Patents by Inventor Tudor Lipan
Tudor Lipan 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).
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Patent number: 10411663Abstract: A Galvanically Isolated Amplifier (GIA) includes an isolation barrier to galvanically isolate high voltage circuitry from low voltage circuitry. The high voltage circuitry has at least two voltage supply rails, with the voltage supply rail closest to ground potential at a first potential relative to the ground potential. The low voltage circuitry has at least two voltage supply rails, with the voltage supply rail closest to the ground potential at a second potential, the second potential being smaller than the first potential. A Radio Frequency (RF) carrier is digitally Phase Shift Keying (PSK) modulated for transmission across the isolation barrier. The unmodulated RF carrier could also be transmitted across the isolation barrier. PSK modulation could be applied to the RF carrier based on a test waveform to generate a PSK-modulated test signal for transmission while a voltage transient is applied between the high voltage circuitry and the low voltage circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventors: Christian Cojocaru, Igor Miletic, Tudor Lipan, Michael Sawires
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Patent number: 10381836Abstract: Power converter communications, including power converter communication methods and power converters that can communicate information, are disclosed. A control variable of a power converter is modulated, to modulate an output of the power converter for communicating information. Modulation of voltage or current on a circuit path to which the power converter is coupled could be detected, by another power converter, for example. Such modulation could be detected by sensors that are also used in controlling the power converter. Either or both of transmission and reception could therefore be provided without requiring any additional hardware at a power converter.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventors: Tudor Lipan, James Benson Bacque, Raymond Kenneth Orr
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Patent number: 10148179Abstract: In event-based switching for power conversion, binary electrical event signals are selected from a number of available binary electrical event signals. Fewer than all of the available binary electrical event signals are selected. The selected binary electrical event signals are optionally processed in generating respective processed binary electrical event signals. One of the respective processed binary event signals is selected as a switch turn-on signal and another of the respective processed binary electrical event signals is selected as a switch turn-off signal, to control at least one switch in a switching mode power converter.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventors: Tudor Lipan, Christian Dino Gerolami
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Publication number: 20180323759Abstract: A Galvanically Isolated Amplifier (GIA) includes an isolation barrier to galvanically isolate high voltage circuitry from low voltage circuitry. The high voltage circuitry has at least two voltage supply rails, with the voltage supply rail closest to ground potential at a first potential relative to the ground potential. The low voltage circuitry has at least two voltage supply rails, with the voltage supply rail closest to the ground potential at a second potential, the second potential being smaller than the first potential. A Radio Frequency (RF) carrier is digitally Phase Shift Keying (PSK) modulated for transmission across the isolation barrier. The unmodulated RF carrier could also be transmitted across the isolation barrier. PSK modulation could be applied to the RF carrier based on a test waveform to generate a PSK-modulated test signal for transmission while a voltage transient is applied between the high voltage circuitry and the low voltage circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: Christian COJOCARU, Igor MILETIC, Tudor LIPAN, Michael SAWIRES
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Publication number: 20170324328Abstract: In event-based switching for power conversion, binary electrical event signals are selected from a number of available binary electrical event signals. Fewer than all of the available binary electrical event signals are selected. The selected binary electrical event signals are optionally processed in generating respective processed binary electrical event signals. One of the respective processed binary event signals is selected as a switch turn-on signal and another of the respective processed binary electrical event signals is selected as a switch turn-off signal, to control at least one switch in a switching mode power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2017Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Tudor LIPAN, Christian Dino GEROLAMI
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Patent number: 9742278Abstract: In event-based switching for power conversion, binary electrical event signals are selected from a number of available binary electrical event signals. Fewer than all of the available binary electrical event signals are selected. The selected binary electrical event signals are optionally processed in generating respective processed binary electrical event signals. One of the respective processed binary event signals is selected as a switch turn-on signal and another of the respective processed binary electrical event signals is selected as a switch turn-off signal, to control at least one switch in a switching mode power converter.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventors: Tudor Lipan, Christian Dino Gerolami
