Abstract: A computing device includes signal generation circuitry and also includes a location on the computing device that is operative to couple a signal generated by the signal generation circuitry into a user. For example, the computing device includes signal generation circuitry that generates a signal that includes information corresponding to a user and/or an application that is operative within the computing device. The signal generation circuitry couples the signal into the user from a location on the computing device based on a bodily portion of the user being in contact with or within sufficient proximity to the location on the computing device that facilitates coupling of the signal into the user. Also, the signal may be coupled via the user to another computing device that includes a touchscreen display that is operative to detect and receive the signal.

Abstract: A low voltage drive circuit includes a transmit digital to analog circuit that converts transmit digital data into analog outbound data by: generating a DC component; generating a first oscillation at a first frequency; generating a second oscillation at the first frequency; and outputting the first oscillation or the second oscillation on a bit-by-bit basis in accordance with the transmit digital data to produce an oscillating component, wherein the DC component is combined with the oscillating component to produce the analog outbound data, and wherein the oscillating component and the DC component are combined to produce the analog outbound data. A drive sense circuit drives an analog transmit signal onto a bus, wherein the analog outbound data is represented within the analog transmit signal as variances in loading of the bus at the first frequency and wherein analog inbound data is represented within an analog receive signal as variances in loading of the bus at a second frequency.

Abstract: A high resolution analog to digital converter (ADC) with improved bandwidth senses an analog signal (e.g., a load current) to generate a digital signal. The ADC operates based on a load voltage produced based on charging of an element (e.g., a capacitor) by a load current and a digital to analog converter (DAC) output current (e.g., from a N-bit DAC). The ADC generates a digital output signal representative of a difference between the load voltage and a reference voltage. This digital output signal is used directly, or after digital signal processing, to operate an N-bit DAC to generate a DAC output current that tracks the load current. In addition, quantization noise is subtracted from the digital output signal thereby extending the operational bandwidth of the ADC. In certain examples, the operational bandwidth of the ADC extends up to 100s of kHz (e.g., 200-300 kHz), or even higher.

Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.

Abstract: A load sensing circuit includes a load coupled to a load source having a load voltage that causes a load signal to flow through the load. A regulated sink circuit is coupled in series to a sink source and the load, and provides a sink voltage. A comparison circuit a reference signal that establishes a reference value of a second electrical characteristic at a reference input; a sense input is coupled to the load and to the regulated sink circuit. The regulated sink circuit regulates the first electrical characteristic of the load signal, based on a regulation signal, so that a sense value of the second electrical characteristic present at the sense input matches the reference value of the second electrical characteristic. A comparison signal is generated at an output of the comparison circuit, and indicates a difference between the sense value of the second electrical characteristic and the reference value of the second electrical characteristic.

Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.

Abstract: A passive device includes a non-conductive housing including an upper and lower housing section, a conductive section housed in the upper housing section, and a pressure assembly housed in the lower housing section. The pressure assembly includes a compressible conductor, a mounting structure coupled to the compressible conductor and the upper housing section, a conductive contact coupled to the compressible conductor and the conductive section, and a firm spherical conductor. The firm spherical conductor includes an upper contact point for contact with the compressible conductor and a lower contact point for contact with the touchscreen. When z-direction pressure is applied on the firm spherical conductor, the compressive conductor compresses against the upper contact point. Compression of the compressive conductor increases surface area between the firm spherical conductor and the compressive conductor. The increase in surface area increases the capacitance of the passive device.

Abstract: A touchscreen display includes one or more display drivers coupled to an active matrix display and one or more touch controllers coupled to one or more touch sensor conductors. The one or more display drivers are coupled to the active matrix display via active matrix conductive components. When enabled, the one or more display drivers is configured to transmit a first signal to the active matrix display in accordance with display operation. A touch sensor conductor includes one or more segments of the active matrix conductive components. When enabled, a touch controller of the one or more touch controllers is configured to transmit a second signal via the touch sensor conductor in accordance with touchscreen operation that is performed concurrently with the display operation.

Abstract: A touch sensor system includes touch sensors, drive-sense circuits (DSCs), memory, and a processing module. A DSC drives a first signal via a single line coupling to a touch sensor and simultaneously senses, when present, a second signal that is uniquely associated with a user. The DSC processes the first signal and/or the second signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor. The processing module executes operational instructions (stored in the memory) to process the digital signal to detect interaction of the user with the touch sensor and to determine whether the interaction of the user with the touch sensor compares favorably with authorization. When not authorized, the processing module aborts execution of operation(s) associated with the interaction of the user with the touch sensor. Alternatively, when authorized, the processing module facilitates execution of the operation(s).

Abstract: A touch sensor system includes touch sensors, drive-sense circuits (DSCs), memory, and a processing module. A DSC drives a first signal via a single line coupling to a touch sensor and simultaneously senses, when present, a second signal that is uniquely associated with a user. The DSC processes the first signal and/or the second signal to generate a digital signal that is representative of an electrical characteristic of the touch sensor. The processing module executes operational instructions (stored in the memory) to process the digital signal to detect interaction of the user with the touch sensor and to determine whether the interaction of the user with the touch sensor compares favorably with authorization. When not authorized, the processing module aborts execution of operation(s) associated with the interaction of the user with the touch sensor. Alternatively, when authorized, the processing module facilitates execution of the operation(s).

