Patents by Inventor Eric Magne Solie
Eric Magne Solie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10498229Abstract: A method to soft start a charge pump circuit according to embodiments includes enabling switching for a plurality of power transistors, selecting a first switching control signal from a plurality of switching control signals for the selected plurality of power transistors, slowly ramping up a plurality of bootstrap supply voltages associated with the selected plurality of power transistors, driving a gate-to-source voltage of each power transistor of the selected plurality of power transistors at a first predefined level, and determining if the plurality of bootstrap supply voltages are less than a second predefined level. If the plurality of bootstrap supply voltages are less than the second predefined level, the method further includes toggling and thereby selecting a second switching control signal from the plurality of switching control signals for a second selected plurality of power transistors.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Intersil Americas LLCInventors: Eric Magne Solie, Mehul Shah, Bin Li, Paul K. Sferrazza
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Publication number: 20170353105Abstract: A method to soft start a charge pump circuit according to embodiments includes enabling switching for a plurality of power transistors, selecting a first switching control signal from a plurality of switching control signals for the selected plurality of power transistors, slowly ramping up a plurality of bootstrap supply voltages associated with the selected plurality of power transistors, driving a gate-to-source voltage of each power transistor of the selected plurality of power transistors at a first predefined level, and determining if the plurality of bootstrap supply voltages are less than a second predefined level. If the plurality of bootstrap supply voltages are less than the second predefined level, the method further includes toggling and thereby selecting a second switching control signal from the plurality of switching control signals for a second selected plurality of power transistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Intersil Americas LLCInventors: Eric Magne SOLIE, Mehul SHAH, Bin LI, Paul K. SFERRAZZA
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Patent number: 9819257Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a circuit including a DC-to-DC converter and a switching device to selectively isolate an input voltage from an input node of the DC-to-DC converter. The circuit also includes a controller coupled to the input node and to the switching device. The controller is configured to apply a test voltage to the input node, to enable the switching device to be switched from a non-conductive state to a conductive state if a voltage on the input node is above a threshold while the test current is applied to the input node, and to restrict the switching device from being switched from the non-conductive state to the conductive state if the voltage on the input node is below the threshold while the test current is applied to the input node.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLCInventors: Eric Magne Solie, Bin Li
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Publication number: 20170012528Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a circuit including a DC-to-DC converter and a switching device to selectively isolate an input voltage from an input node of the DC-to-DC converter. The circuit also includes a controller coupled to the input node and to the switching device. The controller is configured to apply a test voltage to the input node, to enable the switching device to be switched from a non-conductive state to a conductive state if a voltage on the input node is above a threshold while the test current is applied to the input node, and to restrict the switching device from being switched from the non-conductive state to the conductive state if the voltage on the input node is below the threshold while the test current is applied to the input node.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Bin Li
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Patent number: 7990116Abstract: A modulator for use with a voltage regulator includes an input for receiving an input voltage, an output for providing a periodic triangular wave form and at least one input for receiving an indication that the voltage regulator is in a discontinuous current mode of operation. The circuitry within the modulator generates the periodic triangular wave form responsive to the input voltage and the indication that the voltage regulator is in the discontinuous current mode of operation. The circuitry further continuously increases a period of the periodic triangular wave form responsive to a decreased load in a discontinuous current mode of operation of the voltage regulator.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Robert Leon Lyle, Jr.
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Patent number: 7948213Abstract: A method for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected a/c power adapter comprising the steps of determining a state of a transistor connecting a regulated voltage to the battery and switching a charging current applied to the battery between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to the state of the transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Ronil Depak Patel, Tu A. Bui
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Patent number: 7880443Abstract: The charging circuit for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected AC power adaptor includes circuitry responsive to an applied regulated voltage for charging the battery connected to the charging circuitry. The circuitry prevents the regulated voltage applied to the circuitry from falling below a settable voltage level. Additionally, the circuitry switches a charging current between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to a state of a transistor.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Ronil Dipak Patel, Tu A. Bui
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Publication number: 20090195218Abstract: A method for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected a/c power adapter comprising the steps of determining a state of a transistor connecting a regulated voltage to the battery and switching a charging current applied to the battery between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to the state of the transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Ronil Dipak Patel, Tu A. Bui
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Publication number: 20090108826Abstract: A modulator for use with a voltage regulator includes an input for receiving an input voltage, an output for providing a periodic triangular wave form and at least one input for receiving an indication that the voltage regulator is in a discontinuous current mode of operation. The circuitry within the modulator generates the periodic triangular wave form responsive to the input voltage and the indication that the voltage regulator is in the discontinuous current mode of operation. The circuitry further continuously increases a period of the periodic triangular wave form responsive to a decreased load in a discontinuous current mode of operation of the voltage regulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2008Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: INTERSIL AMERICAS INC.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Robert Leon Lyle, JR.
