Abstract: To be able to reduce a speed of an alternating current motor by an inverter apparatus by a time period as short as possible and to control an alternating current motor which is easy to be saturated magnetically by a previously set current or lower such that the inverter apparatus is not stopped by an overcurrent or the alternating current motor is not burned.

Abstract: PWM methods and apparatus are provided for loss minimized control of AC motors taking into consideration inverter non-linear limitations. The method comprises providing a voltage to the AC motor based on a switching cycle, adding a duty cycle of a zero vector to each phase leg of the switching cycle when a duty cycle of a first phase leg of the switching cycle is less than a minimum duty cycle, and subtracting the duty cycle of the zero vector from each phase leg of the switching cycle when a second duty cycle of a second phase leg is greater than a maximum duty cycle. The minimum duty cycle and maximum duty cycle indicate distortion regions.

Abstract: A vector control apparatus for a permanent magnet motor operated in the region of weak magnet field, wherein when the output voltages of the power converter saturate, the phase error command value represented by the difference between the angular position of the reference axis for control and the angular position of the motor magnetic flux axis is generated on the basis of the difference between the q-axis current command value and the detected value of the q-axis current, and the command values for the output voltages of the power converter are corrected by using the phase error command value, whereby a highly responsive torque control with high precision can be achieved.

Abstract: A power converter includes a PWM active rectifier and controller that minimize harmonic ripple currents on the DC link during an engine start mode (first stage) in which power is provided to an AC starter motor. The PWM active rectifier and controller also minimize harmonic currents on AC input lines during a second stage (active filter mode). The power converter also includes a PWM inverter and corresponding inverter controller that controls the performance of the AC starter motor during the first stage based on mode selection input received. The power converter system further includes pre-charge circuitry that charges a DC link capacitor located within the power converter system to a desired level prior to providing the power converter system with AC power.

Abstract: A dynamic pulse width modulation (PWM) selection device automatically switches between discontinuous PWM (DPWM) control methods. The PWM selection device comprises a PWM control module. The PWM control module determines a desired pulse width of a switching control signal according to a desired output signal. The PWM control module controls an actual pulse width of the switching control signal according to the desired pulse width and a first PWM control method. A selection module determines whether the desired pulse width exceeds a pulse width threshold. The selection module selects a second PWM control method when the desired pulse width exceeds the pulse width threshold.

Abstract: A fan motor is driven under a pulse width modulation (PWM) control. PWM signals to be supplied to a circuit for driving the fan motor are formed from carrier waves having a specified frequency and a duty ratio of the PWM control. Rotational speed of the fan motor is increased by increasing the duty ratio. In a low speed region, the fan motor is driven with a high carrier frequency to suppress driving noises of the fan motor, while it is driven with a low carrier frequency in a high speed region to reduce switching losses in semiconductor elements. The carrier frequency may be continuously decreased when the fan motor speed reaches the high speed region, or it may be stepwise decreased. The low carrier frequency used in the high speed region is set to such a frequency that guarantees a sufficient number of switching times at a maximum speed of the fan motor.

Abstract: A battery charger comprises a charging base having an output jacket, an input jacket, and a plurality of battery slots; and a solar panel attached to the charging base above the battery slots via a cover, wherein a pivotal rotation device is connectedly mounted between the solar panel and the cover such that the solar panel is liftable and foldable to various angles. Therefore, the rechargeable batteries can be charged by the indoor commercial electric power or the outdoor solar power for achieving the purposes of saving energy resources and providing the convenience to outdoor use. Meanwhile, the secondary environmental pollution can be avoided for fulfilling the requirement of environmental protection and bringing the best economic benefits.

Abstract: A charging system for a legged mobile robot that facilitates positioning of a robot to be charged and does not put a load on the robot is provided. The charging system includes a battery 2, a power receiving connector 4 and a movable shutter member 5 capable of being opened and closed on a rear cover 3, which are provided on a robot 1, and a holder 21, a power supplying connector 22, a slide mechanism 23, a base plate 25, a charging power supply 26 and the like, which are provided on a charging station 20. The robot 1 performs a predetermined positioning on the base plate 25 and then moves the center of gravity rearward to connect the power receiving connector 4 to the power supplying connector 22. In this step, when the rear cover 3 of the robot 1 is guided by a first guide section 21a of the holder 21, the slide mechanism 23 allows the holder 21 to move horizontally. Thus, even if the robot 1 and the charging station 20 are slightly misaligned with each other, the robot 1 can be easily positioned correctly.

Abstract: To provide for a movable electronic device a power receiving device that when charging a battery, simplifies charging of the battery from a power feeder, which is a power supply means, and does not have faults due to an external factor relating to a relay terminal, or damage of the relay terminal, that are caused by directly connecting the battery and the power feeder, and further, to provide an electronic device including the power receiving device. An antenna circuit and a booster antenna for supplying electric power are provided in a movable electronic device. The antenna circuit receives a radio signal such as an electromagnetic wave via the booster antenna, and electric power that is obtained through the receiving of the radio signal is supplied to the battery through a signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A charging apparatus includes a battery pack, which includes a cell voltage detection unit outputting a signal if a detected cell voltage is not smaller than V1, and a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the battery pack; and a charger, which includes a charging control circuit and a pack voltage detection unit detecting a voltage across two terminals of the battery pack. If the detected temperature from the temperature sensor exceeds 0° C., the charging control circuit switches to a constant voltage charging when the signal from the cell voltage detection unit is received; and if otherwise, the charging control unit switches to the constant voltage charging when receiving the signal or the detected pack voltage exceeds V2, whichever occurs first.

Abstract: A charging device for charging battery packs includes charging terminals including a first charging terminal to be connected to an electrode of a first battery pack and a second charging terminal to be connected to an electrode of a second battery pack. Here, the first and the second battery pack are different in kind. Further, the charging device includes a conversion unit for supplying electricity to the first charging terminal when the electrode of the first battery pack is connected to the first charging terminal and supplying electricity to the second charging terminal when the electrode of the second battery pack is connected to the second charging terminal.

Abstract: Charging and discharging lines for a rechargeable battery are arranged independently from each other, and as a protection circuit for the rechargeable battery, there are provided a nonreturn-type switch (for example, thermo-fuse with an internal heater) that is interposed in the charging line in series and interrupts the charging line by blowout and a semiconductor switch (for example, MOS-FET) that is interposed in the discharging line in series and electrically continues or interrupts the discharging line. The switch control circuit turns off the semiconductor switch element when detecting overdischarge of the rechargeable battery, and blows out the nonreturn-type switch when detecting overcharge of the rechargeable battery or a malfunction of the semiconductor switch element.

Abstract: Cell phone charging stand with a plurality of modular hollow housings, each including an upwardly facing cell phone receiving receptacle, the modular housings capable of attaching to each other to form a line of housings. A name plate retaining pocket is located on the front surface of each modular housing. Each modular housing encloses a spring biased electrical cord. The electrical cord connects on one end to a socket located on the side wall of the housing and on the opposite end to a universal electrical jack. The universal jack is capable of receiving an adaptor plug that can customize the cell phone receiving housing to a user's cell phone. An AC to DC wall pack transformer and standard cell phone charging circuit supplies power to each cell phone charging electrical cord.

Abstract: An adapter for providing a source of power to a mobile device through an industry standard port is provided. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the adapter comprises a plug unit, a power converter, a primary connector, and an identification subsystem. The plug unit is operative to couple the adapter to a power socket and operative to receive energy from the power socket. The power converter is electrically coupled to the plug unit and is operable to regulate the received energy from the power socket and to output a power requirement to the mobile device. The primary connector is electrically coupled to the power converter and is operative to couple to the mobile device and to deliver the outputted power requirement to the mobile device. The identification subsystem is electrically coupled to the primary connector and is operative to provide an identification signal.

Abstract: Field expandable battery pack systems and related methods are disclosed that allow for increased battery life while reducing cost and still meeting shipping regulations. In part, the expanded battery system includes a primary battery having a battery management unit (BMU) and additional expansion batteries that couple to the primary battery and are managed together by the shared-BMU within the primary battery. Each battery has its own protection circuitry, and the batteries can be lithium-ion batteries. As such, multiple batteries can be shipped together and then combined by a user to achieve a desired level of battery capacity that is managed as a single battery through the use of the shared-BMU.

