Abstract: A boost apparatus adapted for providing a direct-current (DC) output voltage to a load is provided, and the boost apparatus includes a boost power conversion circuit and a control chip. The boost power conversion circuit has a diode coupled to the load. Besides, the boost power conversion circuit is configured to receive a DC input voltage and provide the DC output voltage to the load in response to a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal. The control chip is coupled to the boost power conversion circuit and configured to generate the PWM signal to control the operation of the boost power conversion circuit. The control chip is also configured to stop outputting the PWM signal and enter into a shutdown state when the diode is an open circuit or a short circuit, so as to protect the boost apparatus and/or the load from being damaged.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current. Furthermore, by detecting the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip, the control chip would enter into a shutdown status in response to the detected compensation voltage being greater than a predetermined threshold voltage for a predetermined counting time in case that the LED string is failure.

Abstract: A successive approximation register (SAR-ADC) including a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit, a sample-and-hold circuit, a comparison circuit and a SAR logic control circuit is provided. The DAC circuit is configured to convert an N-bits digital logic signal into a comparison signal, where N is a positive integer. The sample-and-hold circuit is configured to sample and hold an analog input signal. The comparison circuit is configured to use the analog input signal held by the sample-and-hold circuit as a basis for comparing with the comparison signal and thereby generates a comparison result signal. The SAR logic control circuit is configured to provide the N-bits digital logic signal and determine a logic state of each of bits of the digital logic signal one by one according to the comparison result signal, and thus generate a digital output signal related to the analog input signal.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current. Furthermore, by detecting the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip, the control chip would enter into a shutdown status in response to the detected compensation voltage being greater than a predetermined threshold voltage for a predetermined counting time in case that the LED string is failure.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current.

Abstract: A successive approximation register (SAR-ADC) including a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit, a sample-and-hold circuit, a comparison circuit and a SAR logic control circuit is provided. The DAC circuit is configured to convert an N-bits digital logic signal into a comparison signal, where N is a positive integer. The sample-and-hold circuit is configured to sample and hold an analog input signal. The comparison circuit is configured to use the analog input signal held by the sample-and-hold circuit as a basis for comparing with the comparison signal and thereby generates a comparison result signal. The SAR logic control circuit is configured to provide the N-bits digital logic signal and determine a logic state of each of bits of the digital logic signal one by one according to the comparison result signal, and thus generate a digital output signal related to the analog input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving a fluorescent lamp are provided. The apparatus submitted by the present invention includes an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The LC resonator is used for receiving and converting a square signal to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is used for making a frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically following a resonant frequency of the LC resonator according to a feedback signal related to the sinusoidal driving signal.

Abstract: A boost apparatus adapted for providing a direct-current (DC) output voltage to a load is provided, and the boost apparatus includes a boost power conversion circuit and a control chip. The boost power conversion circuit has a diode coupled to the load. Besides, the boost power conversion circuit is configured to receive a DC input voltage and provide the DC output voltage to the load in response to a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal. The control chip is coupled to the boost power conversion circuit and configured to generate the PWM signal to control the operation of the boost power conversion circuit. The control chip is also configured to stop outputting the PWM signal and enter into a shutdown state when the diode is an open circuit or a short circuit, so as to protect the boost apparatus and/or the load from being damaged.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a fluorescent lamp is provided. The provided apparatus includes a power switching circuit, an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The power switching circuit is coupled between an input voltage and a ground potential, and configured for switching and outputting the input voltage and the ground potential in response to two output signals with a phase difference of 180 degrees so as to generate a square signal. The LC resonator is configured for receiving and converting the square signal, so as to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is configured for generating and adjusting the two output signals according to a current feedback signal relating to the sinusoidal driving signal, so as to make the frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically follow the resonant frequency of the LC resonator.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus relating to light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) is provided. In the invention, a compensation voltage on a compensation pin (CMP) of a control chip does not change in response to (or with) the variation (i.e. enabling and disabling) of a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) signal for dimming. In other words, regardless of whether the PWM signal for dimming is enabled or disabled, the compensation voltage on the compensation pin of the control chip maintains unchanged. Therefore, an LED string at the current switching transient does not have the generation of over-shoot current.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving a fluorescent lamp are provided. The apparatus submitted by the present invention includes an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The LC resonator is used for receiving and converting a square signal to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is used for making a frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically following a resonant frequency of the LC resonator according to a feedback signal related to the sinusoidal driving signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving a fluorescent lamp are provided. The apparatus submitted by the present invention includes a power switching circuit, an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The power switching circuit is coupled between an input voltage and a ground potential, and is used for switching and outputting the input voltage and the ground potential in response to a ramp signal and a comparison voltage so as to generate a square signal. The LC resonator is used for receiving and converting the square signal to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is used for generating and adjusting the ramp signal according to a feedback signal related to the sinusoidal driving signal, so as to make a frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically following a resonant frequency of the LC resonator.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving a fluorescent lamp is provided. The provided apparatus includes a power switching circuit, an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The power switching circuit is coupled between an input voltage and a ground potential, and configured for switching and outputting the input voltage and the ground potential in response to two output signals with a phase difference of 180 degrees so as to generate a square signal. The LC resonator is configured for receiving and converting the square signal, so as to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is configured for generating and adjusting the two output signals according to a current feedback signal relating to the sinusoidal driving signal, so as to make the frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically follow the resonant frequency of the LC resonator.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure is provided, which includes a bonding pad, a body, an insulation layer, a first doped region and a via. The body is a first conductive type, while the first doped region is a second conductive type. The bonding pad is disposed on the body. The insulation layer is disposed between the body and the bonding pad. The first doped region is disposed in the body, and in view direction along the vertical projection of the body, all of the bonding pad is disposed in the first doped region. The via is disposed between the first doped region and the bonding pad. The bonding pad is electrically connected to the first doped region through the via.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for driving a fluorescent lamp are provided. The apparatus submitted by the present invention includes a power switching circuit, an LC resonator and an automatic frequency tracing circuit. The power switching circuit is coupled between an input voltage and a ground potential, and is used for switching and outputting the input voltage and the ground potential in response to a ramp signal and a comparison voltage so as to generate a square signal. The LC resonator is used for receiving and converting the square signal to generate a sinusoidal driving signal for driving the fluorescent lamp. The automatic frequency tracing circuit is used for generating and adjusting the ramp signal according to a feedback signal related to the sinusoidal driving signal, so as to make a frequency of the sinusoidal driving signal automatically following a resonant frequency of the LC resonator.