Abstract: The invention relates to a voltage regulator having a differentiating circuit and an amplifier, the differentiating circuit being designed to detect a voltage at the voltage regulator connection and to provide it as a differentiated signal at its differentiating output, and the amplifier being designed to inject a compensation signal dependent on the differentiated signal into an input connection of an output circuit of the voltage regulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a relay controller (500) for controlling an excitation current of a relay (300), wherein the relay controller (500) is designed, upon the energization of the relay (300) by means of a switch (210, 211, 221), to control the excitation current through the excitation winding (310) of the relay (300) in such a way that through the excitation winding (310) there flows firstly a pull-in current and, after a pull-in time has elapsed, through the excitation winding there flows a holding current that is lower than the pull-in current, and wherein the relay controller (500) is designed, upon the switching-off of the relay by means of the switch (210, 211, 221), to feed a commutation current that flows through the excitation winding (310) to the commutation device (400) through the first terminal (501) and through the second terminal (502) of the relay controller (500).

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus including a power semiconductor device and a processor coupled thereto. The processor is configured to provide a control signal to the power semiconductor device to regulate an output characteristic of the apparatus. The processor models an internal characteristic of the power semiconductor device and alters the control signal if the modeled internal characteristic crosses a threshold value. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal characteristic is a channel temperature of a MOSFET. A sensor such as a thermistor is coupled to or included within the processor to sense a parameter separate from the power semiconductor device, such as a processor temperature, and the processor is configured to adapt the modeled internal characteristic to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus including a power semiconductor device and a processor coupled thereto. The processor is configured to provide a control signal to the power semiconductor device to regulate an output characteristic of the apparatus. The processor models an internal characteristic of the power semiconductor device and alters the control signal if the modeled internal characteristic crosses a threshold value. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal characteristic is a channel temperature of a MOSFET. A sensor such as a thermistor is coupled to or included within the processor to sense a parameter separate from the power semiconductor device, such as a processor temperature, and the processor is configured to adapt the modeled internal characteristic to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: A power switch circuit for driving an airbag squib module has a power transistor, a pre-charge capacitance for storing a charge, a charging circuit and a controllable energy-coupling element. The power transistor has a first electrode, a second electrode and a control electrode. A path between the first electrode and the second electrode is connected in series with the airbag squib module between a supply potential and a reference potential. The charging circuit charges the pre-charge capacitance and the charging circuit is therefore coupled with the pre-charged capacitance. The controllable energy coupling element is connected between a first electrode of the pre-charge capacitance and the control electrode of the power transistor. The power switch exhibits a high degree of stability, allows a fast switching of the power transistor and further has an advantageous transient response.

Abstract: High-side switch arrangement having a switching transistor, the collector of which is connected to a battery connection of the high-side switch arrangement and the emitter of which is connected to an output connection of the high-side switch arrangement, an actuating transistor, the emitter of which is connected to the battery connection of the high-side switch arrangement and the collector of which is connected to the base of the switching transistor, and a diagnosis transistor, the emitter of which is connected to the battery connection of the high-side switch arrangement and the collector of which is connected to the output connection of the high-side switch arrangement, wherein the diagnosis transistor has a saturation collector for sensing the saturation current of the diagnosis transistor.

Abstract: Circuit and method for controlling a high bridge circuit with increased efficiency is disclosed. Circuitry is provided outputting gating signals to a high side driver and a low side driver responsive to a time varying input signal. A frequency measurement circuit determines a high speed mode when the input signal is at a frequency above a threshold, and the gating signal to the high side driver is inhibited. When the input signal frequency is below the threshold, the low side driver and the high side driver gating signals switch alternately. In an exemplary implementation, the frequency measurement circuit is provided as two counters outputting signals to a decision circuit which controls the half bridge circuit. Methods are provided for efficiently providing gating signals to the drivers of a half bridge circuit based upon the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: A protection arrangement for a power semiconductor component made of a plurality of cells, in which a current sensor made of a current sense transistor and current sense resistors and also a temperature sensor, is disclosed. The current sense transistor and the temperature sensor are provided in a gap or in different gaps between the cells, while the current sense resistor is fitted directly on at least one cell. The temperature sensor may, include a plurality of stages which are located from the center of the power semiconductor component to an edge of the latter in the gap between two cells.

Abstract: A circuitry comprises a converter means for generating an alternating current signal from an energy from an energy source, a piezo transformer with an input and an output, wherein the input of the piezo transformer is electrically coupled to the converter means, to receive the alternating current signal as an excitation on the input side from the converter means, and wherein the output of the piezo transformer is designed to provide an output current, and a load, which is coupled to the output of the piezo transformer, so that output current flows through the same. The load is designed to convert at least part of the electrical energy supplied by the output current flowing through the load into another form of energy. The load is further designed such that a useful power provided in the form of useful energy is substantially proportional to the output current. The circuitry is designed to adjust the output current to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A power supply circuit is disclosed herein comprising a load current path for connecting a load which has a switching element. The power supply circuit also includes a current sensor for providing a current measurement signal dependent on a current through the load current path. A drive circuit is also included which provides a clocked drive signal with a number of drive cycles, in each case having an on period and an off period, for the switching element. A temperature sensor arrangement with a temperature sensor is provided for determining an environmental temperature in the area of the temperature sensor, which provides a temperature measurement signal dependent on the environmental temperature. The clocked drive signal is dependent on the current measurement signal and the temperature measurement signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to drivers and methods for driving devices, comprising at least one functional unit at least one of which is adapted to deduce a device parameter of an electronic device from a terminal parameter of the electronic device.

