With Plural Condition Sensing Patents (Class 323/275)
  • Patent number: 9525353
    Abstract: A switching power-supply device performs a control of an output voltage by switching operation of a switching element and has an integrated circuit including the switching element and a driving circuit for performing on-and-off control of the switching element. The integrated circuit includes an input terminal connected to the switching element, a voltage detection circuit, which detects a voltage of the input terminal, a timing control circuit, which controls a timing of detecting the voltage by the voltage detection circuit, and a control unit, which performs a control according to the voltage detected by the voltage detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Sanken Electric Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Hayakawa, Masaaki Shimada, Yoshimichi Tadamasa
  • Patent number: 9450511
    Abstract: A full wave rectifier (270) for use as part a differential signal detector (400) detects both high and low envelopes of differential signals (RXa, RXb) at a pair of differential inputs (202, 204) and provides a sense signal (VSENSE) at an output (220) thereof. The differential signal detector (400) includes both the full wave rectifier (270) and a voltage reference source (260) having a circuit architecture in common, and a comparator for comparing the sense signal (VSENSE) with a reference voltage (VREF). The circuit configuration of both the full wave rectifier (270) and the voltage reference source (260) include first and second differential input circuits (271 and 273, 261 and 263) each including a pair of field effect transistors (2722, 2742 and 2762, 2782; 2622, 2642 and 2662, 2682) of different conductivity type having respective source terminals (2728, 2748; 2768, 2788; 2628, 2648; 2668, 2688) coupled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Santiago L. Bortman, Eric H. Naviasky
  • Patent number: 9423809
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a low dropout (LDO) regulator of regulating an output signal, the LDO regulator comprising an input stage (15) and an output stage (17), the input stage being adapted to receive a reference signal (VREF) and a feed-back signal (VF) depending on an output signal (VOUT), and to output an intermediate signal based on the feedback signal and on the reference signal, wherein the LDO regulator further comprises a gain stage (16) having a given gain value, which is configurable and wherein the output signal is regulated based on the gain value of the gain stage and on the intermediate signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Alexandre Pons, Frédéric Lebon
  • Patent number: 9355671
    Abstract: A method of controlling laser output in a heat assisted magnetic recording device can be performed by control circuitry in a data storage device. The method includes measuring a temperature, measuring laser output power of a laser, determining a power error by subtracting an optimal laser output power from the measured laser output power and comparing the power error to at least one threshold to determine whether an applied current to the laser needs to be adjusted. The at least one threshold is related to how great the power error can be while maintaining the integrity of data on a recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Tim Rausch, Jon D. Trantham, John W. Dykes, Won Choul Yang
  • Patent number: 9325174
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, system and computer program is provided for controlling an electric power system, including implementation of a voltage control and conservation (VCC) system used to optimally control the independent voltage and capacitor banks using a linear optimization methodology to minimize the losses in the EEDCS and the EUS. An energy validation process system (EVP) is provided which is used to document the savings of the VCC and an EPP is used to optimize improvements to the EEDCS for continuously improving the energy losses in the EEDS. The EVP system measures the improvement in the EEDS a result of operating the VCC system in the “ON” state determining the level of energy conservation achieved by the VCC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dominion Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Tyler, Phillip W. Powell
  • Patent number: 9287774
    Abstract: A power converter control circuit includes a feedback circuit and a pulse width modulation signal generating circuit for configuring a power stage circuit to provide power to a load. The feedback circuit generates a first gain signal and a second gain signal according to an output voltage sensing signal coupled with the load. The feedback circuit further generates a feedback signal according to the first gain signal and the second gain signal. The pulse width modulation signal generating circuit configures the operation of the power stage circuit according to the feedback signal and a reference signal. Moreover, the feedback circuit and the pulse width modulation signal generating circuit are configured on the same integrated circuit package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ching-Jan Chen, Shao-Hung Lu, Jian-Rong Huang
  • Patent number: 9281747
    Abstract: Disclosed are devices, apparatus, circuitry, components, mechanisms, modules, systems, and processes for controlling a voltage regulator in response to information from a load. In some implementations, transient minimizer circuitry is coupled to receive a notification signal indicating a change or an anticipated change in an electrical characteristic of the load. The transient minimizer circuitry is configured to generate a state command signal responsive to the notification signal. The state command signal indicates a state of the voltage regulator. The switching control circuitry is coupled to receive the state command signal from the transient minimizer circuitry. The switching control circuitry is configured to operate switch circuitry to control the state of the voltage regulator in accordance with the state command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley J. Suppanz, Ognjen Djekic
