Abstract: A method is proved for pinpointing a short-circuit in a wide-range air/fuel sensor having one or more sensor-terminals that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The method includes controlling a connection of a source of electric current to the one or more sensor-terminals; determining one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals; and determining a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of source of electric current and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a fuel injector control system includes a driver that is configured to supply electrical power to a fuel injector. A controller is configured to control the driver by implementing a predetermined sequence of a plurality of states for an injection cycle. The plurality of states each include parameters for supplying electrical power to the fuel injector. The controller selects one of the states to implement as a next one of the states in the sequence based on a characteristic of an activation signal and information indicative of the state corresponding to the characteristic of the activation signal.

Abstract: A short-circuit pinpointing device for testing a wide-range air/fuel sensor includes a current-sink and a controller. The current-sink is selectively connectable to one or more of sensor-terminals of a wide-range air/fuel sensor that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The controller is in communication with the current-sink and the sensor-terminals. The controller controls the connection of the current-sink to the one or more sensor-terminals. The controller also determines one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals. The controller also determines a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of the current-sink and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a fuel injector control system includes a driver that is configured to supply electrical power to a fuel injector. A controller is configured to control the driver by implementing a predetermined sequence of a plurality of states for an injection cycle. The plurality of states each include parameters for supplying electrical power to the fuel injector.

Abstract: An illustrative embodiment of a fuel injector control system includes a driver that is configured to supply electrical power to a fuel injector. A controller is configured to control the driver according to a predetermined sequence of states for an injection cycle. The plurality of predefined states each include parameters for supplying electrical power to a fuel injector. Each of the states has a corresponding plurality of test parameters. At least one of the test parameters is a target parameter for the state. During each of the states, the controller determines whether at least one of the test parameters is met and determines how to control the driver for a subsequent portion of the injection cycle based on which of the test parameters is met.

Abstract: A short-circuit pinpointing device for testing a wide-range air/fuel sensor includes a current-sink and a controller. The current-sink is selectively connectable to one or more of sensor-terminals of a wide-range air/fuel sensor that include a reference-terminal, a pump-terminal, a return-terminal, and a tag-terminal. The controller is in communication with the current-sink and the sensor-terminals. The controller controls the connection of the current-sink to the one or more sensor-terminals. The controller also determines one or more status-values based on signals present at the sensor-terminals. The controller also determines a sensor-status of the wide-range air/fuel sensor based on the connection of the current-sink and the one or more status-values.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method is for controlling a switch. The switch is used to charge a capacitor that provides an output voltage. The switch has an inductor on an input side between a power source and the switch. The method includes: initiating a switching cycle including turning on the switch, sensing a voltage representing current through the inductor, using a reference voltage as a basis for turning off the switch during the switching cycle when the sensed voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and setting an initial value of the reference voltage at a beginning of the switching cycle based on at least one feature of an activation of the switch during at least one previous switching cycle.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method is for controlling a switch. The switch is used to charge a capacitor that provides an output voltage. The switch has an inductor on an input side between a power source and the switch. The method includes: initiating a switching cycle including turning on the switch, sensing a voltage representing current through the inductor, using a reference voltage as a basis for turning off the switch during the switching cycle when the sensed voltage exceeds the reference voltage, and setting an initial value of the reference voltage at a beginning of the switching cycle based on at least one feature of an activation of the switch during at least one previous switching cycle.

Abstract: A controller includes a high-side circuit, a low-side circuit, a level-shift circuit, and a data-validation circuit. The high-side circuit is referenced to an offset-voltage reference that is offset voltage-wise relative to a ground reference of the controller. The low-side circuit is operable to output a control signal for the high-side circuit. The control signal is referenced to the ground reference. The level-shift circuit is configured to output a shifted signal to the high-side circuit that is referenced to the offset-voltage reference and based on the control signal. The data-validation circuit is configured to receive the shifted signal, determine a first value of the shifted signal at a first instant, determine a second value of the shifted signal at a second instant different in time from the first instant, and validate the shifted signal based on a determination that the first value and the second value correspond.

Abstract: A controller includes a high-side circuit, a low-side circuit, a level-shift circuit, and a data-validation circuit. The high-side circuit is referenced to an offset-voltage reference that is offset voltage-wise relative to a ground reference of the controller. The low-side circuit is operable to output a control signal for the high-side circuit. The control signal is referenced to the ground reference. The level-shift circuit is configured to output a shifted signal to the high-side circuit that is referenced to the offset-voltage reference and based on the control signal. The data-validation circuit is configured to receive the shifted signal, determine a first value of the shifted signal at a first instant, determine a second value of the shifted signal at a second instant different in time from the first instant, and validate the shifted signal based on a determination that the first value and the second value correspond.

