Abstract: An object is to reduce power consumption of a semiconductor device including a DC-DC converter circuit. The semiconductor device includes a DC-DC converter circuit and a microprocessor. The DC-DC converter circuit includes a conversion circuit including an inductor and a transistor, and a control circuit including a comparison circuit and a logic circuit. A hysteresis comparator is used as the comparison circuit. In the control circuit, the comparison circuit compares an output signal of the conversion circuit with a first reference potential or a second reference potential, and the logic circuit performs arithmetic operation between an output signal of the comparison circuit and a clock signal of the microprocessor. In the conversion circuit, the transistor controls current flowing through the inductor in accordance with an output signal of the logic circuit, and the output signal of the conversion circuit is generated in accordance with the current flowing through the inductor.

Abstract: A power supply unit, which is mounted in a host device for supplying power to a client device through a cable interposed therebetween, includes an output unit configured to generate a first output voltage from an input voltage. A controller is provided in the power supply to perform voltage feedback control on the output unit such that the first output voltage is maintained at a predetermined target value. Also, the power supply unit includes a first correction unit configured to correct the voltage feedback control at the controller such that the first output voltage is increased as a second output voltage finally supplied to the client device becomes lower, and a second correction unit configured to correct the voltage feedback control at the controller such that the first output voltage is increased as an output current supplied from the host device to the client device becomes larger.

Abstract: In a DC/DC converter, a control circuit determines an upper limit value of an inductor current based on a load current and an input dc voltage, and changes at least one of an on time and an off time of a switching element in such a manner that the detected inductor current does not exceed the upper limit value.

Abstract: A computer system has a controller and a voltage regulator. The controller generates a power consumption state signal for one or more components of the computer system to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator supplies a first voltage level for the one or more components when the one or more components are at a first power consumption state. The voltage regulator increases to a second voltage level for the one or more components when the one or more components enter a second power consumption state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switching power supply device that is capable of steadily operating even when a low supply voltage is employed. The present invention also provides a microcomputer equipped with the switching power supply device. A switching regulator includes an inductor that inputs an external supply voltage at one end, a main switch that is coupled to another end of the inductor, an auxiliary switch that is coupled to the other end of the inductor in parallel with the main switch, and a rectifying/smoothing circuit having a diode and a capacitor. A switching operation of the main switch is controlled by a control signal generated from a PFM control circuit, which is driven by an internal supply voltage. A switching operation of the auxiliary switch is controlled by a control signal generated from a ring oscillator, which is driven by the external supply voltage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for compensating a current of a DC/DC converter that detects an average value of a pulsatory current that is output as a chopping wave form from an inductor that is used in a DC/DC converter to compensate an offset value in real time. A method for compensating a current of a DC/DC converter can include analyzing a PWM signal for a switching DC-DC converter, if the PWM signal is on, comparing a delay time with a rise half cycle size between a detected current and a real current that is output by an inductor, calculating a current variation amount and determining an offset compensation value for compensating a current variation amount according to the comparison result of the rise half cycle size and the delay time, and applying the offset compensation value to compensate the detected current of the inductor.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for controlling boost and buck-boost converters using input-output linearization and leading-edge modulation is provided. The controller includes a summing circuit connected to the converter to create a third voltage representing a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage. A gain circuit is connected to the summing circuit to adjust the third voltage by an appropriate gain. A modulating circuit is connected to the gain circuit, the converter, the first voltage, the second voltage and the second current to create a control signal based on the first voltage, the second voltage, the adjusted third voltage, the fourth voltage and the first current. The control signal is used to control the converter. Typically, the first voltage is a converter output voltage, the second voltage is a reference voltage, the fourth voltage is a converter input voltage, and first current is a converter inductor current.

