Active-semi, Inc.

Active-semi (bvi) Inc.

Sandisk Technologies Inc.

Narasimhan Trichy

Masashi Nogawa

James Allen Kohout

John H Carpenter, Jr

Sanjeeva Pindi

Andrew Prosory

A data storage device includes a non-volatile memory device, a capacitor bank, and a power regulator electrically coupled to the capacitor bank and configured to provide power to the non-volatile memory device. The data storage device further includes a controller configured to discharge the capacitor bank from a first voltage to a second voltage at a first constant current and determine a first discharge time, controller is further configured to discharge the capacitor bank from the first voltage to the second voltage at a second constant current and determine a second discharge time. A voltage holdup time of the capacitor bank is then determined based on at least the first discharge time and the second discharge time.

Capacitor health check for data storage devices

A system comprises an integrated circuit package, an inductor that is part of a power supply, and a printed circuit board (PCB) having a metal trace disposed directly below the inductor when viewed from a top-down perspective. The integrated circuit package includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a novel inductor current detection and calibration circuit. The first terminal is coupled to a first end of the metal trace and the second terminal is coupled to a second end of the metal trace. During operation of the power supply, the novel circuit detects an OCP condition whereby an output current of the power supply exceeds an OCP level. The novel circuit detects the OCP condition in part by sensing a voltage across the metal trace. After calibration at room temperature, the novel circuit performs accurate OCP detection over a range of temperatures without using any temperature sensor near inductor.

Using PCB temperature compensation trace to perform DCR current sensing in power supply circuitry

A multiphase operation control method comprises configuring a plurality of power phases of a power converter to operate in an interleaved manner by passing a token sequentially among the plurality of power phases, turning on a first power phase after the first power phase possesses the token and receives a trigger signal from a control circuit of the first power phase, passing the token to a second power phase after the first power phase finishes, passing the token sequentially until a last power phase of the plurality of power phases possesses the token and forwarding the token to the first power phase after the last power phase finishes.

Multiphase converter system and control method

An apparatus comprises a positive data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a positive data line of a USB device, wherein the positive data input/output port is weakly pulled up to a first voltage potential through a pull-up resistor, a negative data input/output terminal configured to be connected with a negative data line of the USB device, wherein the negative data input/output terminal is connected to a second voltage potential, a window comparator having an input detecting a voltage across the two data input/output terminals and a wake-up signal generator connected to an output of the window comparator, wherein the wake-up signal generator is configured to generate a signal for adjusting a switching frequency of a power converter after the USB device is connected to the power converter.

Load detection apparatus and method for USB systems

A power converter comprises a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor and a comparator having a first input connected to a reference, a second input configured to receive a sum of a first feedback signal and a second feedback signal and an output configured to generate a turn-on signal of the first switch, wherein the first feedback signal is proportional to an voltage across the output capacitor and the second feedback signal is generated by applying at least one low-pass filter to a switching ripple voltage.

Power converter control apparatus and method

A power converter includes a first switch and a second switch connected in series between an input power source and ground, an inductor connected between a common node of the first switch and the second switch, and an output capacitor and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator configured to generate a gate drive signal for the first switch, wherein a leading edge of the gate drive signal is determined by a comparison result between a reference and a voltage proportional to an output voltage of the power converter and a trailing edge of the gate drive signal is determined by a comparison result between a voltage ramp and a variable voltage source.

Spread spectrum control apparatus and method

Current metering for transitioning to low power operation in switching regulators is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes generating pulse width modulated charging cycles that enable current to flow to an inductor to adjust an output voltage, and detecting a skipped charging cycle. The method also includes determining whether a number of charging cycles are skipped over a time interval that begins when the skipped charging cycle is detected. The method also includes transitioning to a low power operating mode if it determined that the number of charging cycles have been skipped over the selected time interval. During the low power operating mode pulse frequency modulated charging cycles are generated that enable the current to flow to the inductor to generate the output voltage.

Current metering for transitioning between operating modes in switching regulators

An adaptive USB port controller is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a source, a power adapter, a USB port controller, a USB plug and cable, and a device. In one example, the device includes a rechargeable battery. After connecting the device to the USB port controller via the USB plug and cable, a reconfigurable module within the USB port controller sets a power mode by: (1) configuring an impedance network to present impedance modes that indicate available power modes, (2) detecting voltages on one or more of the USB conductors in response to each impedance mode, and (3) comparing the detected voltages to reference voltage levels to set one of multiple power modes. The reconfigurable module then controls the power adapter to transfer power according to the determined power mode.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, TX, United States of America

Narasimhan Trichy