Abstract: The described implementations relate a Passive Optical Network (PON). In one implementation, the PON includes an Optical Network Unit (ONU) that has at least one transmitter subsystem component and an associated optical transmitter. The at least one transmitter subsystem component may be configured to be in an enabled state during a timeslot period assigned to the ONU for transmitting an upstream data burst and a disabled state after the timeslot ends.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving by a drive circuit electrical power from a voltage tap of a first rectifier circuit that includes a load path and a voltage tap, and using the electrical power by the drive circuit to drive a second rectifier circuit that includes a load path. The load path of the first rectifier circuit and the load path of the second rectifier circuit are coupled to a common circuit node.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint (100) comprises a first component (110) having a first interface portion (111). The prosthetic joint (100) further comprises a second component (120) having a second interface portion (121) with a textured surface (122) to interface with the first interface portion (111) and form a skeletal joint. The textured surface (122) can include a plurality of concave features (123). Each or the concave features (123) can be configured to compress a lubricant (140) to facilitate hydrodynamic lubrication between the first and second interface portions (111, 121) to minimize wear between the first interface portion (111) and the second interface portion (121) of the prosthetic joint (100).

Abstract: It is possible to achieve more precise power regulation in switched mode power supply systems by performing at least some control-loop processing on the secondary-side of the transformer. In particular, a secondary-side measurement is processed at least partially by a secondary-side controller to obtain a switching indication signal. The switching indication signal is then communicated from the secondary-side controller to a primary-side controller, where it is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the primary winding. The switching indication signal may be any control signaling instruction that prompts the primary-side controller to regulate and/or modify the power applied to the primary winding. The switching indication signal may be communicated over an isolating signal path, such as a single-ended capacitive coupler, a differential capacitive coupler, an inductive coupler, or an opto-coupler.

Abstract: A power circuit is described that includes a transformer arranged to store energy. The power circuit further includes a parallel switch device arranged in parallel to a secondary side winding of the transformer, an output port coupled to a device and the secondary side winding of the transformer, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive, from the device, information indicative of a required voltage associated with the device, and control, based on the information, the parallel switch device to generate, based on an amount of energy stored at the transformer, the required voltage as an output voltage at the output port.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of controlling a switched-mode power supply includes operating the switched-mode power supply in a first operating mode by monitoring a feedback signal from an output of the power supply using a feedback interface circuit in a first configuration. The method further includes determining when the feedback signal crosses a first threshold in a first direction, and transitioning the switched-mode power from the first operating to a second operating mode by switching the feedback interface circuit from the first configuration to a second configuration.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving by a drive circuit electrical power from a voltage tap of a first rectifier circuit that includes a load path and a voltage tap, and using the electrical power by the drive circuit to drive a second rectifier circuit that includes a load path. The load path of the first rectifier circuit and the load path of the second rectifier circuit are coupled to a common circuit node.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving by a drive circuit electrical power from a voltage tap of a first rectifier circuit that includes a load path and a voltage tap, and using the electrical power by the drive circuit to drive a second rectifier circuit that includes a load path. The load path of the first rectifier circuit and the load path of the second rectifier circuit are coupled to a common circuit node.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes receiving by a drive circuit electrical power from a voltage tap of a first rectifier circuit that includes a load path and a voltage tap, and using the electrical power by the drive circuit to drive a second rectifier circuit that includes a load path. The load path of the first rectifier circuit and the load path of the second rectifier circuit are coupled to a common circuit node.

Abstract: It is possible to achieve more precise power regulation in switched mode power supply systems by performing at least some control-loop processing on the secondary-side of the transformer. In particular, a secondary-side measurement is processed at least partially by a secondary-side controller to obtain a switching indication signal. The switching indication signal is then communicated from the secondary-side controller to a primary-side controller, where it is used to regulate the amount of energy applied to the primary winding. The switching indication signal may be any control signaling instruction that prompts the primary-side controller to regulate and/or modify the power applied to the primary winding. The switching indication signal may be communicated over an isolating signal path, such as a single-ended capacitive coupler, a differential capacitive coupler, an inductive coupler, or an opto-coupler.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a semiconductor component with a semiconductor body, a first main contact pad, a second main contact pad, a normally-on first transistor monolithically integrated in the semiconductor body and a normally-off second transistor monolithically integrated in the semiconductor body. The first transistor is a high electron mobility transistor having a first gate electrode and a first load path controllable via a first gate electrode, and the second transistor has a second gate electrode and a second load path controllable via the second gate electrode. The first load path and the second load path are electrically connected in series between the first main contact pad and the second main contact pad.

