With Voltage Source Regulating Patents (Class 327/540)
  • Patent number: 8878387
    Abstract: An integrated circuit supplied by a rail-to-rail power supply voltage includes a multi-level stack voltage generator configured to partition the rail-to-rail power supply voltage into one or more reduced supply voltages each having a voltage value between positive and negative power supply voltages of the rail-to-rail power supply. The reduced supply voltages and the positive and negative power supply voltages being configured in series to form a stack of circuit layers. The integrated circuit further includes a core circuit including core circuit units coupled in a circuit layer or coupled between two or more circuit layers. Each core circuit unit is coupled to at least one of the reduced supply voltages. The core circuit units are coupled in the stack of circuit layers to form a serial connection of core circuit units between the positive power supply voltage and the negative power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Micrel, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. Wong, Gang Luo
  • Patent number: 8878601
    Abstract: A circuit includes a gate node, and a bias circuit coupled to the gate node. The bias circuit is configured to, in response to a change in a gate voltage on the gate node, provide a positive feedback to the gate voltage. A power circuit is coupled to the gate node, wherein the power circuit includes a power Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) transistor. The power circuit is configured to, in response to a change in the gate voltage, provide a negative feedback to the gate voltage. An output node is coupled to the power circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jhy-Jyi Sze, Biay-Cheng Hseih, Shou-Gwo Wuu
  • Patent number: 8872441
    Abstract: A controller with protection function, for controlling a transistor having a control terminal, a first terminal coupled to a load, a second terminal, is disclosed. The controller comprises a judgment unit and a current control unit. The judgment unit is coupled to the transistor and generates a current reducing signal when a potential of the first terminal of the transistor or a voltage difference between the first terminal and the second terminal of the transistor is higher than a preset value. The current control unit is coupled to the control terminal of the transistor for substantially stabilizing the current flowing through the transistor at a preset current value, and reduces the current flowing from the preset current value when receiving the current reducing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Green Solution Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Che Yu, Li-Min Lee, Shian-Sung Shiu
  • Patent number: 8867296
    Abstract: A regulator includes a variable resistance unit coupled between an input node to which a pumping voltage is inputted and a control node and configured to adjust resistance of the variable resistance unit in response to a control signal varied depending on a target voltage, a voltage output unit configured to adjust the pumping voltage according to potential of the control node and output the adjusted pumping voltage, and a regulation unit configured to control the potential of the control node according to the adjusted pumping voltage, to output the target voltage. The regulator adjusts the resistance of an internal resistor according to the target voltage, thereby reducing current consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Wook Choi
  • Patent number: 8860428
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recognizing an error in a power bridge circuit containing a load, a high-side branch and a low-side branch. Accordingly, a first switched current source is connected to the load and to a diagnosis connection for a high-potential of a diagnosis voltage, a second switched current source is connected to the load and to a diagnosis connection for a low-potential of the diagnosis voltage, and a control device for controlling the first switched current source and the second switched current source. The control device switches on one of the switched current sources when the high-side power switch and the low-side power switch are open, while the other switched current source is switched off. A testing device tests a voltage at the load when one of the switched current sources is switched on and the other of the switched current sources is switched off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Garneyer, Christoph Haggenmiller
  • Patent number: 8860503
    Abstract: In various embodiments a circuit is provided which may include a node at which a circuit potential may be provided; an alternating voltage providing circuit configured to provide a DC current free alternating voltage; a rectifier coupled to the alternating voltage providing circuit, the rectifier including a first rectifier terminal and a second rectifier terminal, wherein the first rectifier terminal or the second rectifier terminal may be coupled to the node; and a first output terminal and a second output terminal, wherein the first output terminal may be coupled to the first rectifier terminal to provide a first potential and wherein the second output terminal may be coupled to the second rectifier terminal to provide a second potential different from the first potential, the difference between the first potential and the second potential defining an output voltage, wherein the output voltage may be constant independent of the circuit potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Peter Bogner
  • Patent number: 8854119
    Abstract: A circuit includes a charge pump, a first level shifter, a second level shifter, a voltage follower and a current mirror. The charge pump is configured to generate a voltage difference between the input node and the output node. The first level shifter is coupled to the charge pump output and configured to apply a first voltage variation to the charge pump output in response to a bias current. The second level shifter is coupled to the input node and configured to apply a second voltage variation to the charge pump input. The voltage follower is configured to equalize outputs from the first and second level shifters and provide a difference current which is multiplied by the current multiplier to generate a charging current applied to the charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Jiang, Jackson Ding
