Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100026263 | BUCK CONTROLLER HAVING INTEGRATED BOOST CONTROL AND DRIVER - An integrated circuit controller for controlling the operation of a voltage converter which includes a first comparator for comparing a voltage associated with an input of a boost converter with a threshold voltage and generating a control signal in response thereto. A second comparator compares a second voltage associated with an output of the boost converter with the threshold voltage and generates a second control signal in response thereto. Driver circuitry generates a first switching transistor drive signal and a second switching transistor drive signal. The first switching transistor drive signal is used for driving an upper gate switching transistor of a buck converter. The second switching transistor drive signal may be configured in a first mode of operation to drive a lower gate switching transistor of the buck converter and may be configured in a second mode of operation to drive a switching transistor of the boost converter. Control logic enables/disables at least a portion of the driver circuitry responsive to the control signal and the second control signal. | 02-04-2010 |
20100066323 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PULSE FREQUENCY MODULATION MODE - A voltage regulator comprises switching circuitry for generating a phase voltage at a phase node responsive to an input voltage and switching control signals. An inductor is connected to the phase node and an output voltage node. A capacitor is connected between the output voltage node and ground. An error amplifier generates an error voltage responsive to an output voltage from the output voltage node and a reference voltage. Switching control circuitry generates switching control signals to the switching circuitry responsive to the error voltage, a ramp voltage and an established voltage level. The switching control circuitry operates the voltage regulator in a pulse frequency modulation mode of operation after sampling the error voltage and setting the established voltage level and exits the pulse frequency modulation mode of operation when the error voltage falls below the established voltage level. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066338 | VOLTAGE REGULATOR INCLUDING QUASI TRANSITION DIODE EMULATION MODE OF OPERATION - A voltage regulator includes an upper switching transistor connected between an input voltage node and a phase node. A lower switching transistor is connected between the phase node and ground. An output filter is connected between the phase node and an output voltage node. A PWM control circuit generates an PWM control signal responsive to a feedback voltage. An upper gate control circuit controls operation of the upper switching transistor responsive to the PWM control signal. A lower gate control circuit controls operation of the lower switching transistor responsive to the PWM control signal and a ramp voltage signal. The lower gate control circuit linearly increases a lower gate control signal from 0 to (1-D), where D=the duty cycle, to transition the voltage regulator for diode emulation mode of operation to synchronous mode of operation responsive to a first pulse in the PWM control signal. | 03-18-2010 |
20100085027 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LINEAR BUCK BOOST TRANSITIONS WITHIN A BUCK BOOST CONVERTER - A voltage regulator, comprising first circuitry for generating an output voltage responsive to an input voltage and a plurality of switching control signal. Switching control circuitry generates the switching control signals responsive to the output voltage and at least one of a buck ramp signal and a boost ramp signal. Voltage ramp generation circuitry generates each of the buck ramp signal and the boost ramp signal. The boost ramp signal comprises the buck ramp signal offset by the peak value of the buck ramp signal. | 04-08-2010 |
20100085028 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING LINEAR BUCK BOOST TRANSITIONS WITHIN A BUCK BOOST CONVERTER - A voltage regulator, comprises first circuitry for generating an output voltage responsive to an input voltage and a plurality of switching control signal. Switching control circuitry generates the switching control signals responsive to the output voltage and at least one of a buck ramp signal and a boost ramp signal. Voltage ramp generation circuitry generates each of the buck ramp signal and the boost ramp signal. The boost ramp signal comprises the buck ramp signal offset by the peak value of the buck ramp signal. | 04-08-2010 |
20100284203 | CONTROL MODE FOR ZVS CONVERTER AT RESONANT OPERATING FREQUENCIES - A zero volt switching voltage converter comprises a switching network including a plurality of switches for generating control signals responsive to an input voltage source and switching control signals. Circuitry generates a regulated output voltage responsive to the control current. Control circuitry generates the switching control signals wherein the switching control signals operate the plurality of switches at a resonant frequency of the zero volt switching voltage converter. | 11-11-2010 |
