Abstract: In one form, a method for generating a drive signal for a switch in a switched mode power supply includes receiving a feedback signal, generating a feedback voltage in response to the feedback signal, modulating a pulse width of the drive signal in response to the feedback voltage and a mode signal, generating a modulate signal in response to a magnitude of the feedback voltage crossing a first level in a first direction, generating the mode signal in response to the magnitude of the feedback voltage crossing a second level different from the first level in a second direction, and varying a gain between the feedback signal and the feedback voltage in response to the mode signal.

Abstract: In a power converter, a regulator that receives a first voltage couples to a switched-capacitor converter that provides a second voltage. Slew-control circuitry controls slew rate within the switched-capacitor converter during operation thereof. A controller controls the operation of both the regulator and the switched-capacitor converter.

Abstract: A switching power supply includes: a transformer; a switching device, which is connected to a primary coil of the transformer; a switching controller; a voltage generation circuit, which rectifies and smooths an AC voltage induced in an auxiliary coil provided on the primary side of the transformer, and output the rectified and smoothed AC voltage as a first DC voltage; and an overvoltage protection circuit, wherein the auxiliary coil and the switching controller are connected via a capacitor, and the switching controller stops the switching control depending on a change in at least one of a current and a voltage between electrodes of the capacitor, the change being caused by a voltage rise of the AC voltage induced in the auxiliary coil.

Abstract: Operating power converters. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: storing energy in a field of a transformer arranged for flyback operation, the storing by making conductive a primary switch coupled to a primary winding of the transformer; ceasing the storing of energy when a primary current through the primary winding reaches a predetermined value; measuring on time of the primary switch, the measuring creates a value indicative of on time; transferring energy from the field of the transformer; measuring discharge time of the energy from the field of the transformer during the transferring, the measuring of the discharge time creates a value indicative of discharge time; calculating a value indicative of input voltage of the power converter using the value indicative of on time and the value indicative of discharge time; and then compensating the predetermined value used in a subsequent storing energy step.

Abstract: In a wireless charging device that includes a resonator having coil windings, a magnetic field can be generated by the resonator. The wireless charging device can include a feed point connected to an inner winding of the coil windings of the resonator. The resonator can inductively couple with a power receiving unit such that the an outer winding of the coil windings limit Eddy current generation in one or more conductive surfaces positioned adjacent to the power receiving unit. The feed point can be selectively connected to the inner winding of the coil in a first mode of operation and the outer winding of the coil in a second mode of operation. The inner winding can have a larger current than the outer winding.

Abstract: A flyback converter includes a primary-side circuit to receive an input voltage, a secondary-side circuit to generate an output voltage, a transformer coupling the primary-side circuit to the secondary-side circuit, a main switch coupled to a primary winding of the transformer, and a converter controller having a primary-side controller in signal communication with the main switch to control an on time and an off time of the main switch and to detect one or more valleys of a resonant waveform developed at the main switch during the off time of the main switch. The primary-side controller is configured to operate in a valley reduction mode of operation upon determining that the output voltage is less than a reference voltage minus a predetermined threshold value. The valley reduction mode of operation includes decrementing, for each switching cycle of the main switch, a number of valleys occurring during that switching cycle.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses implementing hybrid symmetric and asymmetric control for soft switching in wireless power transfer applications are provided. An apparatus for wirelessly transferring charging power is provided. The apparatus comprises a wireless power coupler. The apparatus comprises driver circuit. The apparatus comprises a control unit configured to instruct a driver circuit to drive the wireless power coupler with a first voltage waveform when transferring wireless charging power less than a first amount. The first voltage waveform includes a positive portion having a first duration and a negative portion having the first.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power control circuit and a power device using the power control circuit, wherein quasi resonance is performed by the power control circuit using a coil, current flowing in the coil is monitored by a simple configuration, and a zero cross point or a bottom in resonance is detected. The present invention provides a power control circuit and a power device using the power control circuit. The power control circuit includes a detection circuit connected to a drain of MOSFET, the MOSFET serially connected between an inductor connected to an alternating-current wire and a current sensing resistor connected to ground potential; and a quasi resonance control circuit connected to the detection circuit and the MOSFET for performing quasi resonance control to inductor-current at a zero cross point or a bottom point in a time sequence of discharging while conducting the inductor-current of the inductor.

Abstract: A flyback converter includes: a transformer, including a primary winding and a secondary winding; a primary side switch electrically coupled to the primary winding; a feedback circuit, configured to detect an output voltage of a load and output a feedback voltage signal; a current detecting circuit, configured to sample current flowing through the primary side switch and output a current signal; and a control circuit, coupled to the feedback circuit and the current detecting circuit and configured to respectively receive the feedback voltage signal and the current signal, and output a switch control signal to the primary side switch; and wherein the control circuit configured to control a switching frequency of the primary side switch to increase with increase of an output power, and an increasing speed of the switching frequency to decrease with the increase of the output power.

Abstract: A power converter includes a primary controller having a control voltage terminal for receiving electrical power and a monitor terminal electrically coupled to an input sensing node with an input voltage varying periodically below a first start threshold voltage to define valleys. The power converter includes a first current source configured to drive a first electrical current from the monitor terminal to the control voltage terminal in response to the input voltage being less than the first start threshold voltage. A delay timer delays driving the first electrical current to center a supply time interval within a valley. A second current source drives a second electrical current from the monitor terminal to the control voltage terminal in response to the input voltage being less than a second start threshold voltage to reduce an impedance of the monitor terminal when the input voltage is in a valley.

Abstract: A compound semiconductor device includes an electron transit layer, a spacer layer disposed on the electron transit layer, and an electron supply layer disposed on the spacer layer and containing a donor impurity. The electron supply layer has a concentration distribution of the donor impurity where the donor impurity is at a first concentration at an interface between the electron supply layer and the spacer layer and at a second concentration lower than the first concentration at an upper surface of the electron supply layer, and a concentration of the donor impurity at one of arbitrarily-selected two positions closer to the upper surface in a thickness direction of the electron supply layer is less than the concentration of the donor impurity at another one of the two positions closer to the interface in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A control module for a flyback power converting device is coupled between a primary side winding of the flyback power converting device and a power end and includes a switch unit coupled to the primary side winding; wherein the control module conducts a connection between the primary side winding and the power end when the switch unit is disconnected; wherein the power end is able to provide an operation current to the control module.

Abstract: A flyback switch power supply connects NP1 heteronymous terminals in a transformer B to a power source, grounds second primary side winding NP2 heteronymous ends, and ensures that NP1 and NP2 are dual-wire parallel windings. Adding a capacitor C1, one end of C1 is connected to NP1 homonymous terminals, and the other end is connected to NP2 homonymous terminals. The secondary side winding uses a Q2 connection method that is the opposite to the prior art, and is controlled by a PWM signal controlled by another output voltage. The following effect is realized: when Q1 is connected, NP1 and NP2 are both excited, and there is artificial surplus energy; when Q1 is disconnected, the secondary side NS implements a rectified output voltage via Q2 on the basis of the output load requirements, and the leakage inductance and excess energy are non-destructively absorbed by NP2 via D1.

Abstract: An acceleration voltage generator generates a high-voltage pulse applied to a push-out electrode, by operating a switch section to turn on and off a high direct-current voltage generated by a high-voltage power supply. A drive pulse signal is supplied from a controller to the switch section through a primary-side drive section, transformer, and secondary-side drive section. A primary-voltage controller receives a measurement result of ambient temperature of the acceleration voltage generator from a temperature sensor, and controls a primary-side power supply to change a primary-side voltage according to the temperature, thereby adjusting the voltage applied between the two ends of a primary winding of the transformer. The adjustment made on the primary-side voltage changes a slope angle of rise of a gate voltage in the MOSFET, and enables a correction to a discrepancy in the timing of the rise/fall of the high-voltage pulse caused by change in ambient temperature.