Abstract: A power supply circuit and a method for operating a power supply circuit involves selecting a normal operational mode or a pass-through operational mode for a switched mode power supply, in the normal operational mode, converting an input voltage of a power supply circuit to an intermediate voltage using a switching regulator of the switched mode power supply, in the pass-through operational mode, disabling the switching regulator such that the input voltage of the power supply circuit is unchanged by the switching regulator and an electric current consumption of the switching regulator approaches zero, and converting the intermediate voltage or the input voltage of the power supply circuit to an output voltage using a linear voltage regulator.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of operating a switched-mode power supply includes producing an error signal based on a difference between a power supply output voltage and a reference voltage. A clock frequency is produced that is proportional to the error signal up to maximum frequency, and a sensed current signal is produced that is proportional to a current in switched-mode power supply. The error signal is summed with the sensed current signal to produce a first signal, and the first signal is compared to a first threshold. The method also includes producing a first edge of a drive signal at a first edge of the clock signal, and producing a second edge of the drive signal when the first signal crosses the first threshold in a first direction based on the comparing, where the second edge opposite the first edge.

Abstract: An integrated circuit contains a current sink that is used to control a channel of varying forward voltage, with a goal of maintaining a minimally sufficient voltage across the current sink. A target voltage for the current sink return is determined, and a switched inductor is used to maintain said voltage. Various target determination schemes are possible, and various enhancements improve startup time, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Abstract: A switch mode power converter configured for operation with a plurality of outputs is disclosed. The switch mode power converter includes an inductive element and a resistance in series with the inductive element. The resistance is series with the inductive element is used for determining a current through the inductive element. The resistance is a resistance between the main terminals of a switch in an on-state. The switch have two main terminals and a control terminal and being arranged for directing current through the inductive element to a one of the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: A voltage source generates a power supply voltage VOUT stabilized such that it matches the voltage level that corresponds to a reference voltage VREF, and supplies the power supply voltage to a DUT. A current detection circuit generates a detection voltage Vm that corresponds to an output current IOUT that flows through the DUT. In the initial state, the reference voltage VREF generated by a reference voltage generating circuit is set to an initial voltage level that corresponds to an input voltage VIN. After the output current IOUT flows, the reference voltage transits to a first voltage level VL1 obtained by shifting the initial voltage level by a first voltage step that corresponds to the detection voltage Vm. Subsequently, the reference voltage VREF transits to a second voltage level VL2 obtained by shifting the initial voltage level by a second voltage step that corresponds to the detection voltage Vm.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for implementing and controlling a voltage converter with one input voltage and multiple output voltages. In the case of boost and buck-boost converters, a converter circuit with one inductor and a switched group of parallel connection capacitors is realized, one parallel connection for each output voltage. A duty ratio is monitored for the inductor and the switched group of capacitors to provide a set of duty ratios. The duty ratios form a control vector which describes the control inputs. The output voltages are the control outputs describing a MIMO system. A generalized Cuk-Middlebrook modeling approach is applied to the voltage converter, along with linearization and MIMO control methods to regulate all output voltages to desired levels.

Abstract: A control circuitry can be configured to receive an error signal indicating a difference between an output voltage of the power supply and a desired setpoint for the output voltage. According to one configuration, depending on the error signal, the control circuitry initiates switching between operating the control circuitry in a pulse width modulation mode and operating the control circuitry in a pulse frequency modulation mode to produce an output voltage. Operation of the control circuitry in the pulse frequency modulation mode during a transient condition, such as when a dynamic load instantaneously requires a different amount of current, enables the power supply to satisfy current consumption by the dynamic load. Subsequent to the transient condition, the control circuitry switches back to operation in the pulse width modulation mode.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for generating non-overlapping enable signals. A peak voltage level is measured at an output of a current source that is configured to provide current to a voltage control mechanism. The non-overlapping enable signals are generated for the voltage control mechanism based on the peak voltage level. A system includes the current source, a downstream controller, and the voltage control mechanism that is coupled to the load. The current source is configured to provide current to the voltage control mechanism. The controller is configured to measure the peak voltage level at the output of the current source and generate the non-overlapping enable signals based on the peak voltage level. The non-overlapping enable signals provide a portion of the current to the load.

