Abstract: An improved implementation of the electronic whistle sensor provides more accuracy in determining if the whistle has sounded, utilizes a ubiquitous sensor, and enables versatility in the signaling device.

Abstract: A method of controlling an LED string having a first end coupled to a power source and a second end coupled to a first end of a current sink is provided. The method include generating a target voltage at a first end of an external inductor coupled to the second end of the current sink, comparing the target voltage to a measured voltage at the first end of the external inductor, charging the external inductor responsive to the measured voltage being greater than the target voltage, and discharging the external inductor responsive to the measured voltage being less than the target voltage.

Abstract: An improved all electronic sensor to detect when a whistle emits an audio signal. The electronic sensor activates an additional function such as a light, or signaling device to activate remote functions, such as submerged speakers, or time keeping apparatus.

Abstract: An LED driver IC for driving external strings of LEDs comprises a prefix register and a data register connected in series with each other and with the prefix and data registers in other driver ICs. The prefix and data registers of the driver ICs are connected in a daisy chain arrangement with an interface IC. The interface IC loads data identifying a functional latch into the prefix register and data defining a functional condition into the data register of each driver IC. The data in the data register is then transferred to the functional latch to control the functional condition within the LED driver IC.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple strings of LEDs includes a group of LED driver IC's, each of which includes a current sense feedback (CSFB) sample latch for storing a digital representation of the forward-voltage drop across a controlled LED string. Each CSFB latch is coupled to a register within a serial lighting interface (SLI) bus that both originates and terminates at an interface IC. As the data on the SLI bus is shifted into the interface IC, the interface IC selects the CSFB word that represents the highest forward-voltage drop of any of the controlled LED strings, which is then used by the interface IC to generate a CSFB signal for setting the appropriate supply voltage for the controlled LED strings.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple strings of LEDs includes a group of LED driver ICs, each of which includes a current sense feedback (CSFB) sample latch for storing a digital representation of the forward-voltage drop across a controlled LED string. Each CSFB latch is coupled to a register within a serial lighting interface (SLI) bus that both originates and terminates at an interface IC. As the data on the SLI bus is shifted into the interface IC, the interface IC selects the CSFB word that represents the highest forward-voltage drop of any of the controlled LED strings, which is then used by the interface IC to generate a CSFB signal for setting the appropriate supply voltage for the controlled LED strings.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling a boost converter. The integrated circuit includes a gate pin, a source pin, a feedback pin, a current mirror sub-circuit, and a control sub-circuit. The current mirror sub-circuit is connected to the source pin to produce an output current from a reference current flowing between the source pin and ground, the reference current being larger than the output current. The control sub-circuit is connected to the current mirror sub-circuit, the gate pin and the feedback pin to control a gate voltage provided to the gate pin based on the output current and a feedback voltage at the feedback pin.

Abstract: A distributed system for driving strings of series-connected LEDs for backlighting, display and lighting applications includes multiple intelligent satellite LED driver ICs connected to a an interface IC via serial bus. The interface IC translates information obtained from a host microcontroller into instructions for the satellite LED driver ICs pertaining to such parameters as duty factor, current levels, phase delay and fault settings. Fault conditions in the LED driver ICs can be transmitted back to the interface IC. An analog current sense feedback system which also links the LED driver ICs determines the supply voltage for the LED strings.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple strings of LEDs includes a group of LED driver ICs, each of which includes a current sense feedback (CSFB) sample latch for storing a digital representation of the forward-voltage drop across a controlled LED string. Each CSFB latch is coupled to a register within a serial lighting interface (SLI) bus that both originates and terminates at an interface IC. As the data on the SLI bus is shifted into the interface IC, the interface IC selects the CSFB word that represents the highest forward-voltage drop of any of the controlled LED strings, which is then used by the interface IC to generate a CSFB signal for setting the appropriate supply voltage for the controlled LED strings.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple strings of LEDs includes a group of LED driver ICs, each of which includes a current sense feedback (CSFB) sample latch for storing a digital representation of the forward-voltage drop across a controlled LED string. Each CSFB latch is coupled to a register within a serial lighting interface (SLI) bus that both originates and terminates at an interface IC. As the data on the SLI bus is shifted into the interface IC, the interface IC selects the CSFB word that represents the highest forward-voltage drop of any of the controlled LED strings, which is then used by the interface IC to generate a CSFB signal for setting the appropriate supply voltage for the controlled LED strings.

