Output Level Responsive Patents (Class 323/234)
  • Publication number: 20120249096
    Abstract: A voltage converter comprises a step-down converter circuit (DCDC) with an inductive accumulator (LSW) and a first capacitive accumulator (CDC) and a charge pump circuit (CP) with at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1, CFLY2). The step-down converter circuit (DCDC) which can be fed a supply voltage (VBAT) on the input side is designed to charge the first capacitive accumulator (CDC) to a first intermediate voltage in switched mode. The charge pump circuit (CP) is designed to charge the at least one second capacitive accumulator (CFLY, CFLY1, CFLY2) to a second intermediate voltage using the supply voltage (VBAT) and to generate an output voltage from the first and second intermediate voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Jan Enenkel
  • Publication number: 20120250379
    Abstract: An operational transconductance amplifier used in conjunction with a multiple chip voltage feedback technique allows multiple strings of LEDs and current sinks to be efficiently powered by a simple feedback oriented voltage regulator within an appliance. A connected series of differential amplifiers or multiplexors are used to monitor the voltages between the connected LEDs and the current sinks, in order to progressively determine the lowest voltage. The operational transconductance amplifier compares this voltage to a reference voltage and injects or removes current from the feedback node of a voltage regulator, thereby altering the voltage present at the feedback node. This causes the voltage regulator to adjust its output, ensuring that the current sinks of the LED strings have adequate voltage with which to function, even as the LEDs have different forward voltages and the strings are asynchronously enabled and disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED ANALOGIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Kevin D'Angelo
  • Publication number: 20120249093
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a power controller. A method may include comparing a summation voltage comprising a sum of an amplified error voltage and a reference voltage with an estimated voltage to generate a comparator output signal. The method may also include generating a gate drive signal from the comparator output signal and filtering a signal coupled to a power stage to generate the estimated voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zeljko Grbo, Aleksandar Prodic, Francesco Carobolante
  • Publication number: 20120249095
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a power supply circuit can include a power stage configured to be coupled to a power source and configured to deliver an output voltage to a load circuit, and can include a comparator coupled to the power stage and configured to receive a reference voltage. The power supply circuit can also include a hysteresis control circuit configured to receive at least one of a feedback voltage or a reference voltage and configured to change a hysteresis of the comparator in response to the at least one of the feedback voltage or the reference voltage during a soft-start of the power supply circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Bin Zhao, Jack Cornish, Victor Lee, Brian Horng
  • Publication number: 20120249094
    Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a controller, and a power stage coupled to the controller and configured to be coupled to a power source. The power stage is configured to deliver an output voltage to a load module in response to the controller. The apparatus also includes a reference voltage circuit coupled to the controller and configured to be grounded to a first ground voltage different from a second ground voltage associated with the load module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Bin Zhao, Jack Cornish, Victor Lee
  • Publication number: 20120249097
    Abstract: A contactless power supply has a dynamically configurable tank circuit powered by an inverter. The contactless power supply is inductively coupled to one or more loads. The inverter is connected to a DC power source. When loads are added or removed from the system, the contactless power supply is capable of modifying the resonant frequency of the tank circuit, the inverter frequency, the inverter duty cycle or the rail voltage of the DC power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: ACCESS BUSINESS GROUP INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Publication number: 20120242303
    Abstract: An output converter includes a DCDC conversion section, a secondary side voltage/current monitoring section detecting a power from the DCDC conversion section, a maximum operation point control section determining what voltage is to be set by the DCDC conversion section so that the power detected by the secondary side voltage/current monitoring section is maximum, a DCDC short-circuit switch via which a current from a module bypasses the DCDC conversion section to outside, a primary side voltage/current monitoring section measuring the current from the module, a module short-circuit switch switching between a state where a secondary side cathode and a secondary side anode are short-circuited and a state where they are not short-circuited, the maximum operation point control section causing the DCDC short-circuit switch and the module short-circuit switch to switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takanori Ishii, Akira Enami, Takuya Nakai, Akihiro Funamoto
