Abstract: An error amplifier circuit for a DC-DC power converter controller is disclosed for providing an amplified error signal to a switch control circuit, the circuit comprising an error amplifier first stage. The first stage comprises: a first input terminal for receiving a voltage proportional to an output voltage of the converter; an output node; a first operational transconductance amplifier in a first path between the input terminal and the output node and having a first input connected to the input terminal, a second input connectable to a reference signal, and an output connected to the output node; and a second, parallel, path comprising a series combination of an amplifier, a second OTA and a capacitor. The second OTA has an output connected to the capacitor, a first input connected to an output of the amplifier, and a second input connected to the output. Associated control circuits, controllers and converters are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a pulse-triggered level shifter circuit comprising: i) a command circuit configured to shift a command input signal of a first voltage domain to a command output signal of a second voltage domain, the command circuit comprising: a) a command input stage for receiving the command input signal, and b) a command output stage for providing the command output signal; and ii) a feedback circuit coupled to the command circuit and configured to shift a feedback input signal of a third voltage domain to a feedback output signal of a forth voltage domain, the feedback circuit comprising: c) a feedback input stage for receiving the command output signal as the feedback input signal, and d) a feedback output stage for providing the feedback output signal. The command circuit and the feedback circuit are hereby integrated into one single level shifter circuit.

Abstract: There is described a pulse-triggered level shifter circuit comprising: i) a command circuit configured to shift a command input signal of a first voltage domain to a command output signal of a second voltage domain, the command circuit comprising: a) a command input stage for receiving the command input signal, and b) a command output stage for providing the command output signal; and ii) a feedback circuit coupled to the command circuit and configured to shift a feedback input signal of a third voltage domain to a feedback output signal of a forth voltage domain, the feedback circuit comprising: c) a feedback input stage for receiving the command output signal as the feedback input signal, and d) a feedback output stage for providing the feedback output signal. The command circuit and the feedback circuit are hereby integrated into one single level shifter circuit.

Abstract: An error amplifier circuit for a DC-DC power converter controller is disclosed for providing an amplified error signal to a switch control circuit, the circuit comprising an error amplifier first stage. The first stage comprises: a first input terminal for receiving a voltage proportional to an output voltage of the converter; an output node; a first operational transconductance amplifier in a first path between the input terminal and the output node and having a first input connected to the input terminal, a second input connectable to a reference signal, and an output connected to the output node; and a second, parallel, path comprising a series combination of an amplifier, a second OTA and a capacitor. The second OTA has an output connected to the capacitor, a first input connected to an output of the amplifier, and a second input connected to the output. Associated control circuits, controllers and converters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A galvanic isolation circuit comprising: a galvanic isolator having a first side and a second side; a first communication link connected to the first side of the galvanic isolator and connectable to a first transceiver a second communication link connected to the second side of the galvanic isolator and connectable to a second transceiver; a first reference terminal connectable to the first transceiver; a second reference terminal connectable to the second transceiver; and an AC short capacitor connected between the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal.

Abstract: A galvanic isolation circuit comprising: a galvanic isolator having a first side and a second side; a first communication link connected to the first side of the galvanic isolator and connectable to a first transceiver a second communication link connected to the second side of the galvanic isolator and connectable to a second transceiver; a first reference terminal connectable to the first transceiver; a second reference terminal connectable to the second transceiver; and an AC short capacitor connected between the first reference terminal and the second reference terminal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to facilitating communications to respective circuit nodes in a manner that may also be useful for mitigating undesirable signal attenuation. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, switchable isolation circuits, presented by at least one transformer and switch, are utilized to isolate adjacent data processing nodes on a bus in which each data processing node includes logic circuitry and processes signal therein. For each of the switchable isolation circuits, switching circuitry operates to mitigate communication propagation over the differential bus between adjacent data processing nodes, by switching the switchable isolation circuit for providing isolation. This approach may be utilized, for example, to assign sequential identification to daisy-chained circuit nodes upon start-up or reset, for use in addressing each node directly for further communication therewith.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to facilitating communications to respective circuit nodes in a manner that may also be useful for mitigating undesirable signal attenuation. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, switchable isolation circuits, presented by at least one transformer and switch, are utilized to isolate adjacent data processing nodes on a bus in which each data processing node includes logic circuitry and processes signal therein. For each of the switchable isolation circuits, switching circuitry operates to mitigate communication propagation over the differential bus between adjacent data processing nodes, by switching the switchable isolation circuit for providing isolation. This approach may be utilized, for example, to assign sequential identification to daisy-chained circuit nodes upon start-up or reset, for use in addressing each node directly for further communication therewith.

Abstract: A noise suppression circuit comprises a switchable transistor and an amplifier having a first amplifier input terminal electrically coupled to an output terminal of the switchable transistor for sensing a voltage thereat, and an amplifier output terminal electrically coupled to a control terminal of the switchable transistor for outputting a control voltage thereto.