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Publication number: 20080088274Abstract: The charging circuit for charging a battery of an electronic device using a connected AC power adaptor includes circuitry responsive to an applied regulated voltage for charging the battery connected to the charging circuitry. The circuitry prevents the regulated voltage applied to the circuitry from falling below a settable voltage level. Additionally, the circuitry switches a charging current between a quick charge level and a trickle charge level responsive to a state of a transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: INTERSIL CORPORATIONInventors: ERIC MAGNE SOLIE, RONIL DEPAK PATEL, TU A. BUI
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Patent number: 7235955Abstract: A controllably alternating buck mode DC-DC converter conducts cycle by cycle analysis of the direction of inductor current flow to decide whether to operate in synchronous buck mode or standard buck mode for the next successive cycle. For each cycle of the PWM waveform controlling the buck mode DC-DC converter, a mode control circuit examines and latches data representative of the direction of inductor current flow relative to the chargeable battery. If the inductor current flow is positive, a decision is made to operate in synchronous buck mode for the next PWM cycle, which allows positive current to charge the battery; if the inductor current drops to zero, a decision is made to operate the converter in standard buck mode for the next PWM cycle, so as to prevent current from flowing out of the battery and boosting the system bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2005Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Thomas A. Jochum
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Patent number: 7199558Abstract: Using an overcurrent detector and one-shot, an AC-DC adapter interface and battery charging circuit is operative, in response to the total current being drawn from an AC-DC adapter exceeding a prescribed limit, to immediately reduce (e.g., interrupt) the supply of battery charging current for a prescribed interval, and thereafter allow the battery charging current to incrementally adjust to an acceptable level, while maintaining the total current drawn from the AC-DC adapter to less than the prescribed limit.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Susan Montgomery Schneider, legal representative, Michael Edwin Schneider, deceased
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Patent number: 6998829Abstract: A soft start circuit for a DC-DC converter has an input reference voltage coupled to an error amplifier and to a soft start capacitor. A feedback resistor is coupled between an output node and the error amplifier, whose output is coupled to a pulse width modulator (PWM). The PWM output is coupled through an inductor to the output node, to which an output capacitor referenced to ground is coupled. Means is provided to charge up the soft start capacitor to the output voltage while the converter is disabled. As a result, when enabled, the converter will not discharge the output capacitor, but will ramp the output voltage to the voltage Vref without excessive currents.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventor: Eric Magne Solie
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Publication number: 20040228152Abstract: A soft start circuit for a DC-DC converter has an input reference voltage coupled to an error amplifier and to a soft start capacitor. A feedback resistor is coupled between an output node and the error amplifier, whose output is coupled to a pulse width modulator (PWM). The PWM output is coupled through an inductor to the output node, to which an output capacitor referenced to ground is coupled. Means is provided to charge up the soft start capacitor to the output voltage while the converter is disabled. As a result, when enabled, the converter will not discharge the output capacitor, but will ramp the output voltage to the voltage Vref without excessive currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: Intersil Americas Inc., State of Incorporation: DelawareInventor: Eric Magne Solie
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Patent number: RE42142Abstract: A controllably alternating buck mode DC-DC converter conducts cycle by cycle analysis of the direction of inductor current flow to decide whether to operate in synchronous buck mode or standard buck mode for the next successive cycle. For each cycle of the PWM waveform controlling the buck mode DC-DC converter, a mode control circuit examines and latches data representative of the direction of inductor current flow relative to the chargeable battery. If the inductor current flow is positive, a decision is made to operate in synchronous buck mode for the next PWM cycle, which allows positive current to charge the battery; if the inductor current drops to zero, a decision is made to operate the converter in standard buck mode for the next PWM cycle, so as to prevent current from flowing out of the battery and boosting the system bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Thomas A. Jochum
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Patent number: RE43513Abstract: A controllably alternating buck mode DC-DC converter conducts cycle by cycle analysis of the direction of inductor current flow to decide whether to operate in synchronous buck mode or standard buck mode for the next successive cycle. For each cycle of the PWM waveform controlling the buck mode DC-DC converter, a mode control circuit examines and latches data representative of the direction of inductor current flow relative to the chargeable battery. If the inductor current flow is positive, a decision is made to operate in synchronous buck mode for the next PWM cycle, which allows positive current to charge the battery; if the inductor current drops to zero, a decision is made to operate the converter in standard buck mode for the next PWM cycle, so as to prevent current from flowing out of the battery and boosting the system bus.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Thomas A. Jochum
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Patent number: RE43538Abstract: A controllably alternating buck mode DC-DC converter conducts cycle by cycle analysis of the direction of inductor current flow to decide whether to operate in synchronous buck mode or standard buck mode for the next successive cycle. For each cycle of the PWM waveform controlling the buck mode DC-DC converter, a mode control circuit examines and latches data representative of the direction of inductor current flow relative to the chargeable battery. If the inductor current flow is positive, a decision is made to operate in synchronous buck mode for the next PWM cycle, which allows positive current to charge the battery; if the inductor current drops to zero, a decision is made to operate the converter in standard buck mode for the next PWM cycle, so as to prevent current from flowing out of the battery and boosting the system bus.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Intersil Americas Inc.Inventors: Eric Magne Solie, Thomas A. Jochum