Using A Three Or More Terminal Semiconductive Device As The Final Control Device Patents (Class 323/311)
  • Publication number: 20130307513
    Abstract: Transistors suitable for high voltage and high frequency operation. A nanowire is disposed vertically or horizontally on a substrate. A longitudinal length of the nanowire is defined into a channel region of a first semiconductor material, a source region electrically coupled with a first end of the channel region, a drain region electrically coupled with a second end of the channel region, and an extrinsic drain region disposed between the channel region and drain region. The extrinsic drain region has a wider bandgap than that of the first semiconductor. A gate stack including a gate conductor and a gate insulator coaxially wraps completely around the channel region, drain and source contacts similarly coaxially wrap completely around the drain and source regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Han Wui Then, Robert Chau, Benjamin Chu-Kung, Gilbert Dewey, Jack Kavalieros, Matthew Metz, Niloy Mukherjee, Ravi Pillarisetty, Marko Radosavljevic
  • Publication number: 20130300394
    Abstract: A low side driver includes a first transistor coupled in series with a second transistor at a low side voltage node for a load. A capacitance is configured to store a voltage and a voltage buffer circuit has an input coupled to receive the voltage stored by the capacitance and an output coupled to drive a control node of the second transistor with the stored voltage. A current source supplies current through a switch to the capacitance and the input of the voltage buffer circuit. The switch is configured to be actuated by an oscillating enable signal so as to cyclically source current from the current source to the capacitance and cause a stepped increase in the stored voltage which is applied by the buffer circuit to the control node of the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Meng Wang, Tao Tao Huang
  • Publication number: 20130294129
    Abstract: A reactor 1 of the present invention includes a coil 2 and a magnetic core 3 disposed inside and outside the coil 2 to form a closed magnetic path. At least part of the magnetic core 3 is made of a composite material containing a magnetic substance powder made of an identical material and a resin containing the powder being dispersed therein. In the particle size distribution of the magnetic substance powder, a plurality of peaks are present. That is, the magnetic substance powder contains both a fine powder and a coarse powder at high frequencies. Since the composite material contains the fine powder, it can reduce the eddy current loss, and hence achieves to be a low-loss material. Thanks to the mixed powder including the fine powder and the coarse powder, the packing density of the magnetic substance powder is increased. Thus, the composite material exhibits a high saturation magnetic flux density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Inaba
  • Publication number: 20130293135
    Abstract: A voltage regulator for generating a housekeeping voltage in a high voltage power supply circuit includes a charging switch coupled to a high voltage node and to a storage device at an output node, and a control voltage regulation circuit coupled to the charging switch and configured to cause the charging switch to generate a current pulse for charging the storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Qingcong Hu, Praneet Athalye
  • Publication number: 20130293310
    Abstract: A direct current (DC)-DC converter, which includes a charge pump buck power supply and a buck power supply is disclosed. The charge pump buck power supply includes a charge pump buck converter, a first inductive element, and an energy storage element. The charge pump buck converter and the first inductive element are coupled in series between a DC power supply, such as a battery, and the energy storage element. The buck power supply includes a buck converter, a second inductive element, and the energy storage element. The buck converter and the second inductive element are coupled in series between the DC power supply and the energy storage element. As such, the charge pump buck power supply and the buck power supply share the energy storage element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Chris Levesque, Jean-Christophe Berchtold, Joseph Hubert Colles, Robert Deuchars, William David Southcombe, David Zimlich, David E. Jones, Scott Yoder, Terry J. Stockert
  • Publication number: 20130293214
    Abstract: A direct current (DC) converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, includes a driving-stage circuit having an upper and a lower switch for converting the input current to a switch signal and transmitting the switch signal through an output terminal, an output-stage circuit coupled to the output terminal for converting the switch signal to the output voltage, a bootstrap circuit coupled between a bootstrap voltage terminal and the output terminal of the driving-stage circuit, a upper switch driving circuit for generating the upper switch control signal, and a control module for generating the upper and the lower switch control signal and controlling the upper switch driving circuit to generate the upper switch control signal according to a first and a second time duration, so as to timely switch the bootstrap circuit to a charge state accordingly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Shao-Te Chang, Chun-Kai Hsu
  • Publication number: 20130278238