Abstract: A charging circuit applied to a post-stage circuit includes a power converting circuit, a power storage circuit, a switching circuit and a processing circuit. The power converting circuit receives an external voltage and converts the external voltage to a charging voltage. The power storage circuit is coupled to the power converting circuit and receives the charging voltage to store the power. The switching circuit is coupled to the power converting circuit and the power storage circuit. The processing circuit is coupled to the switching circuit and controls the charging circuit operated in a first mode or a second mode. When operated in the first mode, the external voltage supplies power to the post-stage circuit. When operated in the second mode, the charging voltage supplies power to the post-stage circuit.

Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. An example system controller for protecting a power converter includes a signal generator, a comparator, and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to generate a threshold signal. The comparator is configured to receive the threshold signal and a current sensing signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the threshold signal and the current sensing signal, the current sensing signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through a primary winding of a power converter. The modulation and drive component is coupled to the signal generator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a DC converter, a DC converter group and a method of connecting the DC converter group. The DC converter includes a DC conversion circuit converting a DC input voltage into a DC output voltage, and a filter module electrically coupled to an input end and an output end of the DC conversion circuit. The filter module includes an input inductor component electrically coupled to the input end of the DC conversion circuit, and an output inductor component electrically coupled to the output end of the DC conversion circuit, wherein the input inductor component and the output inductor component share the same magnetic core.

Abstract: A method for shutting down a phase-leg of a three-level active neutral point clamped converter is provided. The method includes the following steps. A determining step determines if a switch fault has occurred, and if a switch fault has occurred then each switch of the plurality of switches are turned off. If a switch fault has not occurred and a shutdown is requested, then an operating step operates the plurality of switches to turn off a first switch and a fourth switch. A waiting step waits for a first predetermined time period. An operating step operates the plurality of switches to turn on a second switch and a third switch. A waiting step is repeated. An operating step operates the plurality of switches to turn off a fifth switch and a sixth switch. A waiting step is repeated. An operating step turns off the second switch and the third switch.

Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a switching element connected to a primary winding of a transformer to which an input voltage is applied; a feedback unit configured to output a first feedback voltage according to an output voltage, the output voltage induced in a secondary winding of the transformer and output to a load; a current detection unit for detecting a current flowing to the switching element and output a second feedback voltage according to the current detected; a limiting unit for limiting the first feedback voltage so that the current flowing to the switching element is below a predetermined current value; an output unit for outputting a driving signal for the switching element based on the first feedback voltage limited by the limiting unit and on the second feedback voltage; and a control unit for controlling the switching element according to the driving signal output from the output unit.

Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. An example system controller for protecting a power converter includes a signal generator, a comparator, and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to generate a threshold signal. The comparator is configured to receive the threshold signal and a current sensing signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the threshold signal and the current sensing signal, the current sensing signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through a primary winding of a power converter. The modulation and drive component is coupled to the signal generator.

Abstract: A power supply includes a rectifying circuit, a power converting circuit, and a snubber circuit. The rectifying circuit is configured to convert an ac input voltage to a first dc voltage. The power converting circuit is electrically coupled to the rectifying circuit at a node. The power converting circuit includes a switching element and is configured to convert the first dc voltage to a second dc voltage by selectively turning on or off the switching element. The snubber circuit is electrically coupled to the rectifying circuit and the power converting circuit at the node. When the first dc voltage is higher than a limiting level, the snubber circuit is configured to absorb the electricity power to prevent the voltage across the switching element from exceeding a safety upper limit.

Abstract: A boost integrated flyback (BiFRED) converter which has a current sensing element (R2) in series with the energy storage device (C1) of the converter for sensing a boost portion current and a discharging flyback portion current. A feedback circuit (54) processes the sensed current to derive a control signal which is then used for adjusting the time duration for which the switching element (S1) of the BiFRED converter is switched on based on the control signal. This arrangement makes use of primary side current sensing to modify standard on-time control so that the current ripple in the output can be suppressed.

