Abstract: A constant-current discharge device includes a discharge voltage detection circuit, a voltage level adjustment circuit, a constant-current drive circuit, and a constant-current circuit. The discharge voltage detection circuit is connected between a positive terminal and a negative terminal of a DC voltage, and receives the DC voltage. The voltage level adjustment circuit is connected to the discharge voltage detection circuit, and provides a supply voltage and decides a discharge current. The constant-current drive circuit is connected to the discharge voltage detection circuit and the voltage level adjustment circuit, and provides a drive voltage. The constant-current circuit is connected to the voltage level adjustment circuit and the constant-current drive circuit, and is supplied by the supply voltage and is driven by the drive voltage. When the DC voltage is less than a voltage threshold, the constant-current circuit performs a constant-current discharge according to the discharge current.

Abstract: A driving ability determining system, provided in a vehicle and for determining a driving ability of a driver of the vehicle, comprising: a HOD device embedded on a steering wheel, configured to receive at least one user input, wherein the user input is generated by the driver responding to a test instruction; and a processing circuit, configured to determine the driving ability of the driver according to the user input. By using such system, the driving ability may be determined in real time. Also, the driving function of the vehicle may be stopped if the driving ability is determined to be poor. By this way, the safety of driving vehicles may be increased.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control method of a receiver. The control method includes the steps of: when the receiver enters a sleep/standby mode, continually detecting an auxiliary signal from an auxiliary channel to generate a detection result; and if the detection result indicates that the auxiliary signal has a preamble or a specific pattern, generating a wake-up control signal to wake up the receiver before successfully receiving the auxiliary signal having a wake-up command.

Abstract: A high-speed circuit with a high-voltage (HV) driver circuit. The high-speed circuit has a driver circuit and a level shifter. The driver circuit includes HV components which are operated in an HV domain. The level shifter includes low-voltage (LV) components which are operated in an LV domain. The level shifter translates signals from the LV domain to the HV domain to generate control signals for the driver circuit. The high-speed circuit may include a protection voltage generator converting a power supply voltage and a power ground voltage to generate a first direct-current bias voltage (VBP) and a second direct-current bias voltage (VBN) to bias the LV components of the level shifter. The LV components of the level shifter include input transistors and protection transistors. Gate voltages of the protection transistors may be tied to VBP or VBN.

Abstract: An illumination power circuit with a dimming function and an associated control method thereof are provided, where the illumination power circuit includes a first conversion circuit, a digital controller and a second conversion circuit. The first conversion circuit converts a first analog dimming signal from an analog dimmer into a first digital dimming signal, where the analog dimmer generates the first analog dimming signal according to operations of a user, to allow the user to manually control brightness of an illumination device. The digital controller receives the first digital dimming signal and a control signal from a computer, and generates at least one final dimming signal according to the first digital dimming signal and the control signal. In addition, the second conversion circuit generates a direct current output signal according to the final dimming signal, for driving the illumination device.

Abstract: An illumination power circuit with a dimming function and an associated control method thereof are provided, where the illumination power circuit includes a first conversion circuit, a digital controller and a second conversion circuit. The first conversion circuit converts a first analog dimming signal from an analog dimmer into a first digital dimming signal, where the analog dimmer generates the first analog dimming signal according to operations of a user, to allow the user to manually control brightness of an illumination device. The digital controller receives the first digital dimming signal and a control signal from a computer, and generates at least one final dimming signal according to the first digital dimming signal and the control signal. In addition, the second conversion circuit generates a direct current output signal according to the final dimming signal, for driving the illumination device.

Abstract: A high-speed circuit with a high-voltage (HV) driver circuit. The high-speed circuit has a driver circuit and a level shifter. The driver circuit includes HV components which are operated in an HV domain. The level shifter includes low-voltage (LV) components which are operated in an LV domain. The level shifter translates signals from the LV domain to the HV domain to generate control signals for the driver circuit. The high-speed circuit may include a protection voltage generator converting a power supply voltage and a power ground voltage to generate a first direct-current bias voltage (VBP) and a second direct-current bias voltage (VBN) to bias the LV components of the level shifter. The LV components of the level shifter include input transistors and protection transistors. Gate voltages of the protection transistors may be tied to VBP or VBN.

Abstract: In an example, a wireless client station detects a first signal emitted by a first wireless access point and a second signal emitted by a second wireless access point. The wireless client station extracts a first set of data indicative of the signal strength and network congestion of the first wireless access point and a second set of data indicative of the signal strength and network congestion of the second wireless access point. The wireless client station then computes a first performance metric of first wireless access point, based on the first set of data, and a second performance metric of the second wireless access point, based on the second set of data. The wireless client station determines that the first performance metric is greater than the second performance metric and initiates a connection to the first wireless access point in response.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control method of a receiver. The control method includes the steps of: when the receiver enters a sleep/standby mode, continually detecting an auxiliary signal from an auxiliary channel to generate a detection result; and if the detection result indicates that the auxiliary signal has a preamble or a specific pattern, generating a wake-up control signal to wake up the receiver before successfully receiving the auxiliary signal having a wake-up command.

