Including Plural Final Control Devices Patents (Class 323/268)
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Patent number: 7653366Abstract: In one aspect this invention provides a DC-DC converter that has a switch mode part for coupling between a DC source and a load, the switch mode part providing x amount of output power; and that further has a linear mode part coupled in parallel with the switch mode part between the DC source and the load, the linear mode part providing y amount of output power, where x is preferably greater than y, and the ratio of x to y may be optimized for particular application constraints. In a further aspect there is a radio frequency (RF) transmitter (TX) for coupling to an antenna, where the TX has a polar architecture having an amplitude modulation (AM) path coupled to a power supply of a power amplifier (PA) and a phase modulation (PM) path coupled to an input of the PA, where the power supply includes the switch mode part for coupling between a battery and the PA and the linear mode part coupled in parallel with the switch mode part between the battery and the PA.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Nokia CorporationInventor: Vlad Gabriel Grigore
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Patent number: 7646181Abstract: A control circuit of a DC-DC converter is provided. A mode selection section selects an Active Clamp Forward (ACF) or a Logic Link Control (LLC) mode. A soft start section generates a soft start signal in the ACF and LLC modes. A PWM comparison section compares a current detection signal with a feedback signal, a feedback reference signal and the soft start signal in the ACF mode, and generates a PWM signal based on a comparison result. A selection section selects the PWM signal of the PWM comparison section in the ACF mode. A clock generation section generates a clock signal having a fixed frequency in the ACF mode, and generates a clock signal having a frequency based on an operating current and the soft start signal in the LLC mode. A latch section maintains the PWM signal in response to the clock signal in the ACF mode and maintains the clock signal in the LLC mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong In Cheon, Byoung Own Min, Chang Woo Ha, Deuk Hee Park
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Patent number: 7646115Abstract: A regulator circuit may be configured to operate with multiple power supplies. The regulator circuit may be configured to receive an input voltage and provide a regulated output voltage at an output terminal as a function of the input voltage. The regulator may include at least two drivers. A first driver may have a driver output coupled to the output terminal and have a supply terminal coupled to a high power supply, and a second driver may have a driver output coupled to the output terminal and have a supply terminal coupled to a low power supply. A selector circuit may be configured to compare the input voltage with a control voltage that has a magnitude just below a magnitude of the low power supply, to determine which driver to select from the first driver and the second driver, and enable either the first driver output or the second driver output to be active according to which driver has been selected.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Standard Microsystems CorporationInventor: Paul F. Illegems
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Patent number: 7639033Abstract: The present invention optimizes the performance of integrated circuits by adjusting the circuit operating voltage using feedback on process/product parameters. To determine a desired value for the operating voltage of an integrated circuit, a preferred embodiment provides for on-wafer probing of one or more reference circuit structures to measure at least one electrical or operational parameter of the one or more reference circuit structures; determining an adjusted value for the operating voltage based on the measured parameter; and establishing the adjusted value as the desired value for the operating voltage. The reference circuit structures may comprise process control monitor structures or structures in other integrated circuits fabricated in the same production run. In an alternative embodiment, the one or more parameters are directly measured from the integrated circuit whose operating voltage is being adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Altera CorporationInventors: Irfan Rahim, Peter McElheny, John Costello
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Patent number: 7626366Abstract: An inverting negative voltage DC-DC power supply circuit comprises a first resistor having one end connected to an output terminal for converting a change in output voltage into a current. A zero-volt clamp circuit is connected to the other end of the first resistor and comprises a first and second transistor. A current mirror circuit comprises a third and fourth transistor and is connected to the zero-volt clamp circuit for causing a current of the same value as that of a current flowing in the zero-volt clamp circuit to flow. A second resistor is connected to the current mirror circuit for converting a change in current flowing from the zero-volt clamp circuit into a voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2007Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignees: NEC Electronics Corporation, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideaki Koyama, Yasushi Sato
