Abstract: A method of operating a circuit is disclosed. The method includes providing an interleaved power factor correction (PFC) converter circuit; determining a switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit; setting a phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at a first phase shift when the switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit is below or at a first switching frequency; setting the phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at a second phase shift when the switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit is greater than the first switching frequency but less than a second switching frequency; and setting the phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at the first phase shift when the switching frequency of interleaved the PFC converter circuit is greater than the second switching frequency.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed. In one aspect, the electronic device includes a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, where the PCB includes a thermally conductive region having a plurality of vias that extend from the first surface to the second surface; a semiconductor device attached to the second surface of the PCB and overlying the thermally conductive region; a transformer having a magnetic core; a shield arranged to partially enclose the transformer and define an opening; and an insert disposed within the opening, attached to the first surface of the PCB and overlying the thermally conductive region.

Abstract: A PFC circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a first switch having a first power switch, a first current sense circuit and a first overcurrent protection circuit, a second switch having a second power switch, a second current sense circuit and a second overcurrent protection circuit, the first switch coupled to the second switch at a switch node, an inductor coupled between the switch node and an AC input terminal, and a controller arranged to transmit control signals to the first and second switches, where the first current sense circuit is arranged to transmit a first signal including at least one of a magnitude and a polarity of a first current through the first power switch, and the first overcurrent protection circuit is arranged to receive the first signal and transition the first power switch to a first off-state in response to the first signal exceeding a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of operating a circuit is disclosed. The method includes providing an interleaved power factor correction (PFC) converter circuit; determining a switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit; setting a phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at a first phase shift when the switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit is below or at a first switching frequency; setting the phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at a second phase shift when the switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit is greater than the first switching frequency but less than a second switching frequency; and setting the phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at the first phase shift when the switching frequency of interleaved the PFC converter circuit is greater than the second switching frequency.

Abstract: A low power-loss supply circuit minimizes the losses in a synchronous rectifier power conversion circuit by regulating the voltage supply (Vcc) of a synchronous rectifier controller. The low power-loss supply circuit uses two regulating capacitors to regulate the value of the voltage supplied to the controller. A first regulating capacitor supplies the input voltage which powers the synchronous rectifier controller. A second regulating capacitor is used to cyclically charge the first regulating capacitor.

Abstract: An electronic component. The electronic component includes a base; a first semiconductor device attached to the base and having: a first Gallium nitride (GaN)-based switch having a first gate, a first source and a first drain, the first gate arranged to control a current flow between the first source and the first drain; a second GaN-based switch having a second source, a second gate and a second drain, the second gate coupled to the first gate, and the second drain coupled to the first drain. In one aspect, the electronic component also includes a second semiconductor device attached to the base and having: a logic circuit coupled to the second source and arranged to detect a magnitude of the current flow; and a driver circuit coupled to the first and second gates, the driver circuit arranged to control on and off states of the first and second GaN-based switches.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a first semiconductor switch connected to a second semiconductor switch at a switch node, an input voltage coupled to the first semiconductor switch, a ground coupled to the second semiconductor switch, a resonant circuit coupled to the first and second semiconductor switches, the resonant circuit having an inductor in series with a resonant capacitor coupled to the input voltage, and a sense resistor, where a voltage across the sense resistor is proportional to a current in the resonant circuit. In one aspect, the circuit further includes a sense capacitor coupled between the resonant capacitor and the sense resistor. In another aspect, inductor is coupled in parallel with a resonant capacitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving radiated electromagnetic interference (EMI) in switching power supplies are disclosed. In one aspect, a converter circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding extending from a first primary terminal to a second primary terminal, a first switch having a first gate terminal, a first source terminal and a first drain terminal, wherein the first drain terminal is coupled to the first primary terminal, and the first source terminal is coupled to a power source, and a capacitor having a first capacitor terminal and second capacitor terminal, wherein the first capacitor terminal is coupled to the power source. A ferrite bead is coupled between the first primary terminal and the first drain terminal, and a capacitor network is coupled in parallel with the ferrite bead and arranged to reduce radiated electromagnetic interference of the converter circuit.

Abstract: An electronic component. The electronic component includes a base; a first semiconductor device attached to the base and having: a first Gallium nitride (GaN)-based switch having a first gate, a first source and a first drain, the first gate arranged to control a current flow between the first source and the first drain; a second GaN-based switch having a second source, a second gate and a second drain, the second gate coupled to the first gate, and the second drain coupled to the first drain. In one aspect, the electronic component also includes a second semiconductor device attached to the base and having: a logic circuit coupled to the second source and arranged to detect a magnitude of the current flow; and a driver circuit coupled to the first and second gates, the driver circuit arranged to control on and off states of the first and second GaN-based switches.

Abstract: A transformer is disclosed. The transformer includes a magnetic core having a central region, a primary winding extending around the central region, a first secondary winding including a first conductor having one or more first turns extending around the central region, where the first conductor has a first width and is arranged to receive electromagnetic flux from the primary winding, and a second secondary winding including a second conductor having one or more second turns extending around the central region, where the second conductor has a second width and is arranged to receive electromagnetic flux from the primary winding. In one aspect, a number of the one or more second turns is greater than a number of the one or more first turns and the first width is greater than the second width.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing auxiliary transformer winding turns are disclosed. In one aspect, a circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding, a secondary winding and an auxiliary winding having a first end and a second end, a diode having a cathode and an anode, the anode coupled to the first end of the auxiliary winding, and a capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the second end of the auxiliary winding, and a second terminal coupled to the cathode.

