Abstract: A memory device includes a memory cell array region electrically connected to a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines and the memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells, and a peripheral circuit region under the memory cell array region, wherein the memory cell array region and the peripheral circuit region are electrically connected by through vias, the peripheral circuit region includes a voltage generator configured to generate an operating voltage to apply to the word lines, the voltage generator includes a pumping capacitor unit configured to charge and pump a voltage based on a clock signal, and a signal controller configured to control the clock signal and a current flowing through the pumping capacitor unit, the signal controller includes a clock driver configured to apply a clock signal to the pumping capacitor, and the signal controller is adjacent to the through vias.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the disclosure, a DC-DC converter includes a voltage generator configured to generate an output voltage by converting an input voltage, a first mode driver configured to generate a first switching signal to drive the voltage generator in a first mode, a second mode driver configured to generate a second switching signal to drive the voltage generator in a second mode, a third mode driver configured to generate a third switching signal to drive the voltage generator in a third mode, and a mode controller configured to determine an output load of the voltage generator using the first switching signal, the second switching signal, and the third switching signal, and supply one of the first switching signal, the second switching signal, and the third switching signal to the voltage generator according to the output load.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a phase locked loop. A phase/frequency detector is configured to receive a reference signal and a feedback signal. A charge pump is configured to receive outputs from the phase/frequency detector and to generate pulses. An oscillator is configured to generate an output waveform based on the charge pump pulses. A realignment path is configured to generate a clock realignment signal that is provided to the oscillator based on the outputs from the phase/frequency detector.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a voltage multiplier comprises an input node, an output node, and first and second control nodes for receiving first and second clock signals defining two commutation states. An ordered sequence of intermediate nodes is coupled between the input and output nodes and includes two ordered sub-sequences. Capacitors are coupled: between each odd intermediate node in the first sub-sequence and the first control node; between each even intermediate node in the first sub-sequence and the second control node; between each odd intermediate node in the second sub-sequence and a corresponding odd intermediate node in the first sub-sequence; and between each even intermediate node in the second sub-sequence and a corresponding even intermediate node in the first sub-sequence. The circuit comprises selectively conductive electronic components coupled to the intermediate nodes.

Abstract: Provided is a memory device with a vertical channel structure. The memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of string selection lines, a negative charge pump configured to generate a bias voltage of a negative level, to be applied to at least one of the plurality of string selection lines, and a control logic circuit configured to apply, for a first period, a prepulse voltage to at least one unselected string selection line among the plurality of string selection lines excluding a selected string selection line to which a memory cell selected from among the plurality of memory cells is connected and thereafter apply the bias voltage to the at least one unselected string selection line so as to perform a read operation on the selected memory cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a power converter that includes an inductance and a switched-capacitor network that cooperate to transform a first voltage into a second voltage features a controller, a switched-capacitor terminal for connection to the switched-capacitor network, and switches. at least one of which connects to the switched-capacitor terminal.

Abstract: A display driving device includes a timing controller and a charge pump configured to output a pump voltage for driving a source driver. The charge pump includes a flying capacitor; a first switch disposed between one end of the flying capacitor and a first terminal; a second switch disposed between the one end of the flying capacitor and a second terminal; a third switch disposed between another end of the flying capacitor and a third terminal; a fourth switch disposed between the another end of the flying capacitor and a fourth terminal; and a charge pump control unit configured to control turning on or off of the first to the fourth switches based on the anti-tearing signal, and control the first to the fourth switches based on the anti-tearing signal to operate in a first mode or a second mode configured to reduce power consumption than in the first mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a battery power supply adjusting circuit and method, a charging cable, and a terminal device. The circuit is configured to charge a dual-cell battery (010). The circuit comprises a Buck circuit module (110), a first charge pump circuit module (120), a second charge pump circuit module (130), a battery charging and discharging control module (140), and a system power supply module (150). An input of the Buck circuit module (110) and an input of the first charge pump circuit module (120) are externally connected with an AC/DC adapter (020), respectively. The first charge pump circuit module (120) and the second charge pump circuit module (130) are respectively connected to the dual-cell battery (010). The second charge pump circuit module (130) is also connected to the system power supply module (150).

