Switching mode power supply with spectrum shaping and the method thereof
Granted: July 30, 2013
Patent Number:
8498135
Embodiments of circuits and methods for a switching mode power supply are described in detail herein. In one embodiment, a switching mode power supply includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding to supply power to a load, a feedback circuit that generates a feedback signal that varies in relation to the load on the secondary winding, a switching circuit coupled to the primary winding to control current flow through the primary winding, and a control circuit…
Zero-crossing gain control system and associated methods
Granted: July 16, 2013
Patent Number:
8487661
A zero-crossing gain control system is disclosed herein. The system comprises a gain control unit for amplifying an input signal to an output signal, a zero-crossing monitoring circuit for monitoring the input signal or output signal, and a register for latching the digital control signal and generating a gain control signal that controls the gain control unit. The system may further comprise a maximum write time setting circuit for generating a write signal. The digital control signal…
Switching mode power supply with a multi-mode controller
Granted: June 25, 2013
Patent Number:
8472217
A switching mode power supply with a multi-mode controller is provided. The switching mode power supply may include a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding to supply power to a load. A feedback circuit may be included to generate a feedback signal that varies in relation to the load on the secondary winding. The multi-mode controller may include a switching circuit, a frequency control circuit and a current limiting circuit. The switching circuit may be coupled to…
Integrated power converter package with die stacking
Granted: June 11, 2013
Patent Number:
8461669
An integrated circuit for implementing a switch-mode power converter is disclosed. The integrated circuit comprises at least a first semiconductor die having an electrically quiet surface, a second semiconductor die for controlling the operation of said first semiconductor die stacked on said first semiconductor die having said electrically quiet surface and a lead frame structure for supporting said first semiconductor die and electrically coupling said first and second semiconductor…
High perceived audio quality class D amplifier
Granted: April 30, 2013
Patent Number:
8433078
An audio amplifier and a method of operating such an amplifier are disclosed. The audio amplifier includes a switch disabling controller and/or an output set-point controller. The switch disabling controller is configured to disable switching of an output switch circuit or other switch circuit while an input signal represents at least relative silence. The output set-point controller is configured to bring and/or hold first and second switch nodes toward and/or at a set-point voltage…
Fixed operating frequency inverter for cold cathode fluorescent lamp having strike frequency adjusted by voltage to current phase relationship
Granted: April 9, 2013
Patent Number:
RE44133
A method of driving a lamp that uses a DC to AC inverter that is connected to a primary winding of a transformer is disclosed. The inverter frequency is variable, and in one embodiment, may be controlled by a voltage controlled oscillator. Circuitry is included that monitors the phase relationship between a voltage across a secondary of the transformer and a current through the primary of the transformer. The circuitry monitors the phase relationship and adjusts the inverter frequency,…
Control of multi-string LED array
Granted: April 2, 2013
Patent Number:
8410716
Apparatus, systems, and methods related to controlling multiple strings of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are disclosed. An apparatus may include internal current limiter circuits that are each coupled in series with an associated string of LEDs and are configured to at least partially regulate the current through the associated string of LEDs. The apparatus may also be configured to control external current limiter circuits that are each coupled in series with a corresponding internal…
Adaptive constant on-time switching regulator
Granted: March 19, 2013
Patent Number:
8400129
The present invention provides an adaptive constant on-time switching regulator which comprises a switching circuit, a control circuit, and an output circuit. The control circuit controls the switches in the switching circuit to be turned on for an adaptive constant time, and be turned off for a minimum time.
Latch-off of real time synchronous rectification for light load control
Granted: March 19, 2013
Patent Number:
8400790
The present invention discloses a light load control circuit and the method accordingly where the synchronous rectification is latched off selectively according to the gate voltage of the synchronous rectifier.
Layout schemes and apparatus for multi-phase power switch-mode voltage regulator
Granted: March 19, 2013
Patent Number:
8400778
A multi-phase voltage regulator is disclosed where each phase is comprised of an array of high and low side transistors that are integrated onto a single substrate. Further, a system of mounting the voltage regulator onto a flip chip and lead frame is disclosed wherein the source and drain lines form an interdigital pattern.
Adaptive voltage position DC-DC regulators and the method thereof
Granted: March 12, 2013
Patent Number:
8395368
The present invention discloses an adaptive voltage position DC-DC regulator and the method thereof, the regulator comprising a main circuit and a control circuit which includes a sensing unit, a feedback unit, a comparing unit, a PWM generator and a driver. The regulator realizes the adaptive voltage position control with simple internal circuit and fewer pins.
