MICROSEMI CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150308860 | Inductive Displacement Sensor - Inductive displacement sensors and methods of using them may be useful in a variety of contexts. For example, systems for precisely measuring linear or angular motion may use inductive displacement sensors to measure changes in position. An apparatus, such as a sensor, can include a primary inductor. The apparatus can also include a first secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The apparatus can further include a second secondary inductor that is field-coupled to the primary inductor. The first secondary inductor and the second secondary inductor can be configured as coordinated inductors to detect motion of a coupler. The coordinated inductors can be configured to provide a reference signal and a measurement signal, wherein the reference signal has a constant amplitude across a range of motion of the coupler. | 10-29-2015 |
20140319541 | VOIDLESSLY ENCAPSULATED SEMICONDUCTOR DIE PACKAGE - A system can include a semiconductor die having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The system can also include a first slug coupled to a portion of the first side of the die. The system can further include a second slug coupled to a portion of the second side of the die. The system can additionally include an insulating material voidlessly encapsulating the die. The first slug can include a first portion having a first width in proximity to the die and a second portion having a second width. The first portion can be closer than the second portion to the die and the first width can be smaller than the second width. | 10-30-2014 |
20140300503 | MILLIMETER WAVE ENERGY SENSING WAND AND METHOD - A millimeter wave energy sensing wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator. A number of sensors may be coupled with the housing and include comprising at least one millimeter or terahertz wave energy sensor. A controller coupled with the housing and electrically coupled with the sensors receives signals from the sensors in two or more sensing modes, including an active sending mode and a passive sensing mode, and generates feedback when an anomaly is detected in the received signals. The sensors may also operate in a metal detection sensing mode, and the controller may further generate feedback based on the metal detection sensing mode. The sensors may further be configured to operate in a proximity sensing mode. One or more LEDs may illuminate a portion of a scanning area. | 10-09-2014 |
20140217996 | HYSTERETIC CURRENT MODE CONTROL CONVERTER WITH LOW, MEDIUM AND HIGH CURRENT THRESHOLDS - A converter constituted of: an inductor; a plurality of electronically controlled switches; and a control circuitry arranged to operate in a buck-boost mode responsive to the output voltage of the converter being within a predetermined range of the input voltage of the converter, the control circuitry arranged in the buck-boost mode: responsive to a current flowing through the inductor being lower than a predetermined low current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and a common potential; responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined medium current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the input voltage and the output voltage; and responsive to the current flowing through the inductor being greater than a predetermined high current threshold, to control the switches to couple the inductor between the output voltage and the common potential. | 08-07-2014 |
20140192826 | UNIVERSAL ASYMMETRY COMPENSATION FOR PACKET TIMING PROTOCOLS - The notion of a “PTP aware” path is one current proposed approach to reduce asymmetry effects. In a fully PTP aware path there is the notion of on-path support mechanisms such as boundary clocks and transparent clocks at every switching or routing node. However, on-path support methods only address time-transfer errors introduced inside network elements and any asymmetry in the transmission medium, such as, for example, the fiber strands for the two directions of transmission, cannot be compensated for by on-path support mechanisms. Furthermore, in a real operational network, which may traverse different operational domains administered by different entities, full on-path support is a difficult challenge. In certain managed network scenarios full on-path support can be contemplated. Nevertheless, the universal asymmetry compensation method described herein mitigates the asymmetry in a network path, without requiring on-path support mechanisms such as transparent clocks and boundary clocks. | 07-10-2014 |
20140159817 | INTEGRATED START-UP BIAS BOOST FOR DYNAMIC ERROR VECTOR MAGNITUDE ENHANCEMENT - Devices and methods for correcting for start-up transients in integrated power amplifier are disclosed. A power amplifier is responsive to a bias control output and is arranged to provide an amplified power output. In some examples, the boost current is adjusted based on a supply voltage and an input power of the power amplifier. The power amplifier can operate in a low power and a high power mode and the adjustments can be made to the supply voltage and/or the input power vary depending on whether the power amplifier is operating in the high or low power mode. The adjustments for the high power mode operation are different than and correspond to the high power mode input power and voltage and the adjustments for the low power mode operation are different than and correspond to the low power mode input power and voltage. | 06-12-2014 |
20140159688 | METHOD OF MAINTAINING AN OUTPUT VOLTAGE OF A POWER CONVERTER - A method of operating a power converter so as to maintain an output voltage, the method constituted of: receiving an input voltage; generating the output voltage from the input voltage responsive to at least one electronically controlled switch in communication with an inductor; deriving a gate voltage for the at least one electronically controlled switch of the power converter from the received input voltage; and deriving a gate voltage for the electronically controlled switch from the output voltage in place of the derived gate voltage from the input voltage responsive to a predetermined condition of one of the received input voltage and the generated output voltage. | 06-12-2014 |
20140065778 | LOW LOSS SIC MOSFET - A Vertical Multiple Implanted Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET (VMIMOSFET) includes a first conductivity semiconductor substrate, a first conductivity semiconductor drift layer on the top of the substrate, a multitude of second conductivity layers implanted in the drift layer. The body layer is where the channel is formed. A first conductivity source layer is interspaced appropriately inside of the second conductivity layers. A gate oxide of a certain thickness and another oxide of a different thickness, a greater thickness than the gate oxide, placed in between the body layers but in such way that its shape does not distort the gate oxide in the channel. A charge compensated body layer of the second conductivity formed outside of the channel region and only at specific high electric field locations in the structure. The device and the manufacturing method deliver a power SiC MOSFET with increased frequency of operation and reduced switching losses. | 03-06-2014 |
20140021378 | SOLID-STATE PHOTODETECTOR WITH VARIABLE SPECTRAL RESPONSE - A solid-state photodetector with variable spectral response that can produce a narrow or wide response spectrum of incident light. Some embodiments include a solid-state device structure that includes a first photodiode and a second photodiode that share a common anode region. Bias voltages applied to the first photodiode and/or the second photodiode may be used to control the thicknesses of depletion regions of the photodiodes and/or a common anode region to vary the spectral response of the photodetector. Thickness of the depletion regions and/or the common anode region may be controlled based on resistance between multiple contacts of the common anode region and/or capacitance of the depletion regions. Embodiments include control circuits and methods for determining spectral characteristics of incident light using the variable spectral response photodetector. | 01-23-2014 |
