Abstract: Electronic circuits and methods are provided for use in hot-swappable circuit board applications. Circuitry detects an electrical ground connection and signals operation of a hot-swap controller. Detection of stable operating power causes a hierarchical startup of plural voltage regulators. Sensing stable output power from the last of the voltage regulators triggers the configuration of one or more programmable devices. Circuitry and other resources of a hot-swappable circuit board are protected against electrical transient-related damage by virtue of the present teachings.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling sub-system components during power disturbance events. More particularly, various embodiments provide systems and methods for preventing a controller (215) within a sub-system from turning OFF a switching device (220) during power disturbance events related to other sub-systems.

Abstract: An electronic fuse system includes plural current paths, each operable to be coupled between a power source and a load, and each including a switching element and a current sensing resistor in series with the path such that the path passes current when the switching element is turned on and does not pass current when the switching element is turned off. A controller has two sense inputs and a control output. The control output is coupled to the switching elements in each of the plural current paths and is operable to turn them all on or off simultaneously responsive at least in part to the sense inputs. A summing resistor is connected across the two sense inputs, and coupling circuitry is operable to couple voltages appearing across the current sensing resistors to the summing resistor.

Abstract: One embodiment of an impedance stabilizer for use with a switching voltage regulator supplied by a source of an electrical voltage has an impedance and a switch controllable to permit current from a source to flow through the impedance. Control circuitry to operate the switch cyclically with a controlled duty cycle is responsive to variations in the voltage of the source having a frequency lower than a cycle rate of the switch to increase the duty cycle of the switch as the voltage of the source increases.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the USB VBUS power signal. A system for extending the USB VBUS power signal includes at least one PCA board. The system includes a USB host. The USB host outputs a new power signal compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements. The VBUS signal may be connected to a voltage converter to change the voltage level to a desired enable signal for the voltage supply at the receiving end of the system. The VBUS signal may be connected to logic to change the polarity of the enable signal. The enable signal is routed across traces on the one or more PCA boards. A voltage supply is located on a PCA board and receives the enable signal. The enable signal causes the voltage supply to output a new power signal that is compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a direct current (“DC”) to DC converter comprising a first compensation logic and other DC to DC converter logic. The first compensation logic compensates for phase shifts in an output of the DC to DC converter. The first compensation logic is disabled independently of the other DC to DC converter logic based on a first communication sent to the DC to DC converter.

Abstract: A system and method for extending the USB VBUS power signal. A system for extending the USB VBUS power signal includes at least one PCA board. The system includes a USB host. The USB host outputs a new power signal compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements. The VBUS signal may be connected to a voltage converter to change the voltage level to a desired enable signal for the voltage supply at the receiving end of the system. The VBUS signal may be connected to logic to change the polarity of the enable signal. The enable signal is routed across traces on the one or more PCA boards. A voltage supply is located on a PCA board and receives the enable signal. The enable signal causes the voltage supply to output a new power signal that is compliant with USB VBUS power signal requirements.

Abstract: Electronic circuits and methods are provided for use in hot-swappable circuit board applications. Circuitry detects an electrical ground connection and signals operation of a hot-swap controller. Detection of stable operating power causes a hierarchical startup of plural voltage regulators. Sensing stable output power from the last of the voltage regulators triggers the configuration of one or more programmable devices. Circuitry and other resources of a hot-swappable circuit board are protected against electrical transient-related damage by virtue of the present teachings.

Abstract: An electrically continuous, grounded conformal EMI protective shield and methods for applying same directly to the surfaces of a printed circuit board. The EMI shield adheres and conforms to the surface of the components and printed wiring board. The shield takes the shape of the covered surfaces while adding little to the dimensions of the surfaces. The EMI shield includes low viscosity, high adherence conductive and dielectric coatings each of which can be applied in one or more layers. The dielectric coating is initially applied to selected locations of the printed circuit board so as to be interposed between the conductive coating and the printed circuit board, preventing the conductive coating from electrically contacting selected components and printed wiring board regions. A high viscosity, non-electrically-conductive filler material is applied to printed circuit board regions that have surfaces that are cavitatious and/or which have a highly variable slope.

