Abstract: The invention relates to a system for eliminating current surges that includes a first voltage regulator (7) having a current limit programmable to a value (I(limit)) that depends on the value of the intermittent current surges (IO(surge)) required by the intermittent load (3) and the relationship thereof to the work cycle, a second voltage regulator (9), a condenser (4) connected between the first and second regulators (7, 9), that loads when the current is no longer required and that unloads when there is a need for output current to provide current to the second regulator (9) which absorbs the changes in voltage produced by the loading/unloading of the condenser and provides a constant voltage for any value of the required output current surge, independently of voltage changes in the condenser (4), and a control loop between a sensor for the output current provided to the load and an input limit (15) for the input current (II) in the first regulator (7).

Abstract: Polyphase converter, comprising a plurality of electrical phases (11 to 16), which can each be driven by switching means (21 to 26), wherein at least one coupling means (31 to 39) is provided, which magnetically couples at least one first phase (11) to at least one further phase (12, 14, 16), wherein at least two phases (11, 12) to be coupled are surrounded at least partially by the coupling means (31), wherein at least one insulating body (72) is provided, which on the upper or lower side thereof accommodates the phases (11 to 16) to be coupled and on which at least one fastening means (74, 76, 90) is provided, which interacts with at least one of the phases (11 to 16) for fastening purposes.

Abstract: A voltage conversion circuit is disclosed. The voltage conversion circuit comprises an energy-storing inductor, an N-type transistor, a P-type transistor, a current comparator, a multiplexer, a first driver and a second driver. When load connected to the voltage conversion circuit is a light load, the P-type transistor will be switched off so as to avoid generating a switching current and the switching current flowing gate-source and gate-drain parasitic capacitor of the N-type transistor is generated from an input voltage. The number of N-type transistor and switching frequency also decrease accordingly so that voltage conversion efficiency of the voltage conversion circuit may be increased.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter transitions between continuous conduction mode (CCM) and discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) without causing any overshoot or undershoot deviation output voltage. The DC-DC converter operates in a PWM mode in CCM. During DCM, it skips PWM pulses when a sustained negative current is detected in an output inductor. The current sensing is achieved by sampling and integrating a voltage, the sign of which is inverse to current direction. The sample and hold and integrator circuits are small, simple, and scale to high frequencies. The pulse skipping circuit automatically adjusts the duty cycle of power pulses to force a zero inductor current at the end of each pulse.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a DC-DC converter includes a comparator circuit that compares a feedback voltage of an output voltage with a reference voltage and a control circuit that controls an output voltage based on an output signal of the comparator circuit. The comparator circuit performs a discrete-time operation in response to a clock signal, and a frequency of the clock signal is adjusted according to a load condition.

Abstract: A switching circuit for extracting power from an electric power source includes (1) an input port for electrically coupling to the electric power source, (2) an output port for electrically coupling to a load, (3) a first switching device configured to switch between its conductive state and its non-conductive state to transfer power from the input port to the output port, (4) an intermediate switching node that transitions between at least two different voltage levels at least in part due to the first switching device switching between its conductive state and its non-conductive state, and (5) a controller for controlling the first switching device to maximize an average value of a voltage at the intermediate switching node.

Abstract: A controller used in a buck-boost converter includes a clock generator, an error amplifying circuit, a comparing circuit, a proportional sampling circuit, a logic circuit, a pulse width increasing circuit, first and second driving circuits. Based on a clock signal generated by the clock generator, the proportional sampling circuit samples the difference between a current sensing signal and a compensation signal generated by the error amplifying circuit, and generates a proportional sampling signal. The pulse width increasing circuit generates a sum control signal based on the proportional sampling signal and a logic control signal generated by the logic circuit, wherein a modulation value adjusted by the proportional sampling signal is added to the pulse width of the logic control signal to generate the pulse width of the sum control signal. The first and second driving circuits generate driving signals based on the sum control signal and the logic control signal.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply includes a first switch, a second switch, an inductor, an output capacitor, and a driving circuit for driving the first switch and the second switch. The driving circuit is electrically coupled to a node between the first and second switches.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter arrangement includes an input terminal to receive a supply voltage, an output terminal to provide an output voltage and a switching arrangement, including a coil and at least two switches to provide a Buck-Boost conversion. The arrangement further includes a current detection circuit which is coupled to the switching arrangement for sensing a coil current and a comparator, including a first input which is coupled to the output terminal and a second input which is coupled to an output of the current detection circuit. An output of the comparator is coupled to the switching arrangement. Furthermore, the arrangement includes a ramp generator which is coupled to the first or the second input of the comparator.