20100295509 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CELL BALANCING AND CHARGING - An apparatus for charging a plurality of series connected battery cells, includes a first and second input terminals for providing a charging voltage to the plurality of series connected battery cell. A transformer includes a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side includes a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality of portions is connected across at least one of the plurality of series connected battery cell. A switch in series between each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side and the at least one of the plurality of series connected battery cells increases an impedance between the portion of the secondary side and the associated one of the plurality of series connected battery cells in a first state and decreases the impedance between the portion of the secondary side and the associated one of the plurality of series connected battery cells in a second state. | 11-25-2010 |
20100295510 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CELL BALANCING AND CHARGING - An apparatus for charging a plurality of series connected battery cells includes first and second input terminals for providing a charging voltage to the plurality of series connected battery cells. A transformer includes a primary side associated with the charging voltage and a secondary side including a plurality of portions. Each of the plurality of portions connected across at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells. A first switch in series between each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side and a first battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells provides a charging current to the first battery cell during a first portion of a cycle of a current in the primary side of the transformer. A second switch in series between each of the plurality of portions of the secondary side and a second battery cell of the at least two of the plurality of series connected battery cells provides a charging current to the to the second battery cell during a second portion of the cycle of the current in the primary side of the transformer. | 11-25-2010 |
20100301826 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ORING PHASES TO OVERCOME DUTY CYCLE LIMITATIONS IN A MULTI-PHASE BOOST CONVERTER - A multiphase boost converter includes a multiphase PWM controller for generating a plurality of PWM signals. A plurality of boost converters are each associated with a separate phase connected between an input voltage node and an output voltage node and generating an output voltage responsive to an input voltage and the plurality of PWM signals. Phase nodes of each of the plurality of boost converters are ORed to each other. | 12-02-2010 |
20110089915 | HYSTERETIC CONTROLLED BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER - An apparatus includes a buck boost converter for generating a regulated output voltage responsive to an input voltage. The buck boost converter includes an inductor, a first pair of switching transistors responsive to a first PWM signal and a second pair of switching transistors responsive to a second PWM signal. An error amplifier generates an error voltage responsive to the regulated output voltage and a reference voltage. A control circuit generates the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal responsive to the error voltage and a sensed current voltage responsive to a sensed current through the inductor. The control circuit controls switching of the first pair of switching transistors and the second pair of switching transistors using the first PWM signal and the second PWM signal responsive to the sensed current through the inductor and a plurality of offset error voltages based on the error voltage. | 04-21-2011 |
20110109346 | APPARATUS AND METHODOLOGY FOR MAXIMUM POWER POINT TRACKING FOR A SOLAR PANEL - Circuitry and methodology for tracking the maximum power point (MPP) of a solar panel is disclosed. The voltage and current generated by the solar panel are monitored and used to generate a pulse signal for charging a capacitor. The changes in the voltage and current generated by the solar panel are also monitored, and that information is used to generate a pulse signal for discharging the capacitor. The charging and the discharging pulse signals are used to charge and discharge the capacitor. A reference signal indicative of the charge level of the capacitor is generated. As the current and voltage generated by the solar panel approach the maximum power point (MPP), the frequency of the discharging pulse signal becomes progressively higher, so that the capacitor charging occurs in progressively smaller increments. When the MPP is reached, the reference signal level becomes steady because the charge level of the capacitor becomes steady. | 05-12-2011 |
20110134613 | STACKED INDUCTOR-ELECTRONIC PACKAGE ASSEMBLY AND TECHNIQUE FOR MANUFACTURING SAME - An embodiment of a circuit includes a circuit module and an inductor disposed over and electrically coupled to the module. Disposing the inductor over the module may reduce the area occupied by the circuit as compared to a circuit where the inductor is disposed adjacent to the module, or to a circuit where the inductor is disposed in the module adjacent to other components of the module. Furthermore, disposing the inductor outside of the module may allow one to install or replace the inductor. | 06-09-2011 |
