Abstract: A first capacitor is arranged such that the electric potential at a first terminal is fixed. A first discharging circuit discharges the first capacitor at a timing that corresponds to a cyclic synchronization signal received from an external circuit. A first comparator compares the voltage at a second terminal of the first capacitor with a predetermined threshold voltage, and generate a judgment signal that corresponds to the comparison result. A charging circuit generates a charging current the current value of which is adjusted according to the level of the judgment signal at a timing that corresponds to the synchronization signal, and supplies the charging current thus generated to the first capacitor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer and an insulating layer provided between the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. A capacitor has a first electrode formed on the first wiring layer and a second electrode formed on the second wiring layer in such a manner that the second electrode overlaps with the first electrode. To the first electrode, two connection wirings are connected and, to the second electrode, two connection wirings are connected. The two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the first electrode. Similarly, the two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the second electrode.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer and an insulating layer provided between the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. A capacitor has a first electrode formed on the first wiring layer and a second electrode formed on the second wiring layer in such a manner that the second electrode overlaps with the first electrode. To the first electrode, two connection wirings are connected and, to the second electrode, two connection wirings are connected. The two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the first electrode. Similarly, the two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the second electrode.

Abstract: Multiple switching transistors are provided in parallel. An output circuit includes an inductor, an output capacitor, and a rectifying device. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal with the duty ratio adjusted such that the output voltage of a switching regulator approaches a predetermined target value. A driver distributes a pulse signal to the multiple switching transistors, and switches the multiple switching transistors to the ON state in a time divisional manner.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer and an insulating layer provided between the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. A capacitor has a first electrode formed on the first wiring layer and a second electrode formed on the second wiring layer in such a manner that the second electrode overlaps with the first electrode. To the first electrode, two connection wirings are connected and, to the second electrode, two connection wirings are connected. The two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the first electrode. Similarly, the two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the second electrode.

Abstract: A first capacitor is arranged such that the electric potential at a first terminal is fixed. A first discharging circuit discharges the first capacitor at a timing that corresponds to a cyclic synchronization signal received from an external circuit. A first comparator compares the voltage at a second terminal of the first capacitor with a predetermined threshold voltage, and generate a judgment signal that corresponds to the comparison result. A charging circuit generates a charging current the current value of which is adjusted according to the level of the judgment signal at a timing that corresponds to the synchronization signal, and supplies the charging current thus generated to the first capacitor.

Abstract: Multiple switching transistors are provided in parallel. An output circuit includes an inductor, an output capacitor, and a rectifying device. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal with the duty ratio adjusted such that the output voltage of a switching regulator approaches a predetermined target value. A driver distributes a pulse signal to the multiple switching transistors, and switches the multiple switching transistors to the ON state in a time divisional manner.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first wiring layer, a second wiring layer and an insulating layer provided between the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer. A capacitor has a first electrode formed on the first wiring layer and a second electrode formed on the second wiring layer in such a manner that the second electrode overlaps with the first electrode. To the first electrode, two connection wirings are connected and, to the second electrode, two connection wirings are connected. The two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the first electrode. Similarly, the two connection wirings are connected to each other with low DC impedance substantially only through the second electrode.

Abstract: A switching power-supply circuit generates a predetermined output voltage by controlling a first switching transistor connected to a power supply and a second switching transistor connected between the first switching transistor and the ground. The switching power supply circuit includes a first driver, a second driver, a soft-start voltage generator and an error amplifier. The first driver drives the first switching transistor. The second driver drives the second switching transistor. The soft-start voltage generator generates a soft-start voltage that increases gradually after the time of start. The error amplifier amplifies an error voltage between a feedback voltage based on the predetermined output voltage and the soft-start voltage, and controls the first and second drivers in accordance with an amplified error voltage.

