Abstract: Described is a system for modulating power to one or more radio frequency (RF) amplifiers to suppress undesired output signal components, improve linearity and reduce noise. The described systems and techniques enable shaping of spectral components introduced via an amplifier bias voltage owing to transitions among bias discrete states. The systems and techniques facilitate operation of multilevel, RF amplifiers under a wider range of operating conditions. In embodiments, the system includes modulators coupled to a supply terminal port of each of the one or more amplifiers to modulate the voltage levels supplied to the one or more amplifiers. The outputs of the modulators may be combined to provide a combined signal coupled to the amplifiers. A delay circuit delays switching of at least one of the power modulators relative to other modulator, by a variable time delay. This results in suppression of undesired output signal components of the amplifier output.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid electronic and magnetic structure that enables a transformer with fractional and reconfigurable effective turns ratios (e.g. 12:0.5, 12:2/3, 12:1, and 12:2) and hereinafter referred to as a Variable-Inverter-Rectifier-Transformer (VIRT). A VIRT is valuable in converters having wide operating voltage ranges and high step-up/down, as it offers a means to reduce turns count and copper loss within a transformer while facilitating voltage doubling and quadrupling. Such characteristics are beneficial for reducing the size of a transformer stage in many power electronics applications, such as USB wall chargers. In embodiments, a VIRT comprises a plurality of switching cells distributed around a magnetic core and coupled to half-turns wound through that core. By controlling operating modes of the switching cells, it is possible to gain control over flux paths and current paths in the transformer.

Abstract: Described are circuits and techniques to increase the efficiency of radio-frequency (rf) amplifiers including rf power amplifiers (PAs) through “supply modulation” (also referred to as “drain modulation” or “collector modulation”), in which supply voltages provided to rf amplifiers is adjusted dynamically (“modulated”) over time depending upon the rf signal being synthesized. For the largest efficiency improvements, a supply voltage can be adjusted among discrete voltage levels or continuously on a short time scale. The supply voltages (or voltage levels) provided to an rf amplifier may also be adapted to accommodate longer-term changes in desired rf envelope such as associated with adapting transmitter output strength to minimize errors in data transfer, for rf “traffic” variations.

Abstract: Described are circuits and techniques to increase the efficiency of radio-frequency (rf) amplifiers including rf power amplifiers (PAs) through “supply modulation” (also referred to as “drain modulation” or “collector modulation”), in which supply voltages provided to rf amplifiers is adjusted dynamically (“modulated”) over time depending upon the rf signal being synthesized. For the largest efficiency improvements, a supply voltage can be adjusted among discrete voltage levels or continuously on a short time scale. The supply voltages (or voltage levels) provided to an rf amplifier may also be adapted to accommodate longer-term changes in desired rf envelope such as associated with adapting transmitter output strength to minimize errors in data transfer, for rf “traffic” variations.

Abstract: A converter circuit and related technique for providing high power density power conversion includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor transformation stage coupled to a magnetic converter (or regulation) stage. The circuits and techniques achieve high performance over a wide input voltage range or a wide output voltage range. The converter can be used, for example, to power logic devices in portable battery operated devices.

Abstract: A converter circuit and related technique for providing high power density power conversion includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor transformation stage coupled to a magnetic converter (or regulation) stage. The circuits and techniques achieve high performance over a wide input voltage range or a wide output voltage range. The converter can be used, for example, to power logic devices in portable battery operated devices.

Abstract: A power generator includes a plurality of amplifier blocks and a combiner. Each of the amplifier blocks include one or more amplifiers, and the combiner combines modulated power signals output from the amplifier blocks to generate an RF power signal of a load. The amplifier blocks are controlled to outphase the modulated power signals based on a phase angle. Ones of the amplifier blocks may perform discrete modulation to generate a respective one of the modulated power signals. The discrete modulation includes selecting different combinations of the amplifiers in one or more of the amplifier blocks to change the RF power signal in discrete steps. In embodiments, the amplifiers may be radio frequency power amplifiers.

Abstract: Described is a hybrid electronic and magnetic structure that enables a transformer with fractional and reconfigurable effective turns ratios (e.g. 12:0.5, 12:?, 12:1, and 12:2) and hereinafter referred to as a Variable-Inverter-Rectifier-Transformer (VIRT). A VIRT is valuable in converters having wide operating voltage ranges and high step-up/down, as it offers a means to reduce turns count and copper loss within a transformer while facilitating voltage doubling and quadrupling. Such characteristics are beneficial for reducing the size of a transformer stage in many power electronics applications, such as USB wall chargers. In embodiments, a VIRT comprises a plurality of switching cells distributed around a magnetic core and coupled to half-turns wound through that core. By controlling operating modes of the switching cells, it is possible to gain control over flux paths and current paths in the transformer.

