Abstract: A method for driving a load by using an output stage amplifier in full bridge configuration whose supply is modulated by means of a fast switching power converter, controlled in order to maintain the stage's output common mode at its minimum voltage, is presented. The modulation of the switching power converter output is obtained by a feedback control system regulating directly the voltage of the bridge output stage terminals. This bridge unipolar class H stage allows driving the load with high accuracy and improved efficiency without introducing switching noise and EMI at the load terminals typical of PWM driving. This method can be applied with the same benefits to class AB, pseudo class AB or to class A output stages. When this method is associated with an imposed current driving approach and with a current oversampling digital to analog converter the resulting advantages are very significant for accurate motor control applications.

Abstract: A method for driving a load by using an output stage amplifier in full bridge configuration whose supply is modulated by means of a fast switching power converter, controlled in order to maintain the stage's output common mode at its minimum voltage, is presented. The modulation of the switching power converter output is obtained by a feedback control system regulating directly the voltage of the bridge output stage terminals. This bridge unipolar class H stage allows driving the load with high accuracy and improved efficiency without introducing switching noise and EMI at the load terminals typical of PWM driving. This method can be applied with the same benefits to class AB, pseudo class AB or to class A output stages. When this method is associated with an imposed current driving approach and with a current oversampling digital to analog converter the resulting advantages are very significant for accurate motor control applications.

Abstract: A method for driving a motor by using an output stage amplifier that operates between two or more separate supply voltages, depending on the amplitude of the input signal, is presented. This bridge unipolar class G stage allows driving the motor with high accuracy and improved efficiency without introducing switching noise typical of PWM motor driving. This method can be applied with the same benefits to class AB, pseudo class AB or to class A output stages. When this method is associated with an imposed current driving approach and with a current oversampling digital to analog converter the resulting advantages are very significant.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a switching regulator utilize a combination of variable off-time control (or frequency control) and variable peak current control to achieve high efficiency at a wide range of load conditions. A non-linear control circuit receives an error voltage and generates a first control signal for controlling a frequency control circuit and a second control signal for controlling a peak current control circuit. The frequency control circuit and the peak current control circuit operate in conjunction over the entire range of load conditions with the frequency control dominates at light load (or low power) conditions and the variable peak current control dominates at moderate to heavy load (or high power) conditions. The switching regulator transitions smoothly between frequency control and peak current control with continous loop gain throughout the transition region.

Abstract: A switching power supply is disclosed for improving the no-load power drain of low-power mains operated supplies. The power converter utilizes a cascoded switch arrangement with a conventional high voltage power MOSFET and a low voltage, low gate charge MOSFET. Driving only the small low voltage device reduces the power required for gate drive. The disclosed configuration is also capable of generating a non-isolated auxiliary rail for powering its control circuitry utilizing the parasitic capacitance of the high voltage power devices as an element in a charge pump. The resulting power supply requires significantly fewer components.

Abstract: A low cost, low EMI air core inductor fabricated on printed circuit board for power conversion circuits is described. The inductive element combines the advantages of high efficiency and minimum board height requirements. It allows high frequency switching without adding undesired magnetic losses and minimizing the electromagnetic interferences in form of radiated energy. The absence of any magnetic layer adds to the simplicity of the manufacturing process resulting in lower cost. This inductive element allows operation for the conventional and higher frequency step-up and step-down switching voltage converters minimizing the size and cost of output capacitors and reducing the output voltage ripple.

Abstract: Several methods to obtain process insensitive base-emitter forward voltage of a transistor are described. The main concept is to recognize that the transistor current gain is the parameter that affects this voltage the most with normal process variations. The use of transistor driven with known base current removes this error. In alternative, a method for compensating the base-emitter forward voltage variations is described. This is applicable to analog integrated circuits that utilize the base-emitter forward voltage of a transistor and in particular in applications that make use of either accurate voltage references, thermal sensing elements, solid state thermostats and very common thermal shutdown protection circuits.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described having a substrate, a power transistor in a first region of the subtracted, and a plurality of barrier regions of the substrate around the first region. Each barrier region includes a barrier transistor and at least one substrate connection connecting the barrier transistor to at least one floating region of the substrate adjacent the barrier region.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is described having a substrate, a power transistor in a first region of the substrate, and a plurality of barrier regions of the substrate around the first region. Each barrier region includes a barrier transistor and at least one substrate connection connecting the barrier transistor to at least one floating region of the substrate adjacent the barrier region. During operation of the integrated circuit, the floating regions and the barrier transistors operate to inhibit operation of parasitic devices associated with the power transistor.