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Publication number: 20090267577Abstract: A high voltage start-up circuit with constant current control applied to a switching mode power converter is provided. The high voltage start-up circuit includes a high voltage junction transistor, a control transistor, a current detecting resistor and a bias resistor. The drain of the junction transistor is connected to a high power supply, the gate of the junction transistor is connected to the drain of the control transistor, and the source of the junction transistor is connected to the current detecting resistor. The voltage drop crossing the current detecting resistor is kept constant to have the junction transistor output a constant current. The bias resistor which is connected between the gate of the junction transistor and the output end of the high voltage start-up circuit has the gate to source bias voltage of the junction transistor kept constant to output constant current.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2008Publication date: October 29, 2009Inventor: Ta-Ching Hsu
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Patent number: 7583120Abstract: In one embodiment, an error amplifier of a power supply controller is configured to receive a current sense signal prior to the current sense signal undergoing amplification.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2006Date of Patent: September 1, 2009Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventor: Benjamin M. Rice
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Publication number: 20090212751Abstract: A controller for use with a power converter including a switch configured to conduct to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output of the power converter, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a linear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a first control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller also includes a nonlinear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a second control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller is configured to select one of the first and second control signals for the switch in response to a change in an operating condition of the power converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2009Publication date: August 27, 2009Inventors: Pedro Alou Cervera, Jose Antonio Cobos Marquez, Ashraf W. Lotfi, Andres Soto del Pecho
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Patent number: 7576521Abstract: A switching regulator, has first and second switching regulator units, and first and second PLL circuit units that are provided in the first and second switching regulator units respectively, input first and second control pulse signals (PIN1, PIN2) respectively, phases of which are shifted from each other, and control the first timing (T1) of performing non-conduction control on the first switching element (LMOS). The first and second control pulse signals each is controlled to have a frequency corresponding to a voltage-boosted level of the output terminal to maintain the output voltage at predetermined voltage.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 18, 2009Assignee: Fujitsu Ten LimitedInventor: Motoki Komiya
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Patent number: 7567047Abstract: An electric motor control strategy includes using a low resolution position sensor that provides a square wave output signal. The position sensor information is converted into sinusoidal commutation signals for motor control that reduces torque ripple. In one disclosed example, square wave commutation is used at low motor speeds and a controller switches to sinusoidal commutation once a selected threshold speed of the motor is reached. In another disclosed example, sinusoidal commutation is used at all motor speeds with two different techniques for converting the square wave sensor signal into a sinusoidal commutation signal, depending on the motor speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Gregory I. Rozman
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Publication number: 20090160411Abstract: A digital multilevel memory system includes a charge pump and a voltage regulator for generating regulated high voltages for various memory operations. The charge pump may include a plurality of boost circuits to boost the output of the charge pump during a fast start up. Afterwards, the boost circuits are disabled to allow the charge pump to generate high voltages without boosting. The boost circuits may be successively enabled to boost the voltage. The boost circuits may be loadless. The voltage regulator may operate in an open loop and may include a resistive divider as a reference voltage for regulating the high voltage from the charge pump. The charge pump may include spread spectrum pump clocking to reduce electromagnetic inference for capacitor or inductor on-chip charge pumping.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: SILICON STORAGE TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventors: Hieu Van Tran, Sang Thanh Nguyen, Anh Ly, Hung O. Nguyen, Wingfu Aaron Lau, Nasrin Jaffari, Thuan Trong Vu, Vishal Sarin, Loc B. Hoang
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Patent number: 7550954Abstract: A versatile voltage regulator accommodates either an Alkaline or Lithium-Ion battery main battery and provides low-current power for a real time clock module and for charging a backup battery. Depending upon the battery power source that is used, the present invention provides a best circuit configuration for efficient power conversion. If the power converter according to the present invention provides a regulated output voltage that is greater than the main battery voltage of an Alkaline battery, a low drop-out-voltage (LDO) voltage regulator is used in feedback loop with a charge pump. Otherwise, for a Lithium-Ion battery, only a LDO voltage regulator is used. The voltage regulator includes a series low drop-out-voltage (LDO) voltage regulator that is coupled between the main external battery and the vout load terminal, when the voltage at the vout load terminal is less than the voltage of the main external battery.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Fabrizio De Nisi, Gian Marco Bo
