Using Impedance Patents (Class 323/233)
  • Patent number: 10714152
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for dynamically generating a memory bitcell supply voltage rail from a logic supply voltage rail are disclosed. A circuit includes at least one or more comparators, control logic, and power stage circuitry. The circuit receives a logic supply voltage rail and compares the logic supply voltage rail to threshold voltage(s) using the comparator(s). Comparison signal(s) from the comparator(s) are coupled to the control logic. The control logic generates mode control signals based on the comparison signal(s) and based on a programmable dynamic range that is desired for a memory bitcell supply voltage rail. The mode control signals are provided to the power stage circuitry which generates the memory bitcell supply voltage rail from the logic supply voltage rail. A voltage level of the memory bitcell supply voltage rail can be above, below, or the same as the logic supply voltage rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Miguel Rodriguez, Stephen Victor Kosonocky, Casey Lee Hardy
  • Patent number: 10581312
    Abstract: In described examples, a system regulates provision of DC-DC electrical power. The system includes a DC-DC converter, an input voltage node to receive an input voltage, a current source, a voltage source node, and a ground switch. The DC-DC converter includes a flying capacitor and multiple converter switches. The current source is coupled between the input voltage node and a top plate of the flying capacitor, to provide current to the top plate when the current source is activated by an activation voltage. The voltage source node is coupled to the input voltage node and to the current source, to provide the activation voltage to the current source, such that the activation voltage is not higher than a selected voltage between: a breakdown voltage of the converter switches; and a maximum value of the input voltage minus the breakdown voltage. The ground switch is coupled between a bottom plate of the flying capacitor and a ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yogesh Kumar Ramadass, Jeff Lee Nilles, Sombuddha Chakraborty, Farzad Sahandiesfanjani
  • Patent number: 10439501
    Abstract: A resonant power converter and a frequency tracking method for a resonant power converter are disclosed to determine a resonant status of the resonant power converter by sampling a secondary current, thereby controlling frequency of a drive signal. Therefore, the frequency of the drive signal tracks resonant frequency of the resonant power converter. The resonant power converter includes an inverter branch, which connected to the inverter branch, a transformer connected to the resonant branch, and a rectification and filtering branch connected to the transformer. A primary side of the transformer is connected to the resonant branch, and a secondary side of the transformer is connected to the rectification and filtering branch. A detection branch is connected to both the secondary side of the transformer and the rectification and filtering branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ce Liu, Zhixian Wu
  • Patent number: 10409434
    Abstract: Integrated touch screens are provided including drive lines formed of grouped-together circuit elements of a thin film transistor layer and sense lines formed between a color filter layer and a material layer that modifies or generates light. The common electrodes (Vcom) in the TFT layer can be grouped together during a touch sensing operation to form drive lines. Sense lines can be formed on an underside of a color filter glass, and a liquid crystal region can be disposed between the color filter glass and the TFT layer. Placing the sense lines on the underside of the color filter glass, i.e., within the display pixel cell, can provide a benefit of allowing the color filter glass to be thinned after the pixel cells have been assembled, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shih Chang Chang, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 10085316
    Abstract: A circuit for a LED driver adjusts current output depending on whether one or more lamps are connected to the driver. The circuit includes a transformer with a first primary winding having a first winding direction and configured to receive current in a first direction when coupled to a first load. The first primary winding is positioned to induce current in a secondary winding in a second direction. The circuit also includes a second primary winding having a second winding direction and configured to receive current in a third direction when coupled to a second load. The second primary winding is positioned to induce current in the secondary winding in a fourth direction. The second and fourth directions are opposed such that the induced currents will cancel to the extent that a magnitude of each induced current is equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS LIGHTING HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Bai Colin, Yefei Zhou
  • Patent number: 9748934
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing jitter due to power supply noise in an integrated circuit by drawing additional current. The additional current causes the total current to generally have a frequency higher than a resonant frequency of the integrated circuit and/or a power distribution network of the integrated circuit. A power distribution network may supply power to components of an integrated circuit, and data driver circuitry may draw first current to drive a serial data signal generated from a parallel data signal. Compensation circuitry may receive the parallel data signal and draw second current at times when the compensation circuitry determines data driver circuitry is not drawing the first current based on the parallel data signal, thereby causing a net of the first and second current to be higher than a resonant frequency range of the integrated circuit device and/or a component of the integrated circuit device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Altera Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Yujeong Shim, Yanjing Ke, Tim Tri Hoang, Hae-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 9727193
