Abstract: A circuit includes a first transistor and a second transistor coupled to the first transistor at a switch node and to a ground node. An estimator circuit receives a first signal to control an on and off state of the first transistor. The estimator circuit generates a second signal to control the on and off state of the second transistor. The second signal has a pulse width based on a pulse width of the first signal. A clocked comparator includes a clock input, a first input, and a second input. The first input receives a voltage indicative of a voltage of the switch node. The second input is coupled to a ground node. The clock input receives a third signal indicative of the second signal. The clocked comparator generates a comparator output signal. The estimator circuit adjusts the pulse width of the second signal based on the comparator output signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to reduce switching losses occurring in power converters. An example a converter including an input voltage node and an output voltage node, a controller coupled to the converter, and a compensation network coupled to the converter and to the controller, the compensation network adapted to conduct a current to the converter in response monitoring a first voltage at the input voltage node being a threshold difference than a second voltage at the output voltage node.

Abstract: A power supply can be driven in parallel in a master-slave arrangement using fewer wires. Each power supply includes: input terminals; output terminals; a master terminal; a slave terminal; a switching power supply that switches an inputted voltage and executes one of a constant-voltage operation that outputs a DC voltage of a target voltage value and a constant-current operation that outputs a DC current of a target current value; an indicative voltage generator that generates a current detection signal indicating the current outputted from the output terminals, superimposes a bias voltage (>a threshold voltage), and outputs to the master terminal; and an operation switcher that compares a voltage applied to the slave terminal and the threshold voltage and outputs, based on the result, a control signal for switching to the constant-voltage operation or the constant-current operation, to the switching power supply.

Abstract: A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings.

Abstract: Slope-compensated current mode DC-DC converters. Example embodiments are methods of operating a slope-compensated current mode DC-DC converter including asserting a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal in a switching period to couple an input voltage to the inductor; sensing an inductor current through an inductor to generate a sensed current signal; generating a slope compensation signal having a peak amplitude during the switching period; generating a slope offset signal based on a sum of a predefined threshold with a product of a duty cycle of the PWM signal and the peak amplitude; and de-asserting the PWM signal during the switching period based on the sensed current signal and the slope offset signal.

Abstract: A polarity correction circuit for dimmer includes a control circuit, an adjustment circuit, and a detection circuit. The adjustment circuit is connected to the control circuit, a working voltage input end, and a dimmer, and the adjustment circuit includes several switches. The adjustment circuit receives a dimming signal of the dimmer. The detection circuit is connected to the dimmer and the control circuit, the detection circuit detects the dimming signal to generate a reference voltage, and the detection circuit transmits the reference voltage to the control circuit. The control circuit maintains the switch states of the switches of the adjustment circuit unchanged or adjust the switch states of the switches of the adjustment circuit according to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A coupling module can be used to communicate high speed signals between an optical transceiver and a processing module of an optical communication device, such as an optical line termination (OLT) or an optical network unit (ONU). The coupling module can adjust the common mode voltage level of a differential signal output by the optical transceiver to the common mode voltage level required by the processing module. In addition, the coupling module splits each of the differential output signals from the optical transceiver and passes the split signals to both a high-pass filter and a low-pass filter that are connected in parallel. The outputs of the high-pass filter and the low-pass filter from different paths of the differential signal are cross-coupled and combined to provide a differential signal to the processing module.

Abstract: A system, DC-DC converter, and compensation method and circuit for a DC-DC converter are disclosed. For example, a compensation circuit for a DC-DC converter is disclosed. The compensation circuit includes an integrator circuit configured to receive and integrate a first voltage signal, a differential difference amplifier circuit coupled to the integrator circuit and configured to generate a first filter transfer function associated with the integrated first voltage signal, and a switched capacitor filter circuit coupled to the differential difference amplifier circuit and configured to generate a second filter transfer function, wherein the differential difference amplifier is further configured to output a second voltage signal responsive to the first filter transfer function and the second filter transfer function. In one implementation, the compensation circuit is a type-III switched capacitor filter (SCF) compensation circuit.