Abstract: An adaptive slope-compensation method is applied for a switch-mode power supply. The switch-mode power supply has a power switch, and an inductor coupled to an input power. The power switch controls the inductor storing energy or releasing energy to generate an output voltage. The adaptive slope-compensation method includes detecting an inductor current passing through the inductor and to generate an inductor-current detecting voltage, detecting a duty cycle of the power switch, detecting a voltage variation of the inductor-current detecting voltage when the power switch is turned on, generating a slope-compensation signal according to the voltage variation and the duty cycle, and adjusting the timing of turning the power switch on or off. In this way, even if the operation conditions of the input power and the output voltage change, the system still can quickly response and does not generate sub-harmonic oscillation.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter to convert an input voltage into a predetermined voltage includes a first switching device to provide energy for an inductor; a second switching device to discharge the energy from the inductor to an output terminal; an error amplifier to amplify an error voltage between a first reference voltage and a monitoring voltage obtained by dividing an output voltage output from the output terminal; a set signal generation circuit including a first comparator into which a second reference voltage and an output of the error amplifier are input; a reset signal generation circuit; a control circuit into which an output from the set signal generation circuit and an output from the reset signal generation circuit are input; and a detection circuit to detect a switching frequency of an electric power supply, wherein a characteristic of the first comparator is changed according to the switching frequency.

Abstract: A voltage regulator includes a first phase power stage, a second phase power stage, and a controller. The first phase power stage includes a zero cross detection circuit configured to measure a current level for the first phase power stage, and to cause a diode emulation state in the first phase power stage when the current level is substantially equal to zero. The second phase power stage is in communication with the zero cross detection circuit, and configured to enter the diode emulation state in response to receiving a signal from the zero cross detection circuit. The controller is coupled to the first phase power stage and to the second phase power stage. The controller is configured to measure an output current of the voltage regulator and to activate the second phase power stage when the output current is above a first threshold current level.

Abstract: A switching regulator is configured to provide a regulated voltage to a load while maintaining a substantially maximum output current limit, the switching regulator having a loop gain. In accordance with one aspect the switching regulator comprises: a circuit for adjusting the maximum output current limit in response to a programmable signal independently of the loop gain. In accordance with another aspect, the switching regulator comprises: a resistance sensing element for providing the current output of the regulator, and having a resistance which varies with temperature; and a circuit for maintaining the output current limit at a level independent of the temperature of the sensing element. In addition, in accordance with one aspect, a method of providing a regulated voltage to a load is disclosed in which a substantially maximum output current limit of a switching regulator is maintained.

Abstract: A control method is used in a power factor corrector. Firstly, a current command signal from a computing circuit is received. Then, the current command signal is compared with an input signal of the power conversion circuit, so that a current error signal is generated. If the power factor corrector is operated in a transition interval between the first mode and the second mode, an addition operation is performed on the unadjusted current error signal, a feedforward signal and the adjusted current error signal, thereby generating a current control signal. A switch control signal is generated according to the current control signal. A switching element of a power conversion circuit is controlled according to the switch control signal. Consequently, the harmonic distortion of the input current is inhibited.

Abstract: A high voltage switching regulator has significantly reduced current sensing delay between measurement of input current and generation of sensed current values, while maintaining good accuracy of the current through a power transistor using current replication and a current conveyor. High sensing accuracy of the input current ensures good load regulation, and low sensing delay ensures fixed duty cycle over a wide range of output currents and high input to output voltage ratios. A current conveyor is used to transfer high side current values to low side control circuits, e.g., pulse width modulation (PWM) control. The current conveyor is always on, e.g., some current flow is always present, thus minimizing any current measurement delay. This is accomplished by dynamically biasing the current conveyor by draining to ground a current equal to the sensed current. Wherein balancing of the current conveyor is ensured and offset at the input of the current conveyor is minimized.

Abstract: A method for automatically compensating a voltage regulator initially disconnects the error amplifier and compensation network from the feedback loop. A DC bias voltage is applied to the feedback loop to cause the regulator's output voltage to be at 90% of its nominal value. An AC perturbation signal is then added to the DC bias voltage to cause the output voltage to have a ripple at a frequency of the AC signal. The gain of the feedback loop and the phase difference between the AC signal and the ripple is then measured. The measured values are then used to automatically adjust operating characteristics of the error amplifier and the compensation network such that, when these components are connected back in the feedback loop during normal operation, the feedback loop has the desired gain and phase margin at the frequency of the AC signal, such as the loop's unity gain frequency.

