Linear Technology Corporation

Unitrode Corporation

Thomas P Hack

Robert C Dobkin

Mark G Jordan

Andrew Bishop

Yuhui Chen

Alfonso Centuori

Francis H Terry

An automatic voltage compensation circuit in a voltage regulator compensates the output voltage for a voltage drop along lines leading to a remote load. A load capacitor is connected across the load for providing a low impedance across the load during a test phase of the regulator. In one embodiment, during the test phase, the load current is changed up or down a small percentage (e.g., 10%). As a result, the regulator voltage changes due only to the line resistance since the load is bypassed by the load capacitor. The voltage drop at full load current is then derived by detecting the change in regulator output voltage (a fractional voltage drop) and multiplying it. The normal mode is resumed, and the derived voltage drop is added to the regulator output by either compensating the feedback loop or by adding the voltage drop to the output of the regulator.

Voltage regulator compensating for voltage drop along conductors between regulator output and load

Apparatus is configured for producing an output signal indicating an operating status of a monitored circuit. An input signal relating to the monitored circuit is received at an input node. A pulse train generator, coupled to the input node, is configured for generating a pulse train of a prescribed repetition rate at a duty cycle alternated between first and second duty cycle values at a prescribed frequency. The duty cycle and frequency are indicative of operating status of the monitored circuit.

Apparatus and method for producing signal conveying circuit status information

Bidirectional power conversion systems provide the ability to change power attributes to and from a component. Current bidirectional power conversion systems use a unidirectional power converter for each direction. The integration of the two normally independent power converters results in a bidirectional power converter with nearly half the size, weight, volume, cost and complexity. Described are embodiments of bidirectional power conversion systems that allow power transfer between two or more components without requiring the use of separate unidirectional power converters.

Bidirectional power conversion with multiple control loops

A multiplexing power converter for use with a single inductor for providing multiple power outputs is disclosed. The multiplexing power converter includes first switching means for providing a first low resistance path for current to flow from a power source through an inductor so as to energize the inductor, and at least one second switching means for providing at least one second low resistance path for current to flow from the inductor so as to deenergize the inductor and provide an output current. Only one low resistance current path is provided at any one time.

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Bedford, NH, United States of America

Thomas P Hack