Abstract: An electronic fuse system includes plural current paths, each operable to be coupled between a power source and a load, and each including a switching element and a current sensing resistor in series with the path such that the path passes current when the switching element is turned on and does not pass current when the switching element is turned off. A controller has two sense inputs and a control output. The control output is coupled to the switching elements in each of the plural current paths and is operable to turn them all on or off simultaneously responsive at least in part to the sense inputs. A summing resistor is connected across the two sense inputs, and coupling circuitry is operable to couple voltages appearing across the current sensing resistors to the summing resistor.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling sub-system components during power disturbance events. More particularly, various embodiments provide systems and methods for preventing a controller (215) within a sub-system from turning OFF a switching device (220) during power disturbance events related to other sub-systems.

Abstract: Electronic circuits and methods are provided for use in high-voltage, hot-swappable circuit board applications. A pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal biases a switching transistor by way of transformer coupling. The switching transistor operates to charge an inductor. A shut-down transistor is biased to drive the switching transistor into a non-conductive state. Inductor discharge through a diode is sensed and used in generating respective biasing signals. Switching transistor stress, heating and energy wastage are significantly reduced during circuit start-up.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a direct current (“DC”) to DC converter comprising a first compensation logic and other DC to DC converter logic. The first compensation logic compensates for phase shifts in an output of the DC to DC converter. The first compensation logic is disabled independently of the other DC to DC converter logic based on a first communication sent to the DC to DC converter.

Abstract: One embodiment of an impedance stabilizer for use with a switching voltage regulator supplied by a source of an electrical voltage has an impedance and a switch controllable to permit current from a source to flow through the impedance. Control circuitry to operate the switch cyclically with a controlled duty cycle is responsive to variations in the voltage of the source having a frequency lower than a cycle rate of the switch to increase the duty cycle of the switch as the voltage of the source increases.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed herein. An embodiment of the electronic device comprises an electronic component, wherein the electronic component is operated by a DC voltage. The electronic component comprises an AC to DC converter that converts an AC voltage to the DC voltage, wherein the RMS value of the AC voltage is greater than the DC voltage. The electronic device further comprises a power supply comprising an input and an output. The input is connectable to a line voltage and the output is connected to the AC to DC converter of electronic component. The AC voltage is output by the output of the power supply.

Abstract: A control logic detects voltage regulator failure in a power supply. The control logic comprises first and second lines configured for respective connection to a controller node and a phase node of a voltage regulator, a delay element coupled to the first line configured to delay signals at the controller node into alignment with signals at the phase node, and a level detector coupled to the second line configured to convert the signals at the phase node into at least two digital representations indicative of respective signal thresholds. A logic compares timing of the delayed signals with the digital representations and detects occurrence of a voltage regulator fault based on the timing comparison.

Abstract: A power management system for use in a power-consuming system is disclosed. The system comprises one or more power module bays each adapted to have a power module hot-pluggably installed therein, the power module comprising an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) power module and a power supply unit (PSU) power module each adapted to be installed in the one or more power module bays; and a power module interface that connects power signals generated by installed power modules with one or more power buses in the system.

Abstract: Power supplies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a power supply comprises a first input and a second input, wherein the first input and the second input are connectable to a pulse width modulation controller and wherein a pulse width modulation signal is outputable from the pulse width modulation controller. A power stage connected to the first input and the second input. A first comparator having a first comparator first input is connected to the first input and a first comparator second input connected to the output of the power stage. A change of voltage at the output of the first comparator constitutes a difference in phase between the first input and the output of the power stage.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a system comprising a switching power supply comprising at least one switching phase configured to provide a corresponding phase output at a respective phase node thereof, the respective phase node being coupled to an output through a filter for providing a corresponding output signal. At least one resistor interconnects the respective phase node of each of the at least one switching phase with a test node, the test node being configured to provide a test signal representing the phase output at each phase node.

Abstract: A zero insertion force (ZIF) socket is disclosed wherein the ZIF socket has a locking mechanism movable between a locked position and an un-locked position. A light source is configured to emit light and a light detector is configured to output two states, a first state when exposed to light emitted by the light source and a second state when not exposed to light emitted by the light source. When the locking mechanism is moved from the un-locked position to the locked position the locking mechanism causes light emitted by the light source to be redirected such that the light detector changes from one of the two states to the other of the two states.