Abstract: A multiphase DC-DC converter includes multiple groups of first and second LLC power trains coupled in parallel which collectively provide an output voltage to a load. A voltage feedback control loop senses an output voltage for the LLC converter and generates an identical reference current signal for each of the multiple groups of power trains, the signals representing a reference current based on the sensed output voltage, wherein an active current sharing operation is provided between each of the groups. A local current control loop for each of the groups generates PWM control signals to each of the respective first and second power trains based on the reference current, the PWM control signals having an identical frequency but out of phase with respect to each other, wherein a passive current sharing operation is provided within each of the plurality of power groups.

Abstract: A slotted bobbin magnetic component device includes a bobbin having an elongated bobbin tube with transverse slots. One or more substantially flat electrically conductive winding inserts are inserted radially onto the bobbin tube via the transverse slots. At least one detent positioned on the winding insert secures the winding insert on the bobbin and prevents the winding insert from becoming misplaced relative to the bobbin. One or more flanges protruding from the bobbin engage one or more corresponding recesses on the winding insert to prevent angular movement of the winding insert relative to the bobbin. One or more primary conductive winding coils are disposed about the bobbin in the gaps between adjacent winding inserts, the coils being formed by axially winding numerous layers over each other in alternating axial winding directions.

Abstract: A method for clock recovery and data recovery from a data stream on a communication channel includes sampling a data stream on the communication channel at a sampling frequency determined by a clock signal and generating a sampled signal. The method further includes determining a phase shift between the communication data stream and the sampled signal and modifying the phase of the clock signal on the basis of the phase shift to obtain a desired phase difference between the sampled signal and the data stream.

Abstract: The multi-level DC/AC converter, comprising: an input (5,7) connectable to a direct voltage source (3), with a first connection (5) and a second connection (7) between which can be applied an input voltage (Vi); a half-bridge with a first controlled switch (21) and a second controlled switch (25) between which is positioned an output (U) of the converter; a first connecting branch (15) between the first controlled switch (21) and the first connection (5) and a second connecting branch (17) between the second controlled switch (25) and the second connection (7); a third controlled switch (59) associated to the first controlled switch (21), connectable in series to the first controlled switch to generate an output voltage exceeding a first limit value (Vi/2); a fourth controlled switch (61) associated to the second controlled switch (25), connectable in series to said second controlled switch to generate an output voltage below a second limit value (?Vi/2).

Abstract: A method for communication between nodes (UR1; UR2; UC1-UC16) of a network, interconnected by a transmission channel and each identified by a node identification number in which at least one transmitter node emits at least one message to at least one message recipient node. The message comprises a description of a path (PH) between the transmitter node which emits the message and the message recipient node. The path is defined by the node that emits the message via a sequence of node identification numbers along the path itself.

Abstract: The plant comprises: a DC-voltage electric power source (3), whose operating conditions vary as a function of at least one uncontrollable quantity, for each value of the uncontrollable quantity the source presenting a characteristic curve of the supplied power as a function of a controlled quantity, wherein each characteristic curve presents a maximum for an optimal value of said controlled quantity; a power conditioning circuit (5); a regulation loop (9) to adjust the controlled quantity maximizing the power supplied by the source when said uncontrollable quantity varies. The regulation loop is de-signed in such a way as to determine whether, for the actual value of said uncontrollable quantity, the actual value of the controlled quantity (V.in) is greater or lower than the optimal value and to generate a regulation signal (V.in-REF) to modify the actual value of the controlled quantity towards the optimal value.

Abstract: A communication method between a collecting unit (5) and a plurality of control devices (7i), each of which is associated with at least an electrical device 1(i) via the power line. Messages are exchanged between the collecting unit (5) and the control devices (7i), each of which contains at least: a progressive message number (Pr_N); an addressee identification number assigned to each control device and to the collecting unit. The messages are therefore addressable selectively to a specific control device via said addressee identification number.

Abstract: To protect a software to be transferred to programmable electronic devices, a management system for programmable electronic devices is provided, comprising: a plurality of electronic devices (57), each identified by at least one unique identification parameter (ID) and containing at least one encryption key (Key);—at least one protected site (41) in which a protected database (45) resides, in which the unique identification parameter (ID) and the encryption key (Key) are stored for each electronic device (57);—a server (49) programmed to receive a request for transmission of a software from a device (57) and to generate an encrypted version of said software, using the encryption key (Key) associated in the database (45) with the unique identification parameter (ID) of the device (57) that has requested the transmission of said software.

Abstract: The PWM modulating method comprises the following steps: detecting actual voltage values (Vc1, Vc1, Vc2, Vc3 . . . ) across bulk capacitors (C1, C2, C3) provided across input terminals of said inverter; calculating a duty cycle vector (D) based on electric parameters defining a rotating vector (V0) representing an output electric quantity required from the inverter; and modifying said duty cycle vector (D) as a function of said actual voltage values to re-balance said bulk capacitors.

Abstract: An energy conversion system and method perform active control of leakage current in multi-level grounded inverters. First and second subsystems each include positive and negative DC source terminals, at least first and second capacitors coupled between the positive and negative terminals to define a common bulk node for the respective subsystem, a DC/DC converter for regulating voltages across the capacitors, and an inverter. The inverters are coupled in parallel to an AC load. First and second grounding branches are homogenously coupled to terminals in the first and second subsystems, respectively, and to the same ground terminal. Control circuitry detects a leakage current value through the ground terminal, generates leakage current control signals for the respective DC/DC converters based at least in part on the detected leakage current value and a reference current value, and communicates the control signals to the DC/DC converters.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for controlling a streetlight lighting operation. The system includes a plurality of streetlights, pole controllers associated with one or more streetlights and segment controller for a set of streetlights. The segment controller is configured to generate control signals based on control criterion that are translated as commands to the pole controllers to operate the streetlights. The operation of streetlights includes switching on, switching off or dimming of the streetlights. The method described herein also includes receiving feedback from the pole controllers that is useful for monitoring and maintenance operations.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for managing energy consumption for efficient recording, monitoring, control of electricity or energy usage and payment collection for the same. The energy consumption recording method for managing energy consumption multiple host users, comprises steps for collating electricity meter data from each meter associated with the each host user, through a data concentrator unit, wherein the data concentrator unit comprises at least one sensor for each electricity source associated with the each meter. Method further includes a step for translating the electricity meter data from each meter into the meter indicative parameters for each host user, communicating these meter indicative parameters to a meter data management database, and recording the meter indicative parameters for each host user in the meter data management database.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising at least a motherboard (102) with a digital control unit (101), a plurality of resources (105, 106, 107, 108, 109), and at least one memory support (104) containing a firmware and able to hold an executable program. The firmware is able to carry out a virtualization of the resources of the electronic device, assigning virtual addresses to these resources. The executable program exchanges information or instructions with the electronic device by using these virtual addresses.

Abstract: A slotted bobbin magnetic component device includes a bobbin having an elongated bobbin tube with transverse slots. One or more substantially flat electrically conductive winding inserts are inserted radially onto the bobbin tube via the transverse slots. At least one detent positioned on the winding insert secures the winding insert on the bobbin and prevents the winding insert from becoming misplaced relative to the bobbin. One or more flanges protruding from the bobbin engage one or more corresponding recesses on the winding insert to prevent angular movement of the winding insert relative to the bobbin. One or more primary conductive winding coils are disposed about the bobbin in the gaps between adjacent winding inserts, the coils being formed by axially winding numerous layers over each other in alternating axial winding directions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for bidirectional communications between a master device and one or more slave devices. Each slave device is coupled to first and second opto-isolators which are effective to provide galvanic isolation of the slave device from the master device. An encoder circuit is coupled between the master device and the first opto-isolators. A decoder circuit is coupled between the master device and the second opto-isolators. The master device generates transmissions to the slave devices along a first low logic path including the encoder and the first opto-isolators, wherein the decoder and the second opto-isolators are non-responsive to signals on the first path. The slave devices generate transmissions to the master device along a second low logic path including the second opto-isolators and the decoder, wherein the encoder and the first opto-isolators are non-responsive to signals on the second path.

Abstract: A trimmable inductor assembly is provided for optimal balancing of phase currents in a multi-phase resonant converter. A magnetic device includes first and second core portions defining an outer edge of the device having a first axis, and further defining a first air gap. A bracket is positioned proximate the outer edge of the device and a magnetic plate is coupled to the bracket, with the magnetic plate and the second core portion defining a second air gap. A positioning device is coupled to the bracket and is responsive to control signals based on a detected phase current imbalance to drive the bracket and the magnetic plate between a first position defining a minimum air gap for the assembly and a second position defining a maximum air gap for the assembly.

Abstract: A method is described for assigning addresses to a plurality of electronic devices connected to a shared communication channel, in which, upon being turned on, each device generates and assigns itself an address included in a set containing a number of addresses that is equal to or greater than the number of devices connected to said channel.

Abstract: A power conversion system and method includes a DC-DC converter and an auxiliary circuit configured to ensure that a minimum input voltage is provided to the DC-DC converter during power interruption and for at least a predetermined hold-up time period. The auxiliary circuit includes an energy storage device, an auxiliary energy source for charging the energy storage device, and a clamping circuit to limit the energy stored by the energy storage device to a threshold voltage. A discharge time of the energy storage device from the threshold voltage to the minimum voltage thereby exceeds the predetermined hold-up time, but is only incrementally greater such that the size of the energy storage device is substantially reduced. The auxiliary energy source may typically be a current source, with the clamping circuit being control logic effective to disable the current source as a voltage across the storage device approaches the threshold.

Abstract: The multi-phase inverter modulating method provides for calculating a duty cycle vector (D) calculated as a function of electric parameters defining a rotating vector (Vo) representative of an output electric quantity required from the inverter, is multiplied for a stored modulation matrix to obtain a plurality of duty cycle signals for a plurality of electronic switches of said inverter.

Abstract: The system provides for one or more photovoltaic panels (3) or other energy sources, connected to a series of inverters (5) in parallel, the outputs of which are connected to a load (Z) and/or to an electricity distribution grid (7). One of the inverters operates as master unit and generates a power control signal in order to track the maximum power point that can be obtained from the panels (3). The other inverters operate as slave units. The control is performed so that all the inverters absorb a variable quantity of power according to the fluctuations in the power available at the output of the photovoltaic panels (3) or other source subject to fluctuations.