Abstract: A switching power-supply circuit generates a predetermined output voltage by controlling a first switching transistor connected to a power supply and a second switching transistor connected between the first switching transistor and the ground. The switching power supply circuit includes a first driver, a second driver, a soft-start voltage generator and an error amplifier. The first driver drives the first switching transistor. The second driver drives the second switching transistor. The soft-start voltage generator generates a soft-start voltage that increases gradually after the time of start. The error amplifier amplifies an error voltage between a feedback voltage based on the predetermined output voltage and the soft-start voltage, and controls the first and second drivers in accordance with an amplified error voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor signal detection device which allows the improvement of reliability. This sensor signal detection device comprises an internal power supply voltage generation circuit, a buffer amplifier for receiving signals from a sensor, a first pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the buffer amplifier via a first pair of switches, a gain amplifier for receiving output signals of the buffer amplifier, a second pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the gain amplifier via a second pair of switches, and a failure inspection circuit for inspecting buffer amplifier and gain amplifier by controlling the connection of the two pairs of switches in a predetermined sequence, and measuring the voltage at a predetermined location when power is started up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor integrated device which can suppress high-frequency noise and which can thus stabilize the output voltage and power supply voltage of the reference voltage generating circuit. This semiconductor integrated device comprises a reference voltage generating circuit, a first bonding pad which is connected to the output of this reference voltage generating circuit, a lead which is connected to this first bonding pad via a first bonding wire, a second bonding pad which is connected to this lead via a second bonding wire, and a circuit which generates high-frequency noise and is connected to this second bonding pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor signal detection device which allows the improvement of reliability. This sensor signal detection device comprises an internal power supply voltage generation circuit, a buffer amplifier for receiving signals from a sensor, a first pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the buffer amplifier via a first pair of switches, a gain amplifier for receiving output signals of the buffer amplifier, a second pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the gain amplifier via a second pair of switches, and a failure inspection circuit for inspecting buffer amplifier and gain amplifier by controlling the connection of the two pairs of switches in a predetermined sequence, and measuring the voltage at a predetermined location when power is started up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor signal detection device which allows the improvement of reliability. This sensor signal detection device comprises an internal power supply voltage generation circuit, a buffer amplifier for receiving signals from a sensor, a first pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the buffer amplifier via a first pair of switches, a gain amplifier for receiving output signals of the buffer amplifier, a second pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the gain amplifier via a second pair of switches, and a failure inspection circuit for inspecting buffer amplifier and gain amplifier by controlling the connection of the two pairs of switches in a predetermined sequence, and measuring the voltage at a predetermined location when power is started up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switching regulator for controlling the overshoot voltage which is generated during transition from power ON, when soft start activates, to normal operation, when the load side output is maintained at the output setting voltage by the feedback circuit. A clamp circuit is disposed between a soft start circuit and an error amplifier, an upper limit value from the output of the soft start circuit (SS) to the output of the error amplifier (FB) is set, so that the rise of voltage of the output of the error amplifier (FB) is controlled when power is turned ON, and time until the output of the error amplifier (FB) is stabilized is decreased, by which the overshoot voltage generated in the load side output (VOUT) is controlled.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor signal detection device which allows the improvement of reliability. This sensor signal detection device comprises an internal power supply voltage generation circuit, a buffer amplifier for receiving signals from a sensor, a first pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the buffer amplifier via a first pair of switches, a gain amplifier for receiving output signals of the buffer amplifier, a second pull-up element and pull-down element which are connected to an input terminal of the gain amplifier via a second pair of switches, and a failure inspection circuit for inspecting buffer amplifier and gain amplifier by controlling the connection of the two pairs of switches in a predetermined sequence, and measuring the voltage at a predetermined location when power is started up.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor integrated device which can suppress high-frequency noise and which can thus stabilize the output voltage and power supply voltage of the reference voltage generating circuit. This semiconductor integrated device comprises a reference voltage generating circuit, a first bonding pad which is connected to the output of this reference voltage generating circuit, a lead which is connected to this first bonding pad via a first bonding wire, a second bonding pad which is connected to this lead via a second bonding wire, and a circuit which generates high-frequency noise and is connected to this second bonding pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a switching regulator for controlling the overshoot voltage which is generated during transition from power ON, when soft start activates, to normal operation, when the load side output is maintained at the output setting voltage by the feedback circuit. A clamp circuit is disposed between a soft start circuit and an error amplifier, an upper limit value from the output of the soft start circuit (SS) to the output of the error amplifier (FB) is set, so that the rise of voltage of the output of the error amplifier (FB) is controlled when power is turned ON, and time until the output of the error amplifier (FB) is stabilized is decreased, by which the overshoot voltage generated in the load side output (VOUT) is controlled.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery pack, despite having a simple circuit configuration, allows the charge amount of the individual battery cells provided therein to be made uniform quickly. For each battery cell, a cell balance circuit is provided that includes a resistor, a transistor, and a control circuit. The resistor and the transistor are connected in series, with their end terminals connected to the two terminals of the battery cell. The control circuit controls the state of the transistor so that the two terminals of the battery cell are short-circuited through the resistor when necessary.

Abstract: A battery protection device has a charging circuit for charging a capacitor in accordance with an input signal so that the input signal will be distinguished from noise, and an output circuit for generating an output in accordance with the input signal. The battery protection device receives as its input signal a overvoltage detection signal, and the capacitor is charged in accordance with this signal. The output circuit outputs a signal for cutting off the battery charging path in accordance with the overvoltage detection signal. The battery protection device also has a latch circuit for latching the output of the output circuit in a state for outputting the charging path cutoff signal once the voltage across the capacitor exceeds a predetermined level, and an operation-responsive circuit for independently supplying an electric current to the capacitor in response to a predetermined operation.