Abstract: A power converter is disclosed. An example power converter includes an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and a power converter output. A power switch is coupled to the energy transfer element and the power converter input. A feedback sampling circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of the power converter output to generate feedback signal samples during switching cycles. A switch conduction scheduling circuit is coupled to determine enabling and disabling of the power switch in future switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles. A switch conduction control circuit is coupled to enable or disable conduction of the power switch during a switching cycle to control an amount of energy transferred from the power converter input to the power converter output.

Abstract: An example controller for a power converter according to aspects of the present invention includes a switching control that switches a power switch to regulate an output of a power converter. The controller also includes a sensor coupled to receive a signal from a single terminal of the controller. The signal from the single terminal is representative of a line input voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an on time of the power switch. The signal from the single terminal is also representative of an output voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an off time of the power switch. The switching control is responsive to the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of reducing peak current variation with changing input line voltage in a switch mode power supply is disclosed. An example method includes sensing a current through a switching device of the switch mode power supply. A variable current limit threshold is generated, which increases from a first level to a second level during an on time of the switching device. The current is compared to the variable current limit threshold. A feedback signal representative of an output voltage of the switch mode power supply is sensed. The switching device is controlled in response to the feedback signal and said comparing the current to the variable current limit threshold.

Abstract: A technique for simplifying the control of a switch is presented. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a switch as a function of the voltage across the switch is presented. In one embodiment a method of controlling a switch as a function of the slope of the voltage across the switch is present. In one embodiment a switching is switched on for an on time period that is substantially fixed in response to a voltage across the switch while the switch is off. In one embodiment a switch is switched on for an on time period that is substantially fixed in response to the slope of the voltage across the switch while the switch is off.

Abstract: A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller.

Abstract: A power converter control method and apparatus is disclosed. An example power converter controller according to aspects of the present invention includes a feedback sampling circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power converter to generate feedback signal samples during enabled switching cycles. The power converter controller also includes a switch conduction control circuit coupled to the feedback sampling circuit. The switch conduction control circuit includes switch conduction enable circuitry coupled to enable or disable the conduction of a power switch during a switching cycle in response to the feedback signal samples. The switch conduction control circuit also includes switch conduction scheduling circuitry coupled to determine a varying number of future enabled and disabled switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles.

Abstract: A circuit for regulating the level at a power converter output is disclosed. An example circuit includes an input for receiving a feedback signal. The feedback signal has a first feedback state that represents a level that is above a threshold level and a second feedback state that represents a level that is below the threshold level. An oscillator is included that provides an oscillation signal that cycles between two states. A switch having a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal are also included. The switch is operable to couple or decouple the first terminal and the second terminal in response to a control signal received at the control terminal. The control signal is responsive to the oscillation signal and to the first and second feedback states.

Abstract: A power supply regulator including a variable current limit threshold that increases during an on time of a switch. In one aspect, a power supply regulator includes a comparator coupled to receive a signal representative of a current through a switch during an on time of the switch. The comparator is further coupled to receive a variable current limit threshold that increases during the on time of the switch. The power supply regulator also includes a feedback circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power supply. A control circuit is also included and is coupled to the switch, to an output of the comparator, and to an output of the feedback circuit. The control circuit is coupled to control a switching of the switch in response the output of the comparator and the output of the feedback circuit to regulate the output of the power supply.

Abstract: An example controller for use in a power supply regulator includes a switch signal generator, a modulation circuit, and a multi-cycle modulator circuit. The modulation circuit modulates the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated switching signal to provide a fixed peak switching current in the switch during light load conditions and a variable peak switching current during load conditions other than the light load condition. The multi-cycle modulator circuit enables the switch signal generator to provide a switch signal uninterrupted if the load condition is other than the light load condition and disables the switch signal generator for a first time period and then enables the switch signal generator for a second time period when the load condition is the light load condition. The multi-cycle modulator circuit adjusts the first time period in response to the feedback signal to regulate the output.

Abstract: A regulator for a switched mode power supply includes switching regulator logic, a counter and a switching transistor. The switching regulator logic is coupled to receive a feedback signal and to generate a switching signal in response. The feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the power supply operates normally. The counter is coupled to receive the feedback signal and an output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count. The switching transistor is turned on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and is disabled when the output of the counter indicates the auto-restart mode.

