Abstract: A power supply topology according to one embodiment includes a first path coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path coupled to a rechargeable battery, and a third path coupled to a system load, the three paths coupled to a common node. The topology may further include a unidirectional switch coupled to the first path and a selectively unidirectional switch coupled to the second path. The topology may further include a power management control circuit including a wake up circuit having a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting temperature includes an adjustable current source operable for supplying a current, a thermistor coupled to said adjustable current source, and an auto-range hysteresis logic coupled to said thermistor and said adjustable current source operable for outputting a signal to control said adjustable current source by sensing a voltage across said thermistor. A method for detecting temperature is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a power converter, a primary winding receives an input power. In addition, multiple secondary windings transform the input power into multiple charging currents to charge a set of cells via a set of paths. The multiple secondary windings further balance the set of cells based on the charging currents. A ratio between a first turn number of a first secondary winding of the secondary windings and a second turn number of a second secondary winding of the secondary windings is determined by a nominal voltage ratio between two corresponding cells of the set of cells.

Abstract: A method includes coupling a variable output DC power source to power control circuitry, and detecting a type of the variable output DC power source in response to the coupling operation. In one embodiment, the detecting operation may include sending an interrogation signal from the power control circuitry to the variable output DC power source, and evaluating a response to the interrogation signal to determine the type of said variable output DC power source. Power control circuitry may include source type recognition circuitry configured to detect a type of a variable output DC power source in response to a coupling of the variable output DC power source to the power control circuitry.

Abstract: Voltage translator circuitry may include a path including a first resistor, a current controlling device, and a second resistor coupled in series. The voltage translator circuitry may further include an operational amplifier having a positive supply terminal to accept a positive supply voltage and a negative supply terminal to accept a negative supply voltage, neither the positive or negative supply voltage at ground voltage. The first resistor may further be coupled to a positive terminal of the battery cell to be monitored. The operational amplifier may have an input coupled to a negative terminal of the battery cell to be monitored. The voltage translator circuitry may further include an output terminal coupled to a node of the path between the current controlling device and the second resistor. The output terminal may be configured to provide the ground referenced cell voltage for the battery cell.

Abstract: A supply topology comprising an AC to DC or DC to DC adapter and an electronic device with an active system, a battery, and an adapter controller implements closed-loop control of adapter output voltage to limit power consumption by the electronic device to a value related to maximum adapter power. The adapter adjusts its output voltage in response to the magnitude of an error signal representing an amount by which instantaneous power consumption exceeds adapter maximum power. An adapter controller in the electronic device sets a limit for allocating current to battery charging from the signal representing maximum adapter power, with battery charging current approaching zero as instantaneous power consumption approaches maximum adapter power.

Abstract: In a power converter, a primary winding receives an input power. In addition, multiple secondary windings transform the input power into multiple charging currents to charge a set of cells via a set of paths. The multiple secondary windings further balance the set of cells based on the charging currents. A ratio between a first turn number of a first secondary winding of the secondary windings and a second turn number of a second secondary winding of the secondary windings is determined by a nominal voltage ratio between two corresponding cells of the set of cells.

Abstract: A battery pack including at least one battery cell, a switch, and battery state monitoring circuitry. The battery state monitoring circuitry may be configured to control an ON resistance of the switch to a first ON resistance when the switch is ON and the battery pack is in a stand-by-state and to control the ON resistance to a second ON resistance when the switch is ON and said battery pack is not in said stand-by-state, the first ON resistance greater than the second ON resistance. A cordless electrical device and method consistent with embodiments are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.

Abstract: An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.

Abstract: A power supply topology according to one embodiment includes a first path coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path coupled to a rechargeable battery, and a third path coupled to a system load, the three paths coupled to a common node. The topology may further include a unidirectional switch coupled to the first path and a selectively unidirectional switch coupled to the second path. The topology may further include a power management control circuit including a wake up circuit having a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: A monitoring and control circuit comprises a sense block, a first and a second comparators, and a control module. The current sense block is coupled to a switch for generating a monitoring signal indicative of a current flowing through the switch. The first comparator coupled to the sense block is operable for comparing the monitoring signal to a first threshold and for providing a first signal according to a first comparison result between the monitoring signal and the first threshold. The second comparator coupled to the sense block is operable for comparing the monitoring signal to a second threshold and for providing a second signal according to a second comparison result between the monitoring signal and the second threshold. The control module coupled to the first comparator and the second comparator provides a control signal for controlling the switch according to the first signal and the second signal so as to adjust the current.

