Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to power controllers, and more particularly to synthetic current hysteretic control of a buck-boost DC-DC controller. In one or more embodiments, a controller includes PFM-PWM and Buck-Boost transitions with minimal circuitry and power consumption. In these and other embodiments, a window comparator structure is provided that is capable of generating control signals for use in buck, boost and buck-boost modes of operation.

Abstract: A rotary movement position sensor is presented that includes a first sensor output, a second sensor output, a first signal processing unit, a second signal processing unit, a first system output providing the output of the first signal processing unit or of the second signal processing unit, and a second system output providing the output of the second signal processing unit or of the first signal processing unit. A swapping unit that swaps the first signal processing unit between the first sensor output and first system output to the second sensor output and second system output and simultaneously swaps the second signal processing unit from the second sensor output and second system output to the first sensor output and first system output and vice versa. A method for detecting errors in a position sensor system is also presented.

Abstract: A wireless power transmitter pulses the transmit power level unresponsively to the wireless power receiver's power requests in order to perform foreign object detection (FOD). The FOD is performed by the transmitter analyzing the receiver's responses to the pulsed power. Some embodiments avoid mistaking FOD for coil misalignment. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a linearization function for correcting an output of a position sensor providing a continuous output position signal is described. The method adds a new linearization point to the linearization function by detecting the maximum error at the output of the position sensor and applying the new linearization function to the output of the position sensor and repeat the adding new linearization points until all available linearization points have been defined.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a linearization function for correcting the output of a position sensor providing a continuous output position signal, wherein the method optimizes the linearization function by defining optimal positions of the linearization points of the linearization function.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an amplifier circuit and a protection circuit. The amplifier circuit may be configured to generate an output signal by amplifying an input signal received at an input port. The input signal may be a radio-frequency signal. The protection circuit may be configured to (i) generate a detection signal by detecting when a level of the input signal exceeds a corresponding threshold, where the level is a power level, a voltage level or both, (ii) route the input signal away from the input port of the amplifier circuit and disable the amplifier circuit both in response to the detection signal being continuously active at least a first time duration and (iii) route the input signal to the input port of the amplifier circuit and enable the amplifier circuit both in response to the detection signal being continuously inactive at least a second time duration.

Abstract: Example implementations include a charging device with a capacitor divider circuit including a plurality of battery state inputs operably coupleable to a plurality of battery devices, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator operable to selectively charge the battery devices, a plurality of switching transistors each operatively coupled at a gate terminal thereof to a respective PWM control output of a plurality of PWM control outputs, and a flying capacitor operatively coupled at a first terminal thereof to a first plurality of the switching transistors, operatively coupled at a second terminal thereof to a second plurality of the switching transistors.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a position of a structure using inductive position sensing are described. In an example, a processor may receive a plurality of data points representing a plurality of voltages. The plurality of voltages may be generated by a plurality of sensor coils based on a magnetic flux field. The magnetic flux field may be generated by a plurality of driver coils, and the plurality of voltages may vary with changes in the magnetic flux field. The processor may calibrate the plurality of data points to generate a plurality of calibrated data points. The processor may filter the plurality of calibrated data points. The processor may estimate a position of the structure based on the filtered calibrated data points, where the position of the structure may indicate a size of a size changing device.

Abstract: Example implementations include a bandgap voltage device with a first current source operatively coupled to a bandgap input node and a bandgap output node and operable to output a first proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) current, a current mirror including a first bandgap transistor and a second bandgap transistor, and operatively coupled to the bandgap output node, and a second current source operatively coupled to the current mirror and operable to output a second PTAT current.

Abstract: Apparatuses including multiple selectable circuit elements are described. In an example, an apparatus may include a power supply configured to output a voltage. The apparatus may further include a controller connected to the power supply and a transmission unit connected to the controller. The transmission unit may be configured to output power. The transmission unit may include comprising an inverter connected to the power supply. The inverter may include a high-side switching element. The transmission unit may further include a circuit element a circuit connected to the power supply. The circuit may be configured to select the circuit element. The circuit may include a switch connected between the inverter and the circuit element. The switch and the high-side switching element may be configured to be driven by the voltage outputted by power supply. The controller may be configured to control the power being outputted by the transmission unit.

Abstract: A method for updating a sensor system, the method including: performing at an update server side the steps of: retrieving a pre-shared sensor key associated with the sensor system, calculating a server signature based on update data and the retrieved sensor key, and transmitting the update data and the calculated server signature to the sensor system; and performing at the sensor system the steps of: receiving the update data and the calculated server signature, retrieving the pre-shared sensor key stored in a register, calculating a sensor system signature based on the update data and the pre-shared sensor key, comparing the sensor system signature with the server signature and processing the update data if the sensor system signature and the server signature are identical.

Abstract: Apparatuses for controlling data transaction between master and slave devices are described. A master port connected to a master device can include a voltage regulator, a bridging circuit connected to a network element, and a redriver circuit. In response to a data transaction corresponding to a first type of data transaction, the master port can activate the voltage regulator and deactivate the redriver circuit to support a first operation mode causing the master device to perform the data transaction with a slave device via the network element. In response to the data transaction corresponding to a second type of data transaction, the master port can deactivate the voltage regulator and activate the redriver circuit to support a second operation mode causing the master port to disconnect from a slave port connected to the slave device and the data transaction is fulfilled by a circuit connected to the slave device.

Abstract: One or more embodiments relate to a multi-phase voltage regulator with AVP or droop configured to implement a non-linear load line. According to certain aspects, the non-linear load line can have a non-linear or zero slope in a first current/voltage region and a constant non-zero slope in second current/voltage region. In embodiments, the non-linear or zero slope region can specify that for any value of output current in that region, the output voltage will be the same predetermined value. The non-zero slope region can specify that for any value of the output current in that region, output current will be multiplied by a constant non-zero droop resistance value.

Abstract: A method and position sensor system for detecting an error of a position sensor system are provided. The method and position sensor system implementing the steps of: determining the period length of three previous signal periods of the position signal, comparing the period lengths of the three previous signal periods of the position signal to detect a constant velocity position signal, a constant accelerating or decelerating position signal or position signal with a constant jerk, predicting the period length of the next signal period of the position signal, transferring the predicted period length of the next signal period to a predicted position signal for the next signal period, and comparing the predicted position signal with the actual position signal to detect errors in the position signal of the next signal period.

Abstract: An inductive position sensor and method for detecting a movement of a conductive target, having: at least a first and a second transmitter coil having the same shape and which are phase-shifted to each other, at least one oscillator for generating a first and a second transmitter signal having the same shape and which are phase shifted to each other and are applied to the first transmitter coil and second transmitter coil respectively, at least one receiver coil, and a processing unit for determining a phase-shift between the first or second transmitter signal and a receiver signal received at the receiver coil; the determined phase-shift corresponding to the position of the conductive target above the first and second transmitter coils.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing current sense compensation for one or more power stages in a multiphase voltage regulator are described. A controller can be connected to a plurality of power stages through a communication interface. The controller can generate a data packet including a command to obtain temperature information and an address that identifies a specific power stage among the plurality of power stages. The controller can send the data packet to the plurality of power stages using the communication interface. The controller can receive temperature information of the specific power stage from the specific power stage through the communication interface. The controller can compensate a sensed current of the specific power stage based on the received temperature information of the specific power stage.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a wireless power transmitter is disclosed that includes a first field-effect transistor, a second field-effect transistor a coil and an analog front end. The wireless power transmitter is configured to drive the coil based at least in part on activations of the first and second field-effect transistors. The analog front end includes a first driver corresponding to the first field-effect transistor and being configured to control activation of the first field-effect transistor based at least in part on a pulse-width modulation signal and a second driver corresponding to the second field-effect transistor and being configured to control activation of the second field-effect transistor based at least in part on the pulse-width modulation signal.

Abstract: A system including a controller and a plurality of power stages is described. The system can include a communication interface, the plurality of power stages, and a controller connected to the plurality of power stages through the communication interface. The controller can generate a data packet including a command encoding a task and an address identifying at least one power stage among the plurality of power stages. The controller can send the data packet to the plurality of power stages through the communication interface. Each power stage among the plurality of power stages can receive the data packet through the communication interface, compare the address in the data packet with an address assigned to the power stage, determine whether to perform the task based on a result of the comparison between the address in the data packet with an address assigned to the power stage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a voltage regulator are described. An apparatus may receive a feedback signal from a power stage. The feedback signal may be one of a sensed signal measured from an output of the power stage and a calibration signal representing a fixed voltage. The apparatus may convert the feedback signal into a correction signal. The apparatus may further adjust a synthetic current using the correction signal, the synthetic current being associated with the power stage.

Abstract: Example implementations include obtaining charging power from a power source, obtaining a charging command, activating a trickle current to a battery, entering a first charging state in response to a condition that a voltage of the battery does not satisfy a deep discharge threshold, and entering a second charging state in response to a condition that a voltage of the battery satisfies a deep discharge threshold. Example implementations can further include supplying the trickle current in a burst to the battery in response to a condition that the voltage of the battery does not satisfy a fuel gauge threshold, upon entering the second charging state. Example implementations can further include supplying the trickle current continuously to the battery in response to a condition that the voltage of the battery satisfies the fuel gauge threshold, upon entering the second charging state.