Abstract: Provided herein is a digital communications bus suitable for automotive applications, along with bus controllers and sensors that use the bus and its associated communication methods. One illustrative sensor includes: a clock signal generator; a bus interface coupled to differential signal conductors to detect periodic synchronization pulses from a bus controller; and a controller that aligns a clock signal from the clock signal generator with the periodic synchronization pulses. The bus interface sends digital data between the periodic synchronization pulses to the bus controller using the clock signal to control symbol transitions.

Abstract: Diode drivers, LIDAR systems, and methods for driving arrays of diodes. The diode driver includes a plurality of driver terminals, a plurality of row switches, a high-side switch, a low-side switch, a shorting switch, and a controller. Each of the plurality of row switches is coupled to an inductor and one of the plurality of driver terminals. The controller is configured to close the high-side switch, close the shorting switch, and open the low-side switch to increase an inductor current through the inductor. The controller is also configured to close a first row switch of the plurality of row switches. The controller is further configured to open the high-side switch, close the low-side switch, and open the shorting switch to drive the inductor current to a first driver terminal of the plurality of driver terminals. The controller is also configured to close the shorting switch to recirculate the inductor current.

Abstract: Driving arrays of diodes. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of driving an array of diodes including: charging an inductor to increase an inductor current, the charging ceases when the inductor current reaches a predetermined threshold; driving the inductor current through a first portion of the array of diodes, the driving ceases prior to the inductor current reaching zero; and recirculating the inductor current through the inductor until a next charging event.

Abstract: Offset compensation circuitry for an amplification circuit. One example embodiment is a method of compensating a primary operational amplifier including: creating, by way of a companion circuit, a square wave having an amplitude, a period, and a direct current bias (DC bias), the amplitude proportional to an offset of the primary operational amplifier; integrating, by the companion circuit, the amplitude of the square wave for less than the period of the square wave, the integrating creates a compensation signal; and applying the compensation signal to the primary operational amplifier.

Abstract: Implementations described herein are related to a diode driver that recirculates residual current from an operating current pulse in an inductor. Such recirculation produces a diagnostic current pulse to a diode array for measuring a voltage drop across a portion of the array. For example, after a controller charges an inductor of a diode driver to deliver operating current pulses to a portion of a diode array for illumination, the controller causes a residual current to remain and recirculate in the inductor. In some implementations, in response to the recirculating current reaching a monitoring threshold, the controller delivers a monitoring pulse to the portion of the diode array to measure a voltage drop across the portion of the diode array. In some implementations, the controller may infer defectivity in the portion of the array from such voltage drop measurements over time.

Abstract: Offset compensation circuitry for an amplification circuit. One example embodiment is a method of compensating a primary operational amplifier including: creating, by way of a companion circuit, a square wave having an amplitude, a period, and a direct current bias (DC bias), the amplitude proportional to an offset of the primary operational amplifier; integrating, by the companion circuit, the amplitude of the square wave for less than the period of the square wave, the integrating creates a compensation signal; and applying the compensation signal to the primary operational amplifier.

Abstract: A switching power converter for controlling average current and with frequency adjustment. One example embodiment is a method of operating a switching power converter, the method including: operating the switching power controller at a switching frequency that is variable, each switching period comprises a charge mode of an inductor of the switching power converter and a discharge mode of the inductor; controlling, by a current control loop, average current provided from the switching power converter by controlling peak current in each charge mode of the inductor; and regulating, by a frequency control loop, the switching frequency of the switching power. The regulating may include: adjusting a relationship of output voltage to a length of discharge modes of the inductor; and changing the peak current through the inductor during charge modes.

Abstract: Driving arrays of diodes. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of driving an array of diodes including: charging an inductor to increase an inductor current, the charging ceases when the inductor current reaches a predetermined threshold; driving the inductor current through a first portion of the array of diodes, the driving ceases prior to the inductor current reaching zero; and recirculating the inductor current through the inductor until a next charging event.