Abstract: A spread-spectrum clock generation circuit comprises at least one comparison element; at least one charge storage device arranged to couple an output of the at least one comparison element to an input of the at least one comparison element and arranged to set a first oscillation frequency of the spread-spectrum clock generation circuit; and a switched charge storage arrangement additionally arranged to couple an output of the at least one comparison element to an input of the at least one comparison element and arranged to set a second oscillation frequency of the spread-spectrum clock generation circuit.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device comprises a maximum-allowed-current unit and a power switch. The maximum-allowed-current unit determines a maximum allowed current in real-time. The maximum allowed current is determined at least partially on an instantaneous level of a load voltage. The load voltage is a voltage across a load to be powered. The power switch is connectable with a switch input to a voltage supply and with a switch output to the load, for providing power to said load. The power switch has a conductive state and a nonconductive state, and is arranged to assume the nonconductive state in response to an indication that a current through the power switch is exceeding the maximum allowed current. A method of operating a power switch is also described.

Abstract: A method of regulating an output voltage of an alternator. The method comprises measuring first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to first and second output contacts of the alternator respectively during an ON state of an excitation cycle for the alternator, measuring a second voltage across the first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module during an OFF state of an excitation cycle for the alternator, deriving an average voltage value of the first and second voltage measurements, and deriving an offset value based at least partly on the derived average voltage value. The method further comprises measuring an instantaneous voltage across the first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module, and configuring a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the alternator based at least partly on the instantaneous voltage measurement and the derived offset value.

Abstract: A noise suppression circuit comprises a switchable transistor and an amplifier having a first amplifier input terminal electrically coupled to an output terminal of the switchable transistor for sensing a voltage thereat, and an amplifier output terminal electrically coupled to a control terminal of the switchable transistor for outputting a control voltage thereto.

Abstract: A spread-spectrum clock generation circuit comprises at least one comparison element; at least one charge storage device arranged to couple an output of the at least one comparison element to an input of the at least one comparison element and arranged to set a first oscillation frequency of the spread-spectrum clock generation circuit; and a switched charge storage arrangement additionally arranged to couple an output of the at least one comparison element to an input of the at least one comparison element and arranged to set a second oscillation frequency of the spread-spectrum clock generation circuit.

Abstract: A method of regulating an output voltage of an alternator. The method comprises measuring first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module operably coupled to first and second output contacts of the alternator respectively during an ON state of an excitation cycle for the alternator, measuring a second voltage across the first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module during an OFF state of an excitation cycle for the alternator, deriving an average voltage value of the first and second voltage measurements, and deriving an offset value based at least partly on the derived average voltage value. The method further comprises measuring an instantaneous voltage across the first and second external contacts of the alternator regulator module, and configuring a control signal for regulating the output voltage of the alternator based at least partly on the instantaneous voltage measurement and the derived offset value.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement comprises a plurality of current channels located in different die areas of a shared circuit die, at least one of the plurality of current channels comprising a power device; at least one sense circuit connected to one or more of the different die areas and arranged to provide a sense current from sensing a current through a primary of the plurality of current channels comprising one of the different die areas. The at least one sense circuit comprises a compensation module arranged to provide a compensation current adapted to at least partly compensate a deviation of the sense current caused by crosstalk between the primary and one or more secondary of the plurality of current channels depending on one or more secondary currents flowing through the one or more secondary current channels; wherein the compensation module is arranged to provide the compensation current at least partly as a weighted sum of the one or more secondary currents.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement comprises a plurality of current channels located in different die areas of a shared circuit die at least one of the plurality of current channels comprising a power device; at least one sense circuit connected to one or more of the different die areas and arranged to provide a sense current from sensing a current through a primary of the plurality of current channels comprising one of the different die areas. The at least one sense circuit comprises a compensation module arranged to provide a compensation current adapted to at least partly compensate a deviation of the sense current caused by crosstalk between the primary and one or more secondary of the plurality of current channels depending on one or more secondary currents flowing through the one or more secondary current channels; wherein the compensation module is arranged to provide the compensation current at least partly as a weighted sum of the one or more secondary currents.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device comprises a maximum-allowed-current unit and a power switch. The maximum-allowed-current unit determines a maximum allowed current in real-time. The maximum allowed current is determined at least partially on an instantaneous level of a load voltage. The load voltage is a voltage across a load to be powered. The power switch is connectable with a switch input to a voltage supply and with a switch output to the load, for providing power to said load. The power switch has a conductive state and a nonconductive state, and is arranged to assume the nonconductive state in response to an indication that a current through the power switch is exceeding the maximum allowed current. A method of operating a power switch is also described.

Abstract: An overcurrent protection device comprises a maximum-allowed-current unit and a power switch having a conductive state and a nonconductive state. The maximum-allowed-current unit determines a time-dependent maximum allowed current according to a supply voltage. The power switch assumes the nonconductive state in response to an indication that a current through the power switch is exceeding the maximum allowed current. A method of operating a power switch is also described.