20130313570 | MONOLITHICALLY INTEGRATED SIC MOSFET AND SCHOTTKY BARRIER DIODE - A SIC VDMOS transistor is integrated with a SiC SBD, in a seamless way, without any increase of the device area. The SiC SBD is integrated in the active area of the VDMOS by splitting the P-Wells, such that the lightly doped drift region extents all the way to the surface of semiconductor, and by trenching through the source of the VDMOS and partially through the P-Wells to reach the peak of the P-type doping in the P-Well regions. The source of the VDMOS is contacted from the top surface and from the vertical sidewalls of the trenched source and the forward voltage of the Schottky Barrier diode is tailored by using two different metals for the ohmic contact on the source and for the SBD. | 11-28-2013 |
20130307625 | INTEGRATED START-UP BIAS BOOST FOR DYNAMIC ERROR VECTOR MAGNITUDE ENHANCEMENT - Devices and methods for correcting for start-up transients in integrated power amplifiers are disclosed. A delay element is arranged to produce a delay waveform signal that is responsive to an input voltage signal. A transconductance element has an input that receives the delay waveform signal and is arranged to provide an output boost current that is based on the delay waveform signal and a gain of the transconductance element. A reference element provides an output bias current that is responsive to a static reference current and the boost current. A bias element has an input that receives the bias current and is arranged to provide a bias control output. A power amplifier is responsive to the bias control output and is arranged to provide an amplified power output. In some examples, the boost current is adjusted based on a supply voltage and an input power of the power amplifier. | 11-21-2013 |
20130307624 | INTEGRATED TECHNIQUE FOR ENHANCED POWER AMPLIFIER FORWARD POWER DETECTION - A power amplifier has power detection capabilities that include a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier that has a gain stage that includes a gain stage input, a gain stage output, and a feedback loop coupled between an input and an output of the power amplifier. A detection circuit has a first detection circuit input electrically coupled to the gain stage input and has a detection circuit output. An amplitude control circuit and a phase control circuit are electrically coupled together in series between the gain stage output and a second detection circuit input. The amplitude control circuit and the phase control circuit produce a signal that is received by the second detection circuit input so that the detection circuit can detect a signal at the detection circuit output that is proportional to a the forward power output of the power amplifier and is insensitive to power amplifier output load mismatch. | 11-21-2013 |
20130301745 | POWER OVER ETHERNET FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ETHERNET OVER SINGLE PAIR - A magnetics based hybrid circuit, comprising a receiver side transformer and a transmitter side transformer is described. Power is supplied via respective inductive elements coupled to respective first end of the receiver side transformer and the transmitter side transformer. A DC blocking element is further provided in series between the second end of the receiver side primary winding and the second end of the transmitter side primary winding. | 11-14-2013 |
20130295869 | SQUARE LAW EXTENSION TECHNIQUE FOR HIGH SPEED RADIO DETECTION - A square law extension circuit is disclosed that operates over a range of frequencies and power levels. The square law extension circuit includes a detector, an amplifier, and an expander. The detector has an input for receiving radio frequency (RF) signals and providing a detected signal output. The amplifier has an input that receives the detected signal output of the detector and provides an output for an amplified detected signal. The expander has an input that receives the amplified detected signal and is arranged to provide an expanded signal output. The expanded signal output is a signal that increases in a first proportion to the amplified detected signal up to a predetermined threshold and increases at a second proportion to the amplified detected signal that is more than the first proportion when the expanded signal output exceeds the predetermined threshold. | 11-07-2013 |
20130256698 | LOW LOSS SIC MOSFET - A Vertical Multiple Implanted Silicon Carbide Power MOSFET (VMIMOSFET) includes a first conductivity semiconductor substrate, a first conductivity semiconductor drift layer on the top of the substrate, a multitude of second conductivity layers implanted in the drift layer. The body layer is where the channel is formed. A first conductivity source layer is interspaced appropriately inside of the second conductivity layers. A gate oxide of a certain thickness and another oxide of a different thickness, a greater thickness than the gate oxide, placed in between the body layers but in such way that its shape does not distort the gate oxide in the channel. A charge compensated body layer of the second conductivity formed outside of the channel region and only at specific high electric field locations in the structure. The device and the manufacturing method deliver a power SiC MOSFET with increased frequency of operation and reduced switching losses. | 10-03-2013 |
20130181280 | PSEUDO SELF ALIGNED RADHARD MOSFET AND PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE - A Vertical Power MOSFET (VDMOS) device with special features that enable the Power MOSFET or IGBT device to withstand harsh radiation environments and the process of making such a device is described. All implanted and diffused layers are “self aligned” to a “Sacrificial Poly” layer, which later on is removed, preparing the wafers for a “late gate” oxide to be grown. A starting material with graded doping profile in the epitaxial layer on the substrate is shown to increase the SEB capability of the Power MOSFET. | 07-18-2013 |
20130135024 | PULSE TRANSFORMER DRIVER - Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing a communication system for handling pulse information. Embodiments of the invention provide a pulse shaping unit operable to avoid saturation of the pulse transformer, while being easily incorporated into IC processes. Some embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide a two-to-three level driver unit for converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal for driving a pulse transformer. Other embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide components configured to differentially drive a pulse transformer, effectively converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal. | 05-30-2013 |
20130131875 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING VOLUMETRIC MOISTURE CONTENT AND CONTROLLING AN IRRIGATOR - An apparatus for assessing at least one property of a target soil responsive to a first a first microwave signal, constituted of: a detector; a probe arranged to be embedded in the target soil; and a coupler arranged to couple a first portion of the first microwave signal to the first end of the probe, and to couple a second portion of the generated first microwave signal as a microwave reference signal to a reference input of the detector; the detector arranged to square each of the microwave signal exiting the probe and the microwave reference signal and to output a phase difference signal indicative of the phase difference between the squared probe output microwave signal and the squared microwave reference signal; and a control circuitry coupled to the output of the detector and arranged to output an irrigation control signal responsive to the phase difference signal. | 05-23-2013 |
20130106385 | CONVERTER WITH HYSTERETIC CONTROL | 05-02-2013 |
20130106299 | HIGH EFFICIENCY LED DRIVING METHOD FOR ODD NUMBER OF LED STRINGS | 05-02-2013 |
20130099670 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LED STRING SHORT CIRCUIT DETECTION AND PROTECTION - An apparatus for LED string short circuit detection constituted of: a constant current drive circuit; a plurality of LED strings, a first end of each of the plurality of LED strings coupled to a common output of the constant current drive circuit; a first sense resistor coupled between a second end of each of the plurality of LED strings and a chassis; a second sense resistor coupled between the chassis and a return of the constant current drive circuit; and a comparing circuit arranged to compare the amount of current flow through the first sense resistor with amount of current flow through the second sense resistor, the comparing circuit arranged to assert a fault signal in the event that the amount of current flow through the second sense resistor exceeds the current flow through the first sense resistor by a predetermined minimum value. | 04-25-2013 |