  • Publication number: 20120242301
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a control apparatus communicable with a power measuring apparatus includes a communication unit, a threshold storage, and a controller. The communication unit acquires a usable power value from the power measuring apparatus. The threshold storage stores a threshold value. The controller changes a working state thereof in accordance with a comparison result of the usable power value and the threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshiki TERASHIMA, Tsubasa YUMURA, Kotaro ISE
  • Publication number: 20120242302
    Abstract: A power supply device includes a step-down unit to step down an input voltage, a switching unit to perform switching on a stepped-down voltage obtained through the stepping down by the step-down unit so as to externally output the voltage, an output variation detection unit to detect a corresponding variation of output from the switching unit, a delay unit to delay the input voltage by a prescribed time period, a delay variation detection unit to detect a corresponding variation of a delayed voltage output from the delay unit, an addition unit to add corresponding variations of the power supply voltage and the delayed voltage respectively detected by the output variation detection unit and the delay variation detection unit, and a control unit to perform feedback control on the basis of the corresponding variations of the power supply voltage and the delayed voltage added by the addition unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Yu YONEZAWA, Yoshiyasu Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20120242300
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter control apparatus controls a DC-DC converter which has an inductor connected between an input terminal for a direct-current input voltage and an output terminal for a direct-current output voltage obtained by converting the direct-current input voltage, a capacitor connected to the inductor, and a switch configured to switch whether the direct-current input voltage is applied to the inductor. The DC-DC converter control apparatus has a subtractor configured to generate a differential voltage between the direct-current input voltage and a reference voltage, a comparator configured to generate a determining signal that indicates determination of a polarity of the differential voltage, and a delay part configured to delay the determining signal for a specific delay time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takeshi Ueno, Akio Kuroda
  • Patent number: 8275343
    Abstract: A system and method of improving the power efficiency of a receiver for low duty cycle applications. In one aspect, the receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) that is capable of being enabled in a relatively quick fashion so as to amplify an incoming signal when needed, and then being disabled to set the LNA in a low power consumption mode. In particular, the LNA includes a pair of complimentary devices, and an enable circuit adapted to quickly cause the complimentary devices to conduct substantially the same current. In another aspect, a bias voltage generating apparatus is provided that uses a residual voltage from a prior operation to establish the current bias voltage for the LNA. In particular, the apparatus includes a controller adapted to tune an adjustable capacitor to a capacitance based on a residual voltage applied to a fixed capacitor, and couple the capacitors together to establish the bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Russell John Fagg
  • Publication number: 20120235650
    Abstract: A DC-offset correction circuit for a target circuit with an output terminal and a feedback input terminal. The DC-offset correction circuit includes an obtaining module and a correction module. The obtaining module obtains a DC-offset voltage from the output terminal. The correction module includes a first charging switch, a first inductor connected to the first charging switch in order from the output terminal to the feedback input terminal, and a first charging capacitor connected between ground and the node of the feedback input terminal and the first charging switch. When the voltage of the feedback input terminal is less then the DC-offset voltage, the correction module closes the first charging switch. When the voltage of the feedback input terminal is equal to the DC-offset voltage, the correction module opens the first charging switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YANG-HAN LEE
  • Publication number: 20120235651
    Abstract: Power supplies and related methods capable of reducing output voltage ripple. A power supply provides an output voltage to a load and controls the output voltage to approach a target voltage. The output voltage is compared with the target voltage to generate a control signal, which controls an output current of the power supply. When the control signal causes an increase in the output current, the target voltage is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Yu-Bin Wang
  • Publication number: 20120229103