Abstract: A passive pen for interaction with a touch screen, wherein the passive pen includes a housing, a conductive section, a fixed conductive z-direction mounting section coupled to the conductive section, a moveable conductive z-direction mounting section, a variable capacitor positioned between the fixed conductive z-direction mounting section and the moveable conductive z-direction mounting section, and a conductive tip coupled to the moveable conductive z-direction mounting section. When the user is in contact with the conductive section, a capacitive connection is established between the conductive section and the user's body. The variable capacitor has a compressive property. Pressure on the conductive tip creates a z-direction force operable to move the moveable conductive z-direction mounting section in the z-direction. Movement of the moveable conductive z-direction mounting section compresses the variable capacitor against the fixed conductive z-direction mounting section.

Abstract: A touch screen display includes a display, a video graphics processing module, electrodes integrated into at least a portion of the display, and drive-sense circuits coupled to the electrodes. The drive-sense circuits, when enabled and concurrent with the display rendering frames of data into the visible images, detect changes in electrical characteristics of electrodes. At least some drive-sense circuits monitor sensor signals on at least some electrodes. A sensor signal includes a drive signal component and a receive signal component. The at least some drive-sense circuits generate the drive signal components of the sensor signals. The receive signal component is a representation of a change in an electrical characteristic of an electrode of the at least some electrodes when a corresponding drive signal component is applied to the electrode. The change in the electrical characteristic of the electrode is indicative of a proximal touch to the touch screen display.

Abstract: A pacemaker system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to a pacemaker lead. The DSC generates a pace signal including electrical impulses based on a reference signal. The DSC provides the pace signal via the pacemaker lead to an electrically responsive portion of a cardiac conductive system of a subject to facilitate cardiac operation of a cardiovascular system of the subject. The DSC senses, via the pacemaker lead, cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is generated in response to the pace signal and electrically coupled into the pacemaker lead and generates a digital signal that is representative of the cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is sensed via the pacemaker lead. The DSC provides digital information to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory and that provide the reference signal to the DSC.

Abstract: A pacemaker system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to a pacemaker lead. The DSC generates a pace signal including electrical impulses based on a reference signal. The DSC provides the pace signal via the pacemaker lead to an electrically responsive portion of a cardiac conductive system of a subject to facilitate cardiac operation of a cardiovascular system of the subject. The DSC senses, via the pacemaker lead, cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is generated in response to the pace signal and electrically coupled into the pacemaker lead and generates a digital signal that is representative of the cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is sensed via the pacemaker lead. The DSC provides digital information to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory and that provide the reference signal to the DSC.

Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.

Abstract: A digital decimation filtering circuit of an analog to digital conversion circuit includes an n-tap anti-aliasing filter operable to receive a 1-bit analog to digital converter (ADC) output signal at an oversampling rate and filter the 1-bit ADC output signal to remove frequencies higher than a selected cut-off frequency to produce an n-bit filtered signal at a first data output rate. The digital decimation filtering circuit further includes a decimator operable to receive the n-bit filtered signal at the first data output rate, decimate the n-bit filtered signal by a decimation factor to produce a set of output signals, and sum the set of outputs to produce a decimated signal at a second data output rate. The first data output rate is greater than the second data output rate.

Abstract: A batteryless wireless sensor system includes a data acquisition system, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, and a batteryless wireless sensor device. The RF transceiver is in communication with the data acquisition system, transmits a RF signal, and receives sensor data and provide the sensor data to the data acquisition system. The batteryless wireless sensor device includes a RF transmitter, an analog to digital converter (ADC), and a sensor. The batteryless wireless sensor harvests energy from the RF signal and generates a DC signal based on the energy harvested from the RF signal, powers up and operates the ADC and the sensor based on the DC signal, and generates sensor data. The batteryless wireless sensor then transmits the sensor data via the RF transmitter to the RF transceiver. In certain examples, the ADC is implemented as a current mode ADC.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter (ADC) that is configured to service a photo-diode includes a capacitor and a self-referenced latched comparator. The capacitor produces a photo-diode voltage based on charging by a photo-diode current associated with the photo-diode and a digital to analog converter (DAC) source current and/or a DAC sink current. The self-referenced latched comparator generates a first digital signal that is based on a difference between the photo-diode voltage and a threshold voltage associated with the self-referenced latched comparator. Also, one or more processing modules executes operational instructions to process the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal and/or a third digital signal. An N-bit DAC generates the DAC source current based on the second digital signal, and an M-bit DAC generates the DAC sink current based on the third digital signal. The DAC source current and/or the DAC sink current tracks the photo-diode current.

Abstract: A voltage sensor includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) and a reference load. The DSC is operably coupled to a point along a wire that is proximate to a battery terminal. The wire connects the battery terminal to a load. The DSC is configured to generate a signal based on a reference signal that is reference signal is based on an estimate of a voltage at the point along the wire. The DSC is also configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to a difference between the signal and the reference signal and to tune the reference signal until the signal compares favorably to the voltage at the point along the wire. The DSC also is configured to determine the voltage at the point along the wire based on the tuned reference signal. The reference load is operably coupled to the DSC and the point along a wire.

Abstract: A battery characterization system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC), memory that stores operational instructions, and processing module(s) operably coupled to the DSC and the memory. Based on a reference signal, the DSC generates a charge signal, which includes an AC (alternating current) component, and provides the charge signal to a terminal of a battery via a single line and simultaneously to senses the charge signal via the single line to detect an electrical characteristic of the battery based on a response of the battery. The DSC generates a digital signal representative of the electrical characteristic of the battery. The processing module(s), based on the operational instructions, generate the reference signal to include a frequency sweep of the AC component of the charge signal (e.g.