Abstract: A battery charger is provided that includes a switching power converter that regulates an output voltage on an output voltage rail. A transistor couples between the output voltage rail and a rechargeable battery for a system. An error amplifier controls the conductance of the transistor based upon a difference between a battery current conducted by the transistor to the battery and a battery current threshold. A pulse width modulator controls a duty cycle of the switching power converter responsive to a selected error signal from a group of error signals. Based upon which error signal is selected for the duty cycle control, the battery charger either increases or decreases the battery current threshold to assist in keeping the output voltage above a minimum system voltage for the system.

Abstract: A multi-level power converter and a method using first, second, third and fourth switching elements, an inductor, and a flying capacitor are presented. A first terminal of the inductor may be connected to a switching terminal connecting the second and third switching elements. A first terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the first and second elements. A second terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the third and fourth switching elements. The multi-level power converter may have a first feedback circuit to generate control signals for setting the switching elements in a plurality of switching states for regulating an output voltage or an output current. The converter may have a second feedback circuit to generate control signals to allow the flying capacitor to be charged or discharged using an inductor current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.

Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.

Abstract: A multi-level power converter and a method using first, second, third and fourth switching elements, an inductor, and a flying capacitor are presented. A first terminal of the inductor may be connected to a switching terminal connecting the second and third switching elements. A first terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the first and second elements. A second terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the third and fourth switching elements. The multi-level power converter may have a first feedback circuit to generate control signals for setting the switching elements in a plurality of switching states for regulating an output voltage or an output current. The converter may have a second feedback circuit to generate control signals to allow the flying capacitor to be charged or discharged using an inductor current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A multi-level power converter and a method using first, second, third and fourth switching elements, an inductor, and a flying capacitor are presented. A first terminal of the inductor may be connected to a switching terminal connecting the second and third switching elements. A first terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the first and second elements. A second terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the third and fourth switching elements. The multi-level power converter may have a first feedback circuit to generate control signals for setting the switching elements in a plurality of switching states for regulating an output voltage or an output current. The converter may have a second feedback circuit to generate control signals to allow the flying capacitor to be charged or discharged using an inductor current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with multiple control loops to regulate the output voltage in the presence of over-current conditions and in the vicinity of a 50% duty cycle.

Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with multiple control loops to regulate the output voltage across a wide duty cycle range while also regulating the flying capacitor voltage.

Abstract: A method and circuit for changing a threshold voltage of a transistor. The circuit includes a sense circuit coupled to a switching transistor, a circuit transistor and to one terminal of a resistor. The other terminal of the resistor is connected to a body contact. The switching transistor directs current along one of two different paths in response to an input voltage sensed by the sense circuit. When the switching transistor directs a first current along one path, the first current is steered towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in one direction and when the switching transistor directs a second current along the other path, the second current is directed towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in the opposite direction from the first current. Steering the currents varies the potential of a body with respect to the potential at the source of the circuit transistor.

Abstract: A method and circuit for changing a threshold voltage of a transistor. The circuit includes a sense circuit coupled to a switching transistor, a circuit transistor and to one terminal of a resistor. The other terminal of the resistor is connected to a body contact. The switching transistor directs current along one of two different paths in response to an input voltage sensed by the sense circuit. When the switching transistor directs a first current along one path, the first current is steered towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in one direction and when the switching transistor directs a second current along the other path, the second current is directed towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in the opposite direction from the first current. Steering the currents varies the potential of a body with respect to the potential at the source of the circuit transistor.

Abstract: A method and circuit for changing a threshold voltage of a transistor. The circuit includes a sense circuit coupled to a switching transistor, a circuit transistor and to one terminal of a resistor. The other terminal of the resistor is connected to a body contact. The switching transistor directs current along one of two different paths in response to an input voltage sensed by the sense circuit. When the switching transistor directs a first current along one path, the first current is steered towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in one direction and when the switching transistor directs a second current along the other path, the second current is directed towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in the opposite direction from the first current. Steering the currents varies the potential of a body with respect to the potential at the source of the circuit transistor.

Abstract: A method and circuit for changing a threshold voltage of a transistor. The circuit includes a sense circuit coupled to a switching transistor, a circuit transistor and to one terminal of a resistor. The other terminal of the resistor is connected to a body contact. The switching transistor directs current along one of two different paths in response to an input voltage sensed by the sense circuit. When the switching transistor directs a first current along one path, the first current is steered towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in one direction and when the switching transistor directs a second current along the other path, the second current is directed towards the resistor and flows through the resistor in the opposite direction from the first current. Steering the currents varies the potential of a body with respect to the potential at the source of the circuit transistor.