    Abstract: An electronic device receiving a voltage from a power supply comprises a load, a control module, a switching module, and a protection module. The control module generates a first control signal. The protection module transmits the first control signal to the switching module. The switching module establishes an electrical connection between the power supply and the load in response to the first control signal. The load is powered by the power supply when the electrical connection between the power supply and the load is established. The protection module connected between the control module and the switching module prevents a reverse current or a reverse voltage supplied by the power supply from being transmitted to the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: DONG-LIANG REN
  • Publication number: 20130271105
    Abstract: A method is described comprising conducting a first current through a switching transistor. The method also comprises conducting a second current through a pair of transistors whose conductive channels are coupled in series with respect to each other and are together coupled in parallel across the switching transistor's conductive channel. The second current is less than and proportional to the first current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, Peter Hazucha, Vivek K. De, Tanay Karnik
  • Publication number: 20130265029
    Abstract: In a power conversion device provided with a power semiconductor device and a semiconductor driver circuit for driving the power semiconductor device, false firing can be prevented, and improvement in reliability can be achieved. The power conversion device is provided with: a first switch element inserted between a power supply voltage and an output node; a second switch element inserted between a ground power supply voltage and the output node; and a gate driver circuit for controlling turning ON/OFF of the second switch element. When the second switch element is controlled to be turned OFF, the gate driver circuit drives a gate-source voltage at, for example, a level of 0 V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Satoru Akiyama
  • Publication number: 20130265028
    Abstract: A high side gate driver, a switching chip, and a power device, which respectively include a protection device, are provided. The high side gate driver includes a first terminal configured to receive a first low level driving power supply that is provided to turn off the high side normally-on switch; a first switching device connected to the first terminal; and a protection device connected in series between the first switching device and a gate of the high side normally-on switch, the protection device configured to absorb a majority of a voltage applied to a gate of the high side normally-on switch. The power device includes the high side gate driver. In addition, the switching chip includes a high side normally-on switch, an additional normally-on switch, and a low side normally-on switch, which have a same structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-sik CHOI, Ho-jung KIM, Jai-kwang SHIN, U-in CHUNG
  • Publication number: 20130267187
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus includes a switching voltage regulator, wherein the switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a switching controller and a switched output filter. The switching controller is configured to generate a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of the series switch element and the shunt switch element. The switched output filter filters the switching voltage and generates a regulated output voltage, wherein the switched output filter includes a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switched output filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: James E.C. Brown, Daniel Dobkin, Pablo Moreno Galbis, Cory Severson, Lawrence M. Burns
  • Publication number: 20130257409
    Abstract: A control circuit for a DC-DC converter includes: an output control circuit configured to control an output voltage of a DC-DC converter according to a reference voltage; a reference control circuit configured to control the reference voltage according to an open-circuit voltage of an external power supply coupled to the DC-DC converter; a limiting circuit configured to limit a current flowing from DC-DC converter to an external load; and a stopping control circuit configured to stop operation of the limiting circuit until the reference voltage reaches a given value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Yasuhide KOMIYA
  • Publication number: 20130257408
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes: a step-up-or-step-down circuit including a choke coil and step-down and step-up transistor pairs; and a control circuit to control the transistor pairs based on an output voltage, wherein the control circuit includes: a differential triangular wave generation circuit to generate a positive-phase triangular wave signal and a negative-phase triangular wave signal; a switch to select the positive-phase triangular wave signal or the negative-phase triangular wave signal in response to a switching signal; an error detector to output an error signal; a PWM comparator to compare the positive-phase triangular wave signal or the negative-phase triangular wave signal with the error signal to generate a control pulse signal; a switching comparator to compare the error signal with reference potential and generate the switching signal; and a driver control circuit to generate a control signal for the transistor pairs based on the control pulse signal and the switching signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroyuki NAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8547080
    Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of preventing a large current from flowing even when a battery (110) is connected with reverse polarity by mistake. The voltage regulator employs a circuit configuration in which a substrate potential (n-well) of an output transistor (103) of the voltage regulator is not fixed to a potential of a VDD terminal, and a power supply of a reference voltage circuit (101) and an error amplifier (102) is not fixed to the VDD terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Minoru Sudo
  • Patent number: 8546847
    Abstract: A semiconductor device provides a gate electrode formed on a lateral face of a wide trench, and thereby the gate electrode is covered by a gate insulating layer and a thick insulating layer to be an inter layer. Therefore, a parasitic capacitance of the gate becomes small, and there is no potential variation of the gate since there is no floating p-layer so that a controllability of the dv/dt can be improved. In addition, the conductive layer between the gate electrodes can relax the electric field applied to the corner of the gate electrode. In consequence, compatibility of low loss and low noise and high reliability can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Watanabe, Mutsuhiro Mori, Taiga Arai
  • Publication number: 20130250637
    Abstract: The present invention is a single-stage voltage converter. With only one switch, a higher DC (direct current) voltage at input end is converted into a lower DC voltage at output end. Thus, a lower-voltage load is provided with the lower DC voltage. The present invention is characterized in power factor correction and high step down voltage ratio. The present invention can be applied to multiple DC pairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL TSING HUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ching-Tsai Pan, Yu-Hsiang Lee, Po-Yen Chen
  • Publication number: 20130249523
    Abstract: Device comprising an electric power converter circuit for converting electric energy. The converter circuit comprises a switch arrangement with two or more controllable electric switches connected in a switching configuration and controlled so as to provide a current drive of electric energy from an associated electric source connected to a set of input terminals. This is obtained by the two or more electric swiches being connected and controlled to short-circuit the input terminals during a part of a switching period. Further, a low pass filter with a capacitor and an inductor are provided to low pass the output from the switch arrangement and designed such that a high impedance at a frequency range below the switching frequency is obtained, seen from the output terminals. Switches implemented by normally-on-devices are preferred, e.g. in the form of a JFET. The converter circuit may be in different configurations such as half bridge buck, full bridge buck, half bridge boost, or full bridge boost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET
    Inventors: Arnold Knott, Michael A. E. Andersen
  • Publication number: 20130241660
    Abstract: Generally, this disclosure provides an apparatus, method and system for DC-DC conversion. The apparatus may include a switch network including a first plurality of switches configured to operate in a Buck mode to generate an output voltage that is less than an input voltage, and a second plurality of switches configured to operate in an Up mode to generate an output voltage that is greater than the input voltage. The apparatus of this example may further include controller circuitry configured to generate control signals to control the conduction state of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches based on a variable reference signal indicative of power demands from a load coupled to the switch network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pallab Midya
  • Publication number: 20130241519
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for control operation of a boost converter. The boost converter includes an input, an output, and a plurality of paths electrically connecting the input to the output. The boost converter also includes a plurality of switches disposed along the paths to control current flow between the input and the output. The system includes a controller. The controller receives a desired current to be supplied at the output. The controller determines which of the paths to utilize based at least in part on the desired current. The controller controls the switches based at least in part on the determination of which of the paths to utilize.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: LIHUA LI, SEOK-JOO JANG, RAY M. RANSOM, CONSTANTIN C. STANCU
  • Publication number: 20130241520
    Abstract: A power management chip and a power management device including the power management chip. The power management chip includes at least one power switch and a driver unit for generating a driving signal for driving the at least one power switch, the driver unit including one or more circuit units formed on a same substrate as the at least one power switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ho-jung KIM, Jai-kwang SHIN, U-in CHUNG, Hyun-sik CHOI
  • Publication number: 20130241521
    Abstract: A voltage stabilizing circuit includes an input terminal that receives an external input voltage, a three terminal voltage regulator including an input pin and an output pin; and a voltage reduction unit. The voltage reduction unit reduces the external input voltage and outputs the reduced external input voltage to the input pin. The three terminal voltage regulator regulates the reduced external input voltage to a stabilized supply voltage, and outputs the stabilized supply voltage through the output pin for powering a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: YONG-SONG SHI
  • Publication number: 20130234693
