Abstract: A variable DC-DC converter includes a no-load voltage clamp in which a rectified, filtered, and loaded control signal drives a switch. The switch switches in a load resistance across the output terminals of the converter when the output terminals are unloaded or lightly loaded. Due to a combined rectification, smoothing, and filtering operation of the control signal circuit, the control signal provides a steady voltage of the output voltage selected by a user of the converter based on predetermined output requirements. The control signal is therefore not subject to the voltage spikes that the main output is subject to. The circuit compares the control signal to the output voltage, and switches in the load resistance when the voltage at the output rises above the control signal.

Abstract: A circuit for supplying an error signal to a controller in a boost or SEPIC DC-DC converter includes first, second, and third Zener diodes, first, second, and third resistors, and a MOSFET or BJT switch. The circuit includes, connected to a common voltage input source, a first branch including the switch, the first Zener diode and the first resistor, a second branch including the second Zener diode and the second resistor. The first and second branches are mutually connected to the third resistor, and the third resistor is connected to the controller. A third branch includes the third Zener diode and connections to the base or gate of the switch and ground. Each of the first, second, and third Zener diodes are reverse-biased. The second and third Zener voltages are equal and higher than the first Zener voltage.

Abstract: A power supply circuit for providing a positive, intermediate, and negative voltage supply includes positive and negative DC voltage buses that connect to a power source; a first voltage divider that is connected between the positive and the negative DC voltage buses, that includes a first transistor connected to the negative DC voltage bus, and that provides the intermediate voltage supply; a second voltage divider that is connected between the positive and the negative DC voltage buses and that is connected to the first transistor; and a short circuit protection module that includes a second transistor connected between outputs of the first and second voltage dividers and connected to the first transistor and that includes a current limiting element connected to the first transistor and configured to limit power dissipated by the first transistor in the case of a short circuit to the intermediate voltage supply.

Abstract: An adjustable three output DC voltage supply circuit includes positive and negative DC voltage buses that connect to a DC power source; a first voltage divider connected between the positive and negative DC voltage buses and including a shunt regulator that is connected to the positive DC voltage bus and that provides an intermediate voltage supply; a second voltage divider connected between the positive or the negative DC voltage bus and the intermediate voltage supply and including an output that is connected to a reference input of the shunt regulator; and a short circuit protection component connected in series to a low voltage side of the shunt regulator and configured to limit the current through the shunt regulator in the case of a short circuit to the intermediate voltage supply.

Abstract: A power supply output device converts an input from a DC-DC converter into a bipolar voltage output that is supplied to a gate driver circuit driving a power switch. The power output supply device includes a clamping circuit that sets the voltage values of the bipolar voltage output at a predetermined voltage through switching of one or more switching elements. The power supply output device allows shunting of a high current on the negative side so that the required bipolar voltage output is reached very rapidly.

Abstract: An embedded magnetic component transformer device includes primary, secondary, and auxiliary windings that are defined by conductive vias connected by conductive traces. The conductive traces and vias of the auxiliary winding are arranged between the conductive traces and vias of respective first and second portions of the primary winding, so that the auxiliary winding is provided substantially in the center of the width of the PCB. Power connections are provided at respective opposing edges of the device, and surface mounted transistors are provided close to the primary winding portions between the auxiliary winding and the edge of the device. The device provides an efficient utilization of the surface conductive traces such that large areas of the surface remain for other functions, such as ground plates. The thermal properties of the device are balanced by distributing the transistors and the power connections.

Abstract: A three-output DC voltage supply for providing a positive, an intermediate, and a negative voltage supply is provided which includes a positive DC voltage bus and a negative DC voltage bus configured to be connected to a DC power source, a first voltage divider connected between the positive DC voltage bus and the negative DC voltage bus, wherein the first voltage divider includes a voltage-setting component and a resistive component, and a short-circuit protection component including first and second transistors of opposite types connected between the voltage-setting component and the resistive component, wherein a base of the first transistor is connected to a collector of the second transistor to define a first base/collector node, a base of the second transistor is connected to a collector of the first transistor to define a second base/collector node, and the intermediate voltage supply is provided by either the first or second gate/collector nodes.

Abstract: An adjustable power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at three output terminals. Two of the output terminals provide gate voltage signals to a power switch control device while the third is connected to a reference voltage. The output voltages may be adjusted using a first and second external resistor enabling power requirements for a wide variety of power switch devices to be satisfied.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first input terminal; a second input terminal; a first output terminal; a second output terminal; a first parallel circuit including a first transistor and a first capacitor; and a second parallel circuit including a first resistor, a second resistor, a diode, and a second capacitor. The first parallel circuit and the second parallel circuit are each connected in parallel between the first input terminal and the second input terminal and in parallel between the first output terminal and the second output terminal.

