Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an a method, apparatus and computer program product for controlling the operation of a drive unit comprising a plurality of switching modules arranged to receive a DC electricity supply and generate an AC electricity supply for driving a load from the received DC electricity supply, the AC electricity supply being generated by the switching of the plurality of switching modules between a conducting state and a non-conducting state. The method comprises receiving one or more characteristics associated with each of the switching modules, comparing, for each switching module of the plurality of switching modules, a characteristic of the switching module with an equivalent characteristic associated with one or more other switching modules of the plurality of switching modules, and controlling a time period during which one or more of the plurality of switching modules are in the conducting state in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A control module for use within a control network, the control module comprising: interface circuitry for enabling communication with an external device; communication means configured to communicate with the external device over the control network by communication with the interface circuitry; coupling means configured to mechanically couple the control module to an adjacent control module and provide a data connection between the communication means and the adjacent module; and an electrical isolation in the data connection between the communication means and the coupling means.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power conversion system comprising a transformer comprising first, second, and third inductive coupling elements, a first power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the first coupling element, a second power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the second coupling element, an output arranged to receive a voltage from the third coupling element. In use, the voltage across the first coupling element and the voltage across the second coupling element are arranged to induce a voltage in the third coupling element. The system also comprises a control arrangement arranged to independently control the operation of the first and second power supplies.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing output of an input signal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a signal control unit comprising a signal buffering unit having an input and an output, the signal buffering unit arranged to receive an input signal and pass the input signal to the output when the signal buffering unit is powered, wherein a negative power supply terminal of the signal buffering unit is arranged to be supplied by a first power source having a voltage. The signal control unit also comprises a boost circuit arranged to boost the voltage of the first power source to a boosted voltage higher than the voltage of the first power source and supply either the voltage of the first power source or the boosted voltage to a positive power supply terminal of the signal buffering unit.

Abstract: Circuits arranged to produce first and second outputs produced by first and second switch-mode converters, respectively, wherein each switch-mode converter comprises a converter input, a converter output, a converter controller, a converter controller enable input arranged to provide power to the controller, and a semiconductor power switching device coupled between the converter input and the converter controller. A first output of the first converter and a second output of the second converter are each arranged to produce a voltage of higher magnitude than the voltage at the respective converter controller enable input and converter input when the converter controller is enabled. Methods of controlling first and second outputs from first and second switch-mode converters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A semiconductor device driving unit to supply a drive signal to a gate of a semiconductor switching device, the semiconductor device driving unit comprising: a plurality of gate impedance circuits selectably connectable to the gate of the semiconductor switching device; and a selector to select one or more of the gate impedance circuits to connect to the semiconductor switching device. Also provided is a method of supplying a drive signal to a gate of a semiconductor switching device, the method comprising: selecting one or more of a plurality of gate impedance circuits to be connected to the gate of the semiconductor switching device based on one or more operating conditions and stored data relating to the one or more operating conditions; and connecting the selected one or more of the gate impedance circuits to the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: Apparatus for preventing output of an input signal is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a signal control unit comprising a signal buffering unit having an input and an output, the signal buffering unit arranged to receive an input signal and pass the input signal to the output when the signal buffering unit is powered, wherein a negative power supply terminal of the signal buffering unit is arranged to be supplied by a first power source having a voltage. The signal control unit also comprises a boost circuit arranged to boost the voltage of the first power source to a boosted voltage higher than the voltage of the first power source and supply either the voltage of the first power source or the boosted voltage to a positive power supply terminal of the signal buffering unit.

Abstract: A control module for use within a control network, the control module comprising: interface circuitry for enabling communication with an external device; communication means configured to communicate with the external device over the control network by communication with the interface circuitry; coupling means configured to mechanically couple the control module to an adjacent control module and provide a data connection between the communication means and the adjacent module; and an electrical isolation in the data connection between the communication means and the coupling means.

Abstract: A method for setting-up a module of a modular industrial control system so that the module is easily integrated into the modular system is disclosed along with a method for setting-up a modular industrial control system for connecting a new module to the modular industrial control system, a module for forming part of a modular industrial control system comprising a plurality of modules and a controller for controlling the plurality of modules, a modular industrial control system, and a corresponding computer readable medium. The method for setting-up a module of a modular industrial control system so that the module is easily integrated into the modular system comprises programming a module for use in a modular industrial control system with a name corresponding to the name used by a control code of a controller of the modular industrial control system to control the module.

