Abstract: A system, apparatus and method is arranged to adaptively adjust drive signals for a gate controlled switch circuit such that the amount of gate swing automatically changes based on the load conditions. An adaptive gate charge modulation (GCM) technique can be utilized to dynamically adjust the drive signals so that a substantially constant voltage drop is perceived across to a gate controlled switch circuit. The voltage drop across the gate controlled switch circuit can be set to a reference level that is adjusted whenever a change in system conditions are detected. The gate charge can then be adaptively increased and decreased during operation, within maximum and minimum limits, to substantially match the voltage drop of the gate control switch circuit to the reference level.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are arranged to provide adaptive slope compensation in a switching regulator that includes an inductor. A control loop of the switching regulator is responsive to a ramp signal. A ramp generator that includes a capacitor circuit and a current source provides the ramp signal, where at least one of the current level of the current source and the value of the capacitor circuit are adjusted to vary the slope of the ramp signal. The adjustment of the ramp signal is responsive to at least one of: a set point for the output voltage of the switching regulator, a feedback voltage that is related to the output voltage, and a measured parameter associated with the inductor in the switching regulator. By dynamically adjusting the slope of the ramp signal, slope compensation is provided for a range of inductor values that can dynamically change during operation.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for controlling an error amplifier between control mode changes. An error amplifier comprises a first stage that comprises a first current source and a second stage that comprises a second current source and at least one compensation component that is connected to the first stage through a signal line. A buffer circuit is connected between the signal line and the at least one compensation component and a switch circuit is connected between the buffer circuit and the at least one compensation component. When switched in to the error amplifier the buffer circuit provides a value of current to the at least one compensation component that is larger than a value of current that is provided to the at least one compensation component from the signal line. This increases the slew rate of the error amplifier during a pulse frequency modulation control mode.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are arranged to provide adaptive slope compensation in a switching regulator that includes an inductor. A control loop of the switching regulator is responsive to a ramp signal. A ramp generator that includes a capacitor circuit and a current source provides the ramp signal, where at least one of the current level of the current source and the value of the capacitor circuit are adjusted to vary the slope of the ramp signal. The adjustment of the ramp signal is responsive to at least one of: a set point for the output voltage of the switching regulator, a feedback voltage that is related to the output voltage, and a measured parameter associated with the inductor in the switching regulator. By dynamically adjusting the slope of the ramp signal, slope compensation is provided for a range of inductor values that can dynamically change during operation.

Abstract: A system and method measures parameters associated with an inductor such as in a switching converter. The inductance value can be determined by monitoring voltages and currents associated with the inductor when a measurement mode is activated. In one example, the measurement is provided by a signal processing system that includes an analog differentiator. In another example, the measurement is provided by a signal processing system that converts the analog measurement voltages into digital quantities that are analyzed in the digital domain. The value of the inductance value is determined by calculating of ?VL and ?IL/?t. The saturation point in the inductance is located by measuring the change in slew rate of the inductance during the measurement mode. Average values for the inductor and the slew rate can be determined using digital techniques. Other parameters such as current limit and on-time of the inductor can be adjusted by this methodology.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are arranged to provide adaptive slope compensation in a switching regulator that includes an inductor. A control loop of the switching regulator is responsive to a ramp signal. A ramp generator that includes a capacitor circuit and a current source provides the ramp signal, where at least one of the current level of the current source and the value of the capacitor circuit are adjusted to vary the slope of the ramp signal. The adjustment of the ramp signal is responsive to at least one of: a set point for the output voltage of the switching regulator, a feedback voltage that is related to the output voltage, and a measured parameter associated with the inductor in the switching regulator. By dynamically adjusting the slope of the ramp signal, slope compensation is provided for a range of inductor values that can dynamically change during operation.

Abstract: A system and method measures parameters associated with an inductor such as in a switching converter. The inductance value can be determined by monitoring voltages and currents associated with the inductor when a measurement mode is activated. In one example, the measurement is provided by a signal processing system that includes an analog differentiator. In another example, the measurement is provided by a signal processing system that converts the analog measurement voltages into digital quantities that are analyzed in the digital domain. The value of the inductance value is determined by calculating of ?VL and ?IL/?t. The saturation point in the inductance is located by measuring the change in slew rate of the inductance during the measurement mode. Average values for the inductor and the slew rate can be determined using digital techniques. Other parameters such as current limit and on-time of the inductor can be adjusted by this methodology.

Abstract: The present invention increases power efficiency in power FET applications with varying loads. A constant frequency mode can be used without detracting from efficiency. This is accomplished by reducing repetitive gate charge power losses. The present invention controls the channel impedance of the FET using a timed tri-state driver to drive a level of charge associated with the gate of the FET that is appropriate to the load requirements. When the voltage level at the FET gate reaches the appropriate level, the driver is tri-stated, so that the gate does not continue to charge.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are arranged to provide for current limit adjustments in a switching regulator that includes an inductor. A switched voltage divider circuit is selectively activated according to the actuation of various switching circuits in the regulator. The output of the switched voltage divider circuit is compared to a reference signal from a reference circuit to determine when a current limit is reached. At least one of the voltage divider ratio and the reference signal is adjustable in response to measurements related to the inductor saturation such that the current limit is changed to match inductor characteristics.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are arranged to provide small-signal compensation in a switching regulator that includes an inductor. A zero adjustment circuit is included in the system to introduce at least one zero in the closed-loop transfer function associated with the regulator. The zero adjustment circuit is responsive to a measurement signal, which is associated with one or more measured parameters associated with the inductor. By changing the location of at least one zero in response to the measurement signal it is possible to dynamically change the compensation based on variations in the inductance of the inductor. The zero adjustment circuit may be provided as a portion of the controller block of the regulator, or as a separate feedback circuit. The zero adjustment circuit can be implemented digitally as a portion of a DSP block, or as an analog function as may be desired in a particular system.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is configured to receive encoded digital data from a system controller over a single signal line. The system controller encodes the digital data into a singular analog quantity such as a voltage, a current, a sine wave frequency, a sine wave amplitude, a pulse train frequency, or a pulse train duty cycle. The encoded digital data is transmitted to the signal line. The integrated circuit decodes the digital data from the signal line. The decoded digital data is employed by the integrated circuit to adjust one or more parameters of the integrated circuit. In one example, one or more parameters may be adjusted to select various operating modes for the integrated circuit. The singular analog quantity encoding/decoding methodology may be extended to more than one signal line when desirable.

Abstract: Optimization of a parameter can be achieved by a servo loop having a temperature sensor, a temperature change detector, and a parameter adjuster. The temperature sensor monitors the temperature of an electronic device while the parameter is varied. The temperature change detector detects whether the electronic device temperature is increasing or decreasing. The parameter has a value associated with minimum power consumption when the monitored temperature reaches a minimum. The parameter is adjusted dynamically to a new preferred value as operating conditions of the electronic device change.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system and method provides a reliable low voltage reference including undervoltage lockout capabilities that prevent a premature or false response. A physical constant trigger circuit initiates a response based upon a physical constant (e.g. a stable point associated with a voltage summation in a transistor circuit with components configured to produce equal and opposite temperature coefficients). A response includes changing polarities of the transistor circuit at a predetermined inflection point. A comparator compares signals from the physical constant trigger circuit and determines when a change occurs in the response. A voltage divider provides a varying voltage to the physical constant trigger and when the voltage level corresponds to the physical constant it is utilized as the reference voltage. An input signal port conveys an input signal to the voltage divider and output port conveys an indication of the response (e.g., a desired reference voltage is available).