Abstract: A system comprising a current sensor for sensing an average output current and/or an average input current of a circuit is presented. There is a first switch, the first switch being arranged to selectively couple a sensing node of the circuit to a first voltage, wherein the current sensor comprises a pulse density modulator configured to generate a pulse density modulated signal. The pulse density modulated signal is dependent on an average current flowing through the first switch. The current sensor is configured to sense the average output current and/or the average input current of the circuit using the pulse density modulated signal.

Abstract: A system provides a current sensor for sensing an average output current of a switching power converter, which includes an energy storage element and a power converter switch coupled at a switching node, the power converter switch being arranged to selectively couple the energy storage element to a converter reference voltage, wherein the current sensor includes a pulse density modulator configured to generate a pulse density modulated signal, the pulse density modulated signal being dependent on an average current flowing through the power converter switch; and the current sensor is configured to sense the average output current of the switching power converter using the pulse modulated signal.

Abstract: The proposed Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) features the option to synchronize the charge-pump of a PMIC with the system clock, and then to swap and self-oscillate and skip pulses, when the digital controls of the PMIC send a first order to the charge-pump. The clock control circuitry of the PMIC also features the option for the charge-pump to then swap and use the system clock again, when the digital controls of the PMIC send a second order to the charge-pump. The designed transition of the clock from clock sync-mode to self-oscillate, and from self-oscillate back to clock sync-mode, does not present any phase discontinuity.

Abstract: A charge pump controller for controlling a charge pump adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage with a conversion ratio is presented. The charge pump is operable in a plurality of modes corresponding to different conversion ratios. The controller includes a first selector for selecting a mode of operation of the charge pump. The first selector comprises a first input for coupling to a voltage supply; and a second input for coupling to a source signal. The first selector identifies a target value of the output voltage. The selector calculates a product of the conversion ratio and the input voltage. The selector compares the product with the target value and selects a mode of operation of the charge pump by increasing or decreasing the conversion ratio based on the comparison. The selector maintains the conversion ratio for a length of time before decreasing the conversion ratio.

Abstract: A charge pump controller for controlling a charge pump adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage with a conversion ratio is presented. The charge pump is operable in a plurality of modes corresponding to different conversion ratios. The controller includes a first selector for selecting a mode of operation of the charge pump. The first selector comprises a first input for coupling to a voltage supply; and a second input for coupling to a source signal. The first selector identifies a target value of the output voltage. The selector calculates a product of the conversion ratio and the input voltage. The selector compares the product with the target value and selects a mode of operation of the charge pump by increasing or decreasing the conversion ratio based on the comparison. The selector maintains the conversion ratio for a length of time before decreasing the conversion ratio.

Abstract: A power supply is disclosed. The power supply includes a switching converter for providing an output voltage comprising a power switch coupled to a driver for driving the power switch with an on-off switching cycle; and a voltage threshold indicator. The voltage threshold indicator includes an input for receiving an output of the converter, and an output coupled to the driver. The voltage threshold indicator is adapted to provide a temperature compensated voltage threshold, and a control signal to control the on-off switching cycle. The control signal is adapted such that when the output voltage exceeds the temperature compensated voltage threshold, a value of the control signal changes.

Abstract: A charge pump controller for controlling a charge pump adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage with a conversion ratio is presented. The charge pump is operable in a plurality of modes corresponding to different conversion ratios. The controller includes a first selector for selecting a mode of operation of the charge pump. The first selector comprises a first input for coupling to a voltage supply; and a second input for coupling to a source signal. The first selector identifies a target value of the output voltage. The selector calculates a product of the conversion ratio and the input voltage. The selector compares the product with the target value and selects a mode of operation of the charge pump by increasing or decreasing the conversion ratio based on the comparison. The selector maintains the conversion ratio for a length of time before decreasing the conversion ratio.

Abstract: A power converter for providing an output voltage is presented. The power converter includes an inductor, a charge pump circuit and a controller. The charge pump circuit has a plurality of charge pumps; each charge pump being selectively coupled to the inductor via a coupling switch. Each charge pump is operable in at least three modes. Each mode is associated with a different conversion ratio. The controller is adapted to provide a first set of control signals to control the coupling switches; and a second set of control signals to operate the charge pump circuit. The second set of control signals is configured to operate a charge pump coupled to the inductor with a sequence of modes.

Abstract: A charge pump controller for controlling a charge pump adapted to convert an input voltage into an output voltage with a conversion ratio is presented. The charge pump is operable in a plurality of modes corresponding to different conversion ratios. The controller includes a first selector for selecting a mode of operation of the charge pump. The first selector comprises a first input for coupling to a voltage supply; and a second input for coupling to a source signal. The first selector identifies a target value of the output voltage. The selector calculates a product of the conversion ratio and the input voltage. The selector compares the product with the target value and selects a mode of operation of the charge pump by increasing or decreasing the conversion ratio based on the comparison. The selector maintains the conversion ratio for a length of time before decreasing the conversion ratio.

