Patents by Inventor Christian Harders
Christian Harders 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).
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Publication number: 20240022169Abstract: A switching converter controller includes: a stopband controller having a stopband controller input and a stopband controller output, the stopband controller is configured to provide stopband information at the stopband controller output responsive to a reference signal; a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) controller having a first PFM controller input, a second PFM controller input and a PFM controller output, the first PFM controller input configured to receive a feedback error signal, the second PFM controller input coupled to the stopband controller output, and the PFM controller configured to selectively adjust a clock signal at the PFM controller output based on the feedback error signal and the stopband information; and a driver circuit having a driver circuit input coupled to the PFM controller output and configured to receive the clock signal, and having a driver circuit output adapted to be coupled to a power stage switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventors: Puneet Sareen, Michael Känner, Christian Harder, Narayanan Seetharaman
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Patent number: 11863069Abstract: A switching converter controller includes: a stopband controller having a stopband controller input and a stopband controller output, the stopband controller is configured to provide stopband information at the stopband controller output responsive to a reference signal; a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) controller having a first PFM controller input, a second PFM controller input and a PFM controller output, the first PFM controller input configured to receive a feedback error signal, the second PFM controller input coupled to the stopband controller output, and the PFM controller configured to selectively adjust a clock signal at the PFM controller output based on the feedback error signal and the stopband information; and a driver circuit having a driver circuit input coupled to the PFM controller output and configured to receive the clock signal, and having a driver circuit output adapted to be coupled to a power stage switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Puneet Sareen, Michael Känner, Christian Harder, Narayanan Seetharaman
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Publication number: 20230170798Abstract: A switching converter controller includes: a stopband controller having a stopband controller input and a stopband controller output, the stopband controller is configured to provide stopband information at the stopband controller output responsive to a reference signal; a pulse-frequency modulation (PFM) controller having a first PFM controller input, a second PFM controller input and a PFM controller output, the first PFM controller input configured to receive a feedback error signal, the second PFM controller input coupled to the stopband controller output, and the PFM controller configured to selectively adjust a clock signal at the PFM controller output based on the feedback error signal and the stopband information; and a driver circuit having a driver circuit input coupled to the PFM controller output and configured to receive the clock signal, and having a driver circuit output adapted to be coupled to a power stage switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2021Publication date: June 1, 2023Inventors: Puneet SAREEN, Michael KÄNNER, Christian HARDER, Narayanan SEETHARAMAN
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Patent number: 11563378Abstract: A converter operable to convert an input voltage at an input node to an output voltage at an output node coupled to a load by switching on and off a transistor at a switching frequency, the converter comprising: an error amplifier circuit having a first input coupled to a reference voltage, a second input coupled to the output node through a resistive divider, a first output operable to output a control current and a second output operable to output a current equivalent to the control current; a peak current comparator circuit having a first input coupled to the second output of the error amplifier circuit, a second input and an output, the second input is coupled to the input node through an inductor; an off-time timer circuit having an input coupled to the first output of the error amplifier circuit and an output, the off-time timer circuit operable to set the switching frequency based on the control current; and a control circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the peak current comparator cirType: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Julian Becker, Christian Harder, Eduardas Jodka, Stefan Dietrich, Puneet Sareen
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Patent number: 11552566Abstract: To facilitate current sensing for valley current-controlled power converters, an example apparatus includes a comparator having a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output. A first transistor has a first drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. A second transistor has a second drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. A third transistor has a third drain coupled to the second terminal of the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Joerg Kirchner, Stefan Dietrich, Ivan Shumkov, Christian Harder
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Patent number: 11303210Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit. In at least some examples, the circuit includes a first switch coupled between a first node and a second node and a second switch coupled between a third node and the second node. The circuit further includes a resistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node and a capacitor comprising a first terminal coupled to the fourth node and a second terminal. The circuit further includes a transistor comprising a drain terminal coupled to the third node, a source terminal coupled to a fifth node, and a gate terminal and an amplifier comprising a first input terminal coupled to the fifth node, a second input terminal coupled to the fourth node, and an output terminal coupled to a sixth node.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 12, 2022Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Ivan Shumkov, Christian Harder, Erich-Johann Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Gaetano Petrina