Abstract: A level shift circuit and a DC-DC buck converter controller for using the same are disclosed. The level shift circuit is capable of detecting a state of a converting circuit, and avoids a current leakage when determining that the converting circuit is operating under a light-load. Therefore, the level shift circuit and the DC-DC converting controller provided by the present invention can reduce power consumption under the light-load and have power-saving advantage.

Abstract: An output switching circuit includes a switching circuit having a first transistor connected to a high-voltage power supply, a second transistor connected to a low-voltage power supply, and an output s terminal at a connection node between the first and second transistors; a comparison unit that compares an input signal with a feedback signal obtained by feedback of an output signal of the output terminal via a low-pass filter to generate a comparison signal; and a drive pulse generating unit that generates first drive pulses for driving the first transistor and second drive pulses for driving the second transistor in accordance with the comparison signal.

Abstract: A direct-current regulator includes: a fuse, a high-side switch, and a low-side switch connected in series between a high potential side input voltage terminal and a low potential side input voltage terminal; and a control unit configured to control the high-side switch and the low-side switch, wherein the fuse is formed on a silicon substrate on which the high-side switch is formed, and the fuse includes: two electrodes separately formed on the silicon substrate; a plurality of band-shaped polysilicon films formed between the two electrodes; and a linking part of a polysilicon film provided so as to connect the neighboring band-shaped polysilicon films at intermediate portions.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus feeds an electric power to an object to which the electric power is fed. The feeding apparatus includes a DC/DC converter and a driver. The DC/DC converter outputs a PWM signal. The driver feeds the electric power to the object to which the electric power is fed in accordance with the PWM signal. The DC/DC converter outputs a prescribed voltage value during a Tri-State shift.

Abstract: Methods, systems, circuits, and devices for power-packet-switching power converters using bidirectional bipolar transistors (BTRANs) for switching. Four-terminal three-layer BTRANs provide substantially identical operation in either direction with forward voltages of less than a diode drop. BTRANs are fully symmetric merged double-base bidirectional bipolar opposite-faced devices which operate under conditions of high non-equilibrium carrier concentration, and which can have surprising synergies when used as bidirectional switches for power-packet-switching power converters. BTRANs are driven into a state of high carrier concentration, making the on-state voltage drop very low.

Abstract: A ripple-control switched-mode power supply includes a control circuit to switch on/off a drive switching element. The control circuit includes a simulated voltage generation circuit that smoothes a voltage at a node connecting the drive switching element and an inductor and that generates a simulated voltage corresponding to an output voltage; a timer that measures a time corresponding to an input voltage and the simulated voltage; a voltage comparison circuit that compares a feedback voltage and a predetermined voltage; and a control pulse generation circuit that generates a control pulse having a pulse width corresponding to the time based on outputs from the timer and the voltage comparison circuit. The control circuit varies the pulse width of the control pulse in accordance with a variation in the input voltage to maintain a constant switching cycle.

Abstract: In order to provide a switching regulator having high efficiency even under light load, the switching regulator is configured so that ON/OFF of a switching element is controlled by an output signal of an oscillation circuit having an oscillation frequency controlled by an output signal from an error amplifier. Thereby, the oscillation frequency can be suppressed under light load, thus reducing a switching loss.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes first and second switches connected to each other at a node and biased by PWM pulses. A timing module determines a first time difference between a first edge of a first signal at the node and a first edge of a second signal at a control terminal of the first switch, and a second time difference between a second edge of the first signal and a second edge of the second signal. The first and second edges of the second signal correspond to first and second edges of one of the PWM pulses, respectively. A delay module delays the first and second edges of the second signal based on the first and second time differences, respectively. The delay module delays an edge of one of the PWM pulses based on an amount of change in a voltage output by a charge pump.

Abstract: In a high voltage power supply apparatus, e.g., for an electric or hybrid vehicle, current is supplied from a high-voltage DC power source to a load via a power FET. A voltage detecting circuit detects the drain-source voltage VDS of the power FET when the current flows through the power FET. A first overcurrent protection signal generating circuit outputs a first overcurrent protection signal based on the detected drain-source voltage VDS of the power FET. A second overcurrent protection signal generating circuit outputs a second overcurrent protection signal based on a detected rate of increase of the drain-source voltage VDS of the power FET. A control circuit protects the components of the power supply apparatus from overcurrents by turning off the FET when the first overcurrent protection signal and/or the second overcurrent protection signal is generated and output to the control circuit.

