A protection and attenuation circuit for sensitive AC loads is described. The circuit provides AC power protection and attenuation utilizing high-efficiency switch-mode techniques to attenuate an AC power signal by incorporating a bidirectional, transistorized switch driven from a pulse width modulation signal, PWM. The circuit monitors characteristics of the AC power signal driving a known load and characteristics of the load or other elements and determines the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal, PWM, based upon the duration and amplitude of the over-voltage, over-current, over-limit or other event.

A protection and attenuation circuit for sensitive AC loads is described. The circuit provides AC power protection and attenuation utilizing high-efficiency switch-mode techniques to attenuate an AC power signal by incorporating a bidirectional, transistorized switch driven from a pulse width modulation signal, PWM. The circuit monitors characteristics of the AC power signal driving a known load and characteristics of the load or other elements and determines the duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal, PWM, based upon the duration and amplitude of the over-voltage, over-current, over-limit or other event.

Methods and apparatus for detecting a zero inductor current to control switch transitions for a power converter. An example method includes outputting a first voltage and a first current, receiving the first voltage and output a second voltage into an input of a comparator, when the second voltage is above a third voltage, outputting a first output voltage, when the second voltage is below the third voltage, outputting a second output voltage, determining when the first current is zero based the output of the comparator, enabling a set of switches based on when the first current is zero.

A voltage regulator, including an amplifier, a voltage setting circuit and a power transistor, is provided. The amplifier includes a first current source and a second current source. The amplifier has two input terminals to respectively receive a reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The first current source is coupled between the operating power source and an output terminal of the amplifier, and provides a first current to the output terminal. The second current source is coupled between the output terminal and a reference ground terminal, and draws a second current from the output terminal. The voltage setting circuit is coupled to the output terminal, and increases a driving voltage on the output terminal according to the first current in a voltage bypass mode. The power transistor receives the driving voltage and generates an output voltage according to the driving voltage based on the operating power source.

A voltage regulator, including an amplifier, a voltage setting circuit and a power transistor, is provided. The amplifier includes a first current source and a second current source. The amplifier has two input terminals to respectively receive a reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The first current source is coupled between the operating power source and an output terminal of the amplifier, and provides a first current to the output terminal. The second current source is coupled between the output terminal and a reference ground terminal, and draws a second current from the output terminal. The voltage setting circuit is coupled to the output terminal, and increases a driving voltage on the output terminal according to the first current in a voltage bypass mode. The power transistor receives the driving voltage and generates an output voltage according to the driving voltage based on the operating power source.

A driving device includes a voltage regulator, a voltage generator, and a first NMOSFET. The voltage regulator is coupled between a first high-voltage terminal and the output terminal of the driving device. The voltage regulator receives the first high voltage of the first high-voltage terminal. The voltage regulator steps down the first high voltage to generate a supply voltage. The voltage generator is coupled to a second high-voltage terminal and the output terminal of the driving device. The voltage generator provides a reference voltage for the output terminal of the driving device. The reference voltage is substantially lower than the supply voltage. The first NMOSFET is coupled between the output terminal of the driving device and a low-voltage terminal.

A driving device includes a voltage regulator, a voltage generator, and a first NMOSFET. The voltage regulator is coupled between a first high-voltage terminal and the output terminal of the driving device. The voltage regulator receives the first high voltage of the first high-voltage terminal. The voltage regulator steps down the first high voltage to generate a supply voltage. The voltage generator is coupled to a second high-voltage terminal and the output terminal of the driving device. The voltage generator provides a reference voltage for the output terminal of the driving device. The reference voltage is substantially lower than the supply voltage. The first NMOSFET is coupled between the output terminal of the driving device and a low-voltage terminal.

A driver circuit includes: a current-controlling switching element electrically connected to a light emitting element; a differential amplifier circuit including: an output terminal electrically connected to the current-controlling switching element, a first input terminal configured to receive a reference signal as a reference for radiating light with a desired intensity from the light emitting element, and a second input terminal configured to receive a detection signal corresponding to a detection result of a current flowing in the light emitting element, wherein the differential amplifier circuit is configured to control the current flowing in the light emitting element and the current-controlling switching element based on a voltage of the first input terminal and a voltage of the second input terminal; and an adjustment part configured to adjust an overshoot amount of a rising edge of the current flowing in the light emitting element.

A driver circuit includes: a current-controlling switching element electrically connected to a light emitting element; a differential amplifier circuit including: an output terminal electrically connected to the current-controlling switching element, a first input terminal configured to receive a reference signal as a reference for radiating light with a desired intensity from the light emitting element, and a second input terminal configured to receive a detection signal corresponding to a detection result of a current flowing in the light emitting element, wherein the differential amplifier circuit is configured to control the current flowing in the light emitting element and the current-controlling switching element based on a voltage of the first input terminal and a voltage of the second input terminal; and an adjustment part configured to adjust an overshoot amount of a rising edge of the current flowing in the light emitting element.

In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first die with voltage regulator circuitry and a second die with logic circuitry. The apparatus further includes an inductor, a capacitor, and a conformal power delivery structure on the top side of the apparatus, where the voltage regulator circuitry is connected to the logic circuitry through the inductor, the capacitor, and the conformal power delivery structure. The conformal power delivery structure includes a first electrically conductive layer defining one or more recesses, a second electrically conductive layer at least partially within the recesses of the first electrically conductive layer and having a lower surface that generally conforms with the upper surface of the first electrically conductive layer, and a dielectric material between the surfaces of the first electrically conductive layer and the second electrically conductive layer that conform with one another.