Patent ID: 6278621
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H02M,Y02B

Abstract:
A method of synchronous rectification in a single-ended DC-to-DC converter comprising:switchably applying power to a primary winding of a transformer of said DC-to-DC converter in a periodic manner defining a temporal cycle, such that power is applied to said primary winding during a first interval of said temporal cycle and said primary winding is disconnected during a second interval of said temporal cycle, said transformer having said first winding and a second winding electromagnetically coupled to said first winding;generating a first signal at said secondary winding of said transformer in response to said application of power to said primary winding;generating a second signal at said secondary winding of said transformer in response to said disconnecting of power to said primary winding;applying a voltage appearing across said secondary winding during said first interval to a first rectifier having a first terminal of said first rectifier in electrical communication with a first terminal of said secondary winding and a second terminal of said first rectifier in electrical communication with an input terminal of a filter circuit of said DC-to-DC converter; andcausing a secondary switch, electrically coupled to said secondary winding, to become conductive in response to said second signal from said secondary winding, said secondary switch applying at least a portion of a voltage appearing across said secondary winding during said second interval to a second rectifier having a first terminal of said second rectifier in electrical communication with a second terminal of said secondary winding and a second terminal of said second rectifier in electrical communication with said input terminal of said filter circuit, causing a substantially synchronously rectified signal to appear at an output of said DC-to-DC converter.