Abstract: In one implementation, a voltage converter includes a driver providing a gate drive for a power switch and a sense circuit coupled across the power switch. The gate drive provides power to the sense circuit, and the sense circuit provides a sense output to the driver corresponding to a current through the power switch. In one implementation, the sense circuit includes a high voltage (HV) sense transistor coupled between a first sense input and a sense output, a delay circuit configured to be coupled to the gate drive to provide power to the HV sense transistor when the gate drive is high, and a pull-down transistor configured to couple the sense output to a second sense input when the gate drive is low.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of over voltage protection control can include: (i) determining whether an output voltage of a buck-boost converter is in an over voltage condition, where the buck-boost converter includes a first switch coupled to an input terminal and an inductor, a second switch coupled to ground and a common node of the first switch and the inductor, a third switch coupled to ground and a common node of a fourth switch and the inductor, where the fourth switch is coupled to an output terminal of the buck-boost converter; and (ii) simultaneously controlling the first, second, third, and fourth switches in the buck-boost converter by turning on the second and third switches, and turning off the first and fourth switches, in response to the over voltage condition.

Abstract: A power supply unit includes a boost converter having an input node and output node. The output node is coupled to a high-side of an H-bridge that is for supplying power to a capacitive load that is coupled to a first node and to a second node of the H-bridge. A first diode is coupled in forward direction between the first node of the H-bridge and the input node of the boost converter. A second diode is coupled in forward direction between the second node of the H-bridge and the input node of the boost converter.

Abstract: A controller with a multi-function pin, adapted to control a converting circuit according to a control signal for converting an input voltage into an output voltage, is disclosed. The controller has the multi-function pin, an enable unit, an over-current detecting unit and a logic control unit. The enable unit is coupled to the multi-function pin for receiving an enable signal and activates the controller in response to the enable signal. The over-current detecting is coupled to the multi-function pin and determines an over-current value according to an over-current set resistance coupled between the multi-function pin and a voltage source. The over-current detecting unit generates an over-current protection signal according to the over-current value and a current flowing through the converting circuit. The logic control unit determines whether executing an over-current protection according to the over-current protection signal.

Abstract: A modulator with balanced slope compensation including a control network, a slope compensation network, an offset network and an adjust network. The control network receives a feedback signal indicative of an output voltage and provides a loop control signal. The slope compensation network develops a slope compensation signal. The offset network determines a DC offset of the slope compensation signal. The adjust network combines the DC offset, the slope compensation signal and the loop control signal to provide a balanced slope compensated control signal. The DC offset may be determined as a peak of the slope compensation signal. The slope compensation signal may be developed based on the output voltage and a pulse control signal, in which the pulse control signal is developed using the balanced slope compensated control signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an LED driving circuit can include: (i) a sense circuit configured to sense an inductor voltage, and to generate a sense voltage signal; (ii) a protection control circuit configured to activate a first protection control signal in response to a comparison of the sense voltage signal against a first reference voltage to indicate an LED device is in a first load state; (iii) the protection control circuit being configured to activate a second protection control signal in response to a comparison of the sense voltage signal against a second reference voltage to indicate the LED device is in a second load state; and (iv) a PWM control circuit configured to control a power switch according to the first protection control signal or the second protection control signal, based on the load state of the LED device.

Abstract: A constant-frequency current-mode-controlled boost converter circuit provides slope compensation of an inductor current, reduces reverse inductor current in light output load conditions, and reduces oscillation between a discontinuous current mode and a continuous current mode by enabling or disabling an inductor current threshold. The constant-frequency current-mode-controlled boost converter circuit is efficient and stable in light, medium, and heavy output load conditions.

Abstract: A system, power supplies, controller and method for enhanced phase current sharing are disclosed. For example, a power supply for enhanced phase current sharing is disclosed, which includes a plurality of power modules, a communication bus coupled to an input of each power module of the plurality power modules, and an output voltage node coupled to a first side of an inductor of each power module of the plurality of power modules, wherein each power module of the plurality of power modules includes a digital controller coupled to the input of the power module, and an RC circuit enabled to generate a feedback signal, coupled to a second side of the inductor and the output voltage node. In some implementations, the power supply is at least part of a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) or at least part of a power supply formed on a semiconductor IC, wafer, chip or die.

