Abstract: An apparatus comprises a switch and a capacitor connected to the switch and to a gate driver that drives a gate of a solid state device. The gate driver is operated to perform a test sequence for the solid state device. The test sequence includes turning on a switch and charging a capacitor to a supply voltage during an initial phase. During a first phase, the switch and the solid state device are turned off, the gate driver is disconnected from the supply voltage, and the gate driver drives the gate of the solid state device based at least upon a charge of the capacitor. During a second phase, the gate driver drives the gate of the solid state device to turn on the solid state device. A gate charge at the gate of the solid state device is measured as an operational state of the solid state device.

Abstract: A unidirectional power switch includes: a normally-on switch device having a normally-on gate, a source, and a drain; a normally-off switch device having a normally-off gate, a source, and a drain, the drain of the normally-off switch device being electrically connected to the source of the normally-on switch device in a cascode configuration; a first source terminal electrically connected to the source of the normally-off switch device; a second source terminal electrically connected to the source of the normally-on switch device; and a drain terminal electrically connected to the drain of the normally-on switch device. The unidirectional power switch is configurable as either a normally-off unidirectional switch or a normally-on unidirectional switch, depending on a configuration of external gate driver connections to the source terminals. Additional power switch embodiments and related methods of configuring the power switches are described, including a configurable bidirectional power switch.

Abstract: A power connector is provided that is configured to conduct a current and includes a conductive frame including a base structure, an extension structure, and a cap structure that define a current path for the current. The base structure is configured to be coupled to a current supply for receiving the current therefrom. The cap structure is configured to be coupled to an electrical interface of a device to be supplied with the current and outputs the current from the connector to the electrical interface of the device. The extension structure is coupled to and vertically extends between the base structure and the cap structure. The extension structure includes a current constriction region that is configured to cause a defined magnetic field of the current flowing through the current constriction region at a predefined position.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a sensor system, comprising a microcontroller, at least one sensor chip designed to measure a physical quantity, wherein the microcontroller and the sensor chip are coupled to one another via at least one analog signal interface for conveying analog measurement data between the sensor chip and the microcontroller and via a bidirectional digital signal interface for conveying digital secondary information between the sensor chip and the microcontroller.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a solid state device and a switch in series with the solid state device. The apparatus comprises a leak detection component connected to the solid state device. The apparatus comprises a gate driver configured to drive a gate of the solid state device. The gate driver comprises test circuitry configured to apply a test voltage to the gate of the solid state device. The test voltage is less than a threshold voltage of the solid state device. The leak detection component is configured to detect a leakage of the solid state device.

Abstract: A busbar for current transport comprises conductive material, which extends along a current direction. A recess for a magnetic field sensor extends into the conductive material, a middle of the recess being shifted by a predetermined distance from a middle of the conductive material in the direction of an edge of the conductive material, so that, within a frequency range, a frequency dependency of a magnetic field, which is induced by an alternating current flowing along the current direction, is reduced in comparison with a busbar having a central recess.

Abstract: A sensor device is provided with a magnetic field sensitive element being positioned in a magnetic field of a magnet. The magnetic field sensitive element is configured to sense an orientation angle of the magnetic field in the range between 0° and 360° and generate a sensing signal. The electronic circuitry is configured to receive and process the sensing signal from the magnetic field sensitive element to generate an angle signal indicating the orientation angle of the magnetic field and an angular speed of the shaft.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are discussed that enable robust, high-speed communication of sensor data. One example system includes a sensor bus, an electronic control unit (ECU), and one or more sensors. The ECU is coupleable to the sensor bus and configured to generate a synchronization signal, and is configured to output the synchronization signal to the sensor bus. The one or more sensors are also coupleable to the sensor bus, and at least one sensor of the one or more sensors is configured to sample sensor data in response to the synchronization signal and to output the sampled sensor data to the sensor bus.

Abstract: A device for a single wire digital bus, includes an interface for the bus configured to receive a request to arbitrate for an address and to transmit device specific data on the bus upon receipt of the request to arbitrate for an address The device further includes a control circuit configured to determine, if a further device transmits device specific data on the bus, and to use the address arbitrated for, if no further device transmits device specific data on the bus.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit provides a drive signal to an electronically commutated motor. A control circuit the motor drive circuit based on calibration data. The calibration data indicate a relationship between an actual angular position of a rotor of the motor in response to the drive signal and an expected angular position of a rotor of an ideal motor in response to the drive signal.

