Abstract: A step-down voltage regulator. The step-down voltage regulator includes a configurable integrated switch circuit, which includes a configurable analysis and control unit, a configurable actuation circuit, compensation circuit, and controllable semiconductor switch, and includes an external wiring with different components. The wiring is electrically connected to connections of the integrated switch circuit. A feedback signal representing an output voltage that can be tapped at an output of the integrated switch circuit is fed back to the analysis and control unit, which generates a switch signal in combination with the actuation circuit based on the feedback signal and outputs it to the controllable semiconductor switch such that a closed control loop for regulating the output voltage is produced from an input voltage applied to an input of the integrated switch circuit. The output voltage maximally has the voltage level of the input voltage.

Abstract: The capacitance of a shielded capacitive load cell is determined so as to minimize the effect of stray or parasitic capacitance between the load cell and other objects including the shield. The load cell conductors are coupled across input and output terminals of an operational amplifier that is tied to a reference voltage. A constant current is applied to the load cell, and the resulting rate of change in voltage at the amplifier output is measured as a representation of the load cell capacitance. In a vehicle seat sensor application including an electromagnetic interference shield between the load cell and the seating surface, the amplifier output is coupled to the load cell electrode furthest from the shield, the amplifier maintains the other load cell electrode at a virtual reference voltage, and the shield is tied to the reference voltage.