Abstract: A method includes converting an input signal into an output signal in response to a modulation signal, generating a timeout signal in response to the modulation signal, generating a comparison signal according to the output signal, determining whether the comparison signal is equal to or greater than a sense signal, determining whether the timeout signal has a first logic value, and causing the modulation signal to have the first logic value when the comparison signal is equal to or greater than the sense signal and the timeout signal has the first logic value. A switching power supply circuit includes a power converter, a timer circuit generating the timeout signal, and a controller causing the modulation signal to have the first logic value when the comparison signal is equal to or greater than the sense signal and the timeout signal has the first logic value.

Abstract: A control circuit for a switching regulator can include: an ON signal generator that generates an ON signal; an OFF signal generator that generates a first control signal according to an input voltage and an output voltage of the switching regulator; an on time regulator that generates an adjustment signal according to a switching signal and the first control signal; and a logic circuit configured to generate an off signal according to the first control signal, and to generate the switching signal according to the ON signal and the OFF signal, where the on time of the first switch is regulated according to the off time of the first switch when the off time of the first switch is less than the reference time, in order to regulate a duty cycle of the switching signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device protection circuit for a semiconductor device driving circuit that switches a voltage-controlled semiconductor device ON and OFF includes a current detection circuit that detects current flowing through the semiconductor device and generates and outputs a current detection voltage representing the detected current; an overcurrent detection circuit that compares the current detection voltage to a variable overcurrent detection threshold voltage so as to detect for overcurrent flowing through the semiconductor device; a protection circuit that, when the overcurrent detection circuit detects overcurrent, controls the ON/OFF switching of the semiconductor device so as to prevent thermal breakdown of the semiconductor device; and a gate voltage detection circuit that, in accordance with a gate voltage of the semiconductor device, selectively sets the overcurrent detection threshold voltage to either a first threshold voltage or a second threshold voltage that is lower than the first threshol

Abstract: A life estimation apparatus includes a second calculation unit that calculates a remaining capacity, which is a capacity with which the lithium ion secondary cell is capable of being charged or which the lithium ion secondary cell is capable of discharging, based on Equation 1 having an exponent n1 of 0.9 to 1.1 and Equation 2 having an exponent n2 of 0.4 to 0.6. The second calculation unit calculates the remaining capacity using Equation 1 if the amount of change of open circuit voltage, the amount of change of a voltage rise width, or the amount of change of a voltage rise rate has a positive value and calculates the remaining capacity using Equation 2 if the amount of change of the open circuit voltage, the amount of change of the voltage rise width, or the amount of change of the voltage rise rate has a negative value.

Abstract: Provide is a power supply redundant system in which power supply systems of different voltages coexist, which allows electric power to be supplied to a load even if a ground fault or short circuit occurs therein. The system includes a DCDC converter, a first side of the DCDC convertor being connected to a first battery having a first voltage, a first switch provided between a second battery having a second voltage different from the first voltage and a second side of the DCDC converter, a load operating with the second voltage, separately connected to the second battery and the second side of the DCDC converter, and a controller monitoring a voltage of the second battery by turning on the first switch, and when the voltage of the second battery becomes equal to or lower than a first reference value, switching off the first switch and allowing the DCDC converter to output the second voltage from the second side.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to voltage regulators and more specially voltage regulators including error detection and correction mechanisms. Example embodiments include a voltage regulator comprising: an input arranged to receive a trim signal used to specify a target voltage at an output of the regulator; a comparator arranged to compare a voltage derived from the trim signal to the voltage at the output of the regulator; a filter arranged to filter an output of the comparator; a checksum module comprising first and second portions arranged to calculate first and second checksums respectively from a plurality of states associated with the voltage regulator and to provide an error signal equal to the difference between the first and second checksums; and an adjustment module arranged to receive the error signal and adjust one or more of the plurality of states if the error signal is non-zero.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes an inductive element outputting an inductor current, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a load current estimator circuit. The first transistor is connected between a first end of the inductive element and a reference terminal. The second transistor is connected between the first end of the inductive element and an output terminal for outputting a load current. The load current estimator circuit receives a first voltage which is sensed between both ends of the second transistor in response to the inductor current while the first transistor is turned off and the second transistor is turned on, and outputs a second voltage based on a level of the first voltage at a reference time point within a time interval when the second transistor is turned on. The second voltage is associated with an intensity of the load current.