Abstract: A control circuit and a control method for a switching converter. The control circuit has a clock circuit and a comparing circuit. The clock circuit is configured to generate a clock signal to make at least one switch to operate in a first state once a rising edge of the clock signal arrives. The comparing circuit is configured to compare a feedback signal with a reference signal to generate a comparing signal, and wherein the comparing signal is configured to make the at least one switch to start to operate in a second state when the feedback signal is larger than the reference signal. The control circuit makes a switching converter to operate in a high dynamic speed with a constant switching frequency.

Abstract: A power switching voltage regulator includes a high-side switch, a low-side switch, an inductor, a detection circuit, and a gate voltage adjusting unit. The high-side switch is coupled to a voltage source; the low-side switch is coupled between the high-side switch and a ground. A connection node is located between the high-side switch and the low-side switch. The inductor is coupled between the connection node and a power output terminal of the power switching voltage regulator. The detection circuit detects an output voltage of the power output terminal, when the output voltage swings out of a predetermined range. The gate voltage adjusting unit dynamically adjusts a gate voltage on-resistances of the high-side switch and the low-side switch.

Abstract: Provided is a reference voltage generator having flat temperature characteristics. The reference voltage generator includes a resistor (3) surrounding a periphery of a depletion MOS transistor (1) of a first conductivity type which is connected so as to function as a current source for causing a constant current to flow, and an enhancement MOS transistor (2) of the first conductivity type diode-connected thereto, and also includes a current source capable of being trimmed with high precision under a preset temperature environment and a diode connected in series to the current source. The reference voltage generator can operate under a given preset temperature environment because a voltage consumed in the resistor becomes approximately constant in accordance with a signal output from the diode.

Abstract: In one implementation, a voltage converter includes a high side power switch, and first and second low side power switches. The voltage converter also includes a driver stage for driving the high side power switch and the first and second low side power switches, and an adaptive OFF-time control circuit coupled to the driver stage. The adaptive OFF-time control circuit is configured to sense a current through one of the first and second low side switches, and to determine an adaptive off time for the high side power switch based on the sensed current.

Abstract: A bidirectional AC series voltage regulator that regulates an output AC voltage level regardless of the varying AC input voltage utilizing high frequency series inductors that only process a proportion of the total output power. The AC series voltage regulator detects the power inductor current direction data signal and can generate power inductor current direction data signals for its control to determine the AC input voltage polarity at all time; wherein the determination of the AC input voltage polarity is unambiguous during the AC input voltage zero crossover and near zero points; and wherein the determination of the AC input voltage polarity allows normal switching sequence of the AC bidirectional switches during the AC input voltage zero crossover and near zero points to prevent power “shoot-through.

Abstract: A portable electronic apparatus and a power management method are provided. The portable electronic apparatus includes a power manager and a controller. The power manager is used to receive a supply power generated by a power adapter. The power manager determines whether to generate a detecting signal by detecting whether a voltage value variation of the supply power is greater than a preset range. The power manager generates a current detecting value according to an input current provided by the supply power. The controller receives the detecting signal and the current detecting value, and generates an input current limit value according to a receiving status of the detecting signal and the current detecting value. The power manager controls the input current according to the input current limit value.

Abstract: A peak efficiency detection system may include a switched power supply (SPS) module providing an output supply signal. The SPS module may have an internal node, and a plurality of SPS circuits configured to generate the output supply signal on the internal node. A dead type module may generate control signals. A central node external to the SPS module may deliver the output supply signal to a load module. A power stage size control module may generate control signals for controlling the SPS module. A peak-efficiency detection (PED) module may receive the output supply signal from the central node, the control signals from the SPS module, and the control signals from the power stage size control module. The PED module may generate a signal representative of an efficiency of the SPS module.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter having a coupling network is provided, in which the coupling network is so configured as to forcibly add a noise source to a feedback output voltage of the DC-DC converter. The coupling network includes one coupling resistor and two coupling capacitors to include the switching voltage of a power switch and inductor output voltage into the output voltage, and transmit the result together with the feedback output voltage to the comparator. Accordingly, it is easier to compare the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, and stably maintain the output voltage of the DC-DC converter operating in constant on-time (COT).