    Abstract: Integrated touch screens are provided including drive lines formed of grouped-together circuit elements of a thin film transistor layer and sense lines formed between a color filter layer and a material layer that modifies or generates light. The common electrodes (Vcom) in the TFT layer can be grouped together during a touch sensing operation to form drive lines. Sense lines can be formed on an underside of a color filter glass, and a liquid crystal region can be disposed between the color filter glass and the TFT layer. Placing the sense lines on the underside of the color filter glass, i.e., within the display pixel cell, can provide a benefit of allowing the color filter glass to be thinned after the pixel cells have been assembled, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Shih Chang Chang, John Z. Zhong
  • Patent number: 9612608
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement, includes output terminals that provide an output current and input terminals that receive a source current and a source voltage from a DC current source. A maximum power point tracker is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals and a bypass circuit is coupled between the input terminals and the output terminals. The bypass circuit is configured to enter a bypass state dependent on the output current and dependent on the source current. The source current flows through the bypass circuit in the bypass state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventor: Gerald Deboy
  • Patent number: 9477278
    Abstract: A voltage regulator may be provided that includes a first circuit to receive at least one feedback signal from a buck converter and to provide at least one driving signal to the buck converter to provide an output voltage based on the at least one feedback signal, and a second circuit to control a super-capacitor to provide the output voltage when the first circuit is not using the buck converter to provide the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Vikas S. Shilimkar, Don J. Nguyen, Nagasubramanian N. Gurumoorthy
  • Patent number: 8952676
    Abstract: A transmitting and receiving electrode system, and power transmission method using the same are provided. The transmitting and receiving electrode system includes: a voltage/current detection unit measuring a voltage and a current in real time while power is being transmitted between first and second electrodes; a controller calculating a variable element value based on the voltage and current values transferred from the voltage/current detection unit; and a variable element unit converting a variable element under the control of the controller to adjust an impedance of a power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Chosun University
    Inventors: Youn-Tae Kim, Kun-Ho Park, Jang-Myoung Kim, Min-Joo Jeong, Chang-Hee Hyoung, Jung-Hwan Hwang, Sung-Weon Kang
  • Patent number: 8928248
    Abstract: Provided is a step up/down converter, in which the inductor current can be easily detected by a simple configuration in any connecting mode of the switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Ishii, Takeshi Azuma
  • Patent number: 8847561
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method are described that enable an impedance of a plasma load to be matched with a power generator. In some embodiments the apparatus includes a power output adapted to apply power that is utilized to energize a plasma; a sensor adapted to sample power applied at the power output so as to obtain power samples; and an impedance control output configured to provide, responsive to the power samples, an impedance-control signal that enables an impedance matching network connected to the output of the power generator and to the impedance control output to match, responsive to the an impedance-control signal, the impedance of the plasma to the operating impedance of the power generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Karlicek, Gideon J. van Zyl, Lane Sanford
  • Patent number: 8803490
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention, as further described below, provide active termination circuits that can be used with power transmitter circuits. Embodiments reduce power loss due to impedance matching and increase power efficiency in power transmitter circuits. In particular, embodiments provide active termination circuits that can be configured to draw minimal amounts of the output current generated by the power transmitter circuits. At the same time, embodiments achieve optimal impedance matching, thus enabling optimal power transfer to the load. Further, embodiments can be controlled adaptively in real time to reduce parasitic effects on power transfer and to optimize impedance matching. Embodiments can be implemented using various transistor technologies (e.g., MOSFET, BJT, etc.), and can be used with a variety of power transmitter circuits, including, for example, power DACs, analog/digital RF transmitters, and analog/digital PAs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ray (Ramon) Gomez
  • Publication number: 20140210430
    Abstract: Circuits and methods to maintain a resistive voltage divider ratio during start-up of an electronic circuit comprising a feed-forward capacitor across a feedback resistor using a dynamic start-up circuit are disclosed as e.g. a LDO or an amplifier. In a preferred embodiment of the disclosure is applied to an LDO. Modification of the resistive voltage divider ratio caused by the feed-forward capacitor during start-up is prevented while the voltage level of a voltage access point of the voltage divider on the feed-forward capacitor is maintained. Embodiments of the disclosure presented comprise using a start-up buffer or a start-up capacitor during the start-up phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR B.V., DIALOG SEMICONDUCTOR GMBH
