Abstract: Voltage converter are provided for efficient generation of voltage signals in a load. The converters are formed with a group of inductors and at least two sets of buck and sync transistors that are arranged with the group so that conducted currents through each of the sets are directed through a respective one of the inductors and further directed to magnetically couple induced currents in the respective inductor of at least an associated one of the sets. Efficiency is particularly enhanced with an operational mode that is directed to light load conditions. In this mode and in at least a selected one of the sets, the buck transistor is turned off throughout the operational mode and the sync transistor is turned off for at least the time that an associated buck transistor is turned on in an associated set which couples induced currents in the respective inductor of the selected set.

Abstract: A power supply and a method for compensating for a droop component in an output signal of the power supply. The power supply may include an error amplifier and an oscillator coupled to a pulse width modulation circuit. Outputs of the pulse width modulation circuit are connected to switching circuits that have outputs coupled to an output node. The power supply further includes a droop compensation circuit connected to the output of the power supply, the outputs of the switching circuits, and to an input of the error amplifier. The droop compensation circuit includes an amplifier coupled to a feed-forward network and a current source coupled to the feed-forward network. The current source sources a current to or sinks a current from the feed-forward network to generate a droop compensation signal that is transmitted to the error amplifier. The current source may be controlled by a digital-to-analog circuit.

Abstract: Voltage converter are provided for efficient generation of voltage signals in a load. The converters are formed with a group of inductors and at least two sets of buck and sync transistors that are arranged with the group so that conducted currents through each of the sets are directed through a respective one of the inductors and further directed to magnetically couple induced currents in the respective inductor of at least an associated one of the sets. Efficiency is particularly enhanced with an operational mode that is directed to light load conditions. In this mode and in at least a selected one of the sets, the buck transistor is turned off throughout the operational mode and the sync transistor is turned off for at least the time that an associated buck transistor is turned on in an associated set which couples induced currents in the respective inductor of the selected set.

Abstract: A control system for a switching power supply shifts the phase of a PWM signal in response to a change in operating conditions. The phase may be shifted by resetting an oscillator that controls the PWM signal. Phase shift logic may include a sample-hold circuit that holds the value of an error signal when the PWM signal switches state. The held error signal may be compared to the real-time error signal, preferably with a user configurable offset. The output of the phase shift logic may be used to reset the oscillator.

Abstract: A power supply monitoring system generates a monitor signal having information on more than one aspect of the power supply output. In one example embodiment, the monitor signal may be implemented as a square wave in which the duty cycle is proportional to output current, the peak amplitude is proportional to output voltage, and the average value is equal to output power.

Abstract: A switching power supply controller includes a comparator to compare a feedback signal to a first limit and a second limit, one of which includes a ramp. Limit generators may be used to generate limit signals in response to power supply signals, control signals, and/or output signals. An error amplifier may be used to generate the feedback signal in response to an output signal and an input control signal. A switching power supply may alternatively include an oscillator that shifts the switching frequency in response to the input control signal.