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

Abstract: A power converter controller includes a primary controller and a secondary controller. The primary controller is coupled to receive one or more request signals from the secondary controller and transition a power switch from an OFF state to an ON state in response to each of the received request signals. The primary controller is coupled to detect a turn-off condition when the power switch is in the ON state and transition the power switch from the ON state to the OFF state in response to detection of the turn-off condition. The secondary controller is galvanically isolated from the primary controller. The secondary controller is coupled to transmit the request signals to the primary controller and control the amount of time between the transmission of each of the request signals.

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

Abstract: An example integrated control circuit includes a regulator, a first comparator, a second comparator, and a counter. The regulator is to charge, during a time period, a capacitor. The first comparator is to provide an output indicating when a voltage on the capacitor reaches a first threshold voltage. The second comparator is coupled to provide an output indicating when the voltage on the capacitor reaches a second threshold voltage. The counter is coupled to begin counting in response to the first threshold voltage being reached and is coupled to stop counting in response to the second threshold voltage being reached. The counter is coupled to provide an output representative of the capacitance value of the capacitor during the time period and the integrated control circuit receives a bias current at the terminal from the capacitor to provide power to operate the integrated control circuit after the time period has ended.

Abstract: A method of operation for flyback power converter includes operating a controller of the flyback power converter in a regulation mode when a control signal is below a first threshold. The control signal is provided as an input to a terminal of the flyback power converter. When the control signal is below a second threshold and above the first threshold, the controller is operated in a limiting mode. The controller is operated in an external command mode when the control signal is below a third threshold and above the second threshold. Lastly, when the control signal is above the third threshold, the controller is operated in a protection mode.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package for use in a switch mode power converter comprises an encapsulation and a lead frame. A portion of the lead frame is disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor having a first conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation. The lead frame also includes a second conductor galvanically isolated from the first conductor. The second conductor includes a second conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation proximate to and magnetically coupled to the first conductive loop to provide a communication link between the first and second conductors. A first control die including a first control circuit is coupled to the first conductor. A second control die including a second control circuit is coupled to the second conductor. One or more control signals are communicated between the first and second control dice through the communication link.

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

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an encapsulation and a lead frame. A portion of the lead frame is disposed within encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor having a first conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation. The lead frame also includes a second conductor that is galvanically isolated from the first conductor. The second conductor includes a second conductive loop that is substantially disposed within the encapsulation proximate to and magnetically coupled 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 control circuit coupled to control switching of a power switch coupled between a positive input supply rail of the power converter and an energy transfer element input of the power converter. A sampling circuit is coupled to the control circuit and is coupled to receive a signal across the energy transfer element input during an off time of the power switch to provide a sampled output of the converter. The sampled output of the power converter is disabled from being resampled by the sampling circuit during an on time of the power switch. A switch conduction scheduling circuit is included in the control circuit and is coupled to the sampling circuit such that the control circuit is coupled to switch the power switch in response to the sampled output of the power converter.

Abstract: A circuit includes a control circuit coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of a power converter. A switch is coupled to the control circuit 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. The control circuit is coupled to discharge a capacitance coupled between input terminals of the power converter through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time in the second operating mode.

Abstract: A stacked switching circuit with normally-on devices includes a first normally-on switch coupled between a first input rail and an output port, and is coupled to be switched in response to a first control signal. A second normally-on switch is coupled to the output port and is coupled to a normally-off switch in a cascode coupled configuration. A second terminal of the normally-off switch is coupled to a second input rail. The normally-off switch is coupled to be switched in response to a second control signal. Switching of the stacked switching circuit is coupled to provide chopped high frequency pulses through the output port. Current flow through the stacked switching circuit between the first input rail and the second input rail is blocked at startup.

Abstract: A controller includes a current sense circuit and a voltage regulation circuit. The current sense circuit generates a first signal that indicates whether a current through a sense terminal exceeds a first threshold current level, which indicates a fault condition of a power converter. The voltage regulation circuit regulates the sense terminal to a first voltage level when the current through the terminal is less than the first threshold current level and regulates the sense terminal to a second voltage level when the current exceeds the first threshold current level. The current sense circuit generates a second signal that indicates whether the current through the sense terminal exceeds a second threshold current level while the sense terminal is regulated to the second voltage level. The response circuit generates an output signal that determines a response of the controller to the fault condition based on the second signal.

