Abstract: To improve power converter ON-time generation, an example apparatus includes: a phase frequency detector to determine a phase difference between a first signal and a second signal; a first pulse generator to generate a first time signal at a second time, in which the first signal is associated with a first time delay based on the phase difference; and a second pulse generator coupled to the first pulse generator. The second pulse generator is configured to: generate a second time signal at a third time, in which the third time is after the second time; and obtain a digital word based on the phase difference at a first time, in which the first time is before the second time and the third time, and the second time signal is associated with a second time delay based on the phase difference.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus comprises a switching regulator circuit, an output circuit, a duty cycle comparison circuit, a current comparison circuit, and a switching regulator control circuit. The switching regulator circuit switches between first and second voltages. The output circuit has a voltage input and a voltage output and generates a signal based on the first and second voltages. The duty cycle comparison circuit asserts a first signal responsive to a voltage at the voltage output exceeding a product of a multiplier and a reference signal. The current comparison circuit asserts a second signal responsive to a voltage at the voltage input exceeding a first reference voltage and to assert a third signal responsive to the voltage at the voltage input being below a second reference voltage. The switching regulator control circuit controls the switching regulator circuit based on the first, the second, and the third signals.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus comprises a switching regulator circuit, an output circuit, a duty cycle comparison circuit, a current comparison circuit, and a switching regulator control circuit. The switching regulator circuit switches between first and second voltages. The output circuit has a voltage input and a voltage output and generates a signal based on the first and second voltages. The duty cycle comparison circuit asserts a first signal responsive to a voltage at the voltage output exceeding a product of a multiplier and a reference signal. The current comparison circuit asserts a second signal responsive to a voltage at the voltage input exceeding a first reference voltage and to assert a third signal responsive to the voltage at the voltage input being below a second reference voltage. The switching regulator control circuit controls the switching regulator circuit based on the first, the second, and the third signals.

Abstract: A system includes a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) having a loop filter and a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO). The system also includes a clock generator coupled to an output of the DPLL, and a plurality of clock domains coupled to the clock generator. The DPLL is configured to transition between a low power mode and a normal mode, wherein the loop filter is configured to maintain its value when the DPLL transitions from the normal mode to the low power mode. The DCO is configured to output a DCO clock signal based on the maintained loop filter value when the DPLL transitions from the low power mode to the normal mode.

Abstract: A system includes a digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) having a loop filter and a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO). The system also includes a clock generator coupled to an output of the DPLL, and a plurality of clock domains coupled to the clock generator. The DPLL is configured to transition between a low power mode and a normal mode, wherein the loop filter is configured to maintain its value when the DPLL transitions from the normal mode to the low power mode. The DCO is configured to output a DCO clock signal based on the maintained loop filter value when the DPLL transitions from the low power mode to the normal mode.

Abstract: A power converter includes a power conversion circuit, an adaptive compensator coupled to a first output of the power conversion circuit, the adaptive compensator including, a voltage receiving circuit to generate a first current and a second current, a current mirror circuit coupled to the voltage receiving circuit, wherein the current mirror circuit replicates at least one of the first current or the second current, and a second output of the adaptive compensator, and a comparator to receive an input that is related to the second output of the adaptive compensator.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to improve power converter ON-time generation. An example apparatus includes a phase frequency detector to determine a phase difference between a first signal and a second signal, a first pulse generator to generate a first time signal at a second time, the first time signal associated with a first time delay based on the phase difference, and a second pulse generator coupled to the first pulse generator to generate a second time signal at a third time, the third time after the second time, the second pulse generator to obtain a digital word based on the phase difference at a first time, the first time before the second time and the third time, the second time signal associated with a second time delay based on the phase difference.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to provide adaptive current compensation in buck converters or other switched mode power supplies. In some examples, improvements result in an accuracy of current limits and/or current regulation in switched converters. An example apparatus includes a power conversion circuit, an adaptive compensator coupled to a first output of the power conversion circuit, the adaptive compensator including, a voltage receiving circuit to generate a first current and a second current, a current mirror circuit coupled to the voltage receiving circuit, wherein the current mirror circuit replicates at least one of the first current or the second current, and a second output of the adaptive compensator, and a comparator to receive an input that is related to the second output of the adaptive compensator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to digitally control pulse frequency modulation pulses in power converters are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a low-side controller structured to, when an inductor current corresponds to a first current direction during a low-side control signal of a power converter, decrease a first duration of the low-side control after the first duration; and when the inductor current corresponds to a second current direction during the low-side control signal of the power converter, increase the first duration of the low-side control after the first duration; and a high-side controller structured to, when a sum of the first duration and a second duration corresponding to a high-side control of the power converter does not satisfy target pulse length, increase a third duration of the high-side control after the third duration; and when the sum of the first duration and the second duration satisfies the target pulse length, decrease the third duration of the subsequent high-side control.

Abstract: A buck converter includes a high side transistor, a low side transistor, and a controller. The high side transistor is configured to, when ON, connect an inductor to an input signal. The low side transistor is configured to, when ON, connect the inductor to ground. The controller is configured to control the high side transistor and the low side transistor. The controller has a comparator that includes a first input pair that includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor, a fourth transistor, a first switch, and a second switch connected such that, when the first switch is closed and the second switch is open, a total gain of the first input pair is one relative to other input pairs and, when the second switch is closed and the first switch is open, the total gain of the first input pair is two relative to other input pairs.

