Abstract: One or more structures and/or methods are provided. According to some embodiments, a transformer includes a substrate, a first winding having a first foot connected to the substrate, a first leg extending vertically from the first foot, a second foot connected to the substrate, a second leg extending vertically from the second foot, and a third leg extending parallel to the substrate to connect the first leg and the second leg, a second winding having a third foot connected to the substrate, a fourth leg extending vertically from the third foot, a fifth leg connected to the third leg and extending parallel to the substrate to at least partially overlap the third leg, a sixth leg extending vertically from the fifth leg away from the substrate, and a pad connected to the fourth leg, and a core enclosing at least a portion of the third leg and the fifth leg.

Abstract: A switched-capacitor converter includes a rectifier at the output, a plurality of legs coupled between the input and the rectifier, and a controller. Each leg of the switched-capacitor converter includes a capacitor, and a switch device is connected to each leg. A first group of the legs is coupled to a first branch of the rectifier, and a second group of the legs is coupled to a second branch of the rectifier. The controller alternates switching of the first and second groups of legs after startup, to transfer energy from the input to the output during a first part of each switching cycle via the first group of legs and to ground during a second part of each switching cycle via the second group of legs. The controller or a current limited source provides for pre-charging of at least one of the capacitors during startup.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, switch driver includes a first switch driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a first switch, a second driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a second switch, and a first terminal and a second terminal configured to be couple to a boot capacitor. The first terminal is coupled between a boot input of the first switch driver and the second terminal is configured to be coupled to outputs of the first switch and the second switch. The switch driver further includes a voltage measurement circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and a control circuit configured to activate the second switch driver when the voltage measurement circuit indicates that a voltage across boot capacitor is below a first threshold.

Abstract: A switched-capacitor converter includes a rectifier at the output, a plurality of legs coupled between the input and the rectifier, and a controller. Each leg of the switched-capacitor converter includes a capacitor, and a switch device is connected to each leg. A first group of the legs is coupled to a first branch of the rectifier, and a second group of the legs is coupled to a second branch of the rectifier. The controller alternates switching of the first and second groups of legs after startup, to transfer energy from the input to the output during a first part of each switching cycle via the first group of legs and to ground during a second part of each switching cycle via the second group of legs. The controller or a current limited source provides for pre-charging of at least one of the capacitors during startup.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator electrically coupled to a load through an output inductor and operable to regulate a voltage applied to the load, an output capacitor electrically coupled to a node between the inductor and the load, and a charge injection circuit capacitively coupled to the node. The output capacitor is configured to discharge energy stored in the capacitor to the load during step-up transient events at the load and absorb energy from the load during step-down transient events at the load. The charge injection circuit is operable to inject charge onto the output capacitor during the step-up transient events and absorb charge from the output capacitor during the step-down transient events.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, switch driver includes a first switch driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a first switch, a second driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a second switch, and a first terminal and a second terminal configured to be couple to a boot capacitor. The first terminal is coupled between a boot input of the first switch driver and the second terminal is configured to be coupled to outputs of the first switch and the second switch. The switch driver further includes a voltage measurement circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and a control circuit configured to activate the second switch driver when the voltage measurement circuit indicates that a voltage across boot capacitor is below a first threshold.

Abstract: A power stage of a voltage regulator includes a first switch for connecting a load to a supply voltage in a first switching state of the power stage, a second switch for connecting the load to ground in a second switching state of the power stage and driver circuitry for setting the power stage in the first switching state, the second switching state or a non-switching state in which both switches are off responsive to a switching control signal received by the power stage. A power management unit moves the power stage from a nominal power mode to a first low power mode if the power stage is in the non-switching state for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, switch driver includes a first switch driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a first switch, a second driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a second switch, and a first terminal and a second terminal configured to be couple to a boot capacitor. The first terminal is coupled between a boot input of the first switch driver and the second terminal is configured to be coupled to outputs of the first switch and the second switch. The switch driver further includes a voltage measurement circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and a control circuit configured to activate the second switch driver when the voltage measurement circuit indicates that a voltage across boot capacitor is below a first threshold.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit includes a voltage regulator electrically coupled to a load through an output inductor and operable to regulate a voltage applied to the load, an output capacitor electrically coupled to a node between the inductor and the load, and a charge injection circuit capacitively coupled to the node. The output capacitor is configured to discharge energy stored in the capacitor to the load during step-up transient events at the load and absorb energy from the load during step-down transient events at the load. The charge injection circuit is operable to inject charge onto the output capacitor during the step-up transient events and absorb charge from the output capacitor during the step-down transient events.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and circuits are disclosed for a multiphase buck converter with dynamic phase firing that moderates phase output current. In one example, a method includes evaluating a current of a first phase output of the multiphase buck converter. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output not being higher than a current threshold, applying one or more pulses from a first duty cycle signal to the first phase output. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output being higher than the current threshold, applying one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to a second phase output.

