Patents by Inventor Rengang Chen

Rengang Chen 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: 11949320
    Abstract: A device includes a current mirror, a switch, first and second current paths, first and second buffers, a variable resistor, a temperature-sensing circuit, and a controller. The first current path is coupled between the current mirror's input and the switch. The switch switches between ground and a transistor based on a control signal. The second current path is coupled between a first current mirror output and ground. The first buffer is coupled to a second current mirror output. The second buffer is coupled to the variable resistor, which is coupled to the first buffer. The temperature-sensing circuit provides a device temperature to the controller, which is coupled to a first buffer output and determines a first adjustment to the first and second current paths and a second adjustment to the variable resistor based on the device temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Vishnuvardhan Reddy Jaladanki, Preetam Charan Anand Tadeparthy, Scott Ragona, Rengang Chen, Evan Michael Reutzel, Bhaskar Ramachandran
  • Publication number: 20240039406
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a current sense circuit. The current sense circuit includes a sense current output, an inductor current measurement circuit, an inductor current emulation circuit, a first switch, and a second switch. The inductor current measurement circuit has an output. The inductor current emulation circuit has an output. The first switch is coupled between the output of the inductor current measurement circuit and the sense current output. The second switch is coupled between the output of the inductor current emulation circuit and the sense current output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Rengang CHEN, Bo WANG, Evan REUTZEL, Dattatreya Baragur SURYANARAYANA, Bhaskar RAMACHANDRAN, Preetam TADEPARTHY
  • Publication number: 20230400490
    Abstract: In an example, a circuit includes an emulated current generator configured to provide an emulated current signal responsive to a charge current and a discharge current. The emulated current signal can be representative of an emulated current through an output inductor. A comparator is configured to provide a comparator signal responsive to the emulated current signal and sensed current signal representative of a measure of current through the output inductor. An inductor code counter is configured to adjust an inductor code count value responsive to the comparator signal. A slope of the emulated current signal can be adjusted responsive to the inductor code count value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Rengang CHEN, Bo WANG, Evan REUTZEL, Dattatreya Baragur SURYANARAYANA, Bhaskar RAMACHANDRAN, Preetam TADEPARTHY
  • Patent number: 11682900
    Abstract: A system includes a first power stage circuit having a first PWM input, a first voltage input and a first power output. The first power stage circuit is configured to provide a first current at the first power output responsive to a PWM signal at the first PWM input, and configured to receive a voltage at the first voltage input. The system includes a second power stage circuit having a second PWM input, a second voltage input and a second power output. The second voltage input is coupled to the first voltage input, and the second power stage circuit is configured to provide a second current at the second power output responsive to the PWM signal at the second PWM input. The second power stage circuit is configured to receive the voltage at the second voltage input, the voltage representing an average of the first current and the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rajesh Venugopal, Matthew John Ascher Schurmann, Preetam Charan Anand Tadeparthy, Rengang Chen
  • Patent number: 11588400
    Abstract: Aspects of series resonator DC-to-DC converters are described. A series resonator DC-to-DC converter can include a first half-bridge circuit comprising a first high-side switch and a first low-side switch, a second half-bridge circuit comprising a second high-side switch and a second low-side switch, and a resonator in series between the first high-side switch and the first low-side switch. The circuit design and switching controller can be relied upon to impart soft-switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Cong Tu, Khai Doan The Ngo, Ting Ge, Rengang Chen
  • Patent number: 11569744
    Abstract: A converter stage having a control pin, an input voltage pin, an output pin, a ground pin, a high-side switch coupled between the input voltage pin and the output pin, a low-side switch coupled between the output pin and the ground pin, a current sensor configured to detect a current at the output pin, and control logic coupled to the control pin and the current sensor. The control logic is configured to control switching of the high-side and the low-side switches in continuous conduction mode, discontinuous conduction mode, and body braking control for the converter stage in response to a first signal received via the control line and a second signal received from the current sensor. A driver controls switching, based on the detected current and sequential event tracking, between an on state and an off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott Edward Ragona, Rengang Chen, Preetam Charan Anand Tadeparthy, Evan Michael Reutzel
  • Publication number: 20220393464
    Abstract: A system includes a first power stage circuit having a first PWM input, a first voltage input and a first power output. The first power stage circuit is configured to provide a first current at the first power output responsive to a PWM signal at the first PWM input, and configured to receive a voltage at the first voltage input. The system includes a second power stage circuit having a second PWM input, a second voltage input and a second power output. The second voltage input is coupled to the first voltage input, and the second power stage circuit is configured to provide a second current at the second power output responsive to the PWM signal at the second PWM input. The second power stage circuit is configured to receive the voltage at the second voltage input, the voltage representing an average of the first current and the second current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Rajesh VENUGOPAL, Matthew John Ascher SCHURMANN, Preetam Charan Anand TADEPARTHY, Rengang CHEN
  • Publication number: 20220271664
    Abstract: A device includes a current mirror, a switch, first and second current paths, first and second buffers, a variable resistor, a temperature-sensing circuit, and a controller. The first current path is coupled between the current mirror's input and the switch. The switch switches between ground and a transistor based on a control signal. The second current path is coupled between a first current mirror output and ground. The first buffer is coupled to a second current mirror output. The second buffer is coupled to the variable resistor, which is coupled to the first buffer. The temperature-sensing circuit provides a device temperature to the controller, which is coupled to a first buffer output and determines a first adjustment to the first and second current paths and a second adjustment to the variable resistor based on the device temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Vishnuvardhan Reddy JALADANKI, Preetam Charan Anand TADEPARTHY, Scott RAGONA, Rengang CHEN, Evan Michael REUTZEL, Bhaskar RAMACHANDRAN
  • Publication number: 20220231609
    Abstract: Aspects of series resonator DC-to-DC converters are described. A series resonator DC-to-DC converter can include a first half-bridge circuit comprising a first high-side switch and a first low-side switch, a second half-bridge circuit comprising a second high-side switch and a second low-side switch, and a resonator in series between the first high-side switch and the first low-side switch. The circuit design and switching controller can be relied upon to impart soft-switching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Cong Tu, Khai Doan The Ngo, Ting Ge, Rengang Chen
