Abstract: A power converter including a control circuit configured to output a control signal, and a semiconductor module. The semiconductor module includes a semiconductor chip, a switching device provided on the semiconductor chip, the switching device being configured to be turned on and off in response to the control signal, and a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the semiconductor chip. The control circuit is configured to monitor a thermal resistance of the semiconductor module based on a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, a second temperature corresponding to a temperature of the semiconductor module, and a power consumption of the switching device.

Abstract: A power converter including a control circuit configured to output a control signal, and a semiconductor module. The semiconductor module includes a semiconductor chip, a switching device provided on the semiconductor chip, the switching device being configured to be turned on and off in response to the control signal, and a first temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of the semiconductor chip. The control circuit is configured to monitor a thermal resistance of the semiconductor module based on a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor, a second temperature corresponding to a temperature of the semiconductor module, and a power consumption of the switching device.

Abstract: A fully integrated DC-DC converter utilizes digitally controlled dual output stages to achieve fast load transient recovery is presented. The DC-DC converter includes a main converter output stage connected in parallel with an auxiliary output stage. The main output stage is responsible for steady-state operation and is designed to achieve high conversion efficiency using large inductor and power transistors with low on-resistance. The auxiliary stage is responsible for transient suppression and is only active when a load transient occurs. The auxiliary output stage performs well with inductor and power transistors much smaller than those of the main switching stage and thus achieves well balanced power conversion efficiency and dynamic performance with a much smaller area penalty than previously described dual-output-stage converters.

Abstract: A fully integrated DC-DC converter utilizes digitally controlled dual output stages to achieve fast load transient recovery is presented. The DC-DC converter includes a main converter output stage connected in parallel with an auxiliary output stage. The main output stage is responsible for steady-state operation and is designed to achieve high conversion efficiency using large inductor and power transistors with low on-resistance. The auxiliary stage is responsible for transient suppression and is only active when a load transient occurs. The auxiliary output stage performs well with inductor and power transistors much smaller than those of the main switching stage and thus achieves well balanced power conversion efficiency and dynamic performance with a much smaller area penalty than previously described dual-output-stage converters.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus controls a drive of an inductive load having a current flowing therethrough. The drive control apparatus includes a drive control device for controlling a variation of the current flowing through the inductive load within a certain period by Pulse Width Modulation control so as to come close to a reference current value, and a reference value control device for controlling a fluctuation period of the reference current value and making the fluctuation period of the reference current value longer than that of the current flowing through the inductive load by the Pulse Width Modulation control.

Abstract: A drive control apparatus controls a drive of an inductive load having a current flowing therethrough. The drive control apparatus includes a drive control device for controlling a variation of the current flowing through the inductive load within a certain period by Pulse Width Modulation control so as to come close to a reference current value, and a reference value control device for controlling a fluctuation period of the reference current value and making the fluctuation period of the reference current value longer than that of the current flowing through the inductive load by the Pulse Width Modulation control.

Abstract: A data transmission method superimposes a spread code onto data in order to synthesize a first signal. The method changes the switching frequency of a switching power supply based on the first signal, transmitting the second signal to a plurality of semiconductor apparatuses (satellite apparatuses) via an output line of the switching power supply. The method changes the DC output voltage level of the second signal on the output line of the switching power supply wherein a satellite apparatus may use the second signal for controlling and instructing the satellite apparatuses to make the satellite apparatus shift, for example, from the stopped state or the sand-by mode to the normal operation mode so that the satellite apparatus may receive the first signal.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic induction element includes a ferrite substrate, a coil provided across the ferrite substrate and including connection conductors and coil conductors, and terminals provided on perimeter portions of the substrate. Terminals capable of being adversely affected by an induced magnetic flux, such as a VDD terminal, a CGND terminal, an IN terminal, a PVDD terminal, a PGND terminal, an FB terminal, a CE terminal, and an AL terminal are arranged along the Y-direction of the substrate, in which the magnetic flux density is low. Terminals substantially incapable of being adversely affected by an induced magnetic flux are arranged along the X-direction of the substrate, in which the magnetic flux density is high. A micro electric power converter having the thin film magnetic induction element is less susceptible to circuit malfunctions.

Abstract: A data transmission method superimposes a spread code onto data in order to synthesize a first signal. The method changes the switching frequency of a switching power supply based on the first signal, transmitting the second signal to a plurality of semiconductor apparatuses (satellite apparatuses) via an output line of the switching power supply. The method changes the DC output voltage level of the second signal on the output line of the switching power supply wherein a satellite apparatus may use the second signal for controlling and instructing the satellite apparatuses to make the satellite apparatus shift, for example, from the stopped state or the sand-by mode to the normal operation mode so that the satellite apparatus may receive the first signal.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic induction element includes a ferrite substrate, a coil provided across the ferrite substrate and including connection conductors and coil conductors, and terminals provided on perimeter portions of the substrate. Terminals capable of being adversely affected by an induced magnetic flux, such as a VDD terminal, a CGND terminal, an IN terminal, a PVDD terminal, a PGND terminal, an FB terminal, a CE terminal, and an AL terminal are arranged along the Y-direction of the substrate, in which the magnetic flux density is low. Terminals substantially incapable of being adversely affected by an induced magnetic flux are arranged along the X-direction of the substrate, in which the magnetic flux density is high. A micro electric power converter having the thin film magnetic induction element is less susceptible to circuit malfunctions.

Abstract: A micro power converter with multiple outputs includes a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor integrated circuit formed thereon, a thin film magnetic induction unit, and a capacitor. The thin film magnetic induction unit is formed of a plurality of thin film magnetic induction components formed on magnetic insulation substrates, and a magnetic isolation layer is provided for magnetically isolating the thin film magnetic induction components with each other.