Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the current limitation of a load current, in particular the load current of a flash means. In one step, first a supply voltage (VBAT) is provided. Then a load current (I) is set depending on the supply voltage (VBAT) for supplying the flash means (LED) with power by incrementally reducing the load current (I) until the supply voltage (VBAT) is greater than a threshold value (Vlow). The load current intensity (Imin) of the set load current (I) can be stored in a register (RAM) for the subsequent triggering of the flash means (LED) in a main flash phase (2) with the load current intensity (Imin) stored in the register (RAM). In addition, the invention relates to a circuit having current limitation of a load current of a flash means.

Abstract: In one embodiment a current source comprises an input (In) for receiving a brightness signal (Sb), and an output (Out) for providing a driving current (Id) for at least one light-emitting diode, LED, wherein the current source (CS) is configured to extract a first and a second current value (idac_high, idac_low) from the brightness signal (Sb), to derive a duty cycle value (Smod) from the brightness signal (Sb) and to modulate the driving current (Id) as a function of the duty cycle value (Smod) in a pulse-width modulation comprising the first and the second current values (idac_high, idac_low). Furthermore, a method for providing a current is described.

Abstract: A flash driver to limit a load current for a flash comprises a dc/dc converter (DCDC) having a first input (IN1) to receive an input voltage (Vin) and an output (OUT) to supply an output voltage (Vout). The dc/dc converter is designed to convert the input voltage (Vin) to the output voltage (Vout). Furthermore the flash driver has an adjustable current source (Iadj) connected between the output (OUT) and a load terminal (LT). A first control unit (CTRL—1) is connected to the first input (IN1) and coupled to the adjustable current source (Iadj), and is designed to compare the input voltage (Vin) to a threshold (Vth) and, if the comparison indicates the input voltage (Vin) being smaller than the threshold value (Vth), adjust the adjustable current source (Iadj) such that the input voltage (Vin) is equal or greater than the threshold value (Vth).

Abstract: A voltage-converter arrangement comprises an arrangement input (11) for the supply of an input voltage (VIN), an arrangement output (12) for the provision of an output voltage (VOUT), a voltage converter (13) that is coupled on the input side to the arrangement input (11) and on the output side to the arrangement output (12), and a control device (20) with a control output (21). The control output (21) is coupled to the voltage converter (13). A control signal (SW) can be picked up at the control output (21). The control device (20) is designed to switch the frequency (f) of the control signal (SW) between values from a number N of predetermined, discrete frequency values. The voltage converter (13) is designed to convert the input voltage (VIN) into the output voltage (VOUT) as a function of the control signal (SW).

Abstract: An optical sensor circuit comprises an optical sensor (DET) designed to provide a sensor signal indicative of light incident on the optical sensor (DET). A clock terminal (CLK) is used to receive a clocked control signal comprising high and low states. A controller unit (CU) is connected to the optical sensor (DET) and to the clock terminal (CLK). The controller unit (CU) is designed to process the sensor signal as a color signal (CTS) in a first mode if the clocked control signal is in high state, and process the sensor signal as an ambient light signal (ALS) in a second mode if the clocked control signal is in low state, and further designed to generate a driving signal (PWM) to drive a light emitting device (LED) to be connected at a control terminal (OUT). The driving signal (PWM) depends on the color and ambient light signal (CTS, ALS).

Abstract: A module circuit (11) comprises a sensor terminal (43) for feeding a sensor signal (SP) and a clock terminal (41) for feeding a pulse width-modulated clock signal (ST) having a first and a second clock phase (A, B). A signal processing circuit (40) of the module circuit (11) is coupled on the input side to the sensor terminal (43) and the clock terminal (41) and is designed to provide an output signal (SAL) dependent on the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the first clock phase (A) and independent of the sensor signal (SP) that can be tapped in the second clock phase (B).

