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US 2021/0203229 A1Published application
Reduced voltage ratings for power transistors in a buck converter
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorRiazdeen BUHARI
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device includes a buck converter coupled to an input node and an output node, and a linear voltage regulator coupled to the input node and to the output node.
Claims20
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A device, comprising:
- a buck converter configured to generate an output voltage based on an input voltage;
- a port controller coupled to the buck converter and configured to couple to a pass transistor, the port controller configured to:
- receive a first signal indicating that the input voltage is above a first threshold voltage;
- generate a control signal for turning off the pass transistor in response to receiving the first signal;
- receive a second signal indicating that a gate voltage of the pass transistor is below a second threshold voltage;
- and
- turn off the buck converter in response to receiving the second signal;
- and
- a linear voltage regulator configured to regulate the output voltage while the buck converter is turned off.
6 more elements
A method for operating a buck converter, comprising:
- receiving a first signal indicating that an input voltage to the buck converter is above a first threshold voltage;
- in response to receiving the first signal, generating a control signal for turning off a pass transistor coupled to an output of the buck converter;
- receiving a second signal indicating that a gate voltage of the pass transistor is below a second threshold voltage;
- in response to receiving the second signal, turning off the buck converter;
- and
- regulating a voltage of the output of the buck converter after turning off the buck converter.
3 more elements
A device, comprising:
- a buck converter adapted to be coupled to an automotive battery to receive an input voltage, the buck converter configured to generate an output voltage based on the input voltage;
- a first comparator having an input coupled to the automotive battery and configured to assert a first output signal in response to the input voltage being above a first threshold voltage;
- a port controller coupled to the buck converter and configured to couple to a pass transistor, the port controller comprising:
- a second comparator having an input coupled to a control terminal of the pass transistor and configured to assert a second output signal in response to a voltage of the control terminal being below a second threshold voltage;
- and
- a NAND gate having inputs configured to receive the first and second output signals, wherein the buck converter is configured to turn off in response to an output of the NAND gate being de-asserted;
- and
- a linear voltage regulator configured to regulate the output voltage while the buck converter is turned off
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.