Linear Technology Corporation

Samuel Hodson Nork

Trevor Wayne Barcelo

David B Bell

Steven Leo Martin

Roger A Zemke

William Louis Walter

Mark Robert Vitunic

Brian James Shaffer

Edward Lloyd Henderson

David Justin Simmons

Keith Nelson Bassett

Ralph Edward Anderson

A power supply system includes a regulator circuit responsive to an input signal at the input node for producing an output signal at the output node at a desired level. The regulator circuit has a controller, an inductive element and a first switch coupled to the inductor element and controlled by the controller to produce the output signal. Also, the power supply system includes a Coulomb counter for producing a Coulomb count signal proportional to the number of Coulombs passing from the input node to the output node. The Coulomb counter is enabled by an enabling signal representing a predetermined time period, for determining the number of Coulombs passing from the input node to the output node during that predetermined time period.

Low current DC-DC converter with integrated low current Coulomb counter

A battery balancing method and system which includes a plurality of cells connected in series, a balancer for each cell, a monitor configured to determine a state of charge (SOC) of each cell, and a microprocessor. The microprocessor iteratively calculates a SOC error for each cell, based on a theoretical balancing of the Min Q cell and the Max Q cell, until the SOC error is less than or equal to a first threshold; and iteratively re-calculates SOC error based on a net charge or discharge time for each balancer until the SOC error is less than or equal to a second threshold; and when the SOC error is less than or equal to the second threshold, instructs each balancer to physically balance each respective cell based on the respective calculated net charge or discharge time when the second threshold is met.

Optimized bi-directional balancing method and system

A battery balancing system includes at least one sub-stack, each sub-stack comprising a plurality of cells connected in series. The system also includes a balancing module for each sub-stack comprising an independent bidirectional balancer for each cell in the sub-stack. The system includes a daisy chained stackable serial port. The balancing system senses a state of charge (SOC) of each cell in each sub-stack. The average SOC of the sub-stack is determined. For a weak cell, additional charge is provided from its respective sub-stack during the discharging of the battery. For a strong cell, additional charge is removed and provided to its respective sub-stack during discharging of the battery. Any number of sub-stacks can be stacked in series while maintaining the same serial control, allowing a theoretically unlimited number of cells to be supported from a single communication port without the need for additional digital isolators.

Stackable bi-directional multicell battery balancer

A power supply system includes a regulator for receiving an input voltage and producing an output voltage, the regulator including an output device and a controller coupled to the regulator. The controller is configured to monitor at least one operating parameter of the output device and, in response, generate a control signal that adjusts the input voltage to a minimum input voltage needed to maintain the output device in saturation regardless of variation in the monitored operating parameter.

Regulated power supply system and an operating method therefore

Current control circuitry for controlling current supplied from a source, that may be a current-constrained source, to a load and a battery. A current limit control circuit limits current supplied by the source to the load in accord with a programmed current limit. Load current is measured, and an input charger control circuit controls magnitude of current to the battery based on the difference between measured load current and battery current programmed to be supplied to the battery, such that the sum of load current and battery current is maintained within the programmed current limit.

Current control circuitry and methodology for controlling current from current constrained source

A power manager is configured to manage power for a battery-powered application. A power source, a load and a battery are interconnected through a circuit path. Power from the power source is provided to the load and battery by a switching regulator. Various implementations are presented.

Power manager and power managing method for battery-powered application

The present invention provides radio frequency (RF) power controllers that regulate the power output signal of an RF power amplifier using a control signal. The RF power controller includes a power control amplifier that measures the difference between a feedback signal and a power control input signal to supply the control signal to the RF power amplifier. The output power signal is amplitude modulated for a period of time during an enable mode. During the amplitude modulation period, the RF power controller opens the power control loop and maintains a substantially constant output voltage to the RF power amplifier using a second amplifier and a capacitor coupled to power control amplifier. The capacitor is decoupled from the power control amplifier during the amplitude modulation period, and the second amplifier supplies the output voltage of the RF power controller based upon the stored voltage on the capacitor.

Power controllers for amplitude modulation

A charge pump DC/DC converter with reduced noise at the input voltage source is provided. The present invention includes buck and boost DC/DC converters with added circuitry coupled between the input voltage and the switches which maintains a substantially constant input current on both phases of the charge pump clock. The added circuitry reduces input current variations to provide reduced noise at the input voltage source. Feedback loop circuitry coupled between the output node and the added circuitry varies the current through the switches to control the output current of the DC/DC converter in order to maintain the output voltage at the regulated value. The added circuitry may comprise a variable resistor, current mirror, or current mirrors.

Charge pump DC/DC converters with reduced input noise

The present invention enables a pin on an integrated circuit to provide multiple duties. The internal circuit coupled to the selected pin is placed into a high impedance or sampling state based on a recurring signal so that the terminal pin can be sampled. The sampled signal is used to control the operation of the circuit, such as turning off the internal clock to place the circuit in shutdown mode. In that specific example, the integrated circuit exits shutdown mode when the sampled signal changes.

Control feature for IC without using a dedicated pin

The present invention enables efficient start-up of integrated circuit at low voltages. The present invention disconnects the output load from the circuit by placing the circuit connected to the output load into a high impedance state. Thus, the internal voltage of the circuit can be boosted before it is subject to drain from an external load. A comparator is connected to the circuit placed in the high impedance state and determines when the internal voltage has reached a sufficient level so that the effect of the external load on the efficient operation of the circuit will be minimized.

IC with enhanced low voltage start-up

A switching regulator circuit using a common switch network on a single IC for providing step-up and step-down DC--DC conversion is provided. The switching regulator uses switched capacitor techniques and hence avoids EMI, parasitic and stability concerns particular to inductors and transformers. The converter circuit includes control circuitry for sensing the voltage differential between the input and output to determine whether step-up or step-down mode is to be used. The control circuitry also senses the voltage differential between the input and output and enables the minimum number of switch sections needed to fully regulate the output, using the highest switch resistance possible to minimize inrush current from the input to the output.

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MA, United States of America

Samuel Hodson Nork