SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SOFT-STARTING A POWER CONVERTER WITH A PRE-CHARGED OUTPUT
First Claim
1. A method for soft-starting a voltage generator comprising:
- disabling an output driver;
detecting the voltage on an output node;
ramping a reference voltage at a controlled rate from a predetermined first level until the reference voltage reaches a second level that is a predetermined function of said output node voltage;
enabling the output driver when the reference voltage reaches said second level; and
ramping the reference voltage and the output node voltage at a controlled rate to a boot voltage level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for soft-starting a voltage generator includes disabling an output driver; detecting the voltage on an output node; ramping a reference voltage at a controlled rate from a predetermined first level until the reference voltage reaches a second level that is a predetermined function of said output node voltage; enabling the output driver when the reference voltage reaches said second level; and then ramping the reference voltage and the output node voltage at a controlled rate to a boot voltage level. A soft-start circuit for an output voltage generator includes a comparator for causing a ramp generator to ramp the reference voltage and the voltage on the output node to a boot voltage level at a controlled rate once the comparator detects that the reference voltage is substantially equal to the voltage on the output node.
23 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for soft-starting a voltage generator comprising:
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disabling an output driver; detecting the voltage on an output node; ramping a reference voltage at a controlled rate from a predetermined first level until the reference voltage reaches a second level that is a predetermined function of said output node voltage; enabling the output driver when the reference voltage reaches said second level; and ramping the reference voltage and the output node voltage at a controlled rate to a boot voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A soft-start circuit for an output voltage generator having an output node comprising:
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an output driver; a first voltage generator for generating a reference voltage; a ramp generator for causing the first voltage generator to ramp the reference voltage at a controlled rate starting from a predetermined first voltage level; and a first comparator for comparing the voltage on said output node and said reference voltage and for generating a first signal when the voltage on said output node is substantially unequal to said reference voltage and a second signal when the voltage on said output node is substantially equal to said reference voltage, said first signal causing said output driver to be disabled, and said second signal causing said ramp generator to ramp the reference voltage to a boot voltage level and enabling said output driver to cause the voltage on said output node to ramp at a controlled rate to said boot voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system comprising:
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a power converter that converts an input voltage to a regulated output voltage at an output node; a load coupled to said output node; and a soft-start circuit for soft starting said power converter, comprising; an output driver; a first voltage generator for generating a reference voltage; a ramp generator for causing the first voltage generator to ramp the reference voltage at a controlled rate starting from a predetermined first voltage level; and a first comparator for comparing the voltage on said output node and said reference voltage and for generating a first signal when the voltage on said output node is greater than said reference voltage and a second signal when the voltage on said output node is substantially equal to said reference voltage, said first signal causing said output driver to be disabled, and said second signal causing said ramp generator to ramp the reference voltage to a boot voltage level and enabling said output driver to cause the voltage on said output node to ramp at a controlled rate to said boot voltage level. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification