Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for driving a transistor gate of a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) circuit. One example gate driver for a switching transistor of an SMPS circuit generally includes a first power supply rail; a reference rail; an output node for coupling to a control input of the switching transistor; a floating supply node; a pulldown transistor having a drain coupled to the output node of the gate driver and having a source coupled to the reference rail; and a pulldown logic buffer having a first power supply input coupled to the floating supply node, having a second power supply input coupled to the reference rail, and having an output coupled to a gate of the pulldown transistor. The floating supply node is configured to selectively receive power from the first power supply rail and the output node of the gate driver.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for driving a transistor gate of a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) circuit. One example gate driver for a switching transistor of an SMPS circuit generally includes a first power supply rail; a reference rail; an output node for coupling to a control input of the switching transistor; a floating supply node; a pulldown transistor having a drain coupled to the output node of the gate driver and having a source coupled to the reference rail; and a pulldown logic buffer having a first power supply input coupled to the floating supply node, having a second power supply input coupled to the reference rail, and having an output coupled to a gate of the pulldown transistor. The floating supply node is configured to selectively receive power from the first power supply rail and the output node of the gate driver.

Abstract: Features and advantages of the present disclosure include a switching regulator and current measurement circuit. In one embodiment, a switching transistor in the switching regulator has a first voltage on a first terminal and a switching voltage on a second terminal. A current measurement circuit has first and second input terminals. A first switch couples the second terminal of the switching transistor to the first terminal of the current measurement circuit when the switching transistor is on, where the second input terminal of the current measurement circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the switching transistor and measurement(s) may be taken. When the switching transistor is off, the first and second input terminals of the current measurement circuit are coupled together, and measurements emulate zero current through the switching transistor.

Abstract: Features and advantages of the present disclosure include a switching regulator and current measurement circuit. In one embodiment, a switching transistor in the switching regulator has a first voltage on a first terminal and a switching voltage on a second terminal. A current measurement circuit has first and second input terminals. A first switch couples the second terminal of the switching transistor to the first terminal of the current measurement circuit when the switching transistor is on, where the second input terminal of the current measurement circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the switching transistor and measurement(s) may be taken. When the switching transistor is off, the first and second input terminals of the current measurement circuit are coupled together, and measurements emulate zero current through the switching transistor.

Abstract: A circuit may include a control loop to regulate an output of the circuit and a headroom sensing circuit to produce a headroom sensing signal indicative of a headroom voltage of the circuit. The control loop may have a response characteristic that is set based on the headroom signal received from the headroom sensing circuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for 100% duty cycle in switching regulators. A switching regulator circuit includes a ramp generator to produce a ramp signal having a period and a comparator to receive the ramp signal and an error signal, and in accordance therewith, produce a modulation signal. In a first mode of operation, the ramp signal increases to intersect the error signal, and in accordance therewith, changes a state of a switching transistor during each period of the ramp signal. In a second mode of operation, the error signal increase above a maximum value of the ramp signal, and in accordance therewith, the switching transistor is turned on for one or more full periods of the ramp signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit comprises a current source to produce current to a light emitting diode array. An analog dimming circuit generates a continuous control signal to the current source to control the current in the light emitting diode array according to a range of control signal values when the control signal is above a threshold. Below the threshold, a digital modulation circuit generates an additional modulated digital signal to the current source to control the current in the light emitting diode array according to a range of modulation values when the continuous control signal is below the threshold. The continuous control signal produces current from the current source into the light emitting diode array above a first value. The combination of the continuous control signal and the modulated digital signal produces current in the light emitting diode array below the first value.

