Abstract: A method for controlling a MOS transistor compares a first voltage between a drain and a source of the MOS transistor to a second controllable threshold voltage. When the first voltage is smaller than a third voltage, a fourth control voltage is applied to the MOS transistor that is greater than a fifth threshold voltage of the MOS transistor. When the first voltage is greater than the second voltage, the fourth control voltage applied to the MOS transistor is smaller than the fifth voltage. The second voltage is equal to a first constant value between a first time and a second time, and is equal to a second variable value between the second time and a third time. The second value is equal to a sum of the first voltage and a sixth positive voltage. The third time corresponds to a time when the first voltage inverts.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first field-effect transistor and a second field-effect transistor. The first field-effect transistor includes a first diode with drain, source, gate and first additional electrodes. The second field-effect transistor includes a second diode with drain, source, gate and second additional electrodes. A first switch selectively connects the gate and drain electrodes of the first field-effect transistor. A second switch selectively connects the gate and drain electrodes of the second field-effect transistor. A control circuit controls the first and second switches. The first additional electrode is coupled to the gate electrode of the second field-effect transistor, and the second additional electrode is coupled to the gate electrode of the first field-effect transistor.

Abstract: A circuit for balancing a voltage across a semiconductor element series-connected with other semiconductor elements of the same type may include a comparator configured to compare data representative of a voltage across the semiconductor element with a reference voltage, and a resistive element of adjustable value and configured to be controlled by the comparator.

Abstract: A circuit is for balancing currents flowing through a parallel assembly of semiconductor components of the same type. The circuit may include a respective regulation circuit for each semiconductor component. Each regulation circuit may include a comparator of a first signal representative of the current flowing through the component with a reference signal, and a resistive element of a changeable resistance and controlled by the comparator.

Abstract: A circuit for balancing a voltage across a semiconductor element series-connected with other semiconductor elements of the same type may include a comparator configured to compare data representative of a voltage across the semiconductor element with a reference voltage, and a resistive element of adjustable value and configured to be controlled by the comparator.

Abstract: A circuit for balancing a voltage across a semiconductor element series-connected with other semiconductor elements of the same type may include a comparator configured to compare data representative of a voltage across the semiconductor element with a reference voltage, and a resistive element of adjustable value and configured to be controlled by the comparator.

Abstract: A circuit is for balancing currents flowing through a parallel assembly of semiconductor components of the same type. The circuit may include a respective regulation circuit for each semiconductor component. Each regulation circuit may include a comparator of a first signal representative of the current flowing through the component with a reference signal, and a resistive element of a changeable resistance and controlled by the comparator.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one switch in a power converter, wherein the switching speed of the switch dynamically varies according to a measurement of a quantity representative of the efficiency of the converter.

Abstract: A circuit for balancing a voltage across a semiconductor element series-connected with other semiconductor elements of the same type may include a comparator configured to compare data representative of a voltage across the semiconductor element with a reference voltage, and a resistive element of adjustable value and configured to be controlled by the comparator.

Abstract: An overvoltage protection device uses a varistor coupled in series with a switch between two terminals provided for connection to a circuit device or element to be protected. A control circuit controls actuation of the switch in response to sensing voltage at or between the two terminals in excess of a first threshold. The first threshold is less than a clipping voltage of the varistor but in excess of a supply voltage for the circuit device or element. The control circuit further controls detactuation of the switch based, for example, on elapsed time from actuation or current flow.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first field-effect transistor and a second field-effect transistor. The first field-effect transistor includes a first diode with drain, source, gate and first additional electrodes. The second field-effect transistor includes a second diode with drain, source, gate and second additional electrodes. A first switch selectively connects the gate and drain electrodes of the first field-effect transistor. A second switch selectively connects the gate and drain electrodes of the second field-effect transistor. A control circuit controls the first and second switches. The first additional electrode is coupled to the gate electrode of the second field-effect transistor, and the second additional electrode is coupled to the gate electrode of the first field-effect transistor.

Abstract: A switch-mode converter including an inductive transformer having a secondary winding associated with at least one first switch, including, in parallel with the first switch, at least one first diode in series with a capacitive element; and in parallel with the capacitive element, an active circuit for limiting the voltage thereacross.

Abstract: A switched-mode converter includes a first magnetic circuit including a first inductive element, coupled to at least one second inductive element and electrically coupled in series with the second element and with a first diode between a first one of two input terminals and a first one of two output terminals; a first switch coupled in series with a third inductive element between a second terminal of the first inductive element and a second input terminal, a common node between the first switch and the third inductive element being connected to one of the output terminals by a second diode; and a circuit capable of canceling the voltage across the first switch before its turning-on.

Abstract: A method for controlling at least one switch in a power converter, wherein the switching speed of the switch dynamically varies according to a measurement of a quantity representative of the efficiency of the converter.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for controlling a power recovery stage of a plasma display panel including a resonant circuit of at least one inductive element and one capacitive element, wherein the capacitive element is precharged to half a supply voltage of the display panel.

Abstract: A switch-mode converter including an inductive transformer having a secondary winding associated with at least one first switch, including, in parallel with the first switch, at least one first diode in series with a capacitive element; and in parallel with the capacitive element, an active circuit for limiting the voltage thereacross.

Abstract: A switched-mode converter including a first magnetic circuit including a first inductive element, coupled to at least one second inductive element and electrically in series with this second element and with a first diode between a first one of two input terminals and a first one of two output terminals; a first switch in series with a third inductive element between a second terminal of the first inductive element and a second input terminal, a common node between the first switch and the third inductive element being connected to one of the output terminals by a second diode; and a circuit capable of canceling the voltage across this first switch before its turning-on.

Abstract: A switched-mode power converter, including, between a first end of a main inductive element and a switch, a two-value inductive element automatically switching between its two values.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for controlling a power recovery stage of a plasma display panel including a resonant circuit of at least one inductive element and one capacitive element, wherein the capacitive element is precharged to half a supply voltage of the display panel.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a switch to be controlled in unidirectional fashion while the voltage present thereacross is an A.C. Voltage, including circuitry for delaying the switch turning-on with respect to a zero crossing of the voltage thereacross, and circuitry for triggering the switch turning-off after its turning on, at the end of a predetermined time interval plus or minus an error time controlled by the duty cycle of the A.C. Voltage across the switch, in one or several previous periods. The control circuit applies to the forming of a rectifying circuit by the switch.