Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may include a power converter system with fault handling. Embodiments may include first and second power converters each including an output terminal and a control terminal, the first and second power converters to regulate voltage or current at their respective output terminals based on a voltage at their respective control terminals, the output terminals coupled to each other, and the control terminals coupled to each other; wherein the first power converter comprises: a circuit to detect a fault condition associated with the first power converter and to generate a first fault signal at the control terminal of the first power converter after the detecting the fault condition associated with the first power converter; wherein the second power converter comprises: a circuit to change an operating mode of the second power converter after generating the first fault signal at the control terminal of the first power converter.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for adding a Current Mode signal into a Voltage Mode controller for fixed-frequency DC-to-DC power converters. A current-controlled voltage source (CCVS) generates a voltage proportional to the power converter output current, which voltage is combined with a comparison signal generated by comparing a target output voltage to the actual output voltage. The modified comparison signal generates a pulse-width modulation control signal that regulates the power converter output as a function of output voltage and some portion of output current. With the addition of an inductor current signal into the controller Voltage Mode feedback loop, the double pole predominant in constant conduction mode (CCM) mode can be smoothed over to improve stability, while discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) loop response is largely unchanged with or without the added Current Mode signal. Embodiments enable simplified compensation while covering a wider operating range.

Abstract: Methods and devices for sensing current through a power converter circuit are presented. According to one aspect, currents through high-/low-side transistors are sensed via respective reduced size replica transistors. According to another aspect, the sensed currents are used to generate bridging currents that are combined with the sensed currents to generate a continuous current sense signal. According to another aspect, the bridging currents include slopes that are generated from slopes of the sensed currents. According to another aspect, the sensed currents are combined and filtered to generate a continuous sense signal. According to another aspect, the continuous current sense signal is a voltage that is compared to a reference voltage to generate a current limit status flag used to control operation of the power converter circuit. According to other aspects, the current sense voltage is used to control ON/OFF duty cycle of the power converter circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) for controlling a power converter. The IC includes a controller that, in a first sensing period, enables a sensing circuit of the power converter and electrically connects an output node of an op amp of the sensing circuit and a first node of a capacitor of the sensing circuit, creating a first voltage across the capacitor; in a period between the first sensing period and a second sensing period, disables the sensing circuit and disconnects the output node of the op amp and the first node of the capacitor to maintain the first voltage across the capacitor; and in the second sensing period, enables the sensing circuit and connects the output node of the op amp and the first node of the capacitor, the maintained first voltage across the capacitor reducing a settling time for the enabled sensing circuit.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for sensing output current of a power converter, controlling output current in multiple parallel power converters, and enabling reconfigurability of output control for multiple parallel power converters. One embodiment includes a current sensing circuit configured to be coupled to a power converter, the current sensing circuit configured to receive a first voltage representative of an output current of the power converter and output a low-frequency filtered second voltage based on the first voltage and a high-frequency filtered third voltage based on the first voltage. In some embodiments, the first voltage is generated by sensing an output current of the power converter and converting the sensed output current to the first voltage. Other embodiments include a plurality of power stages and corresponding current sensing circuits, wherein the outputs of the low-frequency filters of the current sensing circuits are coupled in common.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for adding a Current Mode signal into a Voltage Mode controller for fixed-frequency DC-to-DC power converters. A current-controlled voltage source (CCVS) generates a voltage proportional to the power converter output current, which voltage is combined with a comparison signal generated by comparing a target output voltage to the actual output voltage. The modified comparison signal generates a pulse-width modulation control signal that regulates the power converter output as a function of output voltage and some portion of output current. With the addition of an inductor current signal into the controller Voltage Mode feedback loop, the double pole predominant in constant conduction mode (CCM) mode can be smoothed over to improve stability, while discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) loop response is largely unchanged with or without the added Current Mode signal. Embodiments enable simplified compensation while covering a wider operating range.

Abstract: During its first and second residence times, corresponding first and second currents flow between a charge pump and a circuit that connects to one of the charge pump's terminals. Based on a feedback measurement from the charge pump, a controller adjusts these first and second currents.

Abstract: A controller controls a circuit that provides a variable current to a load and provides a constant voltage to the load. The controller controls switches to adaptively respond to a change in a load current by transitioning into or out of pulse-skipping mode.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for adding a Current Mode signal into a Voltage Mode controller for fixed-frequency DC-to-DC power converters. A current-controlled voltage source (CCVS) generates a voltage proportional to the power converter output current, which voltage is combined with a comparison signal generated by comparing a target output voltage to the actual output voltage. The modified comparison signal generates a pulse-width modulation control signal that regulates the power converter output as a function of output voltage and some portion of output current. With the addition of an inductor current signal into the controller Voltage Mode feedback loop, the double pole predominant in constant conduction mode (CCM) mode can be smoothed over to improve stability, while discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) loop response is largely unchanged with or without the added Current Mode signal. Embodiments enable simplified compensation while covering a wider operating range.

Abstract: During its first and second residence times, corresponding first and second currents flow between a charge pump and a circuit that connects to one of the charge pump's terminals. Based on a feedback measurement from the charge pump, a controller adjusts these first and second currents.

Abstract: During its first and second residence times, corresponding first and second currents flow between a charge pump and a circuit that connects to one of the charge pump's terminals. Based on a feedback measurement from the charge pump, a controller adjusts these first and second currents.

Abstract: During its first and second residence times, corresponding first and second currents flow between a charge pump and a circuit that connects to one of the charge pump's terminals. Based on a feedback measurement from the charge pump, a controller adjusts these first and second currents.

Abstract: A controller controls a circuit that provides a variable current to a load and provides a constant voltage to the load. The controller controls switches to adaptively respond to a change in a load current by transitioning into or out of pulse-skipping mode.

Abstract: During its first and second residence times, corresponding first and second currents flow between a charge pump and a circuit that connects to one of the charge pump's terminals. Based on a feedback measurement from the charge pump, a controller adjusts these first and second currents.

Abstract: During its first and second residence times, corresponding first and second currents flow between a charge pump and a circuit that connects to one of the charge pump's terminals. Based on a feedback measurement from the charge pump, a controller adjusts these first and second currents.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to turn-on a power MOSFET switch while limiting rush current delivered to a load are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a sense circuit senses when the power MOSFET is enhanced by a first level and a second level. A control circuit controls application of three drive forces to the gate of the power MOSFET in response to the sense circuit. The first drive force adjusts the voltage applied to the gate at a first rate. The second drive force adjusts the voltage applied to the gate at a second rate less than the first rate. The third drive force adjusts the voltage applied to the gate at a third rate greater than the second rate. The circuit utilizes most of the allotted turn-on time to linearly control the power MOSFET enhancement, providing optimal slew rate control and limiting the rush current delivered to the load.