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).
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Patent number: 12057772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventor: Mark Mercer
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Patent number: 11949331Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Mark Mercer, Kevin Dowdy, Holger Petersen
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Publication number: 20230353106Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventor: Mark Mercer
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Publication number: 20230198385Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: Mark Mercer, Kevin Dowdy, Holger Petersen
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Publication number: 20230122225Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Inventor: Mark Mercer
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Publication number: 20220416558Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2022Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
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Patent number: 11539294Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Aravind Mangudi, Mark Mercer, James Steele, Taek Chang, Bill McKillop
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Patent number: 11456611Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
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Patent number: 11394297Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
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Publication number: 20220173655Abstract: “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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
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Publication number: 20220173656Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Inventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
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Patent number: 11349391Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Mark Mercer, Karthik Jayaraman
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Publication number: 20210203179Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Pietro Gambetta, Mark Mercer
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Patent number: 11038420Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Mark Mercer, Jeffrey Kanner
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Publication number: 20210175805Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Inventor: Mark Mercer
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Patent number: 11011991Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 5, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventor: Mark Mercer
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Patent number: 10998818Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: John Kesterson, Aravind Mangudi, James Steele, Mark Mercer
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Publication number: 20210044204Abstract: A multi-level buck converter is provided with seamless transitions back and forth from synchronous to asynchronous low dropout modes of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Inventors: John KESTERSON, Aravind MANGUDI, James STEELE, Mark MERCER
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Publication number: 20210034085Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2019Publication date: February 4, 2021Inventors: Mark Mercer, Jeffrey Kanner
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Patent number: 10693372Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor (UK) LimitedInventors: Aravind Mangudi, Mark Mercer, James Steele, Taek Chang, Bill McKillop