Patents by Inventor Russell Apfel
Russell Apfel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9413174Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: Atonometrics, Inc.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Russell Apfel, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin, Naoum Gitnik, Jason Schneider
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Publication number: 20160204737Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: ATONOMETRICS, INC.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Russell Apfel, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin, Naoum Gitnik, Jason Schneider
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Publication number: 20130181736Abstract: An apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of solar panels (photovoltaic modules) wherein the apparatus measures current versus voltage (“I-V”) relationships for both illuminated (“light I-V”) and/or non-illuminated (“dark I-V”) conditions; optionally provides single, dual, or four-quadrant source/sink capability; and measures one or more devices under test (DUTs). The apparatus comprises one or more source measurement units (SMUs), wherein each SMU is connected to one DUT, and optionally includes a positive high-voltage programmable power supply and/or a negative high-voltage programmable power supply. Additionally, the apparatus includes a controller which controls the functions of the SMUs, the high-voltage supplies, and other components of the apparatus, wherein the controller communicates with the SMUs over a signal bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: ATONOMETRICS, INC.Inventors: Michael Gostein, Russell Apfel, Lawrence R. Dunn, Stan Faullin, Naoum Gitnik, Jason Schneider
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Patent number: 7964992Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a circuit device includes a plurality of programmable voltage regulator circuits adapted to produce one or more unique power supplies. Each programmable voltage regulator circuit includes a power supply output terminal and a base regulator circuit module that has multiple configurable parameters to support a plurality of regulator configurations. The base regulator circuit module includes a plurality of leads. Each programmable voltage regulator circuit further includes selected circuitry coupled to the plurality of leads and to the power supply output terminal. The selected circuitry is adapted to cooperate with the base regulator circuit module to provide a selected type of regulator circuit and to apply a power supply to the power supply output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Patent number: 7791221Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a circuit device is disclosed that includes a power sourcing equipment (PSE) circuit having a plurality of high-voltage line circuits adapted to communicate with a respective plurality of powered devices via network cables. The PSE circuit includes a serial interface circuit and includes a common controller coupled to the serial interface circuit and to the plurality of high-voltage line circuits. The circuit device also includes a low-voltage circuit having a programmable controller adapted to transmit control signals to the common controller via the serial interface circuit to control operation of the plurality of high-voltage line circuits.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Publication number: 20070263332Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a rectifier circuit, at least one low power element, and a power protection element. The rectifier circuit includes two inputs to receive an input power supply and includes two outputs to provide a rectified power supply related to the input power supply. The low-power circuit element is coupled between the two outputs. The power protection element is coupled between the two output terminals. In a first mode of operation, the power protection element presents a high impedance to the two output terminals. In a second mode of operation, the power protection element has a first power protection characteristic. In a third mode of operation, the power protection element has a second power protection characteristic. The power protection element is adapted to shut down the low-power circuit element when in the third mode of operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2006Publication date: November 15, 2007Applicant: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Patent number: 7260210Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for implementing an unbalanced subscriber line interface circuit with built-in ring circuit. A signal to be conditioned is received. An unbalanced output buffering function is performed upon the signal to be conditioned using an unbalanced buffering circuit. Performing the unbalanced output buffering function includes switching between a plurality of power supplies to maintain a predetermined maximum voltage across a plurality of devices relating to the unbalanced buffering circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Legerity, Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Patent number: 7254229Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for performing an active impedance feedback. A signal is received. An active feedback synthesis is performed based upon the signal. Performing the active feedback synthesis includes using an active feedback network for conditioning an output signal and performing a signal summation of at least two components of the conditioned output signal for feedback.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Legerity, Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Publication number: 20070171690Abstract: A circuit has a diode bridge, a sensed circuit element, and a controller. The diode bridge includes a plurality of diodes and at least one diode bypass element associated with at least one of the plurality of diodes. The controller determines an electrical parameter of the sensed circuit element and generates a control signal to activate the at least one diode bypass element in response to determining the electrical parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: July 26, 2007Applicant: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Publication number: 20070170903Abstract: A powered device includes a diode bridge, a sensed circuit element, and a controller. The diode bridge has a plurality of diodes and at least one bypass element. The diode bridge has a first input terminal and a second input terminal coupled to at least one pair of wires of a powered system. The pair of wires to provides power and data. The controller generates a control signal to selectively activate the at least one bypass element in response to a sensed electrical parameter of the sensed circuit element within the powered device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2006Publication date: July 26, 2007Applicant: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Publication number: 20040174990Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for performing an active impedance feedback. A signal is received. An active feedback synthesis is performed based upon the signal. Performing the active feedback synthesis includes using an active feedback network for conditioning an output signal and performing a signal summation of at least two components of the conditioned output signal for feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Publication number: 20040174985Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for implementing an unbalanced subscriber line interface circuit with built-in ring circuit. A signal to be conditioned is received. An unbalanced output buffering function is performed upon the signal to be conditioned using an unbalanced buffering circuit. Performing the unbalanced output buffering function includes switching between a plurality of power supplies to maintain a predetermined maximum voltage across a plurality of devices relating to the unbalanced buffering circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventor: Russell Apfel
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Publication number: 20040174992Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for using a single power supply in a dual mode fashion. A ringing signal is received. A waveform power supply signal based upon the ringing signal. An unbalanced output buffering function upon the signal to be conditioned using an unbalanced buffering circuit. Performing the unbalanced output buffering function includes switching between a plurality of power levels of the waveform power supply signal to maintain a predetermined maximum voltage across a plurality of devices relating to the unbalanced buffering circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2003Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventor: Russell Apfel