Abstract: To manage power of battery packs, charging currents and remaining capacities of the battery packs may be detected. An order for charging and discharging the battery packs may be determined based on the charging currents. The battery packs may be charged or discharged in the determined order based on whether an external voltage is detected. The battery packs may be charged using charging voltages with associated currents corresponding to the detected charging currents.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for charging a secondary battery including a charge current detection circuit detecting a charge current output from a charging transistor, and generating a signal including the charge current information; a voltage comparison circuit comparing a voltage of the battery with one or more predetermined voltages, and generating a signal including the voltage comparison information; and a charge controlling circuit controlling the charging transistor according to information on the voltage of the battery and the signals output from the charge current detection circuit and the voltage comparison circuit such that the charging transistor performs constant current charging or constant voltage charging, wherein the charge controlling circuit stops applying a charge current for a predetermined time in the beginning of charging, and judges that the battery is abnormally connected when the voltage of the battery becomes less than a predetermined voltage within the predetermined time.

Abstract: A charging control semiconductor integrated circuit used in a charging apparatus for a secondary battery includes first and second terminals. The first terminal is configured to output a control signal to a first charging transistor in the charging apparatus. The second terminal is configured to output a control signal to a second charging transistor in the charging apparatus. Further, the first and second charging transistors are separately controlled on the basis of a voltage across the first charging transistor, a voltage across the second charging transistor, and a voltage of the secondary battery.

Abstract: A controller for a rechargeable battery that improves the recovering efficiency of the energy used to charge the rechargeable battery and prevents the life of the rechargeable battery from being shortened by overcharging. The controller includes a voltage measurement unit for measuring terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery and a control unit for setting a plurality of input maximum voltages, each indicating an upper limit for charging power input to the rechargeable battery during a predetermined time. The control unit sets a plurality of reference voltages respectively corresponding to the plurality of input maximum values. When the terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery increases to one of the reference voltages, the control unit lowers the input maximum value corresponding to that reference voltage.

Abstract: A pulse charger perform fine control of a charging current according to a battery voltage. The pulse charger includes a switch that turns a charging current from an external power supply on and off. A current detector detects charging current using a current detection resistor. An averaging section averages the output of the current detector. A reference voltage generator generates a reference signal. A comparison section compares an output voltage from the averaging section with the reference signal. A controller controls the switch section based on the output of comparison section. The comparison section includes a comparator that has a hysteresis width. The comparison section outputs an inverse signal between reference voltage and the hysteresis width. The controller performs on/off control of the switch section based on an inverse signal from the comparator and sets an average value of the charging current to a target constant value.

Abstract: A battery control for an electric motor powered device such as a golf car that includes a battery control and charging method that prolongs the life of the battery by controlling the method and rate of charging and discharging and preventing charging when it could be detrimental to the battery,.

Abstract: Described is a method which includes a step of initiating a calibration state of a battery status system. The calibration state including charging a battery to a first threshold value; discharging the battery to a second threshold value; and calibrating the battery status system based on the first and second threshold values. Subsequently, the method includes a step of exiting the calibration state. Described is also a portable computing device which includes invades a battery; a controller; and an application executed on the controller for performing calibration of a battery status system of the battery. The application drives the battery to a threshold state and performs the calibration when the battery reaches the threshold state.

Abstract: A method of indicating consumption of utility services with multi-level pricing. In the method, a rating system is created that is determined by the pattern of electric usage for different time periods. The rating has an arbitrarily set point level for each time period, each of the levels corresponding inversely to the price. An overall rating is calculated by multiplying the kilowatt hours consumed during a low-priced time period by the highest rating to arrive at a point score for that time period, multiplying the kilowatt hours consumed during a high-priced time period by the lowest rating to arrive at another point score for that time period, and multiplying the kilowatt hours consumed during any intermediate-priced time period by an intermediate rating to arrive at still another point score for that time period.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus includes: a storage section for storing AC adapter capacity identification information with which a rated power capacity of an AC adapter which can supply power to the apparatus can be identified; a first outputting section for outputting the above mentioned AC adapter capacity identification information; a setting section for setting a threshold value with which control of power consumption of the apparatus is to be started based on the outputted AC adapter capacity identification information; a detection section for detecting the power consumption; and a control section for controlling so that, when the detected power consumption exceeds the threshold value, the power consumption may become equal to or lower than the threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an automatic charging system for charging a vehicle (i) for using an infrastructure delimited by a boundary (100) during a charging period Tc based on GNSS location with guaranteed performance, comprising: an onboard receiver wfth integrity guarantee or OBU (30) which, in addition to providing position information, provides additional information relating to the error that can be expected in said position consisting of a health flag (Healthy/Unhealthy), and an RPL or Radial Protection Level, i.e.

