Patents by Inventor Michael Couleur
Michael Couleur 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: 10644592Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for efficiently generating a stable output for a transient load for one or more components are described. In various embodiments, a power converter includes two feedback loops to separate the stability and the equivalent output resistance, which allows the bandwidth to increase. The first loop includes a compensator receiving an output current of an amplifier. Additionally, a first converter and a first current mirror generate a target current based on the output current of the amplifier. Based on the target current, multiple step-down converters generate an output voltage, which is returned to the amplifier through a resistor. The second loop includes a second converter with a first order series RC filter to reduce the second loop's response time. A second current mirror receives current from the second converter and generates a dynamically adapting feedback current, which flows through the resistor in the first loop.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fabio Ongaro, Michael Couleur
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Patent number: 10630174Abstract: Disclosed examples include a transient event detector circuit to detect transient events in a switching converter, including a DLL circuit to detect changes in a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal used to operate a switching converter, and an output circuit to provide a status output signal in a first state when no transient event is detected, and to provide the status output signal in a second state indicating a transient event in the switching converter in response to a detected change in the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
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Patent number: 10601412Abstract: Disclosed examples include self-biased DLL circuits to generate a bias current signal proportional to a repetition frequency of a first signal representing continuous switching or discontinued switching operation of the DC-DC converter. The DLL circuit includes a monostable multivibrator to provide a pulse output signal in response to an edge of the first signal with a pulse duration set by a control current signal, a phase detector to provide output signals according to a phase difference between an edge of the pulse output signal and the first signal, and an output circuit to provide an output signal according to the phase detector output signals and according to an offset signal, to provide the bias current signal according to the output signal, and to provide the control current signal according to the output signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
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Patent number: 10425009Abstract: A regulator circuit that employs coupled inductors with on-time modulation is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes a driver circuit coupled via first and second inductors to a power supply node of a load circuit, and may charge the power supply node via the first inductor for a first charging period, and charge the power supply node via the second inductor for a second charging period. A control circuit may determine durations of the first and second charging periods using respective pluralities of currents.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Couleur, Fabio Ongaro, Dashun Xue
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Publication number: 20190229622Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of pulse control circuits and a control circuit. A given pulse control circuit of the plurality of pulse control circuits may source a current pulse to the output power signal based on a comparison of a particular feedback signal of a plurality of feedback signals and a target voltage signal. The control circuit may offset a voltage level of each feedback signal of a first subset of the plurality of feedback signals. The first subset may exclude a first feedback signal. In response to a determination that a period of time has ended, the control circuit may offset a voltage level of each feedback signal of a second subset of the plurality of feedback signals. The second subset may include the first feedback signal and exclude a second feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2019Publication date: July 25, 2019Inventors: Michael Couleur, Fabio Ongaro, Nikola Jovanovic, Frank Trautmann
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Patent number: 10348198Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for generating a stable output voltage for one or more components by checking feedback information for an entire clock period are described. In various embodiments, a power converter generates an output voltage for one or more components. When the load current drawn by the one or more components changes, an inductor current of a low pass filter and monitored by a current sense amplifier also changes. The clock period is divided into a high phase and a low phase with one of the phases being a relatively short phase. During the relatively short phase, the current sense amplifier does not have sufficient time to measure feedback information. Instead of selecting a voltage output of the current sense amplifier, control logic selects a voltage output of a voltage generator, which emulates a voltage ramp with a slope of the inductor current during the relatively short phase.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fabio Ongaro, Michael Couleur
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Patent number: 10340803Abstract: A DC-to-DC voltage converter includes a converter input for receiving a DC voltage. A first switch is coupled between the input and a first node. A second switch is coupled between the first node and a ground. An inductor is coupled between the first node and a converter output. A capacitor is coupled between the converter output and ground. An output voltage synthesizer is coupled to the converter input and the converter output for synthesizing the voltage at the first node and for generating a control signal for at least one of the first switch and the second switch in response to the voltages at the converter input and the converter output.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Neil Gibson, Michael Couleur, Antonio Priego, Stefan Herzer, Syed Wasif Mehdi
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Publication number: 20190123632Abstract: A timing regulation circuit includes a fixed and tunable timer. A current source generates a source current I1 proportional to an inductor voltage ?V1 of a DC-DC converter during an energizing phase and a current source generates a sink current I2 proportional to inductor voltage ?V2 during a de-energizing phase. The fixed timer controls a first switch in series with I1 or I2 and the tunable timer controls a balancing switch in series with the other current. I1 or I2 is coupled by the first switch and the other current is coupled by the balancing switch to a common capacitor that provides a regulation voltage to the tunable timer which outputs a regulated duration (Tregulated) for an energizing or de-energizing phase. When Tregulated closes the balancing switch the common capacitor provides a predicted current returning inductor current to a starting value when all phases finish for providing a volt-second balance.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: MICHAEL COULEUR, NEIL GIBSON, ANTONIO PRIEGO
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Publication number: 20190123641Abstract: Disclosed examples include a transient event detector circuit to detect transient events in a switching converter, including a DLL circuit to detect changes in a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal used to operate a switching converter, and an output circuit to provide a status output signal in a first state when no transient event is detected, and to provide the status output signal in a second state indicating a transient event in the switching converter in response to a detected change in the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
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Publication number: 20190109537Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for efficiently generating a stable output for a transient load for one or more components are described. In various embodiments, a power converter includes two feedback loops to separate the stability and the equivalent output resistance, which allows the bandwidth to increase. The first loop includes a compensator receiving an output current of an amplifier. Additionally, a first converter and a first current mirror generate a target current based on the output current of the amplifier. Based on the target current, multiple step-down converters generate an output voltage, which is returned to the amplifier through a resistor. The second loop includes a second converter with a first order series RC filter to reduce the second loop's response time. A second current mirror receives current from the second converter and generates a dynamically adapting feedback current, which flows through the resistor in the first loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Fabio Ongaro, Michael Couleur