Switching mode power supplies and associated methods of control
Granted: March 5, 2013
Patent Number:
8391030
Switching mode power supplies and associated methods of control are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for controlling a switching mode power supply includes determining whether the switching mode power supply is in a burst mode. If the switching mode power supply is in the burst mode, the method includes recording a switching time with and without switching pulses to obtain a current value of an equivalent frequency and generating a peak current limit that decreases as a load…
Smoke-free ESD protection structure used in integrated circuit devices
Granted: March 5, 2013
Patent Number:
8390969
The present invention provides a smoke-free ESD protection structure used in integrated circuit devices. A JFET or n-channel MOS transistor is coupled between an I/O pad, and a transistor and diode, wherein the JFET or n-channel MOS transistor limits the current flowing through the diode and transistor to prevent the integrated circuit device from heating up and catching on fire or smoke during the smoke test. Moreover, the integrated circuit device will not be damaged by the smoke test.
Circuit and method for striking CCFL
Granted: February 12, 2013
Patent Number:
8373349
A circuit for controlling the switch frequency of an inverter that strikes and drives fluorescent lamps is disclosed. The circuit comprises a frequency generator and an offset circuit. The offset circuit provides a current signal in response to the lamp status. The frequency generator provides a frequency control signal in respond to the current signal so as to control the switch frequency of the inverter. When the lamp is open, the switch frequency of the inverter is higher; when the…
Cold cathode fluorescent lamp driving circuits and associated methods of control
Granted: February 5, 2013
Patent Number:
8368320
Methods and circuits for CCFL driving circuit control are disclosed according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In certain embodiments, the methods and circuits for CCFL driving circuit control provide a control signal for regulating both the duty ratio and frequency of the switching control signal that controls the CCFL driving circuit. External components for control loop compensation and frequency sweeping rate, and/or striking frequency setting may also be utilized.
Schottky diode with extended forward current capability
Granted: February 5, 2013
Patent Number:
8368167
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a semiconductor device and a method for forming the semiconductor device. Wherein the semiconductor comprises: a first semiconductor layer, having a first conductivity type on a semiconductor substrate, a guard ring region, formed in the surface of the first semiconductor layer, having a second conductivity type; a Schottky diode metal contact, coupled to the first semiconductor layer, wherein the guard ring region is at periphery of the…
Microelectronic flip chip packages with solder wetting pads and associated methods of manufacturing
Granted: January 29, 2013
Patent Number:
8361899
Processes of assembling microelectronic packages with lead frames and/or other suitable substrates are described herein. In one embodiment, a method for fabricating a semiconductor assembly includes forming an attachment area and a non-attachment area on a lead finger of a lead frame. The attachment area is more wettable to the solder ball than the non-attachment area during reflow. The method also includes contacting a solder ball carried by a semiconductor die with the attachment area…
Bypass circuitry for serially coupled light emitting diodes and associated methods of operation
Granted: January 15, 2013
Patent Number:
8354799
The present technology is generally related to LED bypass circuits and associated methods of operation. In one embodiment, an LED bypass circuit includes a monitoring circuit and a bypass switch. The monitoring circuit is coupled to the LED to monitor the differential voltage across the LED. The bypass switch is coupled to the LED in parallel. When an open status is detected by the monitoring circuit, the bypass switch is turned on to bypass the LED.
Switching regulator with frequency limitation and method thereof
Granted: November 27, 2012
Patent Number:
8320139
A switching regulator with frequency limitation comprises a switch, a current sensing circuit, a voltage feedback circuit, a control circuit and a frequency limitation circuit. The current sensing circuit senses the current flowing through the switch and generating a current sensing signal representative of it. The voltage feedback circuit senses the output signal of the switching regulator and generates a feedback signal accordingly. The control circuit compares the current sensing…
Controller for switching power supply
Granted: November 20, 2012
Patent Number:
8315072
A switching power supply has an inductor that includes a coil. A chopper circuit chops the primary current drawn through the coil, for the inductor to output an induced current. A multifunction junction of the power supply has a multifunction voltage that is a function of a primary voltage that drives the coil. A first circuit suspends the chopping in response to a first sensed voltage crossing a first threshold, the first sensed voltage being a function of the multifunction voltage. A…
