Abstract: A voltage generated by a variable analog signal source is input to first and second input terminals of a multi-channel A/D converter via an analog signal input circuit including an analog switch and first and second amplifiers, and a resulting digital conversion value is written to a data memory via a microprocessor. Digital conversion values corresponding to voltages at the first and second input terminals that are obtained when the analog switch is opened are stored as first and second error voltages and used for producing first and second correction voltages, respectively. When the input voltage is low, a value obtained by dividing, by a compensation gain, a second correction voltage corresponding to a second input voltage that is produced by the second amplifier and input to the second input terminal as an enlarged range input terminal is selected.

Abstract: A switching regulator provides energy to an inductor-capacitor combination that supply a DC voltage as an output. The presence of a current that can be significantly lower than the typical load current is detected using a pulse signal that provides a measure of the current supplied by the regulator to the inductor. A comparator compares this signal to a reference voltage that is related to the current level to be detected. This reference voltage is adjustable based on the voltage applied by the regulator and the voltage being ultimately supplied as the DC output voltage. The comparator and a capacitor perform an integration function that results in a voltage that ramps upward if the current threshold is being exceeded. When this ramping voltage passes a predetermined level, a signal is provided to indicate that the threshold has been exceeded.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus is provided, which reduces undershoot of a DC source voltage when a power supply interrupt occurs. The power supply apparatus supplies a DC voltage to an output of the power supply apparatus, an output capacitor is provided between the power supply output and ground, and a resistor controls the discharge time constant when the supply of source voltage is temporarily halted. The resistor is coupled in series with a switch, forming a discharge path to ground for the output capacitor. A discharge path switch disables the discharge path when source voltage is supplied. The discharge path is enabled in the event of a power supply interrupt and disabled during normal power supply operation.

Abstract: A switching operation of two switching elements is controlled by a controller. Specifically, by adjusting the duty ratio concerning the lower switching element, a capacitor voltage is controlled to a target value. This control is executed not only by simply performing a PI control with respect to the capacitor voltage based on a deviation from the target value, but also by performing feedback control with respect to battery power and output energy. Further, a scheduling factor based on battery voltage, capacitor voltage, and the like is employed to control the gain of the feedback control.

Abstract: A photovoltaic inverter control method includes steps of monitoring a variation in output voltage of a solar battery by a power and voltage monitoring circuit (51) and, when the variation occurs, accelerating or decelerating an electric motor (3) to maximize the output voltage of the solar battery (1), whereby the electric motor for driving, for example, a pump and a fan by the solar battery as a power source can be driven by a photovoltaic inverter always at the maximum power point of the solar battery.

Abstract: A circuit for providing protection for power factor correction (PFC) boost converters from conditions such as input voltage surges that can otherwise cause failure. The circuit also prevents unnecessary down time of the boost converter after a power failure or on startup. The circuit detects the real time rectified input voltage and provides a real time comparison of the detected input voltage and the output voltage. The boost function is controlled as a function of the comparison. The circuit enables the boost converter to start and restart more quickly, even before the output voltage becomes stabilized, since boost is permitted as soon as the output voltage exceeds the real time sampled input voltage. By enabling boost during this period, the circuit eliminates the need to wait at least a few cycle times until the output voltage is higher than the peak of rectified input voltage.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, media and signals for controlling power drawn from an energy converter to supply a load, where the energy converter is operable to convert energy from a physical source into electrical energy. Power drawn from the energy converter is changed when a supply voltage of the energy converter meets a criterion. The criterion and the change in the amount of power drawn from the energy converter are dependent upon a present amount of power supplied to the load. The methods, apparatus, media and signals described herein may provide improvements to DC to AC maximum power point tracking in an energy conversion system such as a photovoltaic power generation system.

