Patents by Inventor Chih-Chen Li

Chih-Chen Li has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250181095
    Abstract: An electronic device using a power design with a good power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) is shown. The electronic device includes a voltage regulator, a low dropout regulator (LDO), an application, and a feedback control path. The voltage regulator generates a system voltage. The LDO is coupled to the voltage regulator to receive the system voltage for generation of an LDO output voltage. The application is coupled to the LDO to receive the LDO output voltage. The feedback control path couples a flag signal to the voltage regulator. In response to the flag signal being asserted, the voltage regulator pulls up the system voltage. The flag signal is asserted before the load current of the application reaches a heavy load current level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2024
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Yen-An LIN, Chih-Chen LI, Yi-An CHEN, Ming-Shao TSAI
  • Patent number: 12301113
    Abstract: A discontinuous current mode (DCM) DC-DC converter with high efficiency is shown, which includes an inductor, power transistors providing a charging path and a discharging path for an output voltage of the DCM DC-DC converter through the inductor, a driver driving the power transistors, a load detector, and a dynamic driver controller. The load detector determines the loading state of the DCM DC-DC converter based on the output voltage. The dynamic driver controller controls the driver to provide an enhanced charging capability or a normal charging capability through the charging path, depending on the loading state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2025
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Kuan-Yu Fang, Yen-An Lin, Jun Yu, Chih-Chen Li
  • Publication number: 20250079987
    Abstract: A buck converter with an adaptive turn-on frequency of a pull-up transistor is shown. The buck converter uses a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control signal generator to generate a PWM control signal that drives a power transistor driver to generate PWM signals driving the pull-up transistor and pull-down transistor of the buck converter. Especially, the PWM control signal generator generates the PWM control signal based on feedback of an output voltage of the buck converter as well as feedback of a sensed current about a power transformation component of the buck converter, to modify a turn-on frequency of the pull-up transistor in response to a change in the sensed current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2024
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Inventors: Chih-Chen LI, Jin-Yan SYU
  • Patent number: 12231048
    Abstract: A transient boost controller for controlling a transient boost circuit of a voltage regulator includes a feedback circuit and a processing circuit. The feedback circuit obtains a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal sensed from an output capacitor of the voltage regulator, wherein the first feedback signal is derived from a voltage signal at a first plate of the output capacitor, and the second feedback signal is derived from a voltage signal at a second plate of the output capacitor. The processing circuit generates a detection result according to the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal, and outputs the detection result for controlling the transient boost circuit of the voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Jin-Yan Syu, Kuan-Yu Fang, Chih-Chen Li
  • Publication number: 20240393816
    Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit includes a voltage conversion circuit, a voltage divider, a reference voltage generator, an error amplifier, and a control circuit. The voltage conversion circuit is configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage according to a first control signal. The voltage divider performs a voltage division operation on the output voltage to generate first and second feedback voltages. The reference voltage generator is configured to generate a reference voltage according to a second control signal. The error amplifier is configured to generate the first control signal according to a difference between the reference voltage and the first feedback voltage. The control circuit is configured to generate the second control signal according to the second feedback voltage and the reference voltage. In response to the second feedback voltage being decreasing gradually, the reference voltage is adjusted to trace the second feedback voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Jin-Yan SYU, Chih-Chen LI
  • Publication number: 20240393411
    Abstract: A buck converter includes a first transistor, a second transistor, an inductor and a capacitor. The first transistor, the second transistor and the inductor are coupled to a switching node. A method includes charging the switching node for a predetermined duration using a first charging current, detecting a voltage at the switching node to obtain a first detection voltage, and determining the connection status of the inductor according to at least the first detection voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Jin-Yan Syu
  • Publication number: 20240396427