Abstract: A DC-DC buck converter for generating an output voltage by stepping down an input voltage includes a converting circuit including a plurality of transistors, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and an inductor, the converting circuit being configured to form a current path that varies according to a plurality of modes and a plurality of phases; and a control circuit configured to: determine a mode of the converting circuit, from among the plurality of modes, according to a first amplitude of the input voltage and a second amplitude of the output voltage, and determine an ON/OFF state of each transistor of the plurality of transistors according to the determined mode and a phase from among the plurality of phases.

Abstract: A method for performing a test upon a flash memory module includes: performing data writing upon a plurality of first blocks of a first group in the flash memory module; reading the plurality of first blocks of the first group to determine whether there is any abnormal block in the plurality of first blocks and generating a first test result; after the plurality of first blocks are read, performing data writing upon a plurality of second blocks of a second group in the flash memory module; and reading the plurality of second blocks of the second group to determine whether there is any abnormal block in the plurality of second blocks and generating a second test result.

Abstract: A converter includes L phase legs, each phase leg of the L phase legs comprising a plurality of switches connected in series between an input power source and ground, wherein a first flying capacitor of an Mth phase is cross-coupled between an Mth phase leg and an (M+1)th phase leg, and a first flying capacitor of an Lth phase is cross-coupled between an Lth phase leg and a first phase leg, and wherein switches of the L phase legs are configured such that a ratio of an input voltage of the hybrid multi-phase step-down power converter to an output voltage of the hybrid multi-phase step-down power converter is equal to N/D, and wherein L, M, N are positive integers with M<L, L>2, and D is a duty cycle of the hybrid multi-phase step-down power converter.

Abstract: Provided is a memory device with a vertical channel structure. The memory device includes a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of string selection lines, a negative charge pump configured to generate a bias voltage of a negative level, to be applied to at least one of the plurality of string selection lines, and a control logic circuit configured to apply, for a first period, a prepulse voltage to at least one unselected string selection line among the plurality of string selection lines excluding a selected string selection line to which a memory cell selected from among the plurality of memory cells is connected and thereafter apply the bias voltage to the at least one unselected string selection line so as to perform a read operation on the selected memory cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a charge pump circuit with a six-phase clock. The charge pump circuit comprises a six-phase clock circuit and a gate boosting charge pump configured to receive a plurality of clock signals from the six-phase clock circuit. The six-phase clock circuit includes provides a first clock signal, a second clock signal, a third clock signal, a fourth clock signal, a fifth clock signal, and a sixth clock signal. The gate boosting charge pump is configured to enable a charge-sharing operation to share the stored amount of charges between a plurality of parasitic capacitors. The six-phase clock circuit is configured to provide a dead time between each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth clock.

Abstract: In certain aspects, a voltage regulator includes a pass transistor coupled between an input of the voltage regulator and an output of the voltage regulator, and an amplifier having a first input coupled to a reference voltage, a second input coupled to the output of the voltage regulator via a feedback path, and an output. The voltage regulator also includes a voltage booster coupled between the output of the amplifier and a gate of the pass transistor. In certain aspects, the voltage booster includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor for double charge pumping. In certain aspects, a control circuit of the voltage booster is coupled to a voltage source that is independent of an output voltage of the amplifier.

Abstract: A stack of alternating layers of dielectric and conductive materials are formed on a substrate. A first portion of the stack of alternating layers forms a plurality of blocks of NAND memory. A second portion of the stack of alternating layers forms a configurable capacitor structure. The configurable capacitor structure is configurable to form one or more capacitors of configurable capacitance.