    Abstract: Signal compensation method for magnetically sensitive position feedback device in which the compensation for voltage offset is performed in accordance with the following formula (1), while the compensation for voltage amplitude is performed in accordance with the following formula (2): Voffset=(PreMaxV)/4+(NextMaxV)/4+(MaxV)/2,??formula (1) wherein: Voffset is the voltage offset of the half-wave of the current position, PreMaxV is the maximum positive (negative) voltage of the preceding half-wave to the half-wave of the current position, NextMaxV is the maximum positive (negative) voltage of the next half-wave from the half-wave of the current position, and MaxV is the maximum negative (positive) voltage of the half-wave of the current position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Ming-Fu TSAI, Cheng-Min LAI
  • Publication number: 20120229104
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus of dynamic transient optimization in a voltage regulator according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a transition detector configured to compare an output voltage error to an amplitude threshold. The voltage regulator may further comprise a frequency detector configured to measure the frequency of the amplitude threshold being exceeded and to compare the frequency to a frequency threshold and a response circuit configured to activate a response according to a comparison between the frequency threshold and the frequency of the amplitude threshold being exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Pierson, Jinghong Guo, Timothy M. Ng, Benjamim Tang, Amir Babazadeh, Scott Southwell
  • Publication number: 20120217939
    Abstract: A reference voltage stabilization apparatus is disclosed, having an input node for receiving a reference voltage, an output node for coupling with a load, a voltage buffer coupled between the input node and the output node, a charge storage device coupled with the output node, and a charging/discharging circuit coupled with the charge storage device for charging or discharging the charge storage device. The voltage buffer and the charged/discharged charge storage device are coupled with the load so that the voltage at the load equals the reference voltage after a period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Shin-Syong HUANG, Jian-Ru LIN
  • Publication number: 20120212193
    Abstract: A control circuitry can be configured to receive an error signal indicating a difference between an output voltage of the power supply and a desired setpoint for the output voltage. According to one configuration, depending on the error signal, the control circuitry initiates switching between operating the control circuitry in a pulse width modulation mode and operating the control circuitry in a pulse frequency modulation mode to produce an output voltage. Operation of the control circuitry in the pulse frequency modulation mode during a transient condition, such as when a dynamic load instantaneously requires a different amount of current, enables the power supply to satisfy current consumption by the dynamic load. Subsequent to the transient condition, the control circuitry switches back to operation in the pulse width modulation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Venkat Sreenivas, Robert T. Carroll
  • Publication number: 20120205973
    Abstract: A converter unit configured to couple to a photovoltaic panel (PV) may include a controller to sense an input voltage and input current obtained from the photovoltaic panel, and manage the output voltage of a corresponding power converter coupled to a DC bus to regulate the resultant bus voltage to a point that reduces overall system losses, and removes non-idealities when the panels are series connected. The controller may also perform input voltage management and regulation, including maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the PV. The controller may probe the bus voltage using a probe waveform generated according to a pseudo-random bit sequence (PRBS), to provide a probe signal that is distinct from the control steps performed by the controller. A PV array may feature a respective converter unit coupled to each PV, with each respective controller using a different and unique seed for generating its PRBS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Shawn R. McCaslin, Bertrand J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120205974
    Abstract: A converter unit configured to couple to a photovoltaic panel (PV) may include a controller to sense an output voltage and output current produced by the photovoltaic panel, and manage the output voltage of a corresponding power converter coupled to a DC bus to regulate the resultant bus voltage to a point that reduces overall system losses, and removes non-idealities when the panels are series connected. The controller may also adapt to output condition constraints, and perform a combination of input voltage and output voltage management and regulation, including maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for the PV. The output voltage and output current characteristic of the power converter may be shaped to present a power gradient—which may be hysteretically controlled—to the DC bus to compel an inverter coupled to the DC bus to perform its own MPPT to hold the DC-bus voltage within a determinate desired operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Shawn R. McCaslin, Sam B. Sandbote, Bertrand J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120200270
