Abstract: An apparatus includes analog or mixed-signal circuitry that operates in response to a first signal, and digital circuitry that operates in response to a second signal. The apparatus further includes a signal retiming circuit. The signal retiming circuit retimes an output signal of a digital signal source to reduce interference between the digital circuitry and the analog or mixed-signal circuitry by retiming edges of the output signal of the digital signal source to fall on cycle boundaries of the first signal.

Abstract: A method includes providing supply voltages to a supply voltage switching circuit that controls routing of the supply voltages to power consuming circuitry associated with the supply voltage switching circuit. The method includes comparing the supply voltages, including using at least one relatively lower precision comparator to compare the supply voltages for a relatively large difference between the supply voltages; and using at least one relatively higher precision comparator to compare the supply voltages for a relatively smaller difference between the supply voltages.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed, which includes a system that includes loads, linear regulators, switches and a controller. The linear regulators supply power to the loads, and the controller is adapted to use the switches to selectively couple power sources to the linear regulators to regulate a collective power dissipation of linear regulators.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a circuit that has a normal mode of operation and a low-power mode of operation. The circuit consumes more power in the normal mode of operation than in the low-power mode of operation. The apparatus further includes a power-supply circuit. The power-supply circuit provides a normal supply voltage to the circuit in the normal mode of operation. The power-supply circuit includes a non-linear circuit to provide a compressed supply voltage to the circuit in the low-power mode of operation, wherein the normal supply voltage is greater than the compressed supply voltage.

Abstract: An apparatus includes analog or mixed-signal circuitry that operates in response to a first signal, and digital circuitry that operates in response to a second signal. The apparatus further includes a signal retiming circuit. The signal retiming circuit retimes an output signal of a digital signal source to reduce interference between the digital circuitry and the analog or mixed-signal circuitry by retiming edges of the output signal of the digital signal source to fall on cycle boundaries of the first signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first circuit that is powered by a first supply voltage, and a second circuit that is powered by a second supply voltage. The second supply voltage has a lower level than the first supply voltage. The IC further includes a power management circuit. The power management circuit includes a switch-mode DC-DC regulator that is coupled to a plurality of pins of the IC in a pre-defined configuration. The power management circuit provides the first and second supply voltages to power up the IC in a default configuration without knowledge of the pre-defined configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communication circuit coupled to a communication link, a wakeup detector, and a power control circuit. The communication circuit has a first state and a second state. The power consumption of the communication circuit is lower in the second state than in the first state. The wakeup detector is coupled to the communication link. The wakeup detector generates a wakeup signal to cause the communication circuit to make a transition from the second state to the first state in response to an occurrence of an event on the communication link. The power control circuit selectively supplies power to the communication circuit in response to the wakeup signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first set of circuits adapted to operate in a first mode of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a second set of circuits adapted to operate in a second mode of operation of the apparatus, where a power consumption of the apparatus is lower in the second mode of operation of the apparatus than in the first mode of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a charge pump adapted to convert a first supply voltage of the apparatus to a second supply voltage, and the second supply voltage powers the second set of circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first set of circuits adapted to operate in a first mode of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a second set of circuits adapted to operate in a second mode of operation of the apparatus, where a power consumption of the apparatus is lower in the second mode of operation of the apparatus than in the first mode of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a charge pump adapted to convert a first supply voltage of the apparatus to a second supply voltage, and the second supply voltage powers the second set of circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a detector to detect an idle state of a communication link that communicates bursts or packets of information. The apparatus also includes an oscillator having low-power and normal modes of operation. The oscillator makes a transition to the low-power mode during the idle state of the communication link. The oscillator leaves the low-power mode of operation and enters the normal mode of operation when the communication link is in a non-idle state.

Abstract: A system for communicating information includes one device that communicates information via a communication link. The system also includes a second device to communicate information via the communication link. The second device includes a receiver to receive information from the communication link. The second device also includes an oscillator that provides at least one timing signal to the receiver. The oscillator is disabled when the communication link is in an idle state. The oscillator is enabled when the communication link is in a non-idle state.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus to control a motor external to the motor control apparatus includes a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU includes mixed signal motor control circuitry adapted to perform back electromotive force (EMF) motor control in a first mode of operation. The mixed signal motor control circuitry is further adapted to perform field oriented control (FOC) in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a multiplexed liquid crystal display (LCD) controller. The LCD controller operates in at least first and second phases of operation. The LCD controller drives a first plurality of signal lines to a first set of voltages during the first phase of operation and to a second set of voltages during the second phase of operation. The LCD controller selectively couples to a node at least some of the plurality of signal lines between the first and second phases of operation depending on data provided to the LCD controller.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a pulse generator to provide an excitation pulse to an output terminal and a comparator to receive a signal in response to the excitation pulse and for comparing the signal to a threshold to produce a comparator output signal corresponding to oscillations in the signal. The integrated circuit further includes a counter to count pulses in the comparator output signal and a discriminator circuit to compare a count value of the counter to a damping threshold and for providing an output signal having a first value when the count value is equal to or exceeds the damping threshold and otherwise having a second value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory, a processor and a controller. The processor is adapted to begin executing instructions based on content stored starting at a predetermined address in the memory upon reset of the processor. The controller is adapted to, in response to the reset of the processor, provide to the processor content for the predetermined address other than the content that is stored starting at the predetermined address.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to coding data in an apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a coder circuit coupled to a data bus, where the coder circuit is configured to receive an indication that data is being transmitted over the data bus from a first circuit to a second circuit. The coder circuit is configured to perform a coding operation on the data in response to receiving the indication. In some embodiments, the coder circuit is configured to operate in a mode in which the coder circuit captures data of a data transmission via the data bus without being specified as a participant of the data transmission. When the coder circuit is not operating in the mode, the coder circuit is not configured to capture data of a data transmission without being specified as a participant of the data transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a differencing comparator. The differencing comparator receives a differential input signal. The differencing comparator compares the differential input signal to a threshold value. The differencing comparator includes a transconductance circuit coupled to receive the differential input signal and to provide a differential output signal.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus to control a motor external to the motor control apparatus includes a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU includes mixed signal motor control circuitry adapted to perform back electromotive force (EMF) motor control in a first mode of operation. The mixed signal motor control circuitry is further adapted to perform field oriented control (FOC) in a second mode of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a multiplexed liquid crystal display (LCD) controller. The LCD controller is adapted to operate in at least first and second phases of operation. The LCD controller is adapted to drive a plurality of signal lines to a first set of voltages during the first phase of operation and to a second set of voltages during the second phase of operation. The LCD controller is further adapted to couple to a node at least some of the plurality of signal lines between the first and second phases of operation.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first set of circuits adapted to operate in a first mode of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus further includes a second set of circuits adapted to operate in a second mode of operation of the apparatus, where a power consumption of the apparatus is lower in the second mode of operation of the apparatus than in the first mode of operation of the apparatus. The apparatus also includes a charge pump adapted to convert a first supply voltage of the apparatus to a second supply voltage, and the second supply voltage powers the second set of circuits.