Abstract: A driver circuit (11) for a current regulator (13), which can be coupled in series to an electrical load (14), comprises a control circuit (12) for controlling the current regulator (13). The control circuit (12) is designed to determine at least two target current values (SW1) for the current regulator current (IS1) of the current regulator (13) for at least two points in time in an operation phase on the basis of a signal (VS1, STR) that can be tapped at the current regulator (13).

Abstract: In one embodiment, a DC converter has a frequency adjusting device with a frequency selection circuit, a frequency change-over switch (17), a frequency generator (18), a threshold signal generator (19), a state machine (20) and a unit (21) for providing a ready signal (S3). The frequency selection circuit has an output (15), at which a control signal (S5) is provided, which is set up to select a frequency of the switching frequency signal (DCLK) of the DC converter. The invention further relates to a method for selecting a frequency of the DC converter.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode, comprises a first adjustable current path (1), that connects a terminal (BAT_IN) for a battery to a terminal (CAP_IN) for a capacitor, a second current path (2) that connects the terminal (CAP_IN) for a capacitor to a terminal (LED_OUT) for a light source, and a third adjustable current path (3) that connects the terminal (BAT_IN) for a battery to the terminal (LED_OUT) for a light source. A control unit (CTRL) is provided that has a control input (IN) and is set up to adjust current intensities (I_CHRG, I_CAP, I_DIRECT) on the first, second and third control paths (1, 2, 3), respectively, as a function of control signals (I_in) that can be applied to the control input (IN). A method for operating a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode, is also proposed.

Abstract: A power supply arrangement is specified in which a capacitor with a low internal resistance, in particular a supercap (3), is connected via a means for charging (4) to an input (1) and via a load current regulator (9) to a connecting means (7) for an electrical load (8). Together with a feedback path, a control loop is formed for the load current through the electrical load (8). It is therefore possible to allow flash operation in applications such as mobile telephones with rechargeable batteries with a high internal resistance, with provision for high energy utilization from the capacitor, with controlled discharging with a regulated current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement (20) for a piezo transformer (22) comprising a driver circuit (23), to which the piezo transformer (22) can be connected, and a current sensor (21) for the determining an incoming power signal (IM), which is subject to an incoming current (IE) flowing through the piezo transformer (22). The invention further relates to the circuit arrangement (20) of a control unit (24) for providing a control signal (ST), which is subject the incoming power signal (IM); and an oscillator (25) having an oscillator output (43) for emitting an oscillator signal (SO) to a driver signal input (44) of the driver circuit (23) subject to the control signal (ST).

Abstract: In one embodiment a current source comprises an input (In) for receiving a brightness signal (Sb), and an output (Out) for providing a driving current (Id) for at least one light-emitting diode, LED, wherein the current source (CS) is configured to extract a first and a second current value (idac_high, idac_low) from the brightness signal (Sb), to derive a duty cycle value (Smod) from the brightness signal (Sb) and to modulate the driving current (Id) as a function of the duty cycle value (Smod) in a pulse-width modulation comprising the first and the second current values (idac_high, idac_low). Furthermore, a method for providing a current is described.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement, in particular for a non-contacting measurement, comprises a signal generator (SRC) which is connected to a first electrode (EL1). A first detector (Det1) is connected to the first electrode (EL1), and is designed for a capacitive measurement by means of the first electrode (EL1). A second detector (Det2) is connected to a second electrode (EL2) and is designed to use the first and the second electrodes (EL1, EL2) to carry out a capacitive measurement. A method for operation of the sensor arrangement is likewise specified.

Abstract: A flash driver to limit a load current for a flash comprises a dc/dc converter (DCDC) having a first input (IN1) to receive an input voltage (Vin) and an output (OUT) to supply an output voltage (Vout). The dc/dc converter is designed to convert the input voltage (Vin) to the output voltage (Vout). Furthermore the flash driver has an adjustable current source (Iadj) connected between the output (OUT) and a load terminal (LT). A first control unit (CTRL—1) is connected to the first input (IN1) and coupled to the adjustable current source (Iadj), and is designed to compare the input voltage (Vin) to a threshold (Vth) and, if the comparison indicates the input voltage (Vin) being smaller than the threshold value (Vth), adjust the adjustable current source (Iadj) such that the input voltage (Vin) is equal or greater than the threshold value (Vth).

Abstract: A current source (10), comprising a bipolar transistor (1) including a control terminal and a controlled path, a first terminal on the controlled path, to which first terminal an electrical load (D1, D2) may be connected, a second terminal on the controlled path, which second terminal may be connected to a reference potential via a resistor (4), a measuring device (2) coupled to the control terminal for measuring a control current on the control terminal, a compensation device (3) coupled to the measuring device (2) and the bipolar transistor (1) in such a manner that the control current of the bipolar transistor (1) is compensated for at the first terminal of the controlled path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the current limitation of a load current, in particular the load current of a flash means. In one step, first a supply voltage (VBAT) is provided. Then a load current (I) is set depending on the supply voltage (VBAT) for supplying the flash means (LED) with power by incrementally reducing the load current (I) until the supply voltage (VBAT) is greater than a threshold value (Vlow). The load current intensity (Imin) of the set load current (I) can be stored in a register (RAM) for the subsequent triggering of the flash means (LED) in a main flash phase (2) with the load current intensity (Imin) stored in the register (RAM). In addition, the invention relates to a circuit having current limitation of a load current of a flash means.

Abstract: A converter arrangement includes a converter device (200) with a clocked operating mode and a non-clocked operating mode, having a signal input (Si), a control input (Se), and a signal output (So), and a control device (100) for controlling the converter device (200) with a control signal of a constant frequency and at least minimal pulse length in the clocked operating mode. The control device (100) is coupled to the control input (Se) of the converter device (200), and an input of the control device (100) is coupled to the signal output (So) of the converter device (200). An input (1) of the converter arrangement supplies a signal to be converted, that is coupled to the signal input (Si) of the converter device (200). For providing a converted signal, the converter arrangement has an output (2) that is coupled to the signal output (So). Furthermore, a corresponding method for preparing a converted signal is disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a DC converter has a frequency adjusting device with a frequency selection circuit, a frequency change-over switch (17), a frequency generator (18), a threshold signal generator (19), a state machine (20) and a unit (21) for providing a ready signal (S3). The frequency selection circuit has an output (15), at which a control signal (S5) is provided, which is set up to select a frequency of the switching frequency signal (DCLK) of the DC converter. The invention further relates to a method for selecting a frequency of the DC converter.

Abstract: A voltage converter is provided in which a first terminal (A) and a second terminal (B) are provided, each coupled to a switching means, the switching means is coupled to respective terminals for connecting a first capacitor (C1), a second capacitor (C2) and a third capacitor (C3), and the voltage converter is configured for being operated in first and second modes of operation each comprising at least three phases, and in which the three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) are inserted in series connection (S) between the first terminal (A) and a reference potential terminal (10) in one phase, and in each of the two other phases a first path and a second path (P1, P2) are provided in each case in parallel connection with at least one of the three capacitors (C1, C2, C3) related to the second terminal (B).

Abstract: A modulation arrangement comprises an input (E) for supplying a data signal (DS), a pre-modulator (VMod) that is coupled to the input (E) and features a clock pulse input (TEV) for supplying a pre-clock pulse (VT), a main modulator (HMod) that is coupled to the pre-modulator (VMod) on the input side and comprises a clock pulse input (TEH) for supplying a main clock pulse (HT), as well as an output for providing a modulated control signal (ST), and a switchable current source (Q, S) for providing a current (IS) that is controlled by the modulated control signal (ST) at an output (A) of the modulation arrangement. Furthermore, a method for providing a modulated control signal is disclosed.