Abstract: A method of forming a power module located on a conductive substrate by providing power conversion circuitry. The method of providing the power conversion circuitry includes forming a magnetic device by placing a magnetic core proximate a conductive substrate with a surface thereof facing a conductive substrate, and placing a conductive clip proximate a surface of the magnetic core. The method of forming the magnetic device also includes electrically coupling ends of the conductive clip to the conductive substrate to cooperatively form a winding therewith about the magnetic core. The method of providing the power conversion circuitry also includes providing at least one switch on the conductive substrate. The method of forming the power module also includes depositing an encapsulant about the power conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A packaged integrated circuit and method of forming the same. The package integrated circuit includes an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor die affixed to a surface of a multi-layer substrate, and a switch-mode regulator formed on the semiconductor die (or another semiconductor die) affixed to the surface of the multi-layer substrate. The integrated circuit and the switch-mode regulator are integrated within a package to form the packaged integrated circuit.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter formed with a plurality of converter stages, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power system controller configured to determine an unequal current allocation among the plurality of converter stages based on an operation of the power converter. The controller also includes a converter stage controller configured to control an output current produced by each of the plurality of converter stages in response to the current allocation.

Abstract: A micromagnetic device includes a first insulating layer formed above a substrate, a first seed layer formed above the first insulating layer, a first conductive winding layer selectively formed above the first seed layer, and a second insulating layer formed above the first conductive winding layer. The micromagnetic device also includes a first magnetic core layer formed above the second insulating layer, a third insulating layer formed above the first magnetic core layer, and a second magnetic core layer formed above the third insulating layer. The micromagnetic device still further includes a fourth insulating layer formed above the second magnetic core layer, a second seed layer formed above the fourth insulating layer, and a second conductive winding layer formed above the second seed layer and in vias to the first conductive winding layer. The first and second conductive winding layers form a winding for the micromagnetic device.

Abstract: A controller for use with a power converter including a switch configured to conduct to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output of the power converter, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a linear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a first control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller also includes a nonlinear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a second control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller is configured to select one of the first and second control signals for the switch in response to a change in an operating condition of the power converter.

Abstract: A transistor advantageously embodied in a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device having a gate located over a channel region recessed into a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device includes a source/drain having a lightly doped region located adjacent the channel region and a heavily doped region located adjacent the lightly doped region. The laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device further includes an oppositely doped well located under and within the channel region, and a doped region, located between the heavily doped region and the oppositely doped well, having a doping concentration profile less than a doping concentration profile of the heavily doped region.

Abstract: An apparatus including a memory module and power converter and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory module, located on a circuit board, configured to operate from a first voltage and a second voltage being a multiple of the first voltage. The apparatus also includes a power converter employing a switched-capacitor power train, located on the circuit board, configured to provide the second voltage for the memory module from the first voltage.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter formed with a plurality of converter stages, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power system controller configured to determine an unequal current allocation among the plurality of converter stages based on an operation of the power converter. The controller also includes a converter stage controller configured to control an output current produced by each of the plurality of converter stages in response to the current allocation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same including, in one embodiment, a semiconductor die formed with a plurality of laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (“LDMOS”) cells. The semiconductor device also includes a redistribution layer electrically coupled to the plurality of LDMOS cells and a plurality of metallic pillars distributed over and electrically coupled to the redistribution layer.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter formed with a plurality of converter stages, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power system controller configured to determine an unequal current allocation among the plurality of converter stages based on an operation of the power converter. The controller also includes a converter stage controller configured to control an output current produced by each of the plurality of converter stages in response to the current allocation.

Abstract: A controller for a power converter formed with a plurality of converter stages, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a power system controller configured to determine an unequal current allocation among the plurality of converter stages based on an operation of the power converter. The controller also includes a converter stage controller configured to control an output current produced by each of the plurality of converter stages in response to the current allocation.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same including, in one embodiment, a semiconductor die formed with a plurality of laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (“LDMOS”) cells, and a metallic layer electrically coupled to the plurality of LDMOS cells. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of gate drivers positioned along a periphery of the semiconductor die and electrically coupled to gates of the plurality of LDMOS cells through the metallic layer.

Abstract: A packaged integrated circuit and method of forming the same. The package integrated circuit includes an integrated circuit formed on a semiconductor die affixed to a surface of a multi-layer substrate, and a switch-mode regulator formed on the semiconductor die (or another semiconductor die) affixed to the surface of the multi-layer substrate. The integrated circuit and the switch-mode regulator are integrated within a package to form the packaged integrated circuit.

Abstract: A micromagnetic device includes a first insulating layer formed above a substrate, a first seed layer formed above the first insulating layer, a first conductive winding layer selectively formed above the first seed layer, and a second insulating layer formed above the first conductive winding layer. The micromagnetic device also includes a first magnetic core layer formed above the second insulating layer, a third insulating layer formed above the first magnetic core layer, and a second magnetic core layer formed above the third insulating layer. The micromagnetic device still further includes a fourth insulating layer formed above the second magnetic core layer, a second seed layer formed above the fourth insulating layer, and a second conductive winding layer formed above the second seed layer and in vias to the first conductive winding layer. The first and second conductive winding layers form a winding for the micromagnetic device.

Abstract: A micromagnetic device includes a first insulating layer formed above a substrate, a first seed layer formed above the first insulating layer, a first conductive winding layer selectively formed above the first seed layer, and a second insulating layer formed above the first conductive winding layer. The micromagnetic device also includes a first magnetic core layer formed above the second insulating layer, a third insulating layer formed above the first magnetic core layer, and a second magnetic core layer formed above the third insulating layer. The micromagnetic device still further includes a fourth insulating layer formed above the second magnetic core layer, a second seed layer formed above the fourth insulating layer, and a second conductive winding layer formed above the second seed layer and in vias to the first conductive winding layer. The first and second conductive winding layers form a winding for the micromagnetic device.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method of forming the same including, in one embodiment, a substrate and a plurality of source and drain regions formed as alternating pattern on the substrate. The semiconductor device also includes a plurality of gates formed over the substrate between and parallel to ones of the plurality of source and drain regions. The semiconductor device also includes a first plurality of alternating source and drain metallic strips formed in a first metallic layer above the substrate and parallel to and forming an electrical contact with respective ones of the plurality of source and drain regions.

Abstract: A power converter and method of controlling the same for selected modes of operation. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second power switches during selected modes of operation.

Abstract: A module having a discrete passive element and a semiconductor device, and method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the module includes a patterned leadframe, a discrete passive element mounted on an upper surface of the leadframe, and a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material formed on an upper surface of the discrete passive element. The module also includes a semiconductor device bonded to an upper surface of the thermally conductive, electrically insulating material.

Abstract: An integrated circuit with a transistor advantageously embodied in a laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor device having a gate located over a channel region recessed into a semiconductor substrate and a method of forming the same. In one embodiment, the transistor includes a source/drain including a lightly or heavily doped region adjacent the channel region, and an oppositely doped well extending under the channel region and a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain. The transistor also includes a channel extension, within the oppositely doped well, under the channel region and extending under a portion of the lightly or heavily doped region of the source/drain.

Abstract: An apparatus including a memory module and power converter and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory module, located on a circuit board, configured to operate from a first voltage and a second voltage being a multiple of the first voltage. The apparatus also includes a power converter employing a switched-capacitor power train, located on the circuit board, configured to provide the second voltage for the memory module from the first voltage.