Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for generating an envelope tracking power supply voltage. For example, certain aspects of the present disclosure provide an envelope tracking power supply having a linear amplifier having an output coupled to a power supply node of an amplifier, wherein a power supply node of the linear amplifier is coupled to a first voltage supply node. The envelope tracking power supply may also include a switch mode power supply having an output coupled to the power supply node of the amplifier. Certain aspects also include a circuit having a first switch coupled to the first voltage supply node and a second switch coupled to a second voltage supply node, wherein a power supply node of the switch mode power supply is coupled to the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for level shifting an input signal ranging between certain voltage levels to generate an output signal ranging between other voltage levels with low power, high speed, and immunity to noise. One example level-shifting circuit generally includes a node for receiving an input signal ranging between a first voltage level and a second voltage level, a first circuit path coupled to the node and configured to level shift the input signal to generate an output signal ranging between a third voltage level and a fourth voltage level, a pulse generator coupled to the node and configured to generate a pulse based on a transition in the input signal between the first and second voltage levels, and a second circuit path connected in parallel with the first path and configured to temporarily short the first path based on the generated pulse.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatus for adjusting voltage regulators of a power supply, such as an envelope tracking power supply. Certain aspects provide a power supply. The power supply may include a first voltage regulator having an output coupled to a voltage supply node of an amplifier. The power supply may further include a second voltage regulator having an output coupled to the voltage supply node of the amplifier. The power supply may further include a controller for adjusting a ratio of an average current supplied by the first voltage regulator to an average current supplied by the second voltage regulator to the voltage supply node of the amplifier based on an output voltage supplied to the voltage supply node of the amplifier by the first voltage regulator and the second voltage regulator.

Abstract: An apparatus for pivotally fixing a non-driven wheel assembly to a vehicle frame is disclosed. The apparatus provides a trough through which non-driven wheel assembly components can be passed and protected. In one embodiment, the trough is circular in shape and is fully enclosed by the apparatus. In other embodiments, the trough has various shapes and comprises retaining members to secure and protect non-driven wheel assembly components. A suspension system interface is provided that allows the apparatus to suspend the non-driven wheel assembly. Openings used to pivotally and rigidly fix a mounting plate, suspension system, pivotal axes, and fender assemblies are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described in which dynamic voltage and frequency scaling may be used to save power when processing packets in a wireless communications device. In some cases, inframe detection may allow the device to determine whether to transition from a first (e.g., lower) voltage level to a second (e.g., higher) voltage level to process one or more packets of a received frame. For some packet types the first voltage level may be maintained. In other cases, the device may determine a bandwidth to use from among multiple bandwidths supported by the device. The bandwidth may be determined based on channel conditions. A voltage level may be identified that corresponds to the determined bandwidth and a processing voltage may be scaled to the identified voltage level. The device may be configured to operate in wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or in a cellular network (e.g., LTE).

Abstract: A lighting system is disclosed which provides dynamic lighting control of each light on a rail lighting system. The lighting system is able to change settings of each light within a track lighting or rail lighting system based on motion, user preferences, lighting conditions, or security parameters. Light intensity and color can be set and scheduled based on user control and programming. Optical sensors may also be used to provide control input for the track lighting or rail lighting.

Abstract: A smart flush toilet apparatus provides dynamic control of a toilet flush length and/or a toilet flush water volume based on data collected from toilet paper dispenser sensors and/or toilet bowl displacement sensors. A toilet paper dispenser may be used to report toilet paper usage to resupply toilet paper.

Abstract: A low standby power DC-DC converter can be powered down during standby mode. The DC-DC converter can be periodically awakened between sleep cycles to check if the output voltage needs to be recharged (refreshed). The duration of the sleep cycles can be varied to accommodate for changing load conditions that would affect the output voltage.

Abstract: Reliability of a buck power stage may be enhanced by extending the maximum input voltage able to be withstood in the disabled (non-switching) state. During device qualification/testing, a power management unit (PMU) in the disabled state may have its input node subjected to greater than a maximum input voltage permitted for reliability (Vmax). Under such conditions, a force voltage (Vforce) may be selectively applied to the PMU switching node in the disabled state. For a given input voltage (VIN), this reduces voltage across the non-switching transistors of the power stage (and hence the resulting stress) to below Vmax. In certain embodiments, the Vforce applied to the switching node is of a fixed magnitude. In other embodiments, the Vforce applied to the switching node is of a magnitude varying with input voltage. Embodiments may be particularly suited to implement power management for a System-On-Chip (SoC).