Abstract: A feedback loop is used to optimize a zero current threshold for a switching regulator. After the low side power switch of the switching regulator turns off, the switching node state is monitored to adjust the zero current threshold in a real time and thus the low-side power switch is prevented from turning off too early or too late. Thereby the efficiency in green mode is optimized.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments of voltage regulators incorporate a current mode control architecture. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power switch having an input and an output. The power switch is configured to provide a first voltage during a first conduction period and a second voltage during a second conduction period. An output filter is coupled between the power switch output and an output terminal to be coupled to a load. An adjustment device is coupled to sense a current sensing voltage corresponding to a current provided to the output filter. The adjustment device is configured to convert the current sensing voltage to an adjusted current sensing voltage, including replacing a current sensing resistance associated with the current sensing voltage with a reference resistance. Control circuitry includes a current sensing input coupled to the adjustment device to sense the adjusted current sensing voltage, and an output in communication with the power switch input.

Abstract: The switched-mode power supply includes a power stage, and a control unit to control the operation of the power stage based on a critical parameter of the power stage, wherein the control unit is configured to control the operation of the power stage to change from a first operational mode to a second operation mode if the critical parameter leaves a pre-defined range, and to change from the second operational mode to the first operational mode based on a measurement of a first time interval.

Abstract: A method for controlling a current between an energy source and a load is disclosed. A switching module is coupled between the energy source and the load. The switching module includes two input terminals coupled to the energy source and two output terminals coupled to the load and at least one semiconductor switching element coupled between one of the input terminals and one of the output terminals. At least one current parameter of the current is measured between the energy source and the load. The current between the energy source and the load is interrupted by switching off the switching element when the at least one current parameter reaches or exceeds at least one predetermined parameter threshold value.

Abstract: A DC voltage converter produces an output voltage (VS) at an output terminal from an energy source. The DC voltage convert includes a selector switch includes a first input coupled to the energy source, a second input coupled to a ground, and an output coupled to a first terminal of an inductor. A second terminal is coupled to the output terminal of the converter and a capacitor is coupled between the output terminal and the ground. A regulator produces a control signal as a function of a result of a comparison of the output voltage with a reference voltage. A control circuit couples the output of the selector switch to the first or second input of the selector switch, as a function of the control signal. The converter may also include a means of inhibition adapted to inhibiting the control circuit when a current flowing in the inductor gets cancelled.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a dynamic voltage adjustment device for dynamically adjusting an output voltage of a power transmission system which generates the output voltage according to a feedback signal and a reference signal and transmits the output voltage to a remote load via a transmission line to generate a load current. The dynamic voltage adjustment device comprises a first signal terminal, for receiving a first signal corresponding to a forward transmission voltage drop of the transmission line; a second signal terminal, for receiving a second signal corresponding to a reverse transmission voltage drop of the transmission line; a third signal terminal for receiving a reference voltage; a feedback circuit, for generating a feedback signal according to the first signal; and a adder circuit, for generating the reference signal according to the second signal and the reference voltage.

Abstract: In a first aspect, a control circuit is provided for use with a switch-mode power stage that provides an output voltage signal and an output current signal at an output power. The switch-mode power stage has a nominal voltage, a nominal current, a maximum current, an output power and a maximum power. The control circuit includes a voltage control loop and a current control loop, and the control circuit uses the voltage control loop to provide voltage mode control if the output current signal is greater than or equal to the nominal current and less than the maximum current, wherein the output power is substantially constant. Numerous other aspects are also provided.

