Gated pulse power converter systems and methods

A power supply, comprising:

• means for providing electric current to a load;
• means for detecting an output voltage at said load;
• means for generating an oscillating signal;
• and
• means for controlling said means for providing electric current in response to a detected said output voltage being less than a threshold voltage;
• wherein said means for controlling said means for providing electric current comprises means for gating the oscillating signal with a control signal, and wherein the control signal is generated based on the detected said output voltage, and wherein an output of said means for generating the oscillating signal, an output of said means for detecting the output voltage, and an input of said means for controlling are directly connected to form a single node;
• wherein said means for controlling said means for providing electric current further comprises:
• a comparator having a first input coupled to a reference signal and a second input coupled to the single node;
• and
• a switch having a control terminal coupled to an output of the comparator, wherein the switch is configured to provide control of said means for providing electric current.

A method of supplying power to a load, comprising steps of:

• discharging electric current from a charge storage device to the load;
• monitoring an output of the charge storage device;
• and
• charging the charge storage device when the monitored output at the charge storage device is less than a predetermined value, wherein said step of charging comprises steps of:
• generating a control signal when the monitored output of the charge storage device is less than a reference voltage;
• generating an oscillating signal;
• gating the control signal and the oscillating signal to generate a gated signal;
• and
• controlling transfer of electric current to the charge storage device based on the gated signal;
• wherein said step of gating is performed at a single node comprising an output of circuitry used in said step of generating a control signal, an output of circuitry used in said step of generating the oscillating signal, and an input of circuitry used in said step of controlling,
• wherein said step of controller comprises a step of comparing the gated signal at the single node to a reference voltage to generate a drive signal and controlling a switch based on the comparison, wherein the switch is configured to control the transfer of electrical current to the charge storage device.