Abstract: A distribution unit for distributing mains electricity to multiple LED lighting devices, said unit comprising a terminal box and one or more plugs, the terminal box being adapted for connection to mains electricity and to receive said plugs, and each plug being adapted for connection to individual LED lighting elements, wherein said terminal box comprises: a) a housing having an opening for a distribution wire carrying mains electricity; b) a circuit board having terminals for connection of live and neutral conductors of said wire; c) at least two conductive tracks on the surface of said circuit board each connecting to a respective one of said terminals; and d) a plurality of sockets in the housing each having a non-circular bore with a longitudinal bore axis, the bore intersecting the edge of the circuit board, wherein said tracks are not closer than 3 mm to the edge of the circuit board where a socket intersects the circuit board, and wherein each said plug comprises: a) a body having a cross-section corre

Abstract: A hydraulic system includes one or more sensors configured to measure a pressure at least one input or end of a hydraulic actuation device, such as a cylinder for example. A control module can be operatively coupled to the sensors and at least one metering valve. The control module can selectively open the metering valve when the pressure at one of the ends of the cylinder reaches a first pressure threshold to control the force on the cylinder rod, to permit flow from the end of the cylinder to the tank.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of controlling a switched-mode power supply includes operating the switched-mode power supply in a first operating mode by monitoring a feedback signal from an output of the power supply using a feedback interface circuit in a first configuration. The method further includes determining when the feedback signal crosses a first threshold in a first direction, and transitioning the switched-mode power from the first operating to a second operating mode by switching the feedback interface circuit from the first configuration to a second configuration.

Abstract: One aspect relates to a semiconductor component with a semiconductor body, a first main contact pad, a second main contact pad, a normally-on first transistor monolithically integrated in the semiconductor body and a normally-off second transistor monolithically integrated in the semiconductor body. The first transistor is a high electron mobility transistor having a first gate electrode and a first load path controllable via a first gate electrode, and the second transistor has a second gate electrode and a second load path controllable via the second gate electrode. The first load path and the second load path are electrically connected in series between the first main contact pad and the second main contact pad.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a half-bridge circuit includes at least two solid-state switching devices connected in series. Each switching device has a high-voltage switching transistor configured to switch a high voltage based on a switching signal and a switching driver circuit operationally connected to the high-voltage switching transistor. The switching driver circuit includes a low-voltage driver transistor having a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the high-voltage switching transistor and being configured to transfer the switching signal to the high-voltage switching transistor, wherein the high-voltage switching transistor is arranged source-down on top of the drain of the low-voltage driver transistor.

Abstract: A prosthetic joint (100) comprises a first component (110) having a first interface portion (111). The prosthetic joint (100) further comprises a second component (120) having a second interface portion (121) with a textured surface (122) to interface with the first interface portion (111) and form a skeletal joint. The textured surface (122) can include a plurality of concave features (123). Each or the concave features (123) can be configured to compress a lubricant (140) to facilitate hydrodynamic lubrication between the first and second interface portions (111, 121) to minimize wear between the first interface portion (111) and the second interface portion (121) of the prosthetic joint (100).

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a solid-state switching device includes a high-voltage switching transistor including a source, a drain and a gate, and being adapted for switching a high voltage on the basis of a switching signal, and a switching driver circuit operationally connected to the high-voltage switching transistor, the switching driver circuit including a low-voltage driver transistor including a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the high-voltage switching transistor and being adapted for transferring the switching signal to the high-voltage switching transistor, wherein the high-voltage switching transistor is arranged source-down on top of the drain of the low-voltage driver transistor.

Abstract: Implementations related to systems, devices, and methods that make use of a master slave arrangement are described. In one implementation, a method of reducing overall power consumption in a master-slave system includes generating a clock signal in a master device having a first power consumption rate, transmitting the clock signal from the master device to a slave device having a second power consumption rate, the first power consumption rate is lower than the second power consumption rate, sampling data receive by the slave device, the data being provided by the master device, generating phase error information of the clock signal in the slave device, transmitting the phase error information from the slave device to the master device, and adjusting the clock signal in response to the phase error information.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a solid-state switching device includes a high-voltage switching transistor including a source, a drain and a gate, and being adapted for switching a high voltage on the basis of a switching signal, and a switching driver circuit operationally connected to the high-voltage switching transistor, the switching driver circuit including a low-voltage driver transistor including a source, a drain and a gate, connected in series to the high-voltage switching transistor and being adapted for transferring the switching signal to the high-voltage switching transistor, wherein the high-voltage switching transistor is arranged source-down on top of the drain of the low-voltage driver transistor.