    Abstract: Power source, in particular for use in a databus in public means of transportation, wherein the power source has a first transistor (T2), and wherein in a normal operating mode of the power source the current (IA) which is conducted through the first transistor (T2) is determined by a first resistor (R3) at the emitter of the first transistor (T2), is characterized with respect to safe operation accompanied by the smallest possible space requirement and lowest possible manufacturing costs in that a temperature-dependent resistor (RV1) is thermally coupled to the first transistor (T2) and that the temperature-dependent transistor (RV1) is connected to the power source in such a way that when the temperature of the first transistor (T2) is rising the temperature-dependent resistor (RV1) influences the voltage across the first resistor (R3) and thereby brings about a reduction in the output current (IA) of the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: INIT INNOVATIVE INFORMATIKANWENDUNGEN IN TRANSPORT -, VERKEHRS- UND LEITSYSTEMEN GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Gueltig
  • Patent number: 8531169
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for a PTAT cell with no resistors which can operate at low power, has less sensitivity to process variation, occupies less silicon area, and has low noise. Further, a system and method are provided to scale up the reference voltage and current through a cascade of unit cells. Still further, a system and method are provided for PTAT component to be fine-tuned, advantageously providing less process variability and less temperature sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Marinca
  • Publication number: 20130229844
    Abstract: An electronic circuit for converting power from a floating source of DC power to a dual direct current (DC) output is disclosed. The electronic circuit may include a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal connectible to the floating source of DC power. The dual DC output may connectible to the input of an inverter. A positive output terminal connected to the positive input terminal of the inverter and a negative output terminal and a ground terminal which may be connected to the input of the inverter. A series connection of a first power switch and a second power switch connected across the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal. A negative return path may include a first diode and a second diode connected between the negative input terminal and the negative output terminal. A resonant circuit may connect between the series connection and the negative return path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Gazit, Vadim Lubomirsky
  • Publication number: 20130223650
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a first capacitor which can be charged by a power-supply voltage; a second capacitor that generates the output voltage using electric charge previously discharged by the first capacitor; a comparator that compares the output voltage with a reference voltage and outputs a comparison signal that shows whether the output voltage is below the reference voltage; multiple switches that switch to allow the first capacitor either to be charged or to discharge its charge to the second capacitor, and a controller that controls the switch timing of the multiple switches on the basis of the comparison signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventor: Takayuki Takida
  • Publication number: 20130214758
    Abstract: An inductor L2 is inserted in series between an input power supply E and a switching device Q1. An input smoothing capacitor C2 is provided between a connecting point of the inductor L2 and the switching device Q1 and a ground point. Herein, let L2 be an inductance value of the inductor, C2 be an electrostatic capacity of the input smoothing capacitor, and T1 be a time since the switching device Q1 is switched from an ON state to an OFF state until the switching device Q1 is switched to an ON state again according to an output signal from a drive circuit DR, then T1 is set so as to satisfy 0<T1<??{square root over (L2×C2)} By lowering a voltage applied to a switching device when the switching device switches OFF from ON, it becomes possible to use a switching device having low breakdown voltage in a step-down DC-to-DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro KIHARA, Yuichi MURAMOTO, Yusuke HIGAKI
  • Publication number: 20130214757
    Abstract: A bootstrap circuit provides a gate-emitter voltage to the high-side IGBT of a half-bridge IGBT arrangement. The bootstrap circuit includes a buck-boost circuit for providing a negative gate-emitter voltage for turning the high-side IGBT off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRIA AG
    Inventors: Jong-Mu Lee, Man-Kee Kim
  • Patent number: 8513929
    Abstract: The LDO has at least three stages supplied by a supply voltage. A first stage has a differential amplifier and a folded cascode device with a regulated current mirror. The LDO has two nodes that are configured to couple the differential amplifier and the regulated current mirror and to receive a differential signal, respectively. The regulated current mirror is configured to convert and amplify the differential signals to a single ended signal. Said LDO has a first capacitor configured for frequency compensation, said first capacitor coupled between said first stage and a second stage. The LDO has a second capacitor for balancing capacitive loading of a first cascode circuit, said second capacitor coupled between said first stage and said supply voltage. Said first cascode circuit is configured to suppress different voltages between input and output of the capacitors caused of a modulation of said supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH.
    Inventor: Stephan Drebinger
  • Publication number: 20130200944
    Abstract: A voltage switching circuitry comprises a switching arrangement with a given number N of switches in series between a first terminal receiving a first voltage and a second terminal receiving a second voltage. The first voltage level is higher than the second voltage level, and N is at least equal to 2. A voltage-by-N divider, having N?1 output taps, is arranged to divide the first voltage by N to a scaled down version of the first voltage having a voltage level below voltage max ratings of the switches. The N?1 output taps of the divider are arranged to respectively output N?1 third voltages having respective levels staged below the first voltage level. N?1 max voltage generators generate N?1 fourth voltages, respectively equal to the maximum of the second voltage and of each of the N?1 third voltages. A switch control unit generates N control signals using the N?1 fourth voltages. These N control signals have respective voltage levels staged between the first voltage level and the second voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome Enjalbert, Marianne Maleyran
  • Publication number: 20130200876
    Abstract: A regulating apparatus with soft-start and fast-shutdown function is applied to a voltage-supplying apparatus. The regulating apparatus includes a soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit, a regulating circuit, and a ground circuit. When voltages are supplied from the voltage-supplying apparatus to the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit, the regulating circuit, and the ground circuit, the ground circuit is connected to ground, so that the starting time of the regulating circuit is delayed by the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit. When voltages are not supplied from the voltage-supplying apparatus to the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit, the regulating circuit, and the ground circuit, the ground circuit is not connected to ground, so that the regulating circuit is shut down fast by the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Jung-Chang LU, Chi-Shin Chu, Chung-Shu Lee
  • Patent number: 8502519
    Abstract: A reference voltage that is consistent over various operational conditions and uses low power is provided. According to an example, an internal temperature-compensated voltage (e.g., vdd_int in 200) is generated from a power supply (e.g., vdd in 200), and a reference voltage (e.g., vref in 200) is generated from the internal voltage. The reference voltage is stored on a storage circuit (e.g., 430) that is coupled (charged) and refreshed under conditions, relative to circuit characteristics, that make low and ultra-low power operation possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Friedbert Riedel
  • Publication number: 20130193947
    Abstract: A high voltage resonant step-up convertor converts a lower voltage signal to a higher voltage signal. The converter may be used, for example, to supply power via electromagnetic coupling to an implantable medical device. In some embodiments, a power converter comprises a driver circuit and a resonant circuit. The resonant circuit generates a high voltage output signal at a selected frequency. The driver circuit is controlled by a low voltage signal and periodically generates a higher frequency signal (e.g., approximately twice the selected frequency) to drive the resonant circuit. In some embodiments, the driver circuit comprises another resonant circuit and a switching circuit. The switching circuit periodically pumps current to the other resonant circuit and isolates the two resonant circuits. The other resonant circuit periodically pumps current to the output resonant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: John W. Poore, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 8497671
    Abstract: The load driving device disclosed in the specification includes a controller to generate a first control signal based on an input signal, a first output transistor to supply an output current to a load according to the first control signal, a first dividing circuit to output a first divided voltage by dividing a voltage across a first primary electrode and a second primary electrode of the first output transistor by a first transistor and a second transistor connected in serial, a first voltage generating circuit to output a first reference voltage, and a first comparator to supply a first over current detection signal to the controller based on the first reference voltage and the first divided voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ryosuke Kanemitsu
  • Publication number: 20130187627