    Abstract: A power regulator with minimized power consumption is disclosed. The power regulator includes at least one multiplier module and at least one amplifier module. The multiplier module is configured to multiply the reference voltage to provide a second voltage, while the amplifier module is configured to receive the second voltage and provide a regulated voltage. The magnitude of the second voltage is greater than the magnitude of the reference voltage by a factor greater than one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: Energy Micro AS
    Inventor: Erik Fossum Faerevaag
  • Publication number: 20120200269
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus includes: a first circuit arranged for generating a reference voltage with respect to a first circuit element according to a reference current flowing to the first circuit element; a second circuit arranged for generating an output voltage according to a tunable current; and an adjusting circuit for adjusting the tunable current to a target current value according to the reference voltage and the output voltage, wherein the adjusting circuit comprises: a search unit for performing a search according to a comparison result of the reference voltage and the output voltage to thereby determine a control setting; and a control unit coupled to the search unit, and for generating a control signal to the second circuit according to the control setting, and after the search unit adjusts the control setting, the search unit stops adjusting the control setting according to the comparison result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Chia-Hsin Wu
  • Patent number: 8239071
    Abstract: Method for controlling at least one adjustment mechanism of a wind turbine, said method comprising the steps of: establishing at least one load or operational value of the wind turbine, choosing a combination of at least two control strategies from a set of different control strategies based on the established at least one load or operational value, and applying the chosen combination of control strategies to control said at least one adjustment mechanism. The invention also relates to a wind turbine and a wind park.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Hans Henrik Lausen
  • Publication number: 20120194156
    Abstract: A load driving signal-linked high voltage driving method comprises the steps of: generating an output power voltage of preset size by boosting the voltage of input power; converting the output power voltage so that the generated output power voltage may be linked with an output signal of a load driving circuit; and driving a load by applying the converted output power voltage to the load driving circuit. According to the above present invention, it is possible to minimize power consumption of a battery in a portable electronic device which drives a load by converting the low-voltage rectification power or a voltage of the battery into a high voltage, and thus the usage of a function or an apparatus such as a haptic terminal or the like, which may need a high voltage, is more activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Junhyeong Myoung, Duhwan Sa, Jinguk Lee, Seonguk Park
  • Publication number: 20120194146
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for energizing and managing digitally-controlled devices at different levels of granularity, to achieve desired power use characteristics. At the lowest level, a digitally-controlled device is energized using a variable load-sensing adaptive control (VLSAC). Operation of the device is controlled using digital signals input to the device, so that limits on parameters, such as power consumption are met. A plurality of VLSACs can be coupled to a power distribution unit (PDU), which is controlled to achieve desired levels for selected parameters, set for the PDU. Multiple PDUs can be coupled to a power conversion and regulation unit (PCRU), which can be controlled by a master control to achieve a desired power profile for an entire facility, enabling the facility to meet requirements of a utility supplying the power and thus, reducing operational costs. The VLSACs and PCRU include high efficiency power sources having low distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: James B. Longacre
  • Publication number: 20120194145
    Abstract: The present technology discloses a switching mode power supply with predicted PWM control. In one embodiment, the switching mode power supply monitors the slew rate of COMP signal which represents the output voltage of the switching mode power supply. When the load steps up, the ON state of the power stage is prolonged; when the load steps down, the power stage is turned off earlier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Honggang Sheng, Chia-Hsin Chang
  • Publication number: 20120187925
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and device provide for the detection of insufficient supplied power supplied to a device. A current multiplier of the device, operable as a voltage regulator, is coupled to the power source, receives a clock signal, and generates a control signal. A digital counter, clocked by the clock signal and reset by the control signal, generates an overflow output in response to an overflow condition of the digital counter that indicates that the current sourcing capability of the power source has fallen below a current threshold of the device. A compensatory response by the device in response to the detection of insufficient supplied power may be provided as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: SUNRISE MICRO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick L. Martin, Edgar H. Callaway, JR.
  • Publication number: 20120181994
    Abstract: The present invention provides a boosting system, a diagnosing method and a diagnosing program, that may diagnose a boosting section while suppressing consumption of electric power and current, and without being carrying out by a CPU. Namely, during an initializing operation, difference between power supply voltage and own threshold voltage charges capacitor C1 of a comparison circuit, and a difference between voltage of a constant voltage and the own threshold voltage charges capacitor C2. In a comparing operation, a boosting section and the capacitor C1 are connected so that boosted voltage is inputted, and GND and the capacitor C2 are connected so that GND voltage is inputted. At this time, if output OUT is L level, it is diagnosed that there is no defect, whereas if the output OUT is H level, it is diagnosed that there is defect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: LAPIS SEMICONDUCTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naoaki SUGIMURA
  • Patent number: 8225121
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of methods and apparatuses to manage a power of a data processing system are described. One or more constraint parameters of a system are monitored. The data processing system is forced into an idle state for a first portion of a time while allowed to operate for a second portion of the time based on the one or more constraint parameters, wherein the system is forced into the idle state in response to comparing a target idle time to an actual idle time. The target idle time of the system is determined, in one embodiment, based on the one or more constraint parameters. The actual idle time of the system may be monitored to take into account interrupts which disrupt an idle time and idle times resulting from no software instructions to execute. The system may be allowed to operate based on comparisons of the target idle time and the actual idle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Guy G. Sotomayor, Jr., Keith Cox, David G. Conroy, Michael Culbert
  • Publication number: 20120176103
    Abstract: A voltage-converter and a signal processing circuit are disclosed. A voltmeter, a power meter and a three-phase meter each including the voltage-converter and the signal processing circuit are disclosed. Methods of making the voltage-converters, voltmeters, three phase meters and power meters, as well as operating and/or using these apparatus are disclosed. Apparatus including feedback paths with at least one voltage-converters, voltmeters, three-phase meters and/or power meters are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: VERIVOLT, LLC
    Inventors: Juan Lizarazo, Ram Rajagopal
  • Publication number: 20120176102
    Abstract: A power control method for tracking a Maximum Power Point (MPP) in a photovoltaic system including a solar cell and a boost converter. The power control method includes finding the MPP by applying a continuous ON/OFF signal to the boost converter as a first control signal for controlling a duty ratio of the boost converter, and maintaining an operating point of the photovoltaic system at the MPP by applying a second control signal for controlling the duty ratio to the boost converter depending on a constant-voltage command. In tracking an MPP in a photovoltaic system, an MPPT algorithm may remain at the MPP, without self oscillation, improving fast dynamic characteristics upon a change in solar radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong-Woo KIM, Sang-Keun Jl, Sung-Soo Hong, Chung-Wook Roh, Sang-Kyoo Han
  • Patent number: 8219832
    Abstract: A method for increasing efficiency of a voltage regulator in an information handling system (IHS) is provided. The method may include enabling one or more operating phases associated with the voltage regulator and initializing a switch configuration having at least one high-side switch and at least one low-side switch. In addition, the may method include initializing a dead-time value, sensing a load current, and adjusting the number of operating phases, the switch configuration, or the dead-time value in response to the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: John J. Breen, III, Shiguo Luo, Colin A. Lambert
  • Patent number: 8219258
    Abstract: A method of queuing access to a power supply shared by a set of electrical access points. The access points turn on independently from one another and thus have independent power draws. Each access point has a specific power draw when on. The on state and associated power draw of each of access point is identified, and a load duration curve for each access point is normalized (i.e., combined with load duration curve(s)) from the other access points) into a probability distribution function. The probability distribution function is a normalized load duration curve that thus accounts for a varying set of “operating states” that may occur with respect to the set of access points (when viewed collectively). Each operating state has an associated probability of occurrence. As the operating state of the set (of access points) changes, access to the power supply is selectively queued, or de-queued (if previously queued).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: eCurv, Inc.