Abstract: A simple feedback control loop, in conjunction with an improved maximum power point tracking intermediate controller, can be used ensure efficient operation of a power generator. The improved maximum power point tracking controller operates the generator at its maximum allowable power point. A power output of the generator is measured and compared to a power output setpoint. Operating characteristics of the generator are then adjusted to cause the maximum allowable power point and measured power output to approximate the power output setpoint. Although applicable to all types of generators, this is particularly beneficial in fuel cell generator systems and other systems where damage to generator components can occur if operated above a maximum allowable power output level. In other systems, the maximum allowable power output may approach or equal a maximum power point (or maximum possible power point).

Abstract: A PWM system that minimizes output ripple of a multiphase DC-DC converter which converts N input voltages including at least one dissimilar input voltage. The PWM system includes PWM waveform logic that generates N PWM signals including a PWM signal for each of the N input voltages, and PWM control logic that optimizes relative phases of the N PWM signals based on voltage levels of the N input voltages. Various circuits and/or methods are contemplated for optimizing phase, including, for example, centering pulses for each PWM cycle, distributing pulses based on predetermined optimal phase angles, determining input voltage levels and selecting predetermined optimal phase angles, generating phase signals employing predetermined phase angles, measuring input voltages and calculating optimal phase angles, and using PLL logic or the like to measure and equalize off-times between PWM pulses.

Abstract: A regulator circuit and method are disclosed for a system. The regulator circuit may include a compare circuit for comparing a first supply voltage to a predetermined voltage level and generating an enable signal based upon the comparison. A selectively enabled voltage regulator is adapted to make available a predetermined current level at a regulated voltage when enabled by the compare circuit. When disabled, the voltage regulator circuit is prohibited from providing current. The voltage regulator may include an output transistor that is normally biased in a saturation mode of operation and is deactivated by the enable signal. By controlling the output transistor based upon the output of the compare circuit, the need for a relatively large transistor for connecting to the first supply voltage is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of producing a photovoltaic panel that includes elementary photovoltaic cells in series and in parallel and intended for charging a low-voltage electrical energy accumulator via a voltage converter includes wiring a minimum number of elementary cells in series between the two terminals of the photovoltaic panel. The minimum number is established such that, under a given illumination, the knee voltage of the photovoltaic panel is greater than the threshold voltage of operation of the converter. The invention also relates to a device for charging a low-voltage accumulator via a converter comprising a photovoltaic panel obtained by this method.

Abstract: A circuit that enables a safe power-on sequencing is described. The circuit enables a processor to be powered by an internal or external voltage source. The circuit detects for the presence of an external voltage regulator. If an external voltage generator is not providing a valid voltage source to the processor, the circuit enables an internal voltage regulator to provide a stable voltage source.

Abstract: A controller for use with a current-controlled frequency-modulated power factor corrector having a power switch therein, and a method of regulating the same. In one embodiment, the controller includes a sensing circuit configured to detect a sense current that is representative of an input current to the power factor corrector. The controller also includes a frequency modulation circuit, coupled to the sensing circuit, configured to provide a signal that causes at least one of: (a) an increase of a switching frequency of the power switch when the input current increases, and (b) a decrease of the switching frequency of the power switch when the input current decreases.

Abstract: Electrical appliance energy consumption control methods and electrical energy consumption systems are described. In one aspect, an electrical appliance energy consumption control method includes providing an electrical appliance coupled with a power distribution system, receiving electrical energy within the appliance from the power distribution system, consuming the received electrical energy using a plurality of loads of the appliance, monitoring electrical energy of the power distribution system, and adjusting an amount of consumption of the received electrical energy via one of the loads of the appliance from an initial level of consumption to an other level of consumption different than the initial level of consumption responsive to the monitoring.

