Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090256537 | Multiphase Voltage Regulators And Methods For Voltage Regulation - A multiphase voltage regulator system comprises a microcontroller unit (MCU) including a reference voltage generator, and a timing generator for generating n-phase start timing signals; a load for receiving an output voltage; a comparator comparing the reference voltage and output voltage to generate a comparison result; and at least n points of load (POLs) coupled between the MCU and load for controlling output voltage in response to the n-phase start timing signals and the comparison result. Each POL may include a high-side and low-side transistor; and a D-FlipFlop, the D terminal coupled High, the clock terminal coupled to receive a control signal based on a respective one of the n-phase start timing signals, the Q terminal coupled to drive the high-side transistor, the /Q terminal coupled to drive the low-side transistor, and the reset terminal coupled to receive a reset control signal based on the comparison result. | 10-15-2009 |
20110002358 | Temperature Detection and Reporting System and Method in Power Driving and/or Consuming System - An apparatus, in one embodiment, can include a configuration including a plurality of heat generation devices. The apparatus also includes a plurality of thermal sensors respectively, operably connected to each of the plurality of heat generation devices, wherein each thermal sensor of the plurality of thermal sensors includes a respective output terminal configured to provide a voltage representative of the temperature of the respective heat generation device. The apparatus further includes an output circuit configured to output the highest temperature information among the heat generation devices. The output terminals of the plurality of thermal sensors are tied together. A corresponding method is also discussed. | 01-06-2011 |
20110115471 | Current Sensing and Measuring Method and Apparatus - A method can include obtaining a voltage across a first transistor as an obtained voltage. The method can also include multiplying the obtained voltage by a predetermined multiple M to yield a multiplied voltage. The method can further include applying the multiplied voltage to a second transistor, wherein the second transistor is N times smaller than the first transistor. The method can additionally include providing an output current of the second transistor as an M/N scaled estimate of an output current of the first transistor. | 05-19-2011 |
20110226462 | Voltage Regulator and Cooling Control Integrated Circuit - According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a microprocessor, and a built-in temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the microprocessor as a reference temperature. The apparatus further includes external temperature sensors, where at least one of the external temperature sensors is configured to measure the temperature of the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to make an external temperature calibration using the reference temperature measured by the built-in temperature monitor. Each of the external temperature sensors is configured to monitor temperature information of a component and provide the temperature information to the microprocessor. | 09-22-2011 |
20120001608 | INTELLIGENT GATE DRIVE - According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes a microprocessor-based pulse-width modulation controller configured to generate a pulse-width modulation signal, and a synchronous converter including a first transistor, a second transistor, a first driver, and a second driver. The apparatus further includes a drive voltage generator configured to generate a drive voltage for the synchronous converter. The drive voltage generator is further configured to generate the drive voltage based on a measured output current and a measured input voltage. | 01-05-2012 |
20120098117 | POWER AND THERMAL DESIGN USING A COMMON HEAT SINK ON TOP OF HIGH THERMAL CONDUCTIVE RESIN PACKAGE - An apparatus and method of manufacture may be provided for a package that can be coupled to a common heat sink without external electrical isolation. The apparatus, for example, can include a semi-conductor die comprising at least one electronic device. The apparatus can also include a frame on which a bottom side of the die is mounted, a bottom side of the frame being configured to attach to a printed circuit board. The apparatus can further include a high thermal conductivity resin molded onto a top side of the die. | 04-26-2012 |
20120262122 | Battery Management Control Method - A battery management method and apparatus. In one embodiment of the method, a source current is divided into Ic and Icr. Ic is transmitted to and charges a battery. A first voltage is generated that is related to Icr. The first voltage is converted into a first digital signal. A processing unit receives and processes the first digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in a memory. The transmission of Ic to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the first digital signal. Current provided by the battery is divided into Idc and Idcr. Idc is transmitted to a device. A second voltage is generated that is related to Idcr. The second voltage is converted into a second digital signal. The processing unit receives and processes the second digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The transmission of Idc to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the second digital signal. | 10-18-2012 |