    Inventors: Edison Almeida, Jonathan O. Stahl
  • Publication number: 20120169302
    Abstract: Methods of a switching mode DC/DC converter are provided in the present invention. The proposed method includes a step of causing a switching frequency of the converter to be operated at a rated value multiplied by a second predetermined value when an output voltage of the converter is not larger than a first predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: HANERGY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Chung-Kuang Huang, Xiao-Ming Duan, Ronald Chang
  • Publication number: 20120161727
    Abstract: In a switching mode power supply, a power controlling circuit includes a phase generator and a phase controller. The phase generator provides a clock signal. The phase controller detects phases of a phase reference signal and a burst initialization signal so as to generate a burst signal, and causes a phase of the burst signal to not be earlier than the phase of the group reference signal. The burst signal is utilized for switching the power supply between a non-switching state and a switching state. The group reference signal is generated according to the clock signal and has a lower frequency than the clock signal. The burst initialization signal is controlled by an output voltage source of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Wen-Chung Yeh
  • Publication number: 20120153906
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a converter includes a circuit and method for scaling a drive signal. The converter determines the power at its input and scales a drive signal in accordance with the input power. In accordance with another embodiment the converter determines the power at its output and scales the drive signal in accordance with the output power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Paul J. Harriman, Michael A. Stapleton
  • Publication number: 20120146594
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a buck-boost converter with an improved efficiency are disclosed. The buck-boost converter disclosed operates in 5 different modes, namely in buck mode, half frequency buck mode, half frequency buck-boost mode, half frequency boost mode, and in boost mode. In half frequency buck mode, buck-boost mode, and in half frequency boost mode the switching frequency is halved compared to the switching frequency of buck or boost mode. A simple circuit implementation by adding two offset voltages in ramp signals or PWM comparators enables to halve the switching frequency if required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Hidenori Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120146598
    Abstract: A power converting apparatus includes a power converter, a first resistor, a second resistor, a current controller, a voltage sensor, a sample/holder, and a switch controller. The power converter converts an input voltage into an output voltage. The first resistor is connected to an output of the power converter, and the second resistor is connected to the first resistor. The current controller controls a first current to make the first current that is less than a second current flowing in the first resistor flow in the second resistor, and outputs a third current corresponding to the first current. The voltage sensor senses a first voltage corresponding to the third current. The sample/holder samples the first voltage, and outputs the sampled voltage. The switch controller controls an operation of the power converter based on a voltage output from the sample/holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventor: Younwoong CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20120139507
    Abstract: A hysteretic power converter wherein an additional adjustment circuit, implemented as an offset correction loop, adds an offset to the comparator detection function to reduce the difference between the average output voltage and the regulation set point voltage. The adjustment circuit lies outside the main hysteretic regulation loop and therefore does not substantially impact the response time of the hysteretic loop, and is slow acting responsive to a low pass filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSEMI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Bruce FERGUSON
  • Publication number: 20120139508
    Abstract: A device includes a first internal voltage generation circuit generating a first internal voltage in response to an external power supply voltage, a second internal voltage generation circuit generating a second internal voltage in response to the external power supply voltage, the second internal voltage being different in voltage level from the first internal voltage, and a preset signal generation circuit responding to a power-on of the external power supply voltage to the device and generating, independently of the first internal voltage, first and second preset signals that bring the first and the second internal voltage generation circuits into respective initial states, the preset signal generating circuit stopping generation of the first preset signal when the external power supply voltage reaches a first voltage level and stopping generation of the second preset signal when the external power supply voltage reaches a second voltage level different from the first voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ELPIDA MEMORY, INC.
    Inventor: Tatsuya Matano
  • Publication number: 20120139509
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for implementing and controlling a voltage converter with one input voltage and multiple output voltages. In the case of boost and buck-boost converters, a converter circuit with one inductor and a switched group of parallel connection capacitors is realized, one parallel connection for each output voltage. A duty ratio is monitored for the inductor and the switched group of capacitors to provide a set of duty ratios. The duty ratios form a control vector which describes the control inputs. The output voltages are the control outputs describing a MIMO system. A generalized Cuk-Middlebrook modeling approach is applied to the voltage converter, along with linearization and MIMO control methods to regulate all output voltages to desired levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventors: Louis Roberts Hunt, Dinesh Kumar Bhatia, Poras T. Balsara
  • Patent number: 8183824