  • Patent number: 9236799
    Abstract: A current generator includes an amplifier having a first terminal configured to receive an input voltage, at least one tunable resistor coupled to a second terminal of the amplifier, a resistor calibration circuit coupled to the at least one tunable resistor, and at least one transistor. A gate of the at least one transistor is coupled to an output of the amplifier, and a terminal of the at least one transistor is coupled to the at least one tunable resistor or a load. The resistor calibration circuit is configured to adjust a resistance setting of the at least one tunable resistor to control a current level of the current generator based on a power supply voltage or a current of a reference resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Ming-Chieh Huang, Chan-Hong Chern, Chih-Chang Lin
  • Patent number: 9235196
    Abstract: There are provided a constant voltage circuit that features low current consumption and stable operation, and an analog electronic clock provided with the constant voltage circuit. The constant voltage circuit includes a differential amplifier circuit which is turned on/off by a predetermined signal and which controls the voltage of a gate of an output transistor on the basis of a reference voltage and a feedback voltage that are received, a switch circuit which is connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit and which is turned on/off by a predetermined signal, and a voltage holding circuit which is connected between the gate of the output transistor and a power supply terminal and which has a resistor and a capacitor connected in series. An analog electronic clock provided with the foregoing constant voltage circuit that supplies a voltage to at least an oscillation circuit and a frequency division circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC.
    Inventors: Kotaro Watanabe, Makoto Mitani
  • Patent number: 9170592
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for an integrated voltage regulator with open loop digital control for power stepping. In one aspect, a method for regulating an output voltage includes receiving data indicative of a power setting associated with an identified state of an electrical circuit, the power setting based on a load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state, enabling one or more parallel driver segments based on the received data indicative of the power setting. The method further includes sourcing by the enabled one or more parallel driver segments sufficient current to meet the load current demand of the electrical circuit in the identified state while maintaining the output voltage at a predetermined voltage level, and providing the output voltage to the electrical circuit at the predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Seymour, Daniel J. Russell
  • Patent number: 9166473
    Abstract: A current mode power conversion system and method operates in cycles. Each cycle includes an on time and an off time. The system includes an inductor connected to store energy during the on time of each cycle and use the energy during the off time of each cycle. The system provides a stable output voltage and a maximum-limited output current to a load during constant load conditions. The system comprises a feedback control linearly operable so as to control the output voltage across the load during constant load conditions, and non-linearly operable so as to control the output voltage across the load during certain detected changes in load conditions as a function of the derivative of the current in the inductor so as to speed up the transient response of the power conversion system when a fault condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: LINEAR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry Groom, Shuo Chen
  • Patent number: 9141123
    Abstract: A maximum power point tracking controller includes an input port for electrically coupling to an electric power source, an output port for electrically coupling to a load, a control switching device, and a control subsystem. The control switching device is adapted to repeatedly switch between its conductive and non-conductive states to transfer power from the input port to the output port. The control subsystem is adapted to control switching of the control switching device to regulate a voltage across the input port, based at least in part on a signal representing current flowing out of the output port, to maximize a signal representing power out of the output port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Volterra Semiconductor LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. McJimsey, Anthony J. Stratakos, Ilija Jergovic, Xin Zhang, Kaiwei Yao, Vincent W. Ng, Phong T. Nguyen, Artin Der Minassians
  • Patent number: 9122289
    Abstract: A circuit and method provides compensation for disturbance of an output voltage caused by dielectric absorption of a load capacitor of a low dropout voltage regulator after a modification of the output voltage level of the low dropout voltage regulator. A dielectric absorption current compensation circuit generates a profile current that is applied to an output of the low dropout voltage regulator and in parallel with the load capacitor to compensate for the dielectric absorption current. The dielectric absorption current compensation circuit has a programmable profile current generator that generates the profile current. A switchable current mirror transfers a mirror profile compensation current to the load capacitor to compensate for the dielectric absorption current. In some embodiments, the profile current is a continuous profile dielectric absorption compensation current and in other embodiments, the profile current is a digital profile dielectric absorption compensation current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventor: Rupert Howes
