Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques relating to steam trap monitoring are described. These include battery-less steam trap monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring steam trap monitor data for the traps in a facility or across multiple facilities, and techniques for processing steam trap monitor data to reliably determine the status of individual steam traps and potentially other system parameters.

Abstract: Systems and method for location determination in a distributed system are disclosed. In one aspect, the distributed system operates at frequencies where obstacles and distance may preclude direct connection between a system node and a remote mobile device. The system may determine the location of the remote mobile device using an intermediate device and thus be a location system. Specifically, a position of the intermediate device relative to the system node is calculated and a position of the remote mobile device relative to the intermediate device is calculated. The two positions may be combined to determine a position of the remote mobile device relative to the system node. Once the location of the remote mobile device is known relative to the system node, a variety of location services become available.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques relating to steam trap monitoring are described. These include battery-less steam trap monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring steam trap monitor data for the traps in a facility or across multiple facilities, and techniques for processing steam trap monitor data to reliably determine the status of individual steam traps and potentially other system parameters.

Abstract: A receiver circuit for detecting and waking up to a wakeup impulse sequence is provided. Herein, a transmitter circuit is configured to transmit a wakeup impulse sequence to wake up a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a main receiver circuit and a wakeup receiver circuit. The main receiver circuit, which consumes far more energy than the wakeup receiver circuit, will remain in sleep mode as much as possible to conserve power. While the main receiver circuit is asleep, the wakeup receiver circuit is configured to detect the wakeup impulse sequence and wake up the main receiver circuit if the wakeup impulse sequence is intended for the receiver circuit. By keeping the main receiver circuit asleep as much as possible, it is possible to reduce power consumption, thus making the receiver circuit an ideal receiver option for an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device(s).

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques relating to steam trap monitoring are described. These include battery-less steam trap monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring steam trap monitor data for the traps in a facility or across multiple facilities, and techniques for processing steam trap monitor data to reliably determine the status of individual steam traps and potentially other system parameters.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques relating to steam trap monitoring are described. These include battery-less steam trap monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring steam trap monitor data for the traps in a facility or across multiple facilities, and techniques for processing steam trap monitor data to reliably determine the status of individual steam traps and potentially other system parameters.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described that relate to the monitoring of various types of components in industrial systems. These include battery-less monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring monitor data for the components in a facility, and/or techniques for processing monitor data to reliably determine the status of individual components and other system parameters.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described that relate to the monitoring of various types of components in industrial systems. These include battery-less monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring monitor data for the components in a facility, and/or techniques for processing monitor data to reliably determine the status of individual components and other system parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that relate to the monitoring of various types of components in pressurized systems. These may include batteryless monitors that run on power harvested from their environments, systems for acquiring monitor data for the components of a pressurized system, and/or techniques for processing monitor data to determine the status of the components and/or the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fuel gauge system is described that comprises two or more battery chargers on different integrated circuits (ICs) coupled in parallel to a battery for charging the battery. Each battery charger IC generates a current signal indicative of current generated by said each battery charger IC into the same battery. A fuel gauge is responsible for accurately reporting the battery state of charge, based on a combination of voltage, current, and temperature information.

Abstract: A system and method providing for delayed initialization of a device in a wireless charging environment. In certain aspects, a device is configured to detect power wirelessly received from a power transmitter. The device may further wirelessly transmit a message to the power transmitter in response to the received power, further determining that a power level of the received power has been adjusted in response to the message. In response to the determining the power level has been adjusted, a controller that is powered by the adjusted power level may be initialized.

Abstract: A multi-phase charging circuit comprises a device that can be configured for master mode operation or slave mode operation. In master mode operation, the device generates a control signal and a clock signal to control operation of a switching circuit for generating charging current. In slave mode operation, the device receives externally generated control and clock signals to control operation of its switching circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Multiple power chargers for mobile terminals are disclosed. In particularly contemplated aspects, a mobile terminal may include two charging circuits arranged serially, such that only one charging circuit charges a battery of the mobile terminal at a time. The serial arrangement allows consolidation of fuel gauge circuitry within one of the charging circuits. In a particularly contemplated aspect, a second charger is tied to a first charger at a system power node. The system power node is further tied to a top port of the second charger. A bottom port of the second charger is tied to a top port of the first charger. A bottom port of the first charger is tied to the battery of the mobile terminal. The fuel gauge circuitry may sense battery current using a known ON resistance of a field effect transistor (FET) of the first charger.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises one or more power circuits configured to receive a first voltage from an external power source and produce a second voltage to one or more electronic components of the electronic system, and a power management circuit configured to determine one or more output currents of the one or more power circuits, wherein the power management circuit causes the external power source to change the first voltage based on at least one output current of at least one power circuit to reduce power loss of the at least one power circuit.

Abstract: A circuit may include a switching signal generator to generate a high-side switching signal and a low-side switching signal. A low-side switch may be connected to the output of the circuit and to the switching signal generator to receive the low-side switching signal. A plurality of high-side switches may be connected to corresponding inputs of the circuit. A matrix may be configured to selectively connect the high-side switching signal to two or more of the high-side switches.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes circuits and methods for controlling skin temperature of an electronic device. In one embodiment, a thermal sensor is configured on a case of a handheld electronic device. The thermal sensor is coupled to a battery charger having a current limit circuit. If the sensed temperature of the case increases above a threshold, a current limit is reduced to reduce current in the battery charger.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method of charging a battery. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a battery charging circuit on an electronic device, an input voltage having a first voltage value from an external power source. The battery charger is configured to produce a charge current having a first current value into the battery. The input current limit and/or duty cycle of the charger is monitored. Control signals may be generated to increase the first voltage value of the input voltage if either (i) the input current limit is activated or (ii) the duty cycle reaches a maximum duty cycle. The charger also receives signals indicating a temperature inside the electronic device and generates control signals to decrease the value of the input voltage when the temperature increases above a threshold temperature.