A voltage doubling circuit that increases input voltage to higher output voltage connected to a variable frequency drive. The voltage doubling circuit can include a power input that receives the input voltage from a power source and a first capacitor bank and a second capacitor bank connected with the power input. A current-limiting surge suppressor is positioned between the power input and the first capacitor bank and the second capacitor bank. The current-limiting surge suppressor includes a first current-limiting path and a second bypass path. A drain, when operable, dissipates the charge of the first capacitor bank and the second capacitor bank. A variable frequency drive (VFD) is operable in response to the higher voltage output from the first capacitor bank and the second capacitor bank.

A voltage regulator receives an input voltage and produces a regulated output voltage. A first feedback network compares a feedback signal to a reference signal to assert/de-assert a first pulsed control signal when the reference signal is higher/lower than the feedback signal. A second feedback network compares the output voltage to a threshold signal to assert/de-assert a second control signal when the threshold signal is higher/lower than the output voltage. A charge pump is enabled if the second control signal is de-asserted and is clocked by the first pulsed control signal to produce a supply voltage higher than the input voltage. A first pass element is enabled when the second control signal is asserted and is selectively activated when the first pulsed control signal is asserted. A second pass element is selectively activated when the second control signal is de-asserted.

A configuration with which a precharging operation of a capacitive component present on one side of a voltage conversion section can be performed and the current during the precharging operation can be controlled is realized more simply. An on-board power supply device includes a charge circuit section which is connected in parallel with a voltage conversion section between a first conduction path and a second conduction path, and which performs a step-down operation in which a voltage applied to the second conduction path is stepped down by a switch portion switching on and off and an output voltage is applied to the first conduction path. A control unit outputs a second control signal that alternately switches between an on signal and an off signal to the switch portion of the charge circuit section when a predetermined precharging condition is satisfied.

One example charge pump is provided. The example charge pump includes a degeneration circuit, a charging current source transistor, a switch circuit and a discharging current source transistor. The charging current source transistor provides a charging current. The degeneration circuit is coupled between a first terminal of the charging current source transistor and a power supply terminal. The degeneration circuit degrades a first voltage corresponding to the power supply terminal to a second voltage. The switch circuit is coupled between a second terminal of the charging current source transistor and a load. The switch circuit controls a charging current output to the load.

A voltage limiter incorporated in a radio frequency identification (RFID) integrated circuit (IC) for a RFID tag is disclosed. The RFID IC includes a radio frequency (RF) rectifier and a clock generator. The RF rectifier is configured to convert an AC signal received from an antenna incorporated in the RFID tag to a DC signal. The voltage limiter includes a current sink device coupled between output of the RF rectifier and ground and a charge pump to control conduction of current through the current sink device to limit output voltage of the RF rectifier to a predefined voltage level.

In one example, a switched circuit includes first and second transistors. The first transistor has a first gate and a first source/drain path. The second transistor has a second gate and a second source/drain path. The first and second source/drain paths are coupled in series between an input terminal and an output terminal. A first drive circuit has a first drive input and a first drive output. A second drive circuit has a second drive input and a second drive output. The first drive output is coupled to the first gate, and the second drive output is coupled to the second gate. Switching circuitry is coupled between: at least one of first or second power supply circuits; and at least one of the first or second drive circuits.

A power converter includes a plurality of switches coupled between an input bus and an output bus, a full bridge coupled between the output bus and ground, and a plurality of capacitors coupled between the plurality of switches and the full bridge, wherein one capacitor of the plurality of capacitors is connected to a midpoint of one leg of the full bridge through a switch.

An apparatus for providing electric power to a load includes a power converter that accepts electric power in a first form and provides electric power in a second form. The power converter comprises a control system, a first stage, and a second stage in series. The first stage accepts electric power in the first form. The control system controls operation of the first and second stage. The first stage is either a switching network or a regulating network. The second stage is a regulating circuit when the first stage is a switching network, and a switching network otherwise.

Subject matter disclosed herein may relate to detecting wireless signals and/or signal packets and may relate more particularly to detecting wireless signals and/or signal packets at energy-harvesting devices.

Charging and discharging circuits for assisting charge pumps are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a radio frequency (RF) switch system includes an RF switch that receives an RF signal and is controlled by a switch control signal received at an input, a first charge pump configured to generate a first charge pump voltage, a level shifter powered by the first charge pump voltage and that generates the switch control signal based on a switch enable signal, and a charge pump assistance switch coupled to the input of the radio frequency switch and that activates to assist the first charge pump in response to a transition of the switch enable signal from a first state to a second state.