  • Patent number: 9110487
    Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator including an overcurrent protection circuit, which does not need a test circuit. The voltage regulator has a configuration in which a reference voltage circuit includes an element that determines a reference voltage and an overcurrent protection circuit includes an element that determines a maximum output current, the element of the reference voltage circuit and the element of the overcurrent protection circuit having the same characteristics. Accordingly, there is a correlation between an output voltage before trimming and the maximum output current for overcurrent protection. Thus, a maximum output current before trimming can be estimated without performing evaluation by a test circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Kaoru Sakaguchi, Takashi Imura
  • Patent number: 9104222
    Abstract: An embodiment of a voltage regulator includes a pass device, a feedback circuit, and an operational amplifier (opamp). A first current conducting terminal of the opamp is coupled to an input voltage node, and a second current conducting terminal of the opamp is coupled to a regulated voltage node. The feedback circuit is coupled between the regulated voltage node and the feedback node, and the feedback circuit is a floating voltage reference configured to produce a feedback signal. The opamp has an input coupled to a feedback node, and an output coupled to a control terminal of the pass device. The opamp provides a signal to the control terminal based on the feedback signal from the feedback node. The control signal causes a current through the pass device to vary to maintain a voltage at the regulated voltage node at a target regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Pigott
  • Patent number: 9007045
    Abstract: An output device includes an output transistor that outputs an output current, a first driver that drives the output transistor so that a feedback voltage of an output voltage of the output transistor is in agreement with a reference voltage, an RC circuit that has a capacitor connected to the ground and a resistor connected in series to the capacitor, and a second driver that drives the output transistor to increase the output current when a potential difference between ends of the resistor, generated by the feedback voltage supplied between ends of the RC circuit, is increased by a decrease of the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiro Terada, Yoichi Takano, Shinichiro Maki
  • Patent number: 9000743
    Abstract: A multi-channel constant voltage and constant current converting controller is provided. It comprises a multi-channel balance circuit and an error amplifier circuit. The multi-channel balance circuit receives a first voltage signal and load current detecting signals and outputs a second voltage signal and amplifying load current detecting signals. The error amplifier circuit receives the second voltage signal, the amplifying load current detecting signals and a reference voltage and outputs an error amplifying signal. The error amplifier circuit outs the error amplifying signal according to the reference voltage and the maximum value between the second voltage signal and amplifying load current detecting signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chiang Ting
  • Patent number: 9000742
    Abstract: A signal generating circuit includes: a first signal amplifying circuit arranged to generate a first amplified signal according to a first supply current, a reference signal, and an output signal of the signal generating circuit; a soft-start circuit arranged to generate a control signal according to a soft-start signal; a current controlled circuit arranged to generate the first supply current according to the soft-start signal; and a pass transistor arranged to generate an output signal according to an error amplified signal and the control signal. The error amplified signal is derived from the first amplified signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Xi Chen, Chien-Wei Kuan
  • Patent number: 8981744
    Abstract: A circuit for regulating and monitoring a signal current, comprising a regulating circuit; and a monitoring circuit. The regulating circuit comprises: a first controlled voltage source for outputting a target value dependent controlled voltage; a current adjust circuit for adjusting the signal current in dependence on the controlled voltage and a first feedback voltage by means of a potentiometer; and a first feedback path, with at least one first resistance element across which the signal current flows. The voltage drop across the resistance element or one of the voltages of the current adjust circuit dependent thereon is supplied as a first feedback voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Ralph Stib, Wolfgang Trunzer
  • Patent number: 8957646
    Abstract: A constant voltage circuit includes an output control transistor to control an output current from an output terminal to keep an output voltage constant at a set voltage; and an excess-current protection circuit to control the output control transistor. The excess-current protection circuit includes a current increase restriction element to restrict increase in the output current to decrease the output voltage; a first current limitation circuit to limit a gate voltage of the output control transistor to decrease the output current, when the output voltage is decreased to a first limited voltage; a second current limitation circuit to limit a gate voltage of the output control transistor to decrease the output current, when the output voltage is decreased to a second limited voltage smaller than the first limited voltage; and a selector to select whether the first current limitation circuit is operated or stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihisa Nagata, Takahiro Hino, Akihito Nagahama
  • Patent number: 8928302