20130069615 | EMI SUPPRESSION WITH SHIELDED COMMON MODE CHOKE - A power supply arrangement constituted of: an isolated power supply having a primary side and a secondary side, the secondary side electrically isolated from the primary side; a common mode choke having a first winding and a second winding wound on a common core, the common mode choke coupled between the primary side of the isolated power supply and an AC mains; and a shielding surrounding the common mode choke, the shielding coupled to a common potential of the secondary side of the isolated power supply. | 03-21-2013 |
20130023089 | LESS EXPENSIVE HIGH POWER PLASTIC SURFACE MOUNT PACKAGE - A high power surface mount package including a thick bond line of solder interposed between the die and a heatsink, and between the die and a lead frame, wherein the lead frame has the same coefficient of thermal expansion as the heatsink. The heatsink and the lead frame preferably comprise the same material. The package can be assembled using standard automated equipment, and does not require a weight or clip to force the parts close together, which force typically reduces the solder bond line thickness. Advantageously, the thermal stresses on each side of the die are effectively balanced, allowing for a large surface area die to be packaged with conventional and less expensive materials. One type of die that benefits from the present invention can include a transient voltage suppressor, but could include other dies generating a significant amount of heat, such as those in excess of 0.200 inches square. | 01-24-2013 |
20130021192 | MILLIMETER WAVE ENERGY SENSING WAND AND METHOD - A millimeter wave energy sensing wand includes a housing adapted to be grasped by a hand of an operator. A number of sensors may be coupled with the housing and include comprising at least one millimeter or terahertz wave energy sensor. A controller coupled with the housing and electrically coupled with the sensors receives signals from the sensors in two or more sensing modes, including an active sending mode and a passive sensing mode, and generates feedback when an anomaly is detected in the received signals. The sensors may also operate in a metal detection sensing mode, and the controller may further generate feedback based on the metal detection sensing mode. The sensors may further be configured to operate in a proximity sensing mode. One or more LEDs may illuminate a portion of a scanning area. | 01-24-2013 |
20120326785 | DIFFERENCE AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT WITH TRANSCONDUCTANCE AMPLIFIER BASED CURRENT COMPENSATION - An amplifier arrangement constituted of: a first input lead; a second input lead; a difference amplifier; a first buffer, the input of the first buffer coupled to the first input lead, the output of the first buffer coupled to a first input of the difference amplifier; a second buffer, the input of the second buffer coupled to the second input lead, the output of the second buffer coupled to a second input of the difference amplifier; and a transconductance amplifier, the non-inverting input and the non-inverted output of the transconductance amplifier coupled to the first input of the difference amplifier, the inverting input and the inverted output of the transconductance amplifier coupled to the second input of the difference amplifier. The input signals are thus buffered and the offset of the buffers are compensated for. | 12-27-2012 |
20120326323 | HIGH VOLTAGE HIGH PACKAGE PRESSURE SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE - A hermetically sealed integrated circuit package that includes a cavity housing a semiconductor die, whereby the cavity is pressurized during assembly and when formed. The invention prevents the stress on a package created when the package is subject to high temperatures at atmospheric pressure and then cooled from reducing the performance of the die at high voltages. By packaging a die at a high pressure, such as up to 60 PSIG or more, in an atmosphere with an inert gas, and providing a large pressure in the completed package, the dies are significantly less likely to arc at higher voltages, allowing the realization of single die packages operable up to at least 1200 volts or more. Moreover, the present invention is configured to employ brazed elements compatible with Silicon Carbide dies which can be processed at higher temperatures. | 12-27-2012 |
20120306387 | LED DRIVER ARRANGEMENT WITH MULTIPLE CURRENT MIRRORS - A current balancer arrangement constituted of a plurality of current mirror circuits, each of the current mirror circuits comprising a master leg and at least one slave leg is enabled. A constant current source is provided, arranged to provide power for a plurality of LED strings in parallel. Each of the plurality of LED strings is further arranged in series with a master leg of a particular one of the plurality of current mirror circuits, and with the slave leg of each of the balance of the current mirror circuits. | 12-06-2012 |
20120300347 | Photo-Voltaic Safety De-Energizing Device - A safety mechanism for a solar cell group, the safety mechanism constituted of: a signal receiver arranged to assert a permissive signal indicative of reception by the signal receiver of a predetermined signal; an electronically controlled switch arranged to provide in a closed state an effective short circuit across the output of the solar cell group responsive to the absence of the asserted permissive signal of the signal receiver; and a power harvester in communication with the solar cell group and arranged to provide electric power to the signal receiver when the electronically controlled switch is the closed state. | 11-29-2012 |
20120280628 | HIGH EFFICIENCY LED DRIVING METHOD - An arrangement wherein a plurality of LED strings are driven with a balanced drive signal, i.e. a drive signal wherein the positive side and negative side are of equal energy over time, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the drive signal is balanced responsive to a capacitor provided between a switching network and a driving transformer. Balance of current between various LED strings is provided by a balancing transformer. | 11-08-2012 |
20120242230 | BRIGHTNESS CONTROL FOR LED LIGHTING - A driving arrangement for light emitting diode (LED) based illumination constituted of: a comparison circuitry arranged to compare an integral of a target current over a target illumination time for at least one LED based luminaire with an integral of an illumination current over an illumination time for the at least one LED based luminaire, the comparison circuitry arranged to output a comparison signal; and a control circuitry in communication with the comparison circuitry and arranged to alternately: allow the flow of electrical current through the at least one LED based luminaire responsive to a first condition of the comparison signal; and prevent the flow of electrical current through the at least one LED based luminaire responsive to a second condition of the comparison signal, the second condition different from the first condition. | 09-27-2012 |
20120176818 | FEEDBACK OF OUTPUT VOLTAGE ERROR VIA CURRENT SENSE WINDING - A power converter constituted of: a control circuitry; an electronically controlled switch responsive to the control circuitry; a power transformer exhibiting a primary winding and a secondary winding; a sense transformer comprising a primary current sense winding, an error current sense winding and a feedback winding, the primary current sense winding of the sense transformer and the primary winding of the power transformer coupled in series with the electronically controlled switch; a transconductance error amplifier coupled to an output of the secondary winding of the power transformer, the transconductance amplifier arranged to drive a current through the error current sense winding of the sense transformer whose value reflects an electrical characteristic of the output of the secondary winding of the power transformer, wherein the feedback winding of the sense transformer is coupled to a feedback input of the control circuitry. | 07-12-2012 |