  • Patent number: 8847675
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a plurality of circuit blocks, a plurality of local wirings which supply power to the plurality of circuit blocks, respectively, a global wiring which supplies the power to the plurality of local wirings, a plurality of first switches which are disposed between the plurality of local wirings, respectively, and the global wiring, and a second switch which is disposed between two local wirings. A power control unit controls open/close of the plurality of first switches and the second switch based on the potential difference between the two local wirings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takuya Minakawa
  • Patent number: 8841960
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clock signal generating circuit and a power supply including the same. The present invention includes: a counter for counting one period of an input clock signal by using a reference clock signal, and generating a count signal; and a clock signal generator for receiving the count signal and the reference clock signal, dividing the count signal to generate a quotient and a remainder, setting the quotient as a reference period of an output clock signal, and distributing and disposing the remainder to the output clock signal with a plurality of periods occurring for one period of the input clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunhee Cho, Donghwan Kim, Young-je Lee
  • Patent number: 8836415
    Abstract: A control circuit includes a basic input output system (BIOS) chip, an embedded controller (EC), and a regulation unit. The BIOS chip outputs control signals corresponding to various operating frequencies of an electronic element. A digital-to-analog conversion unit of the EC receives the control signals, and outputs different types of analog voltages to the regulation unit. The regulation unit provides a proper voltage to the electronic element in relation to the operating frequency of the electronic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun-Sheng Chen
  • Patent number: 8836413
    Abstract: A method for generating a reference voltage includes generating a proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage across a first pseudo resistor. The first pseudo resistor includes a transistor. The method also includes converting the PTAT voltage to a current based on a resistance of the first pseudo resistor. The method also includes mirroring the current using a current mirror circuit and converting the mirrored current to a converted PTAT voltage using a second pseudo resistor. The second pseudo resistor includes a transistor. The first pseudo resistor and the second pseudo resistor include equal transistor types. The method also includes generating a complementary-to-absolute temperature (CTAT) voltage, and summing the converted PTAT voltage and the CTAT voltage to produce the reference voltage. The resulting reference voltage is temperature independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Andre Gunther, Kevin Mahooti
  • Patent number: 8836414
    Abstract: A device that includes at least one current consuming component. The device is characterized by including a compensation circuit adapted to compare between a voltage level at a sensing point within an integrated circuit and between a reference voltage derived from a voltage peak level at the sensing point; and to selectively increase the voltage at the sensing point in response to the comparison. A method for compensating for voltage drops in an integrated circuit, the method includes providing at least a first supply voltage to an integrated circuit; the method is characterized by including: comparing between a voltage level at a sensing point within an integrated circuit to a reference voltage derived from a voltage peak level at the sensing point; and selectively increasing the voltage at the sensing point in response to the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Yehim-Haim Fefer, Sergey Sofer
  • Patent number: 8836382
    Abstract: A driving circuit is provided. The driving circuit has: a level shifter configured to receive a reference voltage and an input signal at a first voltage to generate a second voltage; an differential amplifier, coupled to the level shifter, configured to receive the second voltage and an output signal to provide an operating voltage, wherein the differential amplifier is supplied by a first power source at a third voltage; and an output stage, coupled to the differential amplifier, configured to receive the input signal and the operating voltage for switching the output signal, wherein the first voltage is smaller than the third voltage, and the output signal has a fourth voltage between the first voltage and the third voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Yeong-Sheng Lee
  • Publication number: 20140253227
    Abstract: High voltage rated isolation capacitors are formed on a face of a primary integrated circuit die. The isolation capacitors AC couple the primary integrated circuit in a first voltage domain to a second integrated circuit in a second voltage domain. The isolation capacitors DC isolate the primary integrated circuit from the second integrated circuit die. Isolated power transfer from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain is provided through the high voltage rated isolation capacitors with an AC oscillator or PWM generator. The AC oscillator voltage amplitude may be increased for an increase in power through the high voltage rated isolation capacitors, and a larger value capacitor in the second voltage domain may provide for peak current demand from circuits in the second voltage domain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventors: Randy Yach, Gregory Dix, Thomas Youbok Lee, Vincent Quiquempoix
