Abstract: A method for controlling a switching power converter provides an efficient algorithm for controlling the output voltage across loads that are relatively light with small transients. When the output voltage is at or below a predetermined first magnitude, a determination is made of the charge required for one or more pulses to increase the output voltage to a predetermined second magnitude which is greater than a target output voltage. Corrective action is taken to raise the output voltage to the second magnitude and the system takes no further corrective action until output voltage is determined to be at or below the first magnitude. The method is useful with synchronous or non-synchronous power converters of buck, boost, buck/boost or other topologies. The method further provides a simple means for determining the amount of charge removed from a battery.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power converters. The system includes a sample and hold circuit which is configured to receive information at time-separated intervals. The information the sample and hold circuit receives includes information which is indicative of the performance of the power converters. In some embodiments, the sample and hold circuit takes samples of data from each of the switching power converters and provides information to an analog to digital conversion circuit coupled to the sample and hold circuit. In one embodiment, the plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power are configured to independently provide power to unrelated loads.

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling an operation of a switching power converter which includes a first and second series connected transistors. Each of the transistors includes a conduction control terminal for receiving a conduction control signal. A first series of conduction control signals is applied to the control terminal of the first transistor and a second series of conduction control signals is applied to the control terminal of the second transistor, with the second series of conduction control signals being applied out of phase with respect to the first series of conduction control signals. A ratio of an input voltage to an output voltage for the series connected transistors is measured for a first spacing between an edge of a falling transition of the conduction control signal for the first transistor and an edge of a rising transition of the conduction control signal for the second transistor.

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: A synchronous control system includes a logic controller (e.g., microprocessor) which can be put into low power standby or sleep mode by shutting off its clock. A quick-start oscillator (QSO) remains shut off to conserve power when not needed, but awakens rapidly and supplies clock signals to the logic controller for quickly awakening the controller so the latter can to respond to exigent circumstances. One such circumstance can be the drop of a vital supply voltage below a predefined threshold. A low power comparator (LPTC) detects the drop and starts up the QSO which in turn awakens the controller. The controller determines what the reason for the awakening is, quickly responds to the exigent circumstance and then turns the QSO off to thereby conserve power and put itself (QSO) back to sleep. Disclosures are provided for the QSO and a first calibration subsystem used to maintain QSO output frequency within a desired range.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for performing analog to digital signal conversion in shorter time and/or with less power consumption than that of a comparable analog to digital conversion that uses a conventional sequential approximation method based on a binary search. In one embodiment, a predictive guess is supplied as a digital first signal. The digital first signal is converted (D/A) to a counterpart, analog guess signal. A comparison is made between the analog guess signal and a received, analog input sample signal. The result of the comparison is used to improve on the initially supplied guess in a next cycle. Fewer cycles and less power is consumed if the initial guess is within a certain range of the actual magnitude of the analog input sample signal. In one embodiment, a digital modeler is used to model a process underlying the analog input sample signal and to thereby provide fairly good guesses.

Abstract: In a power converter, an input power source (98) is intermittently coupled to provide a current flow (Icoil) in consecutive cycles (T) to generate an output voltage (Vo). The coupling durations (Tp) are adjusted in conjunction with a cycle skip count (112CNT) which is the count of cycles in which no coupling occurs. In some embodiments, the adjustments are performed to keep the coupling durations near the maximum efficiency range (between TLOW and THIGH), and the skip count is adjusted at the same time to obtain the desired output voltage in the presence of load current variations. The coupling frequencies are kept in a desired range to avoid interference with other circuit elements.

Abstract: A method for controlling a switching power converter provides an efficient algorithm for controlling the output voltage across loads that are relatively light with small transients. When the output voltage is at or below a predetermined first magnitude, a determination is made of the charge required for one or more pulses to increase the output voltage to a predetermined second magnitude which is greater than a target output voltage. Corrective action is taken to raise the output voltage to the second magnitude and the system takes no further corrective action until output voltage is determined to be at or below the first magnitude. The method is useful with synchronous or non-synchronous power converters of buck, boost, buck/boost or other topologies. The method further provides a simple means for determining the amount of charge removed from a battery.

