Abstract: Devices and methods for charging a power storage device using a piezoelectric energy-harvest charger that employs a single switched inductor stage. The charger may maintain a maximum power point without requiring a second switched inductor stage.

Abstract: Battery operated one-shot (energetic firing) device having logic subsystem connected to source and operated in ultra-low power idle mode during storage to continuously draw a small amount of current from power source to reduce growth of passivation layer thereon. Power switch(es) throttle application of power to other components (e.g., environmental sensing circuit, energetic fire circuit) until device is active. Power switch(es) may be mechanical switch(es) manually operated or controlled by environmental conditions or logic-controlled switch(es). Power switch(es) can be used to sequentially provide power to other components to minimize voltage dip caused by de-passivation of power source. Logic subsystem may include current pulse generator for causing a current burst to be drawn from power supply to break down passivation layer and timer for tracking time since last current burst, both operational in ultra-low power idle mode.

Abstract: A driver apparatus for driving a load with a differential drive signal is described. For a level of input signal within a first range, a first switching driver modulates the voltage at a first output node with a first modulation index by switchably connecting at least one flying capacitor to the first output node, whilst a second switching driver modulates the voltage at a second output node with a second modulation index by controlling switching between DC voltages that are maintained throughout a switching cycle of the driver apparatus. The first and second switching drivers are controlled so, for at least a first part of the first input range, a change in input signal level results in a change of the first controlled modulation index that has a different magnitude to any change in the second controlled modulation index, a constant modulation frequency of the differential drive signal is maintained.

Abstract: A control circuit and an AC-DC power supply are provided. A ripple reference signal characterizing an industrial frequency ripple component of an output voltage is added to a reference voltage of a desired output voltage, so that a reference and a feedback voltage of the output voltage are almost the same at the industrial frequency band. In addition, a voltage compensation signal outputted by an error compensation circuit does not include the industrial frequency ripple component, and the voltage compensation signal without the industrial frequency ripple component does not affect a tracking reference of the current loop. Therefore, the loop can be designed without considering limit of the industrial frequency on a cut-off frequency of the loop, thereby effectively increasing the cut-off frequency of the loop and improving a dynamic response speed of the loop.

Abstract: A control device for a power conversion apparatus that can prevent a rush current from flowing into a power converter. In a power conversion apparatus with a power converter connected with a DC power supply, a filter, and a switch connected with an AC power supply are connected in series in that order, a control device for the power conversion apparatus includes: a calculation unit configured to calculate, from a value of an AC current flowing between the power converter and the filter and impedance of the filter, an estimated value for AC power to be outputted by the power converter; and a control unit configured to control an action of the power converter in a state that the switch is open such that a difference between a target value for AC power and the estimated value falls within an allowable range set in advance.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for digitally controlling a critical mode power factor correction (PFC) circuit according to one or more embodiments may include: an output voltage detector and a switching current detector; an A/D converter and a sample and hold circuit that perform analog-to-digital conversion of an output signal of the output voltage detector and the switching current detector; an arithmetic unit that performs calculation based on the output signal of the A/D converter and generates a pulse signal to turn on/off a switching device of the PFC circuit; a correction value calculator that calculates, based on a switching frequency of the PFC circuit, a correction value for linearly correcting the output signal of the A/D converter; and an adder that adds the correction value to the output signal of the A/D converter to correct the output signal of the A/D converter and inputs the corrected output signal to the arithmetic unit.

Abstract: A switched-mode power supply includes a first switch transistor. A drain of the first switch transistor receives an input voltage on a direct current input bus of the switched-mode power supply, and a source is connected to a reference ground. The power supply circuit includes a junction field-effect transistor (JFET), where a drain of the JFET receives the input voltage, a gate is connected to the reference ground, and a source outputs a supply voltage or a supply current. During each switch cycle, the first switch transistor is controlled to be turned off or a drain voltage is controlled to be greater than or equal to a first threshold voltage when the first switch transistor is turned on, such that the supply voltage or the supply current satisfies a drive voltage of the first switch transistor and an operating voltage of a to-be-powered circuit of the switched-mode power supply.

Abstract: A hybrid-mode power factor corrector includes a power factor correction circuit, a zero-crossing detection circuit, and a controller. The power factor correction circuit includes a power inductor and a power switch, and the zero-crossing detection circuit detects an inductor current. The controller controls the switching of the power switch by an operation frequency to control the power factor correction circuit converting an input voltage into an output voltage, and controls an input current drawn by the power factor correction circuit to follow the input voltage. The controller turns on the power switch to according to a switching time of the power switch when the power switch is switched to reach to the operation frequency and the inductor current is as low as a threshold value close to zero.

Abstract: The present application is directed at pin programming od controllers for power converters and provides for the programming of a plurality of different controller parameters using a single programming resistor. The value of the programming resistor is used as a pointer to select a table storing a plurality of different settings for the controller.

Abstract: Systems for power factor correction are provided. Aspects include a voltage source connected to a first node, wherein the voltage source is configured to provide a first voltage, a sense resistor connected between the first node and a second node, a load connected to the second node, a power factor correction capacitor connected in parallel with the load, and a controlled voltage source configured to provide a second voltage to the power factor correction capacitor based on a control signal, wherein the control signal is received from a power factor correction circuit configured to determine a time difference between a zero-crossing of a voltage signal and a zero-crossing of a current signal from the voltage source.

Abstract: A method of setting a synchronous rectifier on-time value includes determining that a time interval has occurred, receiving a number of triangular current mode (TCM) pulses measured during the time interval, and determining a pulse comparison value equal to a number of switching period pulses during the time interval minus the number of TCM pulses during the time interval. The method also includes increasing the synchronous rectifier on-time if the pulse comparison value is greater than or equal to a threshold and decreasing the synchronous rectifier on-time if the pulse comparison value is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A multi-phase current mode hysteretic modulator implements phase current balancing among the multiple power stages using slope-compensated emulated phase current signals and individual phase control signal for each phase. In some embodiments, the slope-compensated emulated phase current signals of all the phases are averaged and compared to the slope-compensated emulated phase current signal of each phase to generate a phase current balance control signal for each phase. The phase current balance control signal is combined with the voltage control loop error signal to generate a phase control signal for each phase where the phase control signals are generated for the multiple phases to control the phase current delivered by each power stage.

Abstract: A smart power stage (SPS) circuit of a power converter and a current monitoring circuit thereof are disclosed. The SPS circuit includes an output stage circuit and a driver. The output stage circuit receives an input voltage and the power converter provides an output voltage and an inductor current. The driver includes a driving circuit, a monitoring signal generation circuit and a compensation circuit. The driving circuit receives a PWM signal and provides a driving signal to the output stage circuit. The monitoring signal generation circuit receives the PWM signal, input voltage and output voltage for generating a monitoring signal related to the inductor current. The monitoring signal includes a simulated current signal. The compensation circuit is coupled to the monitoring signal generation circuit. When the simulated current signal is greater than a default value, the compensation circuit generates a compensation signal superposing to the simulated current signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to reduce power consumption in a drive circuit that drives a capacitive load. A drive circuit includes: a positive-side circuit; and a negative-side circuit. The positive-side circuit causes current supplied from a power source to a predetermined node to flow to a positive-side terminal of a capacitive load in a first drive mode and causes current from the capacitive load to flow from the positive-side terminal to the predetermined node in a second drive mode. The negative-side circuit causes current from a negative-side terminal of the capacitive load to flow to the predetermined node in the first drive mode and causes current supplied from the power supply to the predetermined node to flow to the negative-side terminal in the second drive mode.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that use an alternating current bridge circuit to determine whether an impedance change occurs at an input to DC-DC voltage converter(s). Techniques are also disclosed for a DC power distribution system that utilizes isolation circuitry coupled to an input of DC-DC voltage converter(s).

