# US 9,438,108 B2 · Bias voltage generating circuit and switching power supply thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,108 B2 - Document ID: US9438108B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/186,166 - Filed: 2014-02-21 - Published: 2014-06-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-09-14 - Assignees: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD - Applicants: Silergy Semiconductor Technology (Hangzhou) LTD - Inventors: Wei Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438108B2 ## CPC - H02M 3/156: with automatic control of output voltage or current, e.g. switching regulators - G05F 1/468: {characterised by reference voltage circuitry, e.g. soft start, remote shutdown} - H02M 3/33523: {with galvanic isolation between input and output of both the power stage and the feedback loop} - H02M 7/217: using semiconductor devices only - H02M 1/0006: {Arrangements for supplying an adequate voltage to the control circuit of converters} - H02M 1/08: Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters - H02M 3/158: including plural semiconductor devices as final control devices for a single load - 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) - G05F: SYSTEMS FOR REGULATING ELECTRIC OR MAGNETIC VARIABLES ## Abstract Disclosed herein are bias voltage generating circuits configured for switching power supplies, and associated control methods. In one embodiment, a bias voltage generating circuit can include: (i) a first control circuit configured to compare a drain-source voltage of a switch against a bias voltage; (ii) a capacitor, with the bias voltage across the capacitor; (iii) a second control circuit configured to control the switch, and that is enabled when the bias voltage is at least as high as an expected bias voltage; (iv) the first control circuit being configured to control the capacitor to charge when the drain-source voltage of the switch is greater than the bias voltage; and (v) the bias voltage being less than an overvoltage protection voltage when the capacitor charges, and where the overvoltage protection voltage comprises a voltage that is a predetermined amount higher than the expected bias voltage. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A bias voltage generating circuit, comprising: a) a first control circuit configured to compare a drain-source voltage of a first switch against a bias voltage across a capacitor; b) a second control circuit configured to control said first switch, wherein said second control circuit is configured to be enabled when said bias voltage is at least as high as an expected bias voltage; c) wherein said first control circuit is configured to control said capacitor to charge when said drain-source voltage of said first switch is greater than said bias voltage, wherein said first control circuit comprises a first comparator configured to receive said bias voltage and an overvoltage protection voltage, and to output a first control signal, a second switch coupled to said first switch and being controllable by said first control signal, and a diode having an anode coupled to said second switch, and a cathode coupled to said capacitor; and d) wherein said bias voltage is less than said overvoltage protection voltage when said capacitor charges, and wherein said overvoltage protection voltage comprises a voltage that is a predetermined amount higher than said expected bias voltage. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The bias voltage generating circuit of claim 1, wherein said first switch is configured for a power stage circuit in a switching power supply. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The bias voltage generating circuit of claim 1, wherein said second switch comprises a depletion-type transistor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A switching power supply, comprising: a) said bias voltage generating circuit of claim 1, configured to generate said bias voltage; b) a power stage circuit coupled to said bias voltage generating circuit; and c) said second control circuit being configured to receive said bias voltage, and to regulate said switching power supply to output a DC signal for a load by controlling a switching operation of said first switch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The switching power supply of claim 4, wherein said power stage circuit is configured as at least one of: a forward converter, a flyback converter, a buck topology circuit, a boost topology circuit, and a buck-boost topology circuit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The switching power supply of claim 4, further comprising: a) a rectifier bridge configured to receive an AC input voltage; b) a filter circuit coupled to an output of said rectifier bridge; c) a magnetic component coupled to an output of said filter circuit; and d) an output diode coupled to said magnetic component and said DC output signal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The bias voltage generating circuit of claim 1, wherein said overvoltage protection voltage is at least as high as said expected bias voltage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The bias voltage generating circuit of claim 1, wherein said predetermined amount is from about 0% to about 20%. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The bias voltage generating circuit of claim 1, wherein said overvoltage protection voltage is user programmable.