20120147035 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OVERLAYING COMPUTER GENERATED HIGHLIGHTS IN A DISPLAY OF MILLIMETER WAVE IMAGERY - A system and method for overlaying computer-generated highlights in a display of millimeter wave imagery is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, visible spectrum and algorithmically created images are displayed adjacent to corresponding millimeter wave imagery on a graphical user interface (GUI). The millimeter wave imagery is used to detect a threat such as a concealed object. A computer generated highlight coinciding with a location of the detected concealed object is used to automatically overlay at least one or more of the visible spectrum images, algorithmically created images, and millimeter wave imagery. The computer generated highlight is encoded with information valuable for aiding the user when viewing and assessing the image date. | 06-14-2012 |
20120139507 | HYSTERETIC VOLTAGE CONVERTER WITH OFFSET VOLTAGE CORRECTION - A hysteretic power converter wherein an additional adjustment circuit, implemented as an offset correction loop, adds an offset to the comparator detection function to reduce the difference between the average output voltage and the regulation set point voltage. The adjustment circuit lies outside the main hysteretic regulation loop and therefore does not substantially impact the response time of the hysteretic loop, and is slow acting responsive to a low pass filter. | 06-07-2012 |
20120098505 | PHASE-CUT DIMMING CIRCUIT - Methods, systems, and devices are described for sensing a phase-cut dimming signal and outputting a control signal compatible with a switching power circuit. Embodiments of the invention generate at least one of a low-frequency pulse-wave-modulated control signal, an analog output control signal, or a digital (e.g., higher-frequency pulse-wave-modulated) output control signal. Some embodiments further provide preloading and/or startup control functionality to allow proper functioning of the circuitry under small-conduction-angle (i.e., highly dimmed) conditions. | 04-26-2012 |
20120098442 | SYNCHRONOUS REGULATION FOR LED STRING DRIVER - A light emitting diode (LED) based luminaire driving arrangement constituted of: a switched driver; a plurality of LED based luminaires arranged to receive power from the switched driver; at least one electronically controlled switch in series with at least one of the plurality of LED based luminaires and arranged to alternatively pass current through the at least one LED based luminaire when closed and prevent the flow of current through the at least one LED based luminaire when opened; and at least one synchronous driver in communication with the at least one electronically controlled switch, the at least one synchronous driver arranged to close the at least one electronically controlled switch only when the switched driver is actively supplying power. | 04-26-2012 |
20120044729 | BRIDGELESS COUPLED INDUCTOR BOOST POWER FACTOR RECTIFIERS - A bridgeless power factor correction system may include an AC input having a first input terminal and a second input terminal, an inductor module coupled with the first input terminal, and a switching module coupled between the second input terminal and the inductor module. The switching module may comprise a bi-directional voltage blocking switch that is configured to selectively couple the inductor module with the AC input based on an output voltage and a phase difference between an input voltage waveform and an input current waveform. The switching module may also comprise an auxiliary network for reversing a winding current to achieve zero voltage switching. An output module may be coupled with the inductor module, and provide an output to a load. The inductor module may include a magnetically coupled inductor having a primary and secondary winding. The output module may include a full or half bridge rectifier. | 02-23-2012 |
20120032728 | AUTO-OPTIMIZATION CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CYCLICAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS - Methods, systems, and devices are described for an adjustment module that interacts with a parameter detection module to provide a threshold value for initiating switching of a switching module in a cyclical electronic system. Aspects of the present disclosure provide a switching module used in conjunction with an inductor that is coupled with the switching module. The threshold voltage for switching the switching module may be adjusted to provide switching at substantially zero volts while maintaining sufficient energy in the inductor to drive the voltage at a switching element in the switching module to zero volts. Such auto-adjustment circuits may allow for enhanced efficiency in cyclical electronic systems. The output of an up/down counter may be used to set another parameter that effects the performance of the cyclical electronic system in order to enhance the performance of the cyclical electronic system. | 02-09-2012 |
20120032708 | GATE DRIVER POWER AND CONTROL SIGNAL TRANSMISSION CIRCUITS AND METHODS - Methods, systems, and devices are described for both power and control signal transmission through a single coupled inductor. A current driver generates a cyclical current signal on a primary winding of a coupled inductor, to induce a voltage signal at the secondary winding corresponding to the cyclical current signal. A rectifier module is coupled with the secondary winding and configured to rectify the signal induced at the secondary winding. A control timing signal module is coupled with the primary winding and configured to induce voltage pulses on the secondary winding, the induced voltage pulses having an insubstantial impact on the output of the rectifier module. A switching module coupled with the secondary winding is configured to receive the voltage pulses and control a switching signal for a power switch coupled with the output of the rectifier and provide power to a load coupled with the output of the rectifier. | 02-09-2012 |
20120032664 | SINGLE INDUCTOR POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM AND METHODS - Methods, systems, and devices are described for a non-isolated dc-dc power converter that uses a single magnetic element and provides both a positive and a negative voltage output. The magnetic element, such as an inductor, is coupled with two or more switching modules that electrically switch the inductor to and from a voltage source, an inductor terminal, and/or a load. By electrically connecting and electrically isolating different components at various times, separate positive and negative voltage outputs are provided using the single inductor element. Switching may be controlled by a controller module, and a magnitude of the dc output voltage may be selected based on two or more resistors coupled with the controller module. | 02-09-2012 |
20120025735 | FLYBACK WITH SWITCHING FREQUENCY RESPONSIVE TO LOAD AND INPUT VOLTAGE - A power source constituted of: a power factor corrector controller; an electronically controlled switch responsive to the power factor corrector controller; a first inductor serially connected with the electronically controlled switch and arranged to pass a direct current there through when the electronically controlled switch is closed; a second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor and coupled to provide power to a load in a flyback arrangement; a third inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor, a first end of the third inductor arranged to provide a representation of the voltage level of the direct current when the electronically controlled switch is closed, and to provide a representation of the voltage level of the power provided to the load when the electronically controlled switch is open; and an off time control circuit in communication with the power factor corrector controller and responsive to the third inductor representations. | 02-02-2012 |
20120019156 | LED STRING DRIVER WITH NON-DISSIPATIVE REACTANCE BALANCER - A solid state lighting arrangement constituted of: a power source providing a current which is discontinuous in at least one direction; a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) strings arranged to receive the provided current from the power source; and a plurality of reactance elements, each of the plurality of reactance elements arranged in series with a particular one of the plurality of LED strings, such that current flowing from the power source through each of the LED strings creates a voltage drop across the series arranged reactance element, wherein the voltage drop across each of the series arranged reactance elements responsive to the discontinuous current is at least 10 times greater than the maximum difference between the voltage drops among the plurality of LED strings. | 01-26-2012 |
20120013259 | LED STRING DRIVER ARRANGEMENT WITH NON-DISSIPATIVE CURRENT BALANCER - A solid state lighting driver arrangement exhibiting a plurality of LED strings receiving power from a single power source, the single power source providing a discontinuous current, wherein a plurality of first windings are provided, each associated with a particular LED string and coupled to provide current balancing between the various LED strings. The discontinuous current resets the windings during the off time or during a reversal period. In one particular embodiment, a second winding is magnetically coupled to each of the first windings, and the second windings are connected in a closed in-phase loop. In another particular embodiment, at least two of the first windings are magnetically coupled to each other, thus ensuring a balance between current in each LED string. | 01-19-2012 |
20120009886 | ARCHITECTURE FOR COEXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE BAND RADIOS - A front end module for use with a first and a second radio frequency transceiver, constituted of: a control circuitry; a first antenna connection port; a second antenna connection port; a filter arranged to substantially attenuate the carrier frequency bandwidth of the second radio frequency transceiver; and a plurality of electronically controlled switches, wherein the control circuitry is arranged to: in the event that the first and second radio frequency transceivers are simultaneously operative, set the plurality of electronically controlled switches to connect the first radio frequency transceiver to one of the first and second antenna connection ports via the filter; and in the event that the first and second radio frequency transceivers are not simultaneously operative, set the plurality of electronically controlled switches to bypass the filter and connect the first radio frequency transceiver to one of the first and second antenna connection ports. | 01-12-2012 |
20110304280 | LIPS BACKLIGHT CONTROL ARCHITECTURE WITH LOW COST DEAD TIME TRANSFER - A driving circuitry arranged to pass a dead time over an isolation transformer, the driving circuitry constituted of: a three-state driver arranged to output a first signal, the first signal selectively at one of two complementary voltage levels and a high impedance state; a first capacitor, a first end of the first capacitor coupled to receive the first signal; and a first isolation transformer, a first end of a first winding of the first isolation transformer coupled to a second end of the first capacitor. | 12-15-2011 |
20110248639 | SAMPLING EXTERNAL VOLTAGE WHICH MAY EXCEED INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MAXIMUM VOLTAGE RATING - An LED driver arrangement wherein a low voltage IC is arranged to sample the voltage at a terminal of each of the respective electronically controlled switches controlling a plurality of LED strings each receiving power from a single source, with the single source providing voltage in excess of the voltage rating of the IC. For each electronically controlled switch a controllable current source and an isolating unidirectional electronic valve is provided, the respective current source being enabled only when the respective associated electronically controlled switch is at least partially closed thereby ensuring that the respective isolating unidirectional electronic valve associated with the respective illuminating LED string conducts, and the voltage at the terminal of the respective electronically controlled switch is thus seen by the IC when the associated LED string is producing illumination, the voltage then being lower than the maximum voltage rating of the IC. | 10-13-2011 |
20110242767 | MECHANICAL ISOLATION AND THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY FOR AN ELECTRO-MAGNETIC DEVICE - An electro-magnetic device assembly constituted of an electro-magnetic device; a chassis arranged to sink heat; at least one thermally conductive material in thermal communication with the electro-magnetic device and with the chassis; and at least one mechanically isolating material in contact with the thermally conductive material and with the chassis, the at least one mechanically isolating material arranged to dampen the transmission of vibrations experienced by the chassis, in the direction of the magnetic field of the electro-magnetic device, to the electro-magnetic device. | 10-06-2011 |
20110187283 | DIMMING INPUT SUITABLE FOR MULTIPLE DIMMING SIGNAL TYPES - A lighting circuit constituted of: a single dimming input; a pulse width modulation acceptance circuit arranged to convert a pulse width modulated dimming signal received at the single dimming input into a local dimming signal, the local dimming signal exhibiting a predetermined format; an analog voltage level acceptance circuit arranged to convert an analog voltage dimming signal received at the single dimming input into the local dimming signal exhibiting the predetermined format; and a luminaire driving circuit responsive to the local dimming signal. | 08-04-2011 |
20110181204 | BALANCING TRANSFORMERS FOR MULTI-LAMP OPERATION - A ring balancer comprising a plurality of balancing transformers facilitates current sharing in a multi-lamp backlight system. The balancing transformers have respective primary windings separately coupled in series with designated lamps and have respective secondary windings coupled together in a closed loop. The secondary windings conduct a common current and the respective primary windings conduct proportional currents to balance currents among the lamps. The ring balancer facilitates automatic lamp striking and the lamps can be advantageously driven by a common voltage source. | 07-28-2011 |
20110148381 | CONVERTER WITH CROSSOVER FREQUENCY RESPONSIVE TO SWITCHING FREQUENCY - A power converter constituted of: a reference source; a clock generator exhibiting a variable frequency output, the value of the frequency of the variable frequency output responsive to an input signal; and an error amplifier in communication with the reference source, the error amplifier exhibiting a gain whose value is responsive to the input signal. Preferably the error amplifier is a transconductance amplifier. In one embodiment the power converter further exhibits a current squarer, arranged to produce a squared value of the input signal and provide the squared value to the transconductance amplifier. | 06-23-2011 |
20110141775 | NON-DISSIPATIVE START UP CIRCUIT - A start up circuit constituted of: a first alternating current lead; a second alternating current lead, said second alternating current lead exhibiting an opposing phase of said first alternating current lead; a first capacitor, a first end of said first capacitor coupled to said first alternating current lead; a second capacitor, a first end of said second capacitor coupled to said second alternating current lead; a breakdown diode coupled between a second end of said first capacitor and a second end of said second capacitor; and a third capacitor coupled in parallel with said breakdown diode. A direct current power is developed across the breakdown diode without requiring dissipative elements. | 06-16-2011 |
