Abstract: An improved Class-D amplifier may include a digital PWM modulator that receives a digital audio signal and that provides a PWM signal as an input to an analog PWM modulator of the Class-D amplifier. A digital PWM modulator may be configured to receive a digital signal and to generate a first PWM signal based on the digital signal. A digital PWM driver may be coupled to the digital PWM modulator. The digital PWM driver may be configured to receive the first PWM signal and to generate a reference PWM signal based on the first PWM signal. An analog PWM modulator may be coupled to the digital PWM driver. The analog PWM modulator may be configured to receive the reference PWM signal and to generate an output PWM signal based on the reference PWM signal.

Abstract: A method of increasing a multiplication ratio of a charge pump, the multiplication ratio defining a relationship between an output voltage of the charge pump and an input voltage of the charge pump, comprising: analyzing a first efficiency of the charge pump when the multiplication ratio is at a first ratio, calculating a second efficiency of the charge pump when the multiplication ratio is a second ratio lesser than the first ratio, and based on the first efficiency and the second efficiency, determining at least one of a target output power and a target output voltage at which to change the multiplication ratio from the second ratio to the first ratio.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for power conversion may include a power converter comprising a power inductor and a switch coupled to the power inductor and a predriver system for electrically driving a gate of the switch, the predriver system configured to operate in a plurality of modes including a high-power mode in which the predriver system is supplied with electrical energy from a first power supply having a first supply voltage and a low-power mode in which the predriver system is supplied with electrical energy from a second power supply having a second supply voltage significantly lesser than the first supply voltage.

Abstract: An improved Class-D amplifier may include a digital PWM modulator that receives a digital audio signal and that provides a PWM signal as an input to an analog PWM modulator of the Class-D amplifier. A digital PWM modulator may be configured to receive a digital signal and to generate a first PWM signal based on the digital signal. A digital PWM driver may be coupled to the digital PWM modulator. The digital PWM driver may be configured to receive the first PWM signal and to generate a reference PWM signal based on the first PWM signal. An analog PWM modulator may be coupled to the digital PWM driver. The analog PWM modulator may be configured to receive the reference PWM signal and to generate an output PWM signal based on the reference PWM signal.

Abstract: A system and method of allowing a new device to join an existing network are disclosed. A configuration tool is used to communicate relevant information from the new network device to the gateway in the existing network using a secondary network protocol different from that used by the primary network. For example, in one embodiment, messages are exchanged between the configuration tool and the new device and between the configuration tool and the gateway using BLUETOOTH®. Once all of the pertinent information has been exchanged, the new device is able to securely join the primary network, which may be based on the IEEE802.15.4 standard.

Abstract: A method of increasing a multiplication ratio of a charge pump, the multiplication ratio defining a relationship between an output voltage of the charge pump and an input voltage of the charge pump, comprising: analyzing a first efficiency of the charge pump when the multiplication ratio is at a first ratio, calculating a second efficiency of the charge pump when the multiplication ratio is a second ratio lesser than the first ratio, and based on the first efficiency and the second efficiency, determining at least one of a target output power and a target output voltage at which to change the multiplication ratio from the second ratio to the first ratio.

Abstract: A system may include a charge pump configured to operate in a plurality of modes including a first mode in which the ratio of an output voltage to an input voltage of the charge pump is a first ratio and a second mode in which the ratio is a second ratio and a controller configured to limit current flowing between a power source of the charge pump to the charge pump, wherein the power source provides the input voltage, by limiting a transfer of charge between the power source and the charge pump during a switching cycle of the charge pump responsive to a change in operation between modes of the plurality of modes.

Abstract: A controller of a boost converter may be configured to dynamically adjust conditions within the boost converter by monitoring conditions in the boost converter. For example, the controller may determine an current inductance value for an inductor of the boost converter by monitoring a current through the inductor. When the inductance value of the inductor is known, a slope compensation value may be used in determining a transition time between charging the inductor of the boost converter and discharging the inductor.

Abstract: During operation of a boost converter conditions may exist that result in a reverse current through the boost converter, such as when a load drop from the boost converter occurs. During the reverse current period, inductance value determinations made during a forward current period may be used to estimate a magnitude of the reverse current and this estimate used by a controller to control the boost converter and return the boost converter to normal operation. The controller may control the boost converter by changing a ratio of charging and discharging time for an inductor of the boost converter, decreasing a bandwidth of the boost converter, and/or increasing a resistance of the boost converter.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may have a configurable control loop technology, wherein the system comprises a first mode control loop, a second mode control loop and a reconfigurable pulse width modulator (PWM) configured to generate an output signal from an input signal. The reconfigurable PWM may include a digital PWM and an analog PWM and may be configured such that when the first mode control loop is activated, the reconfigurable PWM utilizes the analog PWM to generate the output signal from the input signal and when the second mode control loop is activated, the reconfigurable PWM utilizes the digital PWM to generate the output signal from the input signal and the digital PWM receives its input from a digital proportional integral derivative controller.