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Patent number: 7550955Abstract: A disclosed power supply circuit (1) for receiving an input voltage at an input terminal (VDD), converting the input voltage to an output voltage and outputting the output voltage to a load (10) connected to an output terminal (OUT), comprises: a power supply circuit unit (2) for converting the input voltage to a predetermined constant voltage and outputting the converted voltage to the output terminal, the power supply circuit unit operating in accordance with a first control signal (CE); an output current detecting circuit unit (3) for detecting a current output (iout) from the power supply circuit unit, and outputting a second control signal when the detected current is smaller than a predetermined value i1; and an output voltage detecting circuit unit (4) for detecting a voltage output (Vout) from the power supply circuit unit, and operating while the output current detecting circuit unit outputs the second control signal, the output voltage detecting circuit unit stopping operation of the power supply ciType: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 23, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hideki Agari
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Publication number: 20090153109Abstract: In some embodiments, the number of active cells in a multi-cell voltage regulator is controlled so that the current-per-active-cell approaches a predefined target or to be within an acceptable range so that the active cells operate with suitable efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Henry W. Koertzen, Joseph T. Dibene, II
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Patent number: 7548043Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a current modulation unit, a voltage converting unit, a current detector, and a control unit. The current modulation unit is used for receiving an input voltage and a control signal, generating an output current and adjusting the value of the output current according to the control signal. The voltage converting unit, coupled to the current modulation unit, converts the output current into the output voltage. The current detector, coupled to the voltage converting unit and the output terminal, detects the current flowing through the load and outputs a current detection result. The control unit, coupled to the current modulation unit, the current detector and the output terminal, receives the current detection result and the output voltage, and generates the control signal according to the current detection result and the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: MStar Semiconductor, Inc.Inventor: ShouFang Chen
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Patent number: 7538453Abstract: A fan power supply system having a pair of voltage supplies, one producing a higher voltage than the other. A switch selects one of the voltage supplies in response to a control signal. A DC/DC converter is connected to the selected one of the voltage supplies for producing a current greater than current fed to the DC/DC converter by the selected one of the voltage supplies. A fan is fed by the current produced by the DC/DC converter. The fan produces a train of pulses representative of the rotational speed of the fan. A microcontroller encodes the train of pulses produced by the fan as a function of whether the selected one of the pair of voltages has the higher voltage or the lower voltage. A decoder produces the control signal in accordance with the encoding by the microcontroller.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: EMC CorporationInventors: Phillip Roux, Robert M. Beauchamp, Kenneth Fife
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Patent number: 7525294Abstract: A voltage regulator system is provided, which receives a first voltage and produces a regulated voltage. Such a device does not include any transistor supporting the first voltage, but does include transistors supporting at most a second voltage lower than the first voltage and includes division means, which include a first transistor connected in series with at least one second transistor, which division means receive the first voltage and generate the regulated voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Atmel Nantes SAInventor: Philippe Messager
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Patent number: 7521907Abstract: A controller for use with a power converter including a switch configured to conduct to provide a regulated output characteristic at an output of the power converter, and method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a linear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a first control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller also includes a nonlinear control circuit, coupled to the output, configured to provide a second control signal for the switch as a function of the output characteristic. The controller is configured to select one of the first and second control signals for the switch in response to a change in an operating condition of the power converter.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Enpirion, Inc.Inventors: Pedro Alou Cervera, Jose Antonio Cobos Márquez, Ashraf W. Lotfi, Andrés Soto del Pecho