    Abstract: A first added signal that is acquired by adding a reference current signal that is in proportion to a current flowing through an inductance element, a slope compensation signal and a voltage difference signal that is in proportion to a difference between an input voltage and an output voltage and a second added signal that is acquired by adding the reference current signal and the slope compensation signal are compared with a difference signal of a voltage that is in proportion to the output voltage and a predetermined reference voltage, and pulse widths of driving pulse signals of a step-down switching circuit and a step-up switching circuit are controlled as a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Toshimasa Namekawa
  • Patent number: 8917069
    Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator circuit that dynamically adjusts its output voltage has a voltage adjustment circuit in communication with a dynamic voltage controlling circuit for modifying the output voltage of the low dropout voltage regulator. A first amplification circuit is connected to receive an adjusted reference voltage from the voltage adjustment circuit and compare it with a feedback signal from the output voltage to provide a drive signal to a signal input terminal of a follower output transistor. An output terminal of the follower output transistor provides the output voltage of the regulation circuit. An adjustable internal load circuit applies a load current to the output terminal of the follower output transistor to increase the bandwidth of the output of the voltage regulation circuit that is sensed by a dynamic biasing sensing circuit to generate a dynamic biasing signal that modifies the bandwidth of the first amplification circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH
    Inventors: Rupert Howes, Alexandre Tavares, Anthony Clowes, Mark Childs
  • Patent number: 8890499
    Abstract: A buck switching regulator includes a feedback control circuit including a feedback network including first and second gain circuits configured to generate first and second feedback signals, respectively, indicative of the regulated output voltage; a ripple generation circuit configured to inject a ripple signal to the first gain circuit; an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) configured to receive the second feedback signal and a reference signal and to generate an output signal being coupled to the first gain circuit to adjust the first feedback signal; and a comparator configured to receive the first feedback signal and the reference signal and to generate a comparator output signal. The output signal of the OTA is applied to the first feedback signal to cancel a voltage offset in the regulated output voltage due to the injected ripple signal to the first gain circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Micrel, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland Swanson, Dashun Xue, William MacLean
  • Patent number: 8884593
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage converter, which uses an inductor coupled between a power supply and a reference voltage for providing a supply voltage. A plurality of output capacitors are coupled to both sides of the inductor, respectively, and receive the supply voltage for producing a positive voltage and a negative voltage. A plurality of output switches are coupled to both sides of the inductor, respectively, and control the inductor to charge the plurality of output capacitors. A feedback control circuit produces a control signal according to the positive and negative voltages for controlling the plurality of output switches. Thereby, the present invention can produce positive and negative voltage by means of the inductor. Accordingly, the voltage converter according to the present invention avoids usage of multiple inductors and capacitors in producing voltages with different levels, and thus reducing the circuit area as well as the manufacturing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sitronix Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Chung-Hsin Su
  • Patent number: 8854022
    Abstract: A system including a first transistor, a first capacitor and a circuit. The first transistor has a first control input and is configured to regulate an output voltage. The first capacitor is coupled at one end to the first control input and at another end to a circuit reference. The circuit is configured to provide a first voltage to the first control input, where the first voltage includes an offset voltage that is referenced to the output voltage and adjusted to compensate for variations in the first transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Mario Motz
  • Patent number: 8854023
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide apparatuses and methods for regulating an output voltage. For example, an apparatus is discussed that includes a low dropout regulator having a pass transistor and an amplifier and being operable to regulate the output voltage based on a feedback signal and a feedforward signal. The apparatus also includes an auxiliary low dropout regulator having an auxiliary pass transistor and an auxiliary amplifier. The auxiliary dropout regulator is operable to generate the feedforward signal and is substantially matched with the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Sungmin Ock
  • Publication number: 20140266103
    Abstract: Techniques are described that embed a digital assisted regulator with an LDO regulator on a chip without requiring a capacitor external to the chip and to regulate a voltage without undershoot. The digital assisted regulator responds to information regarding operation of the LDO regulator and to a signal that provides advance notification of a load change. When the advance notification signal is received, the digital assisted regulator pulls a circuit's supply voltage up to a chip's incoming supply voltage. When the correct operating voltage has been reached and any undershoot problem removed, the digital assisted regulator balances the current it provides with the current provided by the LDO regulator, to allow a quick response time for other load changes. Also, bandwidth of an LDO regulator may be expanded by use of an advance notice signal to increase bias current of an LDO output device to meet an upcoming load change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yuhe Wang, Marzio Pedrali-Noy, Xuhao Huang, Martin Saint-Laurent, Xufeng Chen