20110117705 | MULTI-LAYER THICK-FILM RF PACKAGE - A method for producing a multi-layer thick-film RF package includes forming conductive layer(s) including one or more source portions, one or more gate portions, and/or one or more drain portions on a ceramic substrate. The conductive layer(s) and the ceramic substrate are fired or otherwise heated in a furnace until sintered. Thereafter, a dielectric pattern is formed on the conductive layer(s) and fired or otherwise heated in the furnace until sintered. Then, a conductive bridge is formed on the dielectric pattern, over the one or more drain portions and between the one or more source portions, which is then fired until sintered in the furnace. As a result, a monolithic, single-piece, sintered, high-frequency RF power transistor package having circuit features including a highly conductive and low capacitive bridge is produced. | 05-19-2011 |
20110116237 | RF PACKAGE - An RF package includes a substrate mountable on a base plate, a non-conductive cover overlying the substrate, and quasi-serpentine stepped source leads attached to an upper surface of the substrate and extending from at least one of a pair of opposite sides of the upper surface of the substrate to tapered lower surfaces of the cover. The cover includes a recess to receive the substrate. The recess includes stress distribution surface areas to engage and press outer edge portions of opposite sides of the substrate against a base plate or heat sink. The tapered lower surfaces of the cover engage with and press against the stepped source leads when securing the RF package to the base plate or heat sink using one or more fasteners or bolts. The cover includes structural features to improve preferential deformation when a mounting force is applied. | 05-19-2011 |
20110080117 | DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE VOLTAGE CONTROLLED BACKLIGHT DRIVER - A backlight system for light emitting diodes (LEDs), the backlight system constituted of: a controllable power source; a plurality of LED based luminaires arranged to receive power in parallel from the controllable power source; a plurality of driving circuitries, each of the plurality of driving circuitries arranged to control the light output of at least two of the plurality of LED based luminaires and further arranged to output information regarding the voltage drop of at least one of the at least two LED based luminaires controlled thereby, wherein the controllable power source is arranged to output a voltage whose value is responsive to the output information. | 04-07-2011 |
20110062311 | CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR TEMPERATURE AND PROCESS INDEPENDENT TRANSIMPEDANCE AMPLIFIER ARRANGEMENT - An integrated circuit transimpedance amplifier arrangement constituted of: a plurality of internal matched resistors; a current multiplier arranged to output a signal whose value is a function of an input current signal, an external resistor and a first set of the plurality of internal matched resistors; and an output transimpedance amplifier coupled to the output of the current multiplier, the output transimpedance amplifier exhibiting a gain whose value is a function of a second set of the plurality of internal matched resistors, wherein the output of the output transimpedance amplifier is a function of the input current signal, the external resistor, the first set of the plurality of internal matched resistors and the second set of the plurality of internal matched resistors, wherein the variations with temperature of the first set of the plurality of internal matched resistors and the second set of the plurality of internal matched resistors cancel. | 03-17-2011 |
20110049532 | SILICON CARBIDE DUAL-MESA STATIC INDUCTION TRANSISTOR - A dual-mesa static induction transistor (SIT) structure includes a silicon carbide substrate having a layer arrangement formed thereon. Laterally spaced ion implanted gate regions are defined in the layer arrangement. Source regions are defined in the layer arrangement. Each of the source regions can include a channel mesa having a source mesa disposed thereon. The source mesa includes sidewalls relative to a principal plane of the substrate defining a horizontal dimension thereof. The channel mesa includes slanted sidewalls relative to the source mesa and the principal plane of the substrate. Also disclosed is a method of fabricating a dual-mesa SiC transistor device. The method includes implanting ions at a normal relative to a principal plane of the substrate to form gate junctions in upper portions of the substrate and lateral portions of the slanted channel mesas. | 03-03-2011 |
20110037139 | SCHOTTKY BARRIER DIODE (SBD) AND ITS OFF-SHOOT MERGED PN/SCHOTTKY DIODE OR JUNCTION BARRIER SCHOTTKY (JBS) DIODE - A merged PN/Schottky diode is provided having a substrate of a first conductivity type and a grid of doped wells of the second conductivity type embedded in the substrate. A Schottky barrier metal layer makes a Schottky barrier contact with the surface of the substrate above the grid. Selected embedded wells in the grid may make electrical contact to the Schottky bather metal layer, while most embedded wells do not. The diode forward voltage drop is reduced for the same diode area with reverse blocking benefits similar to a conventional JBS structure. | 02-17-2011 |
20110006232 | LOW VOLTAGE DROP CLOSED LOOP UNIDIRECTIONAL ELECTRONIC VALVE - A low voltage drop unidirectional electronic valve constituted of: a first terminal; a second terminal; a first electronically controlled switch coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal; and a first charge pump arranged to close the first electronically controlled switch when the voltage potential at the first terminal is greater than the voltage potential at the second terminal by a first value. The first charge pump is arranged in a closed loop with the first electronically controlled switch so as to continuously maintain the voltage potential at the first terminal greater than the voltage potential at the second terminal by the first value. | 01-13-2011 |
20100327761 | INTEGRATED BACKLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM - A lighting arrangement constituted of: a power factor correction circuit; a lighting controller operative at an electrical potential consonant with the electric potential of the output of the power factor correction circuit; a switching network, coupled to the output of the power factor correction circuit and to respective outputs of the lighting controller; a transformer, a primary winding of the transformer coupled to the output of the switching network; and at least one luminaire coupled to at least one secondary winding of the transformer and arranged to be driven by the at least one secondary winding, the lighting controller operative to control the switching network via the respective outputs to switchably pass current from the power factor correction circuit through the primary winding, thereby powering the at least one luminaire. | 12-30-2010 |
20100277125 | BATTERY CHARGING AND DISCHARGING BY USING A BI-DIRECTIONAL TRANSISTOR - A battery charger for an electronic device receives current limited power from an external power source, such as a Universal Serial Bus power interface. The battery charger can linearly regulate a charging current to an internal battery and limit the charging current so as not to demand current in excess of what the external power source can provide. A bi-directional pass element coupled between a system power terminal and the internal battery controls the charging current and effectively isolates the internal battery from a system load during charging of the battery while providing a low impedance path from the internal battery to the system load during discharging of the battery. | 11-04-2010 |
20100245001 | COAXIAL-TO-MICROSTRIP TRANSITIONS - Coaxial-to-microstrip transitions may include a microstrip line and coaxial-line assembly. The microstrip line includes a first dielectric having an aperture, a conductive strip disposed on one primary face of the first dielectric, and a ground plane disposed on the opposite primary face of the first dielectric. The coaxial-line assembly includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor. In some examples, the ground plane extends between the outer conductor and the inner conductor on a first side of the coaxial-line assembly proximate the conductive strip and an aperture cross section extends beyond the outer conductor on a second side of the coaxial-line assembly distal the conductive strip. In some examples, the ground plane has a non-circular aperture. In some examples, the outer conductor encloses an area that is less than an area of the aperture. In some examples, the enclosed area has a width that is less than a corresponding width of the first aperture. | 09-30-2010 |