Abstract: A switched-mode power controller includes a primary side controller circuit configured in a startup mode of operation to generate a fixed switching frequency pulse width modulation (PWM) signal with incrementing duty-ratio value. The PWM signal drives a main-switch that charges an inductive device with stored energy and discharges the stored energy into a capacitor on a secondary side to generate a power controller output voltage. Based on a comparison of the power controller output voltage with a reference voltage, the primary side controller circuit is configured to stop the incrementing of the duty-ratio of the PWM signal and begin a quasi-resonant mode of operation during which the primary side controller circuit reduces a number of valleys detected in one or more off-times of the main-switch in one or more respective main-switch switching periods.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a primary-controlled high power factor quasi resonant converter. The converter converts an AC power line input to a DC output to power a load, generally a string of LEDs, and may be compatible with phase-cut dimmers. The power input is fed into a transformer being controlled by a power switch. The power switch is driven by a controller having a shaping circuit. The shaping circuit uses a current generator, switched resistor and capacitor to produce a reference voltage signal. The controller drives the power switch based on the voltage reference signal, resulting in a sinusoidal input current in a primary winding of the transformer, resulting in high power factor and low total harmonic distortion for the converter.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power frequency current converter, including: an input side and an output side, wherein a current of the input side or the output side is a power frequency current; a switching device; and a controller, configured to control the switching device to be turned on and turned off at an operating frequency, wherein within a half of a power frequency cycle, the controller generates at least two fixed-frequency control signals and the operating frequency of the switching device alters at least twice according to the at least two fixed-frequency control signals, so as to reduce junction temperature of the switching device.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may generate an output signal with a regulated voltage and maintain a constant switch frequency having a first on time and a first off time. The second circuit may generate a shifted signal based on a phase delay with respect to the output signal and maintain a shifted frequency having a second on time and a second off time. The second on time may follow the first on time by the phase delay. The second on time may be based on the first on time and transient conditions of a load. The apparatus may implement an automatic phase shift adjustment. A current sensing comparison may implement a cycle-by-cycle comparison between the output signal and the shifted signal to determine the second on time and perform a tuning operation to achieve inductor current balancing.

Abstract: A LED drive circuit according to the present invention comprises a controller and a programmable signal. The controller generates a switching signal coupled to switch a magnetic device for generating an output current to drive a plurality of LEDs. The programmable signal is coupled to regulate a current-control signal of the controller. The switching signal is modulated in response to the current-control signal for regulating the output current, and the level of the output current is correlated to the current-control signal.

Abstract: A hybrid pulse driver and method for generating a short, high-voltage pulse of electrical energy. The hybrid pulse driver combining a pulse transformer function and a flyback transformer function and comprising one or more core circuits, a switching circuit, and an output. Each core circuit including a transformer having a magnetic core, a single-turn primary winding, and a multi-turn secondary winding. The switching circuit, when switched to an on state, results in electrical energy discharging through the transformer in each core circuit, each transformer transforming the electrical energy into a stepped-up pulse, and each transformer transmitting a flyback pulse following the stepped-up pulse, the flyback pulse resetting the magnetic core. The output transmits an output pulse, the output pulse comprising the sum of each stepped-up pulse.

Abstract: A bidirectional switch circuit is constituted of an FET group encompassing FETs of L stages (L?3) connected in series to each other and includes an FET group configured to control electric conduction for a signal in both directions between one end and the other end of the above-mentioned FET group and a plurality of capacitance elements. The FET group includes a first FET closest to the one end and a second FET closest to the other end. The plurality of capacitance elements encompass a first capacitance element group including capacitance elements of M stages (1?M<L) connected in parallel to each of the FETs from the first FET in sequence, and a second capacitance element group including capacitance elements of N stages (1?N?(L?M)) connected in parallel to each of the FETs from the second FET in sequence.