Abstract: A light system is disclosed. The light system includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a shunt transistor having a current path connected to the LED. A ramp generator circuit generates a ramp voltage. An amplifier has a first input terminal connected to the LED, a second input terminal coupled to receive the ramp voltage, and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the shunt transistor.

Abstract: A light system is disclosed. The light system includes a light emitting diode (LED) and a shunt transistor having a current path connected to the LED. A ramp generator circuit generates a ramp voltage. An amplifier has a first input terminal connected to the LED, a second input terminal coupled to receive the ramp voltage, and an output terminal connected to a control terminal of the shunt transistor.

Abstract: An LED backlight controller combines global/hybrid and local brightness/dimming control for an LED backlight illuminator with local regions illuminated by associated LED strings. Global/hybrid brightness/dimming control performs hybrid digital modulation control for a predefined lower range of brightness levels, with string current maintained at a substantially constant level associated with a predefined maximum brightness for the lower range (controlling brightness by adjusting digital modulation, such as PWM duty cycle, up to a maximum), and performs hybrid string current control for a predefined higher range of brightness levels (controlling brightness by adjusting string current). Local dimming control is performed by introducing a local digital modulation signal into a hybrid digital modulation control path for the associated string, so that digital modulation for the associated string is a combination of local digital modulation and global/hybrid digital modulation.

Abstract: An LED backlight controller combines global/hybrid and local brightness/dimming control for an LED backlight illuminator with local regions illuminated by associated LED strings. Global/hybrid brightness/dimming control performs hybrid digital modulation control for a predefined lower range of brightness levels, with string current maintained at a substantially constant level associated with a predefined maximum brightness for the lower range (controlling brightness by adjusting digital modulation, such as PWM duty cycle, up to a maximum), and performs hybrid string current control for a predefined higher range of brightness levels (controlling brightness by adjusting string current). Local dimming control is performed by introducing a local digital modulation signal into a hybrid digital modulation control path for the associated string, so that digital modulation for the associated string is a combination of local digital modulation and global/hybrid digital modulation.

Abstract: A control module for driving an LED array, with the array including N number of LED current drivers connected to N number of electrical terminals of the module, and Y number of transistor switches connected between Y number of electrical terminals of the module and a common voltage point. N and Y are each at least three. An N number of column conductors and a Y number of row conductors are to be connected to the respective N and Y number of electrical terminals. At least one of the N×Y number of LEDs is connected between each pair of the column and row conductors. The control module further includes a controller for controlling the states of the N number of LED current drivers and the Y number of transistor switches so that, during a given LED drive period, all of the LED current drivers are activated and only one of the transistor switches is turned ON to provided a selected row conductor in which case only those LEDs connected to a selected row conductor are activated.

Abstract: A converter controller for discharge of a coil used in a DC/DC converter including a voltage detector connected to monitor a state of a diode connected between the coil and ground and an offset comparator, having an adjustable offset, for causing a coil discharge path to be interrupted. The comparator is provided with an initial high offset so that for at least a first converter switching period, the coil will have sufficient charge when the coil discharge path is interrupted to cause the diode to become forward biased as determined by the voltage detector. The offset is periodically reduced until the coil is sufficiently discharged so that the diode is not forward biased, with that value of offset being optimum and thus used in subsequent switching periods.

Abstract: A control module for driving an LED array, with the array including N number of LED current drivers connected to N number of electrical terminals of the module, and Y number of transistor switches connected between Y number of electrical terminals of the module and a common voltage point. N and Y are each at least three. An N number of column conductors and a Y number of row conductors are to be connected to the respective N and Y number of electrical terminals. At least one of the N×Y number of LEDs is connected between each pair of the column and row conductors. The control module further includes a controller for controlling the states of the N number of LED current drivers and the Y number of transistor switches so that, during a given LED drive period, all of the LED current drivers are activated and only one of the transistor switches is turned ON to provided a selected row conductor in which case only those LEDs connected to a selected row conductor are activated.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a DC-DC converter, with the converter including an inductor and associated switching circuitry, with the switching circuitry including a first transistor switch connected intermediate an input voltage terminal and a first terminal of the inductor, a second transistor switch connected intermediate the first terminal of the inductor and a circuit reference, a third transistor switch connected intermediate a second terminal of the inductor and an output voltage terminal and a fourth transistor switch connected intermediate the second terminal of the inductor and the circuit reference.

Abstract: A converter controller for discharge of a coil used in a DC/DC converter including a voltage detector connected to monitor a state of a diode connected between the coil and ground and an offset comparator, having an adjustable offset, for causing a coil discharge path to be interrupted. The comparator is provided with an initial high offset so that for at least a first converter switching period, the coil will have sufficient charge when the coil discharge path is interrupted to cause the diode to become forward biased as determined by the voltage detector. The offset is periodically reduced until the coil is sufficiently discharged so that the diode is not forward biased, with that value of offset being optimum and thus used in subsequent switching periods.