Abstract: A circuit includes a current controller oscillator generating a CCO output signal at a CCO output, a charge pump boosting a supply voltage based on the CCO output signal and producing a charge pump output voltage at an output, and a current sensing circuit sensing load current at the output and generating a feedback signal having a magnitude that varies with the sensed load current if a magnitude of the sensed load current is between lower and upper load current thresholds. A frequency of the CCO output signal is constant at a lower frequency threshold where the sensed load current is below the lower load current threshold, asymptomically rises to an upper frequency threshold where the sensed load current is above the upper load current threshold, and is proportional to the feedback signal where the sensed load current is between the lower and upper load current thresholds.

Abstract: A device includes a master device, a set of slave devices and a bus. The master device is configured to transmit first messages carrying a set of operation data message portions indicative of operations for implementation by slave devices of the set of slave devices, and second messages addressed to slave devices in the set of slave devices. The second messages convey identifiers identifying respective ones of the slave devices to which the second messages are addressed requesting respective reactions towards the master device within respective expected reaction intervals. The slave devices are configured to receive the first messages transmitted from the master device, read respective operation data message portions in the set of operation data message portions, implement respective operations as a function of the respective operation data message portions read, and receive the second messages transmitted from the master device.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and apparatus for quickly prototyping of a solution developed using one or more sensing devices (e.g., sensors), functional blocks, algorithm libraries, and customized logic. The methods produce firmware executable by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller) on an embedded device such as a development board, expansion board, or the like. By performing these methods on the apparatus described, a user is able to create a function prototype without having deep knowledge of the particular sensing device or any particular programming language. Prototypes developed as described herein enable the user to rapidly test ideas and develop sensing device proofs-of-concept. The solutions produced by the methods and apparatus improve the functioning of the sensor being prototyped and the operation of the embedded device where the sensor is integrated.

Abstract: A control circuit for a voltage source generates a reference signal for a voltage source, wherein the reference signal indicates a requested output voltage to be generated by the voltage source. A digital feed-forward control circuit computes a digital feed-forward regulation value indicative of a requested output voltage by determining a maximum voltage drop at strings of solid-state light sources. A digital feed-back control circuit determines a minimum voltage drop for current regulators/limiters for the strings and determines a digital feed-back correction value as a function of the minimum voltage drop. The control circuit then sets the reference signal after a start-up as a function of the digital feed-forward regulation value and corrects the reference signal as a function of the digital feed-back correction value.

Abstract: A synchronous rectifier driver circuit is configured to drive a synchronous rectifier FET and includes a first terminal configured to be connected to a source terminal of the synchronous rectifier FET. A second terminal is configured to be connected to a drain terminal of the synchronous rectifier FET, and a third terminal is configured to be connected to a gate terminal of the synchronous rectifier FET. The synchronous rectifier driver circuit is configured to measure the voltage between the second terminal and the first terminal, and detect a switch-on instant in which the measured voltage reaches a first threshold value and a switch-off instant in which the measured voltage reaches a second threshold value. The synchronous rectifier driver circuit generates a drive signal between the third terminal and the first terminal as a function of the measured voltage.

Abstract: A MOSFET has a current conduction path between source and drain terminals. A gate terminal of the MOSFET receives an input signal to facilitate current conduction in the current conduction path as a result of a gate-to-source voltage reaching a threshold voltage. A body terminal of the MOSFET is coupled to body voltage control circuitry that is sensitive to the voltage at the gate terminal of the MOSFET. The body voltage control circuitry responds to a reduction in the voltage at the gate terminal of the MOSFET by increasing the body voltage of the MOSFET at the body terminal of the MOSFET. As a result, there is reduction in the threshold voltage. The circuit configuration is applicable to amplifier circuits, comparator circuits and current mirror circuits.