Abstract: A liquid metal rotary connector for a vehicle steering mechanism utilizes a conductive alloy comprising Gallium, Indium, Tin and Zinc to electrically couple stationary and rotary terminals of the connector. The alloy is a liquid at ambient temperatures, and has a melting point of ?36° C., though testing has shown that it operates satisfactorily at temperatures as low as ?40° C. In a preferred arrangement, the rotary connector provides a two-wire connection through which power is supplied from the steering column to the steering wheel, and electronic modules located in the steering column and the steering wheel support bi-directional data communication through voltage and current modulation of the supplied power.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is provided for an integrated circuit. In an aspect, a dynamic region having doped regions is formed on an epitaxy layer and substrate, and interconnects contact the dynamic region. In an aspect, the dynamic region operates as a back-to-back SCR that snaps back in both positive and negative voltage directions. In an aspect the dynamic region operates as an SCR that snaps back in a positive voltage direction and operates as a simple diode in a negative voltage direction. In another aspect, the dynamic region operates as an SCR that snaps back in a negative voltage direction and operates as a simple diode in a positive voltage direction. ESD protection over an adjustable and wide positive and negative voltage range is provided by varying widths and positioning of various doping regions. Breakdown voltages, critical voltages and critical currents are independently controlled.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with negative potential protection includes at least one double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (DMOS) cell formed in a first-type epitaxial pocket, which is formed in a second-type substrate. The IC also includes a second-type+ isolation ring formed in the substrate to isolate the first-type epitaxial pocket and a first-type+ ring formed through the first-type epitaxial pocket between the second-type+ isolation ring and the DMOS cell.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) with negative potential protection includes a switch, a gate drive circuit and a comparator. The switch includes a double-diffused metal-oxide semiconductor (DMOS) cell formed in a first-type epitaxial pocket, which is formed in a second-type substrate. The switch also includes a second-type+ isolation ring formed in the substrate to isolate the first-type epitaxial pocket. An output of the gate drive circuit is coupled across a gate and a source of the switch. An output of the comparator is coupled to a second input of the gate drive circuit and a first input of the comparator receives a reference signal. A second input of the comparator is coupled to the epitaxial pocket. The comparator provides a turn-on signal that causes the switch to conduct current, when a signal at the second input of the comparator is below the reference signal.

Abstract: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection is provided for an integrated circuit. In an aspect, a dynamic region having doped regions is formed on an epitaxy layer and substrate, and interconnects contact the dynamic region. In an aspect, the dynamic region operates as a back-to-back SCR that snaps back in both positive and negative voltage directions. In an aspect the dynamic region operates as an SCR that snaps back in a positive voltage direction and operates as a simple diode in a negative voltage direction. In another aspect, the dynamic region operates as an SCR that snaps back in a negative voltage direction and operates as a simple diode in a positive voltage direction. ESD protection over an adjustable and wide positive and negative voltage range is provided by varying widths and positioning of various doping regions. Breakdown voltages, critical voltages and critical currents are independently controlled.

Abstract: A protection device for handling energy transients includes a plurality of basic unit Zener diodes connected in series to achieve a desired breakdown voltage. Each of the basic unit Zener diodes is formed in a first-type substrate. Each of the basic unit Zener diodes comprises a second-type well formed in the substrate, a second-type Zener region formed in the second-type well and a first-type+ region formed over the second-type Zener region between a first and second second-type+ region.

Abstract: An integrated driver with improved load current sense capability includes a first transistor, a first amplifier, a second transistor, a third transistor, a second amplifier and a fourth transistor. The integrated driver allows for significantly better fault handling capability, provides accurate thermal and current sensing capability and reduces I/O pin count over prior designs.

Abstract: A metal runner that improves the current-carrying capability of solder bumps used to electrically connect a surface-mount circuit device to a substrate. The runner comprises at least one leg portion and a pad portion, with the pad portion having a continuous region and a plurality of separate electrical paths leading to and from the continuous region. The electrical paths are delineated in the pad portion by nonconductive regions defined in the pad portion, with at least some of the nonconductive regions extending into the leg portion. The multiple electrical paths split the current flow to and from the solder bump, distributing the current around the perimeter of the solder bump in a manner that reduces current density in regions of the solder bump where electromigration is most likely.

Abstract: A metal runner that improves the current-carrying capability of solder bumps used to electrically connect a surface-mount circuit device to a substrate. The runner comprises at least one leg portion and a pad portion, with the pad portion having a continuous region and a plurality of separate electrical paths leading to and from the continuous region. The electrical paths are delineated in the pad portion by nonconductive regions defined in the pad portion, with at least some of the nonconductive regions extending into the leg portion. The multiple electrical paths split the current flow to and from the solder bump, distributing the current around the perimeter of the solder bump in a manner that reduces current density in regions of the solder bump where electromigration is most likely.

Abstract: An improved modular igniter package designed for bus communication with a central control module has an internal bridge element that is electrically accessible for factory testing of the bridge element. Temporary electrical interconnects internal to the igniter package electrically couple the bridge element to a pair of external bus communication terminals, enabling direct access to the bridge element by factory test equipment for accurate measurement of electrical parameters such as electrical resistance and thermal capacitance. Following measurement of the electrical parameters, the temporary interconnects are electrically destroyed, isolating the bus communication terminals from the bridge element. The temporary interconnects are preferably in the form of a pair of metal fuse elements, which are electrically destroyed by electrical currents passing through the fuse elements and respective diodes coupling the bridge element to a ground terminal of the igniter package.