An apparatus includes a controller. The controller monitors a magnitude of first current supplied by an output voltage of a first power converter to power a dynamic load. The controller controls a second power converter to supply second current through the dynamic load based on the monitored magnitude of first current.

A light sensor includes an integrated circuit chip and a boost DC/DC converter. The integrated circuit chip supports an array of pixels, each pixel including a SPAD. The boost DC/DC converter delivers to the SPADs a bias potential capable of placing the SPADs in Geiger mode. The boost DC/DC converter includes an inductive element, a first switch, a second switch, and a circuit for controlling on/off switching of the first switch. The inductive element and the first and second switches are arranged outside of the integrated circuit chip while the control circuit forms part of the integrated circuit chip.

A power supply control device controls power supply to a load through a power supply switch. A driving circuit switches on or off the power supply switch. When the driving circuit switches the power supply switch from off to on, a waveform value regarding the current waveform of a current that flows through the load is output by a waveform value detection unit to a microcomputer. The microcomputer determines power supply control conditions regarding control of power supply to the load based on the waveform value that is input from the waveform detection unit.

A power supply control device controls power supply to a load through a power supply switch. A driving circuit switches on or off the power supply switch. When the driving circuit switches the power supply switch from off to on, a waveform value regarding the current waveform of a current that flows through the load is output by a waveform value detection unit to a microcomputer. The microcomputer determines power supply control conditions regarding control of power supply to the load based on the waveform value that is input from the waveform detection unit.

A power supply system with self-excited drive function includes a power supply apparatus, a logic disconnection circuit, a self-boosting circuit, a protection circuit, and a current sensing unit. The logic disconnection circuit is coupled between a positive power wire and a negative power wire. The self-boosting circuit converts a voltage into an auxiliary voltage, and the self-boosting circuit is coupled to the logic disconnection circuit to receive the auxiliary voltage. The current sensing unit outputs a current sensing signal according to a current flowing through the positive power wire or the negative power wire. The protection circuit makes a short circuit or an open circuit between the positive power wire and the negative power wire according to the current sensing signal. The logic disconnection circuit disables or enables the self-boosting circuit according to the voltage between the positive power wire and the negative power wire.

A power supply system with self-excited drive function includes a power supply apparatus, a logic disconnection circuit, a self-boosting circuit, a protection circuit, and a current sensing unit. The logic disconnection circuit is coupled between a positive power wire and a negative power wire. The self-boosting circuit converts a voltage into an auxiliary voltage, and the self-boosting circuit is coupled to the logic disconnection circuit to receive the auxiliary voltage. The current sensing unit outputs a current sensing signal according to a current flowing through the positive power wire or the negative power wire. The protection circuit makes a short circuit or an open circuit between the positive power wire and the negative power wire according to the current sensing signal. The logic disconnection circuit disables or enables the self-boosting circuit according to the voltage between the positive power wire and the negative power wire.

A hierarchical, scalable power delivery system is disclosed. The power delivery system includes a first level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more first level regulated supply voltages, and a second level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more second level regulated supply voltages. The first level of power converter circuitry receives an input supply voltage, while the second level power converter circuitry receives the one or more first level supply voltages. The second level power converter circuitry is configured to provide the second level regulated supply voltages to a computing element configured to operate as a single, logical computer system, the computing element being configured to operate in a number of power configurations having differing numbers of load circuits. Different portions of the hierarchical power delivery system may be selectively enabled for corresponding ones of the power configurations of the computing element.

A hierarchical, scalable power delivery system is disclosed. The power delivery system includes a first level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more first level regulated supply voltages, and a second level of power converter circuitry configured to generate one or more second level regulated supply voltages. The first level of power converter circuitry receives an input supply voltage, while the second level power converter circuitry receives the one or more first level supply voltages. The second level power converter circuitry is configured to provide the second level regulated supply voltages to a computing element configured to operate as a single, logical computer system, the computing element being configured to operate in a number of power configurations having differing numbers of load circuits. Different portions of the hierarchical power delivery system may be selectively enabled for corresponding ones of the power configurations of the computing element.

When a bias voltage of a substrate is generated, an output voltage of a charge pump is controlled at an appropriate level, resultingly reducing a consumption current. The charge pump generates a predetermined output voltage from a predetermined DC power supply. A clock generator outputs a clock for operating the charge pump. A voltage monitoring unit monitors the output voltage of the charge pump and controls the clock output from the clock generator such that the output voltage is maintained within a predetermined range. A voltage regulator generates the bias voltage from the output voltage of the charge pump.

An induction cooktop that includes a first main switch and a second main switch configured to be operated by a control unit to selectively connect a first induction heater and a second induction heater, to a switching converter for selectively energizing the first induction heater and/or the second induction heater; wherein the control unit is configured (i) to sense an electric parameter regarding the first induction heater in a first resonant circuit, when the first induction heater is not fed from the switching converter and a first auxiliary switch closes the first resonant circuit in such a way that the at least resonant capacitor assembly is connected to the first induction heater by means of the first auxiliary switch and a damped oscillation occurs between them; (ii) to sense an electric parameter regarding the second induction heater in a second resonant circuit when the second induction heater is not fed from the switching converter and the second auxiliary switch closes the second resonant circuit in such a way that the at least resonant capacitor assembly is connected to the second induction heater by means of the second auxiliary switch and a damped oscillation occurs between them; and (iii) to detect the presence of a pan on the cooktop on the basis of the sensed electric parameter.