  • Publication number: 20220231605
    Abstract: A converter stage having a control pin, an input voltage pin, an output pin, a ground pin, a high-side switch coupled between the input voltage pin and the output pin, a low-side switch coupled between the output pin and the ground pin, a current sensor configured to detect a current at the output pin, and control logic coupled to the control pin and the current sensor. The control logic is configured to control switching of the high-side and the low-side switches in continuous conduction mode, discontinuous conduction mode, and body braking control for the converter stage in response to a first signal received via the control line and a second signal received from the current sensor. A driver controls switching, based on the detected current and sequential event tracking, between an on state and an off state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Edward Ragona, Rengang Chen, Preetam Charan Anand Tadeparthy, Evan Michael Reutzel
  • Patent number: 10630183
    Abstract: A switching converter having a high-side switching transistor and a low-side switching transistor and an inductor, having a circuit for generating a simulated waveform representing a sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for monitoring and voltage at a switch node between the high-side and low-side transistors to determine a time during which the inductor current is increasing and a time during which the inductor current is decreasing wherein voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting represents a first portion of the simulated sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for utilizing the time when the inductor current is increasing, the time when the inductor current is decreasing and the voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting to generate a portion of the simulated inductor current waveform when the high-side transistor is conducting. A method and a power supply utilizing this circuit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott E. Ragona, Rengang Chen, David Jauregui
  • Publication number: 20180226892
    Abstract: A switching converter having a high-side switching transistor and a low-side switching transistor and an inductor, having a circuit for generating a simulated waveform representing a sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for monitoring and voltage at a switch node between the high-side and low-side transistors to determine a time during which the inductor current is increasing and a time during which the inductor current is decreasing wherein voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting represents a first portion of the simulated sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for utilizing the time when the inductor current is increasing, the time when the inductor current is decreasing and the voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting to generate a portion of the simulated inductor current waveform when the high-side transistor is conducting. A method and a power supply utilizing this circuit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Scott E. Ragona, Rengang Chen, David Jauregui
  • Patent number: 9966855
    Abstract: A switching converter having a high-side switching transistor and a low-side switching transistor and an inductor, having a circuit for generating a simulated waveform representing a sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for monitoring and voltage at a switch node between the high-side and low-side transistors to determine a time during which the inductor current is increasing and a time during which the inductor current is decreasing wherein voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting represents a first portion of the simulated sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for utilizing the time when the inductor current is increasing, the time when the inductor current is decreasing and the voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting to generate a portion of the simulated inductor current waveform when the high-side transistor is conducting. A method and a power supply utilizing this circuit are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Scott E. Ragona, Rengang Chen, David Jauregui
  • Publication number: 20150097539
    Abstract: A switching converter having a high-side switching transistor and a low-side switching transistor and an inductor, having a circuit for generating a simulated waveform representing a sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for monitoring and voltage at a switch node between the high-side and low-side transistors to determine a time during which the inductor current is increasing and a time during which the inductor current is decreasing wherein voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting represents a first portion of the simulated sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for utilizing the time when the inductor current is increasing, the time when the inductor current is decreasing and the voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting to generate a portion of the simulated inductor current waveform when the high-side transistor is conducting. A method and a power supply utilizing this circuit are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Scott E. Ragona, Rengang Chen, David Jauregui
  • Patent number: 8866464
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a switching converter are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a power supply system that includes a switching converter that provides an output voltage by alternately turning on and off a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor both coupled to an output inductor through a switching node. The switching converter includes a drive circuit that regulates the output voltage based on a feedback signal. The power supply system also includes a simulated output generator that generates and provides the drive circuit with a simulated inductor waveform as the feedback signal based on a low-side output waveform of the low-side transistor measured at the switching node during off-times of the switching converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Scott E. Ragona, Rengang Chen, David Jauregui
  • Publication number: 20130154590
    Abstract: Systems and methods for regulating a switching converter are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a power supply system that comprises a switching converter that provides an output voltage by alternately turning on and off a high-side transistor and a low-side transistor both coupled to an output inductor through a switching node. The switching converter includes a drive circuit that regulates the output voltage based on a feedback signal. The power supply system also comprises a simulated output generator that generates and provides the drive circuit with a simulated inductor waveform as the feedback signal based on a low-side output waveform of the low-side transistor measured at the switching node during off-times of the switching converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: SCOTT E. RAGONA, RENGANG CHEN, David Jauregui
  • Patent number: 7755342
    Abstract: A circuit for transitioning between a discontinuous and a fixed frequency continuous conduction mode (DCM) and (CCM) of a power converter having a driver receiving PWM signals and controlling a switching stage comprises a control switch and a sync switch connected at a common switching node for driving a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventors: Rengang Chen, James Steven Brown
  • Publication number: 20080042709
    Abstract: A circuit for transitioning between a discontinuous and a fixed frequency continuous conduction mode (DCM) and (CCM) of a power converter having a driver receiving PWM signals and controlling a switching stage comprises a control switch and a sync switch connected at a common switching node for driving a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Rengang Chen, James Brown