Patents by Inventor Mark Mercer

Mark Mercer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12057772
    Abstract: The present document describes a power converter configured to convert electrical power at an input voltage at an input of the power converter to electrical power at an output voltage at an output of the power converter. The power converter comprises a first flying capacitor, a second flying capacitor and a third flying capacitor, as well as an inductor and a set of power switches. Furthermore, the power converter comprises a control unit configured to control the set of power switches such that during an operation cycle the power converter is operated in a first state and in a second state in a mutually exclusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 11949331
    Abstract: The present document describes a power converter configured to convert electrical power at an input voltage at an input of the power converter to electrical power at an output voltage at an output of the power converter. The power converter comprises a first upper capacitor and a first lower capacitor, which are coupled with one another via a first mid node; a second upper capacitor and a second lower capacitor, which are coupled with one another via a second mid node; an inductor; and a set of power switches. In addition, the power converter comprises a control unit which is configured to control the set of power switches such that during an operation cycle the power converter is operated in a first main state and in a second main state in a mutually exclusive manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Kevin Dowdy, Holger Petersen
  • Publication number: 20230353106
    Abstract: The present document describes an error amplification circuit for a voltage regulator. The error amplification circuit comprises a differential error amplifier having a first input for a feedback signal of the voltage regulator and having a second input for a reference signal, wherein the differential error amplifier is configured to provide an amplifier output current in dependence of the signals at the first input and at the second input. Furthermore the error amplification circuit comprises a current sensing unit configured to sense the amplifier output current to provide a sensed current, a processing unit configured to process the sensed current to provide a processed current, and an adjustment resistor which is arranged in series with the second input of the differential error amplifier and to which the processed current is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Mercer
  • Publication number: 20230198385
    Abstract: The present document describes a power converter configured to convert electrical power at an input voltage at an input of the power converter to electrical power at an output voltage at an output of the power converter. The power converter comprises a first upper capacitor and a first lower capacitor, which are coupled with one another via a first mid node; a second upper capacitor and a second lower capacitor, which are coupled with one another via a second mid node; an inductor; and a set of power switches. In addition, the power converter comprises a control unit which is configured to control the set of power switches such that during an operation cycle the power converter is operated in a first main state and in a second main state in a mutually exclusive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Kevin Dowdy, Holger Petersen
  • Publication number: 20230122225
    Abstract: The present document describes a power converter configured to convert electrical power at an input voltage at an input of the power converter to electrical power at an output voltage at an output of the power converter. The power converter comprises a first flying capacitor, a second flying capacitor and a third flying capacitor, as well as an inductor and a set of power switches. Furthermore, the power converter comprises a control unit configured to control the set of power switches such that during an operation cycle the power converter is operated in a first state and in a second state in a mutually exclusive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: Mark Mercer
  • Publication number: 20220416558
    Abstract: A method of managing power and a power management circuit are presented. The power management circuit includes a three terminals switching converter coupled to a controller. The switching converter has a single inductor and two sets of switches. The first set of switches is coupled to an input terminal. The second set of switches is coupled to a battery terminal. The single inductor is provided between a first switching node and a second switching node. A controller is configured to generate a first error signal, and a second error signal and to provide the inductor current to the second terminal when the second error signal is greater than the first error signal or to the third terminal when the second error signal is less than the first error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 11539294
    Abstract: A multi-level power converter and a method using first, second, third and fourth switching elements, an inductor, and a flying capacitor are presented. A first terminal of the inductor may be connected to a switching terminal connecting the second and third switching elements. A first terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the first and second elements. A second terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the third and fourth switching elements. The multi-level power converter may have a first feedback circuit to generate control signals for setting the switching elements in a plurality of switching states for regulating an output voltage or an output current. The converter may have a second feedback circuit to generate control signals to allow the flying capacitor to be charged or discharged using an inductor current flowing through the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Aravind Mangudi, Mark Mercer, James Steele, Taek Chang, Bill McKillop
  • Patent number: 11456611
    Abstract: A method of managing power and a power management circuit operable in a plurality of modes are presented. The power management circuit includes a three terminals switching converter coupled to a controller. The switching converter has a single inductor, two sets of switches, a bypass switch and a transition switch. The first set of switches is coupled to an input terminal. The second set of switches is coupled to a battery terminal. The bypass switch is coupled between the battery terminal and a load terminal. The single inductor is provided between a first switching node and a second switching node. The transition switch is provided between the first switching node and the battery or the load terminal. A controller is configured to select a mode of operation by changing a state of at least one of the bypass switch and the transition switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 11394297
    Abstract: The present document relates to power converters with multiple feedback loops. The present document relates to a power converter with at least two feedback loops. The power converter may comprise a first error amplifier and a first capacitive element. The power converter may comprise a second error amplifier and a second capacitive element, wherein the second error amplifier is configured to generate, based on a second reference value and a second feedback signal, a second error current for charging the second capacitive element. The power converter may comprise a selector circuit configured to generate a selection signal by comparing a first voltage of the first capacitive element and a second voltage of the second capacitive element. The power converter may comprise a first track amplifier circuit configured to establish an additional current path from a supply rail to the first capacitive element for accelerated charging of said first capacitive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
  • Publication number: 20220173655
    Abstract: “The present document relates to power converters with multiple feedback loops. The present document relates to a power converter with at least two feedback loops. The power converter may include a first error amplifier configured to generate a first error signal based on a first reference signal and a first feedback signal. The power converter may include a second error amplifier configured to generate a second error signal based on a second reference signal and a second feedback signal. The power converter may include a selector circuit configured to generate a selection signal by selecting the first error signal or the second error signal. The power converter may include a first clamp circuit configured to limit the first error signal to a first threshold value. The power converter may include a first threshold value generator circuit configured to generate the first threshold value dependent on the first error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
  • Publication number: 20220173656
    Abstract: The present document relates to power converters with multiple feedback loops. The present document relates to a power converter with at least two feedback loops. The power converter may comprise a first error amplifier and a first capacitive element. The power converter may comprise a second error amplifier and a second capacitive element, wherein the second error amplifier is configured to generate, based on a second reference value and a second feedback signal, a second error current for charging the second capacitive element. The power converter may comprise a selector circuit configured to generate a selection signal by comparing a first voltage of the first capacitive element and a second voltage of the second capacitive element. The power converter may comprise a first track amplifier circuit configured to establish an additional current path from a supply rail to the first capacitive element for accelerated charging of said first capacitive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
  • Patent number: 11349391
    Abstract: The present document relates to power converters with multiple feedback loops. The present document relates to a power converter with at least two feedback loops. The power converter may include a first error amplifier configured to generate a first error signal based on a first reference signal and a first feedback signal. The power converter may include a second error amplifier configured to generate a second error signal based on a second reference signal and a second feedback signal. The power converter may include a selector circuit configured to generate a selection signal by selecting the first error signal or the second error signal. The power converter may include a first clamp circuit configured to limit the first error signal to a first threshold value. The power converter may include a first threshold value generator circuit configured to generate the first threshold value dependent on the first error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
  • Publication number: 20210203179
    Abstract: A method of managing power and a power management circuit operable in a plurality of modes are presented. The power management circuit includes a three terminals switching converter coupled to a controller. The switching converter has a single inductor, two sets of switches, a bypass switch and a transition switch. The first set of switches is coupled to an input terminal. The second set of switches is coupled to a battery terminal. The bypass switch is coupled between the battery terminal and a load terminal. The single inductor is provided between a first switching node and a second switching node. The transition switch is provided between the first switching node and the battery or the load terminal. A controller is configured to select a mode of operation by changing a state of at least one of the bypass switch and the transition switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 11038420
    Abstract: Circuits and methods to enable wireless power transmission and reception are presented. A two-stage power converter has a boost regulator to boost an input voltage to an intermediate voltage. Moreover, the two-stage power converter may also comprise a charge pump coupled to the boost regulator to generate an output voltage based on the intermediated voltage. More particularly, the charge pump may comprise a plurality of transistor devices and a flying capacitor and the charge pump may be bypassed during a bypass mode of operation. Finally, the two-stage power converter may have control circuitry coupled to the charge pump. In particular, the control circuitry may generate a control voltage of a first transistor device of the plurality of transistor devices in order to regulate a discharge rate of the flying capacitor, during a transition phase from the bypass mode of operation to a normal mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Jeffrey Kanner
  • Publication number: 20210175805
    Abstract: A regulation loop circuit and a method for a buck converter for receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage are presented. The buck converter has a capacitive divider coupled to the input terminal and comprising a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a plurality of switches. An inductor is coupled to the capacitive divider at a switching node and is coupled to the output terminal. The regulation loop circuit is coupled to the output terminal and a reference voltage. The loop regulates the output voltage based on the reference voltage by i) regulating a switching node voltage by switching the buck converter through a plurality of phases. and ii) maintaining an approximately equal duration for each phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 11011991
    Abstract: A regulation loop circuit and a method for a buck converter for receiving an input voltage and providing an output voltage are presented. The buck converter has a capacitive divider coupled to the input terminal and comprising a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a plurality of switches. An inductor is coupled to the capacitive divider at a switching node and is coupled to the output terminal. The regulation loop circuit is coupled to the output terminal and a reference voltage. The loop regulates the output voltage based on the reference voltage by i) regulating a switching node voltage by switching the buck converter through a plurality of phases. and ii) maintaining an approximately equal duration for each phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Mark Mercer
  • Patent number: 10998818
    Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: John Kesterson, Aravind Mangudi, James Steele, Mark Mercer
  • Publication number: 20210044204
    Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: John KESTERSON, Aravind MANGUDI, James STEELE, Mark MERCER
  • Publication number: 20210034085
    Abstract: Circuits and methods to enable wireless power transmission and reception are presented. A two-stage power converter has a boost regulator to boost an input voltage to an intermediate voltage. Moreover, the two-stage power converter may also comprise a charge pump coupled to the boost regulator to generate an output voltage based on the intermediated voltage. More particularly, the charge pump may comprise a plurality of transistor devices and a flying capacitor and the charge pump may be bypassed during a bypass mode of operation. Finally, the two-stage power converter may have control circuitry coupled to the charge pump. In particular, the control circuitry may generate a control voltage of a first transistor device of the plurality of transistor devices in order to regulate a discharge rate of the flying capacitor, during a transition phase from the bypass mode of operation to a normal mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Mercer, Jeffrey Kanner
  • Patent number: 10693372
    Abstract: A multi-level power converter and a method using first, second, third and fourth switching elements, an inductor, and a flying capacitor are presented. A first terminal of the inductor may be connected to a switching terminal connecting the second and third switching elements. A first terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the first and second elements. A second terminal of the flying capacitor may be connected to a terminal connecting the third and fourth switching elements. The multi-level power converter may have a first feedback circuit to generate control signals for setting the switching elements in a plurality of switching states for regulating an output voltage or an output current. The converter may have a second feedback circuit to generate control signals to allow the flying capacitor to be charged or discharged using an inductor current flowing through the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) Limited
    Inventors: Aravind Mangudi, Mark Mercer, James Steele, Taek Chang, Bill McKillop