Abstract: A power generator includes a plurality of amplifier blocks and a combiner. Each of the amplifier blocks include one or more amplifiers, and the combiner combines modulated power signals output from the amplifier blocks to generate an RF power signal of a load. The amplifier blocks are controlled to outphase the modulated power signals based on a phase angle. Ones of the amplifier blocks may perform discrete modulation to generate a respective one of the modulated power signals. The discrete modulation includes selecting different combinations of the amplifiers in one or more of the amplifier blocks to change the RF power signal in discrete steps. In embodiments, the amplifiers may be radio frequency power amplifiers.

Abstract: Described are concepts, circuits, systems and techniques directed toward N-phase control techniques useful in the design and control of supply generators configured for use in a wide variety of power management applications including, but not limited to mobile applications.

Abstract: A circuit comprising a first capacitor configured to be charged to a voltage representing state information of a compensator, a second capacitor, a buffer circuit configured to charge the second capacitor to a voltage substantially equal to that of the first capacitor and a switching network configured to transition between a first state and a second state. When the switching network is in the first state, the second capacitor is charged to the voltage across the first capacitor. When the switching network is in the second state, the buffer circuit is disconnected from the second capacitor and the first capacitor and the second capacitor are connected in parallel.

Abstract: A magnetic device, including a hybrid core including a first magnetic material as a first flux path that carries a low-frequency flux component and a second magnetic material as a second flux path that carries a high-frequency flux component that is a higher frequency flux component than the low-frequency flux component, in which the hybrid core controls distribution of the low-frequency flux component and substantially separates the low-frequency flux component and the high-frequency component; and at least one set of winding turns. The hybrid core includes at least one air gap to provide control over inductance of the magnetic device.

Abstract: A power supply modulator circuit includes a multi-output power supply that generates multiple power output signals; at least one power modulator circuit generates a modulated power output signal from the multiple power output signals of the multi-output power supply; at least one pulse shaping network (PSN) having at least one passive element, the PSN configured to shape the modulated power output signal; at least one power amplifier coupled to receive the modulated power signal; and a switching network having a plurality of switches to create or modify power signal paths from the at least one power modulator circuit to the at least one power amplifier.

Abstract: A circuit configured to receive a first and second voltages and generate an output voltage, the circuit comprising: a first capacitor configured to charge to a voltage equal a difference between the first voltage and the output voltage; a second capacitor configured to charge to a voltage equal to a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage; and a plurality of conductive paths coupled to the first and second capacitors. In a first state, the conductive paths are configured to cause the second capacitor to charge to the voltage equal to the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. In a second state, the conductive paths are configured to cause the second capacitor to be connected in parallel with the first capacitor to cause the first capacitor to charge to the voltage equal to the difference between the first voltage and the output voltage.

Abstract: In one aspect, described is a magnetic-core inductor design approach that leverages NiZn ferrites with low loss at RF, distributed gaps and field balancing to achieve improved performance eat tens of MHz and at hundreds of watts and above. Also described is an inductor design which achieves “self-shielding” in which the magnetic field generated by the element is wholly contained within the physical volume of the structure rather than extending into space as a conventional air-core inductor would. This approach enables significant reductions of system enclosure volume and improvements in overall system efficiency.

Abstract: Described are concepts, systems, circuits and techniques directed toward methods and apparatus for generating one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) waveforms with the ability to dynamically control pulse width and phase with respect to a reference signal.

Abstract: A dc-dc converter can include a plurality of switches, a piezoelectric resonator (PR) for power stage energy storage, and a means for controlling one or more switching sequences. The switches operate in accordance with the switching sequences to transfer energy from the input to the output via the PR while providing low-loss resonant soft-charging of the PR's capacitance. The switching sequences include: connected stages in which a first and second PR terminals are both connected to one of the input, the output, or the other PR terminal; and open stages in which at least one of the first or second PR terminal is not connected by a closed switch to one of the input, the output, or the other PR terminal.

Abstract: Described are circuits and techniques to increase the efficiency of radio-frequency (rf) amplifiers including rf power amplifiers (PAs) through “supply modulation” (also referred to as “drain modulation” or “collector modulation”), in which supply voltages provided to rf amplifiers is adjusted dynamically (“modulated”) over time depending upon the rf signal being synthesized. For the largest efficiency improvements, a supply voltage can be adjusted among discrete voltage levels or continuously on a short time scale. The supply voltages (or voltage levels) provided to an rf amplifier may also be adapted to accommodate longer-term changes in desired rf envelope such as associated with adapting transmitter output strength to minimize errors in data transfer, for rf “traffic” variations.

Abstract: A converter circuit and related technique for providing high power density power conversion includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor transformation stage coupled to a magnetic converter (or regulation) stage. The circuits and techniques achieve high performance over a wide input voltage range or a wide output voltage range. The converter can be used, for example, to power logic devices in portable battery operated devices.

Abstract: Described are concepts, systems, circuits and techniques directed toward methods and apparatus for generating one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) waveforms with the ability to dynamically control pulse width and phase with respect to a reference signal.