Abstract: A circuit may include a control loop to regulate an output of the circuit and a headroom sensing circuit to produce a headroom sensing signal indicative of a headroom voltage of the circuit. The control loop may have a response characteristic that is set based on the headroom signal received from the headroom sensing circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a load may include a control loop having a response characteristic. A headroom signal indicative of the headroom voltage of the circuit may set one or more parameters of the response characteristic. A load sign indicative of electrical loading on the circuit may further set the response characteristic.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a load may include a control loop having a response characteristic. A headroom signal indicative of the headroom voltage of the circuit may set one or more parameters of the response characteristic. A load sign indicative of electrical loading on the circuit may further set the response characteristic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit comprises a current source to produce current to a light emitting diode array. An analog dimming circuit generates a continuous control signal to the current source to control the current in the light emitting diode array according to a range of control signal values when the control signal is above a threshold. Below the threshold, a digital modulation circuit generates an additional modulated digital signal to the current source to control the current in the light emitting diode array according to a range of modulation values when the continuous control signal is below the threshold. The continuous control signal produces current from the current source into the light emitting diode array above a first value. The combination of the continuous control signal and the modulated digital signal produces current in the light emitting diode array below the first value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for derating current and for derating current for a camera flash. The method comprises monitoring a local junction temperature of a module. The local junction temperature is converted into a local junction current. The local junction current is then compared with a reference current, which is independent of temperature. After the current comparison and subtraction is made, a derate control current is obtained to generate the LED reference current. After the temperature crosses the temperature threshold, the derate control current is derated. Both the temperature threshold and current derate slope are programmable and precisely controlled. The LED output current is regulated and proportional to the LED reference current. If the local junction temperature is greater than the temperature threshold, the LED output current is derated at the moment of the camera flash to avoid thermal overload.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a temperature sensing loop used in connection with a current sensing component, such as a BATFET, in order to compensate for variations in the BATFET's resistance due to temperature variations. The temperature sensing loop detects a temperature of the BATFET and regulates the gate voltage of the BATFET based on the detected temperature in order to compensate for changes in the BATFET's resistance. The temperature sensing feedback loop maintains the BATFET at a constant resistance for current sensing through negative feedback control. The BATFET and temperature sensing loop can be provided as components of an on-chip fuel gauging application for a UE.

Abstract: Circuitry for performing digital modulation is described. The circuitry includes a digital modulator. The digital modulator receives a first signal with a first duty cycle. The digital modulator also receives a second signal with a second duty cycle. The digital modulator further produces a monotonic multiplied modulated signal based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and methods for 100% duty cycle in switching regulators. A switching regulator circuit includes a ramp generator to produce a ramp signal having a period and a comparator to receive the ramp signal and an error signal, and in accordance therewith, produce a modulation signal. In a first mode of operation, the ramp signal increases to intersect the error signal, and in accordance therewith, changes a state of a switching transistor during each period of the ramp signal. In a second mode of operation, the error signal increase above a maximum value of the ramp signal, and in accordance therewith, the switching transistor is turned on for one or more full periods of the ramp signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a temperature sensing loop used in connection with a current sensing component, such as a BATFET, in order to compensate for variations in the BATFET's resistance due to temperature variations. The temperature sensing loop detects a temperature of the BATFET and regulates the gate voltage of the BATFET based on the detected temperature in order to compensate for changes in the BATFET's resistance. The temperature sensing feedback loop maintains the BATFET at a constant resistance for current sensing through negative feedback control. The BATFET and temperature sensing loop can be provided as components of an on-chip fuel gauging application for a UE.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for derating current and for derating current for a camera flash. The method comprises monitoring a local junction temperature of a module. The local junction temperature is converted into a local junction current. The local junction current is then compared with a reference current, which is independent of temperature. After the current comparison and subtraction is made, a derate control current is obtained to generate the LED reference current. After the temperature crosses the temperature threshold, the derate control current is derated. Both the temperature threshold and current derate slope are programmable and precisely controlled. The LED output current is regulated and proportional to the LED reference current. If the local junction temperature is greater than the temperature threshold, the LED output current is derated at the moment of the camera flash to avoid thermal overload.

Abstract: Circuitry for performing digital modulation is described. The circuitry includes a digital modulator. The digital modulator receives a first signal with a first duty cycle. The digital modulator also receives a second signal with a second duty cycle. The digital modulator further produces a monotonic multiplied modulated signal based on the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate calibration of the loop bandwidth of a phase-locked loop (PLL). Calibration for the loop bandwidth of a PLL as described herein can be performed by optimizing the loop response of the PLL. Optimization of the loop response of the PLL can be achieved by modifying the value of a feedback counter of the PLL to induce a loop response at the PLL. The loop response of the PLL can be measured and compared to an ideal loop response. Based on this comparison, appropriate adjustments can be made to the PLL. Further, various techniques described herein facilitate calibration of a PLL by adjusting only parameters of a charge pump of the PLL without requiring individual control mechanisms for each element of the PLL, thereby improving PLL performance and manufacturing yield.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a switchable balun for combined BLUETOOTH® and WLAN operation. A switchable balun is provided that includes an input circuit for receiving an amplified signal, the input circuit comprising first and second coils connected at a center tap, an output circuit comprising a third coil that is inductively coupled to the first and second coils, the output circuit for outputting an adjusted version of the amplified signal for transmission in a selected transmission mode, and a switch coupled to the center tap, wherein the switch is configured to couple a first voltage to the center tap to select operation in a first transmission mode and to couple a second voltage to the center tap to select operation in a second transmission mode.