Abstract: A modular power supply system incorporating a power status signal generator circuit to detect the voltage sag of the input peak voltage within a short period is proposed. The power status signal generator circuit mainly includes a peak detector that detects a peak value of an input voltage, wherein the peak detector comprises a first comparator that compares the input voltage with a predetermined reference voltage and sends an output signal according to a comparison result thereof, a RC network connected to the first comparator and is configured to charge and discharge the capacitor according to the output signal of the first comparator, and a second comparator connected to the resistor-capacitor network that compares a terminal voltage of the capacitor of the resistor-capacitor network with the predetermined reference voltage and generates a power status signal according to a comparison result thereof.

Abstract: A DC voltage input through an input terminal is applied through an inductor, to a power supply circuit unit and an input voltage detecting circuit. The input voltage detecting circuit detects the input DC voltage and when it is detected that the input voltage value may possibly cause malfunction, a control circuit turns off a switch circuit based on the detection output, whereby power supply from the power supply circuit to a transmission circuit is stopped, and malfunction of the transmission circuit is prevented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety barrier for limiting the current and voltage of an electrical consumer (15) connected downstream thereof. The safety barrier comprises an input terminal (8) and an output terminal (16) and an input and output terminal (10, 17) of a common line (12), and has at least one voltage and current-limiting device (7, 13, 14), which comprises a fuse (F1), a voltage-limiting device (D3) that is associated with the common line (12), a current-limiting device (R6) that is connected to the output of the common line and an additional protection circuit that is located in front of the voltage and current-limiting device (17, 13, 14).

Abstract: The invention relates to a conditioning circuit that measures operating points of a power supply to deduce therefrom the current-voltage characteristic thereof and to determine directly the voltage corresponding to its maximum power point, without using any kind of tracking algorithm that causes the operating point of the power unit to oscillate about the maximum power point. The maximum power point voltage VMPP is supplied to a controller which regulates a power cell by slaving it to the input voltage until the output voltage of the supply is equal to the maximum power point voltage VMPP. The invention also relates to a solar generator and an associated conditioning method. One particular application is to high-power satellites.

Abstract: An AC-DC voltage converter includes input terminals with a series circuit connected between the input terminals. The series circuit includes a switching element and a capacitor. The discharge of the capacitor supplies the output voltage of the converter. A control circuit controls the operation of the switching element so that the conducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the input voltage, while the nonconducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the output voltage. The converter has a good dynamic range and allows accurate measurement of current consumption at the output.

Abstract: A DC—DC converter can supply a stable output voltage from an input voltage with the power supply voltage varying along with the supply of the power and can maintain a high voltage conversion efficiency. The DC—DC converter includes an inductive element and the first-fourth switches connected to both terminals of the inductive element, the first and second switches are turned on and off periodically corresponding to the input voltage. When the input voltage goes below a prescribed reference level, a first control signal that keeps the first switch constantly on is generated by a feedforward control circuit to turn on the third and fourth switches periodically corresponding to the output voltage so that the output time of the third switch is generated by a feedback control circuit to switch the voltage increasing operation and the voltage increasing/decreasing operation corresponding to the input voltage.

Abstract: Quiescent currents in a circuit that includes a regulator are reduced by disabling selected portions of the circuit. A window comparator is selected activated to evaluate the input voltage such that a first operating mode is activated when the input voltage is within a predetermined voltage range and a second operating mode is activated when the input voltage is outside of the predetermined voltage range. The battery voltage is used a reference signal when the first mode is selected such that a voltage reference circuit can be disabled to reduce power, while the voltage reference circuit is enabled when the second mode is selected. Another comparator circuit is periodically activated to compare the reference signal to the output voltage. The regulator is disabled after the output voltage exceeds a first level. The output voltage collapses below a second level associated, the evaluation and regulation process is repeated.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely controlling the power of an information handling system which includes a power supply, an input output (I/O) controller, a power button coupled to the I/O controller and a power management controller coupled to the I/O controller. The power management controller receives a power command signal and generates a remote power signal based upon the power command signal. The remote power signal controls the power supply via the I/O controller.

