Abstract: Sense mirror circuitry receives a voltage signal having values corresponding to a magnitude of a measured current. Responsive to the values falling within a first predefined range, the sense mirror circuitry outputs a current at a first predefined magnitude that corresponds to the first predefined range. Responsive to the values falling within a second predefined range, the sense mirror circuitry outputs a current at a second predefined magnitude different than the first predefined magnitude and that corresponds to the second predefined range.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and related methods for vehicle sensor calibration are disclosed. An example vehicle includes a sensor including an output; sensor interface circuitry including a transistor, the sensor interface circuitry communicatively coupled to the output; and processor circuitry communicatively coupled to the sensor via the sensor interface circuitry. The processor circuitry is to cause the transistor to activate to electrically couple the output to one of (a) a ground potential or (b) a voltage source associated with a voltage different than a voltage corresponding to an output voltage range of the sensor; and cause a code to be transmitted to the sensor. The sensor is to perform a calibration in response to the electrical coupling of the output to ground and receipt of the code.

Abstract: A method and system for managing domain name system (DNS) name servers using virtual name servers is disclosed. A plurality of virtual name servers are mapped to a plurality of actual name servers of the DNS. Each actual name server stores at least one record identifying a domain and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a computer hosting that domain. Information is received from a monitoring service computer identifying which actual name servers are unhealthy and which actual name servers are healthy. Based on this information, the mapping of each virtual name server that is mapped to an unhealthy actual name server is updated to map to one of the healthy actual name servers.

Abstract: A method and system for managing domain name system (DNS) name servers using virtual name servers is disclosed. A plurality of virtual name servers are mapped to a plurality of actual name servers of the DNS. Each actual name server stores at least one record identifying a domain and an Internet Protocol (IP) address of a computer hosting that domain. Information is received from a monitoring service computer identifying which actual name servers are unhealthy and which actual name servers are healthy. Based on this information, the mapping of each virtual name server that is mapped to an unhealthy actual name server is updated to map to one of the healthy actual name servers.

Abstract: A damper control system includes a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid. At least one damper is operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is configured to control a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper based on the estimated temperature. Methods relate to controlling at least one damper based on an estimated temperature of a damper fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing battery cells of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a charge imbalance is determined while battery cells operate in a high charge resolution voltage range. The charge imbalance determined during operation in the high charge resolution voltage range may be removed when the battery cells are operated in a low charge resolution voltage range. The system and method may be particularly useful for balancing battery cells that operate in the low charge resolution voltage range for a large portion of their operating time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating a state of a battery to a vehicle controller are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack outputs a signal indicative of an amount of capability the battery pack has to source or sink current at present operating conditions. The system and method may improve vehicle drivability and reduce battery pack degradation.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing an automated mechanism for grouping devices to allow safe and scalable actions to be taken in parallel. A computing device obtains data that defines service relationships between computing entities in a network of computing entities controlled by a service provider. The computing device determines two or more groups of computing entities having one of a direct or indirect relationship with other computing entities within one of the two or more groups based on the obtained data. Then, the computing device determines one or more subgroups of one of the two or more groups based on the obtained data. Individual computing entities within a first subgroup of the one or more subgroups do not have a direct relationship with any of the other computing entities with the first subgroup. Output data identifying at least a portion of the subgroups is generated.

Abstract: A method for operating a device at a desired temperature is described. In one example, current supplied to a heater that melts a wax medium or material controlling flow through a valve is adjusted to reduce valve opening and closing delay. The method may improve device temperature control, thereby reducing device emissions, enhancing device performance, and improving device durability.

Abstract: A damper control system includes a controller configured to estimate a temperature of a damper fluid based on data relating to heat added to and heat removed from the fluid. At least one damper is operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is configured to control a size of a damper flow path of the at least one damper based on the estimated temperature. Methods relate to controlling at least one damper based on an estimated temperature of a damper fluid.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing the trade-off between minimizing switching losses and minimizing conduction losses in a buck converter. In an aspect, each of a high-side switch and a low-side switch may be implemented as a plurality of parallel-coupled transistors, each transistor having an independently controllable gate voltage, allowing adjustment of the effective transistor size. In response to the target voltage of the buck converter corresponding to a relatively high voltage range, more high-side switch transistors and fewer low-side switch transistors may be selected. Similarly, in response to the target voltage corresponding to a relatively low voltage range, more low-side switch transistors and fewer high-side switch transistors may be selected. In an aspect, the techniques may be applied during a pulse-frequency modulation mode.