Abstract: A power converter circuit senses the output voltage (Vo) and controls the converter's duty cycle (d1) to provide a steady output current (Io) or input power (Pin) in each switching cycle (T). During an initial period (Tramp), the controller provides a possibly smaller target current (Iramp) to reduce the system stress while the output voltage rises to a suitable value (InitVtar).

Abstract: To conserve power when regulating the output voltage (Vo) of a power converter, no adjustment is made to the converter's pulse width modulation times (Tp, Ts) even if the output voltage is off target (Vtar), provided that the output voltage does not change or is moving towards the target voltage. In some embodiments, the output voltage is not allowed to stay off target for more than a predetermined length of time. In some embodiments, the minimal adjustments are always large enough to overcome ringing (1004).

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a switching power converter which is implemented by providing a ring oscillator made up of a plurality of series-connected inverters. A feedback loop from the output of the last inverter in the series to an input lead of the first inverter in the series is provided. A selection circuit is provided which has a plurality of inputs and one or more outputs. An output of each of the inverters is connected to an associated input of the selection circuit. An exclusive OR gate is provided which has first and second inputs. The selection circuit is configured to selectively provide to the first input of the exclusive OR gate an output signal from an inverter in the string of series connected inverters, and further the selection circuit is configured to provide to the second input of the exclusive OR gate an output signal from an output lead of another inverter in the string of inverters.

Abstract: The output voltage of a power converter is controlled by comparing the output voltage to a target output voltage during a first time interval and calculating an inductor current required in a second time interval immediately following the first time interval to increase the output voltage to the target output voltage. A duty cycle of a switch is varied to modify the current in the inductor during the second time interval according to the calculated inductor current. In one embodiment a fixed duty cycle response is provided if the output voltage is less than a predefined maximum and greater than a predefined minimum. In another embodiment the duty cycle of the switch is bounded by a predetermined maximum and minimum value.

Abstract: A series connected pair of switching transistors in a switching power converter is controlled by a method to improve the efficiency of the switching power converter. The transition times of the first and second transistors are stored and the timing of the application of conduction control signals is determined based on the transition times of the first and second transistor. The conduction control signals provided to the first and second transistors may include pulse width modulated signals.

Abstract: A plurality of pulse-width-modulated switching power converters are controlled in a system which includes a programmable control circuit which provides control information to cause generation of pulse-width-modulated signals as appropriate to correct an operation of a switching power converter. The programmable control circuit receives digital information which identifies the topology of each of the switching power converters being controlled. The programmable control circuit also receives digital information which identifies associated target performance for the switching power converters under its control. The programmable control circuit also receives information which is indicative of the performance of the power converters and compares the performance of the power converters with respect to the target performance of the power converters.

Abstract: A touch screen display circuit is disclosed which includes means for measuring a voltage at two separate input terminals which represent a location on a touch screen where pressure was applied. The display circuit includes means for defining a time period during which the voltage is measured and means for converting the measured voltage to a digital value. The means for measuring a voltage includes an amplifier and a capacitor which are configured as an integrator. The means for converting comprises a counter that measures an amount of time required for the capacitor to dissipate its charge. A touch screen display system having a touch screen which includes first and second sheets of conductive materials positioned in a spaced apart relationship is disclosed.

Abstract: Switching power converter controller providing control of plurality of switching power converters which provide power to a host microprocessor. A watchdog timer included in the switching power converter controller is configured to countdown a timer unless it receives a reset signal from the host microprocessor. The switching power converter controller is configured to assert a reset command for the host microprocessor if the watchdog timer expires and to not de-assert the reset command until the plurality of switching power converters are operating as desired.

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.

Abstract: A control system and method for simultaneously regulating the operation of a plurality of different types of switching power converters. The system utilizes in regulating the power converters sampled data and nonlinear feedback control loops.