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).

  • Patent number: 10056819
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
  • Publication number: 20180183332
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Stefan HERZER, Michael COULEUR, Antonio PRIEGO
  • Patent number: 10009019
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
  • Publication number: 20180166990
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego, Erich Bayer, Joerg Kirchner, Michael Lueders, Stefan Herzer, Michael Couleur
  • Publication number: 20180097443
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
  • Publication number: 20180097513
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Antonio Priego
  • Publication number: 20170310216
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Neil Gibson, Michael Couleur, Antonio Priego, Stefan Herzer
  • Patent number: 9369043
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a first differential voltage sensor to detect a first inductor current by sensing a first differential voltage across a first power stage of the DC-DC converter. A second differential voltage sensor detects a second inductor current by sensing a second differential voltage across a second power stage of the DC-DC converter. An integrator stage combines the first differential voltage from the first power stage and the second differential voltage from the second power stage to generate a compensation signal to adjust current balancing for the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Stefan Herzer, Nicola Florio
  • Patent number: 8816656
    Abstract: An electronic device for switched DC-DC conversion of an input voltage level into an output voltage level, comprising a first power switch and a second power switch, being connected in parallel and having a different gate width, and a driving stage that is configured to selectively drive the first power switch and/or second power switch depending on a load current output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Christophe Vaucourt
  • Publication number: 20140111179
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a first differential voltage sensor to detect a first inductor current by sensing a first differential voltage across a first power stage of the DC-DC converter. A second differential voltage sensor detects a second inductor current by sensing a second differential voltage across a second power stage of the DC-DC converter. An integrator stage combines the first differential voltage from the first power stage and the second differential voltage from the second power stage to generate a compensation signal to adjust current balancing for the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: MICHAEL COULEUR, STEFAN HERZER, NICOLA FLORIO
  • Publication number: 20130335156
    Abstract: Oscillator and electronic device comprising an oscillator, wherein the oscillator has an RC-circuit and a push-pull stage. A tapping point of the RC-circuit is coupled to an input of the push-pull stage and an output of the push-pull stage is fed back to a switching transistor which is coupled to the tapping point of the RC-circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Stefan Guenther
  • Patent number: 8471545
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided for switched DC-DC conversion of an input voltage level into an output voltage level. The electronic device is configured to control a control gate of a power switch and to prevent a charge of a capacitance of the control gate released during a switching operation from flowing to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Lei Liao, Christophe Vaucourt
  • Patent number: 8405464
    Abstract: An electronic device controlling a frequency modulation index has a frequency modulation index control loop having an input adapted to be connected to a frequency output of a frequency controllable oscillator. The oscillator has a center frequency Fc and an output adapted to be connected to an input of a frequency-modulation unit, the modulation index control loop being adapted to determine the modulation index. Further provided is a method of frequency-modulating with a modulation frequency Fm a non-linear controllable oscillator having a center frequency Fc with a constant modulation index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Neil Gibson, Michael Couleur
  • Publication number: 20130063113
    Abstract: A load current sensing circuit for sensing a DC-DC converter load current in a DC-DC converter comprising a high-side power transistor and a low-side power transistor connected in series between supply terminals and having a converter switching node therebetween coupled to an inductor to which a load is to be coupled. A first averaging stage determines a DC voltage component of the PWM signal and a second averaging stage determines a DC component of the voltage signal at the converter switching node. A comparison stage determines a difference voltage between the first averaging stage and the second averaging stage. An impedance replica stage forms a resistance which is proportional to the resistance of the series-connected power transistors. A measuring stage measures a current flowing through the impedance replica stage with the determined difference voltage applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Vishal Gupta, Sureena Gupta
  • Publication number: 20110309807
    Abstract: An electronic device for switched DC-DC conversion of an input voltage level into an output voltage level, comprising a first power switch and a second power switch, being connected in parallel and having a different gate width, and a driving stage that is configured to selectively drive the first power switch and/or second power switch depending on a load current output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Neil Gibson, Christophe Vaucourt
  • Publication number: 20110175683
    Abstract: An electronic device controlling a frequency modulation index has a frequency modulation index control loop having an input adapted to be connected to a frequency output of a frequency controllable oscillator. The oscillator has a center frequency Fc and an output adapted to be connected to an input of a frequency-modulation unit, the modulation index control loop being adapted to determine the modulation index. Further provided is a method of frequency-modulating with a modulation frequency Fm a non-linear controllable oscillator having a center frequency Fc with a constant modulation index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Neil Gibson, Michael Couleur
  • Publication number: 20110001462
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided for switched DC-DC conversion of an input voltage level into an output voltage level comprising a driving stage for controlling a control gate of a high side power switch so as to vary the voltage level on a switching node and an auxiliary switch, wherein the auxiliary switch is coupled between the control gate of the power switch and the switching node so as to feed a charge released from the control gate in a switching operation to the switching node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Lei Liao, Neil Gibson
  • Publication number: 20100308785
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided for switched DC-DC conversion of an input voltage level into an output voltage level. The electronic device is configured to control a control gate of a power switch and to prevent a charge of a capacitance of the control gate released during a switching operation from flowing to ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael Couleur, Lei Liao, Christophe Vaucourt