Abstract: A charge transfer circuit for capacitive sensing is disclosed. The charge transfer circuit for capacitive sensing includes a variable capacitor, an X-drive unit, and an active output voltage feedback (AVF) part. The variable capacitor is disposed between the output terminal of an X-drive line and the input terminal of a Y-drive line. The X-drive unit is connected between the input unit of the X-drive line and a voltage input terminal. The active output voltage feedback (AVF) part is connected between the output terminal of the Y-drive line and a voltage output terminal. The output terminal of the AVF part is connected to the output terminal of the Y-drive line.

Abstract: A voltage generation circuit supplies an internal power supply voltage to an internal circuit via an output terminal and includes a regulator, a second drive element, and a control circuit The regulator includes a first drive element disposed between an external power supply VDD (first power supply) and an output terminal, and supplies a voltage based on a reference voltage to the output voltage by controlling the first drive element. The second drive element is disposed between the external power supply VDD and the output terminal, and supplies a voltage of the external power supply VDD to the output terminal when activated. When a voltage of the external power supply is a previously set detection voltage value or less, the control circuit activates the first and the second drive element, and when the voltage of the external power supply exceeds the detection voltage value, deactivates the second drive element.

Abstract: A switched mode power supply provides a reduction of switching losses and increased efficiency. The switched mode power supply includes a first switch coupled to an input terminal configured to receive an input voltage, a second switch, an inductor and an output capacitor. The first switch and the second switch are coupled together at a node, the inductor is coupled between the node and an output terminal, and the output capacitor is coupled to the output terminal. The switched mode power supply further includes a transformer coupled between a control input of the first switch and the node and a pulse generator connected to a control input of the second switch. Further, the transformer includes at most two windings, in particular a primary winding and a secondary winding which are not directly connected to each other.

Abstract: A method identifies a short-line fault or line interruption in a circuit configuration having a series circuit of inductive load and controllable switching element. The series circuit is connected between high and low potentials of a supply voltage source. A connecting point between load and switching element is connected through at least one zener element to the high or low potential of the voltage source or the control connection of the switching element so that upon interruption of current flow through the load due to switching off the switching element, magnetic energy stored in the load can be reduced by a zener element becoming conductive. After switching off the switching element, the voltage at the connecting point is ascertained and a voltage pulse duration is compared with a first prescribed duration. If the duration is shorter than the first prescribed duration, a line interruption or a short is inferred.

Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of keeping the accuracy of an output voltage thereof even at high temperature. The voltage regulator includes: a reference voltage circuit configured to output a reference voltage; an output transistor configured to output an output voltage; a voltage divider circuit configured to divide the output voltage to output a divided voltage; an error amplifier circuit configured to amplify a difference between the reference voltage and the divided voltage, and output the amplified difference to control a gate of the output transistor; a switching circuit configured to switch the divided voltage of the voltage divider circuit; and a temperature detection circuit configured to output a signal in accordance with temperature to control the switching circuit.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a switching voltage regulator circuit. An energy difference between a stored energy of a switching voltage regulator and a target energy is determined. A control variable of the switching voltage regulator is computed based on the energy difference and the control variable is applied to a current control mechanism of the switching voltage regulator. In one embodiment, the control variable is pulse width of a control signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit and a method for generating phase-shifted synchronization clock. The adaptive phase-shifted synchronization clock generation circuit includes: a current source generating a current which flows through a node to generate a node voltage on the node; a reverse-proportional voltage generator coupled to the node for generating a voltage which is reverse-proportional to the node voltage; a ramp generator receiving a synchronization input signal and generating a ramp signal; a comparator comparing the reverse-proportional voltage to the ramp signal; and a pulse generator for generating a clock signal according to an output from the comparator.

Abstract: In a DC/DC converter, a first operation section calculates a first operation value, based on a difference voltage between an instruction value for a high-voltage-side voltage and a detected value of a high-voltage-side voltage, a second operation section calculates a second operation value, based on a difference voltage between a voltage instruction value for a charge-discharge capacitor and a voltage detected value of the charge-discharge capacitor, and a switching control section obtains a conduction ratio, based on the first operation value and the second operation value, and controls, based on the conduction ratio, switching operations of first to fourth semiconductor circuits, thereby controlling the high-voltage-side voltage, and the voltage of the charge-discharge capacitor.

