Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Cory Brent Arnold

Ilija Jergovic

Aleksandar Prodic

Brett A Miwa

Nenad Vukadinovic

Michael Warren Baker

Hongguang Dong

Matthew Dale Thompson

A multi-level switching power converter includes a string of N upper transistors and a string of N lower transistors, where N is an integer greater than one. The N upper transistors are electrically coupled in series between a first power node and a switching node, and the N lower transistors are electrically coupled in series between the switching node and a reference node. The multi-level switching power converter further includes N&#x2212;1 flying capacitors, an inductor, a bypass transistor, and a controller. The bypass transistor is electrically coupled between the switching node and the reference node. The controller is configured to (a) control switching of the N upper transistors and the N lower transistors and (b) cause the bypass transistor to operate in its on state in response to all of the N lower transistors operating in their respective on states.

Multi-level switching power converters including bypass transistors and associated methods

In various embodiments described in the present disclosure, various methods and systems are introduced, that may reduce and/or eliminate the voltage spikes on the power switches by avoiding operation at zero-ripple duty ratios. In a first aspect, a method for reducing voltage spikes across switches in a multi-level converter is provided, the method comprising: receiving an error value associated with a difference between a measured output voltage and a reference output voltage; determining a target duty cycle value based at least on a control feedback loop adapted to minimize the error value; if the target duty cycle value is equal or approximately equal to one or more critical duty ratio values, controlling the operation of the multi-level converter to operate the multi-level converter with an averaging sequence, the averaging sequence adapted to, on average, result in, or sufficiently approximate, the one or more critical duty ratio values, but not operate at the one or more critical duty ratio values; and generating one or more pulse-width modulated signals to control the operation of the multi-level converter based on at least one of the target duty cycle and the averaging sequence.

Systems and methods for reducing switch stress in switched mode power supplies

Various embodiments of the present invention provide for an adaptive and accurate zero cross circuit that can operate without directly sensing an inductor current. Certain embodiments allow adjustment of a zero crossing condition while eliminating the need for a blanking time. In certain embodiments this is accomplished by detecting the effects of turning off a switch on a switching node voltage of a buck converter. Some embodiments use a counter to lengthen or shorten the delay time between an inductor crossing a zero value and the effect of the switching event. In one embodiment, the effect of the switching event includes a change in the direction of the switching node voltage from which the direction of a current flowing in the buck converter inductor.

Systems and methods to auto-adjust zero cross circuits for switching regulators

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Tempe, AZ, United States of America

Cory Brent Arnold