Abstract: A battery residual capacity information feeding device is disclosed. The device includes: residual capacity holding means for holding the battery residual capacity of a battery pack; temperature measuring means for measuring a temperature in the battery pack; and residual capacity correcting means for generating a correction quantity of the battery residual capacity on the basis of the temperature and the battery residual capacity, to feed the battery residual capacity corrected with the correction quantity.

Abstract: A method for judging a service life of a primary battery is disclosed, in which, by using a battery pack having a built-in microcomputer, a primary lithium battery is discharged at a given time, a voltage of the primary lithium battery is measured at the time of discharge, and such measured voltage is compared with a specified reference voltage, so that when the measured voltage is less than the reference voltage, the primary lithium battery is judged to have reached the end of its service life. And, the given time is a periodic timing.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a rate of charge/discharge, C rate, or state of charge, SOC, of a battery having unknown characteristics comprises a circuit for applying at least a two-pulse current load to said battery. A change in voltage, ?V, resulting from the application of the second or a subsequent pulse is used to determine the C rate of the battery as a function of ?V. An Open Circuit Voltage, OCV, of the battery a time interval after the completion of the application of the second or subsequent pulse is used to determine the SOC of the battery as a function of OCV.

Abstract: Referring to FIG. 1, a cell balancing system of the present invention is shown and generally designated 100. System 100 includes a number of battery cells 102 in electrical communication with a safety circuit 104. In a preferred embodiment, the safety circuit 104 is included in an application specific semiconductor (ASIC) and provides an input/output channel 106 that includes, for example, Vbat(+), Clock, Data, Return, and Vbat(?) signals for use by a device which incorporates the battery. It is to be appreciated that I/O channel 106 may be of any type, generic or proprietary, and may have any number of communication protocols as is known in the art.

Abstract: A battery system includes a multi-cell battery pack in electrical communication with a load. The voltages of each cell are individually monitored by the microcontroller, such as with a high-impedance input terminal. Across each of the cells is a transistor-resistor combination such that by providing a voltage to the gate of each of the transistors, a short-circuit is created through the corresponding cell thereby providing an additional current drain on the cell. More specifically, by turning on the transistor, a short-circuit current (ISQ1) is drawn from the cell through resistor (R1) to provide for the isolated discharge of the specific cell. By selectively measuring each of the cells in a multi-cell battery pack to determine if any of the cells are over-voltage, and if so, by increasing the current drain on that specific cell, the overall maximum amount of energy can be transferred to a load across the battery pack.

Abstract: An exemplary charging circuit (200) includes for charging a load component (210) includes a power supply unit (220), a feedback circuit, and a sampling resistor (230). The power supply unit includes a pulse width modulation circuit (221) and a power output terminal (222) configured to output a direct current supply. The feedback circuit includes an amplifying comparator (241), a constant voltage circuit (242), a transistor (243), and an optoelectrical coupler (244). The constant voltage circuit is configured to generate a reference voltage and apply the reference voltage to a negative input terminal of the amplifier comparator. An output terminal of the amplifier comparator is connected to the pulse width modulation circuit via the transistor and the optoelectrical coupler. The sampling resistor includes a current sampling terminal connected to a positive input terminal of the amplifier comparator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling system for vehicle battery packs, which is constructed such that an intake duct for introducing a coolant, such as air, which cools a battery pack, into the battery pack from a predetermined region is not included, air existing inside a vehicle at a region around a battery pack isolated from a cabin of the vehicle is directly introduced into the battery pack, and the air having passed through the battery pack, which has been heated, is discharged through an exhaust duct connected to an internal space of the vehicle, in which a possibility of air to be recirculated to the region around the battery pack is low. The battery pack cooling system according to the present invention uses air existing inside the vehicle. Consequently, the control of temperature and humidity is easier than when external air is used, and generation of noise and backward flow of flames and toxic gas generated during a fire, which are problems caused when the air in the cabin is used, are prevented.

Abstract: For load currents greater than a threshold current, the voltage regulator operates in a conventional manner by fully turning on and off one or more switching transistors at a duty cycle necessary to maintain the output voltage a regulated voltage. Upon a load current below a threshold being detected, a controller stops the switching of the transistor(s) and applies a reduced drive signal to the high side transistor so as to apply a constant trickle current to the load. Unnecessary components are shut down to save power. When the output voltage falls below a threshold, the normal switching routine is resumed to recharge the regulator's output capacitor to a certain level, and the regulator once again enters the light load current mode. By not completely shutting down the transistors at light load currents, as in done in a conventional intermittent-operation mode, there is lower power loss by less frequent switching of the transistor(s).