Abstract: A voltage generation circuit includes a booster circuit, a control buffer circuit, and a driving buffer circuit. The booster circuit includes a capacitance element and a transistor. The booster circuit generates a higher first voltage than the power source voltage, and the control buffer circuit controls the transistor by using a third voltage that is lower than the first voltage and is higher than a ground voltage. Alternatively, the booster circuit generates a lower second voltage than the ground voltage, and the control buffer circuit controls the transistor by using a fourth voltage that is higher than the second voltage and is lower than or equal to the ground voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a charge pump of a flash memory, which includes a first stage pump that is connected between an output terminal and a first pump node, and a second stage pump that is connected between the first pump node and a second pump node. The first stage pump includes a first switch circuit that is connected between a power terminal and the first pump node and provides a power supply voltage to the first pump node in response to a first stage signal, in a normal operation, and a first pump circuit that generates a first pumping voltage by using a voltage of the first pump node in response to a first clock signal and provides the first pumping voltage to the output terminal. The first switch circuit blocks a current flow from the first pump node to the power terminal in a sudden power-off event.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes: first and second capacitors; a first switch element group turned on and off by a first clock signal and connecting a first voltage supply line and the first capacitor when turned on; a second switch element group turned on and off by the first clock signal and connecting a second voltage supply line and the second capacitor when turned on; and a third switch element group turned on and off by a second clock signal and connecting a voltage output line and the first and second capacitors when turned on. A control circuit controls a timing of a signal change of a first enable signal so that the signal levels of the first and second clock signals are fixed when the first and second switch element groups change from off to on, in response to stopping oscillating the first and second clock signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating a steady state positive voltage (PVS) signal and a steady state negative voltage (NVS) signal is presented. The apparatus includes a bias signal generation module for generating a steady state reference voltage signal (RVS) based on a varying supply voltage signal (VDD), the RVS having a voltage level less than the PVS. The apparatus further includes a positive signal generation module (PSGM) generating the PVS, the PSGM including a first capacitor, the PSGM employing the first capacitor to generate a portion of the PVS based on the RVS. The apparatus further includes a negative signal generation module (NSGM) generating the NVS, the NSGM including a second capacitor, the NSGM employing the second capacitor to generate a portion of the NVS based on the RVS.

Abstract: In a power converter, a switching network having switches that operate at a common frequency and duty cycle interconnects circuit elements. These circuit elements include capacitors that are in a capacitor network and a magnetic filter. When connected to the capacitors by a switch from the switching network, the magnetic filter imposes a constraint upon inter-capacitor charge transfer between the capacitors to maintain the filter's second terminal at a voltage. The switching network transitions between states. These states include a first state, a second state, and a third state. In both the first state and the third state, the first magnetic-filter terminal couples to the capacitor network. In the second state, which occurs between the first and third state, the switches ground the first magnetic-filter terminal.

Abstract: Target voltage generation in an envelope tracking (ET) integrated circuit (ETIC) is provided. The ETIC is configured to generate a time-variant ET voltage based on a time-variant target voltage for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal modulated for communication in multiple time intervals. In embodiments disclosed herein, the ETIC is self-contained to generate the time-variant target voltage based on a sensed signal having a time-variant sensed envelope that tracks a time-variant power envelope of the RF signal. Since the time-variant target voltage is generated to track the time-variant sensed envelope, which further tracks the time-variant power envelope, the time-variant ET voltage can better track the time-variant power envelope of the RF signal when the time-variant ET voltage is provided to a power amplifier(s) that amplifies the RF signal.

Abstract: A system includes a charge pump system having a plurality of enable signal input terminals and an output terminal, the charge pump system configured to provide an output voltage at the output terminal; and a detection circuit connected to the enable terminals and the output terminal of the charge pump system, the detection circuit configured to compare the charge pump system output voltage to a plurality of predefined input detection voltage levels, and to selectively output a plurality of enable signals to the charge pump system enable signal input terminals in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A cascade multiplier includes a switch network having switching elements, a phase pump, and a network of pump capacitors coupled with the phase pump and to the switch network. The network of pump capacitors includes first and second capacitors, both of which have one terminal DC coupled with the phase pump, and a third capacitor coupled with the phase pump through the first capacitor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.

Abstract: In a particular implementation, a circuit comprises: a first branch comprising a first transistor, where the first branch is configured to generate a first voltage; a second branch comprising a second transistor, where the second branch is configured to generate a second voltage; and a comparator configured to generate an output signal based on a comparison of the first and second voltages. Also, the output signal may be configured to regulate an output voltage of one or more negative charge pump circuits coupled to the circuit.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a duty cycle controller. The duty cycle controller includes a tuning circuit comprising a first field-effect transistor. The first field-effect transistor is configured to implement a capacitor. The duty cycle controller further includes an edge delay circuit. The edge delay circuit includes a second field-effect transistor that, when activated by an input clock signal of the duty cycle controller, is configured to connect a voltage source to an output clock signal of the duty cycle controller. The edge delay circuit further includes a third field-effect transistor that, when activated, is configured to connect the first field-effect transistor of the tuning circuit to the output clock signal.