20110149609 | BIDIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CONVERSION - An embodiment of a controller for a multidirectional signal converter is operable to cause the converter to regulate a first signal at a first converter node, and to have a switch timing that is independent of a direction of power transfer between the first converter node and a second converter node. For example, in an embodiment, such a controller may be part of a bidirectional voltage converter that handles power transfer between two loads. Such a voltage converter may have improved conversion efficiency and a smaller size and lower component count as compared to a conventional multidirectional voltage converter. Furthermore, such a voltage converter may be operable with a common switching scheme regardless of the direction of power transfer, and without the need for an indicator of the instantaneous direction of power flow. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149610 | BIDIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CONVERSION - An embodiment of a multidirectional signal converter includes first and second converter nodes, a transformer, and first and second stages. The transformer includes first and second windings, and the first stage is coupled between the first converter node and the first winding of the transformer. The second stage includes a first node coupled to the second converter node, a second node coupled to a node of the second winding of the transformer, and a filter node, is operable as a boost converter while current is flowing out from the second converter node, and is operable as a buck converter while current is flowing out from the first converter node. For example, in an embodiment, such a multidirectional signal converter may be a bidirectional voltage converter that handles power transfer between two loads. Such a voltage converter may have improved conversion efficiency and a smaller size and lower component count as compared to a conventional multidirectional voltage converter. Furthermore, such a voltage converter may be operable with a common switching scheme regardless of the direction of power transfer, and without the need for an indicator of the instantaneous direction of power flow. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149611 | BIDIRECTIONAL SIGNAL CONVERSION - An embodiment includes coupling a first intermediate node between a first inductor and a first winding of a transformer to a reference node during a first portion of a first switching cycle, uncoupling the first intermediate node from the reference node and coupling the first intermediate node to a signal-storage element during a second portion of the first switching cycle, coupling a second winding of the transformer between the reference node and a second converter node during the second portion of the first switching cycle, and regulating a signal at the second converter node by controlling a duration of one of the first and second portions of the first switching cycle. For example, in an embodiment, bidirectional signal converter may perform the above steps to handle power transfer between two loads. Such a voltage converter may have improved conversion efficiency and a smaller size and lower component count as compared to a conventional bidirectional voltage converter. Furthermore, such a voltage converter may be operable with a common switching scheme regardless of the direction of power transfer, and without the need for an indicator of the instantaneous direction of power flow. | 06-23-2011 |
20110187189 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SINGLE INDUCTOR DUAL OUTPUT DC/DC CONVERTERS - A DC to DC converter comprises voltage regulation circuitry for generating at least two output voltages responsive to an input voltage. The voltage regulation circuitry further includes a plurality of main switches connected to receive the input voltage. A plurality of auxiliary switches is connected to provide the at least two output voltages. A single inductor is connected between the plurality of main switches and the plurality of auxiliary switches. A dual-output PWM controller provides a first PWM control signal for controlling the operation of the plurality of main switches responsive to a first feedback voltage from a first output voltage using a first control loop and provides a second PWM control signal for controlling the operation of the plurality of auxiliary switches responsive to a second feedback voltage from a second output voltage using a second control loop. Current mode control can be used for each control loop to reduce the cross regulation problem. | 08-04-2011 |
20120013313 | MULTIPHASE DC-DC CONVERTER USING ZERO VOLTAGE SWITCHING - A multiphase DC-DC converter including at least one conversion path, multiple switch capacitance networks, and a multiphase switch controller. Each conversion path includes first and second intermediate nodes. Each switch capacitance network includes a capacitance coupled in parallel with an electronic switch and is coupled to one of the intermediate nodes. The switch controller controls the switch capacitance networks using zero voltage switching. Multiple phases may be implemented as multiple conversion paths each having first and second intermediate nodes coupled to first and second switch capacitance networks, respectively. A single conversion path may be provided with multiple switch capacitance networks coupled to each intermediate node for multiple phases. Alternatively, a common front end with a first intermediate node is coupled to one or more switch capacitance networks followed by multiple back-end networks coupled in parallel for multiple phases. A regulator may be provided to regulate an output voltage. | 01-19-2012 |