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Patent number: 10256728Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of pulse control circuits and a control circuit. A given pulse control circuit of the plurality of pulse control circuits may source a current pulse to the output power signal based on a comparison of a particular feedback signal of a plurality of feedback signals and a target voltage signal. The control circuit may offset a voltage level of each feedback signal of a first subset of the plurality of feedback signals. The first subset may exclude a first feedback signal. In response to a determination that a period of time has ended, the control circuit may offset a voltage level of each feedback signal of a second subset of the plurality of feedback signals. The second subset may include the first feedback signal and exclude a second feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Couleur, Fabio Ongaro, Nikola Jovanovic, Frank Trautmann
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Publication number: 20190068054Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for generating a stable output voltage for one or more components by checking feedback information for an entire clock period are described. In various embodiments, a power converter generates an output voltage for one or more components. When the load current drawn by the one or more components changes, an inductor current of a low pass filter and monitored by a current sense amplifier also changes. The clock period is divided into a high phase and a low phase with one of the phases being a relatively short phase. During the relatively short phase, the current sense amplifier does not have sufficient time to measure feedback information. Instead of selecting a voltage output of the current sense amplifier, control logic selects a voltage output of a voltage generator, which emulates a voltage ramp with a slope of the inductor current during the relatively short phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Fabio Ongaro, Michael Couleur
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Patent number: 10199929Abstract: Disclosed examples include a transient event detector circuit to detect transient events in a switching converter, including a DLL circuit to detect changes in a duty cycle of a pulse width modulation signal used to operate a switching converter, and an output circuit to provide a status output signal in a first state when no transient event is detected, and to provide the status output signal in a second state indicating a transient event in the switching converter in response to a detected change in the duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
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Publication number: 20180367038Abstract: A regulator circuit that employs coupled inductors with on-time modulation is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes a driver circuit coupled via first and second inductors to a power supply node of a load circuit, and may charge the power supply node via the first inductor for a first charging period, and charge the power supply node via the second inductor for a second charging period. A control circuit may determine durations of the first and second charging periods using respective pluralities of currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Michael Couleur, Fabio Ongaro, Dashun Xue
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Patent number: 10148177Abstract: A multi-phase power converter includes a plurality of power channels arranged in parallel to drive an output of the power converter, and a channel selection circuit. Each of the power channels includes a driver, a feedback control circuit coupled to an output of the driver, and a comparator coupled to the feedback control circuit. The channel selection circuit is coupled to the feedback control circuit of each of the power channels. The channel control circuit is configured to: select a different specific one of the power channels to activate in each of a plurality of phases, and introduce an offset voltage into each of the feedback control circuits, except the feedback control circuit of the specific one of the power channels. The feedback control circuit is configured to apply the offset to bias driver output feedback voltage away from a threshold voltage at which the power channel is activated.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Stefan Herzer, Michael Couleur, Antonio Priego
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Patent number: 10141841Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for efficiently generating a stable output for a transient load for one or more components are described. In various embodiments, a power converter includes two feedback loops to separate the stability and the equivalent output resistance, which allows the bandwidth to increase. The first loop includes a compensator receiving an output current of an amplifier. Additionally, a first converter and a first current mirror generate a target current based on the output current of the amplifier. Based on the target current, multiple step-down converters generate an output voltage, which is returned to the amplifier through a resistor. The second loop includes a second converter with a first order series RC filter to reduce the second loop's response time. A second current mirror receives current from the second converter and generates a dynamically adapting feedback current, which flows through the resistor in the first loop.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Fabio Ongaro, Michael Couleur
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Publication number: 20180262185Abstract: Disclosed examples include self-biased DLL circuits to generate a bias current signal proportional to a repetition frequency of a first signal representing continuous switching or discontinued switching operation of the DC-DC converter. The DLL circuit includes a monostable multivibrator to provide a pulse output signal in response to an edge of the first signal with a pulse duration set by a control current signal, a phase detector to provide output signals according to a phase difference between an edge of the pulse output signal and the first signal, and an output circuit to provide an output signal according to the phase detector output signals and according to an offset signal, to provide the bias current signal according to the output signal, and to provide the control current signal according to the output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
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Patent number: 10069416Abstract: A controller for a DC-DC converter includes a state machine and a plurality of drivers for controlling switches in the DC-DC converter, where each state in the state machine determines a state of the drivers, and a plurality of timers, where each state in the state machine, other than a passive state, has an associated timer for the state of the drivers.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego, Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Michael Lueders, Stefan Herzer, Michael Couleur
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Publication number: 20180248481Abstract: A regulator circuit that employs coupled inductors with on-time modulation is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes a driver circuit coupled via first and second inductors to a power supply node of a load circuit, and may charge the power supply node via the first inductor for a first charging period, and charge the power supply node via the second inductor for a second charging period. A control circuit may determine durations of the first and second charging periods using respective pluralities of currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: August 30, 2018Inventors: Michael Couleur, Fabio Ongaro, Dashun Xue
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Patent number: 10063145Abstract: A regulator circuit that employs coupled inductors with on-time modulation is disclosed. The regulator circuit includes a driver circuit coupled via first and second inductors to a power supply node of a load circuit, and may charge the power supply node via the first inductor for a first charging period, and charge the power supply node via the second inductor for a second charging period. A control circuit may determine durations of the first and second charging periods using respective pluralities of currents.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Michael Couleur, Fabio Ongaro, Dashun Xue