Abstract: A charging method, a charging apparatus, a charger, a chargeable device, and a charging system are provided. The charging method includes: acquiring a control current wave from a chargeable device, wherein the control current wave is a positive current pulse, a negative current pulse, or a current having a current value equal to a reference current value; if the control current wave is the positive current pulse, adjusting an output voltage of a charger to be greater than a present output voltage; if the control current wave is the negative current pulse, adjusting the output voltage of the charger to be less than the present output voltage; and if the control current is the current having the current value equal to the reference current value, maintaining the output voltage unchanged. Accordingly, an output capability of the charger is fully used, thus achieving fast charging.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement includes a power semiconductor circuit, a first charge storage unit and a second charge storage unit. The first charge storage unit has first and second terminals, the second charge storage unit has first and second terminals, and the power semiconductor circuit has first and second terminals. The power semiconductor circuit also has a first semiconductor component and a second semiconductor component, the load paths of which are electrically connected in series between the first and second terminals of the power semiconductor circuit. A first connection electrically connects the first terminal of the first charge storage unit to the first terminal of the second charge storage unit, and a second connection electrically connects the second terminal of the first charge storage unit to the second terminal of the second charge storage unit. A magnetic core is electromagnetically coupled to the first and/or second connections.

Abstract: In one form, a switched mode power supply controller with frequency foldback includes a pulse width modulator responsive to a clock signal to generate a drive signal having a pulse width that varies in response to a feedback signal, and a variable frequency oscillator having a first input for receiving the feedback signal, a control input for receiving a control signal defining a foldback starting frequency, a foldback ending frequency, a foldback starting voltage, and a foldback ending voltage, and an output for providing the clock signal having a variable frequency that varies over a range between the foldback starting frequency and the foldback ending frequency as the feedback signal varies between the foldback starting voltage and the foldback ending voltage, respectively. The control signal is user programmable for at least one of the foldback starting frequency, the foldback ending frequency, the foldback starting voltage, and the foldback ending voltage.

Abstract: A power supply module having two output voltages includes an inductor module and a main board. The inductor module includes a first magnetic core, a second magnetic core, an intermediate magnetic core disposed therebetween, a first winding and a second winding. The first winding is disposed on one of a magnetic column of the first magnetic core and a magnetic column of the intermediate magnetic core to form a first inductor. The second winding is disposed on one of a magnetic column of the second magnetic core and a magnetic column of the intermediate magnetic core to form a second inductor. There is no air gap at a portion of the intermediate magnetic core where magnetic paths of the first and second inductors pass through together. The inductor module is disposed on the main board. The first winding and the second winding are electrically connected with the main board.

Abstract: System and method for protecting a power converter. An example system controller for protecting a power converter includes a signal generator, a comparator, and a modulation and drive component. The signal generator is configured to generate a threshold signal. The comparator is configured to receive the threshold signal and a current sensing signal and generate a comparison signal based on at least information associated with the threshold signal and the current sensing signal, the current sensing signal indicating a magnitude of a primary current flowing through a primary winding of a power converter. The modulation and drive component is coupled to the signal generator.

Abstract: A control circuit and a control method of a switching power supply, according to feedback signals on a pin FB and a pin CS, a constant current control module generates and outputs a control signal to control an output current of the switching power supply, thereby regulating duty cycle of a first transistor adaptively and controlling an output current Io of a power supply system to be constant; according to the feedback signals on the pin FB and on the pin CS, a constant current precision compensation module adaptively regulates circuit parameters of the constant current control module and a sample-and-hold module, preventing precision of constant current output from being influenced by change of a working mode and/or by variation of input conditions; when an output voltage changes, QR mode keeps unchanged or depth of a CCM keeps approximately constant.

Abstract: Thermoelectric energy harvesting systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention enable energy harvesting. One embodiment includes a thermoelectric energy harvesting (TEH) system comprising a TEH comprising a thin-film array-based TEH source; start-up mode circuitry comprising: an upper branch comprising: a mode switch configured to allow selection of the upper branch; an inductive-load ring oscillator (ILRO); a charge pump configured to receive an input from the ILRO and output current, where output current is utilized to charge an upper branch capacitor; a lower branch comprising: an inductor; an active diode configured to transfer energy stored in the inductor to an output capacitor; maximum-power-point tracking (MPPT) mode circuitry, where the MPPT loop comprises: a mode control unit; a gate controller; a clock generator configured to generate at least one control signal; an analog-domain MPPT unit configured to receive the at least one generated control signal.

