A power supply includes a boost converter, a capacitor, a step-down converter and a control unit. The boost converter, when activated, converts an input voltage into a boost voltage. The capacitor has a bulk voltage which is equal to the boost voltage when the boost converter is activated. The step-down converter converts the boost voltage into a step-down voltage for output. While the boost converter is deactivated, the control unit samples the input voltage and the bulk voltage, calculates an estimated value, and determines a calibration parameter. While the boost converter is activated, the control unit calculates a calibration value for enabling the boost converter to convert the input voltage with reference to the calibration value.

A power supply includes a boost converter, a capacitor, a step-down converter and a control unit. The boost converter, when activated, converts an input voltage into a boost voltage. The capacitor has a bulk voltage which is equal to the boost voltage when the boost converter is activated. The step-down converter converts the boost voltage into a step-down voltage for output. While the boost converter is deactivated, the control unit samples the input voltage and the bulk voltage, calculates an estimated value, and determines a calibration parameter. While the boost converter is activated, the control unit calculates a calibration value for enabling the boost converter to convert the input voltage with reference to the calibration value.

Embodiments of voltage regulators and methods for operating a voltage regulator are described. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a set of current mirror circuits configured to convert an input voltage into an output voltage and a voltage buffer circuit configured to buffer a reference voltage for the set of current mirror circuits. The set of current mirror circuits form a positive feedback loop. Other embodiments are also described.

A power conversion device, which includes an insulation type full bridge converter and can switch a power transmission direction at a high speed, is provided. A DC/DC converter (10) constitutes a power conversion device, which operates as a first type converter that converts a voltage within a first range applied to a first input/output terminal pair into a voltage within a second range and outputs the voltage from a second input/output terminal pair or a second type converter that converts a voltage within the second range applied to the second input/output terminal pair into a voltage within the first range and outputs the voltage from the first input/output terminal pair, as a device that performs predetermined state transition of the DC/DC converter (10) after waiting for a load current value of a secondary side of a transformer (TR) to be a value within a predetermined current value range.

A power conversion device, which includes an insulation type full bridge converter and can switch a power transmission direction at a high speed, is provided. A DC/DC converter (10) constitutes a power conversion device, which operates as a first type converter that converts a voltage within a first range applied to a first input/output terminal pair into a voltage within a second range and outputs the voltage from a second input/output terminal pair or a second type converter that converts a voltage within the second range applied to the second input/output terminal pair into a voltage within the first range and outputs the voltage from the first input/output terminal pair, as a device that performs predetermined state transition of the DC/DC converter (10) after waiting for a load current value of a secondary side of a transformer (TR) to be a value within a predetermined current value range.

An electrical apparatus configured to electrically connect to a multi-phase alternating current (AC) electrical power distribution network includes: an input electrical network including: a plurality of input nodes, each configured to electrically connect to one phase of the multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; at least one non-linear electronic component electrically connected to the input electrical network; an impedance network electrically connected between the input electrical network and ground; and a control system configured to: access a voltage signal that represents a voltage over time at the input electrical network; determine a frequency content of the voltage signal; determine a property of the frequency content; and determine whether an input current performance condition exists in the electrical apparatus based the property of the frequency content.

A bandgap reference circuit includes a bandgap reference core circuit that includes a first bipolar transistor having a first emitter current density and a first base-emitter voltage, a second bipolar transistor having a second emitter current density that is smaller than the first emitter current density and having a second base-emitter voltage, a resistor that is connected to the emitter of the second bipolar transistor, and a differential amplifier circuit that is configured to control first and second emitter currents through the first and second bipolar transistors, respectively, such that a sum of the second base-emitter voltage and a voltage drop across the resistor approximates the first base-emitter voltage. The bandgap reference circuit further includes a first replica bipolar transistor that emulates an operating point of the first bipolar transistor and a second replica bipolar transistor that emulates an operating point of the second bipolar transistor.

Apparatus, devices, and systems to provide a low quiescent current load switch are disclosed. A disclosed load switch circuit includes a transconductor to convert a voltage to a current input to a transistor gate, the current input to the transistor gate to control the gate to deliver power to a load from a power supply. The example circuit includes a resistor to provide power from a charge pump to the gate as controlled by the transconductor. A disclosed apparatus includes a driver to control a gate of a transistor, the gate to enable the transistor to deliver power to a load from a power supply when the gate is activated, and a gate slope control to control a rate of change over time of a voltage associated with the gate to activate the gate and to disable the driver when the gate is activated.

Apparatus, devices, and systems to provide a low quiescent current load switch are disclosed. A disclosed load switch circuit includes a transconductor to convert a voltage to a current input to a transistor gate, the current input to the transistor gate to control the gate to deliver power to a load from a power supply. The example circuit includes a resistor to provide power from a charge pump to the gate as controlled by the transconductor. A disclosed apparatus includes a driver to control a gate of a transistor, the gate to enable the transistor to deliver power to a load from a power supply when the gate is activated, and a gate slope control to control a rate of change over time of a voltage associated with the gate to activate the gate and to disable the driver when the gate is activated.

A circuit is operative to extract electromagnetic wave energy from the ground via a resonant transformer in which resonance is triggered by electrical charge arcing across a spark gap. A center tap of the primary winding of the transformer is capacitively coupled to an electrode buried in the ground. In-rush current from the ground electrode is converted to a useful form (e.g., one- or three-phase 60 Hz AC) by a power conversion circuit connected to the secondary winding of the resonant transformer. The ground electrode of the capacitor coupling the grounded electrode to the center tap primary winding is the shield of a Faraday cage enclosing the resonant transformer, spark gap, and a high-voltage power supply exciting the spark gap.