# US 7,609,036 B2 · Control device for a switching converter and related switching converter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,036 B2 - Document ID: US7609036B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/553,066 - Filed: 2006-10-26 - Published: 2007-05-17 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2005-10-27 - Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l. - Inventors: Vincenzo Bartolo; Dennis Marelli; Francesco Griseta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609036B2 ## CPC - H02M 3/157: with digital control - H02M 3/1588: {comprising at least one synchronous rectifier element (H02M3/1582, H02M3/1584 take precedence)} - H02M 1/0006: {Arrangements for supplying an adequate voltage to the control circuit of converters} - 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 - H02M: APPARATUS FOR CONVERSION BETWEEN AC AND AC, BETWEEN AC AND DC, OR BETWEEN DC AND DC, AND FOR USE WITH MAINS OR SIMILAR POWER SUPPLY SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OF DC OR AC INPUT POWER INTO SURGE OUTPUT POWER; CONTROL OR REGULATION THEREOF (transformers H01F; dynamo-electric converters H02K47/00; controlling transformers, reactors or choke coils, control or regulation of electric motors, generators or dynamo-electric converters H02P) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS ## Abstract A control device for a switching converter having an input terminal, an output terminal, a semi-bridge of a first and second transistor coupled between the input terminal and a reference voltage, includes a first circuit for driving the first transistor and a second circuit for driving the second transistor. The converter further includes a bootstrap circuit for powering the first drive circuit. The bootstrap circuit includes a capacitor coupled between a supply voltage and the common terminal of the first and second transistors. The control device acts upon the second transistor to assure the charging of the capacitor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A control device for a switching converter having an input terminal, an output terminal, a semi-bridge of a first transistor and a second transistor coupled between the input terminal and a reference voltage, the control device comprising: a first circuit for driving said first transistor; a second circuit for driving said second transistor; and a converter including a bootstrap circuit for powering said first drive circuit, said bootstrap circuit including a capacitor coupled between a supply voltage and a common terminal of said first and second transistors, including a first counter and a second counter, said first counter configured to increase its count by one unit per switching cycle in which said second transistor is not switched on and said second counter containing a pre-established value, and a comparator for comparing the value of the first and second counter and able to switch on said second transistor in response to said comparison for a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising means capable of sending a reset signal to said first counter when said second transistor is switched on. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising means capable of decreasing said given value of the second counter by a given quantity at each switching cycle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device according to claim 3, wherein said given quantity comprises a variable quantity and said means comprises a device capable of varying said quantity according to the number of switching cycles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The device according to claim 4, wherein said device is capable of decreasing said quantity as the number of switching cycles increases. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, further comprising means capable of sensing a signal on the converter output terminal, said control device regulating said sensed signal via a comparison with another reference signal and driving said first and second transistors according to said regulation. ### Claim 7 A switching converter having an input terminal and an output terminal, said converter comprising a semi-bridge of a first and second transistor coupled between the input terminal and a reference voltage, said converter comprising: a control device including a first circuit for driving said first transistor and a second circuit for driving said second transistor; and a bootstrap circuit for powering said first drive circuit, said bootstrap circuit comprising a capacitor coupled between a supply voltage and a common terminal of said first and second transistor, wherein said control device comprises a first counter and a second counter, said first counter operative for increasing its count by one unit per switching cycle in which said second transistor is not switched on and said second counter containing a pre-established value, and a comparator for comparing the value of the first and second counter and operative to switch on said second transistor in response to said comparison for a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The converter according to claim 7, further comprising means for sending a reset signal to said first counter when said second transistor is switched on. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The converter according to claim 7, further comprising means for decreasing said given value of the second counter by a given quantity at each switching cycle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The converter according to claim 9, wherein said quantity comprises a variable quantity and said means comprises a device for varying said quantity according to the number of switching cycles. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The converter according to claim 10, wherein said device is capable of decreasing said quantity as the number of switching cycles increases. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The converter according to claim 7, further comprising means capable of sensing a signal on the converter output terminal, said control device regulating said sensed signal via a comparison with another reference signal and driving said first and second transistors according to said regulation. ### Claim 13 A control device for a switching converter having an input terminal, an output terminal, a semi-bridge of a first transistor and a second transistor coupled between the input terminal and a reference voltage, the control device comprising: a first circuit for driving said first transistor; a second circuit for driving said second transistor; and a converter including a bootstrap circuit for powering said first drive circuit, said bootstrap circuit including a capacitor coupled between a supply voltage and a common terminal of said first and second transistors, including a first counter, a second counter, and a comparator for comparing the value of the first and second counter and operative to switch on said second transistor in response to said comparison for a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device according to claim 13, wherein said first counter further comprises a reset signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The device according to claim 13, further comprising decreasing a given value of the second counter by a given quantity at each switching cycle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device according to claim 15, wherein said given quantity comprises a variable quantity. ### Claim 17 A switching converter having an input terminal and an output terminal, said converter comprising a semi-bridge of a first transistor and second transistor coupled between the input terminal and a reference voltage, said converter comprising: a control device including a first circuit for driving said first transistor and a second circuit for driving said second transistor; and a bootstrap circuit for powering said first drive circuit, said bootstrap circuit comprising a capacitor coupled between a supply voltage and a common terminal of said first and second transistor, wherein said control device comprises a first counter, a second counter, and a comparator for comparing the value of the first and second counters and operative to switch on said second transistor in response to said comparison for a predetermined period of time. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The converter according to claim 17, wherein said first counter comprises a reset signal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The converter according to claim 17,further comprising decreasing said given value of the second counter by a given quantity at each switching cycle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The converter according to claim 17, wherein said quantity comprises a variable quantity.