Abstract: Transistors may be manufactured with a shared drain to reduce die area consumed by circuitry. In one example, two transistors can be manufactured that include two body regions that abut a shared drain region. The two transistors can be independently operated by coupling terminals to a source and a gate for each transistor and the shared drain. Characteristics of the two transistors can be controlled by adjusting feature sizes, such as overlap between the gate and the shared drain for a transistor. In particular, two transistors with different voltage requirements can be manufactured using a shared drain structure, which can be useful in amplifier circuitry and in particular Class-D amplifiers.

Abstract: Audio amplification may be improved by controlling an audio amplifier based on the audio signal being amplified. For example, when the audio signal level increases or decreases, a boost voltage provided to an audio amplifier by a boost converter may also be increased or decreased. In another example, when the audio signal level decrease below a certain level, the audio amplifier may be switched from amplifying the audio signal with a boost converter input to amplifying the audio signal with a low voltage input. Control of the audio amplifier may be implemented in a digital boost converter controller coupled to the boost converter and/or the audio amplifier.

Abstract: A variable ramp up/down gain in a pre-power stage block of an audio amplifier may be used to reduce audible pops and clicks output by the audio amplifier. A controller may adjust the variable ramp up/down gain during operation of the audio amplifier. The variable ramp up/down gain may be implemented as a pulse width modulation (PWM) modulator/generator with a ramp-up and ramp-down gain under control of the controller. The variable ramp up/down gain smooths transitions of the offset between a pre-power stage block and a feedback loop and thus can reduce audible pops and clicks by reducing the offset that is amplified in the power stage block of the audio amplifier.

Abstract: A distributed network system may include a shared communication bus that operates in accordance with a communication protocol and a plurality of devices coupled to the shared communication bus. The communication protocol may define periods of time and an order by which each of the plurality of devices actively transmit data on the shared communication bus such that only one of the plurality of devices actively transmits data on the shared communication bus at a time to a remaining number of the plurality of devices through the shared communication bus. When the remaining number of the plurality of devices are not actively transmitting data, the remaining number of the plurality of devices may receive data via the shared communication bus so that bi-directional communication is established among the plurality of devices on the shared communication bus.

Abstract: Audio amplification may be improved by controlling an audio amplifier based on the audio signal being amplified. For example, when the audio signal level increases or decreases, a boost voltage provided to an audio amplifier by a boost converter may also be increased or decreased. In another example, when the audio signal level decrease below a certain level, the audio amplifier may be switched from amplifying the audio signal with a boost converter input to amplifying the audio signal with a low voltage input. Control of the audio amplifier may be implemented in a digital boost converter controller coupled to the boost converter and/or the audio amplifier.

Abstract: Audio amplification may be improved by controlling an audio amplifier based on the audio signal being amplified. For example, when the audio signal level increases or decreases, a boost voltage provided to an audio amplifier by a boost converter may also be increased or decreased. In another example, when the audio signal level decrease below a certain level, the audio amplifier may be switched from amplifying the audio signal with a boost converter input to amplifying the audio signal with a low voltage input. Control of the audio amplifier may be implemented in a digital boost converter controller coupled to the boost converter and/or the audio amplifier.

Abstract: A grounding switch is described which operates properly even in the presence of negative voltages on a signal line. The grounding switch uses isolated field effect transistors that have their substrates tied to different voltages. The isolated field effect transistor has a gate voltage and substrate voltage which can be pulled down to a negative voltage when the signal line has a negative voltage allowing the switch to remain open even with a negative voltage.

Abstract: A driver controller comprising a state machine for controlling transitions between a plurality of states. An output switch for providing a low impedance path to ground during transition periods. An output stage for decoupling output signal from driver amplifier during the transition periods.

Abstract: A porous ceramic substrate for use as a particle filter, with a porosity of at least 50%, which includes a non-uniform coating layer of an oxide component in contact with a surface of the ceramic substrate, which oxide component is distributed on the surface and in dead-end pores of the ceramic substrate and creates the non-uniform coating layer on the substrate support, wherein the coating layer has a substantially smooth surface. Such substrate is typically a particle filter or part of a particle filter, e.g. a DPF.