Abstract: An audio amplifier employs an idle mode to reduce power consumption and improve efficiency of the amplifier. The audio amplifier comprises a modulator configured to receive an analog input signal. The modulator is operable to convert the analog input signal to differential first and second quantized signals, each having a common mode duty cycle. The modulator causes the common mode duty cycle of each of the first and second quantized signals to be shifted when the level of the analog input signal is below a threshold level so that the common mode duty cycle is one of greater than or less than fifty percent (50%). The amplifier further includes a power stage that receives the first and second quantized signals and generates corresponding first and second output signals configured to drive a load, wherein the first and second output signals switched between a supply voltage and a second voltage based on the respective first and second quantized signals.

Abstract: A charger device includes a Single-Input-Multiple-Output (SIMO) device and a controller. The SIMO device includes a first transistor connected to an input and a first end of an inductor, a second transistor connected to ground and the first end of the inductor, a third transistor connected to a second end of the inductor and a first output, and a fourth transistor connected to the second end of the inductor and a second output. The controller is connected to the SIMO device and is configured to cause the SIMO device to charge the inductor using a first power source coupled to the input during a first time period and discharge the inductor to charge a second power source coupled to the first output during a second time period.

Abstract: A first system includes first and second buck-boost amplifiers. The first amplifier is connected to a battery, includes a first inductor and a first plurality of switches connected to the first inductor, and drives first and second loads. The second amplifier is connected to the battery, includes a second inductor and a second plurality of switches connected to the second inductor, and drives the first and second loads. A controller drives the first and second plurality of switches to operate each of the first and second amplifiers in a single inductor multiple output mode. A second system includes multiple buck-boost amplifiers connected to a battery and driving respective loads. Each amplifier includes inductors and switches connected to the inductors. A controller drives the switches to utilize one or more inductors based on an amount of power used by each amplifier to drive the respective loads.

Abstract: Real-time systems and methods prevent duplication of independent signal streams in a coherent receiver subject to source separation controlled by multiplicative coefficients under adaptive feedback control. In various embodiments, this is achieved by first obtaining a first set of coefficients associated with a first signal stream and a second set of coefficients associated with a second signal stream. In response to the sets of coefficients satisfying a condition, the first set modified into a set of coefficients that is mutually orthogonal with respect to and replaces the second set of coefficients. The resulting series of coefficient values may then be used to perform source separation of independent signal streams without duplicating independent signal streams.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of authenticating the electronic device using a challenge-response process that is based on a physically unclonable function (PUF). The electronic device comprises a PUF element, a processor and a communication interface. The PUF element generates an input signal based on at least one PUF that has unique physical features affected by manufacturing variability. A challenge-response database, comprising a plurality of challenges and a plurality of corresponding responses, is set forth by the processor based on the PUF-based input and further provided to a trusted entity. During the trusted transaction, the processor generates a response in response to a challenge sent by the trusted entity based on the PUF-based input, and thereby, the trusted entity authenticates the electronic device by comparing the response with the challenge-response database.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods that allow for correcting a residual frequency offset in the GHz frequency range by using low-complexity analog circuit implementations of a broad-band frequency detector that comprises two analog polyphase filters in a dual configuration. Each filter comprises an RC network of cross-coupled capacitors that facilitate filters with opposite passbands and opposite stop-bands. In various embodiments, the outputs of the two filters are combined to obtain power metrics that when subtracted from each other, deliver a measure of the imbalance between the positive and negative halves of a frequency spectrum. Since the measure is substantially proportional to a frequency offset within a linear range spanning 5 GHz or more, the polyphase filters may be used in a broad-band frequency detector that, based on the measure, adjusts the frequency offset.

Abstract: Presented are average current mode control systems and methods for driving a load with a constant current. In embodiments, this is accomplished when, in response to a zero-current detection circuit detecting a zero current condition in the load current, a compensation circuit is disconnected from a first error amplifier to enable that error amplifier to provide a first voltage to a second error amplifier. The second error amplifier increases a charging current in a capacitor to reduce a dead time in the load current. Similarly, in response to an overcurrent detection circuit detecting an overcurrent condition in the load current, the compensation circuit is disconnected from the first error amplifier to enable the first error amplifier to provide a second voltage to the second error amplifier to decrease the charging current and reduce an overshoot condition.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for improving transient response in buck-boost circuits avoid circuit instabilities in both boost mode and buck mode. In embodiments, this is accomplished when, in response to determining that the circuit operates in buck mode, a compensation circuit is adjusted to operate at a first bandwidth. In response to determining that the circuit operates in boost mode, the compensation circuit may then be adjusted to decrease a boost mode crossover frequency and operate at a second, lower bandwidth.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for controlling a compensation circuit. In embodiments, a detection circuit receives a set of control signals that have been generated by a control circuit to drive a set of light emitting diode (LED) switches. The switches control a set of LEDs driven by a DC-DC converter that is coupled to a feedback loop to which the compensation circuit is removably coupled. In embodiments, the detection circuit determines whether the status of an LED is about to change and, in response, uses the compensation circuit to control the feedback loop in a manner such as to reduce a current overshoot or current undershoot in the LED current.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for securing electronic devices, such as financial payment terminals, to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to confidential information. In embodiments, this is achieved without having to rely on the availability of backup energy sources. In certain embodiments, tampering attempts are thwarted by using a virtually perfect PUF circuit and PUF-generated secret or private key within a payment terminal that does not require a battery backup system and, thus, eliminates the cost associated with common battery-backed security systems. In certain embodiments, during regular operation, sensors constantly monitor the to-be-protected electronic device for tampering attempts and physical attack to ensure the physical integrity.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a laser driver are described herein. In an embodiment, a laser driver system includes: an external set of inductors including a first external inductor and a second external inductor; an internal set of inductors including a first internal inductor and a second internal inductor; and a DC-to-DC convertor configured to bias a first output path defined by the first external inductor and the first internal inductor and a second output path defined by the second external inductor and the second internal inductor.

