Ultra-low power converter

• US 9,559,596 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2015
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Triune Systems, LLC (Semtech Corporation)
• Inventors: Atrash, Amer, Chen, Wayne, Teggatz, Ross E., Smith, Brett
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Emily P
• Application Number:
  US14/630,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20150171758A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0032 Control circuits allowing low power mode operation, e.g. in standby mode
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33507 with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/2176 comprising a passive stage to generate a rectified sinusoidal voltage and a controlled switching element in series between such stage and the output
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/10 Technologies improving the efficiency by using switched-mode power supplies [SMPS], i.e. efficient power electronics conversion e.g. power factor correction or reduction of losses in power supplies or efficient standby modes

Abstract

An AC to DC converter system is disclosed in which a conversion circuit for converting an AC input signal to a DC output signal is operably coupled with a communication circuit designed for sensing output indicative of the presence or absence of a load at the DC output. The system is designed so that the conversion circuit operates in an inactive standby state when there is no load, and in an active state for supplying DC power when a load is present. The system is configured to operate using ultra-low power.

Claims

1. An ultra-low power converter comprising:

a primary side having an ultra-low power regulator configured to turn on in response to rectified incoming power (CONT) and regulate its output (VCC), the ultra-low power regulator being configured for using of dynamic ultra-low (nano-amps or lower) bias current; and

a secondary side communication circuit configured to signal the ultra-low power regulator in response to a load condition;

whereby the ultra-low power regulator allows the ultra-low power converter to operate in an ultralow power mode such that device state is not lost and regulation is maintained with a low power loss overhead.

2. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein the secondary side communication circuit further comprises an optical element.

3. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein a DC output terminal of the secondary side is operably coupled with a portable electronic apparatus.

4. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein a DC output terminal of the secondary side is operably coupled with a portable communications apparatus.

5. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein a DC output terminal of the secondary side is operably coupled with portable imaging apparatus.

6. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein a DC output terminal of the secondary side is operably coupled with portable display apparatus.

7. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein a DC output terminal of the secondary side is operably coupled with portable audio apparatus.

8. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 1 wherein a DC output terminal of the secondary side is operably coupled with portable computing apparatus.

9. An AC to DC converter system comprising:

an AC input configured for receiving an AC power input signal;

a conversion circuit for converting the AC power input signal to a DC output signal, the conversion circuit operably coupled with the input, and also coupled with an output for outputting the DC output signal; and

a communication circuit configured to signal the conversion circuit in response to a load condition;

whereby the conversion circuit is configured to selectively operate in a conversion mode and in an ultra-low power standby mode.

10. The AC to DC converter system according to claim 9 wherein the communication circuit further comprises an optical device.

11. The AC to DC converter system according to claim 9 further comprising a capacitive coupling configured for providing power from the AC input to the communication circuit.

12. The AC to DC converter system according to claim 9 further comprising a capacitive circuit coupling a primary side of the AC to DC conversion circuit and the communication circuit.

13. An ultra-low power converter comprising:

a primary side having an ultra-low power regulator configured to turn on in response to rectified incoming power and regulate its output, the ultra-low power regulator being configured for the use of dynamic ultra-low bias current having a magnitude of nano-amps or lower; and

a secondary side communication circuit configured to transmit a first signal to the ultra-low power regulator when a load is present and a second signal to the ultra-low power regulator when the load is absent;

whereby the ultra-low power regulator is configured to operate the converter in an ultra-low power mode such that device state data is not lost and regulation is maintained with a low power loss overhead.

14. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein a stability of the ultra-low regulator is adjusted based on a loading of the ultra-low regulator.

15. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein a reference voltage of the ultra-low regulator is implemented using a floating gate technique.

16. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein a reference voltage of the ultra-low regulator is implemented using a low-power bandgap.

17. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein a reference voltage of the ultra-low regulator is implemented using a multiple floating gates.

18. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein a reference voltage of the ultra-low regulator is recalibrated to compensate for retention loses in a floating gate.

19. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein the DC output is operably coupled with portable audio apparatus.

20. The ultra-low power converter according to claim 13 wherein the communication circuit utilizes a watchdog protocol.