Stmicroelectronics S.a.

Stmicroelectronics S.r.l.

Jerome Nebon

Alexandre Balmefrezol

Patrizia Milazzo

Giuseppe Platania

Vincenzo Polisi

A DC-DC voltage down-converter for an electronic device supplied by a battery and having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device capable of supplying electric power is provided. The DC-DC voltage down-converter includes a terminal coupled to a voltage supply line of the bus interface and operable to receive a input current from the another electronic device. The DC-DC voltage down-converter further includes an electric energy storage element coupled between the battery and the terminal, the electric energy storage element being operable to storage/release electric energy and a drive circuit arranged to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element, so as to cause an electric power generated by the input current supplied by the another electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery. The DC-DC voltage down-converter still further includes a input current feedback control circuit coupled to the terminal and arranged to monitor a value of the input current and generate a corresponding input current indication; the drive circuit configured to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element according to the input current indication.

Method and apparatus for controlling the transfer of electric power to an electronic device supplied by a battery

A power management unit for a battery-operated electronic device having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device, the power management unit including an electric energy storage element coupled between a battery of the battery-operated electronic device and a voltage supply line of the bus interface, the electric energy storage element being operable to charge/discharge electric energy; a drive circuitry arranged to control a charge/discharge of the electric energy storage element. The drive circuitry is operable to cause an electric power supplied by the other electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery; or, in case the other electronic device does not supply electric power, cause the battery supply electric power to the other electronic device through the voltage supply line. The power management unit is particularly adapted for battery-operated, mobile USB OTG devices.

Power management unit for battery-operated devices

A switched mode power supply device comprising a power transistor periodically set to conduction and supplying a regulated voltage that comprises a ramp generation circuit controlled by a clock signal and periodically generating a ramp voltage. The device includes an amplifier error circuit between a reference voltage and said regulated output voltage and generates an error signal, and a comparator comparing the ramp voltage with said error voltage and providing an output signal for controlling said power circuit. The circuit is characterized in that it comprises a delay element delaying the setting to conduction of the power transistor so as to desynchronize the starting of the ramp and said setting to conduction.

Switched mode power supply device adapted for low current drains, and cellular phone equipped with such a device

A control device is provided for a switching power supply having an output that supplies an output voltage. The switching power supply includes an inductor and two changeover switches for controlling coupling of the inductor. The control device includes a first capacitor for charging with continuous current from a 0V voltage level, a second capacitor for discharging of the continuous current from a predetermined voltage level that is greater than the voltage level of a DC power supply, and a comparison circuit. The comparison circuit compares the output voltage of the switching power supply with voltage levels of the first and second capacitors and generates control signals for controlling the two changeover switches of the switching power supply. Also provided are switching power supplies having such control devices and a method for controlling a switching power supply.

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Grenoble, France

Jerome Nebon