Abstract: A method of operating a time-of-flight system includes projecting a light pattern from an illumination source into an environment; by an array of light sensors of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight system, detecting the light pattern reflected by an object in an environment; and generating a signal based on the light detected by a subset of the light sensors of the array of light sensors, the signal being provided to one or more processors for generation of a representation of the environment.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a time-of-flight include: emitting a light pulse toward a target; detecting a presence of light received at a light detector; obtaining a delay time between emitting the light pulse and detecting the presence of the light at the light detector; responsive to obtaining the delay time, (a) updating an overall intensity counter that counts a total number of delay times that have been obtained and (b) updating a delay time counter out of a plurality of different delay time counters, wherein each delay time counter counts a total number of delay times obtained that have a corresponding delay time value; and monitoring a threshold of each delay time counter to determine whether a threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: Illuminator modules having improved safety features are described. In some implementations, light to be emitted from a module is produced by a light source, and light reflected by an optical component disposed over the light source is detected by a photodetectors. A distribution of the reflected light detected by the photodetectors is monitored, and an optical output power of the light source is regulated if it is determined, based on the monitored distribution of light, that an unsafe level of light may be emitted from the module.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprising: a light-emitting device coupled to a controllable voltage supply configured to provide a supply voltage to the light-emitting device; a temperature sensor arranged to sense a temperature of the light-emitting device; a driver die comprising a driver circuit for driving the light-emitting device; and a control module configured to: receive a voltage at the output of the light-emitting device; determine a target voltage that is to be provided at the output of the light-emitting device, wherein the control module is configured to determine the target voltage based on said temperature; and output a control signal to control the output of the light-emitting device to be at the target voltage in dependence on the voltage at the output of the light-emitting device.

Abstract: A sensor device comprises an array of photodetectors. A multiplexer circuit is connected to the array of photodetectors and provides dedicated output paths for each photodetector in the array, respectively. Furthermore, the sensor device comprises at least one control terminal. An array of time-to-digital converters is connected to output terminals of the multiplexer circuit. Depending on a control signal to be applied at the at least one control terminal, the multiplexer circuit is arranged to electrically connect only the output paths of a subarray of photodetectors to the output terminals of the multiplexer circuit.

Abstract: A method of operating a time-of-flight system includes projecting a light pattern from an illumination source into an environment; by an array of light sensors of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight system, detecting the light pattern reflected by an object in an environment; and generating a signal based on the light detected by a subset of the light sensors of the array of light sensors, the signal being provided to one or more processors for generation of a representation of the environment.

Abstract: Methods for detecting a time-of-flight include: emitting a light pulse toward a target; detecting a presence of light received at a light detector; obtaining a delay time between emitting the light pulse and detecting the presence of the light at the light detector; responsive to obtaining the delay time, (a) updating an overall intensity counter that counts a total number of delay times that have been obtained and (b) updating a delay time counter out of a plurality of different delay time counters, wherein each delay time counter counts a total number of delay times obtained that have a corresponding delay time value; and monitoring a threshold of each delay time counter to determine whether a threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: Illuminator modules having improved safety features are described. In some implementations, light to be emitted from a module is produced by a light source, and light reflected by an optical component disposed over the light source is detected by a photodetectors. A distribution of the reflected light detected by the photodetectors is monitored, and an optical output power of the light source is regulated if it is determined, based on the monitored distribution of light, that an unsafe level of light may be emitted from the module.

Abstract: A method of operating a time-of-flight system includes projecting a light pattern from an illumination source into an environment; by an array of light sensors of a time-of-flight sensor of the time-of-flight system, detecting the light pattern reflected by an object in an environment; and generating a signal based on the light detected by a subset of the light sensors of the array of light sensors, the signal being provided to one or more processors for generation of a representation of the environment.

Abstract: An LDO circuit comprises a pass element, and input stage, a current sink, a comparator and a control circuit. The pass element is configured to generate an output voltage depending on a gate signal and on an input voltage. The input stage is configured to generate a steering signal based on a deviation between a first reference signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the output voltage. The current sink is controlled by a steering signal and connected between the gate control terminal and a reference terminal. The comparator is configured to compare the steering signal to a second reference signal and to generate a switch signal based on the comparison. The control circuit comprises a first current path and is configured to suspend, in particular temporarily suspend, the first current path depending on the switch signal.