Abstract: In an example, a wireless client station detects a first signal emitted by a first wireless access point and a second signal emitted by a second wireless access point. The wireless client station extracts a first set of data indicative of the signal strength and network congestion of the first wireless access point and a second set of data indicative of the signal strength and network congestion of the second wireless access point. The wireless client station then computes a first performance metric of first wireless access point, based on the first set of data, and a second performance metric of the second wireless access point, based on the second set of data. The wireless client station determines that the first performance metric is greater than the second performance metric and initiates a connection to the first wireless access point in response.

Abstract: Examples techniques to enable access to a capturing device of a computing device by a basic input and output system (BIOS) of the computing device are described. In an example, an authentication parameter is obtained, in response to a request to access the capturing device. An access to the capturing device is enabled based on a verification of the authentication parameter.

Abstract: An LDO with high efficiency receives an input voltage from an input power line and outputs an output voltage at an output power line. The LDO includes a first active device, a second active device, an operational amplifier and a protection circuit. The first and second active devices are connected in series between the input and output power lines via a connecting node. The operational amplifier controls the second active device according to the output voltage and a core power voltage of a core power line to cause the output voltage to stabilize at a target voltage value. The protection circuit is connected to the input and output power lines, the connecting node and a control node of the first active device, and controls a voltage of the connecting node and the control node of the first active device according to the input and output voltages.

Abstract: An LDO with high efficiency receives an input voltage from an input power line and outputs an output voltage at an output power line. The LDO includes a first active device, a second active device, an operational amplifier and a protection circuit. The first and second active devices are connected in series between the input and output power lines via a connecting node. The operational amplifier controls the second active device according to the output voltage and a core power voltage of a core power line to cause the output voltage to stabilize at a target voltage value. The protection circuit is connected to the input and output power lines, the connecting node and a control node of the first active device, and controls a voltage of the connecting node and the control node of the first active device according to the input and output voltages.

Abstract: A signal receiver includes a current source providing a current having a current value, a pair of active input devices, and a pair of resistors. Each active input device includes a control node, a first conduction node, and a second conduction node. One of the control nodes receives an input signal. The first conduction nodes are connected to each other and receive the current. One of the second conduction nodes serves as an output node. The active input devices output an output signal to a core circuit according to the current and the input signal. Each resistor has a resistance value. A target voltage value is determined according to the resistance value and the current value, such that a voltage swing of the output signal is limited within the target voltage value, and an operating voltage of the core circuit is substantially equal to the target voltage value.

Abstract: A signal transmission method suitable for a signal transmitter includes: providing a plurality of clock signals with different phases, selecting some of the clock signals as a plurality of intermediate signals; transmitting the intermediate signals to a signal output circuit via a clock distribution network; selecting one of the intermediate signals as a reference clock of the signal output circuit to output data.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first driving module, configured to operate at a first operating voltage in a first mode and configured to be deactivated in a second mode; and a second driving module, wherein at least part of the second driving module operates at a protection voltage in the first mode and operates at a second operating voltage in the second mode, wherein the second operating voltage and the protection voltage are lower than the first operating voltage.

Abstract: A signal transmission method suitable for a signal transmitter includes: providing a plurality of clock signals with different phases, selecting some of the clock signals as a plurality of intermediate signals; transmitting the intermediate signals to a signal output circuit via a clock distribution network; selecting one of the intermediate signals as a reference clock of the signal output circuit to output data.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first driving module, configured to operate at a first operating voltage in a first mode and configured to be deactivated in a second mode; and a second driving module, wherein at least part of the second driving module operates at a protection voltage in the first mode and operates at a second operating voltage in the second mode, wherein the second operating voltage and the protection voltage are lower than the first operating voltage.

Abstract: A signal receiver includes a current source providing a current having a current value, a pair of active input devices, and a pair of resistors. Each active input device includes a control node, a first conduction node, and a second conduction node. One of the control nodes receives an input signal. The first conduction nodes are connected to each other and receive the current. One of the second conduction nodes serves as an output node. The active input devices output an output signal to a core circuit according to the current and the input signal. Each resistor has a resistance value. A target voltage value is determined according to the resistance value and the current value, such that a voltage swing of the output signal is limited within the target voltage value, and an operating voltage of the core circuit is substantially equal to the target voltage value.

Abstract: A driving circuit includes a first driving module, configured to operate at a first operating voltage in a first mode and configured to be deactivated in a second mode; and a second driving module, wherein at least part of the second driving module operates at a protection voltage in the first mode and operates at a second operating voltage in the second mode, wherein the second operating voltage and the protection voltage are lower than the first operating voltage.