Abstract: In some examples, an integrated circuit device includes a sampling switch configured to sample an input signal. The integrated circuit device also includes a first evaluation unit configured to receive the sampled input signal from the sampling switch and evaluate the sampled input signal. The integrated circuit device further includes a second evaluation unit configured to receive the sampled input signal from the sampling switch and evaluate the sampled input signal. The sampling switch is configured to deliver the sampled input signal to the first evaluation unit and deliver the sampled input signal to the second evaluation unit.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a receiver is described comprising an input configured to receive a digital input signal and a digital filter configured to deliver a filtered digital output signal and to deliver stability information wherein the digital filter is configured to enter or stay in a transition state after a transition at the input signal, leave the transition state when the input signal is considered being stable, update the output signal when leaving the transition state and deliver the stability information indicating transitions at the input signal during transition state.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of transferring data includes determining, by a first device, a data check field of a data frame based on a predetermined identification field and a plurality of data bits, wherein the predetermined identification field represents at least one of a content, source or target of the plurality of data bits; and transmitting, by the first device to a second device, the data frame comprising the plurality of data bits and the data check field without directly transmitting the predetermined identification field.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to circuits and techniques for detecting or responding to temperature of a power switch based on paired measurements of current and voltage. A driver circuit for a power switch may be configured to perform a current measurement and a voltage measurement associated with a temperature-dependent circuit element and control the power switch based at least in part on the current measurement and the voltage measurement. In some examples, the current and voltage measurements may be used to determine the temperature of the power switch.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided to perform bidirectional communication using edge timing. In one example, a method includes receiving, on a first signal line, a first signal having a first timing edge and a first data edge. The first timing edge is of a different type than the first data edge. The first data edge is an edge immediately adjacent to the first timing edge and occurs at a first elapsed time after the first timing edge. The method includes sampling the first signal at a predetermined sample time after the first timing edge to determine a first data value. A second data value is determined and a second signal is generated having a second timing edge and a second data edge. A second elapsed time between the second timing edge and the second data edge encodes a second data value. The second signal is transmitted on a second signal line.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a receiver is described comprising an input configured to receive a digital input signal and a digital filter configured to deliver a filtered digital output signal and to deliver stability information wherein the digital filter is configured to enter or stay in a transition state after a transition at the input signal, leave the transition state when the input signal is considered being stable, update the output signal when leaving the transition state and deliver the stability information indicating transitions at the input signal during transition state.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes driving a predetermined load using a driver circuit according to a drive pattern; supplying power to the driver circuit using a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) configured to be coupled to at least one external component; and verifying functionality of the SMPS while driving the predetermined load. Verifying the functionality includes monitoring at least one operating parameter of the SMPS, where the at least one operating parameter of the SMPS is dependent on the drive pattern and the at least one external component, comparing the at least one operating parameter to at least one expected operating parameter to form a first comparison result, and indicating an error condition based on the first comparison result.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method include switching on a transistor device by generating a first conducting channel in a body region by driving a first gate electrode and, before generating the first conducting channel, generating a second conducting channel in the body region by driving a second gate electrode. The first gate electrode is dielectrically insulated from a body region by a first gate dielectric, and the second gate electrode is dielectrically insulated from the body region by a second gate dielectric, arranged adjacent the first gate electrode, and separated from the first gate electrode by a separation layer. The body region is arranged between a source region and a drift region, and wherein the drift region is arranged between body region and a drain region.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes using a monitoring circuit disposed on a monolithic integrated circuit to monitor an output signal of a first switching transistor for a first output edge transition at a monitoring terminal of the monolithic integrated circuit; using a time measuring circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to measure a first time delay between a first input edge transition of a first drive signal and the first output edge transition, where the first drive signal is configured to cause a change of state of the first switching transistor; using an analysis circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to compare the measured first time delay with a first predetermined threshold to form a first comparison result; and indicating a first error condition based on the first comparison result.