Abstract: Circuit and method for controlling a high bridge circuit with increased efficiency is disclosed. Circuitry is provided outputting gating signals to a high side driver and a low side driver responsive to a time varying input signal. A frequency measurement circuit determines a high speed mode when the input signal is at a frequency above a threshold, and the gating signal to the high side driver is inhibited. When the input signal frequency is below the threshold, the low side driver and the high side driver gating signals switch alternately. In an exemplary implementation, the frequency measurement circuit is provided as two counters outputting signals to a decision circuit which controls the half bridge circuit. Methods are provided for efficiently providing gating signals to the drivers of a half bridge circuit based upon the frequency of the input signal.

Abstract: High-side switch arrangement having a switching transistor, the collector of which is connected to a battery connection of the high-side switch arrangement and the emitter of which is connected to an output connection of the high-side switch arrangement, an actuating transistor, the emitter of which is connected to the battery connection of the high-side switch arrangement and the collector of which is connected to the base of the switching transistor, and a diagnosis transistor, the emitter of which is connected to the battery connection of the high-side switch arrangement and the collector of which is connected to the output connection of the high-side switch arrangement, wherein the diagnosis transistor has a saturation collector for sensing the saturation current of the diagnosis transistor.

Abstract: A method of controlling pest termites. A vibrational signal which is perceptible to and behaviourally influential upon the pest termites is generated, and coupled into a medium for perception by the pest termites. Repellent termite alarm signals may be utilised. A new type of foraging signal is disclosed and may be applied to lure termites to a bait.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to an apparatus including a power semiconductor device and a processor coupled thereto. The processor is configured to provide a control signal to the power semiconductor device to regulate an output characteristic of the apparatus. The processor models an internal characteristic of the power semiconductor device and alters the control signal if the modeled internal characteristic crosses a threshold value. In an exemplary embodiment, the internal characteristic is a channel temperature of a MOSFET. A sensor such as a thermistor is coupled to or included within the processor to sense a parameter separate from the power semiconductor device, such as a processor temperature, and the processor is configured to adapt the modeled internal characteristic to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a relay controller (500) for controlling an excitation current of a relay (300), wherein the relay controller (500) is designed, upon the energization of the relay (300) by means of a switch (210, 211, 221), to control the excitation current through the excitation winding (310) of the relay (300) in such a way that through the excitation winding (310) there flows firstly a pull-in current and, after a pull-in time has elapsed, through the excitation winding there flows a holding current that is lower than the pull-in current, and wherein the relay controller (500) is designed, upon the switching-off of the relay by means of the switch (210, 211, 221), to feed a commutation current that flows through the excitation winding (310) to the commutation device (400) through the first terminal (501) and through the second terminal (502) of the relay controller (500).

Abstract: A driver circuit driving at least a first light emitting diode. The driver circuit includes: a first bypass current source coupled in parallel to the first light emitting diode. The first bypass current source and the first light emitting diode form a first parallel circuit. A main current source is coupled in series with the first parallel circuit. A first regulator unit is configured to control a first bypass current of the first bypass current source.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas purification system. Intake air throttling is carried out in order to raise an exhaust gas temperature in a low-load mode and in a traction mode. The amount of intake air throttling is determined as function of an expected load demand so that, with an expected unchanged or decreasing load demand, an increased or maximum possible intake air throttling is set. With an expected rising load demand, however, no or reduced intake air throttling is set, and the expected load demand is estimated based on operating and ambient parameters of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A power supply circuit is disclosed herein comprising a load current path for connecting a load which has a switching element. The power supply circuit also includes a current sensor for providing a current measurement signal dependent on a current through the load current path. A drive circuit is also included which provides a clocked drive signal with a number of drive cycles, in each case having an on period and an off period, for the switching element. A temperature sensor arrangement with a temperature sensor is provided for determining an environmental temperature in the area of the temperature sensor, which provides a temperature measurement signal dependent on the environmental temperature. The clocked drive signal is dependent on the current measurement signal and the temperature measurement signal.

Abstract: A method of balancing a movable rotating object having multiple radial projections, such as a ceiling fan, the method comprising the steps of: attaching to a non-rotating portion of the object a source that emits a focused light, directing the focused light at a target, and then attaching a weight to a location on one of the rotating projections. Then observing the orbit traced by the light source on the target, changing the location of the weight to another location on one of the radial projections, and then observing the change in the orbit on the target.