Abstract: A semiconductor device, including a main switching element having a gate terminal and an emitter terminal, a sense switching element connected to the main switching element for detecting a current flowing through the main switching element, and a voltage division circuit connected between the gate terminal and the emitter terminal of the main switching element. The voltage division circuit includes a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series. A connection point of the first resistor and the second resistor is connected to the sense switching element, so that a voltage applied to the gate terminal of the main switching element is divided by the voltage division circuit, and a portion of the voltage is applied to the sense switching element.

Abstract: A power converter includes a power converting circuit, an output current control circuit, a high-voltage control circuit, a low-voltage control circuit, and a driving circuit. The power converting circuit receives and converts a HV dc voltage from a HV side to a LV dc voltage to a LV side. The output current control circuit is configured to detect an output current and output a first control signal. The high-voltage control circuit is configured to detect the HV dc voltage and output a second control signal. The low-voltage control circuit is configured to detect the LV dc voltage and output a third control signal selectively according to the LV dc voltage, or the LV dc voltage and the first control signal, or the LV dc voltage and the second control signal. The driving voltage outputs a driving signal to drive the power converting circuit according to the third control signal.

Abstract: A control circuit can include: a power supply circuit having a bias capacitor coupled between a power terminal and a common node, where the power supply circuit supplies power to the control circuit via the bias capacitor; a detection circuit coupled between the common node and a current output terminal of a main power switch of a power stage circuit, to detect current flowing through the main power switch; a current feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal according to a difference value between a sense value obtained from a voltage at the power terminal during an off state of the main power switch and a present voltage at the power terminal, where the feedback signal represents an inductor current of the power stage circuit; and a control signal generator that generates a control signal according to the feedback signal to control the main power switch.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit includes an error amplifying circuit, a first comparison circuit, a second comparison circuit and a control circuit. The error amplifying circuit provides an output signal. The first comparison circuit, coupled to the error amplifying circuit, receives the output signal and a ramp signal to generate a first comparison signal. The second comparison circuit receives an output voltage and a first reference voltage and provides a second comparison signal. The control circuit, coupled to the error amplifying circuit, the first comparison circuit and the second comparison circuit, provides a control signal to control the error amplifying circuit according to the first comparison signal, the second comparison signal and an enabling signal. In a first operation mode of error amplifying circuit, the output signal is an error amplifying signal. In a second operation mode of error amplifying circuit, the output signal is a second reference voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods of memory operation involving charge pump circuitry located on a die and coupled to external pump capacitors are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary system may comprise a memory die containing a memory array and charge pump circuitry configured to generate a pump voltage supplied to the memory array, and one or more pump capacitors located external to the die and configured to hold stored charge that is used to generate the pump voltage. Some embodiments may include a tank capacitor, also located off-die, to condition the charge provided from the pump capacitor. According to further embodiments, the charge pump circuitry may include one or both of max current control circuitry and/or switch resistance control circuitry that may be utilized, for example, to adjust peak current.

Abstract: A power conversion device is configured with a plurality of power conversion units multiplexed in parallel each having a power converter for converting a power between a power source and a common load. At least one of the power conversion units is provided with an operation manager for managing the operation of the power converter. The operation manager changes the proportional gain of a voltage adjuster that performs a proportional control by inputting the steady-state offset between a target voltage and a voltage to the load, to determine, by comparing a change in the steady-state offset with a change in the proportional gain, whether the at least one power conversion unit is in a single operation in which the other power conversion units are in no operation.

Abstract: In a MOS silicon carbide semiconductor device and a silicon carbide semiconductor circuit device equipped with the silicon carbide semiconductor device, a gate leak current that flows when negative voltage with respect to the potential of the source electrode is applied to the gate electrode is limited to less than 2×10?11 A. The negative voltage applied to the gate electrode is limited to ?3V or lower relative to the potential of the source electrode.

