Abstract: A solar energy plant may include a DC bus, photovoltaic panels coupled in parallel to the DC bus, each photovoltaic panel having a DC/DC converter, and a first controller controlling the DC/DC converter depending on whether a voltage on the DC bus is equal to or greater than a first threshold and lower than or equal to a second threshold. The solar energy plant may include a DC/AC inverter coupled to the DC bus and outputting an output AC voltage, an auxiliary start-up power supply charging a parasitic capacitance on the DC bus up to the first threshold, and a second controller turning on the auxiliary start-up power supply based upon a start command, and turning off the auxiliary start-up power supply and simultaneously turning on the DC/AC inverter.

Abstract: A solar energy plant may include a DC bus, photovoltaic panels coupled in parallel to the DC bus, each photovoltaic panel having a DC/DC converter, and a first controller controlling the DC/DC converter depending on whether a voltage on the DC bus is equal to or greater than a first threshold and lower than or equal to a second threshold. The solar energy plant may include a DC/AC inverter coupled to the DC bus and outputting an output AC voltage, an auxiliary start-up power supply charging a parasitic capacitance on the DC bus up to the first threshold, and a second controller turning on the auxiliary start-up power supply based upon a start command, and turning off the auxiliary start-up power supply and simultaneously turning on the DC/AC inverter.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes input terminals, which receive a first voltage, and a switching converter stage, provided with a first switching device. The power supply further includes a second switching device, connected between the input terminals and the switching converter stage, and an activation device, associated with the second switching device for controlling the second switching device so as to limit a second voltage applied to the switching converter stage.

Abstract: A method for detecting a null current condition in a PWM driven inductor connected between a voltage source node and a second circuit node of a line for outputting current to a load includes generating a derivative signal by time differentiating a voltage on the second node. The method further includes monitoring an instant when the derivative signal becomes negative, and signaling verification of the null current condition each time the derivative signal becomes negative.

Abstract: A method for detecting a null current condition in a PWM driven inductor connected between a voltage source node and a second circuit node of a line for outputting current to a load includes generating a derivative signal by time differentiating a voltage on the second node. The method further includes monitoring an instant when the derivative signal becomes negative, and signaling verification of the null current condition each time the derivative signal becomes negative.

Abstract: The converter uses the energy stored in the output filter of a step-down (or buck) converter and in the inductor of a step up/down (or buck-boost) converter to supply a second output of opposite sign. In particular, the converter has a first input receiving an input voltage; a first output supplying a first output voltage of a first sign; a second output supplying a second output voltage of opposite sign; a controlled switch connected between the first input and a first intermediate node; an inductor connected between the first intermediate node and the first output; a diode connected between the first intermediate node and a second intermediate node; and a dual voltage generating circuit connected between the second intermediate node and the second output.

Abstract: An SMPS converter with an inductor connected in series to the standard inductor present in the output filter to form an inductive divider supplying an intermediate voltage having an amplitude greater than the output voltage. The intermediate voltage is supplied to a capacitor that stores the voltage during the conduction phase of the integrated circuit that forms the switch of the converter and transfers the voltage during opening of the integrated circuit to a capacitor connected between the output and the supply input of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An SMPS converter with an inductor connected in series to the standard inductor present in the output filter to form an inductive divider supplying an intermediate voltage having an amplitude greater than the output voltage. The intermediate voltage is supplied to a capacitor that stores the voltage during the conduction phase of the integrated circuit that forms the switch of the converter and transfers the voltage during opening of the integrated circuit to a capacitor connected between the output and the supply input of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The converter uses the energy stored in the output filter of a step-down (or buck) converter and in the inductor of a step up/down (or buck-boost) converter to supply a second output of opposite sign. In particular, the converter has a first input receiving an input voltage; a first output supplying a first output voltage of a first sign; a second output supplying a second output voltage of opposite sign; a controlled switch connected between the first input and a first intermediate node; an inductor connected between the first intermediate node and the first output; a diode connected between the first intermediate node and a second intermediate node; and a dual voltage generating circuit connected between the second intermediate node and the second output.