Exemplary embodiments may include a method of applying a charging pulse to an output capacitor, detecting satisfaction of a charging threshold, ending the charging pulse in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold, and discharging the sampling capacitor in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold. In some embodiments, once a sampling capacitor voltage drops below a discharging threshold, a charging pulse is applied. Exemplary embodiments may also include an apparatus with a controller coupled to an input node, a timer coupled to the controller, an inductive charger coupled to the controller, to an input node, and to an output node, and a sensor coupled to the controller and the output node. Exemplary embodiments may further include an apparatus where a sensor with a sampling capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the output node and a second terminal coupled to the controller and the inductive charger.

Exemplary embodiments may include a method of applying a charging pulse to an output capacitor, detecting satisfaction of a charging threshold, ending the charging pulse in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold, and discharging the sampling capacitor in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold. In some embodiments, once a sampling capacitor voltage drops below a discharging threshold, a charging pulse is applied. Exemplary embodiments may also include an apparatus with a controller coupled to an input node, a timer coupled to the controller, an inductive charger coupled to the controller, to an input node, and to an output node, and a sensor coupled to the controller and the output node. Exemplary embodiments may further include an apparatus where a sensor with a sampling capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the output node and a second terminal coupled to the controller and the inductive charger.

A voltage-current conversion circuit includes a voltage-current conversion resistor connected to an input terminal, and a current mirror circuit which mirrors a current supplied from the voltage-current conversion resistor, wherein the current mirror circuit is constructed to include a depletion-type transistor whose source voltage is biased to be higher than the substrate voltage.

A voltage-current conversion circuit includes a voltage-current conversion resistor connected to an input terminal, and a current mirror circuit which mirrors a current supplied from the voltage-current conversion resistor, wherein the current mirror circuit is constructed to include a depletion-type transistor whose source voltage is biased to be higher than the substrate voltage.

Exemplary embodiments may include a method of applying a charging pulse to an output capacitor, detecting satisfaction of a charging threshold, ending the charging pulse in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold, and discharging the sampling capacitor in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold. In some embodiments, once a sampling capacitor voltage drops below a discharging threshold, a charging pulse is applied. Exemplary embodiments may also include an apparatus with a controller coupled to an input node, a timer coupled to the controller, an inductive charger coupled to the controller, to an input node, and to an output node, and a sensor coupled to the controller and the output node. Exemplary embodiments may further include an apparatus where a sensor with a sampling capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the output node and a second terminal coupled to the controller and the inductive charger.

Exemplary embodiments may include a method of applying a charging pulse to an output capacitor, detecting satisfaction of a charging threshold, ending the charging pulse in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold, and discharging the sampling capacitor in response to the detecting the satisfaction of the charging threshold. In some embodiments, once a sampling capacitor voltage drops below a discharging threshold, a charging pulse is applied. Exemplary embodiments may also include an apparatus with a controller coupled to an input node, a timer coupled to the controller, an inductive charger coupled to the controller, to an input node, and to an output node, and a sensor coupled to the controller and the output node. Exemplary embodiments may further include an apparatus where a sensor with a sampling capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the output node and a second terminal coupled to the controller and the inductive charger.

A voltage-current conversion circuit includes a voltage-current conversion resistor connected to an input terminal, and a current mirror circuit which mirrors a current supplied from the voltage-current conversion resistor, wherein the current mirror circuit is constructed to include a depletion-type transistor whose source voltage is biased to be higher than the substrate voltage.

A voltage-current conversion circuit includes a voltage-current conversion resistor connected to an input terminal, and a current mirror circuit which mirrors a current supplied from the voltage-current conversion resistor, wherein the current mirror circuit is constructed to include a depletion-type transistor whose source voltage is biased to be higher than the substrate voltage.

Embodiments provide forced-burst voltage regulation for burst mode direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-DC) converters in integrated circuits. The DC-DC converter generates an output voltage and operates in a burst mode to raise the output voltage to a threshold voltage. A controller is coupled to the DC-DC converter. In operation, the DC-DC converter is configured to perform the burst mode based upon a low-voltage detection for the output voltage. The DC-DC converter is further configured to perform the burst mode when a force-burst command is asserted by the controller to the DC-DC converter regardless of a state for the low-voltage detection. For one embodiment, the force-burst command is asserted as a burst control signal from the controller to the DC-DC converter to generate a long quiet period for sensitive actions. For another embodiment, the force-burst command is asserted using enable and refresh control signals to facilitate low-power operation.

Embodiments provide forced-burst voltage regulation for burst mode direct-current-to-direct-current (DC-DC) converters in integrated circuits. The DC-DC converter generates an output voltage and operates in a burst mode to raise the output voltage to a threshold voltage. A controller is coupled to the DC-DC converter. In operation, the DC-DC converter is configured to perform the burst mode based upon a low-voltage detection for the output voltage. The DC-DC converter is further configured to perform the burst mode when a force-burst command is asserted by the controller to the DC-DC converter regardless of a state for the low-voltage detection. For one embodiment, the force-burst command is asserted as a burst control signal from the controller to the DC-DC converter to generate a long quiet period for sensitive actions. For another embodiment, the force-burst command is asserted using enable and refresh control signals to facilitate low-power operation.