Abstract: A current detection circuit includes: a current detection unit configured to detect a potential difference between both ends of a first current detection resistor interposed between a control terminal and a drive circuit of a voltage-controlled semiconductor element including a current detection terminal; a voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage at one of the both ends of the first current detection resistor; a voltage determination unit configured to determine whether or not a detection voltage of the voltage detection unit is not less than a threshold voltage; a voltage level adjustment unit configured to adjust a voltage level of a current detection voltage of the current detection terminal by a logical product signal of a current detection signal and a voltage determination signal; and an overcurrent detection unit configured to output an overcurrent detection signal when the adjusted current detection voltage is not less than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter which is capable of charging a plurality of wireless power receivers is discussed. The wireless power transmitter includes a plurality of coil cells, a main half-bridge inverter to which a main pulse signal is applied, a plurality of sub half-bridge inverters to which a first sub pulse signal or a second sub pulse signal is applied, at least one current sensor configured to monitor a current, and a communications and control unit configured to control the pulse signals applied to the main half-bridge inverter and sub half-bridge inverters and communicate with the wireless power receivers.

Abstract: According to an aspect of one or more exemplary embodiments, there is provided a constant on-time controller for a buck converter with calibrated ripple injection in continuous conduction mode. The constant on-time controller may include a pulse width modulator (PWM) comparator that generates an on-time request, an error amplifier that regulates an average feedback voltage to an internal reference voltage, and passes a feedback node ripple signal to an input of the PWM comparator, an on-time generator that outputs an on-time signal that controls an on-time of the buck converter based on the on-time request, a MOSFET driver that drives the buck converter based on the output of the on-time generator, and an injection signal generator coupled to the on-time generator, wherein the injection signal generator may include a first switch and a second switch, a fixed signal generator, and a bias current source.

Abstract: Described are systems to manage the rate of energy delivery to computing devices. The computing devices may connect to a shared data and power distribution system. Techniques are described for distributing energy to the computing devices directly or via an energy and data delivery device using limits determined for the computing devices. Once the energy transfer to the computing devices is complete, the limits on the rate of energy delivery may be rescinded.

Abstract: A power supply control apparatus that includes a switching circuit that turns ON or OFF a switch provided at a point along a wire, wherein power supply via the wire is controlled by switching with the switching circuit; a current output circuit configured to output a current whose current value increases as a current value of a current flowing through the wire increases; a resistance circuit through which the current that the current output circuit outputs flows, wherein the resistance circuit includes: a first resistor; and a series circuit of a second resistor and a capacitor that is connected in parallel to the first resistor; and a voltage applying circuit configured to, if an end-to-end voltage value across the resistance circuit becomes higher than or equal to a predetermined voltage value, apply a voltage whose value is higher than the predetermined voltage value.

Abstract: The overcurrent protection device includes: a current detection unit configured to detect, as a sense voltage, a sense current flowing through a current sense terminal of a voltage-controlled semiconductor device; an overcurrent detection unit configured to compare the sense voltage detected by the current detection unit with an overcurrent threshold value to output an overcurrent detection signal; a mode determination unit configured to determine whether a superposition mode in which a transient sense voltage is superimposed on the sense voltage or a normal mode in which the transient sense voltage is not superimposed on the sense voltage; and a timing adjustment unit configured to adjust a detection start timing of the overcurrent detection signal based on a result of determination by the mode determination unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating a power conversion system. An example system controller includes: a detection component configured to receive an input voltage related to a diode connected to an inductor and output a first signal at a first logic level in response to the input voltage being larger than a predetermined threshold, a control logic component configured to receive the first signal, process information associated with the first signal, and output a modulation signal related to a modulation frequency in response to the first signal being at the first logic level, and a driving component configured to receive the modulation signal and output a drive signal to open and close a first switch at the modulation frequency.