  • Patent number: 8823444
    Abstract: A reference voltage generating circuit comprises a pair of variable resistors connected to a pair of bipolar transistors. A differential amplifier amplifies the band gap voltage difference between the bipolar transistors and outputs a reference voltage to an output terminal. An output stage resistor is connected to the output terminal and a resistance dividing circuit. The generating circuit includes temperature compensating circuits that receive tap voltages from resistance dividing circuit and a current proportional to the temperature, then output correction currents. The generating circuit additionally includes a current mirror circuit that outputs a mirror current depending on each correction current. The reference voltage generating circuit thus corrects the temperature dependence of the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryuji Fujime, Masaaki Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8816757
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for regulating power in an integrated circuit system. A system includes a processing unit configured to monitor one or more operating parameters in the integrated circuit system. Based on the one or more monitored operating parameters, the processing unit is configured to predict an occurrence of an event that will cause an increased load on the integrated circuit system and further to assert a voltage adjustment command based on the predicted event. A power regulator is coupled to a power supply. The power regulator is configured to supply a regulated output voltage at a nominal voltage level. The power regulator is further configured to receive the voltage adjustment command and to supply the output voltage at an adjusted output level responsively to the voltage adjustment command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Yehoshua Yabbo, Eran Segev
  • Publication number: 20140232454
    Abstract: Devices and methods provide a protection device for maintaining a steady output on a gate driver terminal despite fluctuations in a power supply, the protection device including low voltage detection circuitry configured to monitor the power supply and detect fluctuations in the power supply; and gate isolation circuitry configured to isolate the gate driver terminal from the power supply if the low voltage detection circuitry detects a fluctuation in the power supply, wherein a voltage of the gate driver terminal is maintained within a preselected range when the gate is isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Gillberg, Juergen Pianka
  • Patent number: 8810306
    Abstract: A negative voltage regulation circuit includes an operational amplifier configured to receive a feedback voltage and an input voltage, a pull-up element configured to pull-up drive a first node based on output voltage of the operational amplifier, a load element coupled between the first node and a negative voltage terminal, a pull-down element configured to pull-down drive a final negative voltage output terminal using a voltage of the negative voltage terminal based on a voltage level of the first node, and a voltage division unit coupled between the final negative voltage output terminal and a pull-up voltage terminal, and configured to generate the feedback voltage by voltage division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jae-Kwan Kwon
  • Patent number: 8803593
    Abstract: One embodiment of an apparatus to control and sense a voltage through a single node can include a comparator to monitor single node voltage, a transistor to discharge voltage through the single node and control logic. The control logic can have at least two operational phases when actively controlling the voltage through the single node. In a first phase, the control logic can configure the comparator to determine if the single node voltage is greater than a reference voltage. In a second phase, the control logic can configure the transistor to discharge voltage through the single node when the comparator has previously indicated that the single node voltage is greater than a reference voltage. The control logic can alternatively execute first and second phases to discharge the voltage to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmad Al-Dahle, Yafei Bi, Mir B. Ghaderi, Wei H. Yao
  • Publication number: 20140218101
    Abstract: A period signal generation circuit including a control voltage generator and a period controller. The control voltage generator selecting one of temperature-dependent voltages to output the selected temperature-dependent voltage as a control voltage. The first and second temperature-dependent voltages varying according to a temperature and the third temperature-dependent voltage is constant regardless of variation of the temperature. The period controller configured to determine an amount of a current discharging from an internal node in response to the control voltage and outputs a periodic signal whose cycle time is determined according to a level of an internal signal induced at the internal node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Hyun Ju HAM
  • Patent number: 8797088
    Abstract: Charge pump feedback control device and method are provided. The device is coupled to the charge pump unit which receives an input voltage so as to generate an output voltage and has switches and at least one capacitor, the device includes: a compensation unit, a modulation unit, and a phase control unit. The compensation unit receives the output voltage, compensates the output voltage for stability, and generates an error signal. The modulation unit receives the error signal, modulates the error signal, and correspondingly generates a modulation signal. The phase control unit receives the modulation signal so as to generate phase signal, and controls the plurality of switches of the charge pump unit according to the plurality of phase signal so as to generate the output voltage through the input voltage charging/discharging at least one capacitor of the charge pump unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Cheng-Pang Chan
  • Patent number: 8797095