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system includes a power stage component operable to generate an output voltage from a power source and to provide the output voltage to an electrical device. The power stage component is capable of operating in a plurality of modes depending on a level of the power source. An adaptive mode change component, coupled to the power stage, is operable to track at least one variation which affects the voltage across the electrical device and to generate at least one control signal for changing among the plurality of operating modes of the power stage component in response to the tracking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Integrated Memory Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Necdet Emek, Mario Chunhwa Huang
  • Publication number: 20120119714
    Abstract: A load communication device and method is provided, that identifies and transmits to a PSU the load requirement to operate a load device that is powered by the PSU, by analyzing the characteristics of current applied to the load device by a given input voltage generated by the PSU. The load communication device is configured to transmit between the PSU and the load device solely over the 2 wire cable that extends between the PSU and the load device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Ionel Jitaru, Bogdan Tudor Bucheru, Marco Davila
  • Publication number: 20120112723
    Abstract: The improved DC-DC converter apparatus includes a primary side circuit and a secondary side circuit that is galvanically isolated from the primary. The primary side induces a voltage in the secondary side that provides an output voltage for driving POLs. A controller in the primary senses a reflected output voltage signal that is coupled from the secondary and is proportional to the secondary output voltage with respect to a voltage regulation point determined by either a voltage divider circuit or the zener voltage in the secondary. The voltage regulation point is established by wide-tolerance electrical components, such as a zener diode, a resistor, or a combination, connected in the coupling device circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Jin He, Jeffrey Boylan, Carl Wildrick
  • Publication number: 20120105026
    Abstract: A safe electric power regulating circuit is connected between a power supply and a voltage boost/buck circuit to regulate the output voltage by the power supply to have a target voltage through the voltage boost/buck circuit. A switching device includes a switch unit, a first diode, and a first capacitor. The switch unit includes a first end, a second end, and a third end. The first end is connected to the power supply, and the second end is connected to the voltage boost/buck circuit. The switch unit is controlled to connect the third end to the first end or the second end. The first diode has an anode connected to the first end of the switch unit. The first capacitor has one end connected to the third end of the switch unit and the other end connected to circuit ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hsiang-Yu LEE, Ping-Tsun LIN
  • Publication number: 20120105025
    Abstract: A frequency compensation circuit for a voltage regulator is provided in embodiments of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liang Chen
  • Publication number: 20120105024
    Abstract: A feedback regulating circuit provides a regulated voltage to a multi-output circuit that outputs a plurality of output voltages. The feedback regulating circuit includes a voltage control unit, coupled to the plurality of output voltages, for generating a first voltage according to the plurality of output voltages and outputting a voltage control signal according to the first voltage; and a reference voltage generator, coupled to the voltage control unit, for receiving the voltage control signal and generating a reference voltage according to the voltage control signal, with the reference voltage being fed back to the multi-output circuit to regulate voltage to a high degree of accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Song-Yi Lin, Hsuan-I Pan, Hung I Wang
  • Publication number: 20120098504
    Abstract: There is disclosed a power supply stage, comprising: generating means for generating a power supply voltage from a high efficiency variable voltage supply in dependence on a reference signal; adjusting means for receiving the generated power supply voltage, and adapted to provide an adjusted selected power supply voltage tracking the reference signal in dependence thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: NUJIRA LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Paul Wilson, Shane Flint
  • Publication number: 20120091975
    Abstract: The present invention concern a method and an apparatus for stabilizing power supply to a connection device, such as an ONU. The power is supplied via wires, such as telephone wires, using DC voltage and the wires having a first conductor, such as a ring conductor and a second conductor, such as a tip conductor. The currents in the first conductor and in the second conductor are measured and if a difference between the currents is detected as being above a first threshold value the supplied DC voltage will be lowered. Despite the instruction to lower the supplied DC voltage the currents in the first conductor and in the second conductor are continuously measured. Within period of time, e.g. 5 ms, since it was detected that the difference between the currents were above the first threshold value it is decided if the difference between the currents are below a second threshold value and/or if the difference between the currents is diminishing faster than a rate threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Elmar Trojer
  • Publication number: 20120095610
    Abstract: A control system (300) allows standard NEMA receptacles to be remotely monitored and/or controlled, for example, to intelligently execute blackouts or brownouts or to otherwise remotely control electrical appliances. The system (300) includes a number of smart receptacles (302) that communicate with a local controller (304), e.g., via power lines using the TCP/IP protocol. The local controller (304), in turn, communicates with a remote controller (308) via the internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: ZONIT STRUCTURED SOLUTIONS, LLC.
    Inventors: Steve Chapel, William Pachoud
  • Publication number: 20120086414
    Abstract: A set top box used in a satellite TV system includes a diode coupled in a particular way to better protect an adjustable linear regulator used in the set top box from transient voltages as may result from lighting or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Reicher