    Inventors: Ambreesh Bhattad, Ludmil Nikolov, Marinus Wilhelmus Kruiskamp
  • Patent number: 8766581
    Abstract: There are provided a power factor correction circuit capable of transferring extra power to a ground before performing switching for a power factor correction to thereby reduce a switching loss generated in switching for a power factor correction, and a power supply device and a motor driving device having the same. The power factor correction circuit includes: a main switch switching input power to adjust a phase difference between a current and a voltage of the input power; and an auxiliary switch switched on before the main switch is switched on, to thereby form a transmission path for extra power of the main switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Gyu Park, Kee Ju Um, Bum Seok Suh
  • Publication number: 20140132231
    Abstract: A DC conversion circuit in the disclosure includes a buck-boost converter and a resonant stage circuit. The buck-boost converter has two input ends, a negative output end and a positive output end. The buck-boost converter receives a first DC signal via its two input ends, and outputs a second DC signal via its two output ends. The resonant stage circuit has two input ends and two output ends. The resonant stage circuit receives the second DC signal via its two input ends, converts the second DC signal into energy for power charging, and outputs the energy to a load via its two output ends. Then, the resonant stage circuit converts the energy, which is used for power charging, to form a negative voltage by a resonance effect, and outputs the energy to the load via its two output ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Wen-Tien TSAI, Ching-Ran LEE, Po-Yen CHEN, Ching-Tsai PAN
  • Patent number: 8699238
    Abstract: A modified power converter circuit utilizes an RLC circuit tuned to the frequency of any instability in the power converter circuit in order to remove the instability in the circuit output. In one embodiment, a pair of RLC circuits are connected in parallel across the input capacitor and output capacitor of the power circuit topology, respectively. The capacitor and inductor of each RLC circuit act as filters having a period with the same value as the instability created by interaction of the respective input or output capacitor with the isolation transformer inductance and expose the resistor within each the RLC circuit to only the frequency of instability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Sedona International, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Tong, Paul Clouser
  • Patent number: 8694817
    Abstract: A power supply according to various embodiments of the disclosure is configured to detect an event and, in response to the event, alternately supply power to a plurality of provided devices via a provided bus at a first current level or at a second current level, the second current level less than the first current level. Among other things, embodiments in this disclosure help allow additional devices to be used on a bus, even where the total power consumption of the devices would normally exceed a maximum defined by a bus architecture. Furthermore, various embodiments help allow a single gauge of wire to be used throughout a bus network (even where long lengths of wire are required) while still providing sufficient power to the devices connected to the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Hoffknecht, Javier Orlando Rojas, Liam John O'Hagan
  • Patent number: 8674666
    Abstract: A compensator for balancing an ac voltage network with a load connected between two phases. The compensator includes a voltage-source converter and a balancing device. The balancing device includes an inductance connected between phases before the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Björn Thorvaldsson
  • Publication number: 20140062427
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods including a boost converter configured to receive an input voltage (e.g., a battery voltage) and to provide a boosted output voltage higher than the input voltage, and a shunt regulator coupled to the output of the boost converter through a resistive element and configured to regulate an output ripple of the boosted output voltage. In an example, using the systems and methods described herein, a battery voltage of less than 5 volts can be boosted and regulated to an output voltage between 16 and 20 volts with an output ripple of less than 500 microvolts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Juha Joonas Oikarinen
  • Publication number: 20140055105
    Abstract: A circuit for downscaling voltage comprising: a voltage regulator; a voltage reference register configured to provide a voltage reference value; a voltage comparator configured to output a logical one if a supply voltage of the voltage regulator is greater than the voltage reference value, wherein a first input of the voltage comparator is coupled to output of the voltage regulator and a second input of the voltage comparator is coupled to output of the voltage reference register; an AND gate, where a first input of the AND gate is coupled to output of the voltage comparator and a second input of the AND gate is coupled to a voltage reference ready signal; a switch configured to close based on output of logical one from the AND gate; and a pull-down resistor configured to couple to the output of the voltage regulator only if the switch is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Mickael Le Dily, Moise Carcaud
  • Publication number: 20130314058