    Abstract: Adaptive voltage scalers (AVSs), systems, and related methods are disclosed. The AVSs are configured to adaptively adjust voltage levels powering a functional circuit(s) based on target operating frequencies and delay variation conditions to avoid or reduce voltage margin. In one embodiment, the AVS includes an AVS database. The AVS database can be configured to store voltage levels for various operating frequencies of a functional circuit(s) to avoid or reduce voltage margin. The AVS database allows rapid voltage level decisions. The voltage levels stored in the AVS database may be initial, minimum, learned, populated, explored, backed out, temperature-based, and/or age-based voltage levels according to disclosed embodiments to further avoid or reduce voltage margin. An AVS module may be a software-based module that consults the AVS database to make voltage level decisions. Providing the AVS module as a software-based module may allow flexibility in configuring the AVS module and/or the AVS database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Richard A. Moore, Gerald Paul Michalak, Jeffrey T. Bridges
  • Patent number: 8797087
    Abstract: A reference quantity generator for generating a reference quantity includes a reference source configured to provide a reference source signal, a digitally controlled signal source and a digital controller. The digitally controlled signal source is configured to provide a digitally controlled quantity. The reference quantity is determined based on the digitally controlled quantity. The digital controller is configured to provide a digital control signal to control the digitally controlled signal source to adapt the digitally controlled quantity based on the reference source signal using a feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Schimper
  • Publication number: 20140210545
    Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a voltage regulator to supply a regulated voltage and a data output that couples to an unterminated transmission line. The circuit draws a variable amount of power from the voltage regulator according to the data. The voltage regulator includes a first current generation circuit to provide a data transition-dependent current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Brian S. Leibowitz, Michael D. Bucher, Lei Luo, Chaofeng Charlie Huang, Amir Amirkhany, Huy M. Nguyen, Hsuan-Jung (Bruce) Su, John Wilson
  • Patent number: 8791749
    Abstract: A power generation block configured to generate internal power by a charge pump circuit and a power supply control block configured to control the power generation block are provided. First and second power supply interconnects individually separated from an external power supply interconnect are connected to the power generation block and the power supply control block, respectively. At least any one of the power supply interconnects is provided with a filter section configured to remove noise propagating through the power supply interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Nakamura, Yuji Yamasaki, Masanobu Hirose, Masahisa Iida
  • Publication number: 20140203866
    Abstract: A power supply that provides a supply voltage to an integrated circuit (IC) includes high and low power regulators and a power management circuit. The high power regulator regulates the supply voltage at a first voltage level and the low power regulator is set to an inactive mode when the IC is in a RUN mode. When the IC transitions from the RUN mode to a STOP mode, the high power regulator stops regulating and the supply voltage is maintained at a second voltage level, while the lower power regulator is set to an active mode for regulating the supply voltage at a third voltage level. A fallback signal is generated when the supply voltage drops below a first threshold value after which the low power regulator is set in the inactive mode and the high power regulator is configured to regulate the supply voltage at a fourth voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Inventors: Samaksh Sinha, Garima Sharda, Nishant Singh Thakur
  • Patent number: 8786359
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit is disclosed that includes a current mirror including a first transistor pair and a second transistor pair. The first transistor pair includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The second transistor pair includes cascode transistors. The circuit also includes an operational amplifier having an output coupled to both the first transistor and the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sandisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Ekram Hossain Bhuiyan
  • Patent number: 8779846
    Abstract: A method for improving the performance of a digital circuit is provided in the illustrative embodiments. A real frequency of operation of the digital circuit is adjusted using a control loop in the digital circuit, the adjusting the real frequency being responsive to a change in an operating condition of the digital circuit. A measurement of a current drawn by the digital circuit is received from a voltage regulator supplying electrical power to the digital circuit. An over-current target current value is received. A voltage output from the voltage regulator to the digital circuit is adjusted such that the current drawn by the digital circuit does not exceed the over-current target current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Scott Allen-Ware, John Bruce Carter, Heather Lynn Hanson, Wei Huang, Charles Robert Lefurgy, Karthick Rajamani
  • Patent number: 8779845
    Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus includes a control unit configured to generate a first pumping enable signal and a second pumping enable signal which are alternately enabled, in response to an active signal; a first pumping voltage generation unit configured to perform a pumping operation during an enable period of the first pumping enable signal and generate a first pumping voltage; and a second pumping voltage generation unit configured to perform a pumping operation during an enable period of the second pumping enable signal and generate a second pumping voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Hwan Kim