Abstract: A power supply output device converts an input from a DC-DC converter into a bipolar voltage output of a gate driver circuit driving a power switch. The power output supply device includes an adjusting circuit to measure an output of the gate driver circuit at the gate of the power switch, and to adjust the bipolar voltage output in order to maintain the output of the gate driver circuit at a predetermined voltage. The power supply output device provides a cost-effective technique to regulate the peak positive voltage input into the gate of the power switch at a required voltage, regardless of any fluctuations or losses.

Abstract: A circuit for supplying an error signal to a controller in a boost or SEPIC DC-DC converter includes first, second, and third Zener diodes, first, second, and third resistors, and a MOSFET or BJT switch. The circuit includes, connected to a common voltage input source, a first branch including the switch, the first Zener diode and the first resistor, a second branch including the second Zener diode and the second resistor. The first and second branches are mutually connected to the third resistor, and the third resistor is connected to the controller. A third branch includes the third Zener diode and connections to the base or gate of the switch and ground. Each of the first, second, and third Zener diodes are reverse-biased. The second and third Zener voltages are equal and higher than the first Zener voltage.

Abstract: A power supply output device converts an input from a DC-DC converter into a bipolar voltage output that is supplied to a gate driver circuit driving a power switch. The power output supply device includes a clamping circuit that sets the voltage values of the bipolar voltage output at a predetermined voltage through switching of one or more switching elements. The power supply output device allows shunting of a high current on the negative side so that the required bipolar voltage output is reached very rapidly.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first input terminal; a second input terminal; a first output terminal; a second output terminal; a first parallel circuit including a first transistor and a first capacitor; and a second parallel circuit including a first resistor, a second resistor, a diode, and a second capacitor. The first parallel circuit and the second parallel circuit are each connected in parallel between the first input terminal and the second input terminal and in parallel between the first output terminal and the second output terminal.

Abstract: A reverse polarity protection circuit of a DC-DC converter includes an inductive component. When the DC-DC converter is connected to a power supply with correct polarity, the inductive component of the converter receives power via a body diode of a protection switch. Once the inductive component begins to charge and discharge under control of a driving switch, the protection switch turns on and allows full power to be provided to the inductive component. When the DC-DC converter is connected with reverse polarity, a clamping switch fed by the power supply turns on and connects a control input of the protection switch to ground, turning off the protection switch. The clamping switch is protected by a switch protection device to lower the voltage difference between a control input of the clamping switch and an input of the clamping switch.

Abstract: A variable DC-DC converter includes a no-load voltage clamp in which a rectified, filtered, and loaded control signal drives a switch. The switch switches in a load resistance across the output terminals of the converter when the output terminals are unloaded or lightly loaded. Due to a combined rectification, smoothing, and filtering operation of the control signal circuit, the control signal provides a steady voltage of the output voltage selected by a user of the converter based on predetermined output requirements. The control signal is therefore not subject to the voltage spikes that the main output is subject to. The circuit compares the control signal to the output voltage, and switches in the load resistance when the voltage at the output rises above the control signal.

Abstract: An adjustable power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at three output terminals. Two of the output terminals provide gate voltage signals to a power switch control device while the third is connected to a reference voltage. The output voltages may be adjusted using a first and second external resistor enabling power requirements for a wide variety of power switch devices to be satisfied.

Abstract: A multipurpose power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at four output terminals. Two output terminals may be connected to voltage supply rails to drive a switched-mode power converter. The voltage output at each output terminal relative to ground is different, allowing the voltage rails to be set to voltages suitable for a variety of different power-switch driver circuits by adjusting the output terminals to which the voltage rails are connected. A reference voltage is applied to one output terminal in order to set the values of the voltages at the remaining output terminals.

Abstract: A multipurpose power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at four output terminals. Two output terminals may be connected to voltage supply rails to drive a switched-mode power converter. The voltage output at each output terminal relative to ground is different, allowing the voltage rails to be set to voltages suitable for a variety of different power-switch driver circuits by adjusting the output terminals to which the voltage rails are connected. A reference voltage is applied to one output terminal in order to set the values of the voltages at the remaining output terminals.

Abstract: A multipurpose power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at four output terminals. Two output terminals may be connected to voltage supply rails to drive a switched-mode power converter. The voltage output at each output terminal relative to ground is different, allowing the voltage rails to be set to voltages suitable for a variety of different power-switch driver circuits by adjusting the output terminals to which the voltage rails are connected. A reference voltage is applied to one output terminal in order to set the values of the voltages at the remaining output terminals.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes a transformer including a primary transformer coil connected to a power input terminal; a secondary transformer coil connected to a power output terminal; a switching circuit including a first sense circuit that detects a voltage condition of the transformer, the voltage received at the first sense circuit being used to regulate the duty cycle of the switch and to initiate a hiccup mode that dissipates power in the primary and/or secondary windings when the voltage condition detected at the first sense circuit indicates an overload of the transformer; a second sense circuit that detects an over-current condition at the switch and/or primary winding; and a further feedback path connected between the second sense circuit and the first sense circuit that provides a second signal to the first sense circuit to boost the first signal when an overload is detected, and to initiate the hiccup mode.