Abstract: A wearable device and a method are disclosed for determining induced voltage exposure of a human body to low voltage fluctuations or induced static electricity variation on human body. The wearable device includes conductive elements which form at least part of an antenna and comprises an RF-to-DC converter connected to the conductive elements of the wearable device for harvesting RF energy and induced static electricity variation at the input in the form of an AC voltage (Vin), while the RF-to-DC converter provides a DC voltage (Vout) at the output. The wearable device also comprises a control unit connected to the output of the RF-to-DC converter to determine the induced voltage exposure of a device wearer's body.

Abstract: A method for controlling a current mode switch mode power supply may include detecting a peak inductor current of a power inductor of the current mode switch mode power supply, estimating a load current based on a variable of a main control loop of the current mode switch mode power supply, detecting, within a main control loop of the current mode switch mode power supply, whether the load current is lower in magnitude than an estimated boundary condition current threshold, the estimated boundary condition current threshold defining a crossover threshold between operation of the current mode switch mode power supply in a continuous conduction mode and operation of the current mode switch mode power supply in a discontinuous conduction mode, and responsive to the load current being lower in magnitude than the estimated boundary condition current, causing pulse skipping of an output signal of the current mode switch mode power supply on an immediately subsequent switching cycle of the current mode switch mode p

Abstract: A controller for extending a protection period of a power converter includes a delay circuit. The delay circuit is coupled to a supply voltage pin of the controller. When the power converter enters a protection mode, the delay circuit is enabled, receives a supply voltage through the supply voltage pin, and extends a protection period corresponding to the protection mode according to the supply voltage.

Abstract: The present disclosure shows ways to use multiple “integrated voltage regulator (IVR) units” to offer IVRs that can cover a wide range of specifications without having to design separate IVRs for different specifications. Instead of designing separate IVRs and paying for separate mask sets for IVRs targeting different specifications (e.g., different design and mask sets for 1 A IVR, 5 A IVR), the disclosed embodiments present ways to design and fabricate large numbers of the same unit IVRs (e.g., 1 A IVR) and decide how many of them to use post-fabrication to deliver different current specifications (e.g., use five 1 A unit IVRs for 5 A, use ten 1 A unit IVRs for 10 A). These disclosed embodiments reduce the mask cost of fabricating IVRs for different specifications and reduce design time by focusing on a single unit IVR.

Abstract: Provided is an switching regulator including: an error amplification circuit configured to output a first error voltage based on an output voltage and a first reference voltage; a PFM comparison circuit configured to compare the first error voltage with a second reference voltage to output a comparison result signal; an oscillation circuit configured to output a clock signal, and to stop output of the clock signal depending on the comparison result signal; a frequency characteristics separation circuit to which the first error voltage is provided, and from which a second error voltage is supplied; a phase compensation circuit connected to the frequency characteristics separation circuit; and a PWM conversion circuit configured to turn the switching element on and off at a desired pulse width, based on the second error voltage and on the output from the oscillation circuit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a driver circuit includes an output transistor where a main current path is connected between a voltage supply terminal and a voltage output end and which supplies an output current to the voltage output end, a drive circuit that outputs a drive signal, a variable resistance connected between an output terminal of the drive circuit and a gate of the output transistor, a current detection circuit that detects a current flowing through the output transistor, and a control circuit that changes a value of the variable resistance in response to an output signal of the current detection circuit.

