Abstract: An example apparatus includes a feedback loop to: change a direction value when a second current value is greater than a first current value, the second current value being obtained after the first current value; and maintain the direction value when the second current value is less than the first current value. When the direction value corresponds to a first direction value, a summer increases a reference signal by a step size. When the direction value corresponds to a second direction value different than the first direction value, the summer decrease the reference signal by the step size.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes a feedback loop to: change a direction value when a second current value is greater than a first current value, the second current value being obtained after the first current value; and maintain the direction value when the second current value is less than the first current value. When the direction value corresponds to a first direction value, a summer increases a reference signal by a step size. When the direction value corresponds to a second direction value different than the first direction value, the summer decrease the reference signal by the step size.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to efficiently transfer power wirelessly are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a feedback loop to when a second current value is greater than a first current value, change a direction value, the second current value being obtained after the first current value; when the second current value is less than the first current value, maintain the direction value; and a summer to when the direction value corresponds to a first direction value, increase a reference signal by a step size; and when the direction value corresponds to a second direction value different than the first direction value, decrease the reference signal by the step size.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to efficiently transfer power wirelessly are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a feedback loop to when a second current value is greater than a first current value, change a direction value, the second current value being obtained after the first current value; when the second current value is less than the first current value, maintain the direction value; and a summer to when the direction value corresponds to a first direction value, increase a reference signal by a step size; and when the direction value corresponds to a second direction value different than the first direction value, decrease the reference signal by the step size.

Abstract: A resonant power transfer system includes resonant circuitry (26) including an inductor coil (59) and a resonant capacitor (51) coupled to a first terminal (27) of the inductor coil, wherein the inductor coil and the resonant capacitor resonate to produce an excitation signal (IS) and a state variable signal (VCS1). Sub-sampling circuitry (30) samples first and second points of the state variable signal at a rate which is substantially less than the RF frequency of the state variable signal. Information recovery circuitry (32) produces a state variable parameter signal representing a parameter (A) of the state variable signal from information in the first and second sampled points. Control circuitry (38) produces a first control signal in response to the state variable parameter signal. Detection and optimization circuitry (41) produces a second control signal in response to the state variable parameter signal.

Abstract: Circuits for controlling a plurality of LEDs connected in series are disclosed herein. The circuit includes a plurality of switches, wherein each switch is connectable between the anode and cathode of one of the plurality of LEDs. Each of the switches has a first state wherein current does not pass through the switch and a second state wherein current passes through the switch. The circuit also includes an input for receiving data to program the switches and a data line for transferring data between a circuit controlling second LEDs that are connected in parallel with the first LEDs and the circuit. In addition, the circuit includes a data output for transferring data to other circuits controlling third LEDs that are connected in series with the first LEDs.

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes: a non-resonant transmitter, or a transmitter with a resonant circuit; and a non-resonant receiver, or a receiver with a resonant circuit. In some implementations, a transmitter with a resonant circuit is operated away from its resonance frequency. In some implementations, a receiver with a resonant circuit is operated away from the transmitter resonance frequency and/or the transmitter operating frequency. In some implementations, the selection of receiver resonance frequency is based on receiver power requirements. Thus, wireless power transfer may be accomplished by operating away from resonance in a quasi-resonant or non-resonant mode, and further may be accomplished using a non-resonant transmitter and/or a non-resonant receiver. Effective power transfer may also be achieved between a transmitter and multiple receivers. A combination of resonant and non-resonant transmitter and receiver(s) may be used for power transfer.

Abstract: A wireless charging system includes a transmitter with tunable reactive components (such as capacitance or inductance). A metric related to power transfer from the transmitter through a coil is used to determine an amount to modify a Parameter. One metric is equal to |Vs|·|Is|·cos(?)·(Vcoil_ref/Vcoil), where |Vs| is magnitude of the power source voltage, |Is| is magnitude of the power source current, ? is phase difference between the power source voltage and power source current, Vcoil_ref is a normalization value, and Vcoil is voltage across the coil. The transmitter can further include a phase tracking and adjustment loop (such as a phase-locked loop).