Abstract: A three-quarter bridge power converter includes a first switch configured to selectively couple a switch node to a higher voltage. The power converter also includes a second switch configured to selectively couple the switch node to a lower voltage. The power converter further includes a third switch configured to selectively cause a third voltage to be provided to the switch node when the first and second switches are not coupling the switch node to the higher and lower voltages. The third switch may be configured to selectively couple the switch node to an energy storage or energy source, such as a capacitor. The third switch may also be configured to selectively couple an energy storage or energy source to ground, where the energy storage or energy source is coupled to the switch node.

Abstract: A digital control circuit is provided for use with a switch-mode power converter that receives an input signal at a first input node and a control signal at a second input node, and that provides an output signal at a first output node and a current signal at a second output node. The digital control circuit generates a programmable current reference signal based on a difference between the output signal and a voltage reference signal, calculates a time instant when the current signal substantially equals the programmable reference current signal, and generates the control signal based on the calculated time instant.

Abstract: A method for generating an output voltage from an input voltage with a switched mode power supply at a switching frequency is provided. At the switching frequency, a transistor within a switching circuit is deactivated so as to enter into a dead time interval, where the switching circuit includes a switching node. A negative inductor current is used during the dead time interval so as to slew the switching node, where switching frequency and the input voltage are sufficiently large so as to overcome a loss incurred by using the negative inductor current.

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.

Abstract: A solid-state power regulator (SSPR) regulates power delivered to a frequency tolerant load from a wild-source generator. The SSPR includes a solid-state switching device and a controller. The solid-state switching device is turned On to deliver power from the wild-source generator to the frequency-tolerant load and Off to prevent the delivery of power to the frequency-tolerant load. The controller monitors the power delivered to the frequency-tolerant load and selectively modulates the solid-state switching device to regulate the power delivered.

Abstract: An exemplary method for improving voltage identification (VID) transient response is adapted to a voltage regulator and includes steps of: continuously sensing an inductor current of the voltage regulator to thereby output a current sense signal; during a steady state operation period, sampling the current sense signal to thereby obtain a sampling result for providing a droop control signal; after entering a VID transient period from the steady state operation period, holding the sampling result for providing the droop control signal; and taking the droop control signal as a consideration factor of producing a pulse width modulation signal to regulate an output voltage of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output current of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control circuit configured to control a switch mode power supply, can include: (i) a compensation signal generating circuit configured to generate a compensation signal according to an error between an output voltage feedback signal and a first reference voltage of the switch mode power supply; (ii) a switching signal generating circuit configured to control a switching operation of a power switching device of the switch mode power supply according to the compensation signal; (iii) a judge circuit configured to determine an operation state of the switch mode power supply according to the output voltage feedback signal; and (iv) a loop gain regulating circuit configured to regulate a loop gain of the control circuit according to the operation state.

Abstract: An adaptive current limiter including a conversion network and an amplifier network developing an adaptive current limit signal for use by a switching regulator to limit peak current through an inductor of the switching regulator. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal for controlling switching of current through the inductor to convert an input voltage to an output voltage. The conversion network provides a limit value by applying a duty cycle of the pulse control signal to a reference value. The amplifier network is configured to develop the adaptive current limit signal based on the limit value. The conversion network may multiply the reference value by the duty cycle to develop the limit value. The amplifier network may include a current source providing a fixed reference current to an amplifier to establish a minimum level of the adaptive current limit signal.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switches, including a first feedback circuit; a second feedback circuit; a synthesis circuit to add a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter and a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component thereof to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a comparison result; and an on-time adjusting circuit to adjust on/off time of the switches based on the comparison result for outputting a control signal depending on the adjusting result. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.

Abstract: A multiple-input comparator is disclosed. The multiple-input comparator includes a pair of differential transistors connected by a resister. The gate terminals of the transistor pair serve as the input terminals of the comparator for receiving external voltage for comparison. The terminal of the resistor serves as the current input terminal and is either connected to a current source or a current sink. A power inverter utilizing the multiple-input comparator is also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the number of active cells in a multi-cell voltage regulator is controlled so that the current-per-active-cell approaches a predefined target or to be within an acceptable range so that the active cells operate with suitable efficiency.

