The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Aug. 18, 2015

Filed:

Dec. 30, 2014
Applicant:

Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas, TX (US);

Inventors:

Yushan Li, Berthoud, CO (US);

Kevin Vannorsdel, Erie, CO (US);

Steven K. Berg, Littleton, CO (US);

Assignee:
Attorneys:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H02M 3/158 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H02M 3/158 (2013.01);
Abstract

A switched mode assisted linear regulator includes a linear amplifier (LA) and a buck converter configured as a current source. In example embodiments, the buck converter circuit includes a power switch Mwith an Mbody diode (tub), and includes buck turn-off circuitry configured to avoid negative inductor current by controlled switching of the tub to the higher of VIN and a second voltage. For DC-coupled configurations, boost functionality is provided by an LA boost supply, and the tub is switched to the boost supply. For AC-coupled configurations, boost functionality can be provided without boosting the LA supply rail by constraining signal peak-to-peak amplitude to be less than the LA supply voltage (maintaining a DC-average voltage on the AC-coupling capacitor), and the tub is switched to the higher of VIN and VOUT. The buck turn-off circuitry can include zero crossing detection to control Mtub switches.


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