Abstract: A charge pump comprises two bridge arms coupled in parallel, two capacitors, and a control circuit. Each bridge arm has two pairs of switches coupled in series, each pair of switches having two switches coupled in series through a common node. Each capacitor is connected between the two common nodes of the corresponding bridge arm. The control circuit provides a mode signal by comparing an output voltage of the charge pump with two threshold voltages via a hysteretic comparison, and provides two control signals with opposite logic states based on the mode signal to control each pair of the switches to work complementarily, wherein the logic states of the control signals flip in response to transiting from a first status to a second status of the mode signal, and maintain in response to transiting from the second status to the first status of the mode signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a power-on reset (POR) circuit, a watchdog timer, a first AND gate and a power management control circuit. The POR circuit is used to receive an input voltage to generate a POR signal and generate a clock signal. The watchdog timer is used to generate a timeout signal according to the clock signal when the POR signal has an enabling voltage, the clock signal enabling generation of timeout pulses in the timeout signal at predetermined time intervals. The first AND gate including a first input terminal for receiving the POR signal; a second input terminal for receiving the timeout signal; and an output terminal for outputting a reset signal according to the POR signal and the timeout signal. The power management control circuit is used to reset an output current in response to a reset pulse in the reset signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion comprises a voltage transformation element, a regulating element, and a controller; wherein, a period of the voltage transformation element is equal to a product of a coefficient and a period of the regulating circuit, and wherein the coefficient is selected from a group consisting of a positive integer and a reciprocal of said integer.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for DC voltage conversion. A DC converter (100) is described, with a charge pump circuit comprising a plurality of charge pump stages (1401, 1402-1, 1402-2) each charge pump stage comprising connections for respective first and second capacitors for that stage (C1A, C1B; C2A, C2B; C3A, C3B). The charge pump also has a switch network, wherein the switch network comprises, between each successive stage, four switching paths (S7AA, S7AB, S7Ba, S7BB; S6AA, S6AB, S6Ba, S6BB) for separately connecting a respective first electrode of each of the first and second capacitors of one stage to a first electrode either of the first and second capacitors of the preceding stage, so that the relevant capacitor of the one stage can be charged by the relevant capacitor of the preceding stage.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a transducer assembly like a microphone including a bias circuit having a charge pump and a filter circuit coupled to a transducer. The filter circuit includes a voltage-controlled resistor located between an output of the charge pump and the transducer, and a capacitor coupled to the voltage-controlled resistor opposite the charge pump, wherein the bias circuit is configured with a larger bandwidth for faster settling during transient operation than during steady-state operation.

Abstract: In described examples of an integrated circuit (IC), an oscillator includes Schmitt trigger delay cells connected in a ring topology. The Schmitt trigger delay cells have a high input threshold approximately equal to Vdd and a low input threshold approximately equal to Vss to increase delay through each cell. An output buffer receives a phase signal from an output terminal of one of the Schmitt trigger delay cells and converts a transition phase signal to a faster transition clock signal. The output buffer has control circuitry that generates non-overlapping control signals in response to the phase signal, to control an output stage to generate the fast transition clock signal while preventing short circuit current in the output stage.

Abstract: A processing device includes: a plurality of bitcells, each of the plurality of bitcells including: a variable resistor layer including a plurality of active variable resistors and a plurality of inactive variable resistors; an active layer including a plurality of switches configured to control either one of a voltage to be applied between ends of each of the active variable resistors and a current flowing to each of the active variable resistors; and a plurality of metal layers including wires electrically connecting the active variable resistors to the switches, wherein at least one of the plurality of bitcells includes a via penetrating through the variable resistor layer and connecting at least one of the switches to at least one of the active variable resistors.

