Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include circuits and methods for calibrating lens displacement in a voltage controlled actuator. In one embodiment, a calibration circuit comprises a programmable voltage source that provides a voltage to a control terminal of an actuator to set a lens displacement, a switch that selectively decouples said programmable voltage source from said control terminal, a current source that provides a reference current to said control terminal when the control terminal is decoupled from said programmable voltage source, a comparator that senses a voltage difference between said programmable voltage source and said control terminal, and a timer coupled to an output of the comparator. The timer measures a time period required to increase the control terminal voltage. The capacitance of the actuator may be determined and used to calibrate the position of a lens.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising determining if a maximum current output of a power source is above a threshold, configuring a regulator coupled to the power source, wherein the regulator is configured in a pass mode if the maximum current output is above the threshold, and wherein the regulator is configured in a regulation mode if the maximum current output is below the threshold, and generating pulses to a battery, wherein an output of the regulator is coupled to the battery when a pulse is being generated, and the output of the regulator is decoupled from the battery when a pulse is not being generated. In other embodiments, the techniques may be embodied in a circuit including a detection circuit and a switching regulator coupled to a battery through a pulse circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery using a switching regulator. Some embodiments include programmable switching battery chargers that can be configured using digital techniques. Other embodiments include switching battery chargers that modify the battery current based on sensed circuit conditions such as battery voltage or input current to the switching regulator. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a USB battery charger.

Abstract: The invention provides biomolecule binding ligands, collections of biomolecule binding ligands, and their use in the purification of biological mixtures and in the identification of ligands having an affinity for a substance.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) wherein each Z is the same or different and is formula (a) or —Y wherein each X is the same or different and is a multivalent aminyl group or diaminyl-terminated spacer; each Y is the same or different aminyl group; and M is a support matrix.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include electronic circuits, systems, and methods for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method, which may be implemented by an integrated circuit, comprising charging the battery using a constant current until the voltage on the battery increases to a first voltage level, and charging the battery using a constant voltage, wherein the constant voltage is set to a second voltage level. The constant current charging transitions to constant voltage charging when the voltage on the battery reaches the first voltage level, where the first voltage level is greater than the second voltage level.

Abstract: A coupler includes a substrate and a stack of first and second dielectric layers extending over a top surface of the substrate. The first dielectric layer comprises different dielectric material than the second dielectric layer. Two conductive lines extend over the stack of first and second dielectric layers, and are formed in the same plane parallel to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method comprising determining if a maximum current output of a power source is above a threshold, configuring a regulator coupled to the power source, wherein the regulator is configured in a pass mode if the maximum current output is above the threshold, and wherein the regulator is configured in a regulation mode if the maximum current output is below the threshold, and generating pulses to a battery, wherein an output of the regulator is coupled to the battery when a pulse is being generated, and the output of the regulator is decoupled from the battery when a pulse is not being generated. In other embodiments, the techniques may be embodied in a circuit including a detection circuit and a switching regulator coupled to a battery through a pulse circuit.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention includes a method of charging a battery comprising storing a plurality of charging parameters in one or more programmable data storage elements. The charging parameters may be used to program a variety of battery charging parameters including constant currents, voltages, thresholds, timers, or temperature controls. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a software algorithm that changes the charging parameters to improve battery charging efficiency.

Abstract: A multi-mode RF amplifier is disclosed having high and low output power modes and two power paths. A first RF amplifier delivers power to both paths. When the multi-mode RF amplifier is biased into the high power, HP, mode, substantial power is delivered via both (first and second) paths. While in the low power, LP, mode, an RF switch is turned off, creating a high input impedance, open circuit for the first path, and effectively isolating the two paths. Therefore, power is delivered by the first RF amplifier to the second path only. The impedance presented to the output of the first RF amplifier is equal to the input impedance of the second path which may be optimally set for maximizing power added efficiency or output power in LP mode. Note that, in a preferred embodiment, even in the HP mode more power is delivered to the second power path than to the first power path.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for charging a battery using a regulator. In one embodiment, the present invention includes an electronic circuit comprising a regulator having an input coupled to a power source for receiving a voltage and a current and an output for providing an output current, an input voltage detection circuit coupled to the power source, and an adjustable current limit circuit for controlling the input or output current of the regulator, wherein input voltage detection circuit monitors the voltage from the power source and the adjustable current limit circuit changes the input or output current of the regulator to optimize the power drawn from power source.