Abstract: A MOSFET has a current conduction path between source and drain terminals. A gate terminal of the MOSFET receives an input signal to facilitate current conduction in the current conduction path as a result of a gate-to-source voltage reaching a threshold voltage. A body terminal of the MOSFET is coupled to body voltage control circuitry that is sensitive to the voltage at the gate terminal of the MOSFET. The body voltage control circuitry responds to a reduction in the voltage at the gate terminal of the MOSFET by increasing the body voltage of the MOSFET at the body terminal of the MOSFET. As a result, there is reduction in the threshold voltage. The circuit configuration is applicable to amplifier circuits, comparator circuits and current mirror circuits.

Abstract: A circuit includes a current controller oscillator generating a CCO output signal at a CCO output, a charge pump boosting a supply voltage based on the CCO output signal and producing a charge pump output voltage at an output, and a current sensing circuit sensing load current at the output and generating a feedback signal having a magnitude that varies with the sensed load current if a magnitude of the sensed load current is between lower and upper load current thresholds. A frequency of the CCO output signal is constant at a lower frequency threshold where the sensed load current is below the lower load current threshold, asymptomically rises to an upper frequency threshold where the sensed load current is above the upper load current threshold, and is proportional to the feedback signal where the sensed load current is between the lower and upper load current thresholds.

Abstract: An antenna includes two planar coils that are mechanically disposed face to face and electrically connected in series. The antenna is mounted to a disposable consumer product (for example, a cartridge for use with an electronic cigarette). The antenna is configured to support near field communications with a reader circuit for purposes of authenticating use of the disposable consumer product.

Abstract: A circuit includes a current controlled oscillator (CCO), and a charge pump circuit boosting a supply voltage to produce a charge pump output voltage at a charge pump output node in response to output from the CCO. A current sensing circuit includes a first resistor coupled between the charge pump output node and an output node, a first transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to the charge pump output node through a second resistor, and a second conduction terminal coupled to an input of the CCO. A second transistor has a first conduction terminal coupled to the output node, a second conduction terminal coupled to a reference current source, and a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor and to the second conduction terminal of the second transistor.

Abstract: A circuit includes a current controlled oscillator (CCO), and a charge pump circuit boosting a supply voltage to produce a charge pump output voltage at a charge pump output node in response to output from the CCO. A current sensing circuit includes a first resistor coupled between the charge pump output node and an output node, a first transistor having a first conduction terminal coupled to the charge pump output node through a second resistor, and a second conduction terminal coupled to an input of the CCO. A second transistor has a first conduction terminal coupled to the output node, a second conduction terminal coupled to a reference current source, and a control terminal coupled to the control terminal of the first transistor and to the second conduction terminal of the second transistor.

Abstract: An amplifier stage of an LDO regulator circuit includes an amplifier stage that generates a drive signal in response to a first voltage difference an output voltage of the LDO regulator circuit and a reference voltage. A drive stage having a quiescent current consumption is configured to generate a control signal in response to the drive signal. The control signal is applied to the control terminal of a power transistor. A dropout detector senses whether the LDO regulator circuit is operating in closed loop regulation mode or in open loop dropout mode by sensing a second difference in voltage between the drive signal and the control signal. A quiescent current limiter circuit responds to the sensed second difference by controlling the quiescent current consumption of the drive stage, and in particular limiting current consumption when the LDO regulator circuit is operating in the open loop dropout mode.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit has load driven clock frequency management. The charge pump circuit includes a CCO generating a CCO output signal that has a frequency generally proportional to a feedback current, and a charge pump operated by the CCO output signal and boosting a supply voltage to produce a charge pump output voltage at an output coupled to a load. A current sensing circuit senses a load current drawn by the load and generates the feedback current as having a magnitude that varies as a function of the sensed load current if a magnitude of the load current is between a lower load current threshold and an upper load current threshold. The magnitude of the feedback current does not vary with the sensed load current if the magnitude of the sensed load current is not between the lower load current threshold and the upper load current threshold.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit has load driven clock frequency management. The charge pump circuit includes a CCO generating a CCO output signal that has a frequency generally proportional to a feedback current, and a charge pump operated by the CCO output signal and boosting a supply voltage to produce a charge pump output voltage at an output coupled to a load. A current sensing circuit senses a load current drawn by the load and generates the feedback current as having a magnitude that varies as a function of the sensed load current if a magnitude of the load current is between a lower load current threshold and an upper load current threshold. The magnitude of the feedback current does not vary with the sensed load current if the magnitude of the sensed load current is not between the lower load current threshold and the upper load current threshold.