    Abstract: The present invention provides a ramp signal generator of a SMPS. The ramp signal generator includes a filter and a charge pump. The filter is configured to filter a PWM signal to generate a filtered PWM signal. The charge pump is configured to receive the PWM signal and the filtered PWM signal to generate an output current, wherein the output current is used to generate a ramp signal, and the ramp signal is used for a PWM signal generator to generate the PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Shinozaki, Jin-Yan Syu, Chih-Chen Li
  • Patent number: 12095364
    Abstract: A down-converted voltage regulator is provided. The first energy storage element provides a pre-charged voltage between a connection terminal and a ground terminal during the first phase. The second energy storage element has a first terminal, and it has a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. The third energy storage element is coupled between the output terminal of the voltage regulator and the ground terminal. During the first phase, the first terminal of the second energy storage element is coupled to the first energy storage element through the connection terminal to receive the pre-charged voltage. During the second phase, the first energy storage element is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal of the voltage regulator to be pre-charged to store the pre-charged voltage, and the first terminal of the second energy storage element is coupled to the ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Jin-Yan Syu
  • Publication number: 20230402915
    Abstract: A down-converted voltage regulator is provided. The first energy storage element provides a pre-charged voltage between a connection terminal and a ground terminal during the first phase. The second energy storage element has a first terminal, and it has a second terminal coupled to the output terminal of the voltage regulator. The third energy storage element is coupled between the output terminal of the voltage regulator and the ground terminal. During the first phase, the first terminal of the second energy storage element is coupled to the first energy storage element through the connection terminal to receive the pre-charged voltage. During the second phase, the first energy storage element is coupled between the input terminal and the output terminal of the voltage regulator to be pre-charged to store the pre-charged voltage, and the first terminal of the second energy storage element is coupled to the ground terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Chih-Chen LI, Jin-Yan SYU
  • Publication number: 20230223849
    Abstract: A feedback circuit of a voltage regulator with adaptive voltage positioning (AVP) includes a first sensing circuit, a second sensing circuit, a third sensing circuit, and a processing circuit. The first sensing circuit generates a first feedback signal that provides information of an inductor current of the voltage regulator. The second sensing circuit generates a second feedback signal that provides information of an output voltage of the voltage regulator. The third sensing circuit generates a third feedback signal that provides information of a capacitor current of an output capacitor of the voltage regulator. The processing circuit generates a control voltage signal according to the first feedback signal, the second feedback signal, and the third feedback signal, and outputs the control voltage signal to a controller circuit of the voltage regulator for regulating the output voltage of the voltage regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Jin-Yan Syu
  • Publication number: 20230223851
    Abstract: A transient boost controller for controlling a transient boost circuit of a voltage regulator includes a feedback circuit and a processing circuit. The feedback circuit obtains a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal sensed from an output capacitor of the voltage regulator, wherein the first feedback signal is derived from a voltage signal at a first plate of the output capacitor, and the second feedback signal is derived from a voltage signal at a second plate of the output capacitor. The processing circuit generates a detection result according to the first feedback signal and the second feedback signal, and outputs the detection result for controlling the transient boost circuit of the voltage regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Jin-Yan Syu, Kuan-Yu Fang, Chih-Chen Li
  • Patent number: 11095222
    Abstract: A high efficiency converter is provided. The converter can be used in applications requiring fast transient response under a first loading condition, and high efficiency under a second loading condition. The converter converts one or more input voltages via two or more conversion paths. Each of the two or more conversion paths corresponds to a different loading condition which indicates a magnitude of a load driven by the converter (e.g., heavy or light), and a target transient response of the load (e.g., fast or slow). A conversion path for a heavy or fast loading condition converts an input voltage directly to a target output voltage. A conversion path for a light or slow loading condition includes a two-stage architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Yen-Hsun Hsu, Tzu-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 10784763
    Abstract: An inverter circuit may include an inverter, a driver coupled to the inverter, and a slew rate control module configured to modify a slew rate of the driver. The slew rate may be modified based on a magnitude of a load driven by the inverter circuit. The magnitude of the load driven by the inverter circuit may be indicated by a current representing a load current or a voltage representing an input voltage. The slew rate may also be modified based on a mode configuration of the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Kuan-Yu Chu, HuaChiang Huang, Chih-Chen Li, Shan-Fong Hong