Abstract: A circuit for measurement of a voltage comprises a passive sensing element configured to be coupled between a measurement point and a reference point. The passive sensing element has a voltage-dependent impedance. Further, the circuit comprises an impedance detector and a reference circuit. The impedance detector is configured to detect the impedance of the passive sensing element by providing a probe signal to the passive sensing element and evaluating a response to the probe signal from the passive sensing element and a reference response from the reference circuit. Further, the circuit comprises a converter circuit configured to convert a result of evaluating the response and the reference response to a voltage level information.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of transferring data includes determining, by a first device, a data check field of a data frame based on a predetermined identification field and a plurality of data bits, wherein the predetermined identification field represents at least one of a content, source or target of the plurality of data bits; and transmitting, by the first device to a second device, the data frame comprising the plurality of data bits and the data check field without directly transmitting the predetermined identification field.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided to perform full duplex communication using edge timing in a common signal. In one example, a method for a slave device includes receiving a common signal resulting from combination of a slave signal transmitted by the slave device on a signal line and a master signal transmitted by the master device on the signal line. The common signal includes a series of signal periods having a first edge and a second edge. The method includes, in a period of the common signal: determining slave information to be communicated; selecting a second edge timing corresponding to the slave information; detecting the first edge in the common signal; transmitting a slave signal having a first slave edge at the second edge timing after the first edge; and determining master information based on a detected level of the common signal at a check point of the signal period.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and circuitries are provided to perform bidirectional communication using edge timing in a common signal. In one example, a method includes receiving a common signal on a signal line between a device and another device. The common signal includes a series of signal periods, and each signal period includes a first edge of a first type and a second edge of a second type different from the first type. In each signal period of the series of signal periods: information being communicated by the other device is determined based at least on the determined timing of the first edge and a timing for a subsequent second edge with respect to the signal period is determined based on information to be communicated to the other device. The subsequent second edge is generated at the selected timing in a subsequent signal period of the series of signal periods.

Abstract: Methods and circuits are provided for controlling an electronic switch such that it may be controlled by an external control signal, such as a PWM signal, or be set to operate in an active-diode mode, wherein current is allowed to flow through the switch in only one direction. The described circuits are configured to autonomously control the electronic switch, such that no external control signal is required when the active-diode mode is used. The provided techniques allow electronic switches to be efficiently used as part of a power stage or part of an active rectifier, so as to support bi-directional switched-mode power supplies, motor/generator drivers, and related electric circuits that require bi-directional power flow. By reusing electronic switches thusly and implementing an active-diode mode, the circuitry is minimized while maintaining good power efficiency.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus for providing digital data to a controller, including an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) configured to transform an analog signal into a modulated digital data stream; an event detector configured to generate event indication data based on an event related to the analog signal or the digital data; and a communication interface configured to combine the modulated digital data stream and the event indication data into one or more communication frames, and to transmit the one or more communication frames to the controller.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of transferring data includes determining, by a first device, a data check field of a data frame based on a predetermined identification field and a plurality of data bits, wherein the predetermined identification field represents at least one of a content, source or target of the plurality of data bits; and transmitting, by the first device to a second device, the data frame comprising the plurality of data bits and the data check field without directly transmitting the predetermined identification field.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes using a monitoring circuit disposed on a monolithic integrated circuit to monitor an output signal of a first switching transistor for a first output edge transition at a monitoring terminal of the monolithic integrated circuit; using a time measuring circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to measure a first time delay between a first input edge transition of a first drive signal and the first output edge transition, where the first drive signal is configured to cause a change of state of the first switching transistor; using an analysis circuit disposed on the monolithic integrated circuit to compare the measured first time delay with a first predetermined threshold to form a first comparison result; and indicating a first error condition based on the first comparison result.

Abstract: An embodiment of a semiconductor device includes an isolation structure. A first active area, a protection area, and a second active area are formed on the isolation structure. A first trench isolation structure electrically separates the first active area and the protection area. A second trench isolation structure electrically separates the protection area and the second active area. A protection structure is formed in the protection area. A first pin of the protection structure is electrically connected to the first active area. A second pin of the protection structure is electrically connected to the second active area.

Abstract: Techniques for monitoring an internal pressure of a battery cell, whereby a membrane that is part of an outer shell of the battery cell is used as an element of capacitive-based or inductive-based sensor circuitry in order to measure a change of capacitance or inductance under deformation of the membrane from the internal pressure of the battery cell. The change of capacitance or inductance may in turn be used to derive a value for the internal pressure of the battery cell.

Abstract: A power supply circuit is equipped with a converter circuit configured to convert an alternating current signal applied at an input of the power supply circuit into a direct current signal. A control circuit for the power supply circuit is configured to detect a phase of the alternating current signal and to control discharging of an internal capacitive element of the power supply circuit based on the detected phase of the alternating current signal.