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Patent number: 9727072Abstract: Photovoltaic system maximum power point tracking methods and apparatus are disclosed. Output power samples from one or more photovoltaic (PV) cells are obtained. The output power samples include perturbed samples for which a perturbation is applied to an operating voltage or current of the PV cell(s) and non-perturbed samples for which no perturbation is applied to the operating voltage or current. A control output, to change the operating voltage or current of the PV cell(s) for a next perturbed sample by a next perturbation, is generated. The next perturbation could be based on an estimated change in output power due to a previous perturbation. The next perturbation could also or instead be in a direction based on a change in output power samples, and of a magnitude based on the direction and a direction of perturbations applied for one or more perturbed samples preceding the next perturbed sample.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventor: Tudor Lipan
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Patent number: 9647571Abstract: Inverter internal communication features are disclosed. A multiple-stage inverter includes DC to DC and DC to AC converter switches in different power domains, which share no common return path connection. Operating parameters for converter switches in both power domains are determined by a single controller, located in one of the power domains. Converter control signals are communicated from the controller across an interface between the power domains. Respective, separate controllers in each power domain are not required. Components on each side of the interface could be integrated into respective integrated circuits. A planar transformer implemented in wiring levels of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that carries components of the inverter could be provided to enable communications between the power domains while reducing component count and physical space requirements.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Solantro Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Raymond Kenneth Orr, Tudor Lipan, Alexandru Dorin Nicolescu
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Publication number: 20170104414Abstract: In event-based switching for power conversion, binary electrical event signals are selected from a number of available binary electrical event signals. Fewer than all of the available binary electrical event signals are selected. The selected binary electrical event signals are optionally processed in generating respective processed binary electrical event signals. One of the respective processed binary event signals is selected as a switch turn-on signal and another of the respective processed binary electrical event signals is selected as a switch turn-off signal, to control at least one switch in a switching mode power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2015Publication date: April 13, 2017Inventors: TUDOR LIPAN, CHRISTIAN DINO GEROLAMI
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Publication number: 20160172860Abstract: Power converter communications, including power converter communication methods and power converters that can communicate information, are disclosed. A control variable of a power converter is modulated, to modulate an output of the power converter for communicating information. Modulation of voltage or current on a circuit path to which the power converter is coupled could be detected, by another power converter, for example. Such modulation could be detected by sensors that are also used in controlling the power converter. Either or both of transmission and reception could therefore be provided without requiring any additional hardware at a power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Tudor LIPAN, James Benson BACQUE, Raymond Kenneth ORR
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Patent number: 9356553Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a photovoltaic (PV) installation includes providing a string of multiple panel interface device enabled PV panels; operatively connecting an inverter to the string; operatively connecting at least one PV panel to the string; discharging an input capacitance of the inverter; comparing a current in the string to a predetermined current threshold value; and controlling connection of the at least one PV panel to the string based on the comparing of the current in the string to the predetermined current threshold value. A panel interface device may be used to discharge the input capacitance of the inverter.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Solantro Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Gerald Augustoni, Tudor Lipan, Raymond Kenneth Orr
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Patent number: 9077254Abstract: An active clamp circuit includes a clamp capacitance and a clamp switch coupled in a circuit path, and a diode coupled across the clamp switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Solantro Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Raymond Kenneth Orr, Gabriel Scarlatescu, Tudor Lipan
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Publication number: 20150036395Abstract: Inverter internal communication features are disclosed. A multiple-stage inverter includes DC to DC and DC to AC converter switches in different power domains, which share no common return path connection. Operating parameters for converter switches in both power domains are determined by a single controller, located in one of the power domains. Converter control signals are communicated from the controller across an interface between the power domains. Respective, separate controllers in each power domain are not required. Components on each side of the interface could be integrated into respective integrated circuits. A planar transformer implemented in wiring levels of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that carries components of the inverter could be provided to enable communications between the power domains while reducing component count and physical space requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Solantro Semiconductor Corp.Inventors: Raymond Kenneth Orr, Tudor Lipan, Alexandru Dorin Nicolescu
