Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC

Pavel Londak

Petr Rozsypal

Jan Matej

Josef Halamik

Jefferson W Hall

Petr Kadanka

Radim Mlcousek

Pavel Latal

Alexandra-Oana Petroianu

Petr Hlavica

Catalin Ionut Petroianu

A system and method for controlling a low-dropout regulator (LDO) is disclosed. The system and method include a charge pump that is controlled to provide a charge pump voltage to power the LDO. The charge pump voltage can be adjusted relative to the LDO's input voltage to ensure efficient operation of the LDO for input voltages over a range. The charge pump is also controlled to limit the maximum charge pump voltage provided to ensure safe operation of the LDO. The system and method also include a under voltage lockout circuit that enables the LDO when it is determined that the charge pump voltage is sufficient to meet multiple criteria. For example, the charge pump voltage may be analyzed to determine if it is above a minimum voltage and if it is also sufficiently higher than the LDO's output voltage.

System and method for controlling a low-dropout regulator

Some applications require a noise filter to have a very low cutoff frequency. The low cutoff frequency can require the use of a large resistor that is not suitable for integration in an integrated circuit (IC) package. Smaller components can be used to provide a large resistance in a first direction but not in another. In other words, the resistance of these smaller components may be non-reciprocal. A non-reciprocal resistance can affect a response of the noise filter to disruptions at the input or the output. Additionally, these smaller components may not be suitable for low voltage operation. A noise filter is disclosed that provides a high resistance using components that can be included in an integrated circuit package. The noise filter has a reciprocal effective resistance and can utilize technology suitable for low voltage operation.

Noise filter

Programming a fuse for a one-time programmable (OTP) memory can require applying a programming current for a programming period to increase a resistance of the fuse. It may be desirable for the resistance to be very high. A very high resistance may be achieved by applying a high programming current to form a void in the fuse. Applying the high programming current too long after the void is formed, however, may lead to uncontrolled variations and ultimately damage. Accordingly, it may be desirable to end the programming period sometime after the void is formed but before the uncontrolled variations begin. Ideally the programming period is ended at a time at which the programming current is minimum. The disclosed circuits and method provide a means to estimate this time without requiring the complexity of sensing very low levels of programming current.

Circuit and method for programming a one-time programmable memory

A system and method for controlling a low-dropout regulator (LDO) is disclosed. The system and method includes a charge pump that is controlled to provide a charge pump voltage to power the LDO. The charge pump voltage can be adjusted relative to the LDO's input voltage to ensure efficient operation of the LDO for input voltages over a range. The charge pump is also controlled to limit the maximum charge pump voltage provided to ensure safe operation of the LDO. The system and method also includes a under voltage lockout circuit that enables the LDO when it is determined that the charge pump voltage is sufficient to meet multiple criteria enable For example, the charge pump voltage may be analyzed to determine if it is above a minimum voltage and also sufficiently higher than the LDO's output voltage.

Implementations of voltage sensing systems may include: a high side current mirror coupled to a reference current source coupled to at least one diode. The at least one diode may be coupled to a resistor and to a comparator. The resistor may be coupled to the ground. The comparator may be coupled with a reference voltage. The comparator may be configured to receive a comparison voltage from the diode and output whether the comparison voltage is higher or lower than the reference voltage.

Voltage threshold sensing systems and related methods

Circuits, methods, and system for DC voltage conversion are disclosed. A charge pump circuit is described that includes input switches and output switches that are individually controlled by different clock signals to alternatively couple energy storage capacitors to an input and to an output. The individualized switching control allows for the use of clock signals with no overlapping transitions to improve conversion efficiency. Additionally, the input switches are controlled by clock signals that are level shifted relative to the input voltage. The level shifted switching control also improves efficiency and allows for a range in input voltages to be accommodated for DC voltage conversion.

Charge pump with individualized switching control

A one-time programmable memory includes a first one-time programmable memory cell including a fuse core having an input terminal for receiving a trim signal, an output terminal for providing a sense signal, and a fuse. The fuse core conducts current through the fuse in response to the trim signal. The one-time programmable memory cell also includes a sense circuit having an input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the fuse core, and an output terminal for providing a termination signal, and a logic circuit having a first input terminal for receiving a program enable signal, a second input terminal for receiving a data signal, a third input terminal coupled to the output terminal of the sense circuit for receiving the termination signal, and an output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the fuse core for providing the trim signal.

One-time programmable memory, integrated circuit including same, and method therefor

In one embodiment, a method of forming a power supply controller may include configuring the power supply controller to control a pass transistor to form an output current responsively to a control signal and independently of the value of the output voltage until the control signal is less than a deviation from a desired value of the output voltage.

Method of forming a power supply controller and structure therefor

In one embodiment, a power supply controller uses a ramp signal to form current sense ramp compensation.

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Hutisko Solanec, Czechia

Pavel Londak