Abstract: A switch mode power supply, which functions in a continuous current mode and a discontinuous mode employing a zero crossing control circuit for determining a polarity of an inductor current and from the polarity of the inductor current, controlling an operational state of a switching section of the switch mode power supply such that the inductor current becomes approximately zero amperes at the end of each demagnetization phase of operation.

Abstract: An auto-calibrated current sensing comparator is provided. A secondary dynamic comparator shares the same inputs and acts to adjust a calibration control of the current sensing comparator. The calibration control may be in the form of adjusting the offset of the current sensing comparator or adjusting a propagation delay that is added to its output.

Abstract: A buck-boost switching converter which receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage is presented. The converter contains a first set of switches having a first power switch and a first ground switch, a second set of switches having a second power switch and a second ground switch. A controller is arranged to send control signals to the first and second set of switches. The controller is arranged such that in a buck mode, the first set of switches operates to provide buck regulation while the second power switch is held in a closed state. In a boost mode, the second set of switches operates to provide boost regulation while the first power switch is held in a closed state, and the controller is arranged to selectively operate the buck-boost switching converter in the buck mode or the boost mode based on a length of a time period.

Abstract: A buck-boost switching converter which receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage is presented. The converter contains a first set of switches having a first power switch and a first ground switch, a second set of switches having a second power switch and a second ground switch. A controller is arranged to send control signals to the first and second set of switches. The controller is arranged such that in a buck mode, the first set of switches operates to provide buck regulation while the second power switch is held in a closed state. In a boost mode, the second set of switches operates to provide boost regulation while the first power switch is held in a closed state, and the controller is arranged to selectively operate the buck-boost switching converter in the buck mode or the boost mode based on a length of a time period.

Abstract: A method of operating a charge pump where successive values of a charge pump output voltage are measured and compared is presented. The result of the comparison is used to adjust one or more parameters of the charge pump operation A charge pump's maximum efficiency is tracked by storing and comparing successive output voltage values, with sample and hold circuitry.

Abstract: The proposed Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) features the option to synchronize the charge-pump of a PMIC with the system clock, and then to swap and self-oscillate and skip pulses, when the digital controls of the PMIC send a first order to the charge-pump. The clock control circuitry of the PMIC also features the option for the charge-pump to then swap and use the system clock again, when the digital controls of the PMIC send a second order to the charge-pump. The designed transition of the clock from clock sync-mode to self-oscillate, and from self-oscillate back to clock sync-mode, does not present any phase discontinuity.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to achieve a hysteretic buck-boost converter system, separating buck and boost pulses based on monitoring a difference between the output voltage of the buck-boost converter and a reference voltage (error voltage) or alternatively based on monitoring additionally coil current or load current or both currents have been disclosed. The performance of the buck-boost converter can be further improved by using an optional output voltage change block monitoring if the output voltage rises or falls. The buck-boost converter disclosed has a very simple topology without a modulator block, which is regulating the duty cycle and without frequency compensation.

Abstract: An auto-calibrated current sensing comparator is provided. A secondary dynamic comparator shares the same inputs and acts to adjust a calibration control of the current sensing comparator. The calibration control may be in the form of adjusting the offset of the current sensing comparator or adjusting a propagation delay that is added to its output.

Abstract: The proposed Power Management Integrated Circuit (PMIC) features the option to synchronize the charge-pump of a PMIC with the system clock, and then to swap and self-oscillate and skip pulses, when the digital controls of the PMIC send a first order to the charge-pump. The clock control circuitry of the PMIC also features the option for the charge-pump to then swap and use the system clock again, when the digital controls of the PMIC send a second order to the charge-pump. The designed transition of the clock from clock sync-mode to self-oscillate, and from self-oscillate back to clock sync-mode, does not present any phase discontinuity.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to achieve a hysteretic buck-boost converter system, separating buck and boost pulses based on monitoring a difference between the output voltage of the buck-boost converter and a reference voltage (error voltage) or alternatively based on monitoring additionally coil current or load current or both currents have been disclosed. The performance of the buck-boost converter can be further improved by using an optional output voltage change block monitoring if the output voltage rises or falls. The buck-boost converter disclosed has a very simple topology without a modulator block, which is regulating the duty cycle and without frequency compensation.

Abstract: A power supply is disclosed. The power supply includes a switching converter for providing an output voltage comprising a power switch coupled to a driver for driving the power switch with an on-off switching cycle; and a voltage threshold indicator. The voltage threshold indicator includes an input for receiving an output of the converter, and an output coupled to the driver. The voltage threshold indicator is adapted to provide a temperature compensated voltage threshold, and a control signal to control the on-off switching cycle. The control signal is adapted such that when the output voltage exceeds the temperature compensated voltage threshold, a value of the control signal changes.