Abstract: An isolated gate driver has a first portion in a first voltage domain and a second portion in a second voltage domain. The first and second portions are coupled by an isolation communication channel. The isolated gate driver transmits across the isolation communication channel a serial word containing first drive strength information and simultaneously transmits gate information with the serial word across the isolation communication channel. The gate information indicates a state of a gate signal for a transistor coupled to the second portion of the isolated gate driver. A demodulator circuit demodulates a signal containing the gate information and the drive strength information transmitted across the isolation communication channel in the serial word. A gate signal output circuit coupled to the demodulator circuit supplies the gate signal based on the gate information with a drive strength of the gate signal being based on the drive strength information.

Abstract: A method for operating a multi-level bridge power converter includes arranging a plurality of switching devices including at least four inner switching devices and at least two outer switching devices in an active neutral point clamped topology. The method also includes determining whether any of the switching devices is experiencing a failure condition by implementing a failure detection algorithm. The failure detection algorithm includes generating a blocking state logic signal by comparing a switching device voltage and a threshold reference voltage for each of the switching devices, determining an expected voltage blocking state for each of the switching devices based on gate drive signals of the switching devices and an output current direction, and detecting whether a failure condition is present in any of the switching devices based on the blocking state logic signals and the expected voltage blocking states of the switching devices.

Abstract: A backpack includes: a body including a front panel and a rear panel; a shoulder strap attached to the body and having an adjustable length; and a retention mechanism attached to the body and movable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the retention mechanism being disposed to define a compartment to hold an object and to inhibit first motion of the object toward a bottom of the backpack, to inhibit second motion of the object toward a right side of the backpack, to inhibit third motion of the object toward a left side of the backpack, and to inhibit fourth motion of the object away from the rear panel over a length of the retention mechanism, in the second position the retention mechanism providing an opening to the compartment, the opening extending a majority of the length of the retention mechanism.