Abstract: A method for an up-down converter which is based on a buck converter during the current down-conversion phase (?2, ?3 and ?5, ?6, respectively) of the coil (L1) supplies an output (B) with a relatively high output voltage (UB), where UB>Uin. The down-conversion phase of the coil current (IL1) comprises at least two different down-conversion phases (?2, ?3 and ?5, ?6, respectively). A method for an up-down converter, which converter is based on a boost converter, supplies during the current up-conversion phase (?7, and ?10, respectively) of the coil (L2) an output (D) which has a relatively low output voltage (UD) with power, where UD>Uin. The up-conversion phase of the coil current (IL2) comprises at least two different current reduction phases (?7, ?8 and ?10, ?11, respectively).

Abstract: An increasing number of phases in multiphase converters causes an increase in requirements with respect to the control IC. According to the present invention, instead of deriving a new PWM signal for every single phase of the DC-DC converter, the single phases are clustered into groups (22, 24, 26). Within each group, the converters are operated on the basis of one PWM signal (PW M1, PW M2 . . . PW MN). Advantageously, this may allow to reduce the requirements with respect to the control IC and thus may allow the application of cheaper and smaller control ICs.

Abstract: Described herein is a DC/DC down converter which includes a synchronous rectifier, a switching element at its input side, an inductance at its output side and an auxiliary circuit which includes an auxiliary switching element, an auxiliary rectifier and an auxiliary inductance, the auxiliary circuit being coupled to the connection between the synchronous rectifier, the switching element at the input side and the inductance at the output side.

Abstract: Resonant gate driver circuits provide for efficient switching of, for example, a MOSFET. However, often an operation of the resonant gate driver circuit does not allow for an application where high switching frequencies are required. According to the present invention, a pre-charging of the inductor of the resonant gate driver circuit is performed. This allows for a highly efficient and fast operation of the MOSFETs.

Abstract: An increasing number of phases in multiphase converters causes an increase in requirements with respect to the control IC. According to the present invention, instead of deriving a new PWM signal for every single phase of the DC-DC converter, the single phases are clustered into groups (22, 24, 26). Within each group, the converters are operated on the basis of one PWM signal (PW M1, PW M2 . . . PW MN). Advantageously, this may allow to reduce the requirements with respect to the control IC and thus may allow the application of cheaper and smaller control ICs.

Abstract: Resonant gate driver circuits provide for an efficient switching of, for example, a MOSFET. However, often an operation of the resonant gate driver circuit does not allow for an application where high switching frequencies are required. According to the present invention, a pre-charging of the inductor of the resonant gate drive circuit is performed. This allows for a highly energy efficient and fast operation of the MOSFET.

Abstract: The trend towards more digital signal processing in mains-powered devices causes an increasing variety of supply voltages at ever decreasing levels and at higher currents. At present, the secondary side architecture provides a separate ac-dc conversion and dc-dc down-conversion stages in order to obtain stabilized voltages at those low levels. According to the present invention, a controlling synchronous rectifier is provided, comprising a power MOSFET and a control unit which allow to integrate both stages. In particular, according to the present invention, the output voltage of the synchronous rectifier is controlled by controlling the channel switching of the MOSFET. Advantageously, this provides for a very simple and efficient rectification and voltage control.

Abstract: At The invention relates to a DC/DC down converter which includes a synchronous rectifier, a switching element at its input side and an inductance at its output side. In order to permit fast load fluctuations as well as to reduce costs and operating losses, it is proposed to provide an auxiliary circuit which comprises an auxiliary switching element, an auxiliary rectifier and an auxiliary inductance, the auxiliary circuit being coupled to the connection between the synchronous rectifier, the switching element at the input side and the inductance at the output side.

Abstract: A method for controlling the transient response of a power converter powering a load, said power converter comprising a power switch, a synchronous rectifier and a capacitor coupled between an input and an output of the power converter, said method comprising the step of—disabling said synchronous rectifier in response to a signal indicative of a change of said load, is characterized by—providing said signal based on a current representing said change of load.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power converter comprising an inductor 6 for receiving energy from a power supply 1, and connected to the inductor 6 an output capacitor 7 for providing an output voltage. In order to ensure a quick compensation of a reduction of load at the voltage output using few output capacitors, it is proposed that an additional current path 11,12 is arranged in parallel either to the inductor 6 or to the capacitor 7, which additional current path 11,12 can be opened and closed. A current flowing through the additional current path 11,12 reaches basically immediately a desired value, when the additional current path 11,12 is opened. Feedback means are moreover provided for opening the additional current path 11,12, when the output voltage reaches a predetermined maximum value. The invention relates equally to a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which comprises a circuit arrangement and at least one inductive element. In order to form a device with a circuit arrangement with one or more inductive elements which can be manufactured as economically as possible, it is proposed to use an electrically conductive plate (13) having an inductive function, the inductive function corresponding to a structure of slits (20a, 20b, 20c) formed in the plate.

Abstract: In known converter circuits switching losses occur, which are caused by reverse-recovery currents of a freewheeling diode. To reduce said switching losses it is proposed by the invention to drive the switching elements such that, upon switching from the second to the first switching element, the timing is controlled in such a manner that the shoot through currents and the conduction of the freewheeling diode are kept at a low value or, better still, are precluded. As regards the control mechanism, it is proposed to turn on the first switching element later if shoot through currents occur, and to turn on the first switching element sooner if conduction of the freewheeling diode occurs. Here, a time of overlap may be provided during which both switching elements are simultaneously conducting. For the control mechanism, the voltage across a switching element can be used as a measured input value.