Abstract: A power converter includes an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and a power converter output. A power switch is coupled to the energy transfer element and the power converter input. A feedback sampling circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of the power converter output to generate at least one feedback signal sample during each switching cycle. A switch conduction scheduling circuit is coupled to set a number of enabled cycles and a number of disabled cycles of the power switch in a plurality of future switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples for each present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles. A switch conduction control circuit is coupled to enable or disable conduction of the power switch during a switching cycle to control an amount of energy transferred from the power converter input to the power converter output.

Abstract: A method of operation for flyback power converter includes operating a controller of the flyback power converter in a regulation mode when a control signal is below a first threshold. The control signal is provided as an input to a terminal of the flyback power converter. When the control signal is below a second threshold and above the first threshold, the controller is operated in a limiting mode. The controller is operated in an external command mode when the control signal is below a third threshold and above the second threshold. Lastly, when the control signal is above the third threshold, the controller is operated in a protection mode.

Abstract: A controller for use in a power converter includes a comparator coupled to receive a signal representative of an output of the power converter. A counter is coupled to an output of the comparator to sample the output of the comparator a plurality of times within a period. A state machine is coupled to an output of the counter to control switching of the power converter according to one of a plurality of operating condition states in response to the output of the counter. The state machine is coupled to be updated at an end of the period.

Abstract: A power converter includes a dc input having first and second terminals. A main converter is coupled to the first terminal of the dc input. A standby circuit coupled to the second terminal of the dc input and the main converter. The main converter is coupled to control a transfer of energy from the dc input through the standby circuit to a main output of the main converter during a normal operating condition of the power supply. The standby circuit is coupled to decouple the main converter from the second terminal of the dc input during a standby operating condition of the power converter. A standby converter is coupled to the first and second terminals of the dc input to control a transfer of energy from the dc input to a standby output of the standby converter during the standby operating condition of the power converter.

Abstract: A switch is coupled to a control circuit and to an input of a power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode to transfer energy from the input to an output of the power converter when an 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. A capacitance is coupled between input terminals of the input of the power converter and is discharged to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input terminals. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch to have a high average impedance in the first operating mode.

Abstract: A control circuit includes a feedback circuit, a drive signal generator, an unregulated dormant mode and output reset control circuit, and a counter. The feedback circuit generates an enable signal and in response, the drive signal generator regulates the output of the power converter. The unregulated dormant mode and output reset control circuit powers down the drive signal generator such that the regulation is ceased when the energy requirement at the output has fallen below a threshold. The drive signal generator is then powered up after a first period of time such that the regulation resumes. The counter then counts cycles of a clock signal for which the enable signal indicates an increase in the energy requirement at the output. The counter disables the drive signal generator when a count of the counter reaches a threshold number to discharge the output to less than a regulation output voltage value.

Abstract: A power converter is disclosed. An example power converter includes an energy transfer element coupled between a power converter input and a power converter output. A power switch is coupled to the energy transfer element and the power converter input. A feedback sampling circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of the power converter output to generate feedback signal samples during switching cycles. A switch conduction scheduling circuit is coupled to determine enabling and disabling of the power switch in future switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles. A switch conduction control circuit is coupled to enable or disable conduction of the power switch during a switching cycle to control an amount of energy transferred from the power converter input to the power converter output.

Abstract: A method, in a power supply controller, of responding to an increase in current through a terminal of the power supply controller, is disclosed. The method includes regulating the terminal to a first voltage level and sensing a magnitude of a first current through the terminal while the controller is regulating the terminal to the first voltage level. The method also includes providing an initial response by the power supply controller in response to the magnitude of the first current exceeding a first threshold current level and then regulating the terminal to a second voltage level after the magnitude of the first current exceeds the first threshold current level. The magnitude of a second current through the terminal is sensed while the controller is regulating the terminal to the second voltage level and the controller determines a final response based on the magnitude of the second current.