Abstract: A sensor may determine a sampling pattern based on a group of synchronization signals received by the sensor. The sampling pattern may identify an expected time for receiving an upcoming synchronization signal. The sensor may trigger, based on the sampling pattern, a performance of a sensor operation associated with the upcoming synchronization signal. The performance of the sensor operation may be triggered before the upcoming synchronization signal is received.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement, including: a rotatable driving shaft extending along a rotation axis and comprising a bore extending from a first end face of the shaft along the rotation axis; a substantially ring-shaped magnet arranged within the bore and coupled to the driving shaft, the magnet configured to generate a magnetic field within the bore; and a sensor configured to sense a rotation of the magnetic field in response to rotation of the driving shaft.

Abstract: A power module is provided that is configured to supply power to a load. The power module includes a current generator configured to generate a current; a current rail configured to receive the current and output the current from the power module, wherein the current rail includes a first opening formed therethrough, and the current, while flowing along the current rail in an output direction, flows around the first opening; and a housing that houses the current generator, wherein the housing includes an outer frame from which the current rail outwardly extends, wherein the outer frame includes a recess aligned with the first opening of the current rail such that the recess and the first opening form a unitary opening.

Abstract: A method and slave devices are disclosed in which an address assignment to slave devices takes place with the aid of a collision detection.

Abstract: A power connector is provided that is configured to conduct a current and includes a conductive frame including a base structure, an extension structure, and a cap structure that define a current path for the current. The base structure is configured to be coupled to a current supply for receiving the current therefrom. The cap structure is configured to be coupled to an electrical interface of a device to be supplied with the current and outputs the current from the connector to the electrical interface of the device. The extension structure is coupled to and vertically extends between the base structure and the cap structure. The extension structure includes a current constriction region that is configured to cause a defined magnetic field of the current flowing through the current constriction region at a predefined position.

Abstract: A power module is provided that is configured to supply power to a load. The power module includes a current generator, a current rail, and a magnetic sensor. The current generator is configured to generate a current. The current rail is configured to receive the current and output the current from the power module. The current rail includes a first opening formed therethrough, and the current, while flowing along the current rail in an output direction, produces a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor is disposed in the first opening of the current rail, and is configured to generate a differential sensor signal based on the magnetic field impinging thereon. The current generator is further configured to regulate the current based on the differential sensor signal.

Abstract: A system is provided with a magnetic field sensor being positioned in a magnetic field of a magnet that is coupled to a rotatable driving shaft. The magnetic field sensor is configured to sense a rotation of the magnetic field in response to a rotation of the rotatable driving shaft, and generate an angle sensor signal based on an orientation angle of the magnetic field. The angle sensor signal includes angular values that represent an absolute orientation angle of the rotatable driving shaft. The system includes a memory storing a mapping of values of a patterned signal to the angular values, electronic circuitry configured to generate, based on the angular values and the stored mapping, the patterned signal, and a signal generator circuit configured to generate a signal representing the absolute orientation angle of the rotatable driving shaft based on the angle sensor signal.

Abstract: A power connector is provided that is configured to conduct a current. The power connector includes a conductive frame including a base structure, an extension structure, and a cap structure that define a connector volume. The base structure is coupled to an output node of a primary conductor and receives the current from the primary conductor. The cap structure is configured to mechanically couple the power connector to a load and outputs the current from the power connector to the load. The extension structure is coupled to and extends between the base structure and the cap structure. The extension structure includes a current constriction region configured to cause a defined magnetic field of the current flowing through the current constriction region at a position of a magnetic current sensor that generates a sensor signal based on the defined magnetic field produced by the current flowing through the current constriction region.

Abstract: A method may include pressing a sensor module onto a control board such that the sensor module is at an initial position where an air gap is present between a module body of the sensor module and the control board such that compliant pins of the sensor module are partially inserted into the control board. The method may include mounting the control board on a power module to cause pins of the power module to be at least partially inserted into the control board and the sensor module to be at least partially inserted in the power module such that a protrusion is through an opening in a busbar. The method may include pressing the control board onto the power module to cause the pins of the power module to be further inserted into the control board, the sensor module to be further inserted in the power module, and the sensor module to be at a final position.

Abstract: A method may include pressing a sensor module onto a control board such that the sensor module is at an initial position where an air gap is present between a module body of the sensor module and the control board such that compliant pins of the sensor module are partially inserted into the control board. The method may include mounting the control board on a power module to cause pins of the power module to be at least partially inserted into the control board and the sensor module to be at least partially inserted in the power module such that a protrusion is through an opening in a busbar. The method may include pressing the control board onto the power module to cause the pins of the power module to be further inserted into the control board, the sensor module to be further inserted in the power module, and the sensor module to be at a final position.