Abstract: An isolated power transfer device has a primary side and a secondary side isolated from the primary side by an isolation barrier. A secondary-side circuit includes a rectifier circuit coupled to a secondary-side conductive coil. The secondary-side circuit includes a first resistor coupled to a first power supply node and a terminal node. The secondary-side circuit includes a second resistor coupled to the terminal node and a second power supply node. The secondary-side circuit includes a first circuit to generate a feedback signal in response to a reference voltage and a signal on the terminal node. The feedback signal has a hysteretic band defined by the first resistor and the second resistor. The secondary-side circuit is configured as an AC/DC power converter that provides, on the first power supply node, an output DC signal having a voltage level based on a ratio of the first resistor to the second resistor.

Abstract: Signal transmission circuitry comprises a conductive transmitting coil, a first power supply, a semiconductor switch to reversibly couple the transmitting coil to the first power supply, control circuitry to control the coupling of the transmitting coil to the first power supply by the semiconductor switch, a second power supply coupled to supply power to the control circuitry.

Abstract: A drive includes an inverter power circuit that applies power to an electric motor of a compressor from a direct current (DC) voltage bus. A power factor correction (PFC) circuit outputs power to the DC voltage bus based on input alternating current (AC) power. The PFC circuit includes: (i) a switch having a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal; (ii) a driver that switches the switch between open and closed states based on a control signal; (iii) an inductor that charges and discharges based on switching of the switch; and (iv) a circuit that outputs a signal indicating whether the switch is in the open state or the closed state based on a voltage across the first and second terminals of the switch.

Abstract: A flyback power converter includes a transformer having a primary winding receiving an input power, a secondary winding generating an output power, and an auxiliary winding generating an auxiliary voltage and providing a supply voltage, a primary side switch controlling the primary winding, a start-up switch coupled to the input voltage and the supply voltage, and a primary side controller supplied by the supply voltage. The primary side controller includes a shared pin coupled to a control terminal of the start-up switch, a start-up circuit for controlling the start-up switch to be conductive through the shared pin when the supply voltage is lower than a threshold, and a signal processing circuit receiving an auxiliary signal related to the auxiliary voltage through the shared pin and operating the flyback power converter accordingly, wherein the shared pin, besides providing a function of controlling the start-up switch, provides another function.

Abstract: Methods and circuits for controlling a synchronous rectifier. An operating condition of the synchronous rectifier is detected. A voltage level applied to turn on at least one transistor of the synchronous rectifier us modified based upon the detected operating condition, to improve efficiency of the synchronous rectifier.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for power supply control includes an on/off control signal generation circuit which generates a control signal to turn on or off the switching element, a high-voltage input start terminal to which alternating-current voltage of AC input or voltage rectified in a diode bridge is input, a high-voltage input monitoring circuit connected to the high-voltage input start terminal and monitoring voltage of the high-voltage input start terminal, and a discharging unit connected between the high-voltage input start terminal and a ground point. When the high-voltage input monitoring circuit detects that a time for which the voltage of the high-voltage input start terminal is not lower than a predetermined voltage value for a predetermined period, the discharging unit is turned on.

Abstract: An isolated DC/DC converter includes a transformer having a first winding and a secondary winding, a switching transistor connected to the primary winding of the transformer, a rectifier element connected to the secondary winding of the transformer, a photocoupler, a feedback circuit configured to drive a light emitting element on an input side of the photocoupler by a forward current corresponding to an error between an output voltage of the DC/DC converter and a target voltage of the DC/DC converter, a conversion circuit configured to convert a collector current flowing in a light receiving element on an output side of the photocoupler into a feedback voltage having a negative correlation with the collector current, a pulse signal generator configured to generate a pulse signal corresponding to the feedback voltage, and a driver configured to drive the switching transistor depending on the pulse signal.