Abstract: An amplifier stage of an LDO regulator circuit includes an amplifier stage that generates a drive signal in response to a first voltage difference an output voltage of the LDO regulator circuit and a reference voltage. A drive stage having a quiescent current consumption is configured to generate a control signal in response to the drive signal. The control signal is applied to the control terminal of a power transistor. A dropout detector senses whether the LDO regulator circuit is operating in closed loop regulation mode or in open loop dropout mode by sensing a second difference in voltage between the drive signal and the control signal. A quiescent current limiter circuit responds to the sensed second difference by controlling the quiescent current consumption of the drive stage, and in particular limiting current consumption when the LDO regulator circuit is operating in the open loop dropout mode.

Abstract: A MOSFET has a current conduction path between source and drain terminals. A gate terminal of the MOSFET receives an input signal to facilitate current conduction in the current conduction path as a result of a gate-to-source voltage reaching a threshold voltage. A body terminal of the MOSFET is coupled to body voltage control circuitry that is sensitive to the voltage at the gate terminal of the MOSFET. The body voltage control circuitry responds to a reduction in the voltage at the gate terminal of the MOSFET by increasing the body voltage of the MOSFET at the body terminal of the MOSFET. As a result, there is reduction in the threshold voltage. The circuit configuration is applicable to amplifier circuits, comparator circuits and current mirror circuits.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and apparatus for quickly prototyping of a solution developed using one or more sensing devices (e.g., sensors), functional blocks, algorithm libraries, and customized logic. The methods produce firmware executable by a processor (e.g., a microcontroller) on an embedded device such as a development board, expansion board, or the like. By performing these methods on the apparatus described, a user is able to create a function prototype without having deep knowledge of the particular sensing device or any particular programming language. Prototypes developed as described herein enable the user to rapidly test ideas and develop sensing device proofs-of-concept. The solutions produced by the methods and apparatus improve the functioning of the sensor being prototyped and the operation of the embedded device where the sensor is integrated.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter circuit including at least: a first step down converter having a first pair of switching devices in a half bridge configuration. A second step down converter includes a second pair of switching devices in a half bridge configuration. The first and second step down converters are connected in parallel to an output node connected to an output coil and receive command signals. A feedback loop includes a synchronization module receiving the gate control signals of high side switching devices and adjusts as a function of the gate control signals a delay in a signal path from the command signal to each gate control signal of the high side switching device to synchronize the gate control signals.

Abstract: A device includes a master device, a set of slave devices and a bus. The master device is configured to transmit first messages carrying a set of operation data message portions indicative of operations for implementation by slave devices of the set of slave devices, and second messages addressed to slave devices in the set of slave devices. The second messages convey identifiers identifying respective ones of the slave devices to which the second messages are addressed requesting respective reactions towards the master device within respective expected reaction intervals. The slave devices are configured to receive the first messages transmitted from the master device, read respective operation data message portions in the set of operation data message portions, implement respective operations as a function of the respective operation data message portions read, and receive the second messages transmitted from the master device.

Abstract: An antenna includes two planar coils that are mechanically disposed face to face and electrically connected in series. The antenna is mounted to a disposable consumer product (for example, a cartridge for use with an electronic cigarette). The antenna is configured to support near field communications with a reader circuit for purposes of authenticating use of the disposable consumer product.