Abstract: A power supply for a portable electronic device includes power circuitry for converting AC power from an AC power supply to DC power for the portable device. A processor is coupled to the power circuitry for receiving a plurality of parameters. The processor determines the status of the power supply responsive to the plurality of the parameters and generates a signal to drive an indicator providing an indication of the status of the power supply.

Abstract: A monolithic digital power supply controller is disclosed for controlling the operation of a switched power supply. The controller is contained within an integrated circuit package enclosing an integrated circuit chip. A plurality of inputs are provided on the package for interfacing with the switched power supply for receiving sensed inputs therefrom. A plurality of outputs provide switch control signals for turning on and off switches in the switched power supply. An integrated digital controller on the chip receives the inputs and generates the outputs, and includes an integrated instruction based processing engine for providing a portion of the digital control of the digital controller. A memory associated with the processing engine stores instructions for the processing engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for forcing outputs of a digital controller of a switching power converter to a safe state during shutdown of the switching power converter is described. The apparatus includes a multiplexer providing an output signal of the digital controller and having a first input of the multiplexer connected to receive a switching control signal control signal from the digital controller. The multiplexer also has a plurality of inputs from control registers providing programmed safe state values. The multiplexer connects one of the first input or the inputs from the plurality of control registers to the output of the multiplexer responsive to a multiplexer control signal. Control logic generates the multiplexer control signal responsive to at least one of an end of frame interrupt, an over current interrupt, an enable interrupt or a software bypass signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing over current protection for a digital pulse width modulator is disclosed. The apparatus includes first logic circuitry for generating a primary interrupt indicating that a detected output current is greater than a threshold current. Second logic circuitry generates a secondary input responsive to the occurrence to the primary interrupt for a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A system for monitoring interrupts to a processor includes a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs connected to receive various analog inputs. The multiplexer further has an output which is programmably connected to one of the plurality of inputs responsive to a control signal. An analog to digital converter is connected to the output of the multiplexer for converting an analog signal at the output to a digital signal. An auto-scan block generates the control signal provided to the multiplexer. The control signal selects ones of the plurality of inputs of the multiplexer for connection to the output in a programmably defined order.

Abstract: A microcontroller unit (MCU) is disclosed with a stand-alone Real Time Clock (RTC). The MCU includes a processing circuit for receiving digital information and processing said received digital information. A primary clock circuit provides the timing for the processing circuit. A power control circuit controls the power to the processing circuit and the primary clock circuit to control the operation thereof to operate in at least a full power mode drawing a full power level from a supply voltage input and a reduced power mode drawing less than the full power level from the supply voltage input. A stand-alone RTC circuit is also provided, the stand-alone RTC circuit including an RTC clock circuit operating independent of the primary clock circuit. A timer clocked by the RTC clock circuit is operable to increment a stored time value for output therefrom, the RTC clock circuit having a defined time base. An input/output (I/O) device provides access by the processing circuit to the results output by the timer.

Abstract: Digital control circuit for switching power supply with pattern generator. A method is disclosed for converting DC power from a first voltage level on an input to a different voltage level on an output for delivery to a load. Current from the input is switched to the output through an inductive element with a plurality of switches, each of the switches driven by a waveform, all of the waveforms driving the switches referenced with a predetermined relationship to a master clock and all operating on a PWM duty cycle of the master clock. The voltage/current parameters on the input and output are measured and then a control algorithm is utilized to determine a change in the PWM duty cycle necessary to make a control move, the control algorithm utilizing as inputs the measured voltage/current parameters. A pre-stored waveform pattern for each of the waveforms is then modified to reflect the change in the PWM duty cycle required for the control move.

Abstract: A matrix of routing cells forming a cross-bar decoder (310). Signal triplets are coupled through the cross-bar decoder (310) based on control by a microprocessor. A register (50) provide control signals to the cross-bar decoder (310) to either activate or deactivate routing of the triplet signals through cells of the cross-bar decoder (310). The routing cells are arranged in a matrix of columns and rows. Each row of cells is associated with a common data signal input, and each column of the matrix is associated with a common I/O pin. The cells are individually enabled by the microprocessor so that any data signal can be coupled to any of the I/O pins. In addition to routing data signals through the cells, other signals are also routed through the cells.