Abstract: A power supply comprising a switching converter capable of being controlled by a control signal to provide a desired output from a DC input voltage, an analog to digital converter receiving as analog inputs a gate drive voltage of at least one switch of the switching converter, a temperature related measurement of the switching converter, the DC input voltage and an output current of the switching converter and converting the analog inputs to digital input signals, a digital processor receiving the digital input signals and generating the control signal to drive at least one switch of the switching converter to drive the output of the switching converter to the desired output and a memory storing data relating the digital input signals to the desired output of the switching converter and providing to the digital processor a memory output signal to enable the processor to generate the control signal to drive the at least one switch to provide the desired output from the switching converter.

Abstract: Data processing systems (2) having power management mechanisms (8, 10, 14, 16) for one or more power domains (6, 12) utilise an active high power enable request generated by a power controller (8, 14) to trigger a power supply unit (10, 16) to generate a required power supply signal. Pending valid generation of this power supply signal, or more generally when a power domain is switched off, an active signal which is generated by the power controller (8, 14) and applied to the reset input of the power domain (6, 12) is used to hold the power domain (6, 12) in an inactive reset state. When the power supply signal becomes valid, the active signal releases the power domain (6, 12) to commence operation.

Abstract: A power converter delivers electrical power from an electrical power source to a load according to a plurality of operation modes corresponding to different levels of input voltage or output current. The power converter comprises a power stage for delivering the electrical power from the power source to the load, a switch in the power stage that electrically couples or decouples the load to the power source, and a switch controller coupled to the switch for controlling the on-times and off-times of the switch according to the plurality of operation modes. Each of the operation modes correspond to associated ranges of at least one of an input voltage to the power converter and an output current from the power converter, where the associated ranges are different for each of the operation modes.

Abstract: In those conventional arts, a power supply with a voltage holdup circuit generates a peak voltage in output voltage when a switching operation is occurred, and so the quality of the output voltage is decreased and a risk of operating fault in a load apparatus. The present invention employs a feed forward circuit to immediately generate a forward feedback signal when a switching operation is occurred. Hence, the output voltage can be faster corrected to a accurate output voltage and so the peak voltage can be reduced.

Abstract: A power supply controller having a multi-function terminal. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a drain terminal, a source terminal, a control terminal and a multi-function terminal. The multi-function terminal may be configured in a plurality of ways providing any one or some of a plurality of functions including on/off control, external current limit adjustments, under-voltage detection, over-voltage detection and maximum duty cycle adjustment. The operation of the multi-function terminal varies depending on whether a positive or negative current flows through the multi-function terminal. A short-circuit to ground from the multi-function terminal enables the power supply controller. A short-circuit to a supply voltage from the multi-function terminal disables the power supply controller. The current limit of an internal power switch of the power supply controller may be adjusted by externally setting a negative current from the multi-function terminal.

Abstract: A power supply system prevents the output voltage from dropping during the changeover of the power source from a series regulator to a DC-DC converter. The power supply system has two types of power sources, a DC-DC converter and a series regulator that are connected parallel to each other. The first switching element of the DC-DC converter transfers the input voltage to the load. The second switching element connects the load to the ground. The control circuit turns ON and OFF the first and second switching elements on receipt of a first selection signal so that the number of turn-ONs of the second switching element gradually increases. This suppresses the current from flowing backward through the second switching element SW2 to the ground while the power source is changing over, preventing drop in the output voltage.

Abstract: A switching power supply control-circuit according to the present invention uses bleeding resistors to charge a start-up capacitor and discharge an EMI filter. No extra discharge device is needed to accelerate the discharge of the input capacitor, since the start-up capacitor is charged up by the AC input source. A latch circuit of the power supply can be quickly reset after the AC input source is shut off. After the control-circuit begins to operate, the auxiliary winding of the transformer will power the control-circuit. To further reduce power consumption, the auxiliary winding generates a bias voltage to enable line-voltage detection. This allows the power supply to perform line-voltage detection and startup, without having to connect resistors or transistors to the input capacitor.

