Abstract: Described herein are techniques and mechanisms for modules in a battery stack to provide backup power to their neighbor modules thereby permitting the neighboring cell to activate bypass switches, which can effectively remove a module's associated battery cells from the charge/discharge loop and permit the battery to continue safe operations. This mechanism can be a cost-effective technique of providing backup power.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a configurable interface circuit supporting a plurality of different selectable operational modes. In one example the interface circuit comprises a device terminal couplable to an external field device, a digital current path coupled to the device terminal, and having a first sense resistor, and an analog current path having a second sense resistor. When the configurable interface circuit is operating in the analog mode, an analog current can flow through the analog current path and an analog signal can be measured by measuring a voltage across the first sense resistor and second sense resistor, and when the configurable interface circuit is operating in the digital mode, a digital current is controlled to flow through the digital current path and a digital signal can be measured by measuring the voltage across the first sense resistor and second sense resistor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a configurable interface circuit supporting a plurality of different selectable operational modes. In one example the interface circuit comprises a device terminal couplable to an external field device, a digital current path coupled to the device terminal, and having a first sense resistor, and an analog current path having a second sense resistor. When the configurable interface circuit is operating in the analog mode, an analog current can flow through the analog current path and an analog signal can be measured by measuring a voltage across the first sense resistor and second sense resistor, and when the configurable interface circuit is operating in the digital mode, a digital current is controlled to flow through the digital current path and a digital signal can be measured by measuring the voltage across the first sense resistor and second sense resistor.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques and mechanisms for modules in a battery stack to provide backup power to their neighbor modules thereby permitting the neighboring cell to activate bypass switches, which can effectively remove a module's associated battery cells from the charge/discharge loop and permit the battery to continue safe operations. This mechanism can be a cost-effective technique of providing backup power.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for an integrated circuit, current loop interface that can receive and extract a high-frequency digital communication signal from a low-frequency analog current signal using a complex impedance circuit. The complex impedance circuit can allow for low input impedance at the lower frequencies of the analog current signal and high input impedance at the higher frequencies of the digital communication signal.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for an integrated circuit, current loop interface that can receive and extract a high-frequency digital communication signal from a low-frequency analog current signal using a complex impedance circuit. The complex impedance circuit can allow for low input impedance at the lower frequencies of the analog current signal and high input impedance at the higher frequencies of the digital communication signal.

Abstract: Techniques for mixing, or modulating, a high-frequency, digital communication signal with a low-frequency, analog current loop signal are provided. In certain examples, the techniques allow mixing the signals in a non-AC coupled manner. In certain examples, such mixing techniques can allow for simplified connections between a modem chip and an analog current loop interface chip of an analog I/O module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide an integrated circuit with reduced power loss. The integrated circuit may comprise a processing system and a feedback circuit. The processing system may generate a load signal from a variable power supply, which is external to the integrated circuit. The feedback circuit may compare the load signal and a voltage input from the variable power supply, and based on the comparison, generate a feedback signal for adjusting the variable power supply, thereby reducing power loss.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic resonance detection is disclosed for a motor-driven mechanical system such as a voice coil motor (VCM) in which a resonance detector and driver are provided. The automatic resonance detector is implemented on the same integrated circuit as the driver, and dynamically determines the natural resonant frequency of the VCM driven by the driver. The resonant frequency is determined by measuring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the VCM, detecting the slope of the BEMF signal, and determining the resonant frequency from the slope of the BEMF signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic resonance detection is disclosed for a motor-driven mechanical system such as a voice coil motor (VCM) in which a resonance detector and driver are provided. The automatic resonance detector may be implemented on the same integrated circuit as the driver, and dynamically determines the natural resonant frequency of the VCM driven by the driver. The resonant frequency is determined by measuring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the VCM, detecting the slope of the BEMF signal, and determining the resonant frequency from the slope of the BEMF signal.