One current source includes a first transistor including a drain connected to an output terminal, and a source directly connected to a first power supply, a second transistor including a drain connected to a gate, the gate of the second transistor being connected to the gate of the first transistor, and a source directly connected to the first power supply, a third transistor opposite the first channel type including a drain connected to the drain of the second transistor, a fourth transistor including a drain connected to the source of the third transistor, a gate connected to a first bias voltage, and a source directly connected to second power supply voltage, and a control voltage generator that detects an output voltage on the output terminal and provides a shifted version of the output voltage to the gate of the third transistor.

One current source includes a first transistor including a drain connected to an output terminal, and a source directly connected to a first power supply, a second transistor including a drain connected to a gate, the gate of the second transistor being connected to the gate of the first transistor, and a source directly connected to the first power supply, a third transistor opposite the first channel type including a drain connected to the drain of the second transistor, a fourth transistor including a drain connected to the source of the third transistor, a gate connected to a first bias voltage, and a source directly connected to second power supply voltage, and a control voltage generator that detects an output voltage on the output terminal and provides a shifted version of the output voltage to the gate of the third transistor.

A power conversion system includes a power conversion circuit and a start circuit. The power conversion circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, an output capacitor, at switching unit, a flying capacitor and a magnetic element. The second switching unit includes two switch groups. The flying capacitor is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The magnetic element includes two first windings that are electromagnetically coupled with each other. A first one of the two first windings is electrically connected between one switch group and the second terminal of the power conversion circuit. A second one of the two first windings is electrically connected between the other switch group and the second terminal of the power conversion circuit. The start circuit includes a third winding, an inductor and at least one switch element. The third winding is electromagnetically coupled with the first windings.

A power conversion system includes a power conversion circuit and a start circuit. The power conversion circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, an output capacitor, at switching unit, a flying capacitor and a magnetic element. The second switching unit includes two switch groups. The flying capacitor is connected between the first terminal and the second terminal. The magnetic element includes two first windings that are electromagnetically coupled with each other. A first one of the two first windings is electrically connected between one switch group and the second terminal of the power conversion circuit. A second one of the two first windings is electrically connected between the other switch group and the second terminal of the power conversion circuit. The start circuit includes a third winding, an inductor and at least one switch element. The third winding is electromagnetically coupled with the first windings.

A semiconductor circuit and a method of operating the same are provided. The semiconductor circuit comprises a first digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a first output current in response to a first binary code, and a second digital-to-analog converter configured to generate a second output current in response to a second binary code associated with the first binary code. The semiconductor circuit further comprises a first current-to-voltage converter configured to generate a first candidate voltage based on the first output current, and a second current-to-voltage converter configured to generate a second candidate voltage based on the second output current. The semiconductor circuit further comprises a multiplexer configured to output the target voltage based on the first candidate voltage or the second candidate voltage. The target voltage includes a configurable range associated with the second binary code.

A DC voltage-pulse voltage converter comprises connected in series a high DC voltage source, a first controllable switch, an inductive load, a second controllable switch, an electronically controlled resistor (ECR), and a limiting resistor, as well as a controllable square wave generator, and the first and the second control voltage drivers. Providing the second control voltage driver and the ECR allows regulating the value (amplitude) of the current flowing through the inductive load. As the amplitude of the current decreases, so does the level of EMI.

A DC voltage-pulse voltage converter comprises connected in series a high DC voltage source, a first controllable switch, an inductive load, a second controllable switch, an electronically controlled resistor (ECR), and a limiting resistor, as well as a controllable square wave generator, and the first and the second control voltage drivers. Providing the second control voltage driver and the ECR allows regulating the value (amplitude) of the current flowing through the inductive load. As the amplitude of the current decreases, so does the level of EMI.

Charge pumps of integrated circuit devices might include an input configured to receive an internally-generated first voltage level, an output, and a plurality of stages between its input and output. A particular stage might include a voltage isolation device, a voltage driver, and a capacitance having a first electrode connected to an output of the voltage driver and a second electrode connected to the voltage isolation device. The voltage driver might be responsive to a clock signal and to a voltage level of the output of the voltage driver to selectively connect the output of the voltage driver to either a first voltage node configured to receive the first voltage level, a second voltage node configured to receive a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, or a third voltage node configured to receive a third voltage level lower than the second voltage level.

Charge pumps of integrated circuit devices might include an input configured to receive an internally-generated first voltage level, an output, and a plurality of stages between its input and output. A particular stage might include a voltage isolation device, a voltage driver, and a capacitance having a first electrode connected to an output of the voltage driver and a second electrode connected to the voltage isolation device. The voltage driver might be responsive to a clock signal and to a voltage level of the output of the voltage driver to selectively connect the output of the voltage driver to either a first voltage node configured to receive the first voltage level, a second voltage node configured to receive a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level, or a third voltage node configured to receive a third voltage level lower than the second voltage level.

In a general aspect, a circuit can include a pass device configured to receive an input voltage and provide an output voltage. The circuit can further include a current sink coupled with a control terminal of the pass device, the current sink being configured to discharge the control terminal of the pass device to limit the output voltage in response to the input voltage exceeding a threshold voltage. The circuit can also include a switch coupled in series with the current sink, the switch being configured to enable the current sink in response to the input voltage exceeding the threshold voltage.