Abstract: A Vertical Power MOSFET (VDMOS) device with special features that enable the Power MOSFET or IGBT device to withstand harsh radiation environments and the process of making such a device is described. All implanted and diffused layers are “self aligned” to a “Sacrificial Poly” layer, which later on is removed, preparing the wafers for a “late gate” oxide to be grown. A starting material with graded doping profile in the epitaxial layer on the substrate is shown to increase the SEB capability of the Power MOSFET.

Abstract: A lighting circuit constituted of: a single dimming input; a pulse width modulation acceptance circuit arranged to convert a pulse width modulated dimming signal received at the single dimming input into a local dimming signal, the local dimming signal exhibiting a predetermined format; an analog voltage level acceptance circuit arranged to convert an analog voltage dimming signal received at the single dimming input into the local dimming signal exhibiting the predetermined format; and a luminaire driving circuit responsive to the local dimming signal.

Abstract: A high voltage power semiconductor device includes high reliability-high voltage junction termination with a charge dissipation layer. An active device area is surrounded by a junction termination structure including one or more regions of a polarity opposite the substrate polarity. A tunneling oxide layer overlays the junction termination area surrounding the active device area in contact with the silicon substrate upper surface. A layer of undoped polysilicon overlays the tunneling oxide layer and spans the junction termination area, with connections to an outer edge of the junction termination structure and to a grounded electrode inside of the active area. The tunneling oxide layer has a thickness that permits hot carriers formed at substrate upper surface to pass through the tunneling oxide layer into the undoped polysilicon layer to be dissipated but sufficient to mitigate stacking faults at the silicon surface.

Abstract: An LED driver arrangement wherein a low voltage IC is arranged to sample the voltage at a terminal of each of the respective electronically controlled switches controlling a plurality of LED strings each receiving power from a single source, with the single source providing voltage in excess of the voltage rating of the IC. For each electronically controlled switch a controllable current source and an isolating unidirectional electronic valve is provided, the respective current source being enabled only when the respective associated electronically controlled switch is at least partially closed thereby ensuring that the respective isolating unidirectional electronic valve associated with the respective illuminating LED string conducts, and the voltage at the terminal of the respective electronically controlled switch is thus seen by the IC when the associated LED string is producing illumination, the voltage then being lower than the maximum voltage rating of the IC.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing voltage comparison adapted to operate at high-speeds and over a relatively large range of supply voltages.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for providing a communication system for handling pulse information. Embodiments of the invention provide a pulse shaping unit operable to avoid saturation of the pulse transformer, while being easily incorporated into IC processes. Some embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide a two-to-three level driver unit for converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal for driving a pulse transformer. Other embodiments of the pulse shaping unit provide components configured to differentially drive a pulse transformer, effectively converting a two-level input voltage signal to a three-level driver signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described for both power and control signal transmission through a single coupled inductor. A current driver generates a cyclical current signal on a primary winding of a coupled inductor, to induce a voltage signal at the secondary winding corresponding to the cyclical current signal. A rectifier module is coupled with the secondary winding and configured to rectify the signal induced at the secondary winding. A control timing signal module is coupled with the primary winding and configured to induce voltage pulses on the secondary winding, the induced voltage pulses having an insubstantial impact on the output of the rectifier module. A switching module coupled with the secondary winding is configured to receive the voltage pulses and control a switching signal for a power switch coupled with the output of the rectifier and provide power to a load coupled with the output of the rectifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for assessing at least one property of a target soil responsive to a first a first microwave signal, constituted of: a detector; a probe arranged to be embedded in the target soil; and a coupler arranged to couple a first portion of the first microwave signal to the first end of the probe, and to couple a second portion of the generated first microwave signal as a microwave reference signal to a reference input of the detector; the detector arranged to square each of the microwave signal exiting the probe and the microwave reference signal and to output a phase difference signal indicative of the phase difference between the squared probe output microwave signal and the squared microwave reference signal; and a control circuitry coupled to the output of the detector and arranged to output an irrigation control signal responsive to the phase difference signal.

Abstract: A hysteretic power converter wherein an additional adjustment circuit, implemented as an offset correction loop, adds an offset to the comparator detection function to reduce the difference between the average output voltage and the regulation set point voltage. The adjustment circuit lies outside the main hysteretic regulation loop and therefore does not substantially impact the response time of the hysteretic loop, and is slow acting responsive to a low pass filter.

Abstract: A system and method for autonomous concealed object detection and threat assessment. Image data is received from a millimeter wave imaging device comprising at least one scan of a scene. The image data is enhanced thereby creating enhanced image data comprising a plurality of enhanced image pixels. The enhanced image data is evaluated thereby identifying at least one subject within the enhanced image data. The subject is separated from a background within the enhanced image data. The contrast of the subject is enhanced within the enhanced image data. Concealed physical objects associated with the subject within the enhanced contrast image data are detected, thereby detecting at least one concealed object associated with the subject. A representation of the subject and the concealed physical object is displayed on a display device.

