Infineon Technologies Austria Ag

Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.

Rakesh Renganathan

Danny Clavette

Amir Babazadeh

Christian Rainer

Prasan Kasturi

Rong Guo

An example system comprises first circuitry (such as a first integrated circuit device having a limited number of input/output pins) and second circuitry (such as a second integrated circuit device having a limited number of input output pins). The second circuitry is communicatively coupled to receive communications over a communication link from the first circuitry. In one embodiment, the first circuitry includes a monitor circuit. The monitor circuit monitors a voltage rail inputted to power the first circuitry. The monitor circuit initiates switching between transmitting a control signal (such as status information indicating whether the first circuitry is powered correctly) and a data signal over a communication link from the first circuitry to second circuitry depending upon the magnitude of the voltage rail. For example, when the first circuit is properly powered, the monitor circuit initiates transmission of the data signal over the communication link to the second circuitry.

Circuit connectivity and conveyance of power status information

A switched-capacitor converter includes a plurality of legs coupled between the input and a rectifier at the output. Each leg includes a capacitor. A first group of legs is coupled to a first branch of the rectifier, and a second group is coupled to a second branch of the rectifier. A switch device is connected to each leg. The controller alternates switching of the switch devices connected to the first and second groups of legs to transfer energy from input to output. The switching is modified based on zero-crossing information which indicates when current through each switch device crosses or nearly crosses zero, so that each switch device connected to the same group of legs is turned off when current through that switch device crosses or nearly crosses zero and remains off until all switch devices connected to that group have been turned off for a predetermined amount of time.

Method and apparatus for zero-current switching control in switched-capacitor converters

Growing community of inventors

Warwick, RI, United States of America

Rakesh Renganathan