Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.

Mark Anthony Belch

Brett A Miwa

David Harrington

Serhii Mikhailovich Zhak

Jonathan King

Rui Liu

Oscar Blyde

Kevin Wendell Dowdy

Sean Lai

Olivier Bonte

David Stearns

A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N-1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N-1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Soft start systems and methods for multi-level step-up converters

A multi-level, step-up converter circuit includes an inductor including one terminal in communication with an input voltage supply. N transistor pairs are connected in series, where N is an integer greater than one. First and second transistors of a first pair of the N transistor pairs are connected together at a node. The node is in communication with another terminal of the inductor. Third and fourth transistors of a second pair of the N transistor pairs are connected to the first and second transistors, respectively. (N&#x2212;1) capacitors have terminals connected between the N transistor pairs, respectively. An output capacitor has a terminal in communication with at least one transistor of the N transistor pair.

Multi-level step-up converter topologies, control and soft start systems and methods

Multi-level step-up converter topologies, control and soft start systems and  methods

A control circuit for a step-up converter includes a soft start module configured to control states of N transistor pairs of the step-up converter, where N is an integer greater than two. A driver module is in communication with the soft start module and configured to generate a first signal when N transistor pairs of the step-up converter are ready to switch. A first charging circuit is configured to charge (N&#x2212;1) capacitors of the step-up converter to an input voltage of the step-up converter in response to the first signal and to generate a second signal when charging is complete. A second charging circuit is configured to sequentially charge the (N&#x2212;1) capacitors of the step-up converter to (N&#x2212;1) predetermined voltage values in response to the first signal and the second signal and before operation of the step-up converter begins.

Soft start systems and methods for multi-stage step-up converters

Various embodiments of the invention relate to a battery charging system that enhances the charge rate and reduces the charge time for a battery applied in a mobile device. The battery charging system is provided with an adapter output voltage, and generates a battery charging current to drive the battery. This adapter output voltage is controlled to vary within a reference voltage range which is narrowly controlled to include and track a preferred adapter voltage. The battery is therefore driven by the battery charging current that is associated with a preferred charging current under a preferred charging condition. The battery charging process may be completed under a condition that is substantially close to the preferred charging condition, allowing an enhanced battery charge rate and a reduced battery charge time.

Switch mode battery charger with improved battery charging time

A system includes a voltage regulator module, a voltage comparator module, and a current limiting module. The voltage regulator module regulates an input voltage supplied by a power supply and supplies an output current to a load. The voltage comparator module compares the input voltage to a first threshold. The current limiting module decreases the output current when the input voltage decreases to less than or equal to the first threshold, decreases the output current until the input voltage increases to greater than the first threshold, and decreases the output current by an additional predetermined amount after the input voltage increases to greater than the first threshold.

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Chandler, AZ, United States of America

Mark Anthony Belch