Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit one or more radio frequency signal pulses; a detection unit configured to detect one or more load changes at a radio frequency interface occurring in response to the radio frequency signal pulses transmitted by the transmitter, wherein said load changes are indicative of the presence of an external communication device; a first clock generator comprising a free-running oscillator, wherein said first clock generator is configured to provide a clock signal to the transmitter and the detection unit while said transmitter transmits said radio frequency signal pulses and the detection unit detects said load changes. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of operating a communication device is conceived.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a vehicle access module, a plurality of cables coupled to the vehicle access module, and an antenna coupled to the plurality of cables, wherein based upon short circuit analysis of the plurality of cables by the vehicle access module, the plurality of cables are decoupled from the vehicle access module. In order to determine with a short circuit exists in the plurality of cables, the short circuit analysis includes a determination as to whether a maximum of antenna current samples taken from the antenna is greater than a diagnostic parameter times an average of the antenna current samples.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring temperature of an external switch is disclosed. The circuit includes a variable resistor, a switch coupled to the variable resistor in series, a fixed value resistor coupled to the variable resistor and a comparator coupled between the variable resistor and the fixed value resistor. The circuit is configured to compare voltage drop between a drain and a source of the external switch when the external switch is in ON state with voltage drop at the variable resistor and output a signal to indicate an overtemperature based on the comparing.

Abstract: A vehicle communication system includes a vehicle access module, a plurality of cables coupled to the vehicle access module, and an antenna coupled to the plurality of cables, wherein based upon short circuit analysis of the plurality of cables by the vehicle access module, the plurality of cables are decoupled from the vehicle access module. In order to determine with a short circuit exists in the plurality of cables, the short circuit analysis includes a determination as to whether a maximum of antenna current samples taken from the antenna is greater than a diagnostic parameter times an average of the antenna current samples.

Abstract: A circuit for measuring temperature of an external switch is disclosed. The circuit includes a variable resistor, a switch coupled to the variable resistor in series, a fixed value resistor coupled to the variable resistor and a comparator coupled between the variable resistor and the fixed value resistor. The circuit is configured to compare voltage drop between a drain and a source of the external switch when the external switch is in ON state with voltage drop at the variable resistor and output a signal to indicate an overtemperature based on the comparing.

Abstract: A low frequency (LF) antenna control circuit is disclosed. The LF antenna control circuit includes an antenna driver to drive an antenna, a current and phase measurement circuit to measure antenna current and signal phase, a modulator to modulate a signal to be transmitted via the antenna and a controller configured to drive the antenna through the antenna driver using a first fixed amplitude for a first time period, a second fixed amplitude for a second time period that is subsequent to the first time period and subsequent to the second time period, and subsequently, to drive the antenna using step up/down voltages based on the measured antenna current and signal phase. The signal included encoded bits of data to be transmitted.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit including opposing-phase electronic switches, and an output drive circuit that provides an output drive signal in response to output signals from the opposing-phase electronic switches. Each of the opposing-phase electronic are configured and arranged to rapidly switch back and forth in response to an amplifier input signal and based on a power source defined to provide a supply voltage to the switching amplifier circuit. Further, an output-amplitude control circuit is used to limit a maximum-achievable voltage that is applied (e.g., gate or source voltage) to at least one of the opposing-phase electronic switches, with each such applied voltage being less than the supply voltage provided by the power source. Consistent therewith, more specific aspects concern an arrangement or circuit-based system of wireless communication in an automobile, wherein an automotive battery is the power source.

Abstract: A voltage converter connectable to a power source (PS) and a load (LD) provides a regulated output voltage (Vout) from a voltage (Vin) power source by switchable current paths including an inductive element (L). The voltage converter includes a plurality of switching elements for switching the current paths of the voltage converter as a forward-phase current path when the input voltage corresponds to the output voltage, as an up-phase current path when the input voltage is lower than the output voltage, and as a down-phase current path when the input voltage is higher than the output voltage. A central controller controls a switching state of the plurality of switching elements, a current sensing unit including a comparator for sensing a current flowing through at least one of the switching elements, and a plurality of processing units for processing the current sensing.

Abstract: A voltage converter connectable to a power source (PS) and a load (LD) provides a regulated output voltage (Vout) from a voltage (Vin) power source by switchable current paths including an inductive element (L). The voltage converter includes a plurality of switching elements for switching the current paths of the voltage converter as a forward-phase current path when the input voltage corresponds to the output voltage, as an up-phase current path when the input voltage is lower than the output voltage, and as a down-phase current path when the input voltage is higher than the output voltage. A central controller controls a switching state of the plurality of switching elements, a current sensing unit including a comparator for sensing a current flowing through at least one of the switching elements, and a plurality of processing units for processing the current sensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a boost converter which can operate both in a capacitive and in an inductive mode. In the capacitive mode the converter operates as a charge pump circuit by making use of a set of switches and a set of capacitors. In the inductive mode the converter operates as a boost circuit and uses a sub-set of the switches and an inductor. The mode is selected by means of a selection terminal that is also used in the capacitive mode for coupling of a battery to the boost converter.

Abstract: A voltage converter comprises an inductive circuit (L) for storing energy during an inductive magnetizing mode and transferring energy during an inductive demagnetizing mode. In addition the voltage converter comprises at least two non-inverting branches (12, 13, 14) for providing at least two non-inverted output voltages (Va, Vb, Vc) and an inverting branch (15) for providing an inverted output voltage. The inverting (15) and non-inverting (12, 13, 14) branches being parallely coupled to an output (10) of the inductive circuit (L). The inductive circuit being arranged to transfer energy to the inverting branch (15) and to one of the at least two non-inverting branches (12, 13, 14). Through this, the inverted voltage (Vinv) and the corresponding non-inverted output voltage (Va, Vb, Vc) of the one of the at least two non-inverting branches (12, 13, 14) are having an opposite polarity and a substantially equal magnitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) comprising an IC (1) which is attached to one side of an insulating substrate (11) which, on said side, is provided with a first conductor pattern (12) to which the connection conductors (4) of the IC (1) are connected and which is electrically connected to a second conductor pattern (13) present on the other side of the substrate (11) and provided with contact bumps (5). A device (10) according to the invention is provided with one or more fuses (6) and with an electrical component (7), a property of which can be adjusted by means of the fuses (6), which component (7) forms part of the IC (1), and the fuses (6) form part of the conductor patterns (12, 13) on the insulating substrate (11). Such a device is very compact and its manufacture is easy and inexpensive. There is no need to supply the end user with any information regarding the calibration of the device (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a semiconductor device (10) comprising an IC (1) which is attached to one side of an insulating substrate (11) which, on said side, is provided with a first conductor pattern (12) to which the connection conductors (4) of the IC (1) are connected and which is electrically connected to a second conductor pattern (13) present on the other side of the substrate (11) and provided with contact bumps (5).