Abstract: A boosted amplifier system may include a boost stage configured to boost an input voltage of the boost stage to an output voltage greater than the input voltage and an amplifier stage powered by the output voltage of the charge pump and configured to amplify an input signal to generate an output signal. The boost stage may have input current limiting circuitry for ensuring that an input current of the boost stage is maintained below a current limit and the amplifier stage may have an input for receiving an indication of whether the current-limiting circuitry of the boost stage is activated to maintain the input current of the boost stage below the current limit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a drive transistor controlling current supply to a load; a current detector unit detecting a current of a sense transistor through which a current proportional to the current flowing through the drive transistor flows; a controller unit generating a pulse signal with a duty ratio corresponding to the detection result of the current detector unit; a voltage monitor monitoring whether a voltage of an external output terminal reaches a battery voltage; and a pre-driver performing charge and discharge to a control terminal of the drive transistor based on the pulse signal. The pre-driver performs the charge and discharge to the control terminal of the drive transistor at a first speed, when the voltage of the external output terminal reaches the battery voltage, and at a speed faster than the first speed, when the voltage of the external output terminal reaches the battery voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regulation of the output voltage of a DC-DC voltage converter. The controlled variable provided to the regulator of the DC-DC voltage converter is composed in this case of a controlled variable of a voltage regulator and a further controlled variable of a feed-forward control. The controlled variable of the voltage regulator is produced here directly from the comparison of the output voltage with a setpoint voltage. The controlled variable of the feed-forward control takes into consideration, inter alia, the input current of the DC-DC voltage converter, wherein the value of the input current can be corrected in such a way that the voltage regulator can be operated close to the zero point during stationary operation. A more rapid and more precise regulation of the output voltage is produced in this way.

Abstract: A device includes a first transistor coupled to a ground node and a current source. The first transistor includes a control terminal coupled to a reference voltage source, where the current source is coupled to an input voltage source. The device includes a second transistor coupled to the input voltage source, where the second transistor includes a control terminal coupled to the first transistor. The device includes a third transistor coupled to the second transistor, where the third transistor includes a control terminal coupled to an output voltage node. The device includes a fourth transistor coupled to the third transistor, where the fourth transistor includes a control terminal coupled to the output voltage node. The device includes a fifth transistor coupled to the fourth transistor and a resistor, where the fifth transistor includes a control terminal coupled to the fourth transistor. The resistor is coupled to the ground node.

Abstract: A DC-DC converting controller, coupled to an output stage including a phase node and an operation switch coupled between the phase node and a ground voltage, includes a pulse-width modulation (PWM) unit, a zero-level comparator and a threshold voltage generation unit. The PWM unit, coupled to the output stage, provides the PWM signal to the output stage for controlling the operation switch. The zero-level comparator has a first input terminal, a second input terminal and an output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to the phase node. The output terminal, coupled to the PWM unit, provides a zero-current voltage to adjust the PWM signal. The threshold voltage generation unit, coupled to the phase node and zero-level comparator, provides the threshold voltage to the second input terminal. The threshold voltage generation unit dynamically adjusts threshold voltage according to a default voltage and the phase voltage on the phase node.

Abstract: A dynamic over voltage protection OVP system for limiting an output voltage at an output of a voltage regulation system is described. The dynamic OVP system contains an enabling device and an output voltage limiting device which are communicatively coupled to each other. The enabling device detects a load release at the output of the external voltage regulation system and generates an enable signal based on the detection. The output voltage limiting device receives the enable signal and limits the output voltage based on the enable signal. In this way, the voltage fluctuation at the output of the voltage regulation system is reduced when a subsequent load step occurs e.g. when a load is re-connected to the output of the voltage regulation system.

Abstract: A power supply unit having improved resistance to overheating caused by electrically conductive environmental contamination of electrical contacts of a connector of the power supply unit is disclosed. In one example, the connector includes one or more electrical contacts configured to receive one or more signals that indicate the connector is connected to an electronic device. The power supply unit includes a protection circuit that is configured to electrically disconnect the power supply unit from the connector based on detecting that a voltage on at least one of the one or more electrical contacts is greater than an expected/reference voltage. The higher than expected voltage may indicate that electrically conductive contamination has created a short between different electrical contacts of the connector. The power supply unit may be disabled based on detection of the electrically conductive contamination in order to prevent overheating and/or degradation of the connector.

Abstract: A control circuit and method for a voltage converter. The control circuit having a ramp circuit, a reference generating circuit, a comparison circuit and a logic circuit. The ramp circuit generates a ramp signal that decreases from the moment the power switch is turned off and increases from the moment the power switch is turned on. The reference generating circuit generates a reference voltage. The comparison circuit compares the reference voltage with the sum of the feedback voltage and the ramp signal to generate a comparison signal. The logic circuit uses the comparison signal and a clock signal to generate the control signal to control a power switch of the voltage converter.

Abstract: A method includes comparing a value of a current sense signal indicating an output signal of a power converter to a value of a threshold signal, adjusting a value of a first count signal in response to the comparison result, and determining whether or not the power converter is operating in an overload condition using the first count signal. A circuit includes an overload monitor comparing a value of a current sense signal to a value of a threshold signal, adjusting a value of a first count signal in response to the comparison result, and determining whether or not the power converter is operating in an overload condition using the first count signal. The circuit further includes an overload protection signal generator generating an overload protection signal indicating whether or not the power converter is operating in the overload condition.

Abstract: A current mode switching regulator circuit and operating method includes a variable duty cycle power switch controller, a voltage feedback loop that provides a feedback signal based on the output voltage, a current feedback loop that provides a current sense signal based on the output current, and an offset circuit having an external signal input and coupled to the current feedback loop. The power switch controller controls the switching regulator circuit to generate an output voltage and an output current. The offset circuit is configured to provide an offset output control signal, independently of the voltage feedback loop, to control the power switch controller so as to vary a duty cycle of the power switch controller based on the current sense signal and an external offset signal applied to the external signal input.

Abstract: An LED lighting system includes a luminescent unit driven by a rectified AC voltage and a bleeder circuit. The bleeder circuit includes a current source, a dimming detection unit and an adjusting unit. The current source is configured to provide a bleeder current according to a control signal. The dimming detection unit is configured to monitor the rectified AC voltage, thereby outputting a dimming detection signal associated with an operational mode of the LED lighting system. The adjusting unit is configured to output the control signal according to the dimming detection signal so as to instruct the current source to keep the bleeder current at a first value during a first period and at a second value smaller than the first value during a second period subsequent to the first period when the dimming detection signal indicates that the LED lighting system is operating in a dimming mode.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power converter includes receiving an input signal through an input node and generating an intermediate signal using a capacitor, generating a control signal in response to the input signal and the intermediate signal, coupling or decoupling the input node and the capacitor in response to the control signal, and generating an output signal in response to the intermediate signal. A circuit for controlling a power converter includes an input node receiving an input signal, a first capacitor providing an intermediate signal, a detection circuit generating a control signal in response to the input signal and the intermediate signal, a switching device coupling the input node and the first capacitor in response to the control signal, and a regulator generating an output signal in response to the intermediate signal.

Abstract: A variable-output power converter includes a switch-mode voltage conversion stage operating in a peak-current control mode. For example, the timing of the turn-off of a MOSFET associated with a buck converter can be adjusted based on a measurement of current conducted through the by MOSFET. When the current through the MOSFET exceeds a threshold, the MOSFET is turned off, thereby defining the peak current that can be output by the variable-output power converter. The peak-current threshold can be adjusted by changing one or more characteristics of a compensation network configured to provide positive feedback to the variable-output power converter. In many examples, the peak-current threshold is adjusted using a pulse-width modulated signal.

Abstract: A gate drive circuit arranged to receive an input signal and provide an output signal to drive a gate of a transistor is presented. The gate drive circuit comprises a filter circuit arranged to attenuate a frequency band from the input signal when deriving the output signal from the input signal. The filter circuit contains programmable resistive elements, comprising: a first programmable resistive element arranged to adjust a low frequency gain and bandwidth of the gate drive circuit; a second programmable resistive element arranged to adjust a high frequency gain of the gate drive circuit; and a pair of programmable resistive elements arranged to adjust a driving gain of the gate drive circuit. A method of receiving an input signal and deriving an output signal from an input signal is also presented. The step of deriving an output signal comprises attenuating a frequency band from the input signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of driving a switching transistor includes driving the switching transistor with a gate drive signal; measuring at least one of a derivative of a load path voltage and a derivative of a load path current of the switching transistor; measuring a derivative of the gate drive signal; forming an error signal based on a reference signal, a measured derivative of the gate drive signal, and at least one of the measured derivative of the load path voltage of the switching transistor or the measured derivative of the load path current of the switching transistor; and forming the gate drive signal, where forming the gate drive signal includes processing the error signal using a dynamic controller.