Abstract: The technology described in this document can be embodied in an apparatus that includes an amplifier that includes a first Zeta converter connected to a power supply and a load. The amplifier also includes a second Zeta converter connected to the power supply and the load. The second Zeta converter is driven by a complementary duty cycle relative to the first Zeta converter. The amplifier also includes a controller to provide an audio signal to the first Zeta converter and the second Zeta converter for delivery to the load.

Abstract: A welding-type power system than includes a power supply, a DC power bus, an energy storage device, and a bi-directional converter. The bi-directional converter configured to connect the DC power bus to the energy storage device, and further configured to convert power from the DC power bus to the energy storage device to charge the energy storage device, and to convert power from the energy storage device to the DC power bus in response to a power demand on the DC power bus. The bi-directional converter further configured to balance the DC power bus. A controller is configured to control the duty cycle of the bi-directional converter in order to balance the DC power bus, and control the flow of power between the energy storage device and the DC power bus.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter outputs a DC output voltage between first and second output terminals, and includes: a conversion circuit that outputs an intermediate voltage obtained by performing power conversion on an input voltage, between first and second intermediate terminals; a first coil provided between the first intermediate terminal and the first output terminal; and a diode provided in series with a second coil. A DC voltage is applied to the second coil and the diode, with a polarity in a direction in which a reverse bias is applied to the diode. The first coil and the second coil are magnetically coupled such that a current is made flow through the second coil in a forward direction of the diode by mutual induction as a current flowing through the first coil in a direction from the first intermediate terminal to the first output terminal increases.

Abstract: A switching power supply apparatus includes switching elements that generate switching current flowing through an inductor, a switching control circuit, and an inductor current detection circuit that detects current flowing through the inductor. The inductor current detection circuit is composed of a time constant circuit including a detection capacitor and a detection resistor that are connected in series to each other and is connected in parallel to the inductor. A time constant of the inductor current detection circuit has characteristics varied with frequency or temperature. This compensates variation of equivalent series resistance of the inductor with respect to the frequency or variation thereof with respect to the temperature.

Abstract: A driver includes a low-resistance charging path between a supply voltage rail and a first output node, a high-resistance charging path between the supply voltage rail and the first output node, an inverter coupled to the first output node and configured to enable and disable the low-resistance charging path, and a high-resistance discharging path between the first output node and a second output node. The first output node is coupled to a control terminal of a pass gate transistor in some implementations. The low-resistance charging path charges a voltage on the first output node to a threshold voltage of the pass gate transistor, and the high-resistance charging path charges the voltage on the first output node greater than the threshold voltage of the pass gate transistor. The high-resistance discharging path discharges the voltage on the first output node.

Abstract: This DC-pulse power supply device is provided with: a DC power supply; a pulse unit (20) for generating a pulse output using a step-up chopper circuit connected to the DC power supply; and a voltage superimposing unit (30A, 30B) connected to a DC reactor of the step-up chopper circuit. The voltage superimposing unit (30A, 30B) superimposes an amount (Vc, VDCL2) corresponding to a superimposed voltage on the output voltage of the step-up chopper circuit. The pulse unit (20) outputs, in a pulse form, the output voltage (Vo) on which the amount (Vc, VDCL2) corresponding to the superimposed voltage is superimposed by the voltage superimposing unit (30A, 30B). The amount corresponding to the superimposed voltage is superimposed on the pulse output of the step-up chopper circuit, thereby raising the output voltage of the pulse output of the step-up chopper circuit.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes an output terminal, a reference voltage source, an error amplifier, and a compensation circuit. The error amplifier is coupled to the output terminal and the reference voltage source. The error amplifier is configured to generate an error signal representative of a difference between a voltage at the output terminal and a reference voltage provided by the reference voltage source. The compensation circuit is coupled to the error amplifier. The compensation circuit includes a resistor, a capacitor, and a switch control circuit. The resistor is coupled to the error amplifier. The capacitor is coupled to the resistor. The switch control circuit is configured to modulate connection of the resistor to the capacitor based on a switching frequency of the DC-DC converter.