Abstract: A multi-output switching power supply may include a PWM regulator circuit arranged in cascade upstream of each output to receive, as an input, a square wave voltage signal with a predetermined duty cycle. The regulator circuit may include an auxiliary switching device for modulating the duty cycle of the input signal to supply, as an output, a regulated direct current voltage. A control circuit for the PWM regulator circuit may include a detector circuit for detecting the trailing edges of the voltage signal input to the regulator circuit which emits a pulse coinciding with each of the trailing edges. The control circuit may also include a ramp signal generator that is controlled by the emitted pulses. The ramp signal generator may be connected to the non-inverting input of a comparator having an inverting input for receiving a signal indicative of the error in the regulator output voltage.

Abstract: Power supplies are enabled and disabled in sequence in dependence upon monitored output voltages of, and an input voltage for, the power supplies. Bits stored in registers for each power supply represent the predetermined sequences in which the power supplies are enabled and disabled, and fault dependencies for the power supplies. The sequences can include independent, linear, divergent, and convergent paths. The registers are loaded from a non-volatile memory on power-up of a power supply controller also powered from the input voltage.

Abstract: A method for selectively enabling flow of current to a load from an alternating current supply signal connected to the load is presented. The method includes storing a first time passing between a zero-crossing of the supply signal, the first zero-crossing indicating a leading edge of the signal, and a second zero-crossing of the supply signal, the second zero-crossing indicating a trailing edge of the supply signal. The method further includes sending a first signal enabling flow of the current according to a desired conduction angle when a subsequent zero-crossing indicating the leading edge of the supply signal does not occur within a second time, the second time being at least as long as the first time.

Abstract: A power supply controller controls power supplies for power-up and/or shut-down in a desired sequence. An input voltage for the power supplies powers, and is monitored by, a first control unit having outputs for enabling the power supplies. A second control unit monitors output voltages of the power supplies, and an isolating signal coupler couples signals in both directions between the first and second control units. The second control unit is powered in an isolated manner from the input voltage, conveniently via a transformer constituting the signal coupler. The control units together respond to the monitored voltages for enabling the power supplies in accordance with the desired sequence, information for which can be stored in a non-volatile store. The second control unit can also include enable outputs isolated from the input voltage, and trim outputs for adjusting the monitored voltages.

Abstract: In those conventional arts, a power supply with a voltage holdup circuit generates a peak voltage in output voltage when a switching operation is occurred, and so the quality of the output voltage is decreased and a risk of operating fault in a load apparatus. The present invention employs a feed forward circuit to immediately generate a forward feedback signal when a switching operation is occurred. Hence, the output voltage can be faster corrected to a accurate output voltage and so the peak voltage can be reduced.

Abstract: A power supply controller controls power supplies for power-up and/or shut-down in a desired sequence. An input voltage for the power supplies powers, and is monitored by, a first control unit having outputs for enabling the power supplies. A second control unit monitors output voltages of the power supplies, and an isolating signal coupler couples signals in both directions between the first and second control units. The second control unit is powered in an isolated manner from the input voltage, conveniently via a transformer constituting the signal coupler. The control units together respond to the monitored voltages for enabling the power supplies in accordance with the desired sequence, information for which can be stored in a non-volatile store. The second control unit can also include enable outputs isolated from the input voltage, and trim outputs for adjusting the monitored voltages.

Abstract: Power supplies are enabled and disabled in sequence in dependence upon monitored output voltages of, and an input voltage for, the power supplies. Bits stored in registers for each power supply represent the predetermined sequences in which the power supplies are enabled and disabled, and fault dependencies for the power supplies. The sequences can include independent, linear, divergent, and convergent paths. The registers are loaded from a non-volatile memory on power-up of a power supply controller also powered from the input voltage.

Abstract: A flexible, reliable and economical DC to DC power converter system includes a plurality of DC to DC converter units, a pulse width modulation current share bus interconnecting the DC to DC converter units and a synchronization signal connected to each of the DC to DC converter units to synchronize each of the DC to DC converter units to the same frequency. Each DC to DC converter unit includes a power section, a controller and a standard universal interface connecting the power section to the controller such that the power section can be changed to accommodate different input voltages, output voltages and current loads without making significant hardware changes in the controller. The controller includes a digital signal processor having a calibration table matching control parameters to the specific circuit characteristics of the power section.

Abstract: A DC/DC boost converter is consisted of an inductor, a power electronic switch, a control circuit, a first diode, a second diode and a capacitor. The power electronic switch is not operated if the input DC voltage is higher than the specified low reference DC voltage and it is regarded as the normal input DC voltage. If the input DC voltage is lower than the specified low reference DC voltage and this condition is regarded as the abnormal input DC voltage, the power electronic switch is controlled by pulse width modulation control and a dc voltage across the capacitor is created. Then, the output DC voltage is the summation of the input DC voltage and the capacitor voltage. Thus, the inventive DC/DC boost converter operates only when the input DC voltage is abnormal, thereby avoid additional power loss in the duration of normal input DC voltage.

Abstract: An AC-DC voltage converter includes input terminals with a series circuit connected between the input terminals. The series circuit includes a switching element and a capacitor. The discharge of the capacitor supplies the output voltage of the converter. A control circuit controls the operation of the switching element so that the conducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the input voltage, while the nonconducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the output voltage. The converter has a good dynamic range and allows accurate measurement of current consumption at the output.

Abstract: A device for recognizing power sources and associated method are provided. The device for recognizing power sources comprises two voltage-dividing devices. Each of the voltage-dividing devices is coupled to receive native power, and outputs the part of the voltage of the native power. According to the method, an output end of one voltage-dividing device is coupled to a signal end of the controller, and an output end of the other voltage-dividing device is coupled to the other signal end of the controller. When the native power exists, both of the above-mentioned signal ends are in a high voltage level. On the other hand, when native power does not exists, both of the above-mentioned signal ends are at a low voltage level. The power source of the hardware device and the value of the native power can be exactly recognized according to the voltage levels of both signal ends.

Abstract: An inrush current limiting circuit, a power source device, and a power conversion device. The circuit and devices limit an inrush current with high reliability and durability while reducing overall weight and volume of the device even under a high rated power. A switch, a capacitor, and a switching element are connected in series to one another, and the serial circuit formed thereof is connected to the main power source. An inverter is connected to the capacitor. A serial circuit formed of a capacitor and a resistor is connected between a collector and a gate of the switching element. A drive circuit drives a switching element to turn ON when the switch turns ON.

Abstract: An inrush current suppressing device capable of stabilizing inrush current suppression control to improve the reliability and quality of the control. A current limiting element limits an input current flowing to a power supply circuit in accordance with an input current limit value. A current detecting section detects the input current flowing through the current limiting element and converts the current to a voltage signal, and a sloping voltage signal generating section generates a sloping voltage signal proportional to a time elapsed after the start of power supply. An input current limiting section compares the voltage signal with the sloping voltage signal, and outputs the input current limit value for suppressing the inrush current while gradually increasing the limit value with rise in the sloping voltage signal during a period in which the voltage signal is higher in level than the sloping voltage signal after the start of power supply.

Abstract: A buck converter, boost converter or flyback converter is generally represented as a two-port having a primary side with a primary switching device (10; 38; 70; 98; 110), and a secondary side with a secondary switching device (20; 50; 80; 106). The primary switching device is controlled in such a way that the on-time is adapted to the voltage at the primary side of the converter. The relation between the on-time of the primary switching device and the primary voltage is a generally hyperbolic function.