Abstract: A SiC Power Semiconductor device of the Field Effect Type (MOSFET, IGBT or the like) with “muted” channel conduction, negative temperature coefficient of channel mobility, in situ “ballasted” source resistors and optimized thermal management of the cells for increased Safe Operating Area is described. Controlling the location of the Zero Temperature Crossover Point (ZTCP) in relationship to the drain current is achieved by the partition between the “active” and “inactive” channels and by adjusting the mobility of the carriers in the channel for the temperature range of interest. The “Thermal management” is realized by surrounding the “active” cells/fingers with “inactive” ones and the “negative” feedback of the drain/collector current due to local increase of the gate bias is achieved by implementing in-situ “ballast” resistors inside of each source contact.

Abstract: A junction device driver is provided that includes a current regulator, an inductor coupled with the current regulator, and a switching module coupled with the inductor. The current regulator is configured to generate a current, and the inductor is configured to store energy generated by the current produced by the current regulator. The switching module is configured to control a conduction current for a gate of a junction device. The conduction current is generated, initially, from the stored energy of the inductor to thereby provide a relatively high initial current. As the energy stored in the inductor is discharged, the current level drops to a lower level that is sufficient to maintain the junction device in an “on” state.

Abstract: An arrangement wherein a plurality of LED strings are driven with a balanced drive signal, i.e. a drive signal wherein the positive side and negative side are of equal energy over time, is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the drive signal is balanced responsive to a capacitor provided between a switching network and a driving transformer. Balance of current between various LED strings is provided by a balancing transformer.

Abstract: A hysteretic power converter constituted of: a switched mode power supply; a hysteretic comparator, a first input of the comparator arranged to receive a feedback signal providing a representation of the output voltage of the switched mode power supply and a second input of the comparator arranged to receive a reference voltage; a ramp capacitor coupled to one of the first and second input of the comparator; a current source, a terminal of the current source coupled to the ramp capacitor and arranged to drive current to the ramp capacitor; and a switchable current source, a terminal of the switchable current source coupled to the ramp capacitor, the switchable current source arranged to drive current to the ramp capacitor in a direction opposite the current driven by the current source, wherein the switchable current source is alternately enabled and disabled responsive to the output of the hysteretic comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus for LED string short circuit detection constituted of: a constant current drive circuit; a plurality of LED strings, a first end of each of the plurality of LED strings coupled to a common output of the constant current drive circuit; a first sense resistor coupled between a second end of each of the plurality of LED strings and a chassis; a second sense resistor coupled between the chassis and a return of the constant current drive circuit; and a comparing circuit arranged to compare the amount of current flow through the first sense resistor with amount of current flow through the second sense resistor, the comparing circuit arranged to assert a fault signal in the event that the amount of current flow through the second sense resistor exceeds the current flow through the first sense resistor by a predetermined minimum value.

Abstract: An RF package includes a substrate mountable on a base plate, a non-conductive cover overlying the substrate, and quasi-serpentine stepped source leads attached to an upper surface of the substrate and extending from at least one of a pair of opposite sides of the upper surface of the substrate to tapered lower surfaces of the cover. The cover includes a recess to receive the substrate. The recess includes stress distribution surface areas to engage and press outer edge portions of opposite sides of the substrate against a base plate or heat sink. The tapered lower surfaces of the cover engage with and press against the stepped source leads when securing the RF package to the base plate or heat sink using one or more fasteners or bolts. The cover includes structural features to improve preferential deformation when a mounting force is applied.

Abstract: A power supply arrangement constituted of: an isolated power supply having a primary side and a secondary side, the secondary side electrically isolated from the primary side; a common mode choke having a first winding and a second winding wound on a common core, the common mode choke coupled between the primary side of the isolated power supply and an AC mains; and a shielding surrounding the common mode choke, the shielding coupled to a common potential of the secondary side of the isolated power supply.

Abstract: A backlight system for light emitting diodes (LEDs), the backlight system constituted of: a controllable power source; a plurality of LED based luminaires arranged to receive power in parallel from the controllable power source; a plurality of driving circuitries, each of the plurality of driving circuitries arranged to control the light output of at least two of the plurality of LED based luminaires and further arranged to output information regarding the voltage drop of at least one of the at least two LED based luminaires controlled thereby, wherein the controllable power source is arranged to output a voltage whose value is responsive to the output information.

Abstract: A handheld communication device having an RF front end module has a switchable balun comprising a primary winding having a first two port winding and a second two port winding where a low noise amplifier is operatively coupled to the first and second two port windings and a power amplifier is operatively coupled to the first and second two port windings. A secondary winding is operatively coupled to an antenna, and a transceiver is operatively coupled to the low noise amplifier and the power amplifier. When the switchable balun is in a receive state, the antenna is operatively coupled to the transceiver through the low noise amplifier, and when the switchable balun is in a transmit state, the antenna is operatively coupled to the transceiver through the power amplifier. The ratio of the primary winding to the secondary winding is greater than a one-to-one ratio.