Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analogue audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.

Abstract: This application relates to monitoring of electronic devices (100) and in particular to methods and apparatus for the detection and recording of an electrical overstress applied to a connector (101, 102) of the device. The apparatus describes an integrated circuit integrated circuit (103, 105) of the host device having a first set of one or more circuit contacts (201, 203, 204, 205) for connection to a connector (101) of a host electronic device. The circuit has an electrical overstress monitor (106, 106a) for detecting and recording an electrical overstress comprising a voltage exceeding a predetermined parameter applied to at least one of said first set of circuit contacts. The electrical overstress monitor (106) may have an overvoltage detector (205) and may have a memory (206) for recording the occurrence of an overvoltage and/or a communication module (207) for communicating with other components of the host device in the event of an electrical overstress.

Abstract: This application relates to monitoring of electronic devices (100) and in particular to methods and apparatus for the detection and recording of an electrical overstress applied to a connector (101, 102) of the device. The apparatus describes an integrated circuit integrated circuit (103, 105) of the host device having a first set of one or more circuit contacts (201, 203, 204, 205) for connection to a connector (101) of a host electronic device. The circuit has an electrical overstress monitor (106, 106a) for detecting and recording an electrical overstress comprising a voltage exceeding a predetermined parameter applied to at least one of said first set of circuit contacts. The electrical overstress monitor (106) may have an overvoltage detector (205) and may have a memory (206) for recording the occurrence of an overvoltage and/or a communication module (207) for communicating with other components of the host device in the event of an electrical overstress.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring the operating state of an audio circuit, and in particular for detecting a defective operating state, as may occur after an Electrical Over-Stress (EOS) event. An audio circuit (210) has an input node (103) for receiving an input audio signal (SIN) and an output node (104) for outputting an output audio signal (AOUT) for driving an audio load. A monitoring module (202) receives a first signal (S1) derived from the output audio signal and a second signal (S2) indicative of the input audio signal. The monitoring module (202) monitors the first signal (S1) with respect to the second signal (S2) to determine whether at least one parameter of the first signal corresponds to an expected parameter value based on the indication of input audio signal. If the parameter does not correspond to the expected parameter value, the monitoring module (202) outputs an indication (CTRL) of a defective operating state of the audio circuit (201).

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analogue audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.

Abstract: This application relates to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry (200). A time-encoding modulator (TEM 201) has a comparator (104) and a loop filter (105) configured to generate a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal (SPWM) in response to an input signal (SIN) and a feedback signal (SFB). A controlled oscillator, such as a VCO (202) receives the PWM signal and generates an output oscillation signal (SOSC) with a frequency that varies based on a drive signal at a drive node (109), e.g. a drive node of a ring oscillator (107). The controlled oscillator (202) comprises at least one control switch (112) controlled by a switch control signal (S1) generated from the received PWM signal so as to control the drive strength of the drive signal applied to the drive node (109). The feedback signal (SFB) for the TEM (201) is derived from the controlled oscillator (202) so as to include any timing error between the PWM signal and the switch control signal (S1) applied to said control switch.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analog audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring the operating state of an audio circuit, and in particular for detecting a defective operating state, as may occur after an Electrical Over-Stress (EOS) event. An audio circuit (210) has an input node (103) for receiving an input audio signal (SIN) and an output node (104) for outputting an output audio signal (AOUT) for driving an audio load. A monitoring module (202) receives a first signal (S1) derived from the output audio signal and a second signal (S2) indicative of the input audio signal. The monitoring module (202) monitors the first signal (S1) with respect to the second signal (S2) to determine whether at least one parameter of the first signal corresponds to an expected parameter value based on the indication of input audio signal. If the parameter does not correspond to the expected parameter value, the monitoring module (202) outputs an indication (CTRL) of a defective operating state of the audio circuit (201).

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: This application relates to monitoring of electronic devices (100) and in particular to methods and apparatus for the detection and recording of an electrical overstress applied to a connector (101, 102) of the device. The apparatus describes an integrated circuit integrated circuit (103, 105, 106a) of the host device having a first set of one or more circuit contacts (201, 203, 204, 205) for connection to a connector (101) of a host electronic device. The circuit has an electrical overstress monitor (106, 106a) for detecting and recording an electrical overstress comprising a voltage exceeding a predetermined parameter applied to at least one of said first set of circuit contacts. The electrical overstress monitor (106) may have an overvoltage detector (205) and may have a memory (206) for recording the occurrence of an overvoltage and/or a communication module (207) for communicating with other components of the host device in the event of an electrical overstress.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for transfer of data between a host device (400) and a peripheral device (300) via a USB Type-C connector (100; 304) of the host device. A data controller is described that has a path controller (309, 310; 706) for establishing signal paths between circuitry of the host device and contacts (101) of said USB Type-C connector. The path controller is operable in at least first and second modes. In the first mode the path controller establishes separate signal paths to each of at least first, second, third and fourth contacts (A6, A7, B6, B7) of the USB Type-C connector and a plurality of the established signal paths are for transfer of analogue audio data. In the second mode the path controller establishes a pair of signal paths to only a subset of said first to fourth contacts to provide a differential digital data path.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: A host device for use with a removable peripheral apparatus having a microphone, and to the biasing circuitry for said microphone. The host device may have a device connector for forming a mating connection with a respective peripheral connector. A source of bias is arranged to supply an electrical bias to a device microphone contact of the device connector via a biasing path. A capacitor is connected between a reference voltage node and a capacitor node of the biasing path. A first switch is located between the capacitor node and the device microphone contact. Detection circuitry detects disconnection of the peripheral connector and device connector; and control circuitry controls the switch to disable the biasing path.

Abstract: A multi-bit digital to analog converter is implemented by a switched-capacitor arrangement in which a reservoir capacitor (Cf) accumulates charge representing the desired analog output signal (Vout+/Vout?). An array of further capacitors (C0-CN) correspond in number at least to the number of data bits (D0-DN) to be converted. The capacitors (Cf, C0-CN) are selectively interconnected with one another and with reference voltage sources (Vmid, Vdd, Vss) in a repetitive sequence of phases including (i) a sampling phase (P2) in which the further capacitors are connected (S3, S4) to reference voltages selected in accordance with the values of the data bits, (ii) an equalization phase (P6a) in which the further capacitors are connected (S2) in parallel with one another without connecting them in parallel with the first capacitor, followed by (iii) a transfer phase (P6b) in which the parallel connected further capacitors are connected (S1, S5) in parallel with the first capacitor.

Abstract: A multi-bit digital to analog converter is implemented by a switched-capacitor arrangement in which a reservoir capacitor (Cf) accumulates charge representing the desired analog output signal (Vout+/Vout?). An array of further capacitors (C0-CN) correspond in number at least to the number of data bits (D0-DN) to be converted. The capacitors (Cf, C0-CN) are selectively interconnected with one another and with reference voltage sources (Vmid, Vdd, Vss) in a repetitive sequence of phases including (i) a sampling phase (P2) in which the further capacitors are connected (S3, S4) to reference voltages selected in accordance with the values of the data bits, (ii) an equalization phase (P6a) in which the further capacitors are connected (S2) in parallel with one another without connecting them in parallel with the first capacitor, followed by (iii) a transfer phase (P6b) in which the parallel connected further capacitors are connected (S1, S5) in parallel with the first capacitor.