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Patent number: 7518346Abstract: A buck-boost DC/DC converter includes an inductor and a power stage having a set of switches selectively connecting the inductor between a voltage input, a voltage output and a reference level in accordance with buck or boost mode. The converter has a switch control providing control signals to the set of switches in the power stage. A comparator provides to the switch control a first pulse width modulation signal in buck mode and a second pulse width modulation signal in boost mode. A ramp generator provides to the comparator a first ramp signal for buck mode and a second ramp signal for boost mode. An overlap control provides a ramp shift signal to the ramp generator in response to a detection signal that indicates activity of the switches in the power stage. The ramp shift signal adjusts the first and second ramp signals relative to each other so as to minimize any gap and any overlap between the first and second ramp signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Franz Prexl, Erich Bayer, Juergen Neuhaeusler
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Publication number: 20090085533Abstract: The current sharing using thermal feedback, in accordance with various embodiments, includes controlling an amount of current output from each of a plurality of power modules based on the thermal characteristics of each respective power module.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventor: James Michael Devine
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Patent number: 7508177Abstract: A regulator circuit for reducing the output noise when regulators are switched includes a linear regulator and a switching regulator. The linear regulator generates a first regulator voltage from an input voltage with a first feedback loop. The switching regulator generates a second regulator voltage from the input voltage with a second feedback loop, which is connected to the first feedback loop. A loop control circuit controls the first feedback loop so as to lower the first regulator voltage when the switching regulator is activated.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.Inventors: Masami Aiura, Satoshi Takahashi
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Patent number: 7508176Abstract: A controller for a DC to DC converter. The controller may comprise linear mode circuitry and switch mode control circuitry. The linear mode control circuitry may be capable of providing a first control signal to a controlled device of the DC to DC converter. The controlled device may operate as a variable resistor in response to the first control signal to control an output voltage of the DC to DC converter. The switch mode control circuitry may be capable of providing a second control signal to the controlled device of the DC to DC converter. The controlled device may turn ON and OFF in response to the second control signal to control the output voltage of the DC to DC converter. One of the linear mode control circuitry and the switch mode control circuitry may be enabled. The controller may also include protection circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: O2Micro International LimitedInventors: Alexandru Hartular, Chun Lu, You-Yuh Shyr, Constantin Bucur, Vlad Mihail Popescu-Stanesti, Jiwei Chen, Oleg Kobildjanov
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Publication number: 20090072799Abstract: A voltage generator is provided. The voltage generator includes a voltage pump and a voltage controller. The voltage pump generates a target voltage using a clock signal. The voltage controller compares a temporary voltage input from the voltage pump with a reference voltage to generate a control signal controlling the voltage pump. The voltage controller includes a string of a plurality of resistors connected in series to change a level of the temporary voltage to a voltage level of a corresponding comparison voltage. When the plurality of resistors are in a string, a resistance of a resistor closest to one end of the string is greater than resistances of other resistors of the string. The voltage controller may further include a jumping unit controlling connection or disconnection of two arbitrary nodes among first to n-th nodes (where n is a natural number) defined as connection points of the adjacent resistors of the string.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Inventors: Jin-Kook Kim, Joon Young Kwak
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Patent number: 7504807Abstract: In a standby mode, a voltage step up DC/DC converter 5 supplies a power output voltage equal to or higher than a second set voltage which is lower than a first set voltage in a normal operating mode to a microcomputer (load) 1 with current supply performance which is smaller than in the normal operating mode. On the other hand, in the normal operating mode, a voltage step up/step down DC/DC converter 4 supplies the first set voltage in the normal operating mode to the microcomputer 1.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Shinichiro Kataoka
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Patent number: 7501803Abstract: A method and apparatus to synchronize a boost signal. The apparatus includes a boost circuit and a synchronization circuit. The synchronization circuit is coupled to the boost circuit. The boost circuit generates an unsynchronized boost signal to boost a voltage signal from a first voltage to a second voltage. The synchronization circuit synchronizes the unsynchronized boost signal with a reference signal to generate a synchronized boost signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor CorporationInventors: Nathan Moyal, Brent Jensen
