Abstract: Described are system and method embodiments for establishing a weak ground path, comprising: disabling a first ground path for a shield pin of a cable connection interface, the first ground path including a first switch; enabling a second ground path for the shield pin, the second ground path comprises a second switch, and the second ground path having a higher resistance than the first ground path; determining a connection of a device to the cable connection interface with the second ground path; and enabling the first ground path based on the connection of the device being determined.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a circuit to generate a clock having a period with a duty cycle less than or equal to 90%, and logic to determine a difference in an input voltage between a first time and a second time, at least in part based on the duty cycle of the clock, and to produce a first signal, at least in part based on the difference in the input voltage and a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling a power supply includes (1) generating a current error signal representing a difference between (a) magnitude of an output current of the power supply and (b) magnitude of a reference current value and (2) providing the current error signal for injection into a voltage feedback node of the power supply. A controller for a power supply includes (1) a current control subsystem configured to regulate a magnitude of an output current of the power supply and (2) a voltage control subsystem configured to regulate a magnitude of an output voltage of the power supply, the voltage control subsystem being logically coupled in series with the current control subsystem.

Abstract: Described are system and method embodiments for establishing a weak ground path, comprising: disabling a first ground path for a shield pin of a cable connection interface, the first ground path including a first switch; enabling a second ground path for the shield pin, the second ground path comprises a second switch, and the second ground path having a higher resistance than the first ground path; determining a connection of a device to the cable connection interface with the second ground path; and enabling the first ground path based on the connection of the device being determined.

Abstract: Described are system and method embodiments for shield fault detection to protect the cable, components and other circuits connected to the cable shield, and to avoid high short circuit currents flowing from a power source to ground during unexpected events. A threshold voltage detector and a slope detector may be used to sense the voltage on a shield pin switchably coupled to ground via a shield ground. Method embodiments to distinguish the shield ground switch current caused by a shield fault from normal operation are also discussed. In certain situations, a weak ground path is established first to sense or identify a valid attachment on the cable before establishing a strong ground path. The disclosed embodiments, separately or in combination, may effectively detect shield fault with improved performance.

Abstract: Described are system and method embodiments for shield fault detection to protect the cable, components and other circuits connected to the cable shield, and to avoid high short circuit currents flowing from a power source to ground during unexpected events. A threshold voltage detector and a slope detector may be used to sense the voltage on a shield pin switchably coupled to ground via a shield ground. Method embodiments to distinguish the shield ground switch current caused by a shield fault from normal operation are also discussed. In certain situations, a weak ground path is established first to sense or identify a valid attachment on the cable before establishing a strong ground path. The disclosed embodiments, separately or in combination, may effectively detect shield fault with improved performance.

Abstract: A high-voltage micro-ampere current regulator which can provide stable current regulation to a corona discharge without requiring a portion of that corona discharge to be sampled. The current regulator can optionally include a first feed-back circuit which provides rapidly-adapting current regulation, and an optional second feedback circuit which provides slowly-adapting current regulation to avoid changes in corona discharge due to oxidation of the corona emitter.