Abstract: A power stage of a voltage regulator includes a first switch for connecting a load to a supply voltage in a first switching state of the power stage, a second switch for connecting the load to ground in a second switching state of the power stage and driver circuitry for setting the power stage in the first switching state, the second switching state or a non-switching state in which both switches are off responsive to a switching control signal received by the power stage. A power management unit moves the power stage from a nominal power mode to a first low power mode if the power stage is in the non-switching state for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A power converter includes a first transistor operable to source current to a load when switched on, a second transistor operable to freewheel inductor current or sink current from the load when switched on, and a driver circuit. The driver circuit is operable to switch the first transistor on and the second transistor off during a first period, switch the first transistor off and the second transistor on during a third period after the first period, and connect a gate of the first transistor to a gate of the second transistor during a second period between the first and third periods when the gates of both transistors are floating.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a power circuit having a plurality of transistors which form part of a main current loop of the power circuit, the plurality of transistors arranged in one or more layers of the integrated circuit package. The integrated circuit package further includes a conductive loop electrically decoupled from the plurality of transistors. The conductive loop is spaced apart from the plurality of transistors and in close enough proximity to at least part of the main current loop so that the conductive loop is operable to generate a voltage proportional to an electromagnetic field generated responsive to a change in current in the main current loop. A method of fabricating the integrated circuit package is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and circuits are disclosed for a multiphase buck converter with dynamic phase firing that moderates phase output current. In one example, a method includes evaluating a current of a first phase output of the multiphase buck converter. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output not being higher than a current threshold, applying one or more pulses from a first duty cycle signal to the first phase output. The method further includes, in response to the current of the first phase output being higher than the current threshold, applying one or more pulses from the first duty cycle signal to a second phase output.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, switch driver includes a first switch driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a first switch, a second driver configured to be coupled to a control node of a second switch, and a first terminal and a second terminal configured to be couple to a boot capacitor. The first terminal is coupled between a boot input of the first switch driver and the second terminal is configured to be coupled to outputs of the first switch and the second switch. The switch driver further includes a voltage measurement circuit coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, and a control circuit configured to activate the second switch driver when the voltage measurement circuit indicates that a voltage across boot capacitor is below a first threshold.

Abstract: A circuit includes a power circuit and a current sensing circuit. The power circuit has a main current loop. The current sensing circuit is spaced apart from and electrically decoupled from the power circuit. The current sensing circuit is operable to generate a voltage proportional to an electromagnetic field generated responsive to a current change in the main current loop of the power circuit and generate a current information signal based on the voltage. The current information signal describes the current in the main current loop.

Abstract: A multi-layer integrated circuit package includes a switched-mode power supply circuit including a plurality of transistors which form part of a main current loop of the switched-mode power supply circuit. The plurality of transistors are arranged in one or more layers of the integrated circuit package. The package further includes a conductive plate arranged in a different layer of the integrated circuit package than the plurality of transistors. The conductive plate is in close enough proximity to at least part of the main current loop so that a current can be electromagnetically induced in the conductive plate responsive to a change in current in the main current loop.

Abstract: A power converter includes a first transistor operable to source current to a load when switched on, a second transistor operable to freewheel inductor current or sink current from the load when switched on, and a driver circuit. The driver circuit is operable to switch the first transistor on and the second transistor off during a first period, switch the first transistor off and the second transistor on during a third period after the first period, and connect a gate of the first transistor to a gate of the second transistor during a second period between the first and third periods when the gates of both transistors are floating.

Abstract: A multi-layer integrated circuit package includes a switched-mode power supply circuit including a plurality of transistors which form part of a main current loop of the switched-mode power supply circuit. The plurality of transistors are arranged in one or more layers of the integrated circuit package. The package further includes a conductive plate arranged in a different layer of the integrated circuit package than the plurality of transistors. The conductive plate is in close enough proximity to at least part of the main current loop so that a current can be electromagnetically induced in the conductive plate responsive to a change in current in the main current loop.

Abstract: A circuit includes a power circuit and a current sensing circuit. The power circuit has a main current loop. The current sensing circuit is spaced apart from and electrically decoupled from the power circuit. The current sensing circuit is operable to generate a voltage proportional to an electromagnetic field generated responsive to a current change in the main current loop of the power circuit and generate a current information signal based on the voltage. The current information signal describes the current in the main current loop.