Abstract: A resonant power transfer system includes resonant circuitry (26) including an inductor coil (59) and a resonant capacitor (51) coupled to a first terminal (27) of the inductor coil, wherein the inductor coil and the resonant capacitor resonate to produce an excitation signal (IS) and a state variable signal (VCS1). Sub-sampling circuitry (30) samples first and second points of the state variable signal at a rate which is substantially less than the RF frequency of the state variable signal. Information recovery circuitry (32) produces a state variable parameter signal representing a parameter (A) of the state variable signal from information in the first and second sampled points. Control circuitry (38) produces a first control signal in response to the state variable parameter signal. Detection and optimization circuitry (41) produces a second control signal in response to the state variable parameter signal.

Abstract: A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system is provided. The solar panel array includes a string of solar panels and multiple voltage converters. Each voltage converter is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. The solar panel array also includes multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. Each MPPT controller is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. Each MPPT controller is configured to sense an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and an inverter.

Abstract: A system includes a master device and multiple slave devices. The system also includes multiple bus interfaces forming a communication bus that couples the master and slave devices. Each bus interface includes a primary interface unit configured to communicate over first and second buses, where the first and second buses form a portion of the communication bus. Each bus interface also includes a secondary interface unit configured to communicate with the primary interface unit and to communicate with one of the slave devices over a third bus. Each bus interface further includes an isolator configured to electrically isolate the primary interface unit and the secondary interface unit. The primary interface unit is configured to receive multiple commands over the first bus, execute a first subset of commands, transmit a second subset of commands over the second bus, and transmit a third subset of commands over the third bus.

Abstract: A transmitter includes an alternating current power source with tunable parameters. A tunable parameter may be capacitance, inductance, or frequency. A metric related to power transfer from the transmitter through a coil is used to determine an amount to modify a parameter. One metric is equal to |Vs|·|Is|·cos(?), where |Vs| is magnitude of the power source voltage, |Is| is magnitude of the power source current, and ? is phase difference between the power source voltage and power source current. Another metric is equal to |Vs|·|Is|·cos(?)·(Vcoil_ref/Vcoil), where |Vs| is magnitude of the power source voltage, |Is| is magnitude of the power source current, ? is phase difference between the power source voltage and power source current, Vcoil_ref is a normalization value, and Vcoil is voltage across the coil. The transmitter may further include a phase tracking and adjustment loop; for example, a phase-locked loop (PLL).

Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes: a non-resonant transmitter, or a transmitter with a resonant circuit; and a non-resonant receiver, or a receiver with a resonant circuit. In some implementations, a transmitter with a resonant circuit is operated away from its resonance frequency. In some implementations, a receiver with a resonant circuit is operated away from the transmitter resonance frequency and/or the transmitter operating frequency. In some implementations, the selection of receiver resonance frequency is based on receiver power requirements. Thus, wireless power transfer may be accomplished by operating away from resonance in a quasi-resonant or non-resonant mode, and further may be accomplished using a non-resonant transmitter and/or a non-resonant receiver. Effective power transfer may also be achieved between a transmitter and multiple receivers. A combination of resonant and non-resonant transmitter and receiver(s) may be used for power transfer.

Abstract: A system includes a master device and multiple slave devices. The system also includes multiple bus interfaces forming a communication bus that couples the master and slave devices. Each bus interface includes a primary interface unit configured to communicate over first and second buses, where the first and second buses form a portion of the communication bus. Each bus interface also includes a secondary interface unit configured to communicate with the primary interface unit and to communicate with one of the slave devices over a third bus. Each bus interface further includes an isolator configured to electrically isolate the primary interface unit and the secondary interface unit. The primary interface unit is configured to receive multiple commands over the first bus, execute a first subset of commands, transmit a second subset of commands over the second bus, and transmit a third subset of commands over the third bus.

Abstract: A solar panel array for use in a solar cell power system is provided. The solar panel array includes a string of solar panels and multiple voltage converters. Each voltage converter is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. The solar panel array also includes multiple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) controllers. Each MPPT controller is coupled to a corresponding solar panel in the string of solar panels. Each MPPT controller is configured to sense an instantaneous power unbalance between the corresponding solar panel and an inverter.