    Abstract: A voltage conversion circuit includes a power source, at least one first capacitor, and a voltage convertor. The power source is for providing power for the voltage conversion circuit. The at least one first capacitors are electrically connected to the power source in parallel. The voltage convertor includes at least one group of first input pins, at least one group of second input pins, and at least one output pin that outputs converted voltage of the power to a load. The first and second group of input pins are respectively arranged on different edges of the voltage convertor, the power source and the at least one first capacitors are selectively electrically connected to one of the group of the first and second input pins and are arranged beside a corresponding edge of the voltage convertor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: KAI-FU CHEN, CHUANG-WEI TSENG
  • Publication number: 20130214747
    Abstract: A voltage converting apparatus is provided with: a reactor; a first switching element and a second switching element each of which is connected to the reactor in series; a first shunt resistor for detecting a first electric current flowing through the first switching element; a second shunt resistor for detecting a second electric current flowing through the second switching element; a current combining device for combining a detected value of the first electric current and a detected value of the second electric current to generate a combined current; and a detecting device for detecting a current value of the combined current in a plurality of different timings, thereby detecting a peak value and an average value of an electric current flowing through the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Masashi KOBAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8476876
    Abstract: A voltage-modulated circuit device uses a power source of a modulation circuit to acquire a predetermined trigger voltage through a voltage acquisition circuit and a step-down circuit to step down a voltage, and then a voltage amplification circuit amplifies the voltage by several times, such that the trigger voltage amplified by several times still falling within the range of predetermined voltage values triggers and conducts a switch circuit, and the power source of the modulation circuit can flow from an anode to a cathode in order to supply an electric power with a step-down voltage. With the design of triggering the conduction, the voltage of the modulation circuit can be modulated automatically to maintain the electric power supplied to the circuit device within the range of required voltage values, only if the trigger voltage has the predetermined voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Inventor: Ta-I Liu
  • Publication number: 20130069605
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods, circuits and systems for power conversion, using a universal multiport architecture. When a transient appears on the power input (which can be, for example, polyphase AC), the input and output switches are opened, and a crowbar switch shunts the inductance which is used for energy transfer. This prevents this inductance from creating an overvoltage when it is disconnected from outside lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: William C. Alexander
  • Patent number: 8362735
    Abstract: A device for improving efficiency of an induction motor that soft-starts the motor by applying a voltage to the motor that is substantially less than the rated voltage then gradually increasing the voltage while monitoring changes in current drawn by the motor, thereby detecting when maximum efficiency is found. Once maximum efficiency is found, the nominal motor current is found and operating ranges are set. Now, the voltage to the motor is increased/decreased by measuring the phase angle between the voltage and the current to the motor and increasing the voltage when the phase angle is less than a minimum phase angle (determined during soft-start) and decreasing the voltage when the phase angle is greater than or equal to the minimum phase angle as long as the voltage does not fall below a minimum voltage determined during soft-start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Protective Energy Economizer Technology
    Inventor: Mario M. Marcoccia
  • Patent number: 8310216
    Abstract: A synchronous boost DC/DC conversion system comprises an input for receiving a DC input voltage, an output for producing a DC output voltage, a power switch controllable to adjust an output signal of the conversion system, and an inductor coupled to the input. A synchronous rectifier is configurable to create a conduction path between the inductor and the output to provide the inductor discharge. A control circuit is provided for controlling the synchronous rectifier as the input voltage approaches the output voltage, so as to adjust average impedance of the conduction path over a discharge period of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Christopher Canfield, David Charles Salerno
  • Publication number: 20120161726
    Abstract: A safe area voltage regulator is provided that includes a loss element, a distributed shunt regulator and an output terminal. The loss element component is directly connected to the distributed shunt regulator and includes a plurality of loss elements connected in series. The distributed shunt regulator is made up of a plurality of shunt regulators connected in parallel and is configured to regulate a peak voltage of a voltage signal to below a maximum voltage threshold. The output terminal is directly connected to the distributed shunt regulator and configured to output the voltage signal with the regulated peak voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: David O. LEVAN, Munroe C. CLAYTON
  • Patent number: 8084974
    Abstract: There is provided an inverter device capable of simplifying the circuit structure, lowering the cast, and downsizing of the device. The inverter device detects a switching change of an inverter by a pulse and is equipped with a pulse signal detector capable of detecting a motor residual voltage or a phase and a detector for detecting a residual voltage or a phase. The inverter device includes a voltage detector, a circuit for detecting a pulse signal based on a comparison between a phase voltage detection value per one phase output from the voltage detector and a first reference voltage value, a circuit for detecting a line residual voltage based on phase voltage detection values of two phases output from the voltage detector, and a circuit for detecting a line phase based on a comparison between the line residual voltage and a second reference voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Shinichi Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8085008
    Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus (USB) switch matrix is provided. The switch matrix generally comprises a switch network, and amplifier, a adjustable current source, and variable resistors. The switch network is able to output a differential output signal and a common mode signal. The amplifier compares the common mode signal to a reference voltage, and the amplifier adjusts the magnitude of the current from the adjustable current source and the resistances of the variable resistors based at least in part on the comparison to adjust the peak-to-peak voltage swing of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Kannan Krishna
  • Patent number: 8063615
    Abstract: A synchronous boost DC/DC conversion system comprises an input for receiving a DC input voltage, an output for producing a DC output voltage, a power switch controllable to adjust an output signal of the conversion system, and an inductor coupled to the input. A synchronous rectifier is configurable to create a conduction path between the inductor and the output to provide the inductor discharge. A control circuit is provided for controlling the synchronous rectifier as the input voltage approaches the output voltage, so as to adjust average impedance of the conduction path over a discharge period of the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Linear Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Christopher Canfield, David Charles Salerno
  • Patent number: 8026701
    Abstract: A voltage regulator with an adaptive bandwidth, including a first buffer chain, a voltage generating unit, a trimming capacitor unit, a second buffer chain, and a control unit. The first buffer chain delays a clock signal using an external voltage as a supply voltage. The voltage generating unit generates a regulated voltage on the basis a reference voltage. The trimming capacitor unit controls a load capacitance of the voltage generating unit. The second buffer chain delays the clock signal using the regulated voltage as a supply voltage. The control unit adjusts the load capacitance by detecting a delay difference of clocks output from the first and second buffer chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung-Soo Kim, Yong-Ju Kim, Sung-Woo Han, Hee-Woong Song, Ic-Su Oh, Tae-Jin Hwang, Hae-Rang Choi, Ji-Wang Lee, Jae-Min Jang, Chang-Kun Park
  • Patent number: 8008965
    Abstract: The device (12) is used for supplying power to a rapid clocking and/or a rapidly clocked integrated circuit (13), which has a circuit load (17) to be supplied with power and an internal capacity (15) connected parallel to the circuit load (17). The integrated circuit (13) has a high clocking frequency (f1) which is in particular at least in the MHz range. A supply unit (14) which is in particular designed as a current source is directly connected to the internal capacity (15). The supply unit (14) has an internal resistance, the impedance value of which is so high at the clocking frequency (f1) that a current (ID2) which supplies the circuit load (17) originates to a greater degree from the internal capacity (15) than from the supply unit (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH
    Inventor: Goeran Schubert
  • Patent number: 7965065
    Abstract: A trimming circuit which comprises a shunt circuit having two shunt resistors and two shunt ON/OFF switches and connected in parallel with a series resistor circuit. The middle point of the shunt circuit is connected to a connection point of the series resistor circuit, the resistance ratio thereof with respect to the connection point being equal to the resistance ratio of the shunt resistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiro Hirota
  • Patent number: 7948201
    Abstract: An induction motor control device includes an inverter circuit for driving an induction motor by outputting a command voltage, a current detector for detecting an output current, a magnetic flux estimation observer for generating an estimated magnetic flux, an estimated current, and a phase command for the motor using the command voltage and the output current, a primary angular speed estimator for estimating a primary angular speed using the estimated magnetic flux, a slip compensator for calculating a slip angular frequency using the output current, a first angular speed estimator for estimating a first angular speed using the primary angular speed and the output current, a second angular speed estimator for estimating a second angular speed using the output current, the estimated magnetic flux, and the estimated current, and a resistance estimator for estimating a secondary resistance value of the motor using the first and second angular speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventor: Masanobu Inazumi
  • Patent number: 7915874
    Abstract: Unlike buck converter and tapped-inductor buck converters, which use only inductive energy transfer, the present invention employs the capacitive energy transfer in addition to inductive energy transfer. The hybrid transformer performs the double duty simultaneously: transfers the input inductive energy storage to the load through a taped-inductor turns ratio n but also transfers the resonant capacitor discharge current to the load during OFF-time interval amplified by turns ratio m of the hybrid transformer. Despite the presence of the resonant inductor current during the OFF-time interval, the output voltage is neither dependent on resonant component values nor on the load current as in conventional resonant converters but depends on duty ratio D and turns ratio n of the hybrid transformer. Hence a simple regulation of output voltage is achieved using duty ratio control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Cuks, LLC
