Abstract: A digital communication station includes a coupled inductor, driver circuitry, and a digital transceiver. The coupled inductor includes (1) a first winding connected between a first digital communication node and a first power node, (2) a second winding connected between a second digital communication node and a second power node, and (3) a third winding. The driver circuitry is configured to drive the third winding to increase respective inductance values of the first and second windings, and the digital transceiver is communicatively coupled to the first digital communication node and the second digital communication node.

Abstract: A filter circuit for an imaging device including a probe configured to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object includes a diode bridge configured to receive, from a transducer of the probe, a composite signal that includes a test signal and a reflected signal. The reflected signal corresponds to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object. The diode bridge is further configured to block the test signal from the composite signal and pass the reflected signal. The filter circuit further includes an output node configured to output the reflected signal and a first node and a second node that connect the diode bridge to a bias voltage. The bias voltage causes a bias current to flow from the first node to the second node through the diode bridge.

Abstract: A digital communication station includes a coupled inductor, driver circuitry, and a digital transceiver. The coupled inductor includes (1) a first winding connected between a first digital communication node and a first power node, (2) a second winding connected between a second digital communication node and a second power node, and (3) a third winding. The driver circuitry is configured to drive the third winding to increase respective inductance values of the first and second windings, and the digital transceiver is communicatively coupled to the first digital communication node and the second digital communication node.

Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.

Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.

Abstract: A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first resonator circuit that includes: a first switching device that connects and disconnects a supply voltage to and from a first node; a first inductor that is connected between the first node and a first ground potential; and a second inductor that is connected between the first node and the first ground potential. The IC also includes a second resonator circuit that includes: a third inductor that is inductively coupled to the first inductor across an isolation barrier and that is connected between a second node and a second ground potential; a fourth inductor that is inductively coupled to the second inductor across the isolation barrier and that is connected between the second node and the second ground potential; and a second switching device that connects and disconnects the second node to and from a load. The second ground potential is different than the first ground potential.

Abstract: A transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. A receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit that filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range. A clipper circuit limits a magnitude of an output of the filter circuit. An amplifier amplifies the output of the filter circuit and that outputs an amplified voltage. A processing module generates a signal for displaying the image of the test object based on the amplified voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a first galvanic isolator, a second galvanic isolator, a sensor, and a monitoring module. The first galvanic isolator includes a first electrical insulator. The second galvanic isolator is connected in series with the first galvanic isolator and includes a second electrical insulator. The sensor generates a first output signal based on an electrical characteristic of one of the first and second electrical insulators. The monitoring module, based on the first output signal, selectively generates a signal indicative of a failure of at least one of the first and second electrical insulators.

Abstract: A system includes a first galvanic isolator, a second galvanic isolator, a sensor, and a monitoring module. The first galvanic isolator includes a first electrical insulator. The second galvanic isolator is connected in series with the first galvanic isolator and includes a second electrical insulator. The sensor generates a first output signal based on an electrical characteristic of one of the first and second electrical insulators. The monitoring module, based on the first output signal, selectively generates a signal indicative of a failure of at least one of the first and second electrical insulators.

Abstract: Transducers formed as part of a touchscreen system emulate the motion of a pushbutton or other mechanical elements. A touchscreen system positions a transducer adjacent to an icon displayed on the touchscreen surface. When a user touches the icon, the transducer senses the touch and is then deformed in a pattern that emulates a mechanical motion, giving the user the sensation of touching a mechanical button. An excitation signal applied to the transducer is compared to a target excitation signal that, when applied to the transducer, causes the transducer to emulate the desired motion. When any differences between the two signals are detected, the excitation signal is adjusted so that the motion is corrected. The target excitation signal, or time and voltage segments defining it, are stored in memory and retrieved for comparison. The excitation signal is also selected to reduce any acoustic artifacts that can cause the transducer to generate audible clicks.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a first resonator circuit that includes: a first switching device that connects and disconnects a supply voltage to and from a first node; a first inductor that is connected between the first node and a first ground potential; and a second inductor that is connected between the first node and the first ground potential. The IC also includes a second resonator circuit that includes: a third inductor that is inductively coupled to the first inductor across an isolation barrier and that is connected between a second node and a second ground potential; a fourth inductor that is inductively coupled to the second inductor across the isolation barrier and that is connected between the second node and the second ground potential; and a second switching device that connects and disconnects the second node to and from a load. The second ground potential is different than the first ground potential.

Abstract: A transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. A receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit that filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range. A clipper circuit limits a magnitude of an output of the filter circuit. An amplifier amplifies the output of the filter circuit and that outputs an amplified voltage. A processing module generates a signal for displaying the image of the test object based on the amplified voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and second resonator circuits and an isolation barrier. The first resonator circuit includes first and second inductors, wherein the first resonator circuit is connected to a supply voltage. The second resonator circuit includes third and fourth inductors, wherein the second resonator circuit is matched to the first resonator circuit. The isolation barrier separates the first and second resonator circuits. The first and second inductors are inductively coupled to the third and fourth inductors, respectively, thereby providing for transfer of power from the first resonator circuit across the isolation barrier to the second resonator circuit.

Abstract: Transducers formed as part of a touchscreen system emulate the motion of a pushbutton or other mechanical elements. A touchscreen system positions a transducer adjacent to an icon displayed on the touchscreen surface. When a user touches the icon, the transducer senses the touch and is then deformed in a pattern that emulates a mechanical motion, giving the user the sensation of touching a mechanical button. An excitation signal applied to the transducer is compared to a target excitation signal that, when applied to the transducer, causes the transducer to emulate the desired motion. When any differences between the two signals are detected, the excitation signal is adjusted so that the motion is corrected. The target excitation signal, or time and voltage segments defining it, are stored in memory and retrieved for comparison. The excitation signal is also selected to reduce any acoustic artifacts that can cause the transducer to generate audible clicks.

Abstract: A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device includes a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. The receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter, a receiver, a isolation barrier, and a fuse. The isolation barrier is connected to the transmitter. The fuse is connected between the isolation barrier and the receiver. The isolation barrier prevents current flow from the transmitter to the receiver when a voltage across the isolation barrier is less than a first breakdown voltage. The isolation barrier short circuits when the voltage across the isolation barrier is greater than or equal to the first breakdown voltage. The fuse opens when the isolation barrier short circuits. When open, the fuse has a second breakdown voltage that is greater than the first breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a transmitter, a receiver, a isolation barrier, and a fuse. The isolation barrier is connected to the transmitter. The fuse is connected between the isolation barrier and the receiver. The isolation barrier prevents current flow from the transmitter to the receiver when a voltage across the isolation barrier is less than a first breakdown voltage. The isolation barrier short circuits when the voltage across the isolation barrier is greater than or equal to the first breakdown voltage. The fuse opens when the isolation barrier short circuits. When open, the fuse has a second breakdown voltage that is greater than the first breakdown voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes first and second resonator circuits and an isolation barrier. The first resonator circuit includes first and second inductors, wherein the first resonator circuit is connected to a supply voltage. The second resonator circuit includes third and fourth inductors, wherein the second resonator circuit is matched to the first resonator circuit. The isolation barrier separates the first and second resonator circuits. The first and second inductors are inductively coupled to the third and fourth inductors, respectively, thereby providing for transfer of power from the first resonator circuit across the isolation barrier to the second resonator circuit.

Abstract: A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device includes a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. The receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range.