum current transfer ratio (CTRMIN) and a maximum current transfer ratio (CTRMAX). The method includes determining the CTRX of the opto-coupler, determining an optimal gain adjustment value KadjX based on the determined CTRX of the opto-coupler, and storing the optimal gain adjustment value KadjX in the digital controller. The method can be performed by the digital controller or by a programming device external to the power supply.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a gain adjustment value Kadj for a digital controller in an isolated switched mode power supply. The power supply includes an opto-coupler having a current transfer ratio (CTRX) within a range defined by a minimum current transfer ratio (CTRMIN) and a maximum current transfer ratio (CTRMAX). The method includes determining the CTRX of the opto-coupler, determining an optimal gain adjustment value KadjX based on the determined CTRX of the opto-coupler, and storing the optimal gain adjustment value KadjX in the digital controller. The method can be performed by the digital controller or by a programming device external to the power supply.