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Publication number: 20090051335Abstract: A multi-phase DC-DC converter is provided. A plurality of switching sets are coupled to an output, wherein each switching set includes a phase node. A plurality of inductors are separately coupled between the phase nodes and the output. A sense circuit has a plurality of sense units separately coupled to the phase nodes, each sensing a signal from the corresponding phase node and generating a sensing signal. A PWM generator includes a plurality of subtracting units, each subtracting a first signal from one of the sensing signals to generate a difference signal, wherein the first signal is generated by summing each of the sensing signals divided by a predetermined value except for the one of the sensing signals. The PWM generator generates a plurality of PWM signals to balance the currents of the inductors according to the difference signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2008Publication date: February 26, 2009Inventor: Hua-Chiang Huang
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Patent number: 7495420Abstract: A voltage regulator is disclosed having a switching regulator portion and an LDO regulator portion on a single chip. The switching portion switches one or more transistors at a high frequency to supply a voltage to a terminal of a series transistor of an LDO regulator. A second terminal of the series transistor provides the output voltage of the LDO regulator. The LDO regulator controls the conductivity of the series transistor to regulate the LDO regulator output voltage to be a desired fixed value. To minimize power dissipation in the series transistor, a feedback signal is taken from the series transistor indicating the level of saturation of the series transistor. This feedback signal is used by the switching regulator to adjust the switching regulator's output voltage such that the voltage supplied to the series transistor is close to the output voltage of the LDO.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2006Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Micrel, Inc.Inventor: Charles Vinn
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Patent number: 7489118Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for generating DC stabilized power are described. A DC stabilized power supply apparatus includes a voltage switching control circuit and first and second power supply circuits. The voltage switching control circuit generates first and second voltage switching signals in accordance with at least one voltage switching signal. The first power supply circuit converts a power source voltage into a first direct current voltage in accordance with the first voltage switching signal. The second power supply circuit converts the first direct current voltage into a second direct current voltage in accordance with the second voltage switching signal. In this apparatus, the voltage switching control circuit controls the first power supply circuit to generate the first direct current voltage such that the first direct current voltage is a minimal input voltage needed for the second power supply circuit to generate the second direct current voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2003Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, LtdInventor: Tatsuya Fujii
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Publication number: 20090027016Abstract: A non-arcing electrical switch comprising means for sensing current, means for impressing a source potential across the electrical switch, means for controlling voltage; and means for controlling phase, wherein the means for sensing current, the means for impressing a source potential across the electrical switch, the means for controlling phase and the means for controlling voltage are operably connected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2007Publication date: January 29, 2009Applicant: VARON LIGHTING GROUP, LLCInventors: Thomas J. Mayer, Glenn D. Garbowicz
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Patent number: 7482796Abstract: A switching regulator is disclosed that is able to prevent reverse direction current flow without using a dedicated diode even when a PMOS transistor is used as a switching transistor of a step-down switching regulator. A selection circuit is provided to control connection of the substrate gate of the switching transistor, and a control circuit controls the selection circuit to connect the substrate gate to the drain of the switching transistor when the voltage on an input terminal of the switching regulator is less than or equal to the voltage on the output terminal of the switching regulator, and connect the substrate gate to the source of the switching transistor when the voltage on the input terminal is greater than the voltage on the output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Ricoh Company, LtdInventor: Junji Nishida
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Patent number: 7477084Abstract: In one embodiment, a power supply controller is configured to use a plurality of ramp signals to generate a plurality of PWM control signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, L.L.C.Inventor: Benjamin M. Rice
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Patent number: 7463500Abstract: An electrical DC-to-AC power conversion apparatus is disclosed that is primarily intended for use with solar photovoltaic sources in electric utility grid-interactive applications. The invention improves the conversion efficiency and lowers the cost of DC-to-AC inverters. The enabling technology is a novel inverter circuit topology, where throughput power, from DC source to AC utility, is processed a maximum of 1½ times instead of 2 times as in prior-art inverters. The AC inverter output configuration can be either single-phase, split-phase or poly-phase.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Xantrex Technology, Inc.Inventor: Rick West