Abstract: The systems and methods described herein provide for a universal controller capable of controlling multiple types of three phase, two and three level power converters. The universal controller is capable of controlling the power converter in any quadrant of the PQ domain. The universal controller can include a region selection unit, an input selection unit, a reference signal source unit and a control core. The control core can be implemented using one-cycle control, average current mode control, current mode control or sliding mode control and the like. The controller can be configured to control different types of power converters by adjusting the reference signal source. Also provided are multiple modulation methods for controlling the power converter.

Abstract: A switching regulator, has first and second switching regulator units, and first and second PLL circuit units that are provided in the first and second switching regulator units respectively, input first and second control pulse signals (PIN1, PIN2) respectively, phases of which are shifted from each other, and control the first timing (T1) of performing non-conduction control on the first switching element (LMOS). The first and second control pulse signals each is controlled to have a frequency corresponding to a voltage-boosted level of the output terminal to maintain the output voltage at predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the power in a load supplied by an A.C. voltage and directly connected to a first terminal of application of the A.C. voltage, including two isolated-gate bipolar transistors, connected in anti-parallel between a second terminal of application of the A.C. voltage and the load; circuitry for detecting the zero crossing of the A.C. supply voltage in a first direction; circuitry for generating, at each period of the supply voltage, a pulse of predetermined duration for controlling a first one of said transistors, the time of occurrence of the pulse being conditioned by the detection of the zero crossing of the A.C. voltage and by a desired power reference setting a variable delay of occurrence of the pulse with respect to the detected zero crossing; and circuitry for inverting and transferring said pulse to the second transistor.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a measurement circuit configured to detect a measuring quantity dependent on temperature, and a heating circuit configured to generate heat in response to a detection, by the measurement circuit, of the measuring quantity indicating that the temperature is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: Power electronics equipment includes a switching device directing current flow to a load and interrupting the current flowing to the load, a control circuit generating a control signal directing the conduction and non-conduction of the switching device, a driver circuit driving a control terminal of the switching device based on the control signal, and at least one air-cored insulating transformer insulating the control circuit and the driver circuit from each other. Each air-cored insulating transformer includes a primary winding and a secondary winding configured to generate a voltage by a change of interlinkage of a magnetic field. The secondary winding includes a plurality of coils configured such that voltages generated by external magnetic flux intersecting the secondary winding are canceled and a voltage generated by the signal magnetic flux intersecting the secondary winding is increased.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter for generating a stable output voltage and being applicable to a transient load fluctuation. The DC-DC converter detects an input current, and compares the input current with a rated current of an external power supply. The DC-DC converter controls a positive charging current that is supplied to a secondary battery in accordance with a consumption current of a load so that the input current does not exceed the rated current. The DC-DC converter further controls a negative charging current that is supplied from the secondary battery to the load when the load requires an input current exceeding the rated current.

Abstract: A switching type power supply unit adapted to generate a positive output voltages though conversion of a power supply voltage has an negative output voltage generation circuit switchably connected, via a changeover switch, between the first node of a coil and a switch and the second node receiving the power supply voltage or between the first node and the ground. The negative output voltage generation circuit is connected to the second node when the voltage difference between the positive output voltage (Vp) and the power supply voltage (Vbat) is sufficiently large, while the circuit is connected to the ground when the difference voltage is small. Thus, the power supply unit efficiently provides a negative output voltage having a predetermined level along with a positive output voltage (Vn) generated from the power supply voltage through conversion thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus is configured for producing an output signal indicating an operating status of a monitored circuit. An input signal relating to the monitored circuit is received at an input node. A pulse train generator, coupled to the input node, is configured for generating a pulse train of a prescribed repetition rate at a duty cycle alternated between first and second duty cycle values at a prescribed frequency. The duty cycle and frequency are indicative of operating status of the monitored circuit.

Abstract: A linear regulator circuit for suppressing power supply noise that propagates to an output voltage. An LDO circuit functioning as the linear regulator circuit is provided with an output transistor including a source for receiving input voltage, a drain for outputting the output voltage, and a control terminal. An error amplifier powered by the input voltage generates a control voltage for controlling the output transistor based on a potential difference between a feedback voltage, which corresponds to the output voltage, and a reference voltage. A first capacitor and a resistor are connected in series between the source of the output transistor and an output terminal of the error amplifier.