  • Publication number: 20140191794
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes an adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) controller configured to control a voltage supplied to a portion of the IC and at least one sensor configured to sense at least one state of the IC and to provide an output signal indicative of the at least one sensed state to the AVS controller, the IC having a first setting and a second setting, the AVS controller being configured to use the output signal to control the voltage in the first setting and the AVS controller being configured to control the voltage independently of the output signal in the second setting. Also a method of performing AVS is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Madan Krishnappa, Stephen Simmonds, Parag Arun Agashe, Sajjad Pagarkar, Ashwin Rabindranath, Sagar Digwalekar
  • Patent number: 8773194
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, an apparatus, and a system for adaptively adjusting a voltage. The method includes: acquiring an internal temperature code of a system chip and a time sequence code of a system logic circuit, where the internal temperature code is detected by a temperature sensor and the time sequence code is output by a time sequence monitoring unit; selecting a time sequence reference calibration code from multiple configured time sequence reference calibration codes according to the acquired temperature code; and comparing the acquired time sequence code with the selected time sequence reference calibration code and determining, according to a comparison result, an adjustment voltage to be output for a system load. By using the foregoing method, the present invention can better reduce a power loss and achieve a better power reduction effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cong Yao, Yu Liu, Liqian Chen, Xiang Li, Jiqiang Gong
  • Patent number: 8766709
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first internal voltage generator including a PMOS and a first comparator, and a second internal voltage generator including an NMOS, a second comparator, and a voltage pump generator configured to provide a pumping power voltage to the second comparator. A power control circuit switchably enables an output from the first internal voltage generator during a power-on of the semiconductor integrated circuit and enables an output from the second internal voltage generator after the power-on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Winbond Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Young Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8766708
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an internal voltage input buffer configured to determine voltage levels of a pull-up driving node and a pull-down driving node as a result of a comparison between a voltage level of an internal voltage node and a voltage level of a reference voltage node such that the pull-up driving node and the pull-down driving node to maintain a voltage level difference, and an internal voltage driving block configured to pull-up drive the internal voltage node in response to the voltage level of the pull-up driving node and pull-down drive the internal voltage node in response to the voltage level of the pull-down driving node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Jun-Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 8766672
    Abstract: An electronic switching device comprises a first bipolar junction transistor (BJT) (2a) adapted to control the flow of current between a pair of switching terminals; a charge recovery circuit coupled to the base of the first BJT (2a) and adapted to establish a supply voltage across a capacitor (5) by storing in the capacitor (5) charge carriers accumulated in the base of the first BJT (2a) during application of a base drive current, the quantity of accumulated charge carriers depending on the base drive current; and a controllable current source (4) adapted to control the base drive current, thereby controlling the supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Anton Cornelis Blom
  • Patent number: 8760219
    Abstract: A current providing circuit, for providing an output current at an output terminal, comprising: a current providing module, coupled to a first predetermined voltage level, for providing the output current according to the first predetermined voltage level and a control voltage transmitted to the current providing module; and a control voltage generating module, for generating the control voltage corresponding to the first predetermined voltage level and a threshold voltage of the current providing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Kuang-Wei Chao
  • Patent number: 8760220
    Abstract: A beta enhancement circuit includes a current source connected in series with a transistor between two voltage supply lines. In an embodiment, the voltage supply lines are configured for connection to a power source and ground potential. A resistor device is connected between a control terminal of the transistor device and one of voltage supply lines. A value for the resistor device is selected based on one or more process dependent parameters of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Hao Zhou, Bingkun Yao, Tao Shui, Yonghua Song
  • Patent number: 8736353
    Abstract: System and method system for regulating voltage in a portion of an integrated circuit. An integrated circuit has a voltage input and at least a portion that is less than all of the integrated circuit, which requires a local voltage level. A voltage selector establishes a target voltage for the portion. A first comparator compares the target voltage to the local voltage and generates a pull up control signal when the local voltage is below the target voltage. A second comparator compares the target voltage to the local voltage and generates a pull down control signal when the local voltage is above the target voltage. A pull up device, responsive to the pull up control signal, increases the local voltage according to the pull up control signal. A pull down device, responsive to the pull down control signal, decreases the local voltage level according to the pull down control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kerry Bernstein