Abstract: Disclosed is a cascode configuration that moves the gate of the cascode substantially without delay relative to an output node by capacitively coupling the latter onto the cascode gates. The passive coupling eliminates the need for actively driving the gates of the cascode. In some embodiments, the only circuitry needed on the cascode gate may be a biasing circuit that limits the swing on the cascode gate between Vmax and 2×Vmax, where Vmax is a transistor device rating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cascode configuration that moves the gate of the cascode substantially without delay relative to an output node by capacitively coupling the latter onto the cascode gates. The passive coupling eliminates the need for actively driving the gates of the cascode. In some embodiments, the only circuitry needed on the cascode gate may be a biasing circuit that limits the swing on the cascode gate between Vmax and 2×Vmax, where Vmax is a transistor device rating.

Abstract: System and method for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a variable and irregular shape. The system comprises one or more ultrasonic pulser/receivers, one or more ultrasonic transducer arrays, a shoe or jig to hold and position the array(s), data acquisition software to drive the array(s), and data analysis software to select a respective best return signal for each pixel to be displayed. This system starts with information about the general orientation of the array relative to the part and a general predicted part shape. More specific orientation of the transmitted ultrasound beams relative to the part surface is done electronically by phasing the elements in the array(s) to cover the expected (i.e., predicted) surface as well as the full range of part surface variability.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are related to generating an error correction voltage and/or a compensation voltage based upon pulse-width modulation information. A device may include a pulse-width modulator configured to receive a first input voltage and convey a modulated output voltage. The device may also include a filtering unit including at least one filter configured to receive the modulated output voltage, generate at least one of an error correction voltage and a compensation voltage, and convey a second input voltage to the pulse-width modulator based on at least one of the error correction voltage and a compensation voltage.

Abstract: Reliability of a buck power stage may be enhanced by extending the maximum input voltage able to be withstood in the disabled (non-switching) state. During device qualification/testing, a power management unit (PMU) in the disabled state may have its input node subjected to greater than a maximum input voltage permitted for reliability (Vmax). Under such conditions, a force voltage (Vforce) may be selectively applied to the PMU switching node in the disabled state. For a given input voltage (VIN), this reduces voltage across the non-switching transistors of the power stage (and hence the resulting stress) to below Vmax. In certain embodiments, the Vforce applied to the switching node is of a fixed magnitude. In other embodiments, the Vforce applied to the switching node is of a magnitude varying with input voltage. Embodiments may be particularly suited to implement power management for a System-On-Chip (SoC).

Abstract: System and method for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a variable and irregular shape. The system comprises one or more ultrasonic pulser/receivers, one or more ultrasonic transducer arrays, a shoe or jig to hold and position the array(s), data acquisition software to drive the array(s), and data analysis software to select a respective best return signal for each pixel to be displayed. This system starts with information about the general orientation of the array relative to the part and a general predicted part shape. More specific orientation of the transmitted ultrasound beams relative to the part surface is done electronically by phasing the elements in the array(s) to cover the expected (i.e., predicted) surface as well as the full range of part surface variability.

Abstract: A low standby power DC-DC converter can be powered down during standby mode. The DC-DC converter can be periodically awakened between sleep cycles to check if the output voltage needs to be recharged (refreshed). The duration of the sleep cycles can be varied to accommodate for changing load conditions that would affect the output voltage.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are related to a switching voltage regulator. A switching voltage regulator may include a current limit detector configured to detect an over-current condition. The switching voltage regulator may further include a pulse-width modulation (PWM) module coupled to the current limit detector and configured to convey a PWM signal based on a programmed switching frequency and an output voltage and in response to the over-current condition.

Abstract: A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described in which dynamic voltage and frequency scaling may be used to save power when processing packets in a wireless communications device. In some cases, inframe detection may allow the device to determine whether to transition from a first (e.g., lower) voltage level to a second (e.g., higher) voltage level to process one or more packets of a received frame. For some packet types the first voltage level may be maintained. In other cases, the device may determine a bandwidth to use from among multiple bandwidths supported by the device. The bandwidth may be determined based on channel conditions. A voltage level may be identified that corresponds to the determined bandwidth and a processing voltage may be scaled to the identified voltage level. The device may be configured to operate in wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or in a cellular network (e.g., LTE).

Abstract: An unsynchronized acoustic or radio-frequency (RF) computed tomography (CT) imaging system with matched, but independent, continuous wave (CW) transmitters and receivers configured to radiate acoustic or RF transmissions in a plurality of vector paths through solid geologic material. A computer calculates and displays tomographic images constructed from individual acoustic or RF path signal travel time or attenuation measurements logged from registered locations from the CW transmitters and receivers after their being shuttled amongst a number of different transmitter and receiver perspectives available around said geologic material to generate data necessary for computed tomography. Each of the transmitters and receivers include independent unsynchronized crystal oscillators rated at 10-ppm or better frequency uncertainty to produce and to detect CW radio frequency (RF) transmissions.