Abstract: A method includes coupling a variable output DC power source to power control circuitry, and detecting a type of the variable output DC power source in response to the coupling operation. In one embodiment, the detecting operation may include sending an interrogation signal from the power control circuitry to the variable output DC power source, and evaluating a response to the interrogation signal to determine the type of said variable output DC power source. Power control circuitry may include source type recognition circuitry configured to detect a type of a variable output DC power source in response to a coupling of the variable output DC power source to the power control circuitry.

Abstract: An apparatus includes battery gauge circuitry implemented on an integrated circuit. The battery gauge circuitry includes a plurality of switches that individually open in response to a voltage reduction on a battery cell associated with a respective one of the switches. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a logic device that determines if at least one of the switches is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a register that stores data that indicates if at least one switch is open. The battery gauge circuitry also includes a controller that initiates halting power delivery to a load if at least one of the switches is open. The controller also identifies the open switch.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit includes a first comparator configured to compare a first input signal representative of a voltage level of the DC power source with a first threshold level and provide a first output signal representative of a difference between the first input signal and the first threshold level, and a selector output circuit. The selector output circuit is configured to provide selector output signals that control selection among the DC power source and the plurality of batteries. The selector output circuit providing said selector output signals to select the DC source and deselect the plurality of batteries if the first output signal is representative of the voltage level of said DC power source being greater than the first threshold level.

Abstract: A cell balancing circuit for balancing battery cells includes a transformer and a switching controller. The transformer has a primary winding and a secondary winding. The switching controller can select a first cell coupled to the primary winding and select a second cell coupled to the secondary winding. The first cell and the second cell are coupled in series. The first cell has a cell voltage that is greater than the second cell. The cell balancing circuit further includes a controller coupled to the primary winding. The controller controls energy from the first cell to the primary winding so as to transfer the energy from the first cell to the second cell to balance the battery cells.

Abstract: A power supply topology according to one embodiment includes a first path coupled to a controllable DC power source, a second path coupled to a rechargeable battery, and a third path coupled to a system load, the three paths coupled to a common node. The topology may further include a unidirectional switch coupled to the first path and a selectively unidirectional switch coupled to the second path. The topology may further include a power management control circuit including a wake up circuit having a comparison circuit and an output decision circuit. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: A selector circuit configured to select among a DC power source and a plurality of batteries for an electronic device. The selector circuit is responsive to an output signal from an associated power management unit. The selector circuit is further configured to permit parallel operation of two or more of the batteries. The selector circuit may further act to independently verify power conditions and override instructions from the PMU in certain instances to enhance power supply safety and battery life such as by preventing inter battery current flow from a higher potential battery to a lower potential battery coupled in parallel.

Abstract: A method includes coupling a variable output DC power source to power control circuitry, and detecting a type of the variable output DC power source in response to the coupling operation. In one embodiment, the detecting operation may include sending an interrogation signal from the power control circuitry to the variable output DC power source, and evaluating a response to the interrogation signal to determine the type of said variable output DC power source. Power control circuitry may include source type recognition circuitry configured to detect a type of a variable output DC power source in response to a coupling of the variable output DC power source to the power control circuitry.

Abstract: A protection circuit includes a detection block, a timer and a protection enable block. The detection block is used to compare a monitoring signal with a reference signal and generate an alert signal if a difference between the monitoring signal and the reference signal exceeds a threshold for a first predetermined duration. The timer coupled to the detection block is used to generate an enabling signal for a second predetermined duration in response to the alert signal. The protection enable block coupled to the timer is used to generate a triggering signal for a first time duration determined by the second predetermined duration in response to the enabling signal so as to perform a protection function.