Abstract: A coupler includes a substrate and a stack of first and second dielectric layers extending over a top surface of the substrate. The first dielectric layer comprises different dielectric material than the second dielectric layer. Two conductive lines extend over the stack of first and second dielectric layers, and are formed in the same plane parallel to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system with an RFin terminal and an RFout terminal includes an output matching network. The system further includes a coupler having a thru arm connected between the output matching network and the RFout terminal, and a coupled arm connected to a detector circuit. The coupler further includes a stack of first and second dielectric materials having different dielectric constants. The stack of first and second dielectric materials extends over a top surface of a substrate. The thru arm and the coupled arm extend over the stack of first and second dielectric materials in the same plane parallel to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A system with an RFin terminal and an RFout terminal includes an output matching network. The system further includes a coupler having a thru arm connected between the output matching network and the RFout terminal, and a coupled arm connected to a detector circuit. The coupler further includes a stack of first and second dielectric materials having different dielectric constants. The stack of first and second dielectric materials extends over a top surface of a substrate. The thru arm and the coupled arm extend over the stack of first and second dielectric materials in the same plane parallel to a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods of controlling power in battery operated systems. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a switching regulator for boosting voltage on a depleted battery to power up a system. The system may communicate with an external system to increase the current received from the external system. Embodiments of the present invention include circuits for controlling power received from external power sources such as a USB power source. In another embodiment, input-output control techniques are disclosed for controlling the delivery of power to a system or charging a system battery, or both, from an external power source.

Abstract: A multi-mode RF amplifier is disclosed having high and low output power modes and two power paths. A first RF amplifier delivers power to both paths. When the multi-mode RF amplifier is biased into the high power, HP, mode, substantial power is delivered via both (first and second) paths. While in the low power, LP, mode, an RF switch is turned off, creating a high input impedance, open circuit for the first path, and effectively isolating the two paths. Therefore, power is delivered by the first RF amplifier to the second path only. The impedance presented to the output of the first RF amplifier is equal to the input impedance of the second path which may be optimally set for maximizing power added efficiency or output power in LP mode. Note that, in a preferred embodiment, even in the HP mode more power is delivered to the second power path than to the first power path.

Abstract: A sensor for the detection of an analyte comprising a cis-diol moiety, which comprises a holographic element comprising a medium and a hologram disposed throughout the volume of the medium, wherein an optical characteristic of the element changes as a result of a variation of a physical property occurring throughout the volume of the medium, and wherein the medium is a polymer comprising a group of formula (I): wherein n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; each X (if present) is independently is an atom or group which, viaan electronic effect, promotes formation of a tetrahedral geometry about the boron atom; and Y is a spacer which, when n is 0 or otherwise optionally, is an atom or group which, via an electronic effect, promotes formation of a tetrahedral geometry about the boron atom. Such a sensor may be used for the detection of glucose.

Abstract: A compound of the formula (I) wherein each Z is the same or different and is formula (a) or —Y wherein each X is the same or different and is a multivalent aminyl group or diaminyl-terminated spacer; each Y is the same or different aminyl group; and M is a support matrix.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a thermal state of a system includes a thermal management integrated circuit (IC). The thermal management IC is coupled to receive a remote temperature signal. The remote temperature signal is indicative of a system temperature. The thermal management IC includes a software programmable temperature threshold setpoint, and a hardware programmable temperature critical threshold setpoint.