Abstract: An electronically commutated motor (10) is adapted to be powered directly by an AC voltage (UAC) source, and comprises a permanent-magnet rotor (18), a stator having at least one winding phase (L1, L2, . . . , Ln), a rectifier (38) which generates, from the AC voltage (UAC), a pulsating DC voltage (UB) between a positive lead (30) and a negative lead (32) of a DC link (15). Also present is a bridge circuit (28A, 28B, 28C), connected to that DC link (15) and provided to supply current to the at least one winding phase (L1, L2, . . . , Ln), which comprises a switching element (50) controllable with a control voltage (UST) that is lower than the pulsating DC voltage (UB) to be switched. An auxiliary circuit (34, 34′) generates, from the pulsating DC voltage (UB) at the DC link and from the AC voltage (UAC), a control voltage (UST) for driving the switching element (50) that is lower than the pulsating DC voltage by an amount equal to a predetermined value (U&Dgr;).

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter for successively and approximately converting an analog input signal into a digital output signal includes at least one comparator having a linear input module and an output module. The analog input signal is compared with a compare signal supplied by a digital-to-analog converter and supplies a comparator output signal for adjusting a clocked successive approximation register. The digital value temporarily stored in the successive approximation register is converted into the analog compare signal by the digital-to-analog converter. The inventive converter also includes an acceleration circuit supplying a reversible clock signal to the cocked successive approximation register according to at least one overload detector signal that detects overload of an appurtenant linear input module in the comparator.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter for successively and approximately converting an analog input signal into a digital output signal includes at least one comparator having a linear input module and an output module. The analog input signal is compared with a compare signal supplied by a digital-to-analog converter and supplies a comparator output signal for adjusting a clocked successive approximation register. The digital value temporarily stored in the successive approximation register is converted into the analog compare signal by the digital-to-analog converter. The inventive converter also includes an acceleration circuit supplying a reversible clock signal to the cocked successive approximation register according to at least one overload detector signal that detects overload of an appurtenant linear input module in the comparator.

Abstract: A digital recording disk, such as an audio or a video disk, has a central bearing area, a data medium layer having at least one data track thereon, and a protective layer covering a face of reading of said disk, said protective layer is provided with damages, causing disturbances during a reading operation. Said damages are repaired by removing the protective layer in a section between a central bearing area and a circumferential edge of said disk to a level at which disturbances during reading do not appear. Said removing of said protective layer is carried out in directions cutting across the data track path.