| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080213957 | Integrated circuit with multi-length output transistor segments - A monolithic integrated circuit fabricated on a semiconductor die includes a control circuit and a first output transistor having segments substantially equal to a first length. A second output transistor has segments substantially equal to a second length. The first and second output transistors occupy an L-shaped area of the semiconductor die, the L-shaped area having first and second inner sides that are respectively disposed adjacent first and second sides of the control circuit. At least one of the first and second output transistors is coupled to the control circuit. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080218138 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AUDIO NOISE IN A SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator utilizing on/off control that reduces audio noise at light loads by adjusting the current limit of the switching regulator. In one embodiment, a switching regulator includes a state machine that adjusts the current limit of the switching regulator based on a pattern of feedback signal values from the output of the power supply for a preceding N cycles of the drive signal. The state machine adjusts the current limit lower at light loads such that cycles are not skipped to reduce the operating frequency of the switching regulator into the audio frequency range until the flux density through the transformer is sufficiently low to reduce the generation of audio noise. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080239609 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING FINAL TEST AND TRIMMING FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller. Thus, the power supply controller can be tested without having to actually heat the part. The disable circuit includes a programmable circuit connection, which when programmed prevents further trimming of power supply controller and prevents adjustment of the shutdown circuit over temperature threshold. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080246446 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ON/OFF CONTROL OF A POWER CONVERTER - A power converter control method and apparatus is disclosed. An example power converter controller according to aspects of the present invention includes feedback sampling circuitry to be coupled to an output of a power converter. The feedback sampling circuitry is to generate feedback signal samples after a conduction of a power switch is terminated during enabled switching cycles. Switch conduction control circuitry is coupled to the feedback sampling circuitry. The switch conduction circuitry includes switch conduction enable circuitry that is coupled to enable or disable the conduction of the power switch during a switching cycle in response to the feedback signal samples. The power switch is caused to conduct during at least a portion of an enabled switching cycle and prevented from conducting during an entirety of a disabled switching cycle. Switch conduction termination circuitry is also optionally included in the switch conduction circuitry and is coupled to terminate the conduction of the power switch during enabled switching cycles in response to the current through the power switch. Switch conduction scheduling circuitry is also included in the switch conduction circuitry and is coupled to determine a varying number of future enabled and disabled switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080247202 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING MULTIPLE VOLTAGE VALUES FROM A SINGLE TERMINAL OF A POWER CONVERTER CONTROLLER - An example controller for a power converter according to aspects of the present invention includes a switching control that switches a power switch to regulate an output of a power converter. The controller also includes a sensor coupled to receive a signal from a single terminal of the controller. The signal from the single terminal is representative of a line input voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an on time of the power switch. The signal from the single terminal is also representative of an output voltage of the power converter during at least a portion of an off time of the power switch. The switching control is responsive to the sensor. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080304187 | FAULT CONDITION PROTECTION - A power converter controller circuit is disclosed. In one aspect, a power converter controller circuit includes a control circuit to generate a switching signal to be coupled to a power switch to control power delivered to an output of a power converter. A timing circuit is to be coupled to the power switch and coupled to receive a feedback signal and the switching signal. The timing circuit is to disable the power switch from receiving the switching signal in response to the feedback signal after detection of a fault condition. The feedback signal repeatedly transitions between first and second states in response to the output when the power supply operates normally. The feedback signal maintains its state when the power supply is in the fault condition. The feedback signal transitions between the first and second states independently from the switching signal. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090021298 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SELECT A PARAMETER/MODE BASED ON A TIME MEASUREMENT - Techniques are disclosed to select functional parameters and/or operating modes of a circuit based on a time measurement are disclosed. One example integrated circuit includes a threshold detection and timing circuit that is coupled to measure a signal during an initialization period of the integrated circuit from a multifunction capacitor that is to be coupled to a first terminal of the integrated circuit. A selection circuit is coupled to the threshold detection and timing circuit to select a parameter/mode of the integrated circuit in response to the measured signal from the multifunction capacitor during the initialization period of the integrated circuit. The multifunction capacitor is coupled to provide an additional function for the integrated circuit after the initialization period of the integrated circuit is complete. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090073733 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE AUDIO FREQUENCIES IN A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A controller for use in a power supply regulator is disclosed. One controller includes a feedback circuit coupled to generate an equivalent switching frequency signal in response to a sense signal from a power supply regulator output. A comparator is coupled to compare the equivalent switching frequency signal with a reference signal. A period modulation circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a period modulation switching signal in response to the equivalent switching frequency signal. A multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to the output of the comparator. The multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to enable or disable a switch signal from the controller, which is to be coupled to a switch of the power supply regulator. A group of two or more consecutive switching cycles is separated from a next group having two or more switching cycles by a time of no switching. The time of no switching is adjusted in closed loop to regulate a transfer of energy from a power supply regulator input to the power supply regulator output. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090085615 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIMPLIFYING THE CONTROL OF A SWITCH - A technique for simplifying the control of a switch is presented. In one embodiment, a method of controlling a switch as a function of the voltage across the switch is presented. In one embodiment a method of controlling a switch as a function of the slope of the voltage across the switch is present. In one embodiment a switching is switched on for an on time period that is substantially fixed in response to a voltage across the switch while the switch is off. In one embodiment a switch is switched on for an on time period that is substantially fixed in response to the slope of the voltage across the switch while the switch is off. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090091309 | OFF-LINE CONVERTER WITH DIGITAL CONTROL - A regulation circuit for use in DC to DC converter is disclosed. One such regulation circuit includes a feedback circuit to be coupled an energy transfer element output to receive a feedback signal to indicate whether the energy transfer element output is above or below a threshold level. A control circuit is included that is to be coupled to a switch that is coupled to an energy transfer element input. The control circuit is further coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a drive signal to control the switch to regulate the energy transfer element output to approximately the threshold level. The control circuit is to maintain an on-time of a current cycle of the drive signal and not allow an on-time of a next cycle of the drive signal in response to the energy transfer element output rising above the threshold level. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090096072 | Package for a power semiconductor device - A package for a semiconductor die includes a die attach pad that provides an attachment surface area for the semiconductor die, and tie bars connected to the die attach pad. The die attach pad is disposed in a first general plane and the tie bars are disposed in a second general plane offset with respect to the first general plane. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die in a form having first, second, third and fourth lateral sides, a top and a bottom. The tie bars are exposed substantially coincident with at least one of the lateral sides. The form includes a discontinuity that extends along the at least one of the lateral sides, the discontinuity increasing a creepage distance measured from the tie bars to the bottom of the package. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090195229 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING AUDIO NOISE IN A SWITCHING REGULATOR - A switching regulator utilizing on/off control that reduces audio noise at light loads by adjusting the current limit of the switching regulator. In one embodiment, a switching regulator includes a state machine that adjusts the current limit of the switching regulator based on a pattern of feedback signal values from the output of the power supply for a preceding N cycles of the drive signal. The state machine adjusts the current limit lower at light loads such that cycles are not skipped to reduce the operating frequency of the switching regulator into the audio frequency range until the flux density through the transformer is sufficiently low to reduce the generation of audio noise. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090251121 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING FINAL TEST AND TRIMMING FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller. Thus, the power supply controller can be tested without having to actually heat the part. The disable circuit includes a programmable circuit connection, which when programmed prevents further trimming of power supply controller and prevents adjustment of the shutdown circuit over temperature threshold. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090310389 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING A MULTI-FUNCTION TERMINAL FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A method for controlling a power supply is disclosed. An example method includes deactivating the power supply in response to a first current through a first terminal of a power supply controller falling below a first threshold value. The power supply is activated in response to the first current through the first terminal rising above a second threshold value. Deactivating the power comprises causing a power switch coupled to a primary winding of the power supply not to receive a switching waveform for more than one cycle until the power supply is activated. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100033147 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT LOAD CURRENT WITH LINE VOLTAGE IN A SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY - A power supply regulator including a variable current limit threshold that increases during an on time of a switch. In one aspect, a power supply regulator includes a comparator that has a first input coupled to sense a voltage representative of a current flowing through a switch during an on time of the switch. The comparator has a second input coupled to receive a variable current limit threshold that increases during the on time of the switch. A feedback circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output voltage at an output of a power supply. A control circuit is coupled to generate a control signal in response to an output of the comparator and in response to an output of the feedback circuit. The control signal is to be coupled to a control terminal of the switch to control switching of the switch. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100194445 | POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER WITH INPUT VOLTAGE COMPENSATION FOR EFFICIENCY AND MAXIMUM POWER OUTPUT - A controller for a power supply includes a logic block and a time-to-frequency converter. The logic block is to generate a drive signal in response to a clock signal. The drive signal is to be coupled to control switching of a power switch of the power supply to regulate an output of the power supply. The time-to-frequency converter is coupled to the logic block and generates the clock signal having a frequency responsive to a time period of the drive signal. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100202175 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE AUDIO FREQUENCIES IN A SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY - A controller for use in a power supply regulator is disclosed. One controller includes a feedback circuit coupled to generate a feedback current signal that corresponds to a peak switching current in response to a sense signal from a power supply regulator output. A comparator is coupled to compare the feedback current signal with a reference voltage. A modulation circuit is coupled to the feedback circuit to generate a pulse width modulated switching signal with fixed switching frequency in response to the feedback current signal and the reference voltage. A multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to the output of the comparator. The multi-cycle modulator circuit is coupled to enable or disable a switch signal from the controller to be coupled to a switch of the power supply regulator. A group of two or more consecutive switching cycles is separated from a next group having two or more switching cycles by a time of no switching. The time of no switching is adjusted in closed loop to regulate a transfer of energy from a power supply regulator input to the power supply regulator output. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100254166 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ON/OFF CONTROL OF A POWER CONVERTER - A power converter control method and apparatus is disclosed. An example power converter controller according to aspects of the present invention includes a feedback sampling circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power converter to generate feedback signal samples during enabled switching cycles. The power converter controller also includes a switch conduction control circuit coupled to the feedback sampling circuit. The switch conduction control circuit includes switch conduction enable circuitry coupled to enable or disable the conduction of a power switch during a switching cycle in response to the feedback signal samples. The switch conduction control circuit also includes switch conduction scheduling circuitry coupled to determine a varying number of future enabled and disabled switching cycles in response to the feedback signal samples from a present switching cycle and one or more past switching cycles. | 10-07-2010 |
| 20100277838 | FAULT CONDITION PROTECTION - A regulator for a switched mode power supply includes switching regulator logic, a counter and a logic gate. The switching regulator logic is coupled to receive a feedback signal and to generate a switching signal in response. The feedback signal periodically cycles between a first state and a second state when the power supply operates normally. The counter is coupled to receive the feedback signal and an output of the counter indicates an auto-restart mode of the regulator in response to the feedback signal remaining in the first state for a predetermined count. An output of the logic gate enables the power switch to turn on and off in response to the switching signal when the output of the counter does not indicate the auto-restart mode and the output of the logic gate disables the power switch in response to the output of the counter indicating the auto-restart mode. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100321039 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO SELECT A PARAMETER/MODE BASED ON A TIME MEASUREMENT - An example integrated control circuit includes a regulator, a first comparator, a second comparator, and a counter. The regulator is to charge, during a time period, a capacitor. The first comparator is to provide an output indicating when a voltage on the capacitor reaches a first threshold voltage. The second comparator is coupled to provide an output indicating when the voltage on the capacitor reaches a second threshold voltage. The counter is coupled to begin counting in response to the first threshold voltage being reached and is coupled to stop counting in response to the second threshold voltage being reached. The counter is coupled to provide an output representative of the capacitance value of the capacitor during the time period and the integrated control circuit receives a bias current at the terminal from the capacitor to provide power to operate the integrated control circuit after the time period has ended. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110024185 | Power semiconductor package with bottom surface protrusions - A package includes a body that encapsulates a semiconductor die, the body having a first pair of opposing lateral sides, a second pair of opposing lateral sides, a top, and a bottom. The bottom has a primary surface and a plurality of protrusions that extend outward from the primary surface. When the package is mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) the protrusions contact the PCB and the primary surface is disposed a first distance away from the PCB. The package further includes a plurality of leads that extend outward from the first pair of opposing lateral sides. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025278 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING A POWER CONVERTER INPUT TERMINAL VOLTAGE DISCHARGE CIRCUIT - A circuit to discharge a capacitance between input terminals of a power system is disclosed. An example circuit includes a control circuit coupled to an input of a power system. The control circuit is coupled to detect whether an electrical energy source is coupled to an input of the power system. A switch is also included and is coupled to the control circuit and to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode when the electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power system. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input of the power system. A capacitance coupled between input terminals of the input of the power system is discharged through the switch to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical power source is uncoupled from the input terminals of the power system. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110025288 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAINTAINING A CONSTANT LOAD CURRENT WITH LINE VOLTAGE IN A SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY - A power supply regulator including a variable current limit threshold that increases during an on time of a switch. In one aspect, a power supply regulator includes a comparator coupled to receive a signal representative of a current through a switch during an on time of the switch. The comparator is further coupled to receive a variable current limit threshold that increases during the on time of the switch. The power supply regulator also includes a feedback circuit coupled to receive a feedback signal representative of an output of a power supply. A control circuit is also included and is coupled to the switch, to an output of the comparator, and to an output of the feedback circuit. The control circuit is coupled to control a switching of the switch in response the output of the comparator and the output of the feedback circuit to regulate the output of the power supply. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110084679 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING FINAL TEST AND TRIMMING FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A power supply controller having final test and trim circuitry. In one embodiment, a power supply controller for switched mode power supply includes a selector circuit, a trim circuit, a shutdown circuit and a disable circuit. The trim circuit includes a programmable circuit connection that can be selected by the selector circuit by toggling a voltage on an external terminal such as for example a power supply terminal, a control terminal or a function terminal of the power supply controller. The programmable circuit connection in the trim circuit can be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the external terminal. The shutdown circuit shuts down the power supply controller if the temperature rises above an over temperature threshold voltage. The shutdown circuit includes adjustment circuitry that can be used to test the shutdown circuit. The adjustment circuitry can adjust and reduce the over temperature threshold of the power supply controller. Thus, the power supply controller can be tested without having to actually heat the part. The disable circuit includes a programmable circuit connection, which when programmed prevents further trimming of power supply controller and prevents adjustment of the shutdown circuit over temperature threshold. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110085360 | METHOD AND APPARATUS PROVIDING A MULTI-FUNCTION TERMINAL FOR A POWER SUPPLY CONTROLLER - A power supply controller circuit is disclosed. An example power supply controller circuit includes a control circuit coupled to generate a switching waveform to be used to regulate an output of a power supply. A current input circuit is coupled to receive a current representative of an input of the power supply. The current input circuit is to generate a sense signal in response to the current representative of the input of the power supply. A first comparator is coupled to the current input circuit to receive the sense signal. The first comparator coupled to generate a first signal in response to the sense signal being above a first threshold. An enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to the first comparator. The enable/disable logic circuit is coupled to deactivate the control circuit in response to the first signal. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110108963 | Package for a power semiconductor device - A package for a semiconductor die includes a die attach pad that provides an attachment surface area for the semiconductor die, and tie bars connected to the die attach pad. The die attach pad is disposed in a first general plane and the tie bars are disposed in a second general plane offset with respect to the first general plane. A molding compound encapsulates the semiconductor die in a form having first, second, third and fourth lateral sides, a top and a bottom. The tie bars are exposed substantially coincident with at least one of the lateral sides. The form includes a discontinuity that extends along the at least one of the lateral sides, the discontinuity increasing a creepage distance measured from the tie bars to the bottom of the package. | 05-12-2011 |
