Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switched-mode power includes turning on an output switch of the switched-mode power converter coupled to a supply output port of the switched-mode power converter, where an output switch current flows to the supply output port through the output switch in a first direction after turning on the output switch. The method further includes turning off the output switch a first period of time after the output switch current changes polarity from the first direction to a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of controlling a switch driver includes energizing a first inductor in a first direction with a first energy; transferring the first energy from the first inductor to a second inductor, wherein the second inductor is coupled between a second switch-driving terminal of the switch driver and a second internal node, and the second inductor is magnetically coupled to the first inductor; asserting a first turn-on signal at the second switch-driving terminal using the transferred first energy; energizing the first inductor in a second direction opposite the first direction with a second energy after asserting the first turn-on signal at the second switch-driving terminal; transferring the second energy from the first inductor to the second inductor; and asserting a first turn-off signal at the second switch-driving terminal using the transferred second energy.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The power converter circuit uses energy conveyed from the primary winding of the transformer through the secondary winding of the transformer to produce an output voltage to power a load. Control circuitry of the power converter circuit initiates conveying a portion of the received energy through the secondary winding back through the primary winding to control a magnitude of the output voltage. For example, if the magnitude of the output voltage is above a desired setpoint value, such as due to a transient load condition or change in the setpoint of the output voltage, the control circuitry reduces the magnitude of the output voltage by conveying excess energy from an output capacitor (that stores the output voltage) through the secondary winding to the primary winding.

Abstract: In one example, a circuit includes an alternating current (AC) voltage source, a voltage rail, a reference rail, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a switching unit. The AC voltage source is configured to supply voltage in a first direction during a first half of a cycle and supply voltage in a second direction during a second half of the cycle. During a first state of the circuit, the voltage in the first direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the first capacitor and the voltage in the second direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the first capacitor. During a second state of the circuit, the voltage in the first direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the first capacitor and the voltage in the second direction supplied by the AC voltage source charges the second capacitor.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switched-mode power includes turning on an output switch of the switched-mode power converter coupled to a supply output port of the switched-mode power converter, where an output switch current flows to the supply output port through the output switch in a first direction after turning on the output switch. The method further includes turning off the output switch a first period of time after the output switch current changes polarity from the first direction to a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a transformer. The transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. A primary circuit is coupled to the primary winding. A secondary circuit is coupled to the secondary winding. The primary circuit and the secondary circuit are referenced to different ground voltage potentials that may vary with respect to each other. During operation, the primary circuit controls input of energy to the primary winding of the transformer. The secondary circuit receives the energy through the secondary winding and uses it to produce an output voltage to power a load. The secondary circuit receives and/or generates state information at one of multiple different levels. The secondary circuit controls a flow of current through the secondary winding to convey the state information as feedback to the primary circuit. The primary circuit analyzes a voltage at a node of the primary winding to receive the feedback.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes converting power by a power converter circuit having a plurality of converter cells coupled to a supply circuit. Converting the power includes a plurality of successive activation sequences and, in each activation sequence, activating at least some of the plurality of converter cells at an activation frequency. The activation frequency is dependent on at least one of an output power and an output current of the power converter circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switching transistor includes turning-off the switching transistor by transferring charge from a gate-drain capacitance of the switching transistor to a charge storage device, and turning-on the switching transistor by transferring charge from the charge storage device to a gate of the switching transistor. Turning off the switching transistor includes hard-switching and turning-on the switching transistor includes soft-switching.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes converting power by a power converter circuit having a plurality of converter cells coupled to a supply circuit. Converting the power includes a plurality of successive activation sequences and, in each activation sequence, activating at least some of the plurality of converter cells at an activation frequency. The activation frequency is dependent on at least one of an output power and an output current of the power converter circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switching transistor includes turning-off the switching transistor by transferring charge from a gate-drain capacitance of the switching transistor to a charge storage device, and turning-on the switching transistor by transferring charge from the charge storage device to a gate of the switching transistor. Turning off the switching transistor includes hard-switching and turning-on the switching transistor includes soft-switching.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, method of controlling a switching transistor includes applying a first voltage to a first node of a switchable tank circuit, where the first node is coupled to a control node of the switching transistor, the first voltage has a first polarity with respect to a reference terminal of the switching transistor, and the first voltage is configured to place the switching transistor into a first state. After applying the first voltage, the switchable tank circuit is activated, where a voltage of the first node transitions from the first voltage to a second voltage that is configured to place the switching transistor in a second state different from the first state. The switchable tank circuit is deactivated after the voltage of the first node attains the second polarity.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a synchronous rectification circuit having an actively controlled switching element through which resonant current flows during operation. The actively controlled switching element is disposed in a package which adds stray inductance to a main current path of the synchronous rectification circuit. The electronic device also includes a fixed inductor magnetically coupled to the stray inductance or an additional inductance in series with the stray inductance so that the fixed inductor is not in the main current path of the synchronous rectification circuit and change in current through the inductance to which the fixed inductor is magnetically coupled induces a reference voltage at the fixed inductor which is in phase with a zero crossing point of the resonant current at different switching frequencies of the actively controlled switching element. A corresponding method of controlling the electronic device is also described.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes converting power by a power converter circuit having a plurality of converter cells coupled to a supply circuit. Converting the power includes a plurality of successive activation sequences and, in each activation sequence, activating at least some of the plurality of converter cells at an activation frequency. The activation frequency is dependent on at least one of an output power and an output current of the power converter circuit.

Abstract: A power converter circuit includes a converter series circuit that includes a number of converter units. The converter series circuit is configured to output a series circuit output current. A synchronization circuit is configured to generate at least one synchronization signal. At least one of the converter units is configured to generate an output current such that at least one of a frequency or a phase of the output current is dependent on the synchronization signal, and includes a converter stage with an inverting buck boost topology.