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Patent number: 7456625Abstract: As for a transistor, overlapped are factors such as a variation of a gate insulation film which occurs due to a difference of a manufacturing process and a substrate used and a variation of a crystalline state in a channel forming region and thereby, there occurs a variation of a threshold voltage and mobility of a transistor. This invention provides an electric circuit which used a rectification type device in which an electric current is generated only in a single direction, when an electric potential difference was applied to electrodes at both ends of the device. Then, the invention provides an electric circuit which utilized a fact that, when a signal voltage is inputted to one terminal of the rectification type device, an electric potential of the other terminal becomes an electric potential offset only by the threshold voltage of the rectification type device.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2006Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hajime Kimura, Yasuko Watanabe
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Patent number: 7456619Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a standard voltage generator, a regulator, a capacitor and a discharging circuit. The standard voltage generator is configured to generate a standard voltage. The regulator is configured to control an output voltage by use of a reference voltage based on the standard voltage outputted from the standard voltage generator, and to be capable of being switched ON/OFF. The capacitor is connected in parallel to the regulator between the standard voltage generator and the regulator. The discharging circuit is configured to discharge electrical charges from the capacitor while the regulator is in an OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshikazu Sasaki, Isao Yamamoto, Masao Yonemaru
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Patent number: 7449869Abstract: The present invention is directed to a digital controller for adjusting the duty ratio a pulse width modulation control signal used to control a power switch of a switch mode power converter. According to various embodiments, the digital controller comprises a voltage compensator module for generating a first signal (Dvoltage) representative of the duty ratio of the control signal based on a difference between an output voltage of the converter and a reference voltage. The controller also includes a current compensator module for generating a second signal (Dcorrection) representative of a modification to the duty ratio of the control signal based on an output current of the converter. A subtraction module subtracts the second signal (Dcorrection) from the first signal (Dvoltage) to thereby generate a third signal (D), which is used by a duty ratio PWM generator module to generate the pulse width modulation control signal with the appropriate duty ratio.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2004Date of Patent: November 11, 2008Assignee: Artesyn Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Piotr Markowski
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Patent number: 7432691Abstract: Methods, apparatus, media and signals for controlling power drawn from an energy converter to supply a load, where the energy converter is operable to convert energy from a physical source into electrical energy. Power drawn from the energy converter is changed when a supply voltage of the energy converter meets a criterion. The criterion and the change in the amount of power drawn from the energy converter are dependent upon a present amount of power supplied to the load. The methods, apparatus, media and signals described herein may provide improvements to DC to AC maximum power point tracking in an energy conversion system such as a photovoltaic power generation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Xantrex Technology Inc.Inventor: Henry H. Cutler
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Patent number: 7432692Abstract: A circuit for, and method of, changing transient response characteristics of a DC/DC converter module having an output rail pin and a trim pin and a distributed power conversion system incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes a reactive component coupled to the output rail pin and the trim pin of the DC/DC converter module and configured to interact with at least one network internal to the DC/DC converter module to change the transient response characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: Lineage Power CorporationInventors: Thomas G. Wang, Vijayan J. Thottuvelil, Cahit Gezgin
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Publication number: 20080224672Abstract: An embodiment of a DC voltage converter, producing an output voltage (VS) at an output terminal from an energy source, comprises: a selector switch comprising a first input coupled to the energy source, a second input coupled to a ground, and an output coupled to a first terminal of an inductor, a second terminal of which is coupled to the output terminal of the converter, a capacitor being coupled between the output terminal and the ground, a regulator to produce a control signal as a function of a result of a comparison of the output voltage with a reference voltage, a control circuit to couple the output of the selector switch to the first or second input of the selector switch, as a function of the control signal. According to an embodiment of the invention, the converter may also comprise a means of inhibition adapted to inhibiting the control circuit when a current flowing in the inductor gets cancelled.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS S.A.Inventor: Severin Trochut
