Abstract: A voltage regulator and method. The voltage regulator includes a first amplifier having: a first input couplable to a reference voltage; a second input coupled to a feedback path; a current mirror; first and second branches coupled to an input and output of the current mirror. A node of the second branch forms an output of the first amplifier. The voltage regulator includes a second amplifier comprising a transistor having: a first terminal couplable to a supply voltage; a gate coupled to the output of the first amplifier; and a second terminal coupled to an output of the voltage regulator. The feedback path is coupled to the output of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes a compensation network having at least one passive component to reduce variations in an output current of the voltage regulator caused by the parasitic capacitance of the transistor and variations in the supply voltage.

Abstract: A voltage regulator and method. The voltage regulator includes a first amplifier having: a first input couplable to a reference voltage; a second input coupled to a feedback path; a current mirror; first and second branches coupled to an input and output of the current mirror. A node of the second branch forms an output of the first amplifier. The voltage regulator includes a second amplifier comprising a transistor having: a first terminal couplable to a supply voltage; a gate coupled to the output of the first amplifier; and a second terminal coupled to an output of the voltage regulator. The feedback path is coupled to the output of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes a compensation network having at least one passive component to reduce variations in an output current of the voltage regulator caused by the parasitic capacitance of the transistor and variations in the supply voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a consumable product is provided, comprising: one or more consumable components; a radio frequency communication tag; wherein said radio frequency communication tag comprises data indicative of a type of consumable component to which said consumable components belong. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided, being configured to operate using a consumable product of the kind set forth; wherein said machine comprises a reader configured to read data from the radio frequency communication tag of the consumable product.

Abstract: An interactive poster includes one or more first near-field communications (NFC) antennas, a memory to store first content, and a controller control operation of a display. The NFC antennas may be located at predetermined positions, and the controller changes display of first content to second content when one or more of the antennas are tapped by a user device including an NFC circuit.

Abstract: A communication device includes a directional antenna, and a control circuit. The directional antenna has a directional radiation pattern for directing greater power of a transmitted signal in a specific direction. The control circuit is coupled to the directional antenna and determines an angle and a distance to another device. Based on the determined distance and angle to the another device, the control circuit selects a security level from a plurality of security levels for communication between the device and the another device. In another embodiment, a method for transmitting data between the first and second devices is provided.

Abstract: An interactive poster includes one or more first near-field communications (NFC) antennas, a memory to store first content, and a controller control operation of a display. The NFC antennas may be located at predetermined positions, and the controller changes display of first content to second content when one or more of the antennas are tapped by a user device including an NFC circuit.

Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a consumable product is provided, comprising: one or more consumable components; a radio frequency communication tag; wherein said radio frequency communication tag comprises data indicative of a type of consumable component to which said consumable components belong. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a machine is provided, being configured to operate using a consumable product of the kind set forth; wherein said machine comprises a reader configured to read data from the radio frequency communication tag of the consumable product.

Abstract: A wireless repeater system includes an antenna configured to receive a magnetic wake-up signal, a near field communication (NFC) receiver configured to receive a wake-up pattern and compare the received wake-up pattern with a stored wake-up pattern, and an NFC transmitter configured to transmit an output magnetic signal using the stored wake-up pattern to an external device, wherein the transmission of the output magnetic signal is synchronized with the received wake-up pattern to form a superimposed magnetic signal.

Abstract: Wireless receivers and related methods with interferer immunity are disclosed. The receiver includes a receive (RX) front-end, a power level detector, and an automatic gain controller (AGC). The RX front-end includes circuit(s) having variable gains, and the power level detector outputs a power level indicator. The AGC receives the power level indicator and outputs the gain settings to the variable-gain circuits within the RX front-end. Further, the AGC is configured to adjust the gain settings within a first gain range when not receiving data frames and to adjust them within a second gain range when receiving data frames. The second gain range is a restricted version of the first gain range. Further, the AGC can be configured to detect and store gain settings within a sliding time window when data frames are not being received and to use these stored gain settings to determine the second gain range.

Abstract: A communication device includes a directional antenna, and a control circuit. The directional antenna has a directional radiation pattern for directing greater power of a transmitted signal in a specific direction. The control circuit is coupled to the directional antenna and determines an angle and a distance to another device. Based on the determined distance and angle to the another device, the control circuit selects a security level from a plurality of security levels for communication between the device and the another device. In another embodiment, a method for transmitting data between the first and second devices is provided.

Abstract: An LED driver design has a single controller used to drive multiple strings of LEDs. In one aspect there is dynamic threshold voltage setting so that the individual characteristics of the LED strings can be taken into account in the voltage control loop. In another aspect, excess energy is dissipated off-chip in a dedicated heat dissipater, and the routing of current to the heat dissipater is controlled dynamically such that a desired integrated circuit biasing remains stable.

