Abstract: For inductor-based DC-DC converters, a current shunt switch can provide an alternate path for the inductor current to flow that does not include the output capacitor. An amplifier circuit can be included and coupled with a control node of the current shunt switch to adjust a voltage on the control node to control an amount of inductor current diverted away from the output node. A fast linear loop can be included to ensure smooth transitions when engaging or disengaging the current shunt switch. These techniques can minimize the amount and duration of the subsequent negative output voltage excursion, which can be dependent on the specific ESL and ESR values of the output voltage capacitor, for the cases when the final value of the step-down load-transient is not zero. These techniques can improve a positive output voltage response caused by an output load transient in the negative direction.

Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises a switching circuit configured to adjust a switching duty cycle to regulate an output voltage at an output node of the voltage regulator circuit using an error signal representative of a difference between a target voltage value and the output voltage; an inductor coupled to the switching circuit and configured to provide an inductor current to the output node; and a shunt circuit coupled in parallel to the inductor and configured to divert the inductor current away from the output node when the output voltage exceeds a specified maximum output voltage.

Abstract: A method and system of counting coulombs drawn from a power source by a load. A reference current source regulates the current drawn by the load at any given time to be either zero or a predetermined fixed amount. A comparator controls a time the switch is closed and open. When the switch is closed, coulombs are allowed to be drawn from the power source, and prevented to be drawn when the switch is open. An oscillator generates a clock signal during the time the switch is closed. A counter counts the number of clock cycles from the clock signal during the time the switch is closed. The count is provided as a signal at a second output of the coulomb counter.

Abstract: A method and system of counting coulombs drawn from a power source by a load. A reference current source regulates the current drawn by the load at any given time to be either zero or a predetermined fixed amount. A comparator controls a time the switch is closed and open. When the switch is closed, coulombs are allowed to be drawn from the power source, and prevented to be drawn when the switch is open. An oscillator generates a clock signal during the time the switch is closed. A counter counts the number of clock cycles from the clock signal during the time the switch is closed. The count is provided as a signal at a second output of the coulomb counter.

Abstract: Novel circuitry and methodology are provided for correcting the offset associated with a voltage-controlled current source. An offset correction circuit is coupled to the current source to prevent the output current produced by the current source from deviating from a desired level. The current source may include a transconductance amplifier or a chopper amplifier, and may be configured to produce a zero or non-zero value of the output current.

Abstract: High efficiency drive circuitry for a group of parallel-connected light emitting devices, in which each device is driven in series by a respective source of bias current. The maximum voltage drop among the group of biased light emitting devices is determined and in response, a control voltage to drive all the light emitting device at the lowest effective voltage for the LED group is produced.

Abstract: A circuit for powering a three-phase AC induction motor. The circuit generates a first signal of the form Vdc+A sin (2.pi.ft-0.degree.) and a second signal of the form Vdc+A sin (2.pi.ft-90.degree.) as is done in conventional circuits for powering two-phase AC induction motors. A vector summation circuit is used to create a third signal from the first two signals. The third signal is of the form Vdc+A sin (2.pi.ft+60.degree.). The first signal is input to a first error amplifier along with a first sampled difference signal from the motor. The third signal is input to a second error amplifier along with a second sampled difference signal from the motor. The outputs from each of the first and second amplifiers is input into a first comparator and a second comparator along with a sawtooth waveform to create a first sinusoidally modulated square wave signal and a second sinusoidally modulated square wave signal.