Abstract: A regulation circuit for use in DC to DC converter is disclosed. One such regulation circuit includes a feedback circuit to be coupled an energy transfer element output to receive a feedback signal to indicate whether the energy transfer element output is above or below a threshold level. A control circuit is included that is to be coupled to a switch that is coupled to an energy transfer element input. The control circuit is further coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a drive signal to control the switch to regulate the energy transfer element output to approximately the threshold level. The control circuit is to maintain an on-time of a current cycle of the drive signal and not allow an on-time of a next cycle of the drive signal in response to the energy transfer element output rising above the threshold level.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power supply regulator is disclosed. One controller includes a feedback circuit coupled to generate a feedback current signal that corresponds to a peak switching current in response to a sense signal from a power supply regulator output. A comparator is coupled to compare the feedback current signal with a reference voltage. A modulation circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a pulse width modulated switching signal with fixed switching frequency in response to the feedback current signal and the reference voltage. A multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to the output of the comparator. The multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to enable or disable a switch signal from the controller to be coupled to a switch of the power supply regulator. A group of two or more consecutive switching cycles is separated from a next group having two or more switching cycles by a time of no switching.

Abstract: A package for a semiconductor die includes a die attach pad that provides an attachment surface area for the semiconductor die, and tie bars connected to the die attach pad. The die attach pad is disposed in a first general plane and the tie bars are disposed in a second general plane offset with respect to the first general plane. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die in a form having first, second, third and fourth lateral sides, a top and a bottom. The tie bars are exposed substantially coincident with at least one of the lateral sides. The form includes a discontinuity that extends along the at least one of the lateral sides, the discontinuity increasing a creepage distance measured from the tie bars to the bottom of the package.

Abstract: A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller.

Abstract: A power supply controller circuit is disclosed. An example power supply controller circuit includes a control circuit coupled to generate a switching waveform to be used to regulate an output of a power supply. A current input circuit is coupled to receive a current representative of an input of the power supply. The current input circuit is to generate a sense signal in response to the current representative of the input of the power supply. A first comparator is coupled to the current input circuit to receive the sense signal. The first comparator coupled to generate a first signal in response to the sense signal being above a first threshold. An enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to the first comparator. The enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to deactivate the control circuit in response to the first signal.

Abstract: A package includes a body that encapsulates a semiconductor die, the body having a first pair of opposing lateral sides, a second pair of opposing lateral sides, a top, and a bottom. The bottom has a primary surface and a plurality of protrusions that extend outward from the primary surface. When the package is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) the protrusions contact the PCB and the primary surface is disposed a first distance away from the PCB. The package further includes a plurality of leads that extend outward from the first pair of opposing lateral sides.

Abstract: A power supply regulator including a variable current limit threshold that increases during an on time of a switch. In one aspect, a power supply regulator includes a comparator coupled to receive a signal representative of a current through a switch during an on time of the switch. The comparator is further coupled to receive a variable current limit threshold that increases during the on time of the switch. The power supply regulator also includes a feedback circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power supply. A control circuit is also included and is coupled to the switch, to an output of the comparator, and to an output of the feedback circuit. The control circuit is coupled to control a switching of the switch in response the output of the comparator and the output of the feedback circuit to regulate the output of the power supply.

Abstract: A circuit to discharge a capacitance between input terminals of a power system is disclosed. An example circuit includes a control circuit coupled to an input of a power system. The control circuit is coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of the power system. A switch is also included and is coupled to the control circuit and to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power system. A capacitance coupled between input terminals of the input of the power system is discharged through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical power source is uncoupled from the input terminals of the power system.

Abstract: A regulator for a switched mode power supply includes switching regulator logic, a counter and a logic gate. The switching regulator logic is coupled to receive a feedback signal and to generate a switching signal in response. The feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the power supply operates normally. The counter is coupled to receive the feedback signal and an output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count. An output of the logic gate enables the power switch to turn on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and the output of the logic gate disables the power switch in response to the output of the counter indicating the auto-restart mode.

Abstract: A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller.