Abstract: Sensing systems and methods are provided for compensating for offset and gain changes. A sensing system includes a magnetic element, a current sensing arrangement to provide a current measurement signal influenced by a flux induced in the magnetic element, an oscillator arrangement to provide a reference oscillating current signal configured to induce an oscillating flux in the magnetic element, and a compensation arrangement coupled the current sensing arrangement to adjust the current measurement signal to compensate for gain changes in the measurement signal output and provide a compensated current measurement based at least in part on the adjusted measurement signal and the reference oscillating current signal. The oscillating flux influences the current measurement signal output by the current sensing arrangement.

Abstract: A short-circuit protected power supply circuit includes a switching power supply and a short-circuit sense/protection circuit. The switching power supply includes a synchronous rectifier, an output inductor, and an output capacitor. The synchronous rectifier is responsive to a synchronous rectifier control signal to selectively switch between an ON state and an OFF state. The output inductor and output capacitor are electrically connected in series with each other and are electrically connected in parallel with the synchronous rectifier. An output node is located between the output inductor and output capacitor. The short-circuit sense/protection circuit is coupled to the output node and is configured, upon a voltage magnitude at the output node being less than a predetermined voltage magnitude, to cause the synchronous rectifier control signal to switch the synchronous rectifier to, or keep it in, the OFF state.

Abstract: A short-circuit protected power supply circuit includes a switching power supply and a short-circuit sense/protection circuit. The switching power supply includes a synchronous rectifier, an output inductor, and an output capacitor. The synchronous rectifier is responsive to a synchronous rectifier control signal to selectively switch between an ON state and an OFF state. The output inductor and output capacitor are electrically connected in series with each other and are electrically connected in parallel with the synchronous rectifier. An output node is located between the output inductor and output capacitor. The short-circuit sense/protection circuit is coupled to the output node and is configured, upon a voltage magnitude at the output node being less than a predetermined voltage magnitude, to cause the synchronous rectifier control signal to switch the synchronous rectifier to, or keep it in, the OFF state.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling when a load may be fully energized includes directing electrical current through a current limiting resistor that has a first terminal connected to a source terminal of a field effect transistor (FET), and a second terminal connected to a drain terminal of the FET. The gate voltage magnitude on a gate terminal of the FET is varied, whereby current flow through the FET is increased while current flow through the current limiting resistor is simultaneously decreased. A determination is made as to when the gate voltage magnitude on the gate terminal is equal to or exceeds a predetermined reference voltage magnitude, and the load is enabled to be fully energized when the gate voltage magnitude is equal to or exceeds the predetermined reference voltage magnitude.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling when a load may be fully energized includes directing electrical current through a current limiting resistor that has a first terminal connected to a source terminal of a field effect transistor (FET), and a second terminal connected to a drain terminal of the FET. The gate voltage magnitude on a gate terminal of the FET is varied, whereby current flow through the FET is increased while current flow through the current limiting resistor is simultaneously decreased. A determination is made as to when the gate voltage magnitude on the gate terminal is equal to or exceeds a predetermined reference voltage magnitude, and the load is enabled to be fully energized when the gate voltage magnitude is equal to or exceeds the predetermined reference voltage magnitude.

Abstract: A high precision clipping regulator circuit includes a first protection diode, a second protection diode, a first offset clamp voltage regulator, and a second offset clamp voltage regulator. The first protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a first protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the first protection voltage magnitude. The second protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a second protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the second protection voltage magnitude. The first reference and second voltage regulator circuits are configured to determine when the first and second protection voltages vary and, in response thereto, to vary the first and second variable offset clamp voltages so that a difference in voltage across the protection diodes remains substantially constant.

Abstract: A high precision clipping regulator circuit includes a first protection diode, a second protection diode, a first offset clamp voltage regulator, and a second offset clamp voltage regulator. The first protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a first protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the first protection voltage magnitude. The second protection diode is configured to conduct when a voltage potential exceeds a second protection voltage magnitude, and is operable to exhibit variations in the second protection voltage magnitude. The first reference and second voltage regulator circuits are configured to determine when the first and second protection voltages vary and, in response thereto, to vary the first and second variable offset clamp voltages so that a difference in voltage across the protection diodes remains substantially constant.

Abstract: Systems and methods source a heating resistor to control temperature. For example, a sensor block assembly (SBA) heater controls the temperature of a MEMS device in a sensor block assembly. An exemplary embodiment generates a root mean square (RMS) pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal based upon an input voltage from a power source, controls a switch in accordance with the RMS PWM control signal; and sources a heater resistor from the power source in accordance with the controlling of the switch. Power to the heating resistor is controlled by the switch to provide a substantially constant value of power to the heating resistor for varying values of the input voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods to source a resistive load, such as a heating resistor, to control temperature while adhering to a specified power draw budget and/or a specified root mean square (RMS) current limit. For example, a sensor block assembly (SBA) heater controls temperature of a MEMS device in a sensor block assembly while adhering to the power draw budget and/or an average current limit. An exemplary embodiment generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal, controls a switch in accordance with the control signal, sources the resistive load from a power source in accordance with the controlled switch, and modifies the duty factor of the switch to reduce the power drawn by the resistive load in response to the power drawn by the resistive load exceeding a power limit defined by a slope-intercept curve. The limiting of power into a resistor load limits the RMS current drawn by that load.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a power supply for a fiber optic gyroscope that comprises at least one main power supply, at least one demodulator local power supply to operatively couple the main power supply to a demodulator included in the fiber optic gyroscope, and at least one modulator local power supply to operatively couple the main power supply to a bias modulator included in the fiber optic gyroscope. The demodulator local power supply comprises a first current source to source current to the demodulator and a first shunt regulator coupled across a load associated with the demodulator. The modulator local power supply comprises a second current source to source current to the bias modulator and a second shunt regulator coupled across a load associated with the bias modulator.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a power supply for a fiber optic gyroscope that comprises at least one main power supply, at least one demodulator local power supply to operatively couple the main power supply to a demodulator included in the fiber optic gyroscope, and at least one modulator local power supply to operatively couple the main power supply to a bias modulator included in the fiber optic gyroscope. The demodulator local power supply comprises a first current source to source current to the demodulator and a first shunt regulator coupled across a load associated with the demodulator. The modulator local power supply comprises a second current source to source current to the bias modulator and a second shunt regulator coupled across a load associated with the bias modulator.

Abstract: Systems and methods source a heating resistor to control temperature. For example, a sensor block assembly (SBA) heater controls the temperature of a MEMS device in a sensor block assembly. An exemplary embodiment generates a root mean square (RMS) pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal based upon an input voltage from a power source, controls a switch in accordance with the RMS PWM control signal; and sources a heater resistor from the power source in accordance with the controlling of the switch. Power to the heating resistor is controlled by the switch to provide a substantially constant value of power to the heating resistor for varying values of the input voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods to source a resistive load, such as a heating resistor, to control temperature while adhering to a specified power draw budget and/or a specified root mean square (RMS) current limit. For example, a sensor block assembly (SBA) heater controls temperature of a MEMS device in a sensor block assembly while adhering to the power draw budget and/or an average current limit. An exemplary embodiment generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) control signal, controls a switch in accordance with the control signal, sources the resistive load from a power source in accordance with the controlled switch, and modifies the duty factor of the switch to reduce the power drawn by the resistive load in response to the power drawn by the resistive load exceeding a power limit defined by a slope-intercept curve. The limiting of power into a resistor load limits the RMS current drawn by that load.