Abstract: A multi-phase buck-boost converter circuit comprises a buck circuit stage, a boost circuit stage, and a control circuit. The buck circuit stage is connected to an input of the buck-boost converter circuit to receive an input voltage. The boost circuit stage includes multiple boost circuits connected in parallel. The boost circuit stage is coupled to the buck circuit stage and an output of the multi-phase buck-boost converter circuit. Each boost circuit includes an inductor coupled to the buck circuit stage. The control circuit operates the multiple boost circuit stages out of phase with respect to each other in a boost mode, operates the buck circuit stage in a buck mode, and operates the multiple boost circuit stages out of phase with respect to each other and operates the buck circuit stage in a buck-boost mode.

Abstract: A combination motor control device includes a power circuit (180) structured to sense voltage and/or current flowing through the combination motor control device, a semiconductor switching and interruption circuit (170) including a number of solid state transistors and being operable to turn on to allow power to flow through the combination motor control device and to turn off to stop allowing power to flow through the combination motor control device, and a control circuit (190) structured detect faults in power flowing through the combination motor control device based on the sensed voltage and/or current, to control the semiconductor switching and interruption circuit (170) to provide a motor starter and/or motor controller functionality, and to control the semiconductor switching and interruption circuit (170) to turn off in response to detecting a fault in power flowing through the combination motor control device.

Abstract: A binary receiver combines a fast amplifier with a relatively slow amplifier for noise rejection. Both the fast and slow amplifiers employ hysteresis. The fast amplifier has relatively lower hysteresis, meaning that its sensitivity is a less effected by prior data values but more susceptible to glitch-induced errors. Conversely, the slow amplifier has relatively higher hysteresis and rejects glitches but introduces undesirable signal-propagation delays. A state machine taking input from both amplifiers allows the receiver to filter glitches without incurring a significant data-propagation delay.

Abstract: A method of setting a synchronous rectifier on-time value includes determining that a time interval has occurred, receiving a number of triangular current mode (TCM) pulses measured during the time interval, and determining a pulse comparison value equal to a number of switching period pulses during the time interval minus the number of TCM pulses during the time interval. The method also includes increasing the synchronous rectifier on-time if the pulse comparison value is greater than or equal to a threshold and decreasing the synchronous rectifier on-time if the pulse comparison value is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A power supply circuit that generates an output voltage from an AC voltage inputted thereto. The power supply circuit includes a rectifier circuit rectifying the AC voltage, an inductor receiving a rectified voltage from the rectifier circuit, a transistor controlling an inductor current flowing through the inductor, and an integrated circuit switching the transistor based on the inductor current and the output voltage. The integrated circuit includes a sample-and-hold circuit that samples-and-holds a voltage corresponding to the rectified voltage in a predetermined timing, an output circuit that outputs a limit voltage based on the voltage held by the sample-and-hold circuit, indicating a limit value for limiting the inductor current, and a signal output circuit that receives the limit voltage and a voltage corresponding to the inductor current, to thereby output a signal to turn off the transistor upon determining that a current value of the inductor current exceeds the limit value.

Abstract: Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to power converters, and may more particularly relate to multi-stage hybrid power converters, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement and to an actuating method for a DC voltage converter, in particular a DC voltage converter with phase-shifted full-bridge topology, wherein power can also be transmitted from the primary side to the secondary side when the electrical voltage on the primary side undershoots the product of the electrical voltage on the secondary side and the transmission ratio of a transformer in the DC voltage converter. In this way, for example, a capacitor on the primary side of the DC voltage converter can be discharged to a safe, low voltage level.

Abstract: Quasi-Constant On-Time Controller. At least one example embodiment is a method of operating a power converter, comprising: charging an inductor of a switching power converter, each charging has an on-time; and then discharging the inductor while providing current to the load; and repeating the charging and the discharging at a switching frequency. During the repeating, the example method may comprise: adjusting the switching frequency proportional to a voltage difference between an output voltage and a setpoint voltage; generating an on-time reference proportional to a frequency difference between the switching frequency and a setpoint frequency, the on-time of each charging of the inductor is based on the on-time reference; and modifying the on-time proportional to the voltage difference.

