Abstract: A switch film comprising: a flexible film substrate; a switch supported by the flexible film substrate, the switch having a state consisting of one of: normally-open and normally closed, the switch configured to change its state upon application of at least a predetermined force; and an electronic circuit supported by the flexible film substrate and connected to the switch and configured to wirelessly transmit a signal upon change of state of the switch.

Abstract: A dead time circuit (750) for a switching circuit is disclosed. The dead-time circuit comprises: an input (752) for receiving a switching signal of the switching circuit with at least one supply rail having a ground bounce signal; first and second outputs (754a, 754b); a first feedforward path (756) coupled to the first output and arranged to receive the switching signal; a second feedforward path (758) coupled to the second output and arranged to receive the switching signal; a first feedback path (760) forming a first feedback loop between the first output and the second feedforward path; and a second feedback path (762) forming a second feedback loop between the second output and the first feedforward path; wherein each of the first and second feedforward paths includes a respective first and second delay circuit (764a, 764b), each having a time delay greater than a predetermined time period of the ground bounce signal. A switching amplifier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method (300) of generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for an analog amplifier, the amplifier arranged to receive an amplifier input signal having a magnitude, is disclosed. The method comprises receiving (302) a modulator input signal, which is associated with the amplifier input signal; and using (304) the modulator input signal to modulate a carrier to produce the PWM signal, wherein the carrier's frequency varies in dependence on the magnitude of the amplifier input signal. A related pulse width modulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A versatile communications (comms) apparatus to provide a means to measure the audio (earphone) output of an electronic device (e.g. a music player in a smartphone), and/or to provide a means for wireless communications between a first electronic device (e.g. a smartphone) and a second electronic device (e.g. a hearing aid, pacemaker, etc). In some embodiments, the comms apparatus does not need power and in other embodiments, its power may be harvested from the first electronic device, or drawn from a battery that may be recharged by harvesting means or charged directly. The first electronic device typically includes an audio (earphone) output, a microphone input (with a voltage bias), a long-range communications transceiver (e.g. GSM), and where pertinent, a short-range transceiver (e.g. Bluetooth) and is internet enabled.