Abstract: Systems and methods that automatically detect state of switches in power converters are disclosed. In one aspect, a power switch includes a first switch coupled between a power input node and a first terminal of a load, a second switch coupled between the power input node and a second terminal of the load, first and second current sense devices arranged to transmit first and second signals including at least one of a magnitude and polarity of first and second currents through the first and second switches, respectively, a first driver circuit arranged to transmit first control signals to the first switch based at least in part on a voltage at the power input node and the first signal, and a second driver circuit arranged to transmit second control signals to the second switch based at least in part on the voltage at the power input node and the second signal.

Abstract: A flyback DC-DC converter. The converter having a transformer with a primary and a secondary windings, first and second switches, a capacitor coupled between the second switch and the primary winding, where the second switch is arranged to operate such that a sum of a first and second time periods equals a sum of third and fourth time periods, where the first time period is a delay time period from a time that the first switch is turned off to a time that the second switch is turned on, the second time period is a time period that the second switch is on, the third time period is a resonance time period of a resonator formed by a leakage inductance of the transformer and a capacitance of the capacitor, and the fourth time period is a time period for discharge of the leakage inductance of the transformer into the capacitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods that automatically detect state of switches in power converters are disclosed. In one aspect, a power switch includes a first switch coupled between a power input node and a first terminal of a load, a second switch coupled between the power input node and a second terminal of the load, first and second current sense devices arranged to transmit first and second signals including at least one of a magnitude and polarity of first and second currents through the first and second switches, respectively, a first driver circuit arranged to transmit first control signals to the first switch based at least in part on a voltage at the power input node and the first signal, and a second driver circuit arranged to transmit second control signals to the second switch based at least in part on the voltage at the power input node and the second signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a circuit is disclosed. The method includes providing an interleaved power factor correction (PFC) converter circuit; determining a switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit; setting a phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at a first phase shift when the switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit is below or at a first switching frequency; setting the phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at a second phase shift when the switching frequency of the interleaved PFC converter circuit is greater than the first switching frequency but less than a second switching frequency; and setting the phase shift of the interleaved PFC converter circuit at the first phase shift when the switching frequency of interleaved the PFC converter circuit is greater than the second switching frequency.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier circuit is self-powered by a portion of a secondary winding. A transformer has a primary winding arranged to receive power from a power source, a secondary winding arranged to transfer power to a load, and a tapped output arranged to transfer power to a controller circuit, wherein the tapped output is formed from a portion of the secondary windings. The controller circuit uses power from the tapped output to drive a synchronous switch disposed between the secondary winding and the load. The synchronous switch rectifies the power received from the secondary winding such that DC power can be supplied to a load.

Abstract: A circuit. The circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding extending between a first terminal and a second terminal, and a secondary winding extending between a third terminal and a first output terminal, and an auxiliary winding extending between a fourth terminal and the third terminal; a first switch having a first gate terminal, a first source terminal and a first drain terminal, the first drain terminal coupled to the second terminal and the first source terminal coupled to a power source; a second switch having a second gate terminal, a second source terminal and a second drain terminal, the second source terminal coupled to the third terminal and the second drain terminal coupled to a second output terminal, the secondary winding having a winding direction opposite to that of the primary winding and the auxiliary winding having a winding direction same as that of the primary winding.

Abstract: Systems and methods that automatically detect state of switches in power converters are disclosed. In one aspect, a power switch includes a first switch coupled between a power input node and a first terminal of a load, a second switch coupled between the power input node and a second terminal of the load, first and second current sense devices arranged to transmit first and second signals including at least one of a magnitude and polarity of first and second currents through the first and second switches, respectively, a first driver circuit arranged to transmit first control signals to the first switch based at least in part on a voltage at the power input node and the first signal, and a second driver circuit arranged to transmit second control signals to the second switch based at least in part on the voltage at the power input node and the second signal.

Abstract: Methods of operating a circuit are disclosed. In one aspect, disclosed methods includes providing a power converter circuit having transformer with a primary winding and secondary winding, a first switch and second switch coupled to the primary winding, a third switch coupled to the secondary winding, a controller coupled to the first and second switches. Disclosed methods further includes sensing a turn-on of the third switch and in response, transmitting a turn-on signal to the controller; and turning-on the second switch, using the controller, in response to receiving the turn-on signal. In another aspect, disclosed methods further includes sensing a turn-off of the third switch and in response, transmitting a turn-off signal to the controller using an isolation module, and turning-off the second switch, using the controller, in response to receiving the turn-off signal. In yet another aspect, the second switch is turned-off, using the controller, after a delay time.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed. The circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding extending between a first terminal and a second terminal, and further including a secondary winding extending between a third terminal and a first output terminal; a first switch having a first gate terminal, a first source terminal and a first drain terminal, the first drain terminal coupled to the second terminal and the first source terminal coupled to a power source; a second switch having a second gate terminal, a second source terminal and a second drain terminal, the second source terminal coupled to the second terminal, and the second drain terminal coupled to the power source; and a third switch having a third gate terminal, a third source terminal and a third drain terminal, the third source terminal coupled to the third terminal and the third drain terminal coupled to a second output terminal.