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Patent number: 11196339Abstract: A switching converter having a voltage input, a voltage output and a transistor connected between the voltage input and the voltage output, the switching converter including a control circuit comprising: a gate driver having an input, a first voltage supply input, a second voltage supply input and an output operable to be connected to a control terminal of the transistor; a bootstrap capacitor connected between the first voltage supply input and the second voltage supply input; and a charge pump having an input operable to be connected to the voltage input and an output connected to the first voltage supply input.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Eduardas Jodka, Julian Becker Ferreira, Christian Harder, Florian Schimkat
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Publication number: 20210175804Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide for a circuit. In at least some examples, the circuit includes a first switch coupled between a first node and a second node and a second switch coupled between a third node and the second node. The circuit further includes a resistor coupled between the second node and a fourth node and a capacitor comprising a first terminal coupled to the fourth node and a second terminal. The circuit further includes a transistor comprising a drain terminal coupled to the third node, a source terminal coupled to a fifth node, and a gate terminal and an amplifier comprising a first input terminal coupled to the fifth node, a second input terminal coupled to the fourth node, and an output terminal coupled to a sixth node.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventors: Ivan SHUMKOV, Christian HARDER, Erich-Johann BAYER, Joerg KIRCHNER, Gaetano PETRINA
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Publication number: 20210167687Abstract: To facilitate current sensing for valley current-controlled power converters, an example apparatus includes a comparator having a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output. A first transistor has a first drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. A second transistor has a second drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. A third transistor has a third drain coupled to the second terminal of the comparator.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Joerg Kirchner, Stefan Dietrich, Ivan Shumkov, Christian Harder
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Publication number: 20210083583Abstract: A converter operable to convert an input voltage at an input node to an output voltage at an output node coupled to a load by switching on and off a transistor at a switching frequency, the converter comprising: an error amplifier circuit having a first input coupled to a reference voltage, a second input coupled to the output node through a resistive divider, a first output operable to output a control current and a second output operable to output a current equivalent to the control current; a peak current comparator circuit having a first input coupled to the second output of the error amplifier circuit, a second input and an output, the second input is coupled to the input node through an inductor; an off-time timer circuit having an input coupled to the first output of the error amplifier circuit and an output, the off-time timer circuit operable to set the switching frequency based on the control current; and a control circuit having a first input coupled to the output of the peak current comparator cirType: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Julian Becker, Christian Harder, Eduardas Jodka, Stefan Dietrich, Puneet Sareen
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Patent number: 10931277Abstract: A gate-charge harvester includes a harvest capacitor that has a first plate and a second plate. The second plate is coupled to a lower rail and the first plate is coupled to send a voltage towards a regulator. The gate-charge harvester also includes a low-side harvest transistor having a first terminal coupled to a gate of a low-side power transistor and a second terminal coupled to the first plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Stefan Dietrich, Josy Bernard, Christian Harder
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Patent number: 10924015Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate current sensing for valley current-controlled power converters are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a comparator including a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output. The apparatus further includes a first transistor including a first drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. The apparatus further includes a second transistor including a second drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. The apparatus further includes a third transistor including a third drain coupled to the second terminal of the comparator.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Joerg Kirchner, Stefan Dietrich, Ivan Shumkov, Christian Harder
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Patent number: 10845833Abstract: A buck voltage converter comprising a high side switch, a low side switch, a capacitor, an inductor, a gate driver circuit having outputs coupled to the gate terminal of the high side switch and the gate terminal of the low side switch, and a separate voltage regulator circuit that powers circuitry internal to the buck voltage converter. The voltage regulator circuit includes a multiplexer having a first multiplexer input coupled to the input voltage source, a second multiplexer input coupled to the buck output of the buck voltage converter, and one or more multiplexer control inputs to select which of the two multiplexer inputs is coupled to a multiplexer output and pass transistor having a first terminal coupled to the multiplexer output of the multiplexer and having a second terminal coupled to the regulator output of the voltage regulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Stefan Dietrich, Christian Harder, Emil Cioran
