Abstract: An arrangement of a mother circuit board and daughter circuit boards in a power instrument improves current and voltage capabilities. A mother board is mounted to a base panel of an enclosure, and a number of daughter boards are attached to and extend from the mother board. Each daughter board has substantially identical circuitry and produces substantially the same amount of current. The daughter boards together provide a total output current equal to a sum of each individually generated current. The amount of power generated by the instrument can be increased by attaching additional daughter boards to the mother board. The total current produced by the daughter boards is provided to and output from the mother board via a low inductance output path. The low inductance output path ensures that a sudden increase in current does not result in a large voltage spike that adversely affects instrument operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for converting carbon dioxide and treating waste material using a high energy electron beam are disclosed. For example, carbon dioxide and an aqueous reaction solution having a reactant can be combined to form an aqueous reaction mixture, and the aqueous reaction mixture can then be subjected to a high energy electron beam that initiates a reaction between carbon dioxide and the reactant to form a reaction product. Solid or liquid waste material can be treated by, for example, combining carbon dioxide and a solid or liquid waste material having a reactant and then subjecting the carbon dioxide and solid or liquid waste material having a reactant to a high energy electron beam to initiate a reaction between the carbon dioxide and the reactant to form a reaction product.

Abstract: A 1-wire communication protocol and interface circuitry for communication between a host controller and a LED driver is provided. The 1-wire communication protocol is configured such that both PWM signals and DC current setting commands for programming the LED driver may be transmitted from the host controller to the LED driver via the same 1-wire interface. The 1-wire communication protocol uses the length of the pulses (pulse width), rather than the number of pulses, to distinguish between different modes of communication (PWM signal transmission mode or command pulse transmission mode) and different commands of the same type (specific DC current programming commands, or specific average PWM drive current for the LED, within each transmission mode). Because the same 1-wire interface is used for transmitting both PWM signals and DC current commands, integrated circuits for the host controller and the LED driver do not require an additional wire or pin.

Abstract: A power device includes a semiconductor chip provided over a substrate, and a patterned lead. The patterned lead includes a raised portion located between a main portion and an end portion. At least part of the raised portion is positioned over the semiconductor chip at a larger height than both the main portion and the end portion. A bonding pad may also be included. The end portion may include a raised portion, bonded portion, and connecting portion. At least part of the bonded portion is bonded to the bonding pad and at least part of the raised portion is positioned over the bonding pad at a larger height than the bonded portion and connecting portion. The end portion may also include a plurality of similarly raised portions.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting signals includes a transformer having an input side and an output side, the input side having a first end and a second end. A first transistor is coupled to the first end of the transformer, the first transistor being configured to provide a first signal to the first end in response to an input signal transitioning to a first state. A second transistor is coupled to the second end of the transformer; the second transistor being configured to provide a second signal to the second end in response to the input signal transitioning to a second state. The output side is configured to output differential signals according to the first and second signals applied to the transformer.

Abstract: A solar cell device includes a solar cell section configured to output a first voltage upon receiving light. A charge pump circuit includes a first charge pump. The first charge pump includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is configured to receive the first voltage from the solar cell section, and the second terminal is configured to output a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. An output section is configured to receive an output voltage output by the charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit is formed on a single semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A trench structure of an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is formed as a trench net in a P region and extends into an N? layer. The trench net separates the P region into P wells and floating P layers. The P wells contact an emitter electrode while the floating P layers are not in direct contact with the emitter electrode. A gate formed of conductive material and having a surrounding insulation oxide layer is formed in the trench net. An N+ layer may be formed above each floating P layer under the gate. The floating P layers are isolated from the gate and are also not connected to the emitter electrode.

Abstract: A usage pattern identifies time periods when an electrical apparatus is likely to be powered-up or not in use. Power provided to an electrical apparatus is increased during time periods that the electrical apparatus is likely to be powered-up. Similarly, the power provided to the electrical apparatus is reduced or removed during time periods that the electrical apparatus is likely to be out of use or idle. The usage pattern is continually updated and refined by collecting usage data during user interaction with the electrical apparatus.

Abstract: A power supply circuit, comprising a first reverse blocking transistor coupled to an AC power line; a second reverse blocking transistor coupled to the AC power line; a first inductor provided between the first reverse blocking transistor and the AC power line and configured to store energy; a first diode having a first terminal that is coupled to one end of the first inductor; a first capacitor having a terminal that is coupled to a second terminal of the first diode; and a first output terminal provided between the first diode and the first capacitor. The first and second transistors are arranged in an anti-parallel configuration and together define an AC switch.