Abstract: Transient or fault conditions for a switched capacitor power converter are detected by measuring one or more of internal voltages and/or currents associated with switching elements (e.g., transistors) or phase nodes, or voltages or currents at terminals of the converter, and based on these measurements detect that a condition has occurred when the measurements deviate from a predetermined range. Upon detection of the condition fault control circuitry alters operation of the converter, for example, by using a high voltage switch to electrically disconnect at least some of the switching elements from one or more terminals of the converter, or by altering timing characteristics of the phase signals.

Abstract: In an anti-fuse programming control circuit based on a master-slave charge pump structure, a master charge pump module obtains an external voltage and is connected to a plurality of slave charge pump modules. Each slave charge pump module is connected to an anti-fuse bank. The distance between the layout position of each slave charge pump module and the layout position of the connected anti-fuse bank does not exceed a predetermined distance. Based on a programming voltage output by each slave charge pump module to the connected anti-fuse bank, the feedback network outputs a feedback signal corresponding to the slave charge pump module to the master charge pump module. Based on the feedback signal corresponding to each slave charge pump module, the master charge pump module adjusts a master drive signal provided to the slave charge pump module to stabilize the programming voltage output by the slave charge pump module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical power energy converter unit for converting Direct Current to Direct Current, DC-DC, with improved efficiency and cold-start capability.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to driver circuitry for driving a piezoelectric transducer. The circuitry comprises: output stage circuitry configured to receive an input signal and to drive the piezoelectric transducer to produce the output signal; variable voltage power supply circuitry configured to output a supply voltage for the charge drive output stage circuitry, wherein the supply voltage output by the variable voltage power supply circuitry varies based on the input signal; a supply capacitor for receiving the supply voltage output by the variable voltage power supply circuitry; a reservoir capacitor; and circuitry for transferring charge between the reservoir capacitor and the supply capacitor.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a cross coupled circuit, a first conducting device, a second conducting device, a first switching device, a second switching device, a first selecting device and a second selecting device. The first conducting device is connected between a first node and a second node. The second conducting device is connected between a third node and a fourth node. The cross coupled circuit receives a first supply voltage and is connected with the first node and the second node. The first switching device is connected between the second node and a fifth node. The second switching device is connected between the fourth node and a sixth node. The first and second selecting devices are respectively connected with the fifth node and the sixth node. Each of the first and second selecting devices receives a second supply voltage and a third supply voltage.

Abstract: A configurable voltage regulating circuit includes first through fourth switches. A flying capacitor is coupled between a common mode node and a pump node, and a sense resistance network is coupled between an output node and an input of an error amplifier and configured to provide a sensed output voltage. The error amplifier receives at another input a reference voltage and generates an error signal. A charging circuit supplies a charging current to the pump node, and controls the value of the charging current as a function of the error signal. A switch command signals generator generates respective first, second, third, and fourth switch signals to control the first switch, second switch, third switch, and fourth switch. The generator sets the configurable voltage regulating circuit as either a charge pump or a linear regulator based the input voltage being less than a first threshold or greater than a second threshold.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit is provided. The charge pump circuit includes a first switch configured to have a first end connected to an input terminal that receives a power voltage; a second switch configured to have a first end connected to the input terminal; a first capacitor configured to have a first end connected to a second end of the first switch; a second capacitor connected between a second end of the first capacitor and a second end of the second switch; a third switch connected between the second end of the second switch and ground; a fourth switch connected between the first end of the first capacitor and a first output terminal and configured to output a first output voltage; and a fifth switch connected between a second output terminal and a node between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, and configured to output a second output voltage.

Abstract: The disclosed system and method reduce on-chip power IR drop caused by large write current, to increase the write IO number or improve write throughput and to suppress write voltage ripple at the start and end of a write operation. The disclosed systems and methods are described in relation to stabilizing the bit line voltage for MRAMs, however, the disclosed systems and methods can be used to stabilize the bit line voltage of any memory configuration that draws large currents during short write pulses or, more generally, to selectively assist a power supply generator in supplying adequate power to a load at times of large power consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a first voltage into a second voltage includes a reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter having a selectable conversion gain. The power converter has switch elements configured to electrically interconnect capacitors to one another and/or to the first or second voltage in successive states. The switch elements are configured to interconnect at least some capacitors to one another through the switch elements. A controller causes the reconfigurable switched capacitor power converter to transition between first and second operation modes. The controller minimizes electrical transients arising from transition between modes. In the first operating mode, the power converter operates with a first conversion gain. In the second operating mode, it operates with a second conversion gain.

