Abstract: An apparatus for performing resistance control on a current sensing component in an electronic device and an associated method are provided. For example, the apparatus may comprise a power switching unit and a feedback module, and the power switching unit is utilized as the current sensing component when the power switching unit enables the power path. The feedback module may comprise: a power switching unit replica that receives a first voltage at the battery terminal and outputs a second voltage; a first current source, coupled between the power switching unit replica and a ground terminal, arranged to receive the second voltage; a reference voltage generator that generates a third voltage; and an error amplifier that receives the second voltage and the third voltage and outputs a fourth voltage, wherein the feedback module controls both of the power switching unit and the power switching unit replica according to the fourth voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing multi-loop power control in an electronic device is provided, where the apparatus may include at least one portion (e.g. a portion or all) of the electronic device. More particularly, the apparatus may include a first amplifier that is positioned in a first feedback loop of the electronic device and coupled to a power control terminal of the electronic device, and a second amplifier that is positioned in a second feedback loop of the electronic device and coupled to the power control terminal. For example, the apparatus may further include a compensation circuit that is coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. In another example, the apparatus may further include a selection control circuit that is coupled to the first amplifier and the second amplifier. An associated method such as an operational method of the above apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing hybrid power control in an electronic device includes a charger positioned in the electronic device, and the charger is arranged for selectively charging a battery of the electronic device. In addition, at least one portion of the charger is implemented within a charger chip. For example, the charger may include: a plurality of terminals that are positioned on the charger chip, where the plurality of terminals may include a third terminal and a fourth terminal; a plurality of switching units, positioned on the charger chip; and a control circuit, positioned on the charger chip and coupled to the plurality of switching units. The third terminal and the fourth terminal may be arranged for installing an inductor, where the inductor may be utilized by the charger when the control circuit configures the charger into any of at least two hardware configurations within a plurality of hardware configurations.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing level shift control in an electronic device includes an input stage positioned in a level shifter of the electronic device, and an output stage positioned in the level shifter and coupled to the input stage through a set of intermediate nodes. The input stage is arranged for receiving at least one input signal of the level shifter through at least one input terminal of the input stage and controlling voltage levels of the set of intermediate nodes according to the at least one input signal. The input stage includes a hybrid current control circuit coupled to the at least one input terminal and arranged for performing current control for the input stage. The hybrid current control circuit is equipped with multiple sets of parallel paths for controlling currents passing through the set of intermediate nodes, respectively, each set may include two or more paths in parallel.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing hybrid power control in an electronic device includes a charger positioned in the electronic device, and the charger is arranged for selectively charging a battery of the electronic device. In addition, at least one portion of the charger is implemented within a charger chip. For example, the charger may include: a first terminal, positioned on the charger chip; a second terminal, positioned on the charger chip and selectively coupled to the first terminal; a third terminal, positioned on the charger chip and selectively coupled to the second terminal; a fourth terminal, positioned on the charger chip and coupled to the third terminal; a first power output path, coupled to the fourth terminal, arranged for providing a first voltage level; and a second power output path, coupled to the third terminal, arranged for selectively providing a second voltage level that is greater than the first voltage level.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing hybrid power control in an electronic device includes a charger positioned in the electronic device, and the charger is arranged for selectively charging a battery of the electronic device. In addition, at least one portion of the charger is implemented within a charger chip. For example, the charger may include: a first terminal, positioned on the charger chip; a second terminal, positioned on the charger chip and selectively coupled to the first terminal; a third terminal, positioned on the charger chip and selectively coupled to the second terminal; a fourth terminal, positioned on the charger chip and coupled to the third terminal; a first power output path, coupled to the fourth terminal, arranged for providing a first voltage level; and a second power output path, coupled to the third terminal, arranged for selectively providing a second voltage level that is greater than the first voltage level.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for controlling a voltage regulator, including steps of: converting an input voltage to an output voltage and providing an output current; sensing the output current; reducing the output voltage; and when the reduction of the output voltage causes the output current to change, setting the output voltage back to a value which does not change the output current.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-directional switching regulator and a control circuit of the bi-directional switching regulator. The bi-directional switching regulator includes a power stage, an operation circuit, and a power path management circuit. The operation circuit generates a first operation signal to control a boost conversion operation or a buck conversion operation of the power stage. The power path management circuit includes a power path switch electrically connected between the output terminal and the battery, for controlling a charging operation from the output terminal to the battery. The operation circuit generates the first operation signal so that: (1) the output voltage is determined by a sum of a safety offset and the battery voltage; or (2) the output voltage is determined by a higher one between a predetermined voltage level and the sum of the safety offset and the battery voltage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a power bank circuit. The power bank circuit includes a charger circuit, a battery circuit, a power conversion circuit, a temperature detecting circuit and a current distribution circuit. The charger circuit receives an input voltage and provides a charging current to the battery circuit. The power conversion circuit converts a battery voltage to an output voltage and provides an output current. The temperature detecting circuit detects the temperature of the packaged structure. When the temperature of the packaged structure exceeds a first predetermined temperature, the current distribution circuit first reduces the output current. When the temperature of the packaged structure exceeds a second predetermined temperature, the current distribution circuit then reduces the charging current.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-directional switching regulator and a control circuit thereof. The bi-directional switching regulator includes a power stage, an operation circuit controlling the power stage, and a power path management circuit. The power path management circuit includes a power path switch electrically connected between the output terminal and the battery, and a power path controller controlling the power path switch. The operation circuit generates the operation signal according to the output voltage or a battery voltage of the battery, and the charging current, so that: (1) a voltage difference between the output voltage and the battery voltage is ICHG*R, wherein ICHG represents the charging current and R represents a conduction resistance when the power path switch is fully conductive; or (2) the output voltage is determined by a higher one of a predetermined voltage level and the sum of ICHG*R plus the battery voltage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a power management circuit, and a control circuit and a control method thereof. The power management circuit converts an input voltage at an input terminal to an output voltage at an output terminal, and charges a battery from the output terminal. The present invention detects a power supplying capability of the input terminal to generate an adjustment signal, and adjusts the output voltage according to the adjustment signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a control method for supplying power, including (a) determining whether a power-receiving device requires power and whether the power supply apparatus is coupled to the charging node; (b) when both questions of step (a) are determined yes, determining whether a power supply capability of the power supply apparatus is higher than a current threshold; (c) when it is determined yes in step (b), supplying power from the power supply apparatus to the power-receiving device; (d) when it is determined no in step (b), determining whether a charge storage quantity of the battery is higher than a threshold; (e) when it is determined yes in step (d), supplying power from the battery to the power-receiving device; and (f) when it is determined no in step (d), supplying power from the power supply apparatus to the battery.