Abstract: A controller for protectively reducing an output of a converting circuit includes a feedback circuit, a logic control circuit, an over-state judgment circuit, and a protection control circuit, is disclosed. The feedback circuit generates a modulation signal according to an output of a converting circuit. The logic control circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit and controls the converting circuit according to the modulation signal for stabilizing the output of the converting circuit. The over-state judgment circuit receives an over-state reference signal and a detecting signal, and generates a protection signal in response to levels of the detecting signal and the over-state reference signal. The protection control circuit is coupled to the logic control circuit and the over-state judgment circuit and controls the logic control circuit to lower the output of the converting circuit when receiving the protection signal.

Abstract: Provided is a single inductor multiple output (SIMO) direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter that may perform DC/DC conversion by transferring, to output nodes, input current that is input and thereby stored in a single inductor. An output selection unit of the SIMO DC/DC converter may select, from output nodes, a first output node to be supplied with current from a driving unit, and provide output voltage of the first output node and reference voltage of the first output node to a hysteresis comparison unit. The hysteresis comparison unit may control on-time and/or inductor peak current by determining whether the output voltage of the first output node is higher than the reference voltage of the first output node by at least a first threshold, and whether the output voltage of the first output voltage is lower than the reference voltage of the first output voltage by at least a second threshold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a DC-DC power conversion apparatus (10) including two or more switching units (SU1, SU2) each of which further includes two semiconductor switching elements (Sa, Sb), and wherein each of the semiconductor switching elements (S1a, S1b, S2a, S2b) of each of the switching units are all connected in series, and which also includes an energy transition capacitor (C1) for conducting charging/discharging, and an inductor (L). The DC-DC power conversion apparatus (10) is also provided with a control unit that makes the semiconductor elements execute operations in four types of switching modes, according to the ratio (V2/V0) of the input/output voltages of the power conversion apparatus and the direction of the power transmission, and that also makes the elements carry out a current-discontinuing operation wherein the inductor current will become zero during switching operation, upon low load.

Abstract: A direct-current stabilized power supply device for stepping down an input voltage from a solar cell, including: a first constant voltage power supply circuit connected to the solar cell and including a constant current limiter circuit; a switch circuit; a switching-type second constant voltage power supply circuit connected to the switch circuit; and a voltage detection circuit that detects the output voltage of the first constant voltage power supply circuit. When the detected output of the first power supply circuit is equal to or higher than a first determination voltage, the switch circuit is closed, and power is supplied to the load from the second power supply circuit, and when the detected voltage is equal to or lower than a second, lower, determination voltage the switch circuit is opened, and the power supplied from the second power supply circuit is stopped.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a feedback system that can control hybrid regulator topologies that have multiple converters or regulators connected in series. The hybrid regulator can include at least two regulators: a switched inductor regulator and a switched-capacitor regulator. The disclosed embodiments of the feedback system can simplify feedback design for the hybrid regulator that can include multiple converter stages. These disclosed embodiments can control the feedback to improve the efficiency of a hybrid regulator.

Abstract: In a switched mode inductive DCDC converter having a first mode that conducts a first current path through an inductor and through a first switch, and a second mode that conducts a second current path through the inductor and through a second switch, a detecting component detects a parameter. The detecting component outputs a biasing signal extend the turn OFF time of one of the switches in order to decrease a voltage build up on the other switch.

Abstract: A switching converter having a high-side switching transistor and a low-side switching transistor and an inductor, having a circuit for generating a simulated waveform representing a sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for monitoring and voltage at a switch node between the high-side and low-side transistors to determine a time during which the inductor current is increasing and a time during which the inductor current is decreasing wherein voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting represents a first portion of the simulated sawtooth inductor current waveform. A circuit for utilizing the time when the inductor current is increasing, the time when the inductor current is decreasing and the voltage across the low-side transistor when it is conducting to generate a portion of the simulated inductor current waveform when the high-side transistor is conducting. A method and a power supply utilizing this circuit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electromechanical energy conversion system includes a variable capacitor, an electronic charging/discharging unit and a power source/sink; the power source/sink being coupled to the electronic charging/discharging unit which is coupled to the variable capacitor; the variable capacitor including first and second electrodes that are separated by an intermediate medium providing a gap distance therebetween; the gap distance being adjustable between a minimal distance and a maximal distance as a function of an externally applied mechanical force; the electronic charging/discharging unit being arranged for charging the variable capacitor from the power source/sink at substantially a state of the variable capacitor when the gap distance is minimal and the area of the elastically deformed body maximal, and for discharging the variable capacitor to the power source/sink at substantially a state of the variable capacitor when the gap distance is maximal and the area of the elastically deformed body minimal.