Abstract: A low-profile coupled inductor is disclosed to provide compact and high performance magnetic coupling. The low-profile coupled inductor has an asymmetrical geometry, having a pair of complementary ferrite cores supporting a pair of conducting strips in an alternating serpentine pattern. One or more core gaps exist between the cores to create a strong flux coupling between adjacent magnetic fields of either conducting strip. The alternating serpentine conductors and core gaps serve to increase energy transfer between the magnetic fields and improve the overall power density of the low-profile coupled inductor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing and error correction in a switched-mode power supply composed of a high-side transistor coupled to a low-side transistor are described. One example method generally includes capturing a current associated with the low-side transistor at a first time corresponding to the low-side transistor turning off; capturing a current associated with the high-side transistor at a second time corresponding to a first delay after the high-side transistor turns on; capturing the current associated with the high-side transistor at a third time corresponding to the high-side transistor turning off; and applying a first correction current to a current-summing node of the current-sensing circuit for a first interval based on the first delay, wherein the first correction current is based on the captured current associated with the low-side transistor at the first time and on the captured current associated with the high-side transistor at the second time.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus and techniques for charging a multi-stack battery pack. For example, certain aspects provide a circuit for charging a battery pack having multiple battery cells. The circuit generally includes a voltage regulator circuit and charge pump circuitry having an input coupled to an output of the voltage regulator circuit, and an output coupled to a first battery charging terminal. In certain aspects, the first battery charging terminal may be configured to be coupled to a terminal of a first battery cell of the multiple battery of the battery pack.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to reducing the size of parallel charging circuits for charging a battery in a portable device, while still effectively providing input current sensing and reverse current blocking capabilities. One example battery charging circuit generally includes: (1) a first charging circuit comprising a first charging output connectable to a battery and a first converter to provide power to the first charging output; and (2) a second charging circuit comprising a second charging output connectable to the battery, a second converter to provide power to the second charging output, a first transistor coupled between an output of the second converter and the second charging output, and a current-sensing circuit coupled to the output of the second converter to sense a current through the first transistor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for current sensing and error correction in a switched-mode power supply composed of a high-side transistor coupled to a low-side transistor are described. One example method generally includes capturing a current associated with the low-side transistor at a first time corresponding to the low-side transistor turning off; capturing a current associated with the high-side transistor at a second time corresponding to a first delay after the high-side transistor turns on; capturing the current associated with the high-side transistor at a third time corresponding to the high-side transistor turning off; and applying a first correction current to a current-summing node of the current-sensing circuit for a first interval based on the first delay, wherein the first correction current is based on the captured current associated with the low-side transistor at the first time and on the captured current associated with the high-side transistor at the second time.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A multi-phase (e.g., dual-phase) concurrent configuration of a power management component supports higher current levels to peripheral devices while maintaining acceptable thermal limits. A dual-phase integrated circuit (IC) having a first input/output (I/O) port coupled to a battery and a second I/O port coupled to an adapter and a peripheral device implements the configuration. The dual phase IC includes a dual-phase voltage regulator that selectively provide power (i) from the first I/O port to the second I/O port to provide power to the peripheral device or (ii) from the second I/O port to the first I/O port to provide power to the battery. A controller activates a boost phase to power the second I/O port in response to detecting a demand current of the peripheral device exceeds a maximum current available from the adapter.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide apparatus and techniques for charging a multi-stack battery pack. For example, certain aspects provide a circuit for charging a battery pack. The circuit generally includes a voltage regulator circuit and charge pump circuitry having an input coupled to an output of the voltage regulator circuit, and an output coupled to a first battery charging terminal. In certain aspects, the first battery charging terminal may be configured to be coupled to a terminal of a first battery cell of the battery pack having multiple battery cells.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to reducing the size of parallel charging circuits for charging a battery in a portable device, while still effectively providing input current sensing and reverse current blocking capabilities. One example battery charging circuit generally includes: (1) a first charging circuit comprising a first charging output connectable to a battery and a first converter to provide power to the first charging output; and (2) a second charging circuit comprising a second charging output connectable to the battery, a second converter to provide power to the second charging output, a first transistor coupled between an output of the second converter and the second charging output, and a current-sensing circuit coupled to the output of the second converter to sense a current through the first transistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method for supplying power to a battery determines a first thermal budget for a first charging regulator. The method also determines a second thermal budget for a second charging regulator. The first charging regulator and the second charging regulator are coupled to the battery. The method further includes dynamically increasing a first charging regulator power output and substantially simultaneously decreasing a second charging regulator power output based on the first thermal budget and the second thermal budget.

Abstract: A battery charging implementation improves the charging time (e.g., deliver a maximum or improved charge while minimizing or reducing power loss on the mobile device) by regulating a charging device duty cycle (e.g., buck duty cycle) of a switching regulator/converter (e.g., buck regulator) to a narrow range. An input voltage of a battery charging circuit is dynamically adjusted to maintain a duty cycle within a predetermined range. A battery is then charged in accordance with an output voltage of the battery charging circuit resulting from the adjusted duty cycle.

Abstract: A multi-phase (e.g., dual-phase) concurrent configuration of a power management component supports higher current levels to peripheral devices while maintaining acceptable thermal limits. A dual-phase integrated circuit (IC) having a first input/output (I/O) port coupled to a battery and a second I/O port coupled to an adapter and a peripheral device implements the configuration. The dual phase IC includes a dual-phase voltage regulator that selectively provide power (i) from the first I/O port to the second I/O port to provide power to the peripheral device or (ii) from the second I/O port to the first I/O port to provide power to the battery. A controller activates a boost phase to power the second I/O port in response to detecting a demand current of the peripheral device exceeds a maximum current available from the adapter.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cancelling ripple voltage from an output voltage. A first voltage is input to a converter, which may be a buck converter, a boost converter, or a buck/boost converter. The converter converts the first or input voltage and produces a first output voltage that containing a first ripple voltage. A second voltage is input to an inverting converter and is adjusted. This second voltage contains a second output ripple voltage that is equal and opposite to the first ripple voltage. The first and second voltages are filtered and summed The summing cancels the output ripple voltage and delivers a cleaner voltage. The apparatus includes: a converter connected to a power source, an inverting converter connected to the power source, at least one filter connected to the converter; at least one filter connected to the inverting converter; a blocking capacitor connected to a summer; and a load.