A multi-phase converter may include: a plurality of voltage converter circuits connected in parallel; current sensors provided in the voltage converter circuits respectively; and a controller configured to calculate an estimated value of a total input current inputted to the multi-phase converter. The controller may be configured to output an abnormality notification signal indicating abnormality in one of the current sensors when a difference between a total sum of measured values of all the current sensors and the estimated value is outside a predetermined allowable range.

A common mode reference circuit comprises a divider stage and an output stage. The divider stage includes a first n-channel field effect transistor and p-channel filed effect transistor (NFET/PFET) pair connected in series to a high supply voltage circuit node; and a second NFET/PFET pair connected in series to a low supply voltage circuit node. The output stage includes a first FET connected as a current mirror to a transistor of the first NFET/PFET pair; a second FET connected as a current mirror to a transistor of the second NFET/PFET pair; and a common mode reference output at a series connection from the first FET to the second FET.

A power conversion circuit providing a regulated output voltage to a load can include a switching regulator with an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and an output configured to be coupled to the load. The power conversion circuit can further include a metered charge transfer converter, such as a charge pump or a switched or pulsed current source, having an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and having an output configured to be coupled to the load. A controller coupled to the metered charge transfer converter can be configured to operate the metered charge transfer converter to deliver energy to the load responsive to a dip of the regulated output voltage below a threshold caused by an increase in current drawn by the load. The metered charge transfer converter may be located closer to the load than the switching regulator.

A power conversion circuit providing a regulated output voltage to a load can include a switching regulator with an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and an output configured to be coupled to the load. The power conversion circuit can further include a metered charge transfer converter, such as a charge pump or a switched or pulsed current source, having an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and having an output configured to be coupled to the load. A controller coupled to the metered charge transfer converter can be configured to operate the metered charge transfer converter to deliver energy to the load responsive to a dip of the regulated output voltage below a threshold caused by an increase in current drawn by the load. The metered charge transfer converter may be located closer to the load than the switching regulator.

A relay drive control device is configured to control drive of a relay for connecting a battery mounted on a vehicle and an external power supply. The relay drive control device includes a controller configured to, when driving the relay, supply an output voltage of the battery to the relay after increasing the output voltage to a voltage value at which the relay is drivable.

A relay drive control device is configured to control drive of a relay for connecting a battery mounted on a vehicle and an external power supply. The relay drive control device includes a controller configured to, when driving the relay, supply an output voltage of the battery to the relay after increasing the output voltage to a voltage value at which the relay is drivable.

A power conversion circuit providing a regulated output voltage to a load can include a switching regulator with an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and an output configured to be coupled to the load. The power conversion circuit can further include a metered charge transfer converter, such as a charge pump or a switched or pulsed current source, having an input configured to be coupled to an input voltage source and having an output configured to be coupled to the load. A controller coupled to the metered charge transfer converter can be configured to operate the metered charge transfer converter to deliver energy to the load responsive to a dip of the regulated output voltage below a threshold caused by an increase in current drawn by the load. The metered charge transfer converter may be located closer to the load than the switching regulator.

A control system for a DC-DC voltage converter includes a microcontroller having first and second applications. The first application commands the microcontroller to generate a first signal that is received at a first pin on a high side integrated circuit to transition a first plurality of FET switches to an open operational state, and that is received at a first pin on the low side integrated circuit to transition a second plurality of FET switches to the open operational state. The second application commands the microcontroller to generate a second signal that is received at a second pin on the high side integrated circuit to transition the first plurality of FET switches to the open operational state, and that is received at a second pin on the low side integrated circuit to transition the second plurality of FET switches to the open operational state.

A control system for a DC-DC voltage converter includes a microcontroller having first and second applications. The first application commands the microcontroller to generate a first signal that is received at a first pin on a high side integrated circuit to transition a first plurality of FET switches to an open operational state, and that is received at a first pin on the low side integrated circuit to transition a second plurality of FET switches to the open operational state. The second application commands the microcontroller to generate a second signal that is received at a second pin on the high side integrated circuit to transition the first plurality of FET switches to the open operational state, and that is received at a second pin on the low side integrated circuit to transition the second plurality of FET switches to the open operational state.

There is provided a power saving and highly reliable semiconductor device on which a switching power supply circuit and a driver circuit are mounted together, and which can perform appropriate control by the driver circuit even when a battery terminal is disconnected while reducing power loss in the entire semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes: a first terminal which is connected to a battery power source; a switching power supply circuit which steps down a battery voltage input from the first terminal; a second terminal which is connected to a switching power source different from the battery power source; a regulator circuit which steps down a voltage input from the second terminal; and a predriver circuit which is connected to the regulator circuit.