Abstract: Described are context-aware low-power systems and methods that reduce power consumption in compute circuits such as commonly available machine learning hardware accelerators that carry out a large number of arithmetic operations when performing convolution operations and related computations. Various embodiments exploit the fact that power demand for a series of computation steps and many other functions a hardware accelerator performs is highly deterministic, thus, allowing for energy needs to be anticipated or even calculated to a certain degree. Accordingly, power supply output may be optimized according to actual energy needs of compute circuits. In certain embodiments this is accomplished by proactively and dynamically adjusting power-related parameters according to high-power and low-power operations to benefit a machine learning circuit and to avoid wasting valuable power resources, especially in embedded computing systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods reduce a locking time of a type-II all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) circuit by performing steps that comprise receiving a reference signal having a reference frequency and setting a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) to a target frequency greater than the reference frequency. The DCO generates an output signal that is used to generate a feedback signal. A time-to-digital converter is used to determine an initial phase difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal, and a digital initial phase compensation circuit adjusts the initial phase difference to a substantially zero phase difference to reduce the locking time of the ADPLL circuit such that the ADPLL circuit reaches a steady-state condition in ten or fewer cycles of the reference signal.

Abstract: A measurement system and method of manufacture can include: a pressure resistant structure; a pressure inducer coupled to the pressure resistant structure, the pressure inducer having an engaged configuration, the engaged configuration of the pressure inducer increasing pressure exerted on a portion of a user in contact with the pressure resistant structure; a light source coupled to the pressure resistant structure; an optical sensor coupled to the pressure resistant structure and configured to detect a signal from the light source; a pressure sensor coupled to the pressure resistant structure, the pressure sensor configured to detect the pressure exerted on the portion of the user in contact with the pressure inducer; and a processor coupled to the optical sensor and the pressure sensor, the processor configured to correlate volumetric data from the optical sensor with pressure data from the pressure sensor and to provide a blood pressure measurement.

Abstract: A switching power converter includes a first switching stage, a second switching stage, a coupled inductor, and a boost winding. The coupled inductor includes a first phase winding, a second phase winding, and a magnetic core. The first phase winding is wound at least partially around a first portion of the magnetic core, and the first phase winding is electrically coupled to the first switching stage. The second phase winding is wound at least partially around a second portion of the magnetic core, and the second phase winding is electrically coupled to the second switching stage. The boost winding forms at least one turn such that mutual magnetic flux associated with each of the first and second phase windings flows through the at least one turn.

Abstract: An electrical switching system includes a constant-power controller and a switching device electrically coupled between a first node and a second node. The constant-power controller is configured to (a) generate a digital control signal to control the switching device, (b) control a duration of an active phase of the digital control signal at least partially based on a voltage across the switching device, and (c) control a peak value of the digital control signal to regulate a peak magnitude of current flowing through the switching device.

Abstract: Described are context-aware low-power systems and methods that reduce power consumption in compute circuits such as commonly available machine learning hardware accelerators that carry out a large number of arithmetic operations when performing convolution operations and related computations. Various embodiments exploit the fact that power demand for a series of computation steps and many other functions a hardware accelerator performs is highly deterministic, thus, allowing for energy needs to be anticipated or even calculated to a certain degree. Accordingly, power supply output may be optimized according to actual energy needs of compute circuits. In certain embodiments this is accomplished by proactively and dynamically adjusting power-related parameters according to high-power and low-power operations to benefit a machine learning circuit and to avoid wasting valuable power resources, especially in embedded computing systems.

Abstract: Described are system and method embodiments for establishing a weak ground path, comprising: disabling a first ground path for a shield pin of a cable connection interface, the first ground path including a first switch; enabling a second ground path for the shield pin, the second ground path comprises a second switch, and the second ground path having a higher resistance than the first ground path; determining a connection of a device to the cable connection interface with the second ground path; and enabling the first ground path based on the connection of the device being determined.

Abstract: A flux-corrected switching power converter includes a first transformer, a first switching stage, a controller, and a flux correction current source. The first transformer includes a first magnetic core, a first primary winding, and a first secondary winding, and the first switching stage is electrically coupled to the first secondary winding. The controller is configured to control switching of at least the first switching stage. The flux correction current source is electrically coupled to the first primary winding, and the flux correction current source is configured to inject current into the first primary winding to at least partially cancel magnetic flux in the first magnetic core that is generated by current flowing through the first secondary winding.

Abstract: A resonant power converter includes a capacitive divider circuit, a coupled inductor, and N switching stages, where N is an integer greater than two. The coupled inductor includes N windings, and total leakage inductance of the coupled inductor and equivalent capacitance of the capacitive divider circuit collectively form a resonant tank circuit of the resonant power converter. Each switching stage is electrically coupled between a respective one of the N windings of the coupled inductor and the capacitive divider circuit. The capacitive divider circuit may include one or more resonant capacitors.