Including Electron Discharge Device Patents (Class 332/111)
  • Patent number: 8351480
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation method for controlling the output power of a pulsed gas discharge laser powered by a pulsed RF power supply comprises delivering a train of digital pulses to the RF power supply. Each pulse in the train has an incrementally variable duration. The power supply is arranged to deliver a train of RF pulses corresponding in number and duration to the train of digital pulses received. The average power in the RF-pulse train can be varied by incrementally varying the duration of one or more of the digital pulses in the digital pulse train. The train of RF pulses is used to power a gas discharge laser. The gas discharge laser outputs a pulse train corresponding to the RF pulse train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventor: David John Allie
  • Patent number: 8319570
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for generating, in an envelope tracking modulator of a mobile radio transmission apparatus, a pulse width modulated, PWM, signal representing a time-varying signal, the method comprising, for each time cycle: a) generating a rising ramp from a first voltage level to a second voltage level; b) generating a falling ramp from the second voltage level to the first voltage level; c) detecting a rising slope of the time-varying signal crossing the falling ramp and responsive thereto if the PWM signal is at the first voltage level, transitioning the PWM signal to the second voltage signal; d) detecting a falling slope of the time-varying signal crossing the rising ramp, and responsive thereto if the PWM signal is at the second voltage level, transitioning the PWM signal to the first voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Nujira Limited
    Inventor: Martin Paul Wilson
  • Patent number: 8310319
    Abstract: An example two-way integrator includes a first current source, a second current source, a first offset current source, a second offset current source, a capacitor, a switching reference and a comparator. The capacitor integrates a sum of a first input current and a first offset current by charging with both the first current source and the first offset current source. The capacitor subsequently integrates a sum of the second input current and the second offset current by discharging with both the second current source and the second offset current source. The switching reference outputs a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage responsive to pulses of a pulse signal. The comparator is coupled to compare the switching reference with a voltage on the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Power Integrations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Edward Liu, Giao Minh Pham
  • Patent number: 8253507
    Abstract: A fixed-frequency control circuit and method detect the difference between the frequency of a pulse width modulation signal and a target frequency to adjust a current used to determine the on-time or off-time of the pulse width modulation signal, such that the frequency of the pulse width modulation signal is stable at the target frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chien-Fu Tang, Isaac Y Chen
  • Publication number: 20110085575
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation method for controlling the output power of a pulsed gas discharge laser powered by a pulsed RF power supply comprises delivering a train of digital pulses to the RF power supply. Each pulse in the train has an incrementally variable duration. The power supply is arranged to deliver a train of RF pulses corresponding in number and duration to the train of digital pulses received. The average power in the RF-pulse train can be varied by incrementally varying the duration of one or more of the digital pulses in the digital pulse train. The train of RF pulses is used to power a gas discharge laser. The gas discharge laser outputs a pulse train corresponding to the RF pulse train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Coherent, Inc.
    Inventor: David John ALLIE
  • Patent number: 7751471
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) Regulator System with automatically switching pulse skipping mode (PSM) is disclosed. The PWM regulator system comprises a PWM regulator, a PSM switching module and a pulse generator. The PWM regulator converts the input voltage by PWM. The PSM switching module determines to enter or exit the PSM. The pulse generator adaptively produces pulse signal for the switching regulator to operate in PSM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kwan-Jen Chu, Chung-Lung Pai, Po-Shun Chung, Jing-Meng Liu
  • Patent number: 7746926
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) Regulator System with automatically switching pulse skipping mode (PSM) is disclosed. The PWM regulator system comprises a PWM regulator, a PSM switching module and a pulse generator. The PWM regulator converts the input voltage by PWM. The PSM switching module determines to enter or exit the PSM. The pulse generator adaptively produces pulse signal for the switching regulator to operate in PSM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Kwan-Jen Chu, Chung-Lung Pai, Po-Shun Chung, Jing-Meng Liu
  • Patent number: 7224727
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for encoding and/or decoding signals. The encoding apparatus includes a variable impedance being coupled with an encoder. The variable impedance establishes a select voltage at the encoder. The encoder is further coupled with an input signal, wherein the encoder generates a modulated output as dictated by the select voltage. The decoding apparatus includes an integrator, a comparator and at least a first variable impedance. The integrator couples with the comparator, and is configured to receive an encoded signal and to generate an average DC voltage, such that the comparator receives the average DC voltage. The first variable impedance coupled with the comparator, and dictates a first limit such that the comparator receives the first limit. The comparator is configured to generate a decoded signal if the average DC voltage is at least equal to the first limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Micrel, Incorporated
    Inventor: Raymond D. Zinn
  • Patent number: 6583678
    Abstract: The invention concerns an electric circuit and a method for pulse modulation of a carrier signal (10). The circuit comprises a pulse generator for generating a current pulse and at least one diode switch (12) which can be controlled by the current pulse. To modulate the carrier signal (10) with a particularly short pulse with a clear, square envelope (21), using as simple and inexpensive a circuit as possible, the invention proposes that the circuit comprises at least one chargeable capacitive element (C) whose discharge current controls the at least one diode switch (12). The capacitive element (C) is formed e.g. as a capacitor. The capacitive element (C) is charged with a charging voltage (UL) via a charging resistance (R). Switching of a transistor (18) initiates the discharging process and a current pulse is generated for controlling the diode switch (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Schalter und Sensoren GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Künzer
  • Patent number: 5739711
    Abstract: A circuit suitable for use in a regulated bi-directional output power supply requiring controlled transitions between states, such as in a Battery Polarity Switch is provided to utilize many of the same circuit components in regulating both opposing polarities of the output signal. An exemplary circuit achieves use of a single error amplifier and pulse width modulator circuit to obtain both positive and negative regulation of the battery polarity switch output, along with controlled transition between the two states. In a specific embodiment a logic inverter allows the single pulse width modulator to control in both directions. A ramped reference fed to the error amplifier allows the same amplifier to control the transitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yehoshua Mandelcorn