Abstract: A flyback power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding for receiving an input power, a secondary winding for generating an output power, and an auxiliary winding for generating a supply voltage, a primary side switch coupled to the primary winding, a high voltage start-up switch coupled to the input voltage and the controller supply voltage, and a primary side controller powered by the controller supply voltage. The primary side controller includes a multi-function pin coupled to a control terminal of the high voltage start-up switch, a high voltage start-up circuit for controlling the high voltage start-up switch to be ON through the multi-function pin when the controller supply voltage is lower than a threshold, and a protection control circuit which is coupled to an protection sensing signal through the multi-function pin; the protection control circuit operates the flyback power converter according to the protection sensing signal.

Abstract: A flyback power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding receiving an input power, a secondary winding generating an output power, and an auxiliary winding generating an auxiliary voltage and providing a supply voltage, a primary side switch controlling the primary winding, a start-up switch coupled to the input voltage and the supply voltage, and a primary side controller supplied by the supply voltage. The primary side controller includes a shared pin coupled to a control terminal of the start-up switch, a start-up circuit for controlling the start-up switch to be conductive through the shared pin when the supply voltage is lower than a threshold, and a signal processing circuit receiving an auxiliary signal related to the auxiliary voltage through the shared pin and operating the flyback power converter accordingly, wherein the shared pin, besides providing a function of controlling the start-up switch, provides another function.

Abstract: A flyback power converter circuit includes: a transformer including a primary winding coupled to an input power and a secondary winding coupled to an output node, a primary side switch controlling the primary side winding to convert the input power to an output power on the output node through the secondary side winding, a clamping circuit including an auxiliary switch and an auxiliary capacitor connected in series to form an auxiliary branch which is connected with the primary side winding in parallel, and a conversion control circuit for adjusting an auxiliary ON time of the auxiliary switch during an OFF time of the primary side switch according to an estimated parasitic diode conduction time of a parasitic diode of the auxiliary switch; the auxiliary ON time is controlled to be substantially equal to and coincides with the estimated parasitic diode conduction time.

Abstract: An image sensor device is provided. The image sensor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front surface, a back surface opposite to the front surface, at least one light-sensing region close to the front surface, and a first trench surrounding the light-sensing region. The first trench has an inner wall and a bottom surface. The image sensor device includes an insulating layer covering the back surface, the inner wall, and the bottom surface. A thickness of a first upper portion of the insulating layer in the first trench increases in a direction away from the front surface, and the insulating layer has a second trench partially in the first trench. The image sensor device includes a reflective structure filled in the second trench. The reflective structure has a light reflectivity ranging from about 70% to about 100%.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, FinFET devices with optimized strained-source-drain recess profiles and methods of forming the same are provided. One of the semiconductor devices includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate and a strained layer in a recess of the substrate and aside the gate stack. Besides, a ratio of a depth at the greatest width of the recess to a width of the gate stack ranges from about 0.5 to 0.7.

Abstract: A flyback power converter circuit includes: a transformer, including a primary winding coupled to an input power and a secondary winding coupled to an output node; a primary side switch coupled to the primary winding for switching the input power to generate an output power on the output node through the secondary winding; a clamping circuit including an auxiliary switch and an auxiliary capacitor which are connected in series to form an auxiliary branch which is connected with the primary winding in parallel; and a conversion control circuit adjusting an auxiliary dead time according to a primary side switch related signal and a switching voltage related signal such that the primary side switch is zero voltage switching at a time point when the primary side switch is turned ON.

Abstract: A flyback power converter circuit includes: a transformer including a primary side winding coupled to an input power and a secondary side winding coupled to an output node, wherein the input power includes an input voltage; a primary side switch coupled to the primary side winding for controlling the input power to generate an output power on the output node through the secondary side winding, wherein the output power includes an output voltage; a clamping circuit including an auxiliary switch and an auxiliary capacitor connected in series to form an auxiliary branch which is connected with the primary side winding in parallel; and a conversion control circuit for adjusting an ON time of the auxiliary switch according to at least one of a current related signal, the input voltage, and the output voltage, such that the primary side switch is zero voltage switching when turning ON.

Abstract: A flyback power converter circuit includes: a transformer, including a primary winding coupled to an input power and a secondary winding coupled to an output node; a primary side switch coupled to the primary winding for switching the input power to generate an output power on the output node through the secondary winding; a clamping circuit including an auxiliary switch and an auxiliary capacitor which are connected in series to form an auxiliary branch which is connected with the primary winding in parallel; and a conversion control circuit adjusting an auxiliary dead time according to a primary side switch related signal and a switching voltage related signal such that the primary side switch is zero voltage switching at a time point when the primary side switch is turned ON.