Abstract: A converter arrangement, in particular a switched DC/DC converter arrangement, comprises a control die and a converter die. The control die comprises a control logic for generating a control signal and a control output for controlling the converter die by means of the control signal. The converter die comprises at least one converter that is designed for converting an input signal into an output signal in dependence on the control signal, wherein the control signal can be received at a control input. A single-line interface connects the control output to the control input.

Abstract: An LDO circuit comprises a pass element, and input stage, a current sink, a comparator and a control circuit. The pass element is configured to generate an output voltage depending on a gate signal and on an input voltage. The input stage is configured to generate a steering signal based on a deviation between a first reference signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the output voltage. The current sink is controlled by a steering signal and connected between the gate control terminal and a reference terminal. The comparator is configured to compare the steering signal to a second reference signal and to generate a switch signal based on the comparison. The control circuit comprises a first current path and is configured to suspend, in particular temporarily suspend, the first current path depending on the switch signal.

Abstract: A converter arrangement, in particular a switched DC/DC converter arrangement, comprises a control die and a converter die. The control die comprises a control logic for generating a control signal and a control output for controlling the converter die by means of the control signal. The converter die comprises at least one converter that is designed for converting an input signal into an output signal in dependence on the control signal, wherein the control signal can be received at a control input. A single-line interface connects the control output to the control input.

Abstract: A circuit for DC-DC conversion with current limitation comprises a DC-DC converter (100) with a coil (110) and a controllable switch (120) that can be switched into a low-impedance and a high-impedance state, and a current limiter (300a, 300b) for generating a control signal (IOC) for controlling the state of the controllable switch in the DC-DC converter (100). The current limiter (300a, 300b) is constructed such that the current (IL) through the coil at which the current limitation takes place is nearly independent of the ratio of the on-times and off-times of the controllable switch in the DC-DC converter (100).

Abstract: A converter arrangement, in particular a switched DC/DC converter arrangement, comprises a control die and a converter die. The control die comprises a control logic for generating a control signal and a control output for controlling the converter die by means of the control signal. The converter die comprises at least one converter that is designed for converting an input signal into an output signal in dependence on the control signal, wherein the control signal can be received at a control input. A single-line interface connects the control output to the control input.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and to a method for generating a start sequence. The circuit comprises at least one partially programmable memory (nonvol) for storing an encoded start sequence (Ni) and a control unit (CTRL), which is equipped to read the encoded start sequence (Ni) and decode it into a decoded start sequence (dNi) and to generate a target register address (n) depending on the decoded start sequence (dNi). An addressable memory (vol) is provided, to which the decoded start sequence (dNi) can be written by means of the control unit (CTRL) at the target register address (n).

Abstract: A converter arrangement, in particular a switched DC/DC converter arrangement, comprises a control die and a converter die. The control die comprises a control logic for generating a control signal and a control output for controlling the converter die by means of the control signal. The converter die comprises at least one converter that is designed for converting an input signal into an output signal in dependence on the control signal, wherein the control signal can be received at a control input. A single-line interface connects the control output to the control input.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and to a method for generating a start sequence. The circuit comprises at least one partially programmable memory (nonvol) for storing an encoded start sequence (Ni) and a control unit (CTRL), which is equipped to read the encoded start sequence (Ni) and decode it into a decoded start sequence (dNi) and to generate a target register address (n) depending on the decoded start sequence (dNi). An addressable memory (vol) is provided, to which the decoded start sequence (dNi) can be written by means of the control unit (CTRL) at the target register address (n).

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes an input to which an input current is supplied, an output at which an output current is provided, and a current control circuit coupled to the input and the output includes a unit that provides an instantaneous value signal proportional to the output current of the DC/DC converter with the aid of the input current, an internal input that supplies a reference signal, and a comparison device coupled to the unit that provides the instantaneous value signal and the internal input and comprises an internal output that provides a control signal dependent on a comparison of the instantaneous value signal with the reference signal, wherein the control signal adjusts the output current of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A circuit for DC-DC conversion with current limitation comprises a DC-DC converter (100) with a coil (110) and a controllable switch (120) that can be switched into a low-impedance and a high-impedance state, and a current limiter (300a, 300b) for generating a control signal (IOC) for controlling the state of the controllable switch in the DC-DC converter (100). The current limiter (300a, 300b) is constructed such that the current (IL) through the coil at which the current limitation takes place is nearly independent of the ratio of the on-times and off-times of the controllable switch in the DC-DC converter (100).