  • Patent number: 8736356
    Abstract: A multi-regulator circuit comprises a regulator configured to regulate an input voltage to generate a constant voltage, and a plurality of voltage division circuits configured to output divided voltages which are obtained by dividing the constant voltage on the basis of a plurality of voltage generation codes, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Pil Seon Yoo
  • Patent number: 8736357
    Abstract: A differential voltage controlled current source generating one or more output currents is based upon a single external resistor. The differential voltage controlled current source may generate an output current that is proportional to a received differential voltage and a bias current with the use of a single external resistor. The technique may be used to generate multiple accurate and process independent current sources. The current sources may be a zero temperature coefficient (ZTC) current, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) current, or an inversely proportional to absolute temperature (NTAT) current. The output of the current sources may be inversely proportional to the resistance of the external resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Praveen Varma Nadimpalli, Pradeep Charles Silva
  • Patent number: 8729959
    Abstract: A voltage generating apparatus is provided. The voltage generating apparatus includes a reference voltage generator and an output voltage generator. The reference voltage generator is used for generating a reference voltage, and the reference voltage generator decides to generate the reference voltage or not according to a control signal. The output voltage generator includes a comparator, a variable resistor and a current source. The comparator compares the reference voltage and an output voltage to generator a calibrating signal. A resistance of the variable resistor is decided by the calibrating signal. The current source provides an output current to flow through the variable resistor for generating the output voltage. Wherein, the reference voltage is generated during an initial timing period, and the generator is turned off after the initial timing period. The initial timing period is determined according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ISSC Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Yi-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 8729882
    Abstract: An example circuit includes a capacitance circuit coupled between a first node and a second node. A regulator circuit is coupled to the capacitance circuit to regulate a supply voltage across the capacitance circuit with a charge current during a normal operation mode of the circuit. A slew rate control circuit is coupled to the capacitance circuit and the regulator circuit. The slew rate control circuit is coupled to set a slew rate of a change in voltage over change in time between the first and second nodes during a power up mode of the circuit. The slew rate control circuit includes a transistor coupled between the first and second nodes to shunt excess current from the charge current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kung, Leif Lund
  • Patent number: 8723596
    Abstract: A power adapter includes a regulation device, which includes a division circuit, a reference circuit, and an impedance regulation circuit. The division circuit includes a first reference terminal and a second reference terminal. The second reference terminal is connected to an output terminal of the regulation device. The reference circuit includes a third reference terminal connected to the first reference terminal, and the reference circuit outputs a stable reference voltage via the third reference terminal, to provide the stable reference voltage for the first reference terminal. The impedance regulation circuit is connected to the first reference terminal, to provide equivalent impedance for the first reference terminal. The impedance of the equivalent impedance changes in a way corresponding to changes in the current flowing through the output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Der-Ho Chi, Mi Tang, Chun-Peng Huang
  • Patent number: 8717093
    Abstract: There is provided a semiconductor package configured for externally controlled power management. Instead of integrating voltage regulation on-chip as done conventionally, power regulation is moved externally to the PCB level, providing numerous package advantages including size, simplicity, power efficiency, integration flexibility, and thermal dissipation. In particular, the use of flip-chip package configurations provides ready access to power supply bumps, which also allows the use of a universal receiving PCB and power supply through simple reconfiguring of voltage traces. As a result, flexible power management can be implemented, and portions of semiconductor packages may be managed for performance or thermal considerations, which may be of particular use for applications such as multi-core processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Li, Surinderjit S. Dhaliwal
  • Patent number: 8717091
    Abstract: A control circuit for a power converter is disclosed, having a shared pin, a driving circuit, a current source, a sampling circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The shared pin is used for coupling with an output end of the power converter through a resistor. The driving circuit is used for conducting a switch of the power converter. The current source provides a current to the resistor through the shared pin. The sampling circuit samples the signal on the shared pin for generating a first sampling value and a second sampling value. When the difference between the first sampling value and the second sampling value is less than a predetermined value, the signal processing circuit configures the driving circuit to adjust at least one of the conduction time and the conduction frequency of the switch according to an output signal of the power converter received from the shared pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Chih Lai, Isaac Y. Chen, Chien-Fu Tang, Jiun-Hung Pan