    Inventor: Slobodan Cuk
  • Patent number: 7808068
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a temperature sensor method for providing an output voltage response that is linear to the temperature of the integrated circuit to which the temperature sensor belongs and/or the integrated circuit die on which the temperature sensor resides. The output voltage of the temperature sensor has an adjustable gain component and an adjustable voltage offset component that both are adjustable independently based on circuit parameters. The inventive temperature sensor includes an offset circuit that diverts a portion of current from the scaled PTAT current before the current is sourced through the output resistor. The offset circuit includes a bandgap circuit arrangement, a voltage to current converter arrangement, and a current mirror arrangement that are configured to provide a voltage offset adjustable based on independent circuit parameters such as resistor value ratios and transistor device scaling ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Hartley
  • Patent number: 7782026
    Abstract: Regulator circuit and corresponding uses. The regulator circuit includes at least two input terminals, at least two reactances, at least two output terminals, a plurality of interconnections for connecting said reactances with respect to one another and for connecting at least one of the reactances with the input and output terminals. The interconnections include miniaturized relays that allow exchanging a series connection of the reactances for a parallel connection and vice versa. The circuit can include a voltage monitor, power supply modules, input and output protectors, reference signal modules, and control modules. The regulator circuit has multiple applications including charge pump, power supply, DC/DC converter, DC/AC converter, AC/DC converter, D/A converter, A/D converter, and power amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Baolab Microsystems S.L.
    Inventor: Josep Montanyà Silvestre
  • Publication number: 20100188058
    Abstract: An improved reference voltage (Vref) generator useable, for example, in sensing data on single-ended channels is disclosed. The Vref generator can be placed on the integrated circuit containing the receivers, or may be placed off chip. In one embodiment, the Vref generator comprises an adjustable-resistance voltage divider in combination with a current source. The voltage divider is referenced to I/O power supplies Vddq and Vssq, with Vref being generated at a node intervening between the adjustable resistances of the voltage divider. The current source injects a current into the Vref node and into a non-varying Thevenin equivalent resistance formed of the same resistors used in the voltage divider. So constructed, the voltage generated equals the sum of two terms: a first term comprising the slope between Vref and Vddq, and a second term comprising a Vref offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Inventors: Dragos Dimitriu, Timothy M. Hollis
  • Publication number: 20100007315
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-efficiency power supply device and its control method. The power supply device includes a power conversion circuit and a load balance detection circuit. The power conversion circuit is connected to at least one set of switch module through an electric circuit, a resistor connected in parallel with the switch module, and a power output load terminal for driving a load. The load balance detection circuit is connected to the power conversion circuit and the switch module, such that the load balance detection circuit can detect whether or not a load driven by one or more sets of power output load terminals is balanced. If the driven load is not balanced, then the one or more sets of resistor will be in a closed circuit status to achieve a load balance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: ENERMAX TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chien Kuei Hsu
  • Patent number: 7630689
    Abstract: An electronic device that can receive an AM radio broadcast signal and has a switching power supply circuit, wherein a switching frequency of the switching power supply circuit is detected and a reception frequency of the AM radio broadcast signal is detected, and when a frequency as an integral multiple of the switching frequency falls within a reception frequency range of the AM radio broadcast signal, a load is added to the switching power supply circuit, whereby the switching frequency is changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Naoyuki Kokuzawa
  • Publication number: 20090262053
    Abstract: The present invention includes a resistive module, the resistive module including a plurality of nodes and at least a resistive component. The plurality of nodes include an input terminal and an output terminal of the resistive module; the resistive component is electronically connected between the input terminal and the output terminal of the resistive module to thereby make the input terminal and the output terminal have a specified resistive value therebetween. In addition, the resistive component is electrically connected between two nodes of a node pair among the nodes, and each resistive component has a corresponding predetermined resistive value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: I-Ching Wei, Kuan-Hung Liu, Yi-Nan Chu
  • Publication number: 20090212749
