IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,652,034
Granted Patent B2
US 12,652,034 · App. 18/740,448 · Granted Jun 9, 2026

Sensor based power switch control method and sensor based power switch method capable of fast turning on power switches

Inventors: Fan-Wei Liao (Hsinchu City, TW); Tai-Ying Jiang (Hsinchu City, TW); Chien-Sheng Chao (Hsinchu City, TW); Bo-Yun Lin (Hsinchu City, TW)
Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
H03K17/042
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,652,034
App. No.
18/740,448
Granted
Jun 9, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A sensor based power switch control method includes setting a maximum inrush current, turning on at least one first power switches for charging a loading circuit from a high voltage terminal through the at least one first power switches, sensing a first charging current of the at least one first power switches being turned on by a first sensor, and turning on at least one second power switches for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal through the at least one second power switches when the first charging current starts to drop.

Claims (32)

1 . A sensor based power switch control method comprising:

setting a maximum inrush current;

turning on at least one first power switches for charging a loading circuit from a high voltage terminal through the at least one first power switches;

sensing a first charging current of the at least one first power switches being turned on by a first sensor;

turning on at least one second power switches for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal through the at least one second power switches when the first charging current starts to drop; and

sensing a second charging current from the high voltage terminal to the loading circuit by a second sensor; and

turning on at least one additional power switch when the second charging current starts to drop.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first charging current is smaller than the maximum inrush current.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein after the at least one first power switches are turned on for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal, the first charging current is increased to approach the maximum inrush current.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein after the first charging current is increased to approach the maximum inrush current, a first voltage gap between the high voltage terminal and the loading circuit starts to drop.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein after the first voltage gap between the high voltage terminal and the loading circuit starts to drop, the first charging current starts to drop.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein after the at least one second power switches are turned on for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal, the first charging current is increased to approach the maximum inrush current.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein a total inrush current of charging the loading circuit is controlled to approach the maximum inrush current by the first charging current.

8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprises:

generating a first message for turning on the at least one first power switches by the first sensor; and

generating a second message for turning on the at least one second power switches by the first sensor.

9 . A sensor based power switch control system comprising:

a power control circuit;

a first sensor coupled to the power control circuit;

a second sensor;

at least one first power switches coupled to the first sensor; and

a loading circuit coupled to the at least one first power switches;

wherein after the maximum inrush current is set, the at least one first power switches is turned on for charging a loading circuit from a high voltage terminal through the at least one first power switches, the first sensor senses a first charging current of the at least one first power switches being turned on, and when the first charging current starts to drop, at least one second power switches is turned on for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal through the at least one second power switches; and

wherein the second sensor senses a second charging current from the high voltage terminal to the loading circuit, and when the second charging current starts to drop, at least one additional power switch is turned on.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first charging current is smaller than the maximum inrush current.

11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein after the at least one first power switches are turned on for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal, the first charging current is increased to approach the maximum inrush current.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein after the first charging current is increased to approach the maximum inrush current, a first voltage gap between the high voltage terminal and the loading circuit starts to drop.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein after the first voltage gap between the high voltage terminal and the loading circuit starts to drop, the first charging current starts to drop.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein after the at least one second power switches are turned on for charging the loading circuit from the high voltage terminal, the first charging current is increased to approach the maximum inrush current.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein a total inrush current of charging the loading circuit is controlled to approach the maximum inrush current by the first charging current.

16 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first sensor generates a first message for turning on the at least one first power switches, and the first sensor generates a second message for turning on the at least one second power switches.

17 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one first power switches and at least one second power switches are multi-threshold complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (MTCMOS) power switches.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 12, 2024
From: LIAO, FAN-WEI; JIANG, TAI-YING; CHAO, CHIEN-SHENG; LIN, BO-YUN
To: MEDIATEK INC.
Reel/Frame 067695/0985 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250379571A1 · Dec 11, 2025
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