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a lead frame that is composed of a lead and a die stage; a GaN-HEMT that is disposed on the die stage and has a source electrode on a rear surface of the GaN-HEMT, the source electrode being connected to the die stage; and a MOS-FET that is disposed on the die stage and has a drain electrode on a rear surface of the MOS-FET, the drain electrode being connected to the die stage; wherein the source electrode of the GaN-HEMT and the drain electrode of the MOS-FET are cascode-connected with each other via the die stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: FUJITSU LIMITED
  • Publication number: 20130187626
    Abstract: A soft switch driving circuit is disclosed for a DC converter, to transform an input voltage into an output voltage. The soft switch driving circuit includes a regulating module for outputting a reference voltage, a first bootstrap circuit for generating a first voltage value according to a DC voltage, a second bootstrap circuit for generating a second voltage value according to the reference voltage, a control module for generating a plurality of control signals according to a control voltage, a switch module having one end coupled to the first bootstrap circuit and another end coupled to the second bootstrap circuit for outputting a voltage signal, and an output circuit connected to the control module and the switch module for transforming the input voltage into the output voltage according to the voltage signal and one of the plurality of controlling signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Chih-Heng Su, Yang-Fan Su
  • Publication number: 20130181622
    Abstract: A universal module capable of being removably coupled to each of a plurality of distinct products for demonstrating a functionality is described. In the universal module an activation switch is operatively coupled to a DC power source. An external electrical connector is operatively coupled to the DC power source and the activation switch. An external electrical connector is configured to removably couple the universal module to an external circuit of one of the plurality of distinct products. The circuit has an integrated circuit that is operatively coupled to the DC power source, the activation switch and the external electrical connector. When the external electrical connector is coupled to the external circuit and the activation switch is activated, the integrated circuit outputs a voltage from the DC power source through the external electrical connector to enable a functionality of a coupled product for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: J. KINDERMAN & SONS, INC.
    Inventor: Israel Richard KINDERMAN
  • Publication number: 20130181693
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes first and second MOS transistors of the same conductive type. The second MOS transistor has a drain connected to a first terminal, a source connected to a load connecting terminal, a gate connected to a gate of the first MOS transistor, and a back gate connected to a source of the first MOS transistor. The switching circuit includes a circuit that controls a current flowing between the source of the first MOS transistor and a resistor connecting terminal so that the potential of the source of the first MOS transistor and the potential of the source of the second MOS transistor are equal. This switching circuit further includes a circuit that outputs a control signal to the gate of the first MOS transistor and the gate of the second MOS transistor and controls the operations of the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryosuke HAYASHI, Gentaro Ookura
  • Publication number: 20130181631
    Abstract: A drive unit has a load driving portion driving a load by a PWM drive method; a soft-start function portion for achieving a soft-start function; and a soft-start disabling portion counting a time elapsed after a PWM signal is turned on at start-up of the unit, and disabling the soft-start function when a count value reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Rohm Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130181694
    Abstract: A converter for converting an input current to an output voltage may include: a first region; a second region galvanically separated from the first region; an input reference node in the first region, wherein the converter allows a flow of the input current through a device to the input reference node; a circuitry for generating, based on the input current, the output voltage relative to an output reference electric potential, the circuitry including a voltage transfer component for transferring the output voltage from the first region to the second region, wherein the voltage transfer component comprises a first circuit in the first region and a second circuit in the second region, wherein the first circuit is driven by a first electric supply voltage relative to a first supply reference potential; and an output terminal, located in the second region and connected to the second circuit, for outputting the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Kjetil Zsolt Volent
  • Publication number: 20130182478