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Publication number: 20200287534Abstract: A gate-charge harvester includes a harvest capacitor that has a first plate and a second plate. The second plate is coupled to a lower rail and the first plate is coupled to send a voltage towards a regulator. The gate-charge harvester also includes a low-side harvest transistor having a first terminal coupled to a gate of a low-side power transistor and a second terminal coupled to the first plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2019Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Stefan Dietrich, Josy Bernard, Christian Harder
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Publication number: 20190363625Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate current sensing for valley current-controlled power converters are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a comparator including a first terminal, a second terminal, and an output. The apparatus further includes a first transistor including a first drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. The apparatus further includes a second transistor including a second drain coupled to the first terminal of the comparator. The apparatus further includes a third transistor including a third drain coupled to the second terminal of the comparator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2018Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Joerg Kirchner, Stefan Dietrich, Ivan Shumkov, Christian Harder
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Patent number: 10020722Abstract: A circuit includes a signal generator to generate an output signal to vary the switching frequency of a switching circuit to mitigate noise in the switching circuit. The signal generator includes a modulation waveform generator (MWG) to generate a ramp signal in response to a numerical input and a switching signal from the switching circuit. The ramp signal is employed to modulate the frequency of the output signal of the signal generator over a range of frequencies from a minimum frequency to a maximum frequency. A frequency adjuster circuit modulates the amplitude of the ramp signal by adjusting at least one of the minimum frequency or the maximum frequency of the range of frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Christian Harder, Markus Georg Rommel, Stefan Reithmaier
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Publication number: 20180109176Abstract: A circuit includes a signal generator to generate an output signal to vary the switching frequency of a switching circuit to mitigate noise in the switching circuit. The signal generator includes a modulation waveform generator (MWG) to generate a ramp signal in response to a numerical input and a switching signal from the switching circuit. The ramp signal is employed to modulate the frequency of the output signal of the signal generator over a range of frequencies from a minimum frequency to a maximum frequency. A frequency adjuster circuit modulates the amplitude of the ramp signal by adjusting at least one of the minimum frequency or the maximum frequency of the range of frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventors: CHRISTIAN HARDER, MARKUS GEORG ROMMEL, STEFAN REITHMAIER
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Publication number: 20120176179Abstract: Integrated circuitry, comprising: a sampling terminal for connecting the integrated circuitry to an external capacitance; sampling means operatively connected to the terminal to take samples, each sample having a sample value; and control means configured, whilst said external capacitance is connected to the sampling terminal, to: internally connect the sampling terminal, or another terminal of the integrated circuitry to which the external capacitance is also connected, to a given voltage-potential source to effect a change in charge stored on the external capacitance, the given voltage-potential source being available within the integrated circuitry when it is in use; cause the sampling means to take a plurality of samples over a period whilst that external capacitance charges or discharges following and/or during said change in charge; and judge whether an event has occurred in dependence upon the plurality of samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: July 12, 2012Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITEDInventors: Christian Harders, Wolf Fronauer, Shaoyun Cheng, Markus Vogel, Dirk Fischer
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Publication number: 20100178431Abstract: Method for the solvent-free production of acrylate adhesive masses, which comprises (a) continuously coating a mixture, containing one or more photoinitiators and a monomer mixture comprising (i) 70 to 100% by weight compounds selected from the group consisting of (meth)acrylic acid and the derivatives thereof in accordance with the formula where R1 is H or CH3 and R2 is an alkyl chain having 2 to 20 carbon atoms; (ii) 0 to 30% by weight of olefinically unsaturated monomers having functional groups; and (iii) optionally additional components, or a prepolymer of said monomer mixture on a process carrier; b) polymerizing the coated mixture by applying radiation to the coated sections of the process carrier using visible or ultraviolet light; (c) separating the polymer product from the process carrier and forming the polymer product; (d) transferring the polymer product into a mixing device; (e) mixing the polymer product with additional components in a mixing device; and (f) further processing the polymer pType: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2008Publication date: July 15, 2010Applicant: Tesa SEInventors: Hermann Neuhaus-Steinmetz, Christian Harder, Sven König, Axel Burmeister
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Publication number: 20090280323Abstract: A laminating composition for producing an adhesive tape having a sheetlike carrier, having at least a polysaccharide component and a surfactant component, and the adhesive tape produced and having carrier sheets colaminated by the laminating composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Applicant: tesa SEInventors: Christian Harder, Annemarie Muller, Gerhard Bir