Abstract: An LED controller circuit for use in an LED drive circuit in which a coil current control scheme is used to deliver power to an LED arrangement from a phase cut dimmer. The controller circuit includes means for determining, based on an analysis/signal processing of the on-time of the transistor, the dimmer characteristics, including the on state and off states of the ac dimmed voltage signal. This avoids the need for the controller circuit to process the dimmer output.

Abstract: A controller for a dimmable LED lighting circuit is disclosed, the controller comprising: an LED current controller configured to set a current of a constant current source in dependence on a conduction angle of the phase-cut dimmer; a first feedback circuit configured to control the circuit's power converter in dependence on the constant current source by adjusting an output of the power converter; and a second feedback circuit configured to control a supplementary output load arranged in parallel with the series arrangement of the constant current source and plurality of LEDs, wherein the second feedback circuit is operable to adjust the supplementary output load faster than the first feedback circuit adjusts the output of the power convertor. A driver and lighting circuit also disclosed, as is a method for controlling a dimmable lighting circuit.

Abstract: A protection circuit (100, 700) is disclosed for protecting an integrated circuit having a first supply rail (Vcc) and a second supply rail (Vss) from exposure to an excessive voltage. The protection circuit (100, 700) comprises a sensor (120) for sensing a voltage increase on the first supply rail (Vcc). Such a sensor may be implemented as an RC element. The sensor (120) has an output coupled to a signal path for providing a detection signal on said path. The sensor (120) triggers a clamping circuit (180) to clamp the first supply rail (Vcc) to the second supply rail (Vss) in response to the detection signal, which typically signals an ESD event on the supply rails. A pre-amplifying stage (160) is coupled between the sensor (120) and the clamping circuit (180) to amplify the detection signal for the clamping circuit (180). The protection circuit further comprises a hold circuit (140) for holding the control input of the pre-amplifying stage (160) in an enabled state upon termination of the detection signal.

Abstract: A controller for a for a dimmable LED lighting circuit is disclosed, the controller comprising: an LED current controller configured to set a current of a constant current source in dependence on a conduction angle of the phase-cut dimmer; a first feedback circuit configured to control the circuit's power converter in dependence on the constant current source by adjusting an output of the power converter; and a second feedback circuit configured to control a supplementary output load arranged in parallel with the series arrangement of the constant current source and plurality of LEDs, wherein the second feedback circuit is operable to adjust the supplementary output load faster than the first feedback circuit adjusts the output of the power convertor. A driver and lighting circuit also disclosed, as is a method for controlling a dimmable lighting circuit.

Abstract: An LED controller circuit for use in an LED drive circuit in which a coil current control scheme is used to deliver power to an LED arrangement from a phase cut dimmer. The controller circuit includes means for determining, based on an analysis/signal processing of the on-time of the transistor, the dimmer characteristics, including the on state and off states of the ac dimmed voltage signal. This avoids the need for the controller circuit to process the dimmer output.

Abstract: An LED driver design has a single controller used to drive multiple strings of LEDs. In one aspect there is dynamic threshold voltage setting so that the individual characteristics of the LED strings can be taken into account in the voltage control loop. In another aspect, excess energy is dissipated off-chip in a dedicated heat dissipater, and the routing of current to the heat dissipater is controlled dynamically such that a desired integrated circuit biasing remains stable.

Abstract: Circuits, methods and devices for providing low-pass filtering are implemented according to a number of different embodiments. In one such embodiment a Sallen-Key low-pass filter circuit is implemented that comprises a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series, the first resistor being connected between the second resistor and an input of the circuit. The second resistor is directly connected between the first resistor and an output of the circuit.

Abstract: A protection circuit (100, 700) is disclosed for protecting an integrated circuit having a first supply rail (Vcc) and a second supply rail (Vss) from exposure to an excessive voltage. The protection circuit (100, 700) comprises a sensor (120) for sensing a voltage increase on the first supply rail (Vcc). Such a sensor may be implemented as an RC element. The sensor (120) has an output coupled to a signal path for providing a detection signal on said path. The sensor (120) triggers a clamping circuit (180) to clamp the first supply rail (Vcc) to the second supply rail (Vss) in response to the detection signal, which typically signals an ESD event on the supply rails. A pre-amplifying stage (160) is coupled between the sensor (120) and the clamping circuit (180) to amplify the detection signal for the clamping circuit (180). The protection circuit further comprises a hold circuit (140) for holding the control input of the pre-amplifying stage (160) in an enabled state upon termination of the detection signal.

Abstract: The Sallen-Key low-pass filter circuit comprises a first resistor (16) and a second resistor (18) connected in series, the first resistor (16) being connected between the second resistor and an input of the circuit. The second resistor (18) is directly connected between the first resistor and an output of the circuit.