  • Patent number: 8836303
    Abstract: An active leakage consuming module (1001) is to be added to an LDO regulator without modification of the structure of this latter. The module provides a low-power operating mode with reduced current consumption, without impairing an operation of the LDO regulator for higher currents output by said LDO regulator. The module comprises a leakage current path (54) and control means (40, 50) for conducting consumed current below a threshold out of a pull-down path of the LDO regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ST-Ericsson SA
    Inventors: Karel Nápravnik, Alexandre Pons
  • Patent number: 8823346
    Abstract: A controller and controlling method is disclosed for a boost converter. The controller includes a first node for receiving an output sense signal indicative of an output DC voltage, a second node for receiving a boost current sense signal indicative of current through an inductor of the boost converter, a first combiner which provides an error signal based on a difference between the output sense signal and a reference signal, an integrator which integrates the error signal and which provides a compensation signal indicative thereof, and a pulse controller which provides a pulse control signal for controlling the power switch to operate the boost converter in DCM. The pulse controller develops pulse control signal based on comparing the compensation signal with a ramp signal and further adjusts the pulse control signal over a cycle of a rectified AC input voltage based on the boost current sense signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intersil Americas LLC
    Inventor: Michael M. Walters
  • Patent number: 8816658
    Abstract: A low-dropout converter includes a capacitor and a resistor. The resistor is coupled to the capacitor. The resistor includes a fixed resistor and at least one variable resistor. The capacitor and the resistor determine the location of a zero of the transfer function of the low-dropout converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Guiseppe De Vita, Shafiq M. Jamal
  • Patent number: 8810219
    Abstract: A voltage regulator having good transient response characteristics and maintaining stable operation is provided. The voltage regulator includes: a first MOS transistor having a gate terminal connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit; a first constant current source provided between the first MOS transistor and a ground terminal; an output MOS transistor having a gate terminal connected to a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor via a phase compensation circuit; a second MOS transistor having a gate terminal to which an output of the differential amplifier circuit is input and a drain terminal connected to the gate terminal of the output MOS transistor; and a second constant current source provided between the second MOS transistor and a ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Teruo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8797008
    Abstract: Representative implementations of devices and techniques control regulator output overshoot. An offset signal is provided to a component of the regulator during at least a portion of the regulator start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Sachin Devegowda
  • Patent number: 8791674
    Abstract: A voltage regulator receives an unregulated DC input voltage supply and provides a regulated DC output voltage. A primary pass element and an external resistor are located in a primary current path through which a load current flows from the input terminal to the output terminal. The voltage regulator includes two control circuits that control the impedances of two pass elements. Power dissipation can be improved and the dropout voltage can be reduced by maintaining the voltage on an internal node of the voltage regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Moane
  • Patent number: 8773086
    Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a circuit comprising a voltage adjust circuit and an input terminal of an electronic system. The voltage adjust circuit is coupled to receive an input voltage. The input terminal of the electronic system is coupled to receive a supply voltage from an output terminal of the voltage adjust circuit. The voltage adjust circuit makes an adjustment to the supply voltage based on a minimum voltage requirement of the electronic system. Accordingly, the leakage current supplied to the electronic system reduces, thereby saving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Shankar R. Kozhumam, Jon E. Tourville
  • Patent number: 8773096
    Abstract: A voltage regulator includes an amplifier to generate a difference voltage responsive to a comparison of a reference voltage and a feedback voltage. An output driver is coupled to the amplifier and drives a regulated output voltage responsive to the difference voltage. An impedance circuit is coupled between the output driver and a low power source and establishes the feedback voltage responsive to a current through the impedance circuit. A variation detector is operably coupled between the regulated output voltage and the difference voltage and is configured to modify the difference voltage. In some embodiments, the difference voltage is modified responsive to a rapid change of the regulated output voltage capacitively coupled to the variation detector. In other embodiments, the difference voltage is modified responsive to a rapid change of the feedback voltage capacitively coupled to the variation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, inc.