20100237836 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING RIGHT HALF-PLANE ZERO IN A CASCADED DC-DC BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER - A method to generate a substantially DC output having a voltage level different than a DC input, constituted of receiving a feedback signal representing at least one of the voltage level and the current level of the generated substantially DC output; relatively emphasizing the high frequency portion of the feedback signal; controlling the buck function of a cascaded buck-boost converter with a first switching signal having a first duty cycle, the first duty cycle being a first function of the received feedback signal responsive to said relatively emphasized high frequency portion; and controlling the boost function with a second switching signal having a second duty cycle, the second duty cycle being a second function of the received feedback signal, wherein the first switching signal and the second switching signal are continuously enabled to facilitate a continuous conduction mode. | 09-23-2010 |
20100176657 | FOUR QUADRANT MOSFET BASED SWITCH - An electronically controlled four quadrant MOSFET based switch in which a pair of drivers are provided in cooperation with a MOSFET. A first one of the drivers is arranged such that when current flow through the MOSFET is to be enabled responsive to a first condition of the control signal, the gate of the MOSFET is driven with an appropriate voltage, and when current flow through the MOSFET is to be disabled responsive to a second condition of the control signal, the gate is driven towards a limit voltage. A second one of the drivers is arranged such that when current flow through the MOSFET is to be enabled the body diode connection of the MOSFET is driven towards the potential of the MOSFET source, and when current flow through the MOSFET is to be disabled the body diode connection is driven towards the limit voltage. | 07-15-2010 |
20100123400 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRIVING CCFL AT LOW BURST DUTY CYCLE RATES - A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller constituted of a pulse generator exhibiting a cycle period; a burst dimming control operative to set a burst dimming duty cycle for the pulse generator; a comparator arranged to receive a signal indicative of the value of current through a load driven by the pulse generator and compare the received signal to a reference signal; an error detection circuit operative to shut down the pulse generator responsive to an output of the comparator indicating that the received signal is less than the reference signal for a predetermined number of cycles of the pulse generator; and a disable circuit arranged to prevent, when the set burst dimming duty cycle is less than a predetermined value, the shut down of the pulse generator responsive to the output of the comparator indicating the received signal is less than the reference signal. | 05-20-2010 |
20100090611 | FULL-BRIDGE AND HALF-BRIDGE COMPATIBLE DRIVER TIMING SCHEDULE FOR DIRECT DRIVE BACKLIGHT SYSTEM - A driver circuit or controller flexibly drives either a half-bridge or a full-bridge switching network in a backlight inverter without modification, redundant circuitry or additional components. The driver circuit includes four outputs to provide four respective driving signals that establish a periodic timing sequence using a zero-voltage switching technique for semiconductor switches in the switching network. | 04-15-2010 |
20090289569 | CCFL CONTROLLER WITH MULTI-FUNCTION TERMINAL - A cold cathode fluorescent lamp controller exhibiting a multi-function terminal and operative alternately in a strike mode and a run mode, the controller comprising: a phase locked loop arranged for synchronization of an oscillator, associated with the controller, with an external signal, the phase locked loop comprising a capacitor coupled to the multi-function terminal; and a soft start circuit arranged to limit drive current immediately after reset of the controller responsive to a signal at the multi-function terminal. In one embodiment the controller further comprises an error detection circuit arranged to output an error signal on the multi-function terminal. In one embodiment the controller further comprises a frequency sweeping circuit operative to sweep the frequency of a drive signal during the strike mode of the controller, the frequency of the drive signal being swept by the frequency sweeping circuit responsive to a signal at the multi-function terminal. | 11-26-2009 |
20090273295 | STRIKING AND OPEN LAMP REGULATION FOR CCFL CONTROLLER - An apparatus and method for igniting a lamp during a strike mode of an inverter comprising: sequentially controlling a duty cycle sweep and a frequency sweep of driving signals in the inverter to provide an increasing output voltage to the lamp. One embodiment advantageously includes a closed feedback loop to implement the duty cycle sweep and the frequency sweep such that an open lamp voltage is reliably regulated during the strike mode. For example, the closed feedback loop stops the duty cycle sweep or the frequency sweep when the output voltage to the lamp reaches a predetermined threshold and makes adjustments to the duty cycle or frequency the driving signals as needed to keep the output voltage at approximately the predetermined threshold if the lamp has not ignited. | 11-05-2009 |
20090267521 | BALANCING TRANSFORMERS FOR MULTI-LAMP OPERATION - A ring balancer comprising a plurality of balancing transformers facilitates current sharing in a multi-lamp backlight system. The balancing transformers have respective primary windings separately coupled in series with designated lamps and have respective secondary windings coupled together in a closed loop. The secondary windings conduct a common current and the respective primary windings conduct proportional currents to balance currents among the lamps. The ring balancer facilitates automatic lamp striking and the lamps can be advantageously driven by a common voltage source. | 10-29-2009 |
20090261471 | RF POWER TRANSISTOR PACKAGE - An RF power transistor package with a rectangular ceramic base can house one or more dies affixed to an upper surface of the ceramic base. Source leads attached to the ceramic base extend from at least opposite sides of the rectangular base beneath a periphery of a non-conductive cover overlying the ceramic base. The cover includes recesses arranged to receive the one or more die, the ceramic base, gate and drain leads and a portion of the source leads. The cover further includes bolt holes arranged to clamp the ceramic base and source leads to a heat sink. Bosses at corners of the cover outward of the bolt holes exert a downward bowing force along the periphery of the cover between the bolt holes. | 10-22-2009 |
20090212741 | BATTERY CHARGING AND DISCHARGING BY USING A BI-DIRECTIONAL TRANSISTOR - A battery charger for an electronic device receives current limited power from an external power source, such as a Universal Serial Bus power interface. The battery charger can linearly regulate a charging current to an internal battery and limit the charging current so as not to demand current in excess of what the external power source can provide. A bi-directional pass element coupled between a system power terminal and the internal battery controls the charging current and effectively isolates the internal battery from a system load during charging of the battery while providing a low impedance path from the internal battery to the system load during discharging of the battery. | 08-27-2009 |
20090206794 | LINEARLY REGULATED BATTERY CHARGER - A battery charger for an electronic device receives current limited power from an external power source, such as a Universal Serial Bus power interface. The battery charger can linearly regulate a charging current to an internal battery and limit the charging current so as not to demand current in excess of what the external power source can provide. A bi-directional pass element coupled between a system power terminal and the internal battery controls the charging current and effectively isolates the internal battery from a system load during charging of the battery while providing a low impedance path from the internal battery to the system load during discharging of the battery. | 08-20-2009 |