Abstract: A charge control circuit supplies power from an external power source to a first common node and charges a second common node. A regulator circuit is coupled between the external power source and the first common node, and a transistor is coupled between the first common node and the second common node. A current sensing and control device senses the current from the first common node to the second common node and generates a first control signal. A first voltage sensing and control device senses a voltage at the first common node, and generates a conduction control signal to control the transistor. A second voltage sensing and control device senses a voltage at the second common node, and generates a second control signal. The regulator circuit provides system power to the first common node according to the first control signal and the second control signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a buck switching regulator including a power stage, a driver circuit and a bootstrap capacitor. The power stage includes an upper-gate switch, a lower-gate switch and an inductor. The upper-gate switch is electrically connected between an input terminal and a switching node. The lower-gate switch is electrically connected between the switching node and ground. The bootstrap capacitor is electrically connected between a boost node and the switching node, wherein the boost node is electrically connected to a voltage supply. When a voltage across the bootstrap capacitor is smaller than a reference voltage, the lower-gate switch is turned on to charge the bootstrap capacitor from the voltage supply. When the charging operation to the bootstrap capacitor has been conducted over a predetermined time period or when the current of the inductor has reached a predetermined value, the charging operation to the bootstrap capacitor is ceased.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-directional switching regulator and a control circuit thereof. The bi-directional switching regulator includes a power stage, an operation circuit controlling the power stage, and a power path management circuit. The power path management circuit includes a power path switch electrically connected between the output terminal and the battery, and a power path controller controlling the power path switch. The operation circuit generates the operation signal according to the output voltage or a battery voltage of the battery, and the charging current, so that: (1) a voltage difference between the output voltage and the battery voltage is ICHG*R, wherein ICHG represents the charging current and R represents a conduction resistance when the power path switch is fully conductive; or (2) the output voltage is determined by a higher one of a predetermined voltage level and the sum of ICHG*R plus the battery voltage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-directional switching regulator and a control circuit of the bi-directional switching regulator. The bi-directional switching regulator includes a power stage, an operation circuit, and a power path management circuit. The operation circuit generates a first operation signal to control a boost conversion operation or a buck conversion operation of the power stage. The power path management circuit includes a power path switch electrically connected between the output terminal and the battery, for controlling a charging operation from the output terminal to the battery. The operation circuit generates the first operation signal so that: (1) the output voltage is determined by a sum of a safety offset and the battery voltage; or (2) the output voltage is determined by a higher one between a predetermined voltage level and the sum of the safety offset and the battery voltage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a charge control circuit for supplying power from an external power source to a first common node and charging a second common node from the first common node. A regulator circuit is coupled between the external power source and the first common node, and a transistor is coupled between the first common node and the second common node. The present invention detects an operation parameter of the transistor and controls an internal voltage source to generate a non-predetermined voltage difference accordingly. When the sum of the voltage at the second common node and the non-predetermined voltage is equal to or higher than the reference voltage, the voltage at the first common node is regulated to a level higher than the voltage at the second common node, and the transistor is in an optimum conductive state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a bi-directional switching regulator and a control circuit of the bi-directional switching regulator. The bi-directional switching regulator includes a single power stage, an operation circuit, a power path management circuit and a power path controller. The power path management circuit includes a first power path switch and a second power path switch to be coupled to at least two batteries respectively, so that at least two batteries can be charged by the output voltage supplied by the single power stage.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a power bank and a control method for supplying power. The power bank includes a rechargeable battery, a charging switch for controlling a charging path to the rechargeable battery, a discharging switch for controlling a discharging path from the rechargeable battery, and a control circuit for controlling the charging switch and the discharging switch according to current information of the charging path, current information of the discharging path, and battery capacity information of the rechargeable battery. The power bank is adapted for being connected in series between a power supply apparatus and a load. The control method detects the supply current from the power supply apparatus and the current required by the load to determine the charging and discharging operations of the power bank.

Abstract: A charger circuit comprising: a charging path coupled between an input voltage and a battery; a power switch on the charging path; a switch control circuit controlling the power switch; a timer counting a charging period; and a low current control circuit issuing a signal to the switch control circuit to control the power switch such that a charging current is maintained to be a predetermined low current when the timer counts to a predetermined maximum charging period.