  • Patent number: 10763668
    Abstract: A converter is provided. The converter is capable of generating a loading current at an output node. The converter includes a high efficiency power channel and a fast transient response channel. The high efficiency power channel and the fast transient response channel share an inductor that is coupled to the output node. The high efficiency power channel has an additional inductor that is connected in series with the inductor coupled to the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Hua-Chiang Huang, Chih-Chen Li
  • Patent number: 10396771
    Abstract: A voltage supply circuit is provided. The voltage supply circuit is capable of generating a loading current at an output node. The voltage supply circuit includes a plurality of inductors and a plurality of driver circuits. The plurality of inductors are coupled to the output node. Each inductor has an inductance value. The plurality of driver circuits are coupled to the plurality of inductors, respectively. The inductance values of at least two inductors among the plurality of inductors are greater than the inductance value of another inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Kuan-Yu Fang, Kuan-Yu Chu, Yen-Hsun Hsu
  • Publication number: 20190131789
    Abstract: A converter is provided. The converter is capable of generating a loading current at an output node. The converter includes a high efficiency power channel and a fast transient response channel. The high efficiency power channel and the fast transient response channel share an inductor that is coupled to the output node. The high efficiency power channel has an additional inductor that is connected in series with the inductor coupled to the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Applicant: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Hua-Chiang Huang, Chih-Chen Li
  • Publication number: 20190089252
    Abstract: A high efficiency converter is provided. The converter can be used in applications requiring fast transient response under a first loading condition, and high efficiency under a second loading condition. The converter converts one or more input voltages via two or more conversion paths. Each of the two or more conversion paths corresponds to a different loading condition which indicates a magnitude of a load driven by the converter (e.g., heavy or light), and a target transient response of the load (e.g., fast or slow). A conversion path for a heavy or fast loading condition converts an input voltage directly to a target output voltage. A conversion path for a light or slow loading condition includes a two-stage architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Yen-Hsun Hsu, Tzu-Chi Huang
  • Patent number: 10211723
    Abstract: The invention provides a regulator for DC-DC hybrid-mode power regulation of an output voltage and a load current. The regulator may include a controller and a back-end circuit. The controller controls the output voltage and the load current by charging a connection node when a driving signal is at an on-level, and stopping charging the connection node when the driving signal is at an off-level. The back-end circuit is coupled to the controller, capable of switching between a first mode and a second mode to control transition of the driving signal by different schemes. The back-end circuit switches from the second mode to the first mode when a mode-switch criterion is satisfied, and whether the mode-switch criterion is satisfied is independent of a measurement of the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Shan-Fong Hong, Chih-Chen Li, Kuan-Yu Chu, Chien-Wei Kuan, Yen-Hsun Hsu
  • Patent number: 10211732
    Abstract: An SMPS (Switched Mode Power Supply) circuit includes a first switch element, a second switch element, an inductor, a capacitor, a current sensor, a current comparator, and a controller. The first switch element is coupled between a first power node and a switch node. The second switch element is coupled between the switch node and a second power node. The inductor is coupled between the switch node and an output node. The capacitor is coupled between the output node and the second power node. The current sensor detects a switch current through the second switch element. The current comparator compares the switch current with a first reference current to generate a comparison signal. The controller controls the first switch element and the second switch element according to the comparison signal and a switch voltage at the switch node. The invention can avoid an excessive SMPS output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Chen Li, Kuan-Yu Chu, Shan-Fong Hong
  • Publication number: 20180262097
    Abstract: An inverter circuit may include an inverter, a driver coupled to the inverter, and a slew rate control module configured to modify a slew rate of the driver. The slew rate may be modified based on a magnitude of a load driven by the inverter circuit. The magnitude of the load driven by the inverter circuit may be indicated by a current representing a load current or a voltage representing an input voltage. The slew rate may also be modified based on a mode configuration of the inverter circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Kuan-Yu Chu, HuaChiang Huang, Chih-Chen Li, Shan-Fong Hong