Abstract: A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) can improve the ramp up speed of a boost converter with the inclusion of a controllable switch that may modify the connection of an output capacitor to reduce the ramp time as the output voltage is ramping to a desired boost setpoint. The switch may be controlled using jump start logic to switch a first plate or terminal of the output capacitor from a ground connection to a voltage supply connection. Once a threshold voltage is reached, the first plate of the capacitor may be switched from the supply voltage to ground. The PMIC may further include a quick start assembly that can drive the boost converter at a high duty-cycle.

Abstract: A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) can improve the ramp up speed of a boost converter with the inclusion of a controllable switch that may modify the connection of an output capacitor to reduce the ramp time as the output voltage is ramping to a desired boost setpoint. The switch may be controlled using jump start logic to switch a first plate or terminal of the output capacitor from a ground connection to a voltage supply connection. Once a threshold voltage is reached, the first plate of the capacitor may be switched from the supply voltage to ground. In certain cases, by switching the connection of the output capacitor between ground and a supply voltage based on one or more threshold voltages or a boost setpoint, the time to ramp from an initial voltage to a desired boost setpoint may be reduced.

Abstract: Methods and diagnostic tools are provided for assessing contrast sensitivity in a subject in the presence and absence of luminance noise by: i) presenting to the subject a series of scenes, each scene comprising at least a first target having a preselected level of contrast superimposed on a uniform background and a second target having a preselected level of contrast superimposed on a luminance noise background, wherein in each successively presented scene the first and second targets that are superimposed on the uniform background and on the luminance noise background, respectively, have contrast levels that are different from the contrast levels of the first and second targets superimposed on the uniform background and on the luminance noise background, respectively, in the previously presented scene; ii) monitoring responses by the subject to step i); and iii) evaluating the contrast sensitivity of the subject based on the monitored responses.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a radio-frequency module can include a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components and a voltage converter implemented on the packaging substrate. The voltage converter can include a high-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of high-side switching elements and a low-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may include an intermediate node coupled to one or more high-side switching elements and coupled to one or more low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may further include a segmentation circuit block communicatively coupled to the high-side switch circuit block and communicatively coupled to the low-side switch circuit block.

Abstract: A component positioning system and method are configured to facilitate positioning of a component (such as a seat assembly) on a seat track within an internal cabin of a vehicle. The component positioning system and method include a component, and a position indicator coupled to a portion of the component. The position indicator emits a proper position indication when the component is in a proper position in relation to the seat track. The position indicator emits a remedial position indication when the component is not in the proper position with respect to the seat track.

Abstract: An adaptive seat configuration system and method are configured to adaptively determine a seat configuration for an internal cabin of an aircraft. The adaptive seat configuration system and method include a seat configuration analysis control unit that receives seat configuration data from one or more sources. The seat configuration analysis control analyzes the seat configuration data and determines the seat configuration for the internal cabin of the aircraft.

Abstract: According to certain aspects, a radio-frequency module can include a packaging substrate configured to receive a plurality of components and a voltage converter implemented on the packaging substrate. The voltage converter can include a high-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of high-side switching elements and a low-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may include an intermediate node coupled to one or more high-side switching elements and coupled to one or more low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may further include a segmentation circuit block communicatively coupled to the high-side switch circuit block and communicatively coupled to the low-side switch circuit block.

Abstract: A voltage converter is disclosed to include a high-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of high-side switching elements and a low-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may include an intermediate node coupled to one or more high-side switching elements and coupled to one or more low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may further include a segmentation circuit block communicatively coupled to the high-side switch circuit block and communicatively coupled to the low-side switch circuit block.

Abstract: A voltage converter is disclosed to include a high-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of high-side switching elements and a low-side switch circuit block comprising a plurality of low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may include an intermediate node coupled to one or more high-side switching elements and coupled to one or more low-side switching elements. The voltage converter may further include a segmentation circuit block communicatively coupled to the high-side switch circuit block and communicatively coupled to the low-side switch circuit block.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention reduce switching losses associated with existing non-zero volt switching and non-zero current switching in DC/DC converters without the need for a resonant design. Certain embodiments of the invention provide for improved efficiency by reducing switching losses related to the simultaneous presence of current and voltage across high power switching devices. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by adding a relatively small inductor and two switching elements to various switching regulator topologies. Energy stored in the inductor is used to transition the output of the switching converter to achieve zero volt switching and zero current switching.