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Publication number: 20080218136Abstract: A disclosed power supply circuit (1) for receiving an input voltage at an input terminal (VDD), converting the input voltage to an output voltage and outputting the output voltage to a load (10) connected to an output terminal (OUT), comprises: a power supply circuit unit (2) for converting the input voltage to a predetermined constant voltage and outputting the converted voltage to the output terminal, the power supply circuit unit operating in accordance with a first control signal (CE); an output current detecting circuit unit (3) for detecting a current output (iout) from the power supply circuit unit, and outputting a second control signal when the detected current is smaller than a predetermined value i1; and an output voltage detecting circuit unit (4) for detecting a voltage output (Vout) from the power supply circuit unit, and operating while the output current detecting circuit unit outputs the second control signal, the output voltage detecting circuit unit stopping operation of the power supply ciType: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Hideki Agari
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Patent number: 7420354Abstract: A computer readable, media and signals for controlling power drawn from an energy converter to supply a load, where the energy converter is operable to convert energy from a physical source into electrical energy. Power drawn from the energy converter is changed when a supply voltage of the energy converter meets a criterion. The criterion and the change in the amount of power drawn from the energy converter are dependent upon a present amount of power supplied to the load. The methods, apparatus, media and signals described herein may provide improvements to DC to AC maximum power point tracking in an energy conversion system such as a photovoltaic power generation system.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Xantrex Technology Inc.Inventor: Henry H Cutler
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Method and apparatus for overshoot and undershoot errors correction in analog low dropout regulators
Publication number: 20080180071Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for dynamically correcting overshoot and undershoot errors in an analog integrated circuit by improving the reaction time (?t) of the analog integrated circuit. Equivalently, an error correction circuit is disclosed including an overshoot correction circuit and an undershoot correction that are only activated to reduce overshoot and undershoot errors by increasing the bandwidth of the integrated circuit when either undershoot or overshoot errors are detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Applicant: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.Inventor: Farhood Moraveji -
Publication number: 20080174285Abstract: A common electrode voltage generation circuit that supplies a high-potential-side voltage or a low-potential-side voltage to a common electrode opposite to a pixel electrode through an electro-optical substance. The common electrode voltage generation circuit includes a first high-potential-side voltage generation circuit that outputs a first high-potential-side voltage, an output of the first high-potential-side voltage generation circuit being connected to one end of a first high-potential-side stabilization capacitor element, and a second high-potential-side voltage generation circuit that outputs a second high-potential-side voltage, an output of the second high-potential-side voltage generation circuit being connected to one end of a second high-potential-side stabilization capacitor element.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventor: Akira Morita
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Patent number: 7400120Abstract: A first output voltage Vcc is obtained via a first switching element from an external power supply, and a second output voltage Vme via a second switching element cascade-connected to the first switching element. The first switching element has a base current continuously controlled by a first comparator/amplifier to maintain the voltage Vcc at a predetermined value. The second switching element has a base current continuously controlled by a second comparator/amplifier to maintain the voltage Vme at a predetermined value. A third switching element connected in parallel to the first switching element and controlled by a duty-factor control circuit makes a bypass power supply to maintain a current flowing through the first switching element not more than a predetermined value. Thus, a constant voltage control device obtaining two types of stabilized voltages from external power supply of large voltage variation can reduce power consumption and improve voltage control accuracy.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Hashimoto, Manabu Yamashita