Abstract: A switching regulator clamping the power or ground of the power switch driver is introduced. In a buck regulator, the first power switch is coupled between the input terminal of the buck regulator and the first terminal of an inductor. The second terminal of the inductor is coupled to the output terminal of the buck regulator. The second power switch is coupled between the first terminal of the inductor and an internal ground of the buck regulator. There is a driver power clamp configured to clamp the power terminal of the driver of the second power switch when the first power switch is turned off. In a boost regulator, a driver power clamp is configured to clamp the ground terminal of the driver of the power switch that couples the input inductor to an output terminal of the boost regulator when another power switch is turned off.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shut-down of a photovoltaic system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes: communicating, via a central controller, with a plurality of local management units (LMUs), each of the LMUs coupled to control a respective solar module; receiving, via the central controller, a shut-down signal from a user device (e.g., a hand-held device, a computer, or a wireless switch unit); and in response to receiving the shut-down signal, shutting down operation of the respective solar module for each of the LMUs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient power conversion in a power supply in a power distribution system are disclosed. In particular, a low frequency transformer having high conversion efficiency is coupled to an input from a power grid. An output from the transformer is rectified and then converted by a power factor correction (PFC) converter before passing the power to the distributed elements of the power distribution system. By placing the transformer in front of the PFC converter, overall efficiency may be improved by operating at lower frequencies while preserving a desired power factor and providing a desired voltage level. The size and cost of the cabinet containing the power conversion circuitry is minimized, and operating expenses are also reduced as less waste energy is generated.

Abstract: A system has an input and an output. The system includes a voltage converter, including first transistor coupled to the input and to a first switching node, second transistor coupled to the first switching node and to ground, third transistor coupled to a second switching node and to the output, fourth transistor coupled to the second switching node and to ground, and an inductor having a first terminal coupled to the first switching node and a second terminal coupled to the second switching node. The system also includes a controller coupled to the voltage converter, the controller including a state machine and a plurality of drivers to control the transistors of the voltage converter. The state machine is adaptable to cause the second and fourth transistors to conduct and the first and third transistors not to conduct, in response to current through the inductor being less than a current threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present application disclose a booster circuit and a driving method thereof, a backlight module and a display device. The booster circuit includes: a booster sub-circuit and an oscillation elimination sub-circuit; wherein the booster sub-circuit includes a power supply element, an inductor, and a first switch; the booster sub-circuit is configured to provide, at a connection node, a voltage higher than a voltage provided from the power supply element; and wherein a parasitic capacitance occurs between the connection node and a ground terminal; the oscillation elimination sub-circuit is configured to prevent a current generated when the parasitic capacitance discharges from flowing through the inductor so as to eliminate an oscillation generated between the parasitic capacitance and the inductor.

Abstract: Techniques for a sinking and sourcing power stage are provided. In an example, a power stage circuit can include a first power transistor configured to couple to a first input power rail, a second power transistor configured to couple to a second input power rail, an output node configured to couple to a load and to couple the first power transistor in series with the second power transistor between the first and second input power rails, and a controller configured to operate the first and second power transistors in a first mode to source current to the load and to operate the first and second power transistors in a second mode to sink current from the load.

Abstract: Energetic firing device using a boost circuit to ensure an energetic fire circuit is charged to an All-Fire voltage even if a power source is not capable of providing necessary voltage. Boost circuit may be located between power source and energetic fire circuit and increase voltage provided by the power source when enabled. Boost circuit may be located between system logic and the energetic fire circuit and generate the All-Fire voltage when enabled. The boost circuit may generate the All-Fire voltage from an enable signal and a pulse train provided by the system logic. The boost circuit may be a switching power supply that may regulate the All-Fire voltage generated. The boost circuit may be a capacitive voltage multiplier. The boost circuit may remove power from being provided to the energetic fire circuit until enabled thus reducing system power and increasing safety.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a power supply circuit. The integrated circuit includes an oscillator circuit configured to output an oscillator voltage that rises with a predetermined slope from a first voltage, upon an inductor current of the power supply circuit becoming smaller than a first predetermined value, an error voltage output circuit configured to output an error voltage corresponding to a difference between a reference voltage and a feedback voltage corresponding to the output voltage, a drive circuit configured to turn on and off a transistor of the power supply circuit respectively upon the inductor current becoming smaller than the first predetermined value, and upon the oscillator voltage reaching a second voltage that is based on the error voltage, and an output circuit configured to change the first and/or second voltage based on a rectified voltage obtained by full-wave rectification of the AC voltage, and to output the changed voltage.

Abstract: Some embodiments include apparatuses and methods of using such apparatuses. One of the apparatuses includes a control circuitry to generate error information based on a value of the feedback voltage generated from an output voltage, generate output information to control a power switching unit based on the error information provided to a forward path in the control circuitry, and adjust a gain of the forward path based on a gain factor computed based at least in part on a first value of the output information in order to cause the output information to have a second value. The control circuitry also computes a value of correction information when the output voltage is within a target value range, and adjusts the control information, based on the correction information, when the output voltage is outside the target value range.

Abstract: Multiphase power processing circuit and a method for control thereof are disclosed, with which, exchange of data is achievable between a multiphase controller and any of power processing circuits via pins of at least two of the three categories, Enable, PWM and Temperature Indicator, of the multiphase controller. The exchanged data may include, but is not limited to, a phase identifier, an over-current protection threshold, an over-current protection threshold, an over-temperature protection threshold, a current sampling gain, a current sampling bias, a temperature sampling gain, a temperature sampling bias, a drive speed and the like of the power processing circuit. In this way, improvements in system flexibility and security are obtained.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling an AC-DC power supply, can include: a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal generating circuit configured to generate a PWM signal in accordance with a reference voltage and a current sampling signal representing an inductor current flowing through an inductor of the AC-DC power supply, and to control a power stage circuit of the AC-DC power supply in accordance with the PWM signal; and a reference voltage generating circuit configured to generate the reference voltage based on an input voltage of the AC-DC power supply.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: An embodiment provides a circuit including a transformer having a primary winding coupled to an input port configured to receive an input voltage and a secondary winding configured to provide an output voltage at an output port, controller circuitry configured to switch on and off a current through the primary winding so that energy is transferred to the secondary winding while switching and supply circuitry connected to the controller circuitry, wherein the supply circuitry is coupled to an auxiliary winding of the transformer and configured to provide a supply voltage for the controller circuitry.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that use an alternating current bridge circuit to determine whether an impedance change occurs at an input to DC-DC voltage converter(s). Techniques are also disclosed for a DC power distribution system that utilizes isolation circuitry coupled to an input of DC-DC voltage converter(s).

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: A system and method for combining power from DC power sources. Each power source is coupled to a converter. Each converter converts input power to output power by monitoring and maintaining the input power at a maximum power point. Substantially all input power is converted to the output power, and the controlling is performed by allowing output voltage of the converter to vary. The converters are coupled in series. An inverter is connected in parallel with the series connection of the converters and inverts a DC input to the inverter from the converters into an AC output. The inverter maintains the voltage at the inverter input at a desirable voltage by varying the amount of the series current drawn from the converters. The series current and the output power of the converters, determine the output voltage at each converter.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a DC coupled electrical converter for converting an input voltage applied to first connections to an output voltage comprising: a boost converter connected on the input side to the first connections; an inverting buck-boost converter connected on the input side to the first connections; and a series circuit including two capacitors, the series circuit connected to an output-side positive pole of the boost converter and to an output-side negative pole of the inverting buck-boost converter. An output-side negative pole of the boost converter and an output-side positive pole of the inverting buck-boost converter are connected to a center connection between the capacitors.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for providing power to a system includes feedforward circuitry receiving a signal from the system indicating the current needed by the system, and the feedforward circuitry causes the voltage regulator to change the voltage regulator output current in response to the signal from the system.