20130063093 | Cold End Switch Battery Management Control Method - In one embodiment of the cold end switch battery management control method, a battery generates an output voltage at a positive terminal thereof. A first control voltage is also generated by an integrated circuit. A gate of a field effect transistor (FET) receives the first control voltage, wherein the FET comprises a drain and a source with the source coupled to a negative terminal of the battery. The FET transmits current towards the battery in response to the gate receiving the first control voltage, wherein the first control voltage is greater than the output voltage, and wherein the first control voltage is less than a breakdown voltage of the integrated circuit. | 03-14-2013 |
20130146275 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND COOLING CONTROL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a microprocessor, and a built-in temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the microprocessor as a reference temperature. The apparatus further includes external temperature sensors, where at least one of the external temperature sensors is configured to measure the temperature of the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to make an external temperature calibration using the reference temperature measured by the built-in temperature monitor. Each of the external temperature sensors is configured to monitor temperature information of a component and provide the temperature information to the microprocessor. | 06-13-2013 |
20130176015 | DISTRIBUTED DRIVING SYSTEM - A step down convertor with a distributed driving system. In one embodiment, an apparatus is disclosed that includes an inductor coupled to an output node. The apparatus also includes first and second circuits. The first circuit can transmit current to the output node via the inductor, and the second can transmit current to the output node via the inductor. The apparatus also includes a third circuit for modifying operational aspects of the first circuit or the second circuit based on a magnitude of current flowing through the inductor. | 07-11-2013 |
20130266040 | TEMPERATURE DETECTION AND REPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD IN POWER DRIVING AND/OR CONSUMING SYSTEM - An apparatus, in one embodiment, can include a configuration including a plurality of heat generation devices. The apparatus also includes a plurality of thermal sensors respectively, operably connected to each of the plurality of heat generation devices, wherein each thermal sensor of the plurality of thermal sensors includes a respective output terminal configured to provide a voltage representative of the temperature of the respective heat generation device. The apparatus further includes an output circuit configured to output the highest temperature information among the heat generation devices. The output terminals of the plurality of thermal sensors are tied together. A corresponding method is also discussed. | 10-10-2013 |
20140077778 | TRENCH MOSFET HAVING AN INDEPENDENT COUPLED ELEMENT IN A TRENCH - A trench MOSFET is disclosed that includes a semiconductor substrate having a vertically oriented trench containing a gate. The trench MOSFET further includes a source, a drain, and a conductive element. The conductive element, like the gate is contained in the trench, and extends between the gate and a bottom of the trench. The conductive element is electrically isolated from the source, the gate, and the drain. When employed in a device such as a DC-DC converter, the trench MOSFET may reduce power losses and electrical and electromagnetic noise. | 03-20-2014 |
20140321506 | TEMPERATURE DETECTION AND REPORTING SYSTEM AND METHOD IN POWER DRIVING AND/OR CONSUMING SYSTEM - An apparatus, in one embodiment, can include a configuration including a plurality of heat generation devices. The apparatus also includes a plurality of thermal sensors respectively, operably connected to each of the plurality of heat generation devices, wherein each thermal sensor of the plurality of thermal sensors includes a respective output terminal configured to provide a voltage representative of the temperature of the respective heat generation device. The apparatus further includes an output circuit configured to output the highest temperature information among the heat generation devices. The output terminals of the plurality of thermal sensors are tied together. A corresponding method is also discussed. | 10-30-2014 |
20150070940 | MULTI-PHASE TRANSFORMER TYPE DC-DC CONVERTER - A multi-phase transformer type DC-DC converter. In one embodiment, the multi-phase transformer type DC-DC converter includes a plurality of DC-DC converters comprising a plurality of transformers, respectively, wherein the plurality of DC-DC converters are coupled in parallel between an input and an output. A circuit is coupled to the plurality of DC-DC converters and configured to generate a plurality of clock signals for use by the plurality of DC-DC converters, respectively, wherein the plurality of clock signals are phase shifted with respect to each other. | 03-12-2015 |
20150077062 | BATTERY MANAGEMENT CONTROL METHOD - A battery management method and apparatus. In one embodiment of the method, a source current is divided into Ic and Icr. Ic is transmitted to and charges a battery. A first voltage is generated that is related to Icr. The first voltage is converted into a first digital signal. A processing unit receives and processes the first digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in a memory. The transmission of Ic to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the first digital signal. Current provided by the battery is divided into Idc and Idcr. Idc is transmitted to a device. A second voltage is generated that is related to Idcr. The second voltage is converted into a second digital signal. The processing unit receives and processes the second digital signal in accordance with instructions stored in the memory. The transmission of Idc to the battery is interrupted in response to the processing unit processing the second digital signal. | 03-19-2015 |