Abstract: An open loop current control system for regulating the flow of electrical current in an inductor that utilizes two methods of monitoring the current flow in the inductor. The open loop control system maintains the level of current in the inductor between two boundary levels by switching a boost transistor between an on and an off position based upon the level of current in the inductor. The control system measures the level of current in the inductor when a boost transistor is turned on. When the boost transistor is turned off, the control system determines the time period that is required for the current in the inductor to decay from the upper boundary level to the lower boundary level based upon the measured voltage difference across the inductor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for wireless power transmission, which makes it possible to generate an increased voltage on the receiver side using a radio signal that is optimized for this purpose and thereby permits operation particularly of digital semiconductor components in the receiver even if the receiver does not have a power supply of its own.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for supplying switchable voltage and/or current to an electrical consumer, includes a switching device, a voltage source for tapping high and low supply potentials, a driver circuit for the switching device, a lead between the voltage source and the switching device, a leakage inductance distributed to the lead, a measuring and evaluating circuit for detecting voltage deviations at input terminals of the driver circuit arising from current deviations in the leakage inductance of the lead and for evaluating the current deviations, and a feedback circuit for controlling feedback of the driver circuit to slow switching processes of the switching device whenever a value of a voltage change at the input terminals of the switching device exceeds a defined threshold value. A method for limiting a time deviation of a switching current of a consumer is also provided.

Abstract: An inrush current suppression circuit is installed between a DC voltage and a load with a parallel system capacitor. The inrush current suppression circuit includes a first current limiting circuit which includes a first resistor, a first controlled switch, and a second controlled switch. The inrush current suppression circuit further includes a second current limiting circuit which further includes a second resistor, a third controlled switch, and an energy-storing capacitor. The second current limiting circuit is electrically connected in parallel to the system capacitor, and the first current limiting circuit is electrically connected with the DC voltage and the second current limiting circuit. When the DC voltage is detected, the first controlled switch is conducted. When a voltage of two ends of the load reaches a first threshold value, the second controlled switch is conducted so as to bypass the first resistor.

Abstract: A power supply controller having a multi-function terminal. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a drain terminal, a source terminal, a control terminal and a multi-function terminal. The multi-function terminal may be configured in a plurality of ways providing any one or some of a plurality of functions including on/off control, external current limit adjustments, under-voltage detection, over-voltage detection and maximum duty cycle adjustment. The operation of the multi-function terminal varies depending on whether a positive or negative current flows through the multi-function terminal. A short-circuit to ground from the multi-function terminal enables the power supply controller. A short-circuit to a supply voltage from the multi-function terminal disables the power supply controller. The current limit of an internal power switch of the power supply controller may be adjusted by externally setting a negative current from the multi-function terminal.

Abstract: A terminal box apparatus includes a box; a plurality of connection terminals connected to a plurality of lead frames extending from photoelectric conversion elements of the a solar cell module; a pair of output take-out module connection cables; and a plurality of bypass diodes extending across the adjacent connection terminals respectively. Each of the bypass diodes has a bare chip diode and a pair of parallel lead plates disposed on an upper and lower surfaces of the bare chip diode and extended in opposite directions. Each of the lead plates has wide heat radiation parts respectively at an extended side thereof. Each of the heat radiation parts is soldered to heat radiation part receiving pieces projected from each of the connection terminals in a layered state.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention is a technique of, and a system for conditioning power for a consuming device. In this regard, a power conditioning module, affixed to an integrated circuit device, conditions power to be applied to the integrated circuit device. The power conditioning module includes a semiconductor substrate having a first interface and a second interface wherein the first interface opposes the second interface. The power conditioning module further includes a plurality of interface vias, to provide electrical connection between the first interface and the second interface, and a first set of pads, disposed on the first interface and a second set of pads disposed on the second interface. Each of the pads is connected to a corresponding one of the interface vias on either the first or second interface. The power conditioning module also includes electrical circuitry, disposed within semiconductor substrate, to condition the power to be applied to the integrated circuit device.