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Patent number: 7397151Abstract: A power supply unit comprises a series regulator and a switching DC-DC converter controlled by a PWM signal and connected in parallel with the series regulator, which are switchably enabled by a mode instruction signal depending on the magnitude of a load current. In switching the series regulator and the DC-DC converter, they are simultaneously enabled for a predetermined overlapping time. Further, in changing the operating condition of the DC-DC converter, the width of the PWM signal is shortened to extend the dead time of the DC-DC converter by a predetermined period, thereby suppressing free oscillations and accompanying overshoots that could take place in the power supply unit during switching.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2004Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tsutomu Ishino
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Patent number: 7385377Abstract: A voltage-down converter for providing an output voltage lower than a power supply voltage of the converter is proposed. The converter includes voltage regulation means for obtaining an intermediate voltage corresponding to the output voltage from the power supply voltage by controlling a variable-conductivity element with a control signal resulting from a comparison between the intermediate voltage and a reference voltage, and an output stage for obtaining the output voltage from the power supply voltage by controlling a further variable-conductivity element with the control signal, wherein the further variable-conductivity element has a modular structure with at least one set of multiple basic modules, the converter further including means for enabling and/or disabling the modules of each set in succession according to a comparison between the output voltage and the intermediate voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: June 10, 2008Assignee: STMicroelectronics, S.R.L.Inventors: Michelangelo Pisasale, Maurizio Gaibotti, Michele La Placa
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Patent number: 7375502Abstract: A method and a circuit for scrambling the current signature of a load comprising at least one integrated circuit executing digital processings, including supplying at least the integrated circuit from a supply voltage external to the circuit by combining a current provided by a first linear regulator with a current provided by at least one capacitive switched-mode power supply circuit with one or several switched capacitances.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.A., Universite D.Aix-Marseille IInventors: Alexandre Malherbe, Edith Kussener, Vincent Telandro
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Patent number: 7365523Abstract: A method and a circuit for scrambling the current signature of a load including at least one integrated circuit executing digital processings, including the step of, at least on the load ground side, combining a current absorbed by a first linear regulator with a current absorbed by at least one capacitive switched-mode circuit with one or several switched capacitances.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2006Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Alexandre Malherbe, Edith Kussener, Vincent Telandro
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Publication number: 20080094044Abstract: Circuits and methods to achieve a regulated analog switch being capable to provide an output-voltage not exceeding a defined limit are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment a car battery provides a supply voltage up to 40 Volts, wherein a load must not have an output voltage higher than 22 Volts. The drain-source ON-resistance of the switch, realized by a high-voltage MOSFET, is kept to a minimum. The voltage regulation of the preferred embodiment is performed by a single stage operational amplifier and a two-stage amplifier having Miller compensation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2006Publication date: April 24, 2008Inventor: Cang Ji
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Patent number: 7362078Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply circuit that can intermittently operate when its load is small and therefore can reduce current consumption at a sleep mode. The power supply circuit for receiving an input voltage at an input terminal, converting the input voltage to an output voltage and outputting the output voltage to a load connected to an output terminal comprises: a power supply circuit unit; an output current detecting circuit unit; and an output voltage detecting circuit unit; whereby the output supply voltage detecting circuit unit makes the power supply circuit unit operate when the detected voltage becomes equal to or lower than a predetermined value, and thereby the power supply circuit unit performs intermittent operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: April 22, 2008Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Hideki Agari
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Patent number: 7332898Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a multi-phase power system. The power system is of the type having a plurality of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controllers including a first PWM controller and at least one second PWM controller. The first PWM controller generates at least one first PWM output signal based on a cyclic signal having a cyclically recurring parameter, and provides the cyclic signal including the cyclically recurring parameter to the second PWM controller. The second PWM controller generates at least one second PWM output signal based on the cyclic signal, and synchronizes the generation of the first and second output signals using the cyclically recurring parameter within the cyclic signal, thereby maintaining a predetermined phase relationship between the first and second output signals.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2007Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventors: William Todd Harrison, Xuening Li, Stefan W Wiktor, Larry Joe Wofford