20090206767 | SPLIT PHASE INVERTERS FOR CCFL BACKLIGHT SYSTEM - An apparatus and method for driving a lamp are provided. In one embodiment, an inverter having four switching elements is split into two inverter arms that are deployed at separate terminals of a floating lamp structure to achieve even light output. A controller drives both inverter arms such that power switching lines do not cross the floating lamp structure. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the brightness of the lamp structure by adjusting the phase difference between outputs of a first inverter arm relative to a second inverter arm. In one embodiment, the controller adjusts the brightness by symmetrically pulse width modulating the outputs of the first inverter arm and the second inverter arm. | 08-20-2009 |
20090195178 | BALANCING ARRANGEMENT WITH REDUCED AMOUNT OF BALANCING TRANSFORMERS - A backlighting arrangement constituted of: a driving transformer; at least one balancing transformer; a plurality of luminaires, a first end of each of the plurality of luminaires connected to a high voltage lead of the driving transformer and a second end of each of the plurality of luminaires connected to a unique end of a winding of the at least one balancing transformer, wherein each pair of the luminaires is associated with a particular winding of one of the at least one balancing transformers, and wherein the first end and the second end of each of the luminaires is in physical proximity of the driving transformer and the at least one balancing transformer, the constituent lamps of the luminaires arranged in parallel and generally extending axially away from the proximity of the driving transformer. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195175 | Direct Coupled Balancer Drive For Floating Lamp Structure - A backlighting arrangement constituted of a driving transformer arrangement; a plurality of lamp pairs, each of the constituent lamps of the plurality of lamp pairs exhibiting a first electrical connection and a second electrical connection; and a plurality of balancing transformers, each comprising a primary winding and a secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding, and each associated with a particular one of the plurality of lamp pairs, the primary winding of each of the plurality of balancing transformers serially connected between the second electrical connections of the constituent lamps of the associated lamp pair, the secondary windings of the plurality of balancing transformers serially connected in phase, with a first end of the serially connected secondary windings of the balancing transformers connected to one phase output of the driving transformer arrangement. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195174 | ARRANGEMENT SUITABLE FOR DRIVING FLOATING CCFL BASED BACKLIGHT - A backlighting arrangement constituted of: a means for receiving an alternating current comprising a first lead and a second lead; at least one luminaire; and at least one first balancing transformer pair each associated with a particular one of the at least one luminaire, the primary of a first balancing transformer of the first balancing transformer pair serially coupled between the first lead of the means for receiving an alternating current and a first end of each of the at least one luminaire, and the primary of a second balancing transformer of the first balancing transformer pair serially coupled between the second lead of the means for receiving an alternating current and a second end of each of the at least one luminaires The secondaries of all of the at least one first balancing transformer pair are serially connected in a closed in-phase loop. | 08-06-2009 |
20090195163 | Single LED String Lighting - A solid state lighting unit constituted of: a control circuitry; a single string of light emitting diodes, the single string constituted of a plurality of sections each comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes; and a plurality of bypass paths each responsive to the control circuitry, each of the plurality of bypass paths arranged to provide bypass to a particular one of the plurality of sections, wherein the control circuitry is operative to identify an open circuit condition of a particular one of the plurality of sections, and activate the bypass path arranged to bypass the open circuit section, thereby providing light through sections not exhibiting an open circuit condition. | 08-06-2009 |
20090184746 | Low Voltage Drop Unidirectional Electronic Valve - A low voltage drop unidirectional electronic valve constituted of: a first terminal; a second terminal; an electronically controlled switch arranged to allow the flow of current from the first terminal to the second terminal when closed, the electronically controlled switch comprising a pair of reverse serially connected field effect transistors; a control circuit, arranged to close the electronically controlled switch responsive to the potential of the first terminal exceeding the potential of the second terminal by a predetermined amount; and a refresh circuit arranged to periodically open the electronically controlled switch. In one embodiment the low voltage drop unidirectional valve is arranged as one of a solar bypass element and an ORing diode. | 07-23-2009 |
20090160422 | BOOST CONVERTER WITH ADAPTIVE COIL PEAK CURRENT - A power conversion circuit operates in a discontinuous switching mode over a wide range of loading conditions and varies a coil peak current to maintain efficiency over the wide range of loading conditions. The coil peak current is adjustable based at least in part on a feedback signal generated in response to a load condition. | 06-25-2009 |
20090154543 | Using a Triangular Waveform to Synchronize the Operation of an Electronic Circuit - An electronic circuit exhibiting synchronization with an external synchronization signal, the electronic circuit comprising: an input connection arranged to receive a synchronization input signal; a triangular waveform oscillator operatively associated with the synchronization signal input connection and responsive to a condition of the received synchronization input signal to initiate a triangular waveform; and a pulse train generator operatively associated with the triangular waveform oscillator, the pulse train generator arranged to generate a plurality of pulse trains having a fixed non-zero phase relationship between them and a frequency responsive to the condition of the synchronization input signal. | 06-18-2009 |
20090091560 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO CONTROL DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS WITH AMBIENT LIGHT CORRECTION - An ambient light sensor produces a current signal that varies linearly with the level of ambient light. The current signal is multiplied by a user dimming preference to generate a brightness control signal that automatically compensates for ambient light variations in visual information display systems. The multiplying function provides noticeable user dimming control at relatively high ambient light levels. | 04-09-2009 |
20090072340 | EDGE TERMINATION FOR HIGH VOLTAGE SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - High voltage semiconductor devices with high-voltage termination structures are constructed on lightly doped substrates. Lightly doped p-type substrates are particularly prone to depletion and inversion from positive charges, degrading the ability of associated termination structures to block high voltages. To improve the efficiency and stability of termination structures, second termination regions of the same dopant type as the substrate, more heavily doped than the substrate but more lightly doped than first termination regions, are positioned adjoining the first termination regions. The second termination regions raise the field threshold voltage where the surface is vulnerable and render the termination structure substantially insensitive to positive charges at the surface. The use of higher dopant concentration in the gap region without causing premature avalanche is facilitated by only creating second termination regions for regions lacking field plate protection. | 03-19-2009 |