Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.

Abstract: A power converter and method to detect a light load condition at an output of the power converter are presented. The power converter may have an inductor and a resistive element connected between an input of the power converter and an input of the inductor. The power converter may have a first chopping unit to generate a chopped voltage signal at an output of said first chopping unit, wherein the chopped voltage signal is generated by chopping an inductor voltage at the input of said inductor based on a duty cycle of the power converter. The power converter may have a reference current source, wherein the reference current source and a replica resistive element are arranged in series. The power converter may have a comparator unit to generate, based on the reference potential and based on the chopped voltage signal, a signal indicative of said light load condition.

Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.

Abstract: A memory element is provided in which a logical state can be securely stored in all conditions even when input set and reset signals are overlapping. This is achieved through provision of an array of persistence latches with an asynchronous circuit that ensures correct operation. The persistence latches provide a persistent output for each of the first and second edges of each input. The memory element is arranged to receive a plurality of inputs including a first and second input. Each first and second inputs include a digital signal that can transition between a first state via a first edge which triggers transition from the first state to the second state and a second edge which triggers transition from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: A switching power converter is configured to control switching noise by implementing a plurality of pulse width modulation modes of operation. The peak current in each pulse width modulation mode of operation is controlled so that an output power for the switching power converter is continuous with regard to transitions between the pulse width modulation modes.

Abstract: A memory element is provided in which a logical state can be securely stored in all conditions even when input set and reset signals are overlapping. This is achieved through provision of an array of persistence latches with an asynchronous circuit that ensures correct operation. The persistence latches provide a persistent output for each of the first and second edges of each input. The memory element is arranged to receive a plurality of inputs including a first and second input. Each first and second inputs include a digital signal that can transition between a first state via a first edge which triggers transition from the first state to the second state and a second edge which triggers transition from the second state to the first state.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blocking electromagnetic interference, EMI is presented. In particular, the present invention relates to a switched mode power supply provided with an electromagnetic interference protection circuit with low power dissipation. There is provided an adiabatically-switched electromagnetic interference protection circuit. The protection circuit contains a first charge storage element and a second charge storage element. A switching regulator operates with a switching cycle having an on-time and an off-time; and the control signal is arranged to cause a transition between the first mode and the second mode to start during the off-time of a switching cycle of the switching regulator.

Abstract: An isolated switching power converter is provided wherein a secondary side is valley mode switched to transmit data to a primary side. This provides secondary side regulation without the need for an optocoupler. Data communication between the primary and secondary sides of switching power converters is presented.

Abstract: A switching power converter is configured to control switching noise by implementing a plurality of pulse width modulation modes of operation. The peak current in each pulse width modulation mode of operation is controlled so that an output power for the switching power converter is continuous with regard to transitions between the pulse width modulation modes.

Abstract: This application relates to a circuit for determining whether a first transistor device is in a predetermined operation mode. The circuit comprises comprising: a second transistor device, wherein control terminals of the first and second transistor devices are connected, and one of input and output terminals of the first transistor device is connected to the other one of input and output terminals of the second transistor device, a buffer amplifier connected between the one of input and output terminals of the first transistor device and the other one of input and output terminals of the second transistor device, and circuitry for determining whether the first transistor device is in the predetermined operation mode based on an indication of a current flowing through the second transistor device. The application further relates to a method of determining whether a first transistor device is in a predetermined operation mode.

Abstract: A switching power converter is configured to control switching noise by implementing a plurality of pulse width modulation modes of operation. The peak current in each pulse width modulation mode of operation is controlled so that an output power for the switching power converter is continuous with regard to transitions between the pulse width modulation modes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for blocking electromagnetic interference, EMI is presented. In particular, the present invention relates to a switched mode power supply provided with an electromagnetic interference protection circuit with low power dissipation. There is provided an adiabatically-switched electromagnetic interference protection circuit. The protection circuit contains a first charge storage element and a second charge storage element. A switching regulator operates with a switching cycle having an on-time and an off-time; and the control signal is arranged to cause a transition between the first mode and the second mode to start during the off-time of a switching cycle of the switching regulator.

Abstract: An isolated switching power converter is provided wherein a secondary side is valley mode switched to transmit data to a primary side. This provides secondary side regulation without the need for an optocoupler. Data communication between the primary and secondary sides of switching power converters is presented.

Abstract: A switching power converter is configured to control switching noise by implementing a plurality of pulse width modulation modes of operation. The peak current in each pulse width modulation mode of operation is controlled so that an output power for the switching power converter is continuous with regard to transitions between the pulse width modulation modes.

Abstract: A power converter has a transformer including a primary winding coupled to an input voltage, a secondary winding coupled to an output of the power converter, and an auxiliary winding is configured to detect an open connection fault of the auxiliary winding. The power converter includes a current source coupled to the auxiliary winding that, when activated, supplies a current to the auxiliary winding. A controller measures a voltage across the auxiliary winding. Responsive to detecting an increase in the voltage across the auxiliary winding while the current source is activated, the controller disables the power converter.

Abstract: This application relates to a circuit for determining whether a first transistor device is in a predetermined operation mode. The circuit comprises comprising: a second transistor device, wherein control terminals of the first and second transistor devices are connected, and one of input and output terminals of the first transistor device is connected to the other one of input and output terminals of the second transistor device, a buffer amplifier connected between the one of input and output terminals of the first transistor device and the other one of input and output terminals of the second transistor device, and circuitry for determining whether the first transistor device is in the predetermined operation mode based on an indication of a current flowing through the second transistor device. The application further relates to a method of determining whether a first transistor device is in a predetermined operation mode.

Abstract: A two-terminal device that is configured to respond to a voltage modulation of an input signal received through the two terminals by triggering an action. The two-terminal device is further configured to verify a result of the triggered action by modulating a current driven through the two termi+6nals.

Abstract: A power converter has a transformer including a primary winding coupled to an input voltage, a secondary winding coupled to an output of the power converter, and an auxiliary winding is configured to detect an open connection fault of the auxiliary winding. The power converter includes a current source coupled to the auxiliary winding that, when activated, supplies a current to the auxiliary winding. A controller measures a voltage across the auxiliary winding. Responsive to detecting an increase in the voltage across the auxiliary winding while the current source is activated, the controller disables the power converter.

Abstract: A two-terminal device that is configured to respond to a voltage modulation of an input signal received through the two terminals by triggering an action. The two-terminal device is further configured to verify a result of the triggered action by modulating a current driven through the two termi+6nals.

Abstract: A hybrid constant current control system that uses both pulse width modulation (PWM) and pulse frequency modulation (PFM) control. When transitioning from constant voltage mode to constant current mode the present invention can continue to control using PWM. Thereafter, when the voltage has dropped, the present invention smoothly transitions to PFM mode. The point of transition is based upon the switching frequency and the lowest rated voltage of operation. The system and method avoids very short (narrow) Ton times which ensures accurate constant current (CC) control with bipolar junction transistor (BJT) devices. The present invention also avoids acoustic noise because the switching frequency is maintained at a high enough level to avoid such acoustic noise even when the energy transferred through the transformer is still substantial and the output voltage is not too low.