Abstract: An operational transconductance amplifier used in conjunction with a multiple chip voltage feedback technique allows multiple strings of LEDs and current sinks to be efficiently powered by a simple feedback oriented voltage regulator within an appliance. A connected series of differential amplifiers or multiplexors are used to monitor the voltages between the connected LEDs and the current sinks, in order to progressively determine the lowest voltage. The operational transconductance amplifier compares this voltage to a reference voltage and injects or removes current from the feedback node of a voltage regulator, thereby altering the voltage present at the feedback node. This causes the voltage regulator to adjust its output, ensuring that the current sinks of the LED strings have adequate voltage with which to function, even as the LEDs have different forward voltages and the strings are asynchronously enabled and disabled.

Abstract: A distributed system for driving strings of series-connected LEDs for backlighting, display and lighting applications includes multiple intelligent satellite LED driver ICs connected to a an interface IC via serial bus. The interface IC translates information obtained from a host microcontroller into instructions for the satellite LED driver ICs pertaining to such parameters as duty factor, current levels, phase delay and fault settings. Fault conditions in the LED driver ICs can be transmitted back to, the interface IC. An analog current sense feedback system which also links the LED driver ICs determines the supply voltage for the LED strings.

Abstract: A distributed system for driving strings of series-connected LEDs for backlighting, display and lighting applications includes multiple intelligent satellite LED driver ICs connected to a an interface IC via serial bus. The interface IC translates information obtained from a host microcontroller into instructions for the satellite LED driver ICs pertaining to such parameters as duty factor, current levels, phase delay and fault settings. Fault conditions in the LED driver ICs can be transmitted back to the interface IC. An analog current sense feedback system which also links the LED driver ICs determines the supply voltage for the LED strings.

Abstract: A distributed system for driving strings of series-connected LEDs for backlighting, display and lighting applications includes multiple intelligent satellite LED driver ICs connected to a an interface IC via serial bus. The interface IC translates information obtained from a host microcontroller into instructions for the satellite LED driver ICs pertaining to such parameters as duty factor, current levels, phase delay and fault settings. Fault conditions in the LED driver ICs can be transmitted back to the interface IC. An analog current sense feedback system which also links the LED driver ICs determines the supply voltage for the LED strings.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for controlling a boost converter. The integrated circuit includes a gate pin, a source pin, a feedback pin, a current mirror sub-circuit, and a control sub-circuit. The current mirror sub-circuit is connected to the source pin to produce an output current from a reference current flowing between the source pin and ground, the reference current being larger than the output current.

Abstract: A switching regulator that includes a high-side MOSFET, a low-side MOSFET, a high-side driver circuit, a low-side driver circuit, and a capacitive coupling circuit. An output of the high-side driver circuit is coupled to a gate of the high-side MOSFET to control the high-side MOSFET to be substantially depleted during a first operational phase and to be substantially enhanced during a second operational phase. An output of the low-side driver circuit is coupled to a gate of the low-side MOSFET to control the low-side MOSFET to be substantially enhanced during the first operational phase and to provide a regulated drain-to-source current during the second operational phase. The capacitive coupling circuit is coupled to an input of the high-side driver circuit and the gate of the low-side MOSFET and decreases the regulated drain-to-source current during a transition from the first operational phase to the second operational phase.

Abstract: A method of controlling an LED string having a first end coupled to a power source and a second end coupled to a first end of a current sink is provided. The method include generating a target voltage at a first end of an external inductor coupled to the second end of the current sink, comparing the target voltage to a measured voltage at the first end of the external inductor, charging the external inductor responsive to the measured voltage being greater than the target voltage, and discharging the external inductor responsive to the measured voltage being less than the target voltage.

Abstract: A low voltage current mirror design is used to control a high voltage boost converter. A high amperage reference current emanating from a high voltage inductor based DC-to-DC boost converter is mirrored to a low amperage output current. On-chip CMOS elements are used to measure and manipulate the output current, eliminating the need for a high precision, low resistance, external resistor. The measured and manipulated current is used to control the PWM duty cycle of an inductor based DC-to-DC boost converter, allowing for a lower cost solution in a high voltage, high current situation.

Abstract: An LED driver IC for driving external strings of LEDs comprises a prefix register and a data register connected in series with each other and with the prefix and data registers in other driver ICs. The prefix and data registers of the driver ICs are connected in a daisy chain arrangement with an interface IC. The interface IC loads data identifying a functional latch into the prefix register and data defining a functional condition into the data register of each driver IC. The data in the data register is then transferred to the functional latch to control the functional condition within the LED driver IC.

Abstract: An integrated circuit contains a current sink that is used to control a channel of varying forward voltage, with a goal of maintaining a minimally sufficient voltage across the current sink. A target voltage for the current sink return is determined, and a switched inductor is used to maintain said voltage. Various target determination schemes are possible, and various enhancements improve startup time, efficiency, and effectiveness.