    Inventors: Shawn Wang, Yumin Zhang, Jeffrey G. Barrow
  • Patent number: 8766609
    Abstract: A power supply controller includes: a controlling section that, upon determination that no anomaly has occurred, causes a semiconductor switch to execute turning on and, upon determination that the anomaly has occurred, causes the semiconductor switch to maintain an off state; a monitoring section that monitors which condition the controlling section is in, the condition being normal or anormal; and a switching section that, upon monitoring result by the monitoring section indicating the normal condition, causes turning on and off of the semiconductor switch by the controlling section and, upon the monitoring result indicating the anormal condition, causes turning on and off of the semiconductor switch with an external on-off command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Autonetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Babasaki, Seiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8760097
    Abstract: A voltage control operation unit receives, from a subtraction unit, a value obtained by subtracting a detection value of a voltage from a voltage command value, and performs a control operation for setting the voltage to be equal to the voltage command value. The voltage control operation unit outputs the calculated control amount as a current command value. A current control operation unit receives, from a subtraction unit, a value obtained by subtracting a detection value of a current from a current command value, and performs a control operation for setting the current to be equal to the current command value. A driving signal generation unit generates a signal for driving a boost converter based on a duty command value received from the current control operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyoshi Takamatsu, Masaki Okamura, Daigo Nobe
  • Patent number: 8754628
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes an output transistor, a voltage detector, a controller, and a discharge circuit. The output transistor is connected between a power supply terminal and an output terminal. The voltage detector is connected between the output terminal and a ground terminal. The voltage detector is configured to divide an output voltage between the output terminal and the ground terminal according to an inputted voltage switching signal and generates a first voltage on the ground terminal side and a second voltage having a polarity the same as a polarity of the first voltage and having an absolute value lower than or equal to an absolute value of the first voltage. The controller is configured to detect a difference between the first voltage and a reference voltage and control the output transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Atsushi Namai, Kei Kasai, Shigeyuki Sakura
  • Patent number: 8736241
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Enpirion, Inc.
    Inventors: Pedro Alou Cervera, Jose Antonio Cobos Marquez, Ashraf W. Lotfi, Andres Soto del Pecho
  • Patent number: 8710813
    Abstract: A low drop-out regulator is disclosed. An unregulated DC input terminal receives an input voltage. A pass circuit is coupled between the unregulated DC input terminal and a regulated DC output terminal for supplying a power to the regulated DC output terminal. An amplifying circuit controls the pass circuit for providing a constant voltage or/and a constant current in response to an output voltage or/and an output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: System General Corp.
    Inventors: Ta-Yung Yang, Jenn-Yu Lin
  • Patent number: 8698472
    Abstract: An adjustable driver voltage source for a switching power supply uses a linear regulator to provide a driver voltage, and a modulator to adjust the driver voltage according to the loading change of the switching power supply. The modulator may lower the driver voltage at light load to reduce the switching loss and thereby increase the power efficiency of the switching power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Tsung-Hsi Yang, Shao-Hung Lu, Isaac Y. Chen, Wei-Haur Chan
  • Patent number: 8680828
    Abstract: There is provided a voltage regulator capable of achieving a fast transient response upon activation without allowing an abnormal consumption current to flow. The voltage regulator of the present invention includes: a booster circuit for detecting output current from an output transistor and outputting a boost signal to a first differential amplifier circuit; a sensing transistor for sensing the output current; a first transistor for making an adjustment to enable the output current to be copied accurately; and a second differential amplifier circuit in which the output terminal is connected to the gate of the first transistor, the inverting input terminal is connected to the drain of the sensing transistor, and the non-inverting input terminal is connected to the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Socheat Heng
  • Patent number: 8680827
    Abstract: The voltage at a spurious frequency is decreased while maintaining as much as possible the voltage at a resonance frequency of a piezoelectric transformer, thus controlling a wide voltage range with a comparatively low cost configuration. A high-voltage power supply apparatus includes a piezoelectric transformer that outputs a highest voltage at a predetermined resonance frequency, and a generating unit that generates a signal that oscillates at a drive frequency that drives the piezoelectric transformer, throughout a frequency range that includes the resonance frequency. Furthermore, the high-voltage power supply apparatus includes an output terminal connected to the piezoelectric transformer, and a constant-voltage element inserted in a path that couples the piezoelectric transformer and the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Nagasaki, Hiroshi Mano
  • Patent number: 8680832
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter or the like capable of generating a stable output voltage is provided. A control circuit 11 of a current mode step-down DC-DC converter 1 includes a slope compensation circuit SC and an offset circuit IF1. The slope compensation circuit SC adds an increase gradient m2 due to slope compensation to an increase gradient of a coil current waveform Vsense in a range wherein an ON period Ton of a switch SW1 exceeds ½ of an operating cycle T. An offset circuit IF1 applies an offset voltage Voffset which becomes smaller depending on the ON period Ton in excess of ½ of an operating cycle T, to a coil current waveform Vsense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Spansion LLC
    Inventor: Toru Miyamae
  • Patent number: 8674672
    Abstract: A power supply includes a source signal generating circuit, an output stage, and a feedback stage. The power supply further includes a replica stage configured to replicate a response of the output stage to the source signal, and an output regulator coupling the replica stage to the output stage, configured to adjust a feedback signal to the source signal generating circuit by shunting the feedback stage when a loaded output stage response does not match a response of the replica stage to the source signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jaskarn Johal, Erhan Hancioglu
  • Patent number: 8648580
    Abstract: A regulator for providing a low dropout voltage at an output node of the regulator is provided. An amplifier has a non-inverting input terminal for receiving an input voltage, an inverting input terminal and an output terminal. A first resistor is coupled between a ground and the inverting input terminal of the amplifier. A second resistor is coupled to the inverting input terminal of the amplifier. A first transistor is coupled between a voltage source and the second resistor. A current source coupled between the voltage source and a gate of the first transistor provides a bias current. A second transistor coupled between the first transistor and a current mirror has a gate coupled to the output terminal of the amplifier. The first and second transistors are different type MOS transistors. The replica unit generates the low dropout voltage according to a voltage of the output terminal of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Mediatek Singapore Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: KianTiong Wong
  • Patent number: 8581560
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises active and standby amplifiers, first and second transistors, and a capacitor. The active amplifier has a negative input connected to a first reference voltage, and the standby amplifier has a negative input connected to a second reference voltage. The first reference voltage is greater than the second reference voltage. The first transistor has a gate connected to an output of the active amplifier and a drain connected to a voltage regulated output, and the second transistor has a gate connected to an output of the standby amplifier and a drain connected to the voltage regulated output. The capacitor is connected between a chip enable signal and the voltage regulated output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Elite Semiconductor Memory Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chung-Zen Chen
  • Publication number: 20130285630
    Abstract: A voltage regulating apparatus is disclosed. The voltage regulating apparatus includes: a power transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal for receiving a power supply, and a second terminal for providing an output voltage; a feedback circuit coupled to the second terminal, configured for providing a feedback voltage according to the output voltage; an amplifier having a source current unit and a sink current unit, configured for driving the power transistor through the control terminal by use of the source and sink current units according to a reference voltage and the feedback voltage; and a transient enhancement unit configured for monitoring the source and sink current units, and regulating a voltage at the control terminal according to the monitored result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventor: Shih-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 8570010
    Abstract: A multiphase power supply device and a current adjusting method thereof are provided in the application. The multiphase power supply device outputs power sources and currents with different phases to a microprocessor, and a detection module detects present temperature values of each phase power source to adjust currents of each phase power source to achieve thermal balance. The multiphase power supply device further can automatically measure the power efficiency and display results including the detected temperature values of each phase power source and the power efficiency on a screen, and thus the user can know the operation efficiency of the power supply device conveniently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Lin, Nung-Te Huang, Chih-Wan Hsu
  • Patent number: RE45568
    Abstract: A multi-power charger comprises an internal battery, receptacles for connecting one or more external power sources, and output receptacles for connecting to an electronic device. A voltage selection circuit determines an operating voltage of the first device and selects a power supply source to supply the operating voltage the device. The power supply source may be the internal battery, the external power source, or both. The operating voltage is delivered to the device via the output receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Inventor: Anand Kumar Chavakula