Abstract: A solar cell device includes a solar cell section configured to output a first voltage upon receiving light. A charge pump circuit includes a first charge pump. The first charge pump includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is configured to receive the first voltage from the solar cell section, and the second terminal is configured to output a second voltage that is higher than the first voltage. An output section is configured to receive an output voltage output by the charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit is formed on a single semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a solar cell configured to provide energy to recharge a power source such as a battery. The power source is coupled to a control circuit of the medical device and provides power to the circuit. The solar cell may be coupled to the power source via a wire and may be distanced from a housing of the medical device. The solar cell may also be attached to the housing or may be disposed in the housing. The medical device may be implanted in the body of a host such that a surface of the solar cell is provided under a layer of skin of the host. The translucent property of skin allows the solar cell to receive light or infrared radiation from outside the body. The solar cell converts the received energy and provides the converted energy to the power source for recharging.

Abstract: An over-voltage protection device includes a substrate including an upper surface and a lower surface; a first electrode provided on the upper surface of the substrate; a second electrode provided on the lower surface on the substrate; a first conductive layer overlying the lower surface of the substrate, the first conductive region being a conductive region of a first type; a plurality of first conductive regions provided proximate the upper surface of the substrate, the plurality of first conductive regions being conductive regions of the first type; and a plurality of second conductive region provided proximate the upper surface of the substrate, the plurality of second conductive region being conductive regions of a second type. The plurality of the first conductive regions are provided in an alternating manner with the plurality of second conductive regions. The first electrode is contacting the plurality of the first and second conductive regions.

Abstract: A heating circuit includes a first heating coil provided adjacent to an object to be heated. A first capacitor is provided in parallel to the first heating coil, the first capacitor being a resonant component. An inductor is coupled to the first heating coil and the first capacitor.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) generator comprises a first half bridge including first and second power transistors; a second half bridge including first and second power transistors; an RF output node coupling output nodes of the first and second half bridges, the output node outputting RF signals to a load; positive and negative rails coupled to a power source; and a first commutation inductor provided to store energy to commutate at least one of the half bridges.

Abstract: A heating circuit for heating a conductive bowl includes a voltage source; a first heating coil provided between first and second nodes and being configured to heat the conductive bowl; a second heating coil provided between the second node and a third node and being configured to heat the conductive bowl; first capacitor and first switch provided in parallel between the first node and a fourth node; and second capacitor and second switch provided in parallel between the third node and the fourth node. The first and second heating coils define a circle-like shape having a center. The first and second heating coils are configured to be aligned to each other if one of the first and second heating coils is moved with respect to a line extending through the center of the circle-like shape.

Abstract: A circuit for sensing a current includes a first upper resistor having a first end coupled to a first end of a sense resistor, the sense resistor being configured to receive an input current. A second upper resistor has a first end coupled to a second end of the sense resistor, so that the sense resistor defines a first potential between the first and second ends of the sense resistor. A first lower resistor is provided between the first upper resistor and the ground. A second lower resistor is provided between the second upper resistor and the ground. An amplifier has a first input node and a second input node, the first input node being coupled to a node between the first upper resistor and the first lower resistor. The second input node is coupled to a node between the to the second upper resistor and the second lower resistor. The first and second input nodes defines a second potential corresponding to the first potential.

Abstract: A power device includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode provided within an active region of a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity type. A vertical diffusion region of second conductivity is provided at a periphery the active region. The vertical diffusion region extends continuously from a top surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the substrate. The vertical diffusion region includes an upper portion having a first depth and a lower portion having a second depth that is substantially greater than the first depth.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and circuitry for protecting a circuit during hot-swap events. Hot swap protection circuitry includes as overcurrent detection circuit which decouples power from a load. Circuitry is provided to detect ground-fault conditions. Noise detection circuitry is provided to reduce noise in the power that is delivered to the load.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel; and a backlight panel provided below the display panel and defining a plurality of regions. A first array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is provided along a first direction, each LED of the first array being coupled to a first line. A driver is coupled to the first line to drive the LEDs coupled to the first line. A second array of LEDs is provided along a second direction, each LEDs of the second array being coupled to a second line. A lighting condition of the regions defined by the backlight panel is controlled by turning on or off the LEDs.

Abstract: A method for forming a high voltage semiconductor power device comprises providing a first dopant source of first conductivity on an upper surface of a substrate of second conductivity. A second dopant source of first conductivity is provided on a lower surface of the substrate. The substrate is annealed for a first given time to drive the dopants from the first and second dopants sources into the substrate. The first and second dopant sources are removed from the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate. The substrate is annealed for a second given time to homogenize dopant concentration within the substrate after the first and second dopant sources have been removed, where the annealing the substrate for the second given time results in out-diffusion of dopants proximate the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.