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a resistance layout area that disposes multiple unit resistors, and a voltage divider circuit that divides a voltage applied to a series circuit and has the series circuit including a first resistance element, a second resistance element, some trimming resistance element connected in series, and some trimming fuse respectively connected in parallel with the trimming resistance element, in the circuit, the unit resistors belonging to each of three main resistance elements formed by the first resistance element, the second resistance element, and a highest trimming resistance element whose resistance value is highest among the trimming resistance elements are divided into multiple blocks each including a predetermined number of the unit resistors, and the multiple groups each including one block of each of the three main resistance elements adjacently arranged are formed, and the groups arranged close to a center portion of the resistance layout area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki GOTO
  • Publication number: 20090167260
    Abstract: A power supply arrangement is specified in which a capacitor with a low internal resistance, in particular a supercap (3), is connected via a means for charging (4) to an input (1) and via a load current regulator (9) to a connecting means (7) for an electrical load (8). Together with a feedback path, a control loop is formed for the load current through the electrical load (8). It is therefore possible to allow flash operation in applications such as mobile telephones with rechargeable batteries with a high internal resistance, with provision for high energy utilization from the capacitor, with controlled discharging with a regulated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Manfred Pauritsch, Peter Trattler
  • Patent number: 7546473
    Abstract: A power supply for a two-wire load control device supplies power to a microprocessor, which in turn controls the power supply. The power supply comprises an energy storage element, e.g., a capacitor, for producing a DC voltage for powering the microprocessor. The power supply comprises a high impedance circuit for allowing the energy storage element to receive energy at a first rate before the DC voltage is produced and the microprocessor is powered. The power supply further comprises a low-impedance circuit, i.e., a resistor in series electrical connection with a controllably conductive device, for allowing the energy storage element to receive energy at a second rate greater than the first rate. After starting up, the microprocessor is operable to selectively enable and disable the second energy-receiving circuit by rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C Newman
  • Publication number: 20090128102
    Abstract: A compensator for balancing an ac voltage network with a load connected between two phases. The compensator includes a voltage-source converter and a balancing device. The balancing device includes an inductance connected between phases before the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Bjorn Thorvaldsson
  • Patent number: 7486055
    Abstract: There is provided a DC-DC converter including: a main switching element to perform an on-off operation; a first choke coil; an output capacitor; and a diode module. The diode module includes a first series circuit which includes an auxiliary switching element and a resonant capacitor, and a second series circuit which includes a flywheel diode and a resonant coil, wherein the first series circuit and the second series circuit are connected in parallel to each other. The DC-DC converter reduces the switching loss, deals with an extensive range of input and output voltage variation, and accommodates easy modifications from conventional circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Mineba Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaya Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20090027015
    Abstract: The DC/DC converter according to one embodiment includes a switch, an inductor, a capacitor, a resistor, and a voltage divider. The switch is coupled to the input voltage. The inductor is used for coupling the first switch to an output node of the DC/DC converter so as to generate the output voltage at the output node. The capacitor is coupled to the output voltage. The resistor is coupled to the capacitor in series, and is coupled to ground. The voltage divider is coupled across the capacitor so as to reduce the zero frequency of the DC/DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Laszlo LIPCSEI, Sorin HORNET
  • Publication number: 20080272749
    Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency device in which stabilization of a DC bias voltage applied to an electrostatic drive type vibrator is attempted and a power supply device which can supply a stable DC bias voltage. Also, the present invention provides a communication apparatus including a filter by means of aforesaid high frequency device. The high frequency device of the present invention has a high frequency signal device which includes an electrostatic type vibrator operated by being applied with a DC bias voltage and is formed by being added with a circuit having a function of stabilizing the DC bias voltage between a pad supplying the DC bias voltage and the vibrator. The power supply device is a power supply device serving for a drive of a high frequency vibration device and is formed by being added with a circuit having a function of stabilizing a DC bias voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Masahiro Tanaka, Shun Mitarai, Masahiro Tada, Koji Naniwada
  • Patent number: 7446512
    Abstract: For the purpose of providing a resonant switching power supply device having a wide output voltage variable range by changing its switching frequency, the resonance circuit thereof comprises a switching transformer, a first resonance section connected in series with the switching transformer, and a second resonance section connected in parallel with the switching transformer, wherein the resonance frequency characteristic in the case that the DC load current is large is formed using the series-connected devices of the first resonance section, and the resonance frequency characteristic in the case that the DC load current is small is formed using the first resonance section, the second resonance capacitor of the second resonance section and the switching transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Nishihara, Akeyuki Komatsu