Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter circuit and a method for operating the power converter circuit. The power converter circuit includes at least one converter stage and a control circuit. The at least one converter stage includes an input configured to receive an input power, an output configured to supply an output power, a first electronic switch, and a first inductor coupled to the first electronic switch. The control circuit includes a hysteresis controller configured to drive the first electronic switch based on a current measurement signal representing a current through the inductor, a first threshold signal, and a second threshold signal, and an operating point controller configured to detect an operating point of the converter stage to generate the first threshold signal and the second threshold signal based on the detected operating point.

Abstract: A multiphase power converter circuit includes at least two single phase power converter circuits. Each single phase power converter circuit includes at least one converter series circuit with a number of converter units. The converter series circuit is configured to output a series circuit output current. A synchronization circuit is configured to generate at least one synchronization signal. At least one of the converter units is configured to generate an output current such that at least one of a frequency and a phase of the output current is dependent on the synchronization signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter circuit and a method for operating the power converter circuit. The power converter circuit includes at least one converter stage and a control circuit. The at least one converter stage includes an input configured to receive an input power, an output configured to supply an output power, a first electronic switch, and a first inductor coupled to the first electronic switch. The control circuit includes a hysteresis controller configured to drive the first electronic switch based on a current measurement signal representing a current through the inductor, a first threshold signal, and a second threshold signal, and an operating point controller configured to detect an operating point of the converter stage to generate the first threshold signal and the second threshold signal based on the detected operating point.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first power converter circuit and a second power converter circuit. The input of the second power converter circuit is coupled to the output of the first power converter circuit and is configured to receive an input signal. A rechargeable battery is coupled to the output of the first power converter circuit. A charge control circuit is configured to control charging the rechargeable battery by controlling the second power converter circuit.

Abstract: Voltage converter controllers, voltage converters and methods are discussed regarding the adjustment of an on-time of an auxiliary switch of a voltage converter. First and second voltages are measured before a primary switch of the voltage converter is turned on and while the primary switch is turned on, and the on-time is adjusted based on the voltages.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling current through a transistor includes measuring a voltage across the transistor, measuring a current through the transistor, determining a safe operating current for the measured voltage across the transistor, and adjusting a voltage of a control node of the transistor using a feedback controller until the measured current through the transistor is not greater than the determined safe operating current.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of controlling a switch driver includes energizing a first inductor in a first direction with a first energy; transferring the first energy from the first inductor to a second inductor, wherein the second inductor is coupled between a second switch-driving terminal of the switch driver and a second internal node, and the second inductor is magnetically coupled to the first inductor; asserting a first turn-on signal at the second switch-driving terminal using the transferred first energy; energizing the first inductor in a second direction opposite the first direction with a second energy after asserting the first turn-on signal at the second switch-driving terminal; transferring the second energy from the first inductor to the second inductor; and asserting a first turn-off signal at the second switch-driving terminal using the transferred second energy.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes converting power by a power converter circuit having a plurality of converter cells coupled to a supply circuit. Converting the power includes a plurality of successive activation sequences and, in each activation sequence, activating at least some of the plurality of converter cells at an activation frequency. The activation frequency is dependent on at least one of an output power and an output current of the power converter circuit.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a chopper circuit configured to receive an input voltage and generate a chopper voltage with an alternating voltage level based on the input voltage, an autotransformer including at least one tap, the autotransformer being coupled to the chopper circuit and configured to generate a tap voltage at the at least one tap, and a selector circuit configured to receive a plurality of voltage levels. At least one of these the voltage levels is based on the at least one tap voltage. The selector circuit is further configured to generate a selector output voltage based on the plurality of voltage levels such that the selector circuit selects two of the plurality of voltage levels and switches at a switching frequency between the two voltage levels.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power converter circuit and a method for operating the power converter circuit. The power converter circuit includes at least one converter stage and a control circuit. The at least one converter stage includes an input configured to receive an input power, an output configured to supply an output power, a first electronic switch, and a first inductor coupled to the first electronic switch. The control circuit includes a hysteresis controller configured to drive the first electronic switch based on a current measurement signal representing a current through the inductor, a first threshold signal, and a second threshold signal, and an operating point controller configured to detect an operating point of the converter stage to generate the first threshold signal and the second threshold signal based on the detected operating point.

Abstract: A method of operating a converter includes: charging an LC tank coupled between a switching network and a primary winding of a transformer for a first period of time by connecting the LC tank to one or more input capacitors via the switching network, where the switching network includes a first half-bridge coupled between a first supply terminal and a center node, and a second half-bridge coupled between the center node and a second supply terminal; preventing energy transfer from the primary winding of the transformer to a secondary winding of the transformer during the charging of the LC tank; and after charging the LC tank, discharging the LC tank for a second period of time by disconnecting a terminal of the LC tank from the one or more input capacitors.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The power converter circuit uses energy conveyed from the primary winding of the transformer through the secondary winding of the transformer to produce an output voltage to power a load. Control circuitry of the power converter circuit initiates conveying a portion of the received energy through the secondary winding back through the primary winding to control a magnitude of the output voltage. For example, if the magnitude of the output voltage is above a desired setpoint value, such as due to a transient load condition or change in the setpoint of the output voltage, the control circuitry reduces the magnitude of the output voltage by conveying excess energy from an output capacitor (that stores the output voltage) through the secondary winding to the primary winding.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes converting power by a power converter circuit having a plurality of converter cells coupled to a supply circuit. Converting the power includes a plurality of successive activation sequences and, in each activation sequence, activating at least some of the plurality of converter cells at an activation frequency. The activation frequency is dependent on at least one of an output power and an output current of the power converter circuit.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A primary circuit is coupled to the primary winding. A secondary circuit is coupled to the secondary winding. The primary circuit and the secondary circuit are referenced to different ground voltage potentials that may vary with respect to each other. During operation, the primary circuit controls input of energy to the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary circuit receives the energy through the secondary winding and uses it to produce an output voltage to power a load. The secondary circuit receives and/or generates state information at one of multiple different levels. The secondary circuit controls a flow of current through the secondary winding to convey the state information as feedback to the primary circuit. The primary circuit analyzes a voltage at a node of the primary winding to receive the feedback.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a converter includes: a rectifying stage having a first supply terminal and a second supply terminal, the first supply terminal and the second supply terminal configured to receive a bipolar ac signal from an AC power source, the rectifying stage including a half-bridge circuit coupled between the first supply terminal and the second supply terminal, a transformer, and a resonant tank coupled between an output of the half-bridge circuit and a primary winding of the transformer; and a DC-DC converter stage coupled between the rectifying stage and an output terminal.

Abstract: Examples of power converter circuits and power conversion methods are disclosed. One example of a power converter circuit includes an input configured to receive an input voltage and an output configured to provide an output voltage; a main converter coupled between a main converter input and the output and comprising a first winding and a second winding that are inductively coupled; and an auxiliary converter comprising an auxiliary converter input coupled to a third winding and an auxiliary converter output, wherein the third winding is inductively coupled with the first winding and the second winding. The auxiliary converter output is coupled between the input and the main converter input.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes output terminals configured to receive an external voltage. A series circuit with a number of converter units is connected between the output terminals of the power converter circuit. Each converter unit includes input terminals configured to be coupled to a DC power source and output terminals configured to provide an output current. At least one converter unit of the converter units includes a signal generator configured to receive a synchronization signal and to generate a continuous synchronization signal from the synchronization signal. The power converter circuit can be operated in a normal operation mode. In the normal operation mode, the at least one converter unit is configured to regulate generation of the output current such that a frequency and/or a phase of the output current are dependent on the continuous synchronization signal.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A primary circuit is coupled to the primary winding. A secondary circuit is coupled to the secondary winding. The primary circuit and the secondary circuit are referenced to different ground voltage potentials that may vary with respect to each other. During operation, the primary circuit controls input of energy to the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary circuit receives the energy through the secondary winding and uses it to produce an output voltage to power a load. The secondary circuit receives and/or generates state information at one of multiple different levels. The secondary circuit controls a flow of current through the secondary winding to convey the state information as feedback to the primary circuit. The primary circuit analyzes a voltage at a node of the primary winding to receive the feedback.

Abstract: Disclosed is a semiconductor device arrangement including a first semiconductor device having a load path, and a plurality of second transistors, each having a load path between a first and a second load terminal and a control terminal. The second transistors have their load paths connected in series and connected in series to the load path of the first transistor, each of the second transistors has its control terminal connected to the load terminal of one of the other second transistors, and one of the second transistors has its control terminal connected to one of the load terminals of the first semiconductor device.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving by a drive circuit electrical power from a voltage tap of a first rectifier circuit that includes a load path and a voltage tap, and using the electrical power by the drive circuit to drive a second rectifier circuit that includes a load path. The load path of the first rectifier circuit and the load path of the second rectifier circuit are coupled to a common circuit node.