Abstract: Aspects include a hold-up capacitor charging circuit for a power supply. The hold-up capacitor charging circuit includes a voltage boosting charge pump circuit with a hold-up capacitor electrically coupled to a voltage source. The hold-up capacitor charging circuit also includes a fly-back circuit. The fly-back circuit includes a transformer with a primary winding electrically coupled to the voltage source and a secondary winding electrically coupled to a load. A switch is electrically coupled to the primary winding and the voltage boosting charge pump circuit. A controller is operable to open and close the switch to control energy transfer from the primary winding to the secondary winding and charge the hold-up capacitor responsive to voltages of the voltage source, the voltage boosting charge pump circuit, and a reflected voltage of the secondary winding at the primary winding.

Abstract: An ionization detector that reduces the filtering effects of the ignition coil inductances by shorting an inductance of a primary winding of the ignition coil. The ionization detector includes a bias voltage source and an inductance control switch. The bias voltage source supplies electric voltage across an electric gap of a spark plug for detecting ionization within the combustion chamber. The inductance control switch is electrically parallel with a primary winding of an ignition coil and is operable to short an inductance of the primary winding.

Abstract: A power inverter includes a plurality of bridge arms and a plurality of switching circuits. The bridge arms are electrically coupled to a first and a second dc node and a neutral point node, and respectively coupled to a corresponding one of a plurality of ac output nodes to provide an ac output voltage and output current via the ac output node. The switching circuits are respectively coupled between a corresponding one of the ac output nodes and the neutral point node. Each of the switching circuits includes a first transistor, a second transistor, a first diode and a second diode. The first and the second transistors are coupled in series to each other. The first and the second diodes are electrically coupled in inverse-parallel to the first and the second transistors respectively.

Abstract: A DC-DC power converter includes an input, an output, a transformer, and a primary FET coupled to selectively conduct current though a primary winding of the transformer. The primary FET includes a drain that experiences multiple resonant voltage valleys during each dead-time period of the converter. The converter further includes a synchronous rectifier coupled to selectively conduct current through a secondary winding of the transformer, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate the primary FET in a valley skipping mode by turning on the primary FET during a second or subsequent one of the multiple resonant voltage valleys, and to allow a negative current in the secondary winding of the transformer before turning off the synchronous rectifier during one or more of the multiple resonant voltage valleys. Methods of operating DC-DC power converters are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus including a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may generate an output signal with a regulated voltage and maintain a constant switch frequency having a first on time and a first off time. The second circuit may generate a shifted signal based on a phase delay with respect to the output signal and maintain a shifted frequency having a second on time and a second off time. The second on time may follow the first on time by the phase delay. The second on time may be based on the first on time and transient conditions of a load. The apparatus may implement an automatic phase shift adjustment. A current sensing comparison may implement a cycle-by-cycle comparison between the output signal and the shifted signal to determine the second on time and perform a tuning operation to achieve inductor current balancing.

Abstract: Disclosed are AC-DC voltage converter circuits and methods for low standby power consumption. In one embodiment, a method can include: (i) detecting operating states of an input power supply, where the input power supply is received by a safety capacitor and provided to a switching power supply circuit after being rectified and filtered; (ii) removing a phantom load when the input power supply operates in a normal operating state; (iii) loading the phantom load when the input power supply operates in an under voltage lock out state; and (iv) when the input power supply operates in the under voltage lock out state, using energy stored in the safety capacitor to supply power to a load of the switching power supply circuit and the phantom load, and disabling a power stage circuit until a voltage of the safety capacitor is reduced to less than a safety threshold value.

Abstract: A PWM controller in a switching mode power supply provides to a power switch a PWM signal determining an ON time and an OFF time. A peak detector detects a voltage peak of a line voltage generated by rectifying an alternating-current input voltage. An OFF-time control unit controls the PWM signal and determines the OFF time in response to a compensation voltage, which is in response to an output voltage of the switching mode power supply. An ON-time control unit controls the PWM signal and determines the ON time in response to the compensation voltage and the voltage peak. The ON-time control unit is configured to make the ON time not less than a minimum ON time, and the minimum ON time is determined in response to the voltage peak.