A power converting apparatus that converts alternating-current power from an alternating-current power supply into direct-current power and outputs the direct-current power to a direct-current load includes at least two switching circuits connected in parallel with the direct-current load; a coupling reactor that includes at least three connection terminals with two of the at least three connection terminals connected to an alternating-current terminal of one switching circuit different from two switching circuits among the at least two switching circuits; and a control unit that performs, at least once in a half period of the alternating-current power supply, a simple switching control that short-circuits the coupling reactor to the alternating-current power supply through the two switching circuits.

A power converting apparatus that converts alternating-current power from an alternating-current power supply into direct-current power and outputs the direct-current power to a direct-current load includes at least two switching circuits connected in parallel with the direct-current load; a coupling reactor that includes at least three connection terminals with two of the at least three connection terminals connected to an alternating-current terminal of one switching circuit different from two switching circuits among the at least two switching circuits; and a control unit that performs, at least once in a half period of the alternating-current power supply, a simple switching control that short-circuits the coupling reactor to the alternating-current power supply through the two switching circuits.

Controllers for power converters, power converters and corresponding methods are provided.

A controller of a power converter including a first power stage and a second power stage receives an indication of an output voltage of the power converter, where the indication is measured at the primary side of the power converter. Based on the indication, a control related to an intermediate voltage of the power converter is performed.

A device to convert a detected voltage, that is indicative of current conducted by a switching circuit, to a series of electrical pulses that is indicative of electrical power dissipated by the switching circuit responsive to the current. The device includes a transconductor circuit including a first circuit to receive a reference current and a first reference voltage, and to obtain a transconductance based on an auto-generated bias current and the reference current and the first reference voltage, where a value of the transconductance is determined by the reference current and the first reference voltage. The transconductor circuit further includes a second circuit coupled to the first circuit to receive the detected voltage, and to generate a first current based on the detected voltage and the obtained transconductance.

A device to convert a detected voltage, that is indicative of current conducted by a switching circuit, to a series of electrical pulses that is indicative of electrical power dissipated by the switching circuit responsive to the current. The device includes a transconductor circuit including a first circuit to receive a reference current and a first reference voltage, and to obtain a transconductance based on an auto-generated bias current and the reference current and the first reference voltage, where a value of the transconductance is determined by the reference current and the first reference voltage. The transconductor circuit further includes a second circuit coupled to the first circuit to receive the detected voltage, and to generate a first current based on the detected voltage and the obtained transconductance.

A switching regulator includes a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, and a protection circuit. The first switch circuit has a first connection node coupled to a first reference voltage, and a second connection node coupled to one end of an inductor. The second switch circuit has a first connection node coupled to a second reference voltage, and a second connection node coupled to the one end of the inductor. The protection circuit senses a voltage level at the first connection node of the first switch circuit, and selectively enables an auxiliary current path in response to the voltage level at the first connection node of the first switch circuit, wherein the auxiliary current path and at least the first switch circuit are arranged in a parallel connection fashion.

A switching regulator includes a first switch circuit, a second switch circuit, and a protection circuit. The first switch circuit has a first connection node coupled to a first reference voltage, and a second connection node coupled to one end of an inductor. The second switch circuit has a first connection node coupled to a second reference voltage, and a second connection node coupled to the one end of the inductor. The protection circuit senses a voltage level at the first connection node of the first switch circuit, and selectively enables an auxiliary current path in response to the voltage level at the first connection node of the first switch circuit, wherein the auxiliary current path and at least the first switch circuit are arranged in a parallel connection fashion.

Embodiments of an SMPS controller and a method for operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controller are described. In an embodiment, an SMPS controller includes a gate driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal for a switch of an SMPS and a current sense electrical terminal configured to receive sensed current corresponding to the switch and to conduct driver discharge current from the gate driver circuit.

Embodiments of an SMPS controller and a method for operating a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) controller are described. In an embodiment, an SMPS controller includes a gate driver circuit configured to generate a drive signal for a switch of an SMPS and a current sense electrical terminal configured to receive sensed current corresponding to the switch and to conduct driver discharge current from the gate driver circuit.

A charge-pump control circuit includes an oscillator which supplies a clock for driving a charge pump driver to supply a first gate voltage to a discharging transistor in order to control discharge from a battery, and driving a charge pump driver to supply a second gate voltage to a charging transistor in order to control charge to the battery, respectively; and a drive control circuit which sets a control target voltage as one of the first gate voltage and the second gate voltage having a lower voltage in order to control generation of the clock by the oscillator according to the control target voltage.