A circuit and method for controlling a switching voltage regulator having (1) a switch including one or more switching transistors and (2) an output adapted to supply current at a regulated voltage to a load including an output capacitor. The circuit and method generates a control signal to turn said one or more switching transistors OFF under operating conditions when the voltage at the output is capable of being maintained substantially at the regulated voltage by the charge on the output capacitor. Such a circuit and method increases the efficiency of the regulator circuit particularly at low average current levels.

Control circuit and method for maintaining high efficiency over broad current ranges in a switching regulator circuit

A DC to DC converter which maintains high efficiency over broad current ranges in a current mode switching regulator circuit without changing operational mode. A low ripple voltage is maintained over the entire load range and good voltage regulation is maintained with high efficiency. This is possible because the switching frequency is adjusted in accordance with the load without changing operational states, thus making it unnecessary to define plural states of operation. The timing of turning on the switch(es) varies since the switch(es) is (are) turned on when two set (ready) signals both become ready. For fixed frequency switching applications, switching pulses from a fixed frequency oscillator as a first set signal are skipped when a second set signal is not ready. On the other hand, for a variable frequency switching scheme which is implemented by driving the switching with a one-shot having a constant OFF time, the switching pulse is created after both set signals become active. A low pass filter is also used to dynamically adjust the minimum peak inductor current and to minimize ripple voltage for low load conditions so that a smaller output capacitor may be used.

DC to DC converter with high efficiency for light loads

Multiple phase switching regulators with stage shedding are provided. Multiple phase switching regulators of the present invention have a plurality of single phase switching regulators coupled in parallel to an output capacitor. The plurality of single phase switching regulators supply current to a load at a regulated voltage. A comparator monitors the load current and causes one or more of the single phase switching regulators to be OFF at a low load current threshold. At least one of the single phase switching regulators that remains ON increases its output current so that the multiple phase switching regulator output current continues to match the load current. The present invention may include a second comparator that causes additional single phase switching regulators to be OFF at a second low load current threshold that is lower than the first low load current threshold.

Multiple phase switching regulators with stage shedding

The present invention comprises a user-programmable control circuit for use in a power converter to automatically transition the converter into BURST mode when load current demand is low. The control circuit senses load current demand by monitoring the output current of the converter, and generating a signal representative of the monitored output current. The control circuit may automatically transition the converter into BURST mode when the signal indicative of the average monitored output current decreases below a user-programmable threshold. BURST mode may increase overall converter efficiency by turning OFF a plurality of electronic components, and maintaining the converter's output voltage at a regulated level by energy stored in an output capacitor.

Methods and circuits for programmable automatic burst mode control using average output current

Methods for synchronizing non-constant frequency switching regulators with a phase locked loop are disclosed. The methods enable non-constant frequency switching regulators to be synchronized with a phase locked loop to achieve constant frequency operation in steady state while retaining the advantages of non-frequency operation to improve transient response and operate over a wider range of duty cycles. In addition, the methods enable multiple non-constant frequency regulators to be synchronized and operated in parallel to deliver higher power levels to the output than a single switching regulator.

Circuits and methods for synchronizing non-constant frequency switching regulators with a phase locked loop

A step-up DC converter suitable for construction as an integrated circuit chip provides a separate rectangular wave oscillator using a silicon transistor and a power amplifier driven thereby which supplies current to the primary winding of a two-winding step-up transformer matched to the constant duty cycle of the oscillator thereby simplifying construction of the transformer and permitting the oscillator and power amplifier voltage step-up transformer functions to be individually optimized for overall high efficiency operation. A hysteresis switching voltage comparator senses the rectified value of the high voltage output from the transformer relative to a stable reference voltage and switches both the oscillator and the amplifier to their standby current condition when a predetermined high output voltage level is obtained and switches both oscillator and amplifier into conduction when the output voltage falls to a predetermined level. A second comparator operates an LED indicator when the output voltage is above a certain level.

Integrated circuit high voltage DC converter

A storage bin-level sensor device for sensing the level of material in the storage bin between certain upper and lower limits and for controlling flow of material into the bin for maintaining a predetermined level therein. Maintaining the level of material in the storage bin is attained by upper and lower bin level sensors of the photoelectric type, which operate in response to the presence or absence of ambient light. Each sensor comprises a transparent housing that has a recess formed therein, a photoresponsive device being mounted within the recess. Striations are formed on the surface of the recess and act as a light-diffusing means. The housing is secured to the interior wall of the bin, and electrical leads emerge from the bin for connection to exteriorly located bin level response and control apparatus.

Robert J. Maigret

Papers

Integrated circuit high voltage DC converter

Ambient-light-operated bin-level control system having transparent photocell housing