Alpha and Omega Semiconductor has filed a patent for a control circuit that manages a switching regulator. The circuit includes a timer, comparator, driver circuit, and controller. The timer generates a signal based on elapsed time, while the comparator compares feedback voltage with a reference voltage. The driver circuit generates a drive signal based on the input signal or comparison signal, depending on the enabled mode. The controller generates a control signal based on the comparison of feedback voltage with a higher reference voltage. GlobalData’s report on Alpha and Omega Semiconductor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, under-screen biometric identification was a key innovation area identified from patents. Alpha and Omega Semiconductor's grant share as of September 2023 was 79%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Control circuit for a switching regulator with timer and comparator
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230308018A1) describes a control circuit for a switching regulator. The control circuit includes a timer, a comparator, a driver circuit, and a controller. The timer generates a signal indicating the elapsed time since the activation of a drive signal that controls a switch in the regulator. The comparator compares a feedback voltage, which represents the output voltage of the regulator, with a reference voltage and generates a comparison signal. The driver circuit, controlled by a control signal, generates the drive signal based on either the timer signal or the comparison signal. The controller, in response to the activation of the timer signal, generates the control signal based on the comparison of the feedback voltage with a higher reference voltage.
When the feedback voltage is higher than the higher reference voltage, the control signal indicates that the mode of the switching regulator is enabled. The controller can also compare the feedback voltage with a lower or equal reference voltage to generate the control signal. When the feedback voltage is lower than this reference voltage, the control signal indicates that the mode is disabled. The controller includes additional comparators and a logic circuit to set the control signal based on the comparison signals.
The control circuit also includes a detection circuit that generates a detection signal by monitoring the current flowing through an inductor in the regulator. When the control signal indicates that the mode is disabled, the driver circuit turns off a second switch based on the detection signal. When the mode is enabled, the driver circuit turns off the second switch based on the comparison of the feedback voltage with the higher reference voltage. The control circuit may also include a second timer to generate a signal indicating the elapsed time since the current through the inductor reached a threshold. When the mode is enabled and the second timer signal indicates that the predetermined time has elapsed, the driver circuit turns off the second switch.
Overall, this patent describes a control circuit and method for a switching regulator that efficiently regulates the output voltage based on various reference voltages and elapsed time measurements. The circuit and method allow for precise control of the regulator's mode and switch operation, ensuring optimal performance and stability.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