Abstract: A compensated regulator includes a transconductance stage having a positive input for receiving a reference voltage, a negative input, and an output, an adjustable compensation block coupled between the output of the transconductance stage and ground, a feedback circuit having a first node coupled to the output of the compensated regulator, a second node coupled to the negative input of the transconductance stage, and a third node coupled to ground, and a driver stage having an input coupled to the output of the transconductance stage, a current output coupled to the output of the compensated regulator, and a sense output coupled to the adjustable compensation block.

Abstract: A low drop-out voltage regulator having soft-start. A low drop-out regulator circuit is provided having an input node, an output node, a power FET connected by a source and drain between the input node and the output node, and a feedback circuit having an output connected and providing a control signal to a gate of the power FET. A current limit circuit is configured to control the power FET to limit the current through it when the voltage across a controllable sense resistor connected to conduct a current representing the current through the power FET exceeds a predetermined limit value. At start-up, control unit provides a control signal to the controllable resistor to cause the resistance value of the controllable resistor to decrease incrementally in value at respective predetermined incremental times during a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: An OTA driving an MOS device needs to turn it off quickly to minimize overshoot during a heavy to light load state. The drains of the MOS device can be used to accelerate turning off the MOS device. A first drain is connected to the gate of the MOS device. A second drain is connected to a base of a bipolar device. The emitter of the bipolar device is connected to the MOS device gate. Notably, this bipolar device is active during the heavy to light load state. Therefore, any current provided by the second drain is then multiplied by the beta of the bipolar device. The increased current generated on the emitter of the bipolar transistor and provided to the gate of the MOS device can advantageously accelerate the turnoff of that MOS device. The first drain can provide minimal additional current during the heavy to light load state.

Abstract: The present switch mode power converter having multiple inductor windings equipped with snubber circuits uses a small value inductor that has at least one properly oriented secondary winding, and ultra fast diodes interconnect the primary and the secondary windings of this inductor for providing protection against momentary short circuits, reductions of dv/dt, and switching losses.

Abstract: An electric power supply circuit includes a first switching element that turns on or off according to an external signal; an inductor capacitor circuit provided between the power supply and the load that charges or discharges electric power provided by the power supply according to the on or off state of the first switching element; a rectifier diode provided between the first switching element and the ground; a second switching element provided in parallel with the rectifier diode that turns on or off synchronously with the first switching element; and a depression transistor that detects a direction of a current flowing through the inductor capacitor circuit based on a voltage detected across the second switching element to generate a detection result, and causes the second switching element to turn on or off according to the detection result.

Abstract: A switching regulator including two switching elements and a control switching part. The two switching elements perform a switching operation according to a control signal to control an output voltage. One of the two switching elements is larger in ON-resistance and smaller in control electrode capacitance than the other. The control switching part performs PFM control over the one of the two switching elements to output a first predetermined voltage in a first operation mode, performs PWM control over the two switching elements to output a second predetermined voltage higher than the first predetermined voltage in a second operation mode, and switches the first operation mode to the second operation mode by performing the PFM control, changing the first predetermined voltage to the second predetermined voltage, and switching the PFM control to the PWM control after a first predetermined time elapses since start of increase in the output voltage.

Abstract: A switching regulator including an inductor and a switching transistor and having a normal operational mode and a light-load operational mode is disclosed. The switching regulator includes an operational mode switching part configured to switch the normal operational mode and the light-load operational mode, and a light-load detection part configured to detect the light-load state of a load. The light-load detection part is configured to detect the light-load state of the load by a change in the voltage at the connection of the switching transistor and the inductor when the switching transistor is OFF. The operational mode switching part is configured to switch the normal operational mode to the light-load operational mode in response to the detection of the light-load state of the load by the light-load detection part.

Abstract: A step-down DC-to-DC converter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a switching transistor, and a rectifying transistor. The switching circuit is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal and is configured to reduce an input voltage down to a predetermined voltage and to output the predetermined voltage from the output terminal to an external load. The series circuit includes a switching transistor and an inductor. The switching transistor is connected between the input terminal and the inductor, and is configured to perform a switching operation. The inductor is connected between the switching transistor and the output terminal. The rectifying transistor includes a P-type transistor and connected between a connected point between the switching transistor and a common ground. The rectifying transistor has a gate connected to the connected point.