Abstract: A frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator is disclosed, which facilitates a switching regulator to use smaller-size inductive and capacitive elements, to have an improved power efficiency at light load, as well as predictable spectrum at different load levels. The improved modulator automatically determines the switching frequency of a switching regulator according to the load current delivered by the switching regulator from a number of pre-defined frequencies, which are all multiples of a fundamental frequency. By designing the maximum switching frequency of frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator in the MHz range, a switching regulator is able to use smaller-size inductive and capacitive elements. Light-load efficiency of the switching regulator with the frequency-hopping pulse-width modulator is also greatly improved as switching frequency of such switching regulator is reduced with decreased load current.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.

Abstract: One embodiment described herein provides a circuit to approximate the inductor current of a power supply that includes a capacitor; charge/discharge circuitry configured to charge the capacitor with a voltage that is proportional to an input voltage rail of the power supply, and discharge the capacitor with a voltage that is proportional to the output voltage of the power supply; and error correction circuitry is configured to adjust the voltage that is proportional to the input voltage rail and the voltage that is proportional to the output voltage based on an instantaneous current of the inductor; and wherein the voltage on the capacitor is proportional to a current associated with the inductor.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switches, including a first feedback circuit; a second feedback circuit; a synthesis circuit to add a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current based on an output current of the DC-DC converter and a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component thereof to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a comparison result; and an on-time adjusting circuit to adjust on/off time of the switches based on the comparison result for outputting a control signal depending on the adjusting result. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.

Abstract: An apparatus for auto-regulating the input power source of a driver is provided. The apparatus includes a load detector and a controller. The load detector detects a load current and outputs a detection signal according to the load current. The controller is coupled to the load detector and receives the detection signal. The controller provides an operation voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage. The operation voltage is supplied to the driver and regulated flexibly according to different load demand. In the light loading, the device for auto-regulating the input power source can improve the use efficiency of electric power.

Abstract: A converter according to one embodiment converts an AC voltage to a regulated output current provided to a DC load of a Z-type configuration. A filter capacitor is provided to average current flowing through the load. The converter includes a rectifier network for rectifying the AC voltage and for providing a rectified voltage, and a smoothing capacitor for smoothing the rectified voltage. The converter includes a hysteretic current mode controller which controls a switching transistor based on sensed voltage and sensed current provided through an inductor coupled in series with the load. The transistor is turned on when current reaches a low valley level and is turned off when the current reaches a peak level. Operation toggles in this manner while a sensed voltage is above a predetermined level. A valley fill network may be provided to keep sensed voltage from falling below the predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: This document discusses methods and apparatus for converting an input voltage level to an output voltage level that can be different from the input voltage level. In an example, a converter can include a first switch configured to couple an inductor to a load, a second switch configured to initiate current flow in the inductor, a third switch coupled to a current source, and a controller configured to couple the first switch to the third switch to form a current mirror, to conduct current between the inductor and the load using the first switch, and to control the conducted current using the current source when an output voltage is substantially less than the supply voltage.

Abstract: A voltage converter includes a switching element, a control unit and a generation unit. The switching element controls an output voltage of the voltage converter. The control unit is configured to control the switching element based on a voltage signal. The generation unit is configured to generate the voltage signal by serially connecting a resistance element and one or more detection units having a resistor corresponding to a temperature and dividing a reference voltage by the detection units and the resistance element. The generation unit is arranged so as to be able to detect temperature change of a plurality of components which is overheat-protected.

Abstract: An automatic voltage compensation circuit in a voltage regulator compensates the output voltage for a voltage drop along lines leading to a remote load. A load capacitor is connected across the load for providing a low impedance across the load during a test phase of the regulator. In one embodiment, during the test phase, the load current is changed up or down a small percentage (e.g., 10%). As a result, the regulator voltage changes due only to the line resistance since the load is bypassed by the load capacitor. The voltage drop at full load current is then derived by detecting the change in regulator output voltage (a fractional voltage drop) and multiplying it. The normal mode is resumed, and the derived voltage drop is added to the regulator output by either compensating the feedback loop or by adding the voltage drop to the output of the regulator.