    Abstract: A small reactor with high heat-release performance is provided. A reactor 1 includes an assembly (10) and a case (4), the assembly (10) having a coil (2) and a magnetic core (3) at which the coil (2) is arranged, the case (4) housing the assembly (10). The case (4) includes a bottom plate (40) that contacts a fixing object when the reactor (1) is installed on the fixing object, a side wall (41) that is mounted on the bottom plate (40) with an adhesive and surrounds the assembly (10), and a junction layer (42) that fixes the coil (2) to an inner surface of the bottom plate (40). The bottom plate (40) is formed of a material with higher thermal conductivity than that of the side wall (41). The reactor (1) easily transfers heat of the coil (2) to the bottom plate (40) and hence has high heat-release performance because the reactor (1) includes the bottom plate (40) with the high thermal conductivity and the coil (2) is joined to the bottom plate (40) through the junction layer (42).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD
    Inventors: Yasushi Nomura, Miki Kitajima, Kouhei Yoshikawa
  • Publication number: 20130176014
    Abstract: The invention discloses a voltage source converter and a voltage source converter system. The voltage source converter comprises: a multi-level voltage source converter, being adapted to output a multiple levels of a first voltage at one of two first output terminals through a multiple of first conducting paths; a first energy store; and a first switching element, being arranged to directly connected with the first output terminal, and being adapted to switch the first energy store in or out of the first conducting path so as to combine a level of the voltage of the first energy store with the level of the first voltage as a second voltage output at a second output terminal. By having the topology as above, the voltage class of each of the power semiconductors can be kept lower with the number of the power semiconductors unchanged. Besides, VDRM is lowed as compared to conventional topology. This renders the reduction of the cost and the increase of the liability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: ABB TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Eryong Guan, Niko Railo, Aiping Wu
  • Publication number: 20130176013
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first transistor including a GaN-based semiconductor stacked structure formed over a substrate, a first gate electrode having a plurality of first fingers over the semiconductor stacked structure, a plurality of first drain electrodes provided along the first fingers, and a plurality of first source electrodes provided along the first fingers; a second transistor including the semiconductor stacked structure, a second gate electrode having a plurality of second fingers over the semiconductor stacked structure, the second drain electrodes provided along the second fingers, and a plurality of second source electrodes provided along the second fingers; a drain pad provided over or under the first drain electrodes, and coupled to the first drain electrodes; a source pad provided over or under the second source electrodes, and coupled to the second source electrodes; and a common pad coupled to the first source electrodes and the second drain electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
  • Publication number: 20130169258
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a switching mode power supply with bi-direction buck and boost control. The switching mode power supply enters boost mode when an input signal is higher than a preset threshold to pump the input signal to a higher level; and the switching mode power supply enters buck mode when the input signal breaks down to release the stored energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Pengjie Lai, Jian Jiang, Eric Yang
  • Publication number: 20130162236
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an energy harvest system converting an AC source provided by an energy harvester to a desired voltage. The AC source is boosted to the desired voltage by a bi-directional booster converter comprising fourth controllable transistors configured in an H-bridge, and stored by a storage capacitor. The desired voltage is then used to power various loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventor: Eric Yang
  • Publication number: 20130163302
    Abstract: DC-DC converter systems are disclosed. DC-DC converter systems may include an input, an output, a resonant switched-capacitor DC-DC converter, and a second DC-DC converter. The resonant switched-capacitor DC-DC converter may include a first input side and a first output side. The second DC-DC converter may include a second input side and a second output side. The first input side may be connected to the input, the second input side may be connected to an input voltage, and the first and second output sides may be connected in series to the output. In some examples, the second DC-DC converter may be a buck-boost DC-DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicants: ABB INC., ABB RESEARCH LTD.
