A galvanic isolator circuit and method provide for galvanically isolating and current limiting a power source from a load. A direct current (DC) input voltage (v.sub.in) and an input current (i.sub.in) are received. A full-bridge rectifier is soft switched to synthesize a first alternating voltage waveform that magnetically couples through a transformer to induce a second alternating voltage waveform with galvanic isolation from the first alternating voltage waveform, preventing potentially-faulted load from a source. The second alternating voltage waveform is rectified to produce a direct current (DC) output voltage (v.sub.o) having output current (i.sub.o) through more than one drive transistor. The more than one drive transistor is current limited to reduce or prevent brown-out, black-out, or protective race conditions in the non-faulted portions of DC power generation systems and DC distribution electrical power systems.

A test method of a voltage regulator having a plurality of parameters that need to be set, the test method includes: receiving a user requirement on a computer; generating a plurality of setting combinations of the plurality of parameters, the plurality of parameters has different combination of values in different setting combinations; downloading the plurality of setting combinations to the voltage regulator via a first I/O bus and configuring the voltage regulator with each setting combination; configuring communication between a controller provided by the computer and measurement devices; executing the communication between the controller and the measurement devices via a second I/O bus; and displaying test result of each configured voltage regulator on the computer.

The invention provides a control circuit for controlling the operation of a power converter having a switch connected to an output of the power converter, said control circuit comprising a first amplifier for sensing an output voltage of the power converter and a second amplifier configured to derive a frequency compensated error signal output, to provide a frequency control compensation loop to an input of the power converter and the output of the second amplifier is connected to the switch of the power converter.

A controller configured for use with a power converter and a power switch comprising a primary controller coupled to the power converter and configured to provide a switch drive signal to control switching of the power switch to transfer energy from a primary side to a secondary side of the power converter. A primary switching pattern circuit is configured to provide a primary switching pattern to operate the primary controller in a first mode of operation and a primary switch control circuit is coupled to the primary switching pattern circuit and configured to receive a control signal representative of turn-on of the power switch, to receive the primary switching pattern, and to output the switch drive signal. The primary switch control circuit operates in a first mode, a second mode, and a transition, wherein the primary switch control circuit operates in the second mode after the transition has been completed.

A partial power converter (PPC) in an electrical power system, comprising an input capacitor connected in parallel to a power source v.sub.pv and connected to a primary winding of a transformer, wherein the primary winding is connected in series to a M1 transistor of the MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) type, wherein two secondary windings Ns1 and Ns2both with the same number of turns, are connected, each one, in series by means of a terminal, with diodes D1 and D2, respectively, and the diodes D1 and D2 are connected to the respective ends of a capacitor C.sub.dc output; the other terminal of the secondary winding Ns1 of the transformer is connected to one of the terminals of the primary winding, whereas the other terminal of the secondary winding Ns2 is connected to one of the terminals of transistor M1, and wherein the output capacitor C.sub.dc serves as a link to connect to a next stage.

An adjustable power supply suitable for a power switch driver circuit takes an input voltage and generates output voltages at three output terminals. Two of the output terminals provide gate voltage signals to a power switch control device while the third is connected to a reference voltage. The output voltages may be adjusted using a first and second external resistor enabling power requirements for a wide variety of power switch devices to be satisfied.

Power converters are provided. A capacitor is coupled to a primary winding of a transformer forming part of an LC resonator. The capacitor is coupled with a supply voltage input (Vcc) of a controller to supply at least part of the controller with power.

A switching power conversion apparatus for converting power from an input voltage source to a load includes first and second switches connected to a switching node. An inductive element has a magnetizing current connected to the node, and the inductive element is connected to deliver energy via the first and second switches from the input voltage to the load during a succession of power conversion cycles. A capacitance connected to the node resonates with the inductive element to cause parasitic oscillation. A clamp subcircuit across the inductive element contains an auxiliary switch to trap energy and prevent parasitic oscillation, wherein the auxiliary switch is complementary to the first switch. A controlled voltage source injects energy in the inductive element, when the auxiliary switch turns off to discharge the parasitic capacitance by using trapped energy in the inductive element in addition to injected energy from the controlled voltage source.

A switching power conversion apparatus includes an input voltage source, an output load, a first switch connected to a switching node, and a second switch connected to the switching node. An inductive element has a magnetizing current connected to the switching node. The inductive element delivers energy via the first and second switches from the voltage source to the load during power conversion cycles. A capacitance connected to the switching node can resonate with the inductive element during a portion of the power conversion cycles to cause a parasitic oscillation. A first clamp subcircuit is across the inductive element and contains a unidirectional auxiliary switch to trap energy from the inductive element and store it into the storage capacitor and prevent parasitic oscillation. The auxiliary switch is complementary to the first switch. A current source discharges the storage capacitor and uses the energy in the switching power conversion apparatus.

The present invention relates to a DC-DC power converter which comprises a switched converter core operated in accordance with a primary control signal to supply a primary DC output current (Io) of the converter; said primary control signal exhibiting a minimum resolution, e.g. a minimum time step, leading to a corresponding minimum current step of the primary DC output current. The DC-DC power converter additionally comprises a controllable resistive path, or a controllable current source, connected between a pair of terminals selected from a group of: (the positive output terminal, the negative output terminal, the positive input terminal, the negative input terminal) and configured to add or subtract a secondary DC output current (Icon) to the primary DC output current (Io) in accordance with a secondary control signal to adjust the load current.