Abstract: Exemplary methods are disclosed, which may include providing a conductive component configured to conduct a current to at least two electrical systems or elements. Methods may further include determining one of the electrical elements as a low-priority system and a second one of the electrical elements as a high-priority system, measuring or estimating a current associated with the at least two electrical systems to establish the current exceeds a predetermined parameter, and deactivating the low-priority system in response to at least the determination of the current exceeding the predetermined parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for diagnosing a multiple speed, relay controlled engine cooling fan system. One method includes measuring the change in current drawn from a battery-alternator system when fan speed is modified. A degradation in cooling fan operation is flagged when measured current change differs from an expected change.

Abstract: A vehicle damper monitoring system of the present disclosure may include at least one height sensor and at least one controller configured to receive signals from the at least one height sensor and generate a notification if the signals indicate that one or more suspension dampers of a vehicle need to be serviced.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamically generating a headroom voltage for an envelope tracking system. In an aspect, an initial headroom voltage is updated when a signal from a power amplifier (PA) indicates that the PA headroom is insufficient. The initial headroom voltage may be updated to an operating headroom voltage that includes the initial voltage plus a deficiency voltage plus a margin. In this manner, the operating headroom voltage may be dynamically selected to minimize power consumption while still ensuring that the PA is linear. In a further aspect, a specific exemplary embodiment of a headroom voltage generator using a counter is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing battery cells of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a charge imbalance is determined while battery cells operate in a high charge resolution voltage range. The charge imbalance determined during operation in the high charge resolution voltage range may be removed when the battery cells are operated in a low charge resolution voltage range. The system and method may be particularly useful for balancing battery cells that operate in the low charge resolution voltage range for a large portion of their operating time.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are described herein for providing an automated mechanism for grouping devices to allow safe and scalable actions to be taken in parallel. A computing device obtains data that defines service relationships between computing entities in a network of computing entities controlled by a service provider. The computing device determines two or more groups of computing entities having one of a direct or indirect relationship with other computing entities within one of the two or more groups based on the obtained data. Then, the computing device determines one or more subgroups of one of the two or more groups based on the obtained data. Individual computing entities within a first subgroup of the one or more subgroups do not have a direct relationship with any of the other computing entities with the first subgroup. Output data identifying at least a portion of the subgroups is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for balancing battery cells of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a charge imbalance is determined while battery cells operate in a high charge resolution voltage range. The charge imbalance determined during operation in the high charge resolution voltage range may be removed when the battery cells are operated in a low charge resolution voltage range. The system and method may be particularly useful for balancing battery cells that operate in the low charge resolution voltage range for a large portion of their operating time.

Abstract: Techniques for providing negative current information to a control loop for a buck converter in reverse boost mode. In an aspect, negative as well as positive current through an inductor is sensed and provided to adjust a ramp voltage in the control loop for the buck converter. The techniques may prevent current through the inductor during reverse boost mode from becoming increasingly negative without bound; the techniques thereby reduce settling times when the target output voltage is reduced from a first level to a second level. In an aspect, the negative current sensing may be provided by sensing negative current through a charging, or PMOS, switch of the buck converter. The sensed negative current may be subtracted from a current used to generate the ramp voltage.

Abstract: Techniques for preventing reverse current in applications wherein a tracking supply voltage is placed in parallel with a switching power stage. The tracking supply voltage may be boosted to a level higher than a battery supply voltage using, e.g., a boost converter. In an aspect, a negative current detection block is provided to detect negative current flow from the boosted tracking supply voltage to the battery supply voltage. A high-side switch of the switching power stage may be disabled in response to detecting the negative current. To prevent false tripping, the tracking supply voltage may be further compared with the battery supply voltage, and a latch may be provided to further control the high-side switch.