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Publication number: 20150016153Abstract: An active clamp circuit includes a clamp capacitance and a clamp switch coupled in a circuit path, and a diode coupled across the clamp switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Raymond Kenneth Orr, Gabriel Scarlatescu, Tudor Lipan
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FRACTIONAL PHASE LOCKED LOOP HAVING AN EXACT OUTPUT FREQUENCY AND PHASE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME
Publication number: 20140320173Abstract: A fractional-N frequency synthesizer having an exact output frequency and phase includes a phase locked loop including a phase detector responsive to a reference signal and a fractional divider. The phase locked loop has an output signal whose frequency is a fractional multiple of the input reference signal. The synthesizer also includes a modulator having a modulus for providing an output to the fractional divider, in which the modulus multiplied by the ratio of the frequency of the output signal to the frequency of the reference signal is a non-integer number.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Mark M. Cloutier, Gord Allan, Tudor Lipan -
Publication number: 20140265603Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a photovoltaic (PV) installation includes providing a string of multiple panel interface device enabled PV panels; operatively connecting an inverter to the string; operatively connecting at least one PV panel to the string; discharging an input capacitance of the inverter; comparing a current in the string to a predetermined current threshold value; and controlling connection of the at least one PV panel to the string based on the comparing of the current in the string to the predetermined current threshold value. A panel interface device may be used to discharge the input capacitance of the inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventors: Gerald Augustoni, Tudor Lipan, Raymond Kenneth Orr
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Fractional phase locked loop having an exact output frequency and phase and method of using the same
Patent number: 8810290Abstract: A fractional-N frequency synthesizer having an exact output frequency and phase includes a phase locked loop including a phase detector responsive to a reference signal and a fractional divider. The phase locked loop has an output signal whose frequency is a fractional multiple of the input reference signal. The synthesizer also includes a modulator having a modulus for providing an output to the fractional divider, in which the modulus multiplied by the ratio of the frequency of the output signal to the frequency of the reference signal is a non-integer number.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Hittite Microwave CorporationInventors: Mark Cloutier, Gord Allan, Tudor Lipan -
Publication number: 20130342017Abstract: Photovoltaic system maximum power point tracking methods and apparatus are disclosed. Output power samples from one or more photovoltaic (PV) cells are obtained. The output power samples include perturbed samples for which a perturbation is applied to an operating voltage or current of the PV cell(s) and non-perturbed samples for which no perturbation is applied to the operating voltage or current. A control output, to change the operating voltage or current of the PV cell(s) for a next perturbed sample by a next perturbation, is generated. The next perturbation could be based on an estimated change in output power due to a previous perturbation. The next perturbation could also or instead be in a direction based on a change in output power samples, and of a magnitude based on the direction and a direction of perturbations applied for one or more perturbed samples preceding the next perturbed sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: SOLANTRO SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.Inventor: Tudor Lipan
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Publication number: 20120033758Abstract: A method for controlling local oscillator (LO) feed-through in a direct transmitter includes detecting a signal level corresponding to LO feed-through in a radio frequency (RF) signal that is output by a direct transmitter. Responsive to detecting the signal level corresponding to LO feed-through, DC offset levels are modified for an in-phase (I) signal and/or a quadrature-phase (Q) signal in the direct transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Mark M. Cloutier, Tudor Lipan, Christian Cojocaru
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Patent number: 8085097Abstract: An integrated ramp, sweep fractional frequency synthesizer system on an integrated circuit chip includes an integrated circuit chip having a fractional frequency synthesizer with a fractional divider responsive to a VCO and a ?? modulator for modifying the divisor of the fractional divider; and a ramp generator on the same integrated circuit chip; the ramp generator being responsive to a trigger signal to generate a ramp for sweeping the frequency of said fractional frequency synthesizer.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Hittite Microwave CorporationInventors: Mark M. Cloutier, Tudor Lipan