Abstract: Embodiments of current feedback circuits for Direct Current (DC)-DC converters and methods for operating current feedback circuits for DC-DC converters are described. In one embodiment, a current feedback circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a current replication circuit configured to provide current feedback to the DC-DC converter based on an on-time of the DC-DC converter and an alternating current (AC)-coupling circuit configured to add the current feedback to a regulation circuit of the current feedback circuit and to remove a DC voltage from the current replication circuit. The regulation circuit includes a filter circuit configured to compensate for an offset of an output voltage of the DC-DC converter caused by the current feedback. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of current feedback circuits for Direct Current (DC)-DC converters and methods for operating current feedback circuits for DC-DC converters are described. In one embodiment, a current feedback circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a current replication circuit configured to provide current feedback to the DC-DC converter based on an on-time of the DC-DC converter and an alternating current (AC)-coupling circuit configured to add the current feedback to a regulation circuit of the current feedback circuit and to remove a DC voltage from the current replication circuit. The regulation circuit includes a filter circuit configured to compensate for an offset of an output voltage of the DC-DC converter caused by the current feedback. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic units having respective pairs of first and second power terminals connected in series. Each photovoltaic unit in the series includes a bypass switch connected in parallel with the photovoltaic current source of the photovoltaic unit. The bypass switch is configured to provide a bypass of the photovoltaic current source in response to a respective switch control signal. A control circuit determines electrical characteristics of the one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic units by operating the bypass switches of one or more of the photovoltaic units in an open state and operating the bypass switches of the other ones of the photovoltaic units in a closed state. Electrical characteristics exhibited by the series connection of the plurality of photovoltaic units are measured using a detection circuit.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a converter, a first oscillator provides switching signals for switching between charging and discharging of a capacitor, and a second oscillator is configured to add an offset voltage or a feedback-current-dependent voltage to a sawtooth waveform generated by the second oscillator switched in synchronism with the first oscillator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic units having respective pairs of first and second power terminals connected in series. Each photovoltaic unit in the series includes a bypass switch connected in parallel with the photovoltaic current source of the photovoltaic unit. The bypass switch is configured to provide a bypass of the photovoltaic current source in response to a respective switch control signal. A control circuit determines electrical characteristics of the one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic units by operating the bypass switches of one or more of the photovoltaic units in an open state and operating the bypass switches of the other ones of the photovoltaic units in a closed state. Electrical characteristics exhibited by the series connection of the plurality of photovoltaic units are measured using a detection circuit.

Abstract: A sawtooth generator circuit comprises a first triangular waveform generator with equal ramp up and ramp down rates and a second triangular waveform generator with equal ramp up and ramp down rates and which are equal to the ramp up and ramp down rates of the first triangular waveform generator. The first and second triangular waveform generators are controlled to be 180 degrees out of phase. A switching arrangement alternately switches the increasing or decreasing ramps of the first and second triangular waveform generators to an output of the sawtooth generator circuit. The invention provides a sawtooth generator circuit which is suitable for high frequency applications, with low current consumption and low ground bounce. A very fast falling edge can be obtained.

Abstract: A sawtooth generator circuit comprises a first triangular waveform generator with equal ramp up and ramp down rates and a second triangular waveform generator with equal ramp up and ramp down rates and which are equal to the ramp up and ramp down rates of the first triangular waveform generator. The first and second triangular waveform generators are controlled to be 180 degrees out of phase. A switching arrangement alternately switches the increasing or decreasing ramps of the first and second triangular waveform generators to an output of the sawtooth generator circuit. The invention provides a sawtooth generator circuit which is suitable for high frequency applications, with low current consumption and low ground bounce. A very fast falling edge can be obtained.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a converter, a first oscillator provides switching signals for switching between charging and discharging of a capacitor, and a second oscillator is configured to add an offset voltage or a feedback-current-dependent voltage to a sawtooth waveform generated by the second oscillator switched in synchronism with the first oscillator.