Abstract: A circuit system includes a current sensor circuit, a subtractor circuit, a multiplier circuit, and a divider circuit. The current sensor circuit generates a current sense signal that indicates a current through an inductor. The circuit system generates a current value based on the current sense signal. The subtractor circuit determines a voltage difference across the inductor. The multiplier circuit multiplies the voltage difference by a time period that the voltage difference is applied across the inductor to generate a product. The divider circuit divides the product by the current value to generate an estimated inductance of the inductor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprising a housing and a fastener, such as a clip (101, 201) for fastening the apparatus (100, 200) to an article of clothing. The housing (102, 202) has a recess (103, 203) formed therein, such that at least a portion of the fastener is adapted to fit within the recess. The fastener is adapted to travel slidably within the recess (103, 203) between a first position in which the fastener enables the apparatus (100, 200) to be fastened to an external object and a second position in which the fastener is stowed away.

Abstract: A portable, battery-powered electrical device in which the battery is a distributed battery comprising a plurality of battery cells disposed throughout the device in spaces that would otherwise be unoccupied.

Abstract: A fault monitoring and management system integrates a fault controller with the power load functions within the power management device of a battery operated system. Multiple input load lines allow the fault controller to diagnose and disable defective or faulty power load functions that draw current from the system supply or battery. In addition, the fault monitor allows the system to stay operational if the fault is non-catastrophic to the critical functions.

Abstract: A remote sensing power supply regulator uses high impedance sensing inputs coupled internally to at least one circuit element within an integrated circuit, so as to regulate the voltages produced by the power supply to a level that maintains nominal voltage levels at the internal circuit element within the very large scale integrated circuit. The sense point can be chosen to serve one or a group of on-board load elements that are operationally sensitive to voltage droop and/or ground bounce.

Abstract: The invention provides a switching converter comprising as few as two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device, along with a control circuit. The switching converter is capable of operating from a main supply source or an auxiliary supply source. The invention further includes a method for producing a regulated voltage from a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage via the two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an LDO regulator having a greatly improved overshoot characteristic through the use of an output voltage based feedback loop. More specifically, in the invention, one or more resistors in the divider network in a conventional LDO regulator is replaced with a variable resistor. By varying the resistance of the variable resistor as a function of the output voltage of the LDO regulator, the closed-loop gain of the LDO amplifier may be modulated in such a way as to reduce overshoot in the output voltage of the LDO regulator. In particular, the targeted final output voltage value may be arbitrarily lowered for a predetermined period of time, so that the LDO regulator output may rapidly reach a steady state voltage that is very close to the final desired regulating value without exceeding the final desired regulating value during regulator startup.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having two or more power domains that include load circuits in different portions of the integrated circuit is disclosed. In order to conserve power, the circuits in one of the power domains are shut down by disconnecting the power source serving that domain. The load circuits in each power domain are buffered from the load circuits in other power domains by buffer cells. The buffer cells reduce leakage currents in the power domain that is shut down, by restricting data signals from the “live” power domain from reaching the shut-down power domain, and further by providing predetermined voltage signals to the load circuits in the shut-down power domain that are selected to minimize leakage currents in the inactive load circuits. The invention further provides a corresponding method for reducing power consumption in an integrated circuit having at least two power domains separated by a buffer cell.

Abstract: The invention provides a monolithic, highly integrated power supply circuit capable of providing various voltages for circuits on an expansion card, either from a main supply source or an auxiliary supply source. The monolithic power supply circuit preferably includes two switching converters, two low-drop-out regulators, a standby regulator, a reset circuit, and a control circuit. An associated method for providing various voltages via a monolithic power supply circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides a switching converter comprising as few as two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device, along with a control circuit. The switching converter is capable of operating from a main supply source or an auxiliary supply source. The invention further includes a method for producing a regulated voltage from a first supply voltage and a second supply voltage via the two high-side switching transistors and a low-side rectifying device.

Abstract: A PCMCIA card is provided that includes an on-board (integrated) storage battery and, preferably, charging circuitry for same. The on-board storage battery is dedicated to operation of on-board devices that have higher current/power requirements than are available from the 5 volt pins of the PCMCIA card. For example, in a cellular device application, during high-load transmit periods, the battery is used to source the power amplifier, and during low-load periods, the battery can be charged by the on-board battery charging circuitry, preparing the battery for the next high current/power transmit burst. In a preferred embodiment, the battery comprises a very thin Li-Ion/polymer battery or equivalent.