Abstract: Electronic devices with a VCOM display panel are configured to provide a common voltage VCOM to a VCOM display panel backplane, referred to as a VCOM reference plane. The common voltage is supplied by a VCOM application circuit coupled to the VCOM reference plane. The VCOM application circuit includes a linear amplifier, such as a Class AB amplifier, coupled to a switched transient assist circuit configured to output the common voltage. The switched transient assist circuit stabilizes the amplifier in the presence of large transient output currents but with minimized power dissipation and heat rise in the amplifier.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention reduce switching losses associated with existing non-zero volt switching and non-zero current switching in DC/DC converters without the need for a resonant design. Certain embodiments of the invention provide for improved efficiency by reducing switching losses related to the simultaneous presence of current and voltage across high power switching devices. In certain embodiments, this is accomplished by adding a relatively small inductor and two switching elements to various switching regulator topologies. Energy stored in the inductor is used to transition the output of the switching converter to achieve zero volt switching and zero current switching.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to a LED illumination system, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of employing a LED driver control loop to adjust the brightness of the LED light smoothly and suppress flickering/blinking. The LED driver control loop comprises a LED driver, a charge integrator, a VPWR modulator, and a driver controller. The charge integrator generates a voltage VC that is associated with a LED current iLED and illumination energy for the LED light. The VPWR modulator provides a clamping voltage VPWR such that the LED driver ceases to inject the LED current iLED as the voltage VC saturates at VPWR during each powering cycle. The clamping voltage VPWR is dynamically adjusted at the end of each powering cycle to gradually adjust the brightness and avoid flickering or blinking while still ensuring illumination efficiency.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly.

Abstract: Implantable medical device and method provides pacing to a patient having a heart using a plurality of electrodes. Electrical circuitry is operatively coupled to each of the plurality of electrodes on each of the plurality of leads and is configured to provide a plurality of stimulation vectors with the plurality of electrodes to the heart of the patient. The electrical circuitry is configured to calculate an energy consumption for each of the plurality of stimulation vectors.

Abstract: An energy harvesting circuit harvests energy from a voltage source and charges a storage element with the harvested energy. The energy harvesting circuit includes an energy source, a storage capacitor to store energy output from the energy source, a power converter circuit, an energy storage element, and an enabling circuit. The enabling circuit turns the boost converter circuit on and off according to a monitored capacitance voltage of the storage capacitor. When the boost converter circuit is turned off, the storage capacitor accumulates energy output from the energy source until a reference voltage is reached, whereupon the boost converter circuit is turned on, enabling current flow from the storage capacitor to the storage element. When the storage capacitor discharges to a minimum voltage level, the boost converter circuit is turned off. The enabling circuit and a reference voltage supply are powered by the energy source.

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft. The landing gear may have a wheel/truck assembly, an oleo strut/support frame for supporting the wheel/truck assembly, and a retraction assembly attached to the oleo strut/support frame, the retraction assembly for moving the landing gear between a deployed position and a retracted position. The retraction assembly may have a pivoting trunnion brace attached to the oleo strut/support frame and to a fuselage of the aircraft for positioning the wheel/truck assembly, the oleo strut/support frame and the retraction assembly at least substantially fully within the fuselage of the aircraft in the retracted position.

Abstract: Electronic devices with a VCOM display panel are configured to provide a common voltage VCOM to a VCOM display panel backplane, referred to as a VCOM reference plane. The common voltage is supplied by a VCOM application circuit coupled to the VCOM reference plane. The VCOM application circuit includes a linear amplifier, such as a Class AB amplifier, coupled to a switched transient assist circuit configured to output the common voltage. The switched transient assist circuit stabilizes the amplifier in the presence of large transient output currents but with minimized power dissipation and heat rise in the amplifier.

Abstract: A landing gear for an aircraft. The landing gear may have a wheel/truck assembly, an oleo strut/support frame for supporting the wheel/truck assembly, and a retraction assembly attached to the oleo strut/support frame, the retraction assembly for moving the landing gear between a deployed position and a retracted position. The retraction assembly may have a pivoting trunnion brace attached to the oleo strut/support frame and to a fuselage of the aircraft for positioning the wheel/truck assembly, the oleo strut/support frame and the retraction assembly at least substantially fully within the fuselage of the aircraft in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly.