Abstract: A linear voltage regulator with isolated supply current is disclosed. The voltage regulator is configured and controlled such that its output current closely matches its input current (any quiescent current consumed by the regulator is negligible relative to the amount of current passed by the regulator). In certain implementations, the voltage regulator is implemented as an analog component. In other implementations, the voltage regulator includes or cooperates with digital elements, such as an analog-to-digital converter, a digital processing core, or a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for dynamic management of charge. The techniques may involve obtaining an estimated readiness time for an energy storage element, obtaining a target state of charge for the energy storage element, calculating an estimated charging time based at least in part on a difference between the target state of charge and a current state of charge, using a first charging rate to charge the energy storage element to an intermediate state of charge, and responsive to determining the amount of time remaining before reaching a second estimated readiness time is less than an updated estimated charging time to charge the energy storage element at the intermediate state of charge to the target state of charge, using a second charging rate to charge the energy storage element to the target state of charge, wherein the second charging rate is greater than the first charging rate.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for dynamic management of charge. A method involves obtaining an estimated readiness time for an energy storage element, obtaining a target state of charge for the energy storage element, calculating an estimated charging time based at least in part on a difference between the target state of charge and a current state of charge, using a first charging rate to charge the energy storage element to an intermediate state of charge responsive to determining a time difference between the estimated readiness time and a first time is greater than the estimated charging time, maintaining the energy storage element at the intermediate state of charge, and responsive to determining a time difference between the estimated readiness time and a second time is less than the estimated charging time, using a second charging rate to charge the energy storage element to the target state of charge.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a battery, a system load, a switch in an electrical connection path between the battery and the system load, a non-contact sensor configured to detect a wireless control signal associated with an instruction, a control circuit configured to open the switch to disconnect the battery and the system load in response to the detected wireless control signal, and a charging interface configured to receive electric power from an external source, where the control circuit and the non-contact sensor are powered through the charging interface rather than the battery.

Abstract: An auxiliary device for charging and facilitating hardware shutdown/reset of an electronic device includes a charge transmitter configured to transmit electric power signals, an input user interface for receiving a user input, a wireless control signal transmitter configured to transmit wireless control signals, and a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MC is configured to: determine a user instruction based on the user input; enable the wireless control signal transmitter to transmit a wireless control signal in response to the user instruction; and control the charge transmitter to selectively transmit the electric power signals according to a timing sequence selected based on the user instruction. In some embodiments, the input user interface and the wireless control signal transmitter are a same device (e.g., a slidable magnet).

Abstract: A system includes an electronic device and an auxiliary device for charging the electronic device and facilitating hardware shutdown/reset of the electronic device when the electronic device is being charged. The system includes an input user interface (e.g., on the auxiliary device or the electronic device) configured to receive a user input for hardware shutdown/reset of the electronic device. The electronic device includes a switch between a battery and a system load, a control circuit configured to open the switch to disconnect the battery and the system load, and a charging interface configured to receive electric power signals from the auxiliary device to power the control circuit, such that hardware shutdown/reset of the electronic device is performed when the electronic device is being charged, thereby preventing unintentional hardware shutdown/reset during normal use. In some embodiments, wireless control signals are used to initiate hardware shutdown/reset on the electronic device.

Abstract: A test system for measuring electrical current consumption of a device under test (DUT) includes a capacitor with power and ground terminals; a voltage regulator with input and output terminals; first and second switching elements; and a controller. The voltage regulator generates a DUT operating voltage based on its input voltage. The first switching element is arranged between a direct current (DC) voltage source and the regulator input, and the second switching element is arranged between the DC voltage source and the capacitor. The controller operates the switching elements to charge the capacitor, and to configure the test system for measuring operating current of the DUT using the capacitor as the power source.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuation systems and related operating methods are provided. A method of controlling an electromechanical actuator in response to an input command signal at an input terminal involves determining a commanded actuation state value based on a characteristic of the input command signal, generating driver command signals based on the commanded actuation state value and an actuator type associated with the electromechanical actuator, and operating driver circuitry in accordance with the driver command signals to provide output signals at output terminals coupled to the electromechanical actuator.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuation systems and related operating methods are provided. A method of controlling an electromechanical actuator in response to an input command signal at an input terminal involves determining a commanded actuation state value based on a characteristic of the input command signal, generating driver command signals based on the commanded actuation state value and an actuator type associated with the electromechanical actuator, and operating driver circuitry in accordance with the driver command signals to provide output signals at output terminals coupled to the electromechanical actuator.

Abstract: A test system for measuring electrical current consumption of a device under test (DUT) includes a capacitor with power and ground terminals; a voltage regulator with input and output terminals; first and second switching elements; and a controller. The voltage regulator generates a DUT operating voltage based on its input voltage. The first switching element is arranged between a direct current (DC) voltage source and the regulator input, and the second switching element is arranged between the DC voltage source and the capacitor. The controller operates the switching elements to charge the capacitor, and to configure the test system for measuring operating current of the DUT using the capacitor as the power source.

Abstract: A linear voltage regulator with isolated supply current is disclosed. The voltage regulator is configured and controlled such that its output current closely matches its input current (any quiescent current consumed by the regulator is negligible relative to the amount of current passed by the regulator). In certain implementations, the voltage regulator is implemented as an analog component. In other implementations, the voltage regulator includes or cooperates with digital elements, such as an analog-to-digital converter, a digital processing core, or a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for dynamic management of charge. A method involves obtaining an estimated readiness time for an energy storage element, obtaining a target state of charge for the energy storage element, calculating an estimated charging time based at least in part on a difference between the target state of charge and a current state of charge, using a first charging rate to charge the energy storage element to an intermediate state of charge responsive to determining a time difference between the estimated readiness time and a first time is greater than the estimated charging time, maintaining the energy storage element at the intermediate state of charge, and responsive to determining a time difference between the estimated readiness time and a second time is less than the estimated charging time, using a second charging rate to charge the energy storage element to the target state of charge.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for networked dynamic management of charge. A processor-implemented method involves charging an energy storage element from an initial state of charge to a holding state of charge, maintaining the energy storage element at the holding state of charge, receiving, via a network, an indication to complete charging the energy storage element, and in response to receiving the indication, charging the energy storage element from the holding state of charge to a target state of charge.

Abstract: Electromechanical actuation systems and related operating methods are provided. A method of controlling an electromechanical actuator in response to an input command signal at an input terminal involves determining a commanded actuation state value based on a characteristic of the input command signal, generating driver command signals based on the commanded actuation state value and an actuator type associated with the electromechanical actuator, and operating driver circuitry in accordance with the driver command signals to provide output signals at output terminals coupled to the electromechanical actuator.