Abstract: An apparatus for power conversion comprises a voltage transformation element, a regulating element, and a controller; wherein, a period of the voltage transformation element is equal to a product of a coefficient and a period of the regulating circuit, and wherein the coefficient is selected from a group consisting of a positive integer and a reciprocal of said integer.

Abstract: A charge pump test configuration and corresponding method of operation are disclosed for determining charge pump efficiency without needing to obtain direct current measurements. A first number of clock edges (CEs) of a clock signal supplied to a first charge pump is determined over a period of time for a predetermined output current. The first charge pump is then connected with a charge pump under test (PUT) in a cascaded manner such that an output current of the first charge pump is supplied to the PUT as an input current. A second number of CEs of a clock signal supplied to the first charge pump is determined over the same period of time for the same predetermined output current from the PUT. The efficiency of the PUT can then be determined as the ratio of the first number of CEs to the second number of CEs, or vice versa.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). The PMIC includes a voltage regulator supplied by a first power source and configured to generate a first output and a charge pump supplied by a second power source and configured to generate a second output. A bias voltage output of the power management integrated circuit is generated based at least in part on the first output and the second output. The charge pump is configured to adjust the second output based at least in part on a comparison between the bias voltage output and a reference voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adaptive multi-mode charging. In an example aspect, the apparatus includes at least one charger having a first node and a second node. The at least one charger is configured to accept an input voltage at the first node. The at least one charger is also configured to selectively operate in a first mode to generate a first output voltage at the second node that is greater than or less than the input voltage or operate in a second mode to generate a second output voltage at the second node that is substantially equal to the input voltage.

Abstract: In an embodiment, A switched-mode power supply includes: a first node; a second node configured to receive a DC input voltage; a third node configured to receive a reference voltage; first and second switching transistors; a first circuit configured to control the first switching transistor; and a second circuit configured to control the second switching transistor, wherein the switched-mode power supply is configured to deliver a regulated output voltage at the first node from the DC input voltage, and wherein the first and second circuits are configured to be powered from the output voltage.

Abstract: A PWM-based (pulse width modulation-based) overcurrent protection circuit and an operating method for the same are provided. The PWM-based overcurrent protection circuit includes a pulse-width-modulation circuit that is connected to a charge pump and a load detection circuit of a power-switch circuit. The charge pump outputs a voltage to the power-switch circuit according to a clock-voltage signal. The load detection circuit is used to detect an overcurrent flowing through the power-switch circuit according to a load at an output end of the power-switch circuit. Thus, when the load detection circuit detects the overcurrent, the pulse-width-modulation circuit controls a duty-cycle width of the charge pump, so as to suppress the voltage outputted by the charge pump. Therefore, an output voltage from the power-switch circuit can be corrected for preventing or reducing the overcurrent.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second pluralities of switches, a controller for controlling these switches, gate-drivers for driving switches from the first plurality of switches, and first and second terminals configured for coupling to corresponding first and second external circuits at corresponding first and second voltages. During operation, the controller causes the first plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions result in the second voltage being maintained at a value that is a multiple of the first voltage. The controller also causes the second plurality of switches to transition between states. These transitions resulting in capacitors being coupled or decoupled from the second voltage. The gate drivers derive, from the capacitors, charge for causing a voltage that enables switches from the first plurality of switches to be driven.

Abstract: Circuits comprising: a capacitor; switches that, when State0, couple the capacitor in parallel with the load and, when State1, couple the capacitor in series with the load, wherein a first of the switches connects the capacitor to ground when in State0 and wherein a second of the switches connects the capacitor to an input voltage when in State1; a third switch, wherein a first side of the third switch is connected to the capacitor identically to one of the first switch and the second switch (OFWSW), wherein the third switch switches identically to the OFWSW, wherein the third switch is smaller than the OFWSW; a first resistor connected to the second side of the third switch; and a hardware processor that measures a current flowing through the first resistor and estimates the current provided to the load based on the current measured as flowing through the first resistor.