Abstract: Semiconductor devices, FinFET devices with optimized strained-source-drain recess profiles and methods of forming the same are provided. One of the semiconductor devices includes a substrate, a gate stack over the substrate and a strained layer in a recess of the substrate and aside the gate stack. Besides, a ratio of a depth at the greatest width of the recess to a width of the gate stack ranges from about 0.5 to 0.7.

Abstract: A flyback power converter includes a transformer which has a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding; a power switch controlling the conduction of the primary winding; and a control circuit generating a control signal to control the power switch, wherein the control circuit is an integrated circuit having a current sensing pin for obtaining a current sensing signal of a current through the power switch. The flyback power converter further includes a temperature-sensitive resistor or a mode detection resistor coupled between the auxiliary winding and the current sensing pin. The temperature-sensitive resistor provides a temperature-related signal for the control circuit to perform an over-temperature protection, or the temperature-sensitive resistor provides a mode detection signal for the control circuit to determine an operation mode of the flyback power converter.

Abstract: A voltage converter circuit includes a voltage converter controller which generates a PWM signal to operate a power switch for voltage conversion. The voltage converter controller includes a sensing pin for sensing a current and the voltage converter controller receives a power supply. A parameter setting method for the voltage converter circuit includes: during a start-up stage, when the power supply increases above a predetermined reference level, the voltage converter controller outputting a current through the sensing pin; and setting at least one parameter of the voltage converter controller according to a voltage at the sensing pin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flyback power converter and a control circuit. The flyback power converter includes a transformer which has a primary winding, a secondary winding, and an auxiliary winding; a power switch controlling the conduction of the primary winding; and a control circuit generating a control signal to control the power switch, wherein the control circuit is an integrated circuit having a current sensing pin for obtaining a current sensing signal of a current through the power switch. The flyback power converter further includes a temperature-sensitive resistor or a mode detection resistor coupled between the auxiliary winding and the current sensing pin, for providing a temperature-related signal for the control circuit to perform an over-temperature protection, or for providing a mode detection signal for the control circuit to determine an operation mode of the flyback power converter.

Abstract: A jittering frequency control circuit and method for a switching mode power supply enlarge the uttering frequency range of the switching frequency of the switching mode power supply when the switching mode power supplier enters a frequency reduction mode, to improve the electro-magnetic interference of the switching mode power supply operating with the frequency reduction mode.

Abstract: A voltage converter circuit includes a voltage converter controller which generates a PWM signal to operate a power switch for voltage conversion. The voltage converter controller includes a sensing pin for sensing a current and the voltage converter controller receives a power supply. A parameter setting method for the voltage converter circuit includes: during a start-up stage, when the power supply increases above a predetermined reference level, the voltage converter controller outputting a current through the sensing pin; and setting at least one parameter of the voltage converter controller according to a voltage at the sensing pin.

Abstract: A device includes a top metal layer; a UTM line over the top metal layer and having a first thickness; and a passivation layer over the UTM line and having a second thickness. A ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is less than about 0.33.

Abstract: A circuit and method are provided for a power converter to select one from a plurality of current limit signals as a final current limit signal according to the present duty ratio of a power switch for the pulse width modulation of the next cycle, so that the duty ratio of the power switch in the next cycle is prevented from acute variation to eliminate sub-harmonic which otherwise may happen.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply detect the current of a power switch of the switching power supply to generate a current sense signal, and adjust the gain or the level of the current sense signal according to the switching frequency of the power switch to adjust the on time of the power switch, to reduce the output ripple of the switching power supply caused by the jittering frequency of the switching power supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of detection for output short circuit of a flyback power supply, which detect the current sense signal provided by a current sense resistor serially connected to a power switch of the flyback power supply, and thus quickly identify whether or not the flyback power supply suffers output short circuit.

Abstract: A device includes a top metal layer; a UTM line over the top metal layer and having a first thickness; and a passivation layer over the UTM line and having a second thickness. A ratio of the second thickness to the first thickness is less than about 0.33.

Abstract: A pulse width modulation controller and method for output ripple reduction of a jittering frequency switching power supply detect the current of a power switch of the switching power supply to generate a current sense signal, and adjust the gain or the level of the current sense signal according to the switching frequency of the power switch to adjust the on time of the power switch, to reduce the output ripple of the switching power supply caused by the jittering frequency of the switching power supply.