Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a switch controller coupled to a power switch coupled to an energy transfer element. The switch controller is coupled to receive a current sense signal representative of a drain current through the power switch. The switch controller is coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of the power switch in response to the current sense signal and a modulated current limit signal to control a transfer of energy from an input to an output of the power converter. A current limit generator is coupled to generate a current limit signal. A jitter generator is coupled to generate a jitter signal. An arithmetic operator circuit is coupled to generate the modulated current limit signal in response to the current limit signal and the jitter signal.

Abstract: A control circuit for use in an isolated power converter includes an output-side first controller having a switch control signal generator and an extremum locator. The switch control signal generator communicates a control signal to a second controller on the input side of the power converter via an isolated interface to initiate a transition of a switch from an OFF state to an ON state. The extremum locator enables the switch control signal generator to communicate the control signal in response to an oscillating voltage signal at an output terminal of the energy transfer element. The extremum locator enables the switch control signal generator such that the transition of the switch from the OFF state to the ON state occurs substantially at a time that the oscillating voltage signal reaches an extremum.

Abstract: A circuit for use in a power converter includes a control circuit coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of the power converter. A switch is coupled to the control circuit, and is coupled to transfer energy from the input of the power converter to an output of the power converter during a first operating mode. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in the first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power converter to drive the switch to discharge a capacitance coupled between input terminals of the power converter to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time.

Abstract: Energy in a power converter is regulated by receiving a first signal representative of an output voltage and a second signal representative of a current of the power converter. An output current of the power converter is determined in response to at least one of the first and second signals. An inner maximum output power point corresponding to a first value of output voltage and a first value of output current is determined. An outer maximum output power point corresponding to a second value of output voltage and a second value of output current is determined. A maximum capability boundary between the inner maximum output power point and the outer maximum output power point is determined. A power switch is switched to regulate the output voltage and the output current of the power converter such that the maximum output power is lower than the maximum capability boundary.

Abstract: A method of operating a power converter includes applying a first signal sequence to one or more terminals of the power converter to unlock a controller of the power converter and cause the controller to enter a programming mode, applying a second signal sequence to the one or more terminals of the power converter to program a controller parameter of the power converter, and applying a third signal sequence to the one or more terminals to lock the controller of the power converter and cause the power converter to enter a locked mode. The one or more terminals of the power converter includes one or more input terminals of the power converter that converter are adapted to be coupled to a programmable ac or dc supply, or one or more output terminals of the power converter that are adapted to be coupled to a programmable electronic load.

Abstract: A secondary control circuit includes a voltage regulator circuit coupled to an output of the power converter to provide a regulated power supply. One or more switched loads are coupled between a first terminal and an output ground terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the output of the power converter. Each switched load is coupled to draw a respective current from a load current to clamp the output of a power converter. One or more comparator circuits are coupled to a second terminal. The second terminal is coupled to receive an output sense signal. Each comparator circuit is coupled to receive a reference signal that is a scaled representation of a first reference signal. Each switched load is switched in response to a respective comparator circuit to draw a respective current from the load current of the power converter to clamp the output of the power converter.

Abstract: This relates to systems and processes for programming parameters of a controller of a power converter. In one example, a predetermined signal may be applied to the input or output terminals of the power converter to unlock the controller and cause the controller to enter a programming mode. While in the programming mode, one or more additional predetermined signals may be applied to the terminals of the power converter to program one or more parameters of the controller. Once the desired parameters have been programmed, another predetermined signal may be applied to the terminals of the power converter to cause the controller to exit the programming mode and enter a locked mode. The predetermined signals applied to the terminals of the power converter can include an ac or dc signal having a predetermined pattern of changes in frequency, amplitude, and/or magnitude that are applied for a fixed or variable duration.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a drive circuit coupled to control switching of a power switch of the power converter to regulate the output of the power converter. A limit sense circuit is coupled to output a limit sense signal in response to a condition of the power converter. The drive circuit is coupled to operate in a first operation mode if there is a no limit condition. The first operation mode includes regulating the output of the power converter with a regulated output voltage and a first maximum output current. The drive circuit is coupled to operate in a second operation mode if there is a limit condition. The second operation mode regulating the output of the power converter with the regulated output voltage and a second maximum output current wherein the second maximum output current is less than the first maximum output current.

Abstract: Energy in a power converter is regulated by receiving a first signal representative of an output voltage and a second signal representative of a current of the power converter. An output current of the power converter is determined in response to at least one of the first and second signals. An inner maximum output power point corresponding to a first value of output voltage and a first value of output current is determined. An outer maximum output power point corresponding to a second value of output voltage and a second value of output current is determined. A maximum capability boundary between the inner maximum output power point and the outer maximum output power point is determined. A power switch is switched to regulate the output voltage and the output current of the power converter such that the maximum output power is lower than the maximum capability boundary.