  • Patent number: 8710913
    Abstract: According to one aspect of this disclosure, a circuit arrangement is provided, the circuit arrangement including an electronic component coupled to at least one common power supply node and configured to provide a first signal having a variation in time that is based on power supply via the at least one common power supply node; a detecting circuit coupled to the electronic component, the detecting circuit being configured to detect the first signal and to provide a digital switch array control signal based on the variation in time of the first signal; and a switch array coupled between the at least one common power supply node and at least one power supply source, the switch array being configured to control the power supply via the at least one common power supply node based on the digital switch array control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Baumann, Christian Pacha, Peter Mahrla
  • Patent number: 8710905
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are bias voltage generating circuits configured for switching power supplies, and associated control methods. In one embodiment, a bias voltage generating circuit can include: (i) a first control circuit configured to compare a drain-source voltage of a switch against a bias voltage; (ii) a capacitor, with the bias voltage across the capacitor; (iii) a second control circuit configured to control the switch, and that is enabled when the bias voltage is at least as high as an expected bias voltage; (iv) the first control circuit being configured to control the capacitor to charge when the drain-source voltage of the switch is greater than the bias voltage; and (v) the bias voltage being less than an overvoltage protection voltage when the capacitor charges, and where the overvoltage protection voltage comprises a voltage that is a predetermined amount higher than the expected bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8710914
    Abstract: Techniques are presented for improving the wake-up response of voltage regulation circuits. A first set of techniques relate to the inputs an op-amp in a regulation circuit. In regulated operation, one input receives feedback from the regulator's output. Instead, during reset, after resetting the op-amp's output node to the supply level, this input of op-amp is instead connected to ground in order to increase the amount of tail current through the op-amp in order to more quickly bring down the op-amp's output node. A detection circuit is introduced to determine when the op-amp's input is reconnected to receive feedback. In a complementary sets of techniques, when the circuit on which the regulator is formed receives an enable signal and the output of the regulator will be needed for an operation, and when the regulator is not yet back at operating levels, its supply is temporarily shorted to the supply level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Shankar Guhados, Sung-En Wang, Feng Pan, Sagar Magia, Jonathan H. Huynh
  • Patent number: 8704589
    Abstract: A reference voltage circuit corrects for bandgap voltage shifts induced during fabrication. The reference voltage circuit generates a reference voltage using first and second base-emitter pairs. The reference voltage circuit sums the voltage across the first base-emitter pair with a difference voltage. During a first time period, the difference voltage is the voltage across the first base-emitter pair minus the voltage across the second base-emitter pair, and during a second time period, the difference voltage is the voltage across the second base-emitter pair minus the voltage across the first base-emitter pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Kotowski, Andre Gunther
  • Patent number: 8704590
    Abstract: A control circuit for a power converter includes a shared pin, a driving circuit, a current source, a sampling circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The shared pin is coupled with an output end of the power converter through a resistor. The driving circuit conducts a switch of the power converter. The current source provides a current to the resistor through the shared pin. The sampling circuit samples the signal on the shared pin for generating a first sampling value and a second sampling value. The signal processing circuit calculates a first difference between the first sampling value and a first reference value, and a second difference between the second sampling value and a second reference value. When the difference between the first difference and the second difference is less than a predetermined value, the signal processing circuit may therefore configure the conduction time or frequency of the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yung-Chih Lai, Isaac Y Chen, Chien-Fu Tang, Jiun-Hung Pan
  • Publication number: 20140103993
    Abstract: The present invention provides a chip dynamic voltage regulator circuit and a terminal device. The voltage regulator circuit includes: a parameter detecting module, configured to detect an attribute parameter of a chip; a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal generating module, configured to generate a corresponding PWM digital signal according to the detected attribute parameter, and convert the PWM digital signal into an analog signal having a direct-current voltage; and a power supply module, including a DC-DC converter or a low-dropout regulator, which is configured to regulate an output voltage according to the analog signal that is fed back and a feedback signal of the voltage output end of the voltage regulator circuit. The present invention is capable of accurately regulating an output voltage according to an analog signal converted from a PWM digital signal, thereby implementing dynamic voltage regulation for a chip at a low cost and avoiding power waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuzhu Chen, Tao Huang