Abstract: A method may include, when in a low-power mode of a power converter, monitoring an output voltage of the power converter; comparing, with a single comparator, the output voltage to a first threshold voltage and cause the power converter to enter a magnetization phase of the low-power mode responsive to the output voltage falling below the first threshold voltage; and during the magnetization phase and a demagnetization phase of the low-power mode, comparing, with the single comparator, the output voltage to a second threshold voltage lower than the first threshold voltage and cause the power converter to enter the high-power mode responsive to the output voltage falling below the second threshold voltage.

Abstract: A power converter system for converting an input voltage at an input into an output voltage at an output may comprise a switch network comprising a reactive circuit element and a plurality of switches, switch control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of switch in a plurality of periodic, sequential states to regulate the output voltage, and reference current generating circuitry. The reference current generating circuitry may include a comparator coupled to a sensed switch of the plurality of switches and configured to compare a current flowing through the sensed switch to a reference current and current-steering circuitry coupled to the comparator configured to generate the reference current and alternate the reference current between a first reference current and a second reference current whenever the switch control circuitry changes from one state of the plurality of periodic, sequential states to another state of the plurality of periodic, sequential states.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring average inductor charging current in a switched-power circuit avoid incurring measurement delay or a requirement of a complex filter. An inductor charging current measurement circuit coupled to a power output stage of the switched-power circuit measures an average charging current in an inductor of the switched-power circuit using pair of capacitors to sample an output voltage of the power output stage at different cycle times of an inductor current waveform. The measurement circuit includes a switch that connects the pair of capacitors together to provide a measurement indicative of the average inductor charging current by sharing charge between the first capacitor and the second capacitor to provide the measurement voltage. The provided measurement voltage is indicative of an average of an estimated peak and an estimated valley of the inductor current waveform, which may be used to make determinations regarding a magnitude of the load current.

Abstract: A method may include, when in a low-power mode of a power converter, monitoring an output voltage of the power converter; comparing, with a single comparator, the output voltage to a first threshold voltage and cause the power converter to enter a magnetization phase of the low-power mode responsive to the output voltage falling below the first threshold voltage; and during the magnetization phase and a demagnetization phase of the low-power mode, comparing, with the single comparator, the output voltage to a second threshold voltage lower than the first threshold voltage and cause the power converter to enter the high-power mode responsive to the output voltage falling below the second threshold voltage.

Abstract: The controller for a system including a power converter may be configured to cause the system to operate in one of a low-power mode and the high-power mode based on power demand from a load at the output of the power converter and when in the low-power mode, monitor the output of the power converter to detect an occurrence of a load transient from the load and in response to detecting the occurrence of the load transient, transition from the low-power mode to the high-power mode via a transition mode to minimize undershoot and overshoot of the output voltage.

Abstract: The controller for a system including a power converter may be configured to cause the system to operate in one of a low-power mode and the high-power mode based on power demand from a load at the output of the power converter and when in the low-power mode, monitor the output of the power converter to detect an occurrence of a load transient from the load and in response to detecting the occurrence of the load transient, transition from the low-power mode to the high-power mode via a transition mode to minimize undershoot and overshoot of the output voltage.

Abstract: A power converter system for converting an input voltage at an input into an output voltage at an output may comprise a switch network comprising a reactive circuit element and a plurality of switches, switch control circuitry configured to operate the plurality of switch in a plurality of periodic, sequential states to regulate the output voltage, and reference current generating circuitry. The reference current generating circuitry may include a comparator coupled to a sensed switch of the plurality of switches and configured to compare a current flowing through the sensed switch to a reference current and current-steering circuitry coupled to the comparator configured to generate the reference current and alternate the reference current between a first reference current and a second reference current whenever the switch control circuitry changes from one state of the plurality of periodic, sequential states to another state of the plurality of periodic, sequential states.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for protecting a host device from one or more power surges transmitted from a sink device. When a sink device is detected as being connected to the host device, a limited level of power is provided to the sink device over a power transmission line and the sink device is authenticated. A normal level of power is provided to the sink device only if the authentication is successful, otherwise a reduced level of power is provided.

Abstract: A two-stage power converter includes a dual-level driver to control a current conducted by a switch transistor in a charge pump to control the charging of a flying capacitor in the charge pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carbon nanotubes-metal nano composite by chemical route and the corresponding development of strong and flexible, light weight, self-supporting anode through simple vacuum filtration technique, which is favored by the high aspect ratio of the Multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The self-supported anode has an added advantage that it can be used as electrodes without binder and electrical conductor (unlike other carbonaceous powder materials) that helps us to elucidate the precise electrochemical properties. The metals used can be Sn, Si, Al, etc. The developed high capacity, free-standing anode can be used in rechargeable Li-ion batteries and is demonstrated successfully in powering solar lantern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to carbon nanotubes-metal nano composite by chemical route and the corresponding development of strong and flexible, light weight, self-supporting anode through simple vacuum filtration technique, which is favored by the high aspect ratio of the Multi-walled carbon nanotubes. The self-supported anode has an added advantage that it can be used as electrodes without binder and electrical conductor (unlike other carbonaceous powder materials) that helps us to elucidate the precise electrochemical properties. The metals used can be Sn, Si, Al, etc. The developed high capacity, free-standing anode can be used in rechargeable Li-ion batteries and is demonstrated successfully in powering solar lantern.

Abstract: A programmable error amplifier (PEA) that may be used as part of a voltage regulation subsystem to control the output of a digitally programmable voltage source is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the PEA comprises an amplification circuit, an analog voltage sampling circuit and a digital reference voltage sampling circuit. The amplification circuit may employ a negative feedback configuration, and include an amplifier and a plurality of feedback capacitors. The analog voltage sampling circuit is responsive to an analog input voltage (such as the output of the programmable voltage source) and is coupled to the amplification circuit. During a first operational phase (the sampling phase), the analog voltage sampling circuit stores a charge dependent upon the analog input voltage, and during a second operational phase (the conversion phase), the analog voltage sampling circuit transfers the charge to the feedback capacitors of the amplification circuit.

Abstract: A programmable error amplifier (PEA) that may be used as part of a voltage regulation subsystem to control the output of a digitally programmable voltage source is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the PEA comprises an amplification circuit, an analog voltage sampling circuit and a digital reference voltage sampling circuit. The amplification circuit may employ a negative feedback configuration, and include an amplifier and a plurality of feedback capacitors. The analog voltage sampling circuit is responsive to an analog input voltage (such as the output of the programmable voltage source) and is coupled to the amplification circuit. During a first operational phase (the sampling phase), the analog voltage sampling circuit stores a charge dependent upon the analog input voltage, and during a second operational phase (the conversion phase), the analog voltage sampling circuit transfers the charge to the feedback capacitors of the amplification circuit.

Abstract: In a computer system, a method of searching through metadata from a plurality of data tables concurrently, the data tables being defined by a schema and stored in a database(s) is provided. The method comprises generating a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface having at least one item including a predefined instruction label which is associated with a corresponding SQL query for defining a search through the metadata from the plurality of data tables; receiving user input, through the graphical user interface, selecting the schema and selecting the item having the predefined instruction label; and processing the received user input so as to conduct a concurrent search through metadata from the plurality of tables, the type of search being based on the selected item having the predefined instruction label.