Abstract: A controller includes a primary controller and a secondary controller to control switching of a power switch and a secondary switch, respectively, coupled to an energy transfer element of a power converter. A first drive circuit is coupled to generate a first drive signal to enable a first ON section of the secondary drive signal after an ON section of the primary drive signal. A second drive circuit is coupled to generate a second drive signal to enable a second ON section of the secondary drive signal to store energy in the energy transfer element. The energy stored in the energy transfer element during the second ON section is coupled to reduce a switch voltage across the power switch prior to a next ON section of the primary drive signal. The secondary drive signal is generated in response to the first drive signal and the second drive signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an encapsulation and a lead frame with a portion of the lead frame disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes first and second conductive loops. A first voltage is induced between first and second ends of the first conductive loop in response to an external magnetic field that passes through the integrated circuit package. A second voltage is induced between third and fourth ends of the second conductive loop of the lead frame in response to the external magnetic field that passes through the integrated circuit package. The first conductive loop is coupled to the second conductive loop such that the first voltage between the first and second ends combined with the second voltage between the third and fourth ends substantially cancel.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an electromagnetic communication link formed by a portion of a lead frame within an encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor forming a first conductive loop a second conductor forming a second conductive loop galvanically isolated from the first conductive loop. The second conductive loop is magnetically coupled to the first conductive loop to provide a magnetic communication link between the first and second conductors. A first transceiver circuit includes a transmit circuit coupled to the first conductive loop. A second transceiver circuit includes a receive circuit coupled to the second conductive loop. A signal transmitted from the transmit circuit included in first transceiver circuit and coupled to the first conductor is coupled to be magnetically communicated through the magnetic communication link to the receive circuit included in second transceiver circuit and coupled to the second conductor.

Abstract: A method for regulating a flow of energy from an input to an output of a power converter includes receiving a first signal representative of an output voltage, and receiving a second signal representative of a current of the power converter. An output current of the power converter is determined in response to at least one of the first and second signals. A power switch of the power converter is switched to regulate the output current of the power converter to a substantially constant output current value for a first range of power converter output voltages, to regulate an output power of the power converter to a substantially constant power value for a second range of power converter output voltages, and to regulate the output voltage of the power converter at substantially a highest output voltage value of the second range of power converter output voltages.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an encapsulation and a lead frame with a portion of the lead frame disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor having a first conductive loop and a third conductive loop disposed within the encapsulation. The third conductive loop is wound in a direction relative to the first conductive loop such that the first conductive loop is coupled out of phase with the third conductive loop. The lead frame also includes a second conductor galvanically isolated from the first conductor. The second conductor includes a second conductive loop disposed within the encapsulation proximate to the first conductive loop to provide a communication link between the first and second conductors.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a switch controller coupled to a power switch coupled to an energy transfer element. The switch controller is coupled to receive a current sense signal representative of a drain current through the power switch. The switch controller is coupled to generate a drive signal to control switching of the power switch in response to the current sense signal and a modulated current limit signal to control a transfer of energy from an input to an output of the power converter. A current limit generator is coupled to generate a current limit signal. A jitter generator is coupled to generate a jitter signal. An arithmetic operator circuit is coupled to generate the modulated current limit signal in response to the current limit signal and the jitter signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an encapsulation and a lead frame. A portion of the lead frame is disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor forming a first conductive loop. A second conductor is galvanically isolated from the first conductor. The second conductor forms a second conductive loop proximate to and magnetically coupled to the first conductive loop to provide a magnetic communication link between the first and second conductors. A signal that is transmitted from a transmit circuit coupled to the first conductor is coupled to be received through the magnetic communication link by a receive circuit coupled to the second conductor.

Abstract: This relates to systems and processes for programming parameters of a controller of a power converter. In one example, a predetermined signal may be applied to the input or output terminals of the power converter to unlock the controller and cause the controller to enter a programming mode. While in the programming mode, one or more additional predetermined signals may be applied to the terminals of the power converter to program one or more parameters of the controller. Once the desired parameters have been programmed, another predetermined signal may be applied to the terminals of the power converter to cause the controller to exit the programming mode and enter a locked mode. The predetermined signals applied to the terminals of the power converter can include an ac or dc signal having a predetermined pattern of changes in frequency, amplitude, and/or magnitude that are applied for a fixed or variable duration.

Abstract: A control circuit for use in an isolated power converter includes an output-side first controller having a switch control signal generator and an extremum locator. The switch control signal generator communicates a control signal to a second controller on the input side of the power converter via an isolated interface to initiate a transition of a switch from an OFF state to an ON state. The extremum locator enables the switch control signal generator to communicate the control signal in response to an oscillating voltage signal at an output terminal of the energy transfer element. The extremum locator enables the switch control signal generator such that the transition of the switch from the OFF state to the ON state occurs substantially at a time that the oscillating voltage signal reaches an extremum.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a drive circuit coupled to control switching of a power switch of the power converter to regulate the output of the power converter. A limit sense circuit is coupled to output a limit sense signal in response to a condition of the power converter. The drive circuit is coupled to operate in a first operation mode if there is a no limit condition. The first operation mode includes regulating the output of the power converter with a regulated output voltage and a first maximum output current. The drive circuit is coupled to operate in a second operation mode if there is a limit condition. The second operation mode regulating the output of the power converter with the regulated output voltage and a second maximum output current wherein the second maximum output current is less than the first maximum output current.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package for use in a switch mode power converter includes a portion of a lead frame disposed within an encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor having an inner conductive loop disposed within the encapsulation, and a second conductor galvanically isolated from the first conductor having an outer conductive loop disposed within the encapsulation and magnetically coupled to the first conductive loop to provide a communication link between the first and second conductors. First and second control circuits are coupled to the first and second conductors, respectively. The first control circuit is coupled to control a switching circuit in response to one or more control signals communicated between first and second dice that include the first and second control circuits, respectively, through the communication link to regulate a transfer of energy from an input to an output of the switch mode power converter.