    Inventors: ABB Research Ltd., ABB Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130162237
    Abstract: An energy-based oriented switching mode power supply includes a bi-directional converter having an energy input and a load output, and an energy based pulsed generator connected between the energy input and the load output for outputting a gate voltage signal controlling how much energy is supplied from the energy input. The energy based pulsed generator receives a clock signal and outputs the gate voltage signal according to the load output of the bi-directional converter when the clock signal is at a high level. Accordingly, the switching mode power supply achieves a hybrid of PWM and PFM, depending on the energy demand of the load output, for a fast transient response and a small voltage ripple whilst improving power efficiency over a wide load range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Inventors: Chung-Hsun Huang, Chao-Chun Chen
  • Publication number: 20130154602
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and techniques for pulse width modulation (PWM) are described. A described system includes a circuit that contains an inductor and a transistor that controls current through the inductor based on a PWM signal to produce an output; and a controller to provide the PWM signal, which includes PWM cycles that include on-durations and off-durations. The controller can receive a first signal indicating an input voltage that is applied to the inductor, receive a second signal indicating a current through the inductor, use an on-duration parameter value to control the on-duration, determine a maximum off-duration of the off-durations corresponding to the PWM cycles occurring within a first voltage cycle, the first voltage cycle being defined between two consecutive zero-crossing events as indicated by the first signal, and adjust the on-duration parameter value for a second, subsequent voltage cycle based on the maximum off-duration to regulate the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: ATMEL NANTES S.A.S.
    Inventor: Karl Jean-Paul Courtel
  • Publication number: 20130154556
    Abstract: A circuit capable of keeping input impedance constant is provided. Further, a circuit which can contribute to improvement in power feeding efficiency in power feeding by a magnetic resonance method is provided. A voltage (a former voltage) proportional to a direct-current voltage input to a DC-DC converter from the outside and a voltage (a latter voltage) proportional to a current input from the outside are detected, and the ratio of the former voltage and the latter voltage are held constant. Accordingly, input impedance can be kept constant. Further, impedance conversion is performed in the DC-DC converter. Thus, even when the battery in which power feeding is performed exists on an output side of the DC-DC converter, input impedance can be kept constant. Consequently, power can be supplied to a power receiving device including the DC-DC converter and the battery with high power feeding efficiency by a magnetic resonance method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SEMICONDUCTOR ENERGY LABORATORY CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130152910
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine ignition device can determine ignition timing with high precision to perform ignition with high precision even where noise superimposed at the time of rise of current flowing through an ignition coil is generated. In an internal combustion engine ignition device including an output terminal for detecting an internal state such as a coil current, it is possible to prevent generation of pulse noise in the form of chattering at falling and rising edges of a voltage of the output terminal by using a hysteresis comparator, even if noise is superimposed at the time of rise of the coil current. Therefore, a voltage pulse with pulse width of high precision is transmitted to an electronic control unit without the influence of noise, and the ignition timing can be determined properly with high precision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130155739
    Abstract: In a light power generation system, a control device, a control method, and a program, efficient power can be supplied. The maximum power detection unit operates a MOSFET in a power converter circuit and open-circuits both ends of a solar cell panel in the maximum power detection mode. After that, the maximum power detection unit short-circuits both ends of the solar cell panel, detects a maximum power by monitoring the output power of the solar cell panel during a period from the open state to the short-circuited state, and defines the voltage of the solar cell panel as an optimal voltage when detecting the maximum power. In a tracking operation mode, the control unit performs PWM control with respect to the MOSFET by defining the optimal voltage to be a reference signal. Operations are repeated between the maximum power detection mode and the tracking operation mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: SCHOOL JUDICIAL PERSON IKUTOKUGAKUEN
    Inventor: Kazutaka Itako