| Monolithic Power Systems, Inc. Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120104467 | SELF-ALIGNED CONTACT STRUCTURE TRENCH JFET - According to one embodiment, a self-aligned trench structure junction gate field-effect transistor (JFET) includes a silicon substrate, two or more trenches having a P-type polysilicon gate region near a bottom portion of the trench and an interlayer dielectric layer (ILDL) above the P-type polysilicon gate region, a channel region separating each trench including epitaxial silicon, an N+ source region above the channel region extending between a top of each trench, and a source metal above the N+ source region. In another embodiment, a self-aligned trench structure JFET includes a silicon substrate, two or more trenches having an N-type polysilicon gate region near a bottom portion of the trench and an ILDL above the N-type polysilicon gate region, a channel region separating each trench including epitaxial silicon, a P+ source region above the channel region extending between a top of each trench, and a source metal above the P+ source region. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20110241642 | VOLTAGE CONVERTER - A voltage converter includes an input circuit that is designed to receive an input voltage. The voltage converter includes a switch circuit comprising a pair of switches that receive the input voltage through the input circuit. The voltage converter includes an output circuit configured to supply current at a regulated voltage. The voltage converter includes a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal. The voltage converter includes a switch control circuit that generates a switch control signal during an operational mode of circuit operation. The voltage converter includes an idle mode control circuit that generates an idle mode control signal during the operational mode and causes the switch circuit to turn off one of the switches for a period of time. The voltage converter includes a switch turn-off circuit that generates a second control signal, which causes the switch circuit to turn off the other switch. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20100117555 | PULSE DIMMING CIRCUIT AND THE METHOD THEREOF - The present invention provides a pulse dimming circuit and a method thereof. The pulse dimming circuit is compatible for both DC input signal and PWM input signal using only one circuit board. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20090243569 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONOUS BUCK WITH ACTIVE NEGATIVE CURRENT MODULATION - A circuit is disclosed that includes a buck voltage regulator electrically coupled to an active current modulator. The active current modulator is operable to detect a negative current in the low-side switch of the buck voltage regulator circuit during a light mode operation. Whenever the negative current is detected, the active negative current modulator causes the low-side switch to stay ON in a linear mode and limits the negative current to a predetermined current level. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090243568 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONOUS BOOST VOLTAGE REGULATORS WITH ACTIVE NEGATIVE CURRENT MODULATION - A switch-mode synchronous boost voltage regulator is disclosed that includes a boost voltage regulator and an active current modulator. The active current modulator detects a negative current flowing through the high-side switch during a light load condition. When the negative current is detected, the active current modulator is operable to maintain the high-side switch “on” in a linear mode and to limit the negative current to a predetermined current level. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090153127 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EXTERNAL CONTROL MODE STEP DOWN SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed that includes a switch circuit that further includes a first switch and a second switch, a mode selector circuit controlled by external circuitry to select between a first mode and a second mode, and a control circuit. In response to a feedback signal from the switch circuit, when the first mode is selected, the control circuit toggles the first switch and the second switch ON and OFF alternately at a fixed first frequency. When a second mode is selected, the control circuit causes the second switch to turn OFF completely and the first switch to switch ON and OFF at a variable second frequency. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090140655 | SIMPLE PROTECTION CIRCUIT AND ADAPTIVE FREQUENCY SWEEPING METHOD FOR CCFL INVERTER - A CCFL inverter circuit integrates a feedback circuit and protection circuit together. For both in-phase and out-of-phase applications, sensed lamp voltages can be used for open lamp and short lamp detection and sensed currents can be used for open lamp detection. The driving circuit adjusts the open lamp frequency by using a duty cycle control signal so that the driving circuit can always achieve the desired lamp voltage gain. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090096511 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE SWITCH MODE VOLTAGE REGULATORS - A circuit configuration for a high power switch-mode voltage regulator circuit is disclosed that includes an array of Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) switching transistors electrically coupled to one another at their drains and sources, and a plurality of gate driver circuits. Each gate driver circuit is coupled substantially close to the gate and dedicated to driving only one MOS switching transistor. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090096435 | LAYOUT SCHEMES AND APPARATUS FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE DC-DC OUTPUT STAGE - A layout method that enables a high power switch mode voltage regulator integrated circuit to generate a large output current and achieve substantially low switching loss is disclosed. The layout method includes forming an array of switching elements on a semiconductor die, each switching element including a plurality of discrete transistors configured to have a substantially reduced ON resistance; and forming a plurality of gate driver circuits on the same die among the switching elements, all using a single metal process. Each gate driver circuit placed substantially close to and dedicated to drive only one switching element so that the gate coupling capacitance resistance product is substantially reduced. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20080258651 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPEN LAMP PROTECTION - A detector circuit monitors the phase relationship between the lamp voltage and the excitation voltage, and if one or more conditions are met, triggers the open lamp protection process in a discharge lamp system. The detection circuit can be incorporated into a lamp voltage feedback circuit and implemented on the integrated circuit level with less cost and circuit complexity. | 10-23-2008 |