20120033466 | PARTIAL POWER MICRO-CONVERTER ARCHITECTURE - A system and method for reducing the amount of power processed in a power converter during power generation is provided. In one aspect, the system includes a partial power converter connected between a set of power sources and a load. The partial power converter includes a primary power converter coupled to a first power source and a set of auxiliary power converters coupled to the remaining power sources. Moreover, the secondary power converters only process current that is necessary to achieve a maximum power point (MPP) for each power source. In one example, the secondary power converters are smaller in size and/or power rating, as compared to the primary power converter, and thus reduce the size and cost of the system. Additionally, the secondary power converters operate on an “as-needed” basis rather than in “always-on” fashion, and thus are more reliable and efficient. | 02-09-2012 |
20120223687 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW STANDBY CURRENT SWITCHING REGULATOR - A regulator controller which controls conversion of an input voltage to an output voltage, including a switching regulator, a low dropout (LDO) regulator, and a mode controller. The switching regulator develops a pulse control signal to regulate the output voltage when enabled. The LDO regulator also regulates the output voltage when enabled. The mode controller enables or disables the switching regulator and the LDO regulator based on a load condition. The switching regulator is enabled and the LDO regulator is disabled during normal operation. The LDO regulator is enabled when the low load condition is detected, such as a skipped pulse on the pulse control signal. The switching regulator is disabled when the pulse control signal reaches a minimum level. The LDO regulator is disabled and the switching regulator is re-enabled based on threshold conditions of the current output of the LDO regulator. | 09-06-2012 |
20120262139 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVE ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE REDUCTION FOR A SWITCHING CONVERTER - An EMI reduction network for a converter, the converter including upper and lower power switches provided between an input voltage node and a reference node. An inductance is coupled between the input voltage node and the upper switch at a first node, a capacitance and an auxiliary power switch are coupled in series between the first and reference nodes, and a controller is provided to control switching. The controller switches the upper switch based on a PWM signal. The controller keeps the lower switch turned on until the phase node goes positive while the upper switch is on. The controller turns the auxiliary switch on after the lower power switch is turned off and turns the auxiliary switch off after the upper power switch is turned off The lower and auxiliary switches may be zero voltage switched, and the upper switch may be zero current switched. | 10-18-2012 |
20130021015 | Device and Method for Controlling a Buck-Boost Converter - A circuit, device, and method for controlling a buck-boost circuit includes a bootstrap capacitor voltage regulator circuit and a comparator circuit. The bootstrap capacitor voltage regulator circuit is electrically coupled to a buck-mode bootstrap capacitor of the buck-boost converter and to a boost-mode bootstrap capacitor of the buck-boost converter. The comparator circuit is configured to control the bootstrap capacitor voltage regulator circuit to maintain a voltage of the bootstrap capacitors above a reference threshold voltage by transferring an amount energy from one of the bootstrap capacitors to the other bootstrap capacitors based on the particular mode of operation of the buck-boost converter. | 01-24-2013 |
20130141070 | CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARED INDUCTOR REGULATOR - A control system and method for a shared inductor regulator. The regulator includes an inductor and multiple switches to selectively couple the inductor to output, reference and charge nodes. The charge node may be coupled to a battery. An input switch may be included to selectively couple the inductor to a source node. A controller controls the switches to regulate output voltage, charge current, and a source voltage when provided. The inductor current is sensed and used to regulate the output voltage, and to regulate either the charge current or the input voltage. When an external source provides sufficient power, the charging current is regulated. When the source reaches a maximum power set point, the input voltage is maintained at a minimum level. When the source provides insufficient power, the battery is used to add power or to provide sole power. | 06-06-2013 |