Abstract: A base drive circuit controller responsive to an external control signal indicative of the desired conduction of the upper or lower switching device of an inverter leg, provides control signals dependent on timing performed by a psuedo random counter. The external control signal can influence the controller operation only after a complete set of signals responsive to a preceeding transition of the external control signal has been completed. The base drive circuit controller is also responsive to feedback signals indicative of actual switching device conduction, and control signals responsive to the signals indicative of actual power switch conduction are provided to the base drive circuits.

Abstract: An optoelectronic incremental position encoder mechanically coupled to an accelerator pedal or lever in a battery powered vehicle provides a linear or nonlinear control voltage corresponding to the pedal or lever position. Clear and opaque windows for encoding accelerator position are fabricated on an encoder slide in an in-line arrangement which minimizes decoding errors due to stray light and skewed encoder components. In the preferred embodiment, the binary output from an up/down counter, driven by a position decoder, is converted to analog form and applied to a linear or nonlinear function generator circuit. The nonlinear function generator circuit comprises parallel-coupled amplifier stages, the outputs of which are selectively clamped depending on the amplitude of the input signal from a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: An optoelectronic encoder senses theabsolute position of an accelerator pedal or lever in a battery powered vehicle and provides a linear or nonlinear control voltage in response thereto. The Gray code is fabricated on an encoder slide in an in-line arrangement which minimizes decoding errors due to stray light and skew within the encoder. In the preferred embodiment, the Gray coded output from the encoder is converted to binary, which is then converted into analog form and applied to a linear or nonlinear function generator circuit. The nonlinear function generator circuit comprises parallel-coupled amplifier stages, the outputs of which are selectively clamped depending on the amplitude of the input signal from digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A low cost switching mode power supply particularly adapted for use in an electric vehicle is characterized by an extreme input voltage range, immunity to high input voltage transients, and stable operation. A negative voltage feedback arrangement applied to a controllable voltage clamp serves to continuously vary oscillation pulse width and frequency. The power supply includes an output filter capacitor, and, to compensate for phase lag introduced by the output filter capacitor, the negative feedback arrangement includes elements for introducing phase lead compensation. Preferably, the oscillation period is less than the duration of expected input voltage transients, and the power supply regulates right through such transients.