Systems, methods, and devices for bootstrapped power circuits

• US 9,658,632 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2015
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Original Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation (Infineon Technologies AG)
• Inventors: Wright, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Kenneth M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chu, Alan
• Application Number:
  US14/668,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20160062379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 700292
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/625 wherein it is irrelevant whether the variable actually regulated is ac or dc

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for implementing a bootstrapped power circuit. Devices may include a controller configured to generate an output signal. Devices may include a power converter configured to receive the output signal, configured to store an amount of energy in response to receiving the output signal, and further configured to release the amount of energy in response to detecting a change in the output signal. Devices may include a switch configured to be toggled between a first and second position. Devices may include a power source configured to store a second voltage having a second amplitude. Devices may include a bootstrap circuit configured to receive a third voltage from the power source when the switch is in the first position, and configured to receive at least some of the amount of energy from the power converter when the switch is in the second position.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a controller configured to generate an output signal based on a detected input voltage, the controller further configured to begin operation in response to receiving a first voltage having a first amplitude;

a power converter coupled to the controller and configured to receive the output signal, the power converter further configured to store an amount of energy in response to receiving the output signal, and the power converter further configured to release at least part of the amount of energy in response to detecting a change in the output signal;

a switch configured to be set to one of a plurality of positions, the plurality of positions comprising a first position and a second position;

a power source coupled to the power converter and the switch power source configured to supply a second voltage having a second amplitude; and

a bootstrap circuit configured to be coupled in parallel with the power source, receive the second voltage from the power source, and store a third voltage based on the received second voltage when the switch is in the first position and when the controller is in an unpowered state, the bootstrap circuit further configured to be coupled in series with the power source and coupled to an input terminal of the controller when the switch is in the second position, the switching to the second position being associated with powering up the controller, wherein a combined amplitude of the second voltage and the third voltage is greater than the first amplitude, and the bootstrap circuit further configured to receive at least some of the amount of energy from the power converter when the switch is in the second position.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the bootstrap circuit includes at least one capacitor having a capacitance configured to store the third voltage.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein a combination of the second voltage and the third voltage is sufficient to enable the operation of the controller.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the switch is a mechanical switch.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the switch is configured to change between the first position and the second position in response to actuation by a user.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the power converter is an inductor-based power converter.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the power converter includes a transistor, and wherein the output signal is received at the transistor.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the output signal is a pulse, and wherein the change detected by the power converter is a termination of the pulse.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the controller is a microcontroller unit (MCU), the MCU comprising a processor core and a memory.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to generate a power supply signal for at least one electrical component of a battery-powered electrical device.

11. A system comprising:

a bootstrapped power circuit comprising;

a controller configured to generate an output signal based on a detected input voltage, the controller further configured to begin operation in response to receiving a first voltage having a first amplitude;

a power converter coupled to the controller and configured to receive the output signal, the power converter further configured to store an amount of energy in response to receiving the output signal, and the power converter further configured to release at least part of the amount of energy in response to detecting a change in the output signal;

a first switch configured to be set to one of a first plurality of positions, the first plurality of positions comprising a first position and a second position;

a power source coupled to the power converter and the first switch, the power source configured to supply a second voltage having a second amplitude; and

a bootstrap circuit configured to be coupled in parallel with the power source, receive the second voltage from the power source, and store a third voltage based on the received second voltage when the first switch is in the first position and when the controller is in an unpowered state, the bootstrap circuit further configured to be coupled in series with the power source and coupled to an input terminal of the controller when the switch is in the second position, the switching to the second position being associated with powering up the controller, wherein a combined amplitude of the second voltage and the third voltage is greater than the first amplitude, and the bootstrap circuit further configured to receive at least some of the amount of energy from the power converter when the first switch is in the second position; and

aloud circuit coupled to the bootstrapped power circuit and configured to receive a voltage supply signal from the controller.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bootstrap circuit includes a capacitor having a capacitance configured to store the third voltage, and wherein the first switch is a mechanical switch.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein a combination of the second voltage and the third voltage is sufficient to enable the operation of the controller.

14. The system of claim 11 further comprising a second switch configured to be set to one of a second plurality of positions, the second plurality of positions comprising a third position and a fourth position, the second switch configured to uncouple the bootstrapped power circuit from the load circuit when in the third position, and the second switch configured to couple the bootstrapped power circuit with the load circuit when in the fourth position.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the load circuit comprises a motor configured to generate mechanical motion in response to receiving the voltage supply signal.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the load circuit comprises a light emitting diode (LED).

17. A method comprising:

coupling, by switching a switch to a first position, a bootstrap circuit to a power source in parallel to store a first voltage having a first amplitude in the bootstrap circuit, the power source storing a second voltage having a second amplitude, the bootstrap circuit receiving the second voltage and storing the first voltage when the switch is in the first position;

coupling, by switching the switch to a second position, the bootstrap circuit to an input terminal of a controller in an unpowered state, and in series with the power source to provide the first voltage and the second voltage to the input terminal of the controller;

powering up the controller in response to receiving the first voltage and the second voltage, an amplitude of a combination of the first voltage and the second voltage being greater than an amplitude of an operational voltage associated with the controller;

generating, using the controller, an output signal in response to identifying a low voltage at the input terminal of the controller, the controller beginning operation in response to receiving the combination of the first voltage and the second voltage;

providing the output signal to a power converter;

storing, in the power converter, an amount of energy in response to receiving the output signal; and

releasing at least part of the amount of energy to the bootstrap circuit in response to detecting a change in the output signal and when the switch is in the second position.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the releasing of the at least part of the amount of energy further comprises:

detecting, by the power converter, a termination of the output signal; and

providing at least part of the amount of energy to the bootstrap circuit in response to detecting the termination of the output signal.