Abstract: Embodiments of a circuit for a direct current (DC)-DC converter and DC-DC converters are disclosed. In an embodiment, a circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a resistive divider connected to an electrical terminal of the DC-DC converter, an amplifier connected to the resistive divider, a clock synchronization unit connected to a control circuit of the DC-DC converter and configured to generate control signals for the control circuit for switching the DC-DC converter between different operational modes, a first comparator connected to the amplifier and to the control circuit of the DC-DC converter, a second comparator connected to the resistive divider and to the control circuit of the DC-DC converter, and a voltage generator connected to the first comparator and configured to generate a comparator input voltage for the first comparator in response to an output voltage from the amplifier.

Abstract: Embodiments of pin lift detection circuit for a direct current (DC)-DC converter and DC-DC converters are disclosed. In an embodiment, a pin lift detection circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a current source, a switch connecting the current source to an electrical terminal of the DC-DC converter, a resistive divider connected to the switch and to the electrical terminal of the DC-DC converter, an amplifier connected to the resistive divider, a comparator connected to the amplifier and to the resistive divider, a digital filter connected to the comparator and configured to generate a flag signal in response to a disconnection between the electrical terminal of the DC-DC converter and a load of the DC-DC converter, and a timer circuit configured to generate control signals for the switch, the comparator, and the digital filter.

Abstract: One example discloses an open-circuit detector, comprising: a first current source configured to inject a current at an output of a closed-loop circuit; a detector configured to monitor a voltage of the closed-loop circuit; wherein the detector is configured to indicate whether the voltage monitored exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage; a controller configured to regulate the current injected by the first current source; wherein the controller is configured to set an open-circuit flag if the current injected caused the voltage to exceed the predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: One example discloses an open-circuit detector, comprising: a first current source configured to inject a current at an output of a closed-loop circuit; a detector configured to monitor a voltage of the closed-loop circuit; wherein the detector is configured to indicate whether the voltage monitored exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage; a controller configured to regulate the current injected by the first current source; wherein the controller is configured to set an open-circuit flag if the current injected caused the voltage to exceed the predetermined threshold voltage.

Abstract: A current-mode DC-DC converter includes a power switch and a reset circuit for providing a resettable input signal to the switch. A first feedback loop, coupled to the switch, provides a control signal to the reset circuit to instigate the resettable input signal when a ramp voltage reaches a target peak current value. An inductor is coupled to the switch. A second current control feedback loop includes a current sense circuit that monitors an inductor current influenced by an output of the switch, and a slope compensation circuit for introducing a ramp voltage to a sensed voltage of the switch to control power switch on/off to limit the inductor current. The converter is characterized by a slope compensation effect cancellation circuit coupled to the current sense circuit via the second feedback loop for sensing an inductor peak current and controlling power switch on/off in response to the inductor peak current.

Abstract: A current-mode DC-DC converter includes a power switch and a reset circuit for providing a resettable input signal to the switch. A first feedback loop, coupled to the switch, provides a control signal to the reset circuit to instigate the resettable input signal when a ramp voltage reaches a target peak current value. An inductor is coupled to the switch. A second current control feedback loop includes a current sense circuit that monitors an inductor current influenced by an output of the switch, and a slope compensation circuit for introducing a ramp voltage to a sensed voltage of the switch to control power switch on/off to limit the inductor current. The converter is characterized by a slope compensation effect cancellation circuit coupled to the current sense circuit via the second feedback loop for sensing an inductor peak current and controlling power switch on/off in response to the inductor peak current.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a linear power regulator device that includes an internal pass device, a driver device having a driver output arranged to drive the internal pass device via the driver output. The linear power regulator device also includes an external connection connectable or connected to an external pass device; and the driver device is arranged to drive the external pass device via the driver output and the external connection.

Abstract: A power regulator includes an output terminal to provide a regulated voltage, a first control unit to control a first operation mode, a second control unit to control a second operation mode, and a detection unit connected to the output terminal. The detection unit detects, at start-up, whether or not an external inductor is connected to the output terminal, activates the first operation mode when an external inductor is detected, and activates the second operation mode when no external inductor is detected. The detection unit also detects in which of at least two distinct inductance ranges the inductance of the detected inductor lies so as to provide inductance dependent control in the first operation mode.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit arranged to receive a voltage supply signal, and to output a regulated voltage signal is described. The voltage regulator circuit comprises at least one switched mode power supply component selectively configurable to perform regulation of the voltage supply signal, at least one linear voltage regulator component selectively configurable to perform regulation of the voltage supply signal, and at least one controller component.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a linear power regulator device, comprising an internal pass device, a driver device having a driver output arranged to drive the internal pass device via the driver output, wherein the linear power regulator device comprises an external connection connectable or connected to an external pass device; and wherein the driver device is arranged to drive an external pass device via the driver output and the external connection. The invention also pertains to a corresponding electronic device.

Abstract: A switching power converter for DC-DC converting has an inductance coupled between a power output and a high side switch in a controller device. The controller device has an error amplifier coupled to the power output and a reference voltage for activating the high side switch. The controller device has a bypass circuit including a bypass switch coupled between the supply input and the power output, a bypass driver having a first input coupled to the power output and a second input coupled to the reference voltage, and an output coupled to the bypass switch for activating the bypass switch. The controller further has a high bypass current sensor for generating a transient signal based on a current via the bypass switch, and a bandwidth control circuit for increasing the bandwidth of the error amplifier based on the transient signal.

Abstract: A power regulator (1) having an output terminal (14) for providing a regulated voltage, comprising: a first control unit (35) for controlling a first operation mode, a second control unit (36) for controlling a second operation mode, a detection unit (40) connected to the output terminal (14) for detecting, at start-up, whether or not an external inductor (30) is connected to the output terminal (14), for activating the first operation mode when an external inductor (30) is detected, and for activating the second operation mode when no external inductor is detected. The detection unit (40) is further arranged for detecting in which of at least two distinct inductance ranges the inductance of the detected inductor (30) lies so as to provide inductance dependent control in the first operation mode.

Abstract: A switching power converter for DC-DC converting has an inductance coupled between a power output and a high side switch in a controller device. The controller device has an error amplifier coupled to the power output and a reference voltage for activating the high side switch. The controller device has a bypass circuit including a bypass switch coupled between the supply input and the power output, a bypass driver having a first input coupled to the power output and a second input coupled to the reference voltage, and an output coupled to the bypass switch for activating the bypass switch. The controller further has a high bypass current sensor for generating a transient signal based on a current via the bypass switch, and a bandwidth control circuit for increasing the bandwidth of the error amplifier based on the transient signal.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a linear power regulator device that includes an internal pass device, a driver device having a driver output arranged to drive the internal pass device via the driver output. The linear power regulator device also includes an external connection connectable or connected to an external pass device; and the driver device is arranged to drive the external pass device via the driver output and the external connection.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a linear power regulator device, comprising an internal pass device, a driver device having a driver output arranged to drive the internal pass device via the driver output, wherein the linear power regulator device comprises an external connection connectable or connected to an external pass device; and wherein the driver device is arranged to drive an external pass device via the driver output and the external connection. The invention also pertains to a corresponding electronic device.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit arranged to receive a voltage supply signal, and to output a regulated voltage signal is described. The voltage regulator circuit comprises at least one switched mode power supply component selectively configurable to perform regulation of the voltage supply signal, at least one linear voltage regulator component selectively configurable to perform regulation of the voltage supply signal, and at least one controller component.

Abstract: A driver circuit is provided that receives an ON or OFF logic control signal and further has: an output arranged to be connected to a load; a power switch, having a control terminal with a first current terminal connected to a first power supply and a second current terminal arranged to be connected to the output to drive the load; a control circuit of a first type arranged between the control terminal of the power switch and a second power supply; and a control circuit of a second type, arranged to couple the control terminal of the power switch to the first power supply when the control signal is in the OFF state.

Abstract: A driver circuit is provided that receives an ON or OFF logic control signal and further has: an output arranged to be connected to a load; a power switch, having a control terminal with a first current terminal connected to a first power supply and a second current terminal arranged to be connected to the output to drive the load; a control circuit of a first type arranged between the control terminal of the power switch and a second power supply; and a control circuit of a second type, arranged to couple the control terminal of the power switch to the first power supply when the control signal is in the OFF state.