Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply that automatically switches between a voltage regulation mode and an over current protection mode, as needed. The power supply includes a voltage regulator that generates a first control voltage for applying to the control terminal of a pass transistor during a voltage regulation mode to maintain an output voltage at a desired voltage level. The power supply includes a current limiter that generates a second control voltage for applying to the control terminal of the pass transistor during an over current protection mode to prevent an output current from rising above a maximum output current limit. The power supply includes additional circuitry that detects when over current protection is required and automatically switches the control voltage applied to the control terminal from the first control voltage to the second control voltage or vice versa, as necessary. Also disclosed is an associated power supply method.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to a dc-dc converter control circuit and methods of manufacture. The structure includes a dynamic pulse width modulation (PWM) circuit which converts a sense voltage to a variable current in response to a load current being above a predetermined threshold, and a ramp generator circuit which receives the variable current from the dynamic PWM circuit and dynamically adjusts a fixed base frequency of a PWM signal to a dynamic frequency of the PWM signal which corresponds with the load current.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply that automatically switches between a voltage regulation mode and an over current protection mode, as needed. The power supply includes a voltage regulator that generates a first control voltage for applying to the control terminal of a pass transistor during a voltage regulation mode to maintain an output voltage at a desired voltage level. The power supply includes a current limiter that generates a second control voltage for applying to the control terminal of the pass transistor during an over current protection mode to prevent an output current from rising above a maximum output current limit. The power supply includes additional circuitry that detects when over current protection is required and automatically switches the control voltage applied to the control terminal from the first control voltage to the second control voltage or vice versa, as necessary. Also disclosed is an associated power supply method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of optical pulse emission including three phases. During a first phase, a capacitor is charged from a supply voltage node. During a second phase, a voltage stored on the capacitor is boosted, and then the capacitor is at least partially discharged through a light emitting device. During a third phase, the capacitor is further discharged by bypassing the light emitting device. The third phase may begin prior to an end of the second phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a power supply that automatically switches between a voltage regulation mode and an over current protection mode, as needed. The power supply includes a voltage regulator that generates a first control voltage for applying to the control terminal of a pass transistor during a voltage regulation mode to maintain an output voltage at a desired voltage level. The power supply includes a current limiter that generates a second control voltage for applying to the control terminal of the pass transistor during an over current protection mode to prevent an output current from rising above a maximum output current limit. The power supply includes additional circuitry that detects when over current protection is required and automatically switches the control voltage applied to the control terminal from the first control voltage to the second control voltage or vice versa, as necessary. Also disclosed is an associated power supply method.

Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current convertors arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of optical pulse emission including three phases. During a first phase, a capacitor is charged from a supply voltage node. During a second phase, a voltage stored on the capacitor is boosted, and then the capacitor is at least partially discharged through a light emitting device. During a third phase, the capacitor is further discharged by bypassing the light emitting device. The third phase may begin prior to an end of the second phase.

Abstract: An optical pulse emitter includes a light emitting device having a first node coupled to an intermediate node via a first switch. The intermediate node is coupled to a supply voltage node via a second switch. A capacitor is coupled to the intermediate node. The first, second and third switches are controlled by a control circuit. During a first phase, the second switch is actuated to couple the capacitor to the supply voltage node. During a second phase, the second switch is deactuated and the first switch is actuated to at least partially discharge the capacitor through the light emitting device. During a third phase, discharge current from the capacitor bypasses around the light emitting device.

Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current convertors arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.

Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current converters arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.

Abstract: A pixel array includes pixels arranged in columns. A pair of column lines is provided for each column of pixels. A current source circuit is coupled to each pair of column lines. The current source circuit provides current to the pair of column lines in a first mode of operation such that when one column line in a pair of column lines is being provided with a first current the other column line in the pair of column lines is being provided with a second current which is less than the first current.

Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current convertors arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.

Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current converters arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.

Abstract: An optical pulse emitter includes a light emitting device having a first node coupled to an intermediate node via a first switch. The intermediate node is coupled to a supply voltage node via a second switch. A capacitor is coupled to the intermediate node. The first, second and third switches are controlled by a control circuit. During a first phase, the second switch is actuated to couple the capacitor to the supply voltage node. During a second phase, the second switch is deactuated and the first switch is actuated to at least partially discharge the capacitor through the light emitting device. During a third phase, discharge current from the capacitor bypasses around the light emitting device.

Abstract: A device such as a laser diode is provided with a monitoring arrangement. The monitoring arrangement has voltage to current converters arranged to provide respectively currents which are proportional to the respective voltages on an anode and on a cathode of the laser diode. The monitoring arrangement provides a first output signal when the laser diode is on too long. That output signal is used to cause the laser diode to be switched off.

Abstract: A pixel array includes pixels arranged in columns. A pair of column lines is provided for each column of pixels. A current source circuit is coupled to each pair of column lines. The current source circuit provides current to the pair of column lines in a first mode of operation such that when one column line in a pair of column lines is being provided with a first current the other column line in the pair of column lines is being provided with a second current which is less than the first current.