Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid switched capacitor (SC) converter includes (a) generating control signals for controlling switching devices of the hybrid SC converter, in a manner which regulates one or more parameters of the hybrid SC converter, (b) detecting flying capacitor voltage imbalance in the hybrid SC converter, and (c) in response to detecting flying capacitor voltage imbalance in the hybrid SC converter, generating the control signals in a manner which varies switching state duration of the hybrid SC converter, to move flying capacitor voltage towards balance.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid switched capacitor (SC) converter includes (a) generating control signals for controlling switching devices of the hybrid SC converter, in a manner which regulates one or more parameters of the hybrid SC converter, (b) detecting flying capacitor voltage imbalance in the hybrid SC converter, and (c) in response to detecting flying capacitor voltage imbalance in the hybrid SC converter, generating the control signals in a manner which varies switching state duration of the hybrid SC converter, to move flying capacitor voltage towards balance.

Abstract: A method for characterizing electrical impedance of an energy storage device includes the following steps: (a) controlling a first switching power converter to transfer electric power between a first energy storage device and a load, (b) controlling the first switching power converter to generate a sinusoidal perturbation on electric current flowing through the first energy storage device, (c) determining an alternating current (AC) component of the electric current flowing through the first energy storage device, (d) determining an AC component of voltage across the first energy storage device, and (e) determining a complex impedance of the first energy storage device based at least in part on the AC component of the electric current flowing through the first energy storage device and the AC component of the voltage across the first energy storage device.

Abstract: A system for reducing power loss in a switched-capacitor converter includes a first and second switched capacitor sub-converter each having a flying capacitor and a first, second, third, and fourth switching device. Each switching device is controlled by one of a first, second, third, and fourth clock signal. The first, second, third and fourth clock signals of the second switched capacitor sub-converter are inverted such that the first switched capacitor sub-converter operates during a first phase and the second switched capacitor converter operates during a second phase that is 1800 degrees out of phase from the first phase. The system also includes a resonant charge sharing portion for coupling a bottom-plate parasitic capacitance of the first switched capacitor sub-converter to a bottom-plate parasitic capacitance of the second switched capacitor converter.

Abstract: A two-phase interleaved DC-DC converter includes a first and second switched capacitor sub-converter each including a plurality of switching devices and a flying portion coupling to a switching node. The switching node of each of the first and second switched capacitor sub-converters are coupled together to form a common node and an inductor is coupled between the common node and the output node. The two-phase interleaved DC-DC converter may operate at a non-resonant, quasi-resonant or resonant mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for characterizing electrical impedance of an energy storage device includes the following steps: (a) controlling a first switching power converter to transfer electric power between a first energy storage device and a load, (b) controlling the first switching power converter to generate a sinusoidal perturbation on electric current flowing through the first energy storage device, (c) determining an alternating current (AC) component of the electric current flowing through the first energy storage device, (d) determining an AC component of voltage across the first energy storage device, and (e) determining a complex impedance of the first energy storage device based at least in part on the AC component of the electric current flowing through the first energy storage device and the AC component of the voltage across the first energy storage device.

Abstract: A modular battery array includes a plurality of battery modules electrically coupled in series to a high-voltage electric power bus, a low-voltage electric power bus, and a respective switching power converter electrically interfacing each of the plurality of battery modules with the low-voltage electric power bus. Each of the plurality of battery modules includes a plurality of battery cells electrically coupled in series and at least one switching power converter for balancing energy stored in the plurality of battery cells of the battery module.

Abstract: A system and method allows for controlling a resonant switched-mode converter to provide a variable conversion ratio. The system and method operates to control the switching devices such that the impedance of the switched-mode converter is set to a plurality of configurations for a plurality of time intervals. The system and method may further include off-time modulation techniques for varying or maintaining the overall switching period of the switched-mode converter.

Abstract: A system for reducing power loss in a switched-capacitor converter includes a first and second switched capacitor sub-converter each having a flying capacitor and a first, second, third, and fourth switching device. Each switching device is controlled by one of a first, second, third, and fourth clock signal. The first, second, third and fourth clock signals of the second switched capacitor sub-converter are inverted such that the first switched capacitor sub-converter operates during a first phase and the second switched capacitor converter operates during a second phase that is 1800 degrees out of phase from the first phase. The system also includes a resonant charge sharing portion for coupling a bottom-plate parasitic capacitance of the first switched capacitor sub-converter to a bottom-plate parasitic capacitance of the second switched capacitor converter.

Abstract: A system and method allows for controlling a resonant switched-mode converter to provide a variable conversion ratio. The system and method operates to control the switching devices such that the impedance of the switched-mode converter is set to a plurality of configurations for a plurality of time intervals. The system and method may further include off-time modulation techniques for varying or maintaining the overall switching period of the switched-mode converter.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a winding forming N turns, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one. The winding includes a stack of M foil conductors electrically coupled in parallel, where adjacent foil conductors of the stack of M foil conductors are separated from each other by a respective separation layer. M is an integer greater than one. Each separation layer has dimensions such that net magnetic flux in the separation layer is substantially zero when a changing current of equal magnitude flows through each of the M foil conductors. Another magnetic device includes M foil conductors electrically coupled in parallel. M is an integer greater than one. The M foil conductors are magnetically coupled. The other magnetic device further includes a current balancing transformer electrically coupled to the M foil conductors.

Abstract: A magnetic device includes a semiconductor wafer, a spiral winding, and a magnetic core. The spiral winding forms a plurality of turns and is disposed in a channel of the semiconductor wafer. The magnetic core is disposed at least partially in the channel of the semiconductor wafer and at least partially surrounds the plurality of turns. A width of the spiral winding optionally varies such that a respective width of an edge turn is smaller than a respective width of a middle turn. The channel is formed, for example, by a method including (1) patterning a resist layer on the semiconductor wafer using a mask including angularly extending compensation features, and (2) anistropically etching the semiconductor wafer to form the channel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units, and a voltage across a first one of the energy storage devices has a first polarity. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units, and the voltage across the first one of the energy storage devices has a second polarity that is different from the first polarity. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units, and a voltage across a first one of the energy storage devices has a first polarity. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units, and the voltage across the first one of the energy storage devices has a second polarity that is different from the first polarity. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for equalizing voltages across a plurality of photovoltaic units connected in series are provided. The apparatus may include a plurality of energy storage devices. In a first configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a first set of the photovoltaic units. In a second configuration, each of the energy storage devices is configured to be connected in parallel with one of a second set of the photovoltaic units. The apparatus may also include a plurality of switches configured to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration, to equalize the voltages across the photovoltaic units.

Abstract: A proximity detector includes an offset circuit for bringing at least one of a magnetic field signal and a tracking signal towards the other one of the magnetic field signal and the tracking signal when the detector output signal changes state. A magnetic field-to-voltage transducer provides the magnetic field signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field and a peak detector responsive to the magnetic field signal provides the tracking signal which substantially follows the magnetic field signal. A comparator generates the detector output signal which changes state when the magnetic field signal varies from the tracking signal by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A proximity detector includes an offset circuit for bringing at least one of a magnetic field signal and a tracking signal towards the other one of the magnetic field signal and the tracking signal when the detector output signal changes state. A magnetic field-to-voltage transducer provides the magnetic field signal indicative of an ambient magnetic field and a peak detector responsive to the magnetic field signal provides the tracking signal which substantially follows the magnetic field signal. A comparator generates the detector output signal which changes state when the magnetic field signal varies from the tracking signal by a predetermined amount.