Abstract: A system comprises an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: an upper phase controller configured to store upper phase data; a lower phase controller configured to store lower phase data; and a data coherence interface providing a communication interface between the upper phase controller and the lower phase controller for data coherence between the stored upper phase data and the stored lower phase data.

Abstract: A system comprises an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a galvanic isolator separating a high voltage area from a low voltage area; a low voltage phase controller in the low voltage area, the low voltage phase controller configured to receive a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal from an inverter controller and adjust the received PWM signal based on a feedback signal; and a high voltage phase controller in the high voltage area, the high voltage phase controller configured to receive the adjusted PWM signal from the low voltage phase controller, provide the adjusted PWM signal to a phase switch, and provide the feedback signal based on an on-time measurement of the phase switch.

Abstract: A system includes: an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a power switch including a drain terminal, a source terminal, and a gate terminal; and one or more controllers configured to: receive one or more signals related to an operation of the power switch, update one or more state definitions based on the received one or more signals, and control a gate control signal to the gate terminal based on the updated one or more state definitions.

Abstract: A system comprises: an inverter configured to convert DC power from a battery to AC power to drive a motor, wherein the inverter includes: a point-of-use controller configured to: detect a fault; determine a fault type of the detected fault from among n fault types; determine a fault response group to which the determined fault type belongs from among m fault response groups; encode the determined fault response group; and transmit the encoded fault response group via a communication interface; and a phase controller configured to: receive the encoded fault response group from the point-of-use controller via the communication interface; determine the fault response group; decode the determined fault response group; and output the decoded fault response group.

Abstract: A method for fail-safe resolver excitation includes generating a resolver excitation signal and providing the resolver excitation signal to an input of a first resolver control circuit and to an input of a second resolver control circuit. The method also includes, in response to the first resolver control circuit detecting a fault in the resolver excitation signal provided to the first resolver control circuit: biasing, using the first resolver control circuit, a first resolver amplifier; and communicating, via a communication bus between the first resolver control circuit and the second resolver control circuit, an indication to the second resolver control circuit that the first resolver control circuit detected the fault in the resolver excitation signal provided to the first resolver control circuit.

Abstract: A method for fail-safe resolver excitation includes generating a resolver excitation signal and providing the resolver excitation signal to an input of a first resolver control circuit and to an input of a second resolver control circuit. The method also includes, in response to the first resolver control circuit detecting a fault in the resolver excitation signal provided to the first resolver control circuit: biasing, using the first resolver control circuit, a first resolver amplifier; and communicating, via a communication bus between the first resolver control circuit and the second resolver control circuit, an indication to the second resolver control circuit that the first resolver control circuit detected the fault in the resolver excitation signal provided to the first resolver control circuit.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor is in a system including compensator circuitry connected to the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor includes a pump cell and the compensator circuitry includes a feedback control loop which includes a digital compensator which determines and outputs a compensation current to the pump cell or adjusts a pump cell voltage. A method of controlling the oxygen sensor includes, subsequent to a period of time when the feedback control loop is disrupted, pumping a balancing current into or out the pump cell for a balancing time interval, the balancing current and/or the balancing time interval is dependent on a current pumped into or out of the pump cell prior to the feedback control loop being disrupted.

Abstract: A method of operating an oxygen sensor system is provided where the system includes an oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor including a pump cell, and wherein the oxygen sensor is connected to associated circuitry such that the associated circuitry controls operation of the pump cell. The pump cell includes a pump line connected to a pump electrode of the pump cell and a return line connected to a return electrode of the pump cell. The method includes, subsequent to a diagnostic process, raising the potential of the pump line for a predetermined period of time by injecting current onto the pump line.

Abstract: An oxygen sensor is in a system including compensator circuitry connected to the oxygen sensor. The oxygen sensor includes a pump cell and the compensator circuitry includes a feedback control loop which includes a digital compensator which determines and outputs a compensation current to the pump cell or adjusts a pump cell voltage. A method of controlling the oxygen sensor includes, subsequent to a period of time when the feedback control loop is disrupted, pumping a balancing current into or out the pump cell for a balancing time interval, the balancing current and/or the balancing time interval is dependent on a current pumped into or out of the pump cell prior to the feedback control loop being disrupted.

Abstract: A method of operating an oxygen sensor system is provided where the system includes an oxygen sensor, the oxygen sensor including a pump cell, and wherein the oxygen sensor is connected to associated circuitry such that the associated circuitry controls operation of the pump cell. The pump cell includes a pump line connected to a pump electrode of the pump cell and a return line connected to a return electrode of the pump cell. The method includes, subsequent to a diagnostic process, raising the potential of the pump line for a predetermined period of time by injecting current onto the pump line.

Abstract: A controller configured to detect fault conditions in a circuit that operates an electrical-load includes a gate-driver and a voltage-detector. The gate-driver is configured to control a gate-current to a switching-device. The gate-current is controlled such that the switching-device is operated in a linear-state when the switching-device transitions from an on-state to an off-state. The voltage-detector is configured to determine a voltage-drop across the switching-device. The controller is configured to indicate a no-fault condition when the voltage-drop is greater than a voltage-threshold for more time than a no-fault interval after the switching device is operated from the on-state to the linear-state.

Abstract: A controller configured to detect fault conditions in a circuit that operates an electrical-load includes a gate-driver and a voltage-detector. The gate-driver is configured to control a gate-current to a switching-device. The gate-current is controlled such that the switching-device is operated in a linear-state when the switching-device transitions from an on-state to an off-state. The voltage-detector is configured to determine a voltage-drop across the switching-device. The controller is configured to indicate a no-fault condition when the voltage-drop is greater than a voltage-threshold for more time than a no-fault interval after the switching device is operated from the on-state to the linear-state.

Abstract: An inductive ignition circuit, comprising a secondary winding across a spark plug and a primary winding in series with a lossy transistor switch and a power source, is subject to ringing at the start of the dwell period which can cause premature combustion. Ringing is suppressed by a short switch turn on pulse followed by a short delay prior to the main dwell period, causing a beginning build up of primary current and circuit energy followed by absorption of energy in the switch during switching to dissipate circuit energy needed for oscillation. Preferably, the short pulse is terminated when all the ringing energy is stored in the leakage inductance of the ignition coil.