Abstract: A semiconductor device driving unit to supply a drive signal to a gate of a semiconductor switching device, the semiconductor device driving unit comprising: a plurality of gate impedance circuits selectably connectable to the gate of the semiconductor switching device; and a selector to select one or more of the gate impedance circuits to connect to the semiconductor switching device. Also provided is a method of supplying a drive signal to a gate of a semiconductor switching device, the method comprising: selecting one or more of a plurality of gate impedance circuits to be connected to the gate of the semiconductor switching device based on one or more operating conditions and stored data relating to the one or more operating conditions; and connecting the selected one or more of the gate impedance circuits to the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an a method, apparatus and computer program product for controlling the operation of a drive unit comprising a plurality of switching modules arranged to receive a DC electricity supply and generate an AC electricity supply for driving a load from the received DC electricity supply, the AC electricity supply being generated by the switching of the plurality of switching modules between a conducting state and a non-conducting state. The method comprises receiving one or more characteristics associated with each of the switching modules, comparing, for each switching module of the plurality of switching modules, a characteristic of the switching module with an equivalent characteristic associated with one or more other switching modules of the plurality of switching modules, and controlling a time period during which one or more of the plurality of switching modules are in the conducting state in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power conversion system comprising a transformer comprising first, second, and third inductive coupling elements, a first power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the first coupling element, a second power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the second coupling element, an output arranged to receive a voltage from the third coupling element. In use, the voltage across the first coupling element and the voltage across the second coupling element are arranged to induce a voltage in the third coupling element. The system also comprises a control arrangement arranged to independently control the operation of the first and second power supplies.

Abstract: Circuits arranged to produce first and second outputs produced by first and second switch-mode converters, respectively, wherein each switch-mode converter comprises a converter input, a converter output, a converter controller, a converter controller enable input arranged to provide power to the controller, and a semiconductor power switching device coupled between the converter input and the converter controller. A first output of the first converter and a second output of the second converter are each arranged to produce a voltage of higher magnitude than the voltage at the respective converter controller enable input and converter input when the converter controller is enabled. Methods of controlling first and second outputs from first and second switch-mode converters are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a first, connecting printed circuit board (PCB) and a second, receiving PCB and a method for connecting the first and second PCBs. The first PCB has three projections or prongs extending from the main body of the PCB. The second PCB has three holes into which the prongs of the first PCB can be inserted to provide a secure mechanical connection whilst the PCBs are soldered together.

Abstract: The present invention supports the design of a process using a drawing surface that specifies the process with underlying programmatic constructs. In response to a user's command, a construct corresponding to a shape is selected from a palette and inserted onto a design region that shows the specified process. The command is verified to be consistent with semantics of an associated process type. If so, a visual image of the specified process is updated. If not, an indicator is generated in a proximity of a relevant portion of the visual image in order to help the user resolve the inconsistency. The user is able to correct errors before generating computer-executable instructions from a high-level code emission. Computer-executable instructions are also generated from high-level code emission. A process engine is cognizant of the associated high-level lines of code and an infrastructure knowledge base while executing the computer-executable instructions.

Abstract: To provide for multi-language compilation, a protocol is established for compilers. Each of at least two compilers implements the protocol. A framework is developed which discovers compilers which have implemented the protocol. The framework allows multi-language compilation using and coordinating the compliant compilers. The framework is extensible. When a new protocol-compliant compiler is discovered, the language compiled by the new compiler can be compiled using the framework and the capabilities of the protocol-compliant compilers. Similarly, a multi-language extensible design tool may be created using protocol-compliant design tools.

Abstract: The present invention enables a user to build user-interfaces and applications based on a policy that contains metadata. The user can build an application through the user-interface, in which the user-interface and the generated computer-executable instructions are consistent with the policy. A user-interface has a toolbox that indicates the discovered components and a design surface that displays applicable stages. The policy determines the stages, where each stage provides a grouping of components having related tasks. The user selects components from the toolbox so that the selected components are associated with the selected stages on the design surface. After the user has completed building an application, a representation of the application may be compiled in order to generate a set of computer-executable instructions. Moreover, the compiler is coupled to the policy so that the set of computer-executable instructions is consistent with the policy.

Abstract: Partner management systems and methods are disclosed. A designer designs a business process that provides selection criteria for selecting business partners. The business process is compiled and executed by a business process execution engine. During the execution of the business process, the business process execution engine uses the selection criteria to select business partners. The identification of business partners and attributes of the business partners may be modified without modifying the business process.