Abstract: A method, an algorithm, and circuits for implementation of a high-accuracy voltage divider are described that include a capability of fault detection. The disclosure allows for correction of non-catastrophic faults, such as significant changes of the components' values. The performance of the circuit built as described is vastly superior to operations achievable with the modern-day components utilized in previous standard and known configurations.

Abstract: A highly accurate voltage reference and temperature sensor circuit requires only several low-cost components in addition to a general-purpose microcontroller with an analog-to-digital converter. Unlike known circuits, the circuit disclosed does not rely on matching between a pair of semiconductor devices, as only a single semiconductor junction is used. All of the signal processing may be performed digitally.

Abstract: A system is used with a plurality of modules, each module requiring galvanic isolation from the other modules. Galvanic isolators are employed, each having an input and an output, the output galvanically isolated from the input, the output responsive to the input according to a response characteristic of the isolator. Each module has, a respective first isolator and a respective second isolator. The input of each respective first isolator and each respective second isolator for each module is disposed controllably to receive an activation signal from the module indicative of a module fault to be annunciated or to receive a test signal from the module, the test signal being smaller than the activation signal. The outputs of the respective first isolators are aggregated to a first node and the outputs of the respective second isolators are aggregated to a second node.

Abstract: A method, circuit, and topology are provided for utilization of this circuit in Li-Ion or any other battery that benefits from balancing between individual cells. The whole system is characterized as having high efficiency (and thus low heat losses) compared to previous art implementations. The actions of the circuit are continuous and bi-directional in respect to each cell.

Abstract: A current sensing approach makes use of two shunts in series, embedded in a switching fabric, each shunt the object of a differential measurement of voltage drop across the shunt. Methodical make-before-break cycling of the switches in the switching fabric permit real-time or very near-real-time measurement of nearly all of the errors such as offset errors present in each differential-measurement path. Additional differential measurement paths can be connected with the shunts, with RFI filtering at shorter time constants to serve electronic fuse needs.

Abstract: A method, circuit, and topology are provided for utilization of this circuit in Li-Ion or any other battery that benefits from balancing between individual cells. The whole system is characterized as having high efficiency (and thus low heat losses) compared to previous art implementations. The actions of the circuit are continuous and bi-directional in respect to each cell.

Abstract: A system is used with a plurality of modules, each module requiring galvanic isolation from the other modules. Galvanic isolators are employed, each having an input and an output, the output galvanically isolated from the input, the output responsive to the input according to a response characteristic of the isolator. Each module has, a respective first isolator and a respective second isolator. The input of each respective first isolator and each respective second isolator for each module is disposed controllably to receive an activation signal from the module indicative of a module fault to be annunciated or to receive a test signal from the module, the test signal being smaller than the activation signal. The outputs of the respective first isolators are aggregated to a first node and the outputs of the respective second isolators are aggregated to a second node.

Abstract: A current sensing approach makes use of two shunts in series, embedded in a switching fabric, each shunt the object of a differential measurement of voltage drop across the shunt. Methodical make-before-break cycling of the switches in the switching fabric permit real-time or very near-real-time measurement of nearly all of the errors such as offset errors present in each differential-measurement path. Additional differential measurement paths can be connected with the shunts, with RFI filtering at shorter time constants to serve electronic fuse needs.

Abstract: The disclosure involves the efficient termination of a winding PCB of a planar inductive component to a main PCB, using relatively little space and providing a low-resistance connection. The disclosed methods are especially suitable for planar structures where several winding PCBs, and/or winding PCBs and a main PCB, are all enclosed by the magnetic path components. The methods allow for a winding PCB to simply rest on the main PCB, or other winding PCBs, without any clearance. The disclosure employs mating sets of conductive annular rings with an optional interlocking terminal pin that allows two PCBs to be fixedly coupled together, while preserving a minimum distance between the solder-mask layers of the two PCBs in order to prevent the formation of unwanted electrical connections between the two PCBs. Solder is used to ensure effective coupling in each assembly of mating annular rings and optional terminal pin.

Abstract: The disclosure involves the efficient termination of a winding PCB of a planar inductive component to a main PCB, using relatively little space and providing a low-resistance connection. The disclosed methods are especially suitable for planar structures where several winding PCBs, and/or winding PCBs and a main PCB, are all enclosed by the magnetic path components. The methods allow for a winding PCB to simply rest on the main PCB, or other winding PCBs, without any clearance. The disclosure employs mating sets of conductive annular rings with an optional interlocking terminal pin that allows two PCBs to be fixedly coupled together, while preserving a minimum distance between the solder-mask layers of the two PCBs in order to prevent the formation of unwanted electrical connections between the two PCBs. Solder is used to ensure effective coupling in each assembly of mating annular rings and optional terminal pin.

Abstract: The topology and the shape of sensing electrodes (4, 31) on the Capacity Touch Pad Sensor that allow sensing of small targets are disclosed. Sensor construction utilizes common PCB manufacture technique.

Abstract: A single-wire serial communications bus has a master device and one or more slave devices. The slave devices are addressed according to a predetermined addressing scheme in an address space. The master device starts a transmission with a number of line state changes which define a clock period to be used by the slave devices in clocking and framing the serial data. This permits omitting a clock line, thus saving a pin and saving printed circuit board space. This also permits the slave devices to shut down their own clocks during periods of inactivity on the bus, thus saving power. Likewise the master device is able to shut down its clock during periods of bus inactivity.

Abstract: A Circuit (in FIG. 1) and an Algorithm for Data Acquisition from Capacitive Touch Pad Sensor employs charge transfer to sense capacitance. The circuit has high degree of noise rejection from both system and externally generated noises; it is resistant to the effects of ESD; utilizes a general purpose “off the shelf” components and programmable microcontroller (element 10), providing flexibility for changes and adjustments without incurring the high costs of a custom IC design. A settling time and low sensitivity to the noise.

Abstract: A method for evoking the scrolling and panning operations utilizing the touch pad is disclosed, characterized by the ability to perform continuous scrolling or panning, with user selectable trade-off between the speed and accuracy.

Abstract: A Circuit (in FIG. 1) and an Algorithm for Data Acquisition from Capacitive Touch Pad Sensor employs charge transfer to sense capacitance. The circuit has high degree of noise rejection from both system and externally generated noises; it is resistant to the effects of ESD; utilizes a general purpose “off the shelf” components and programmable microcontroller (element providing flexibility for changes and adjustments without incurring the high costs of a custom IC design. A settling time and low sensitivity to the noise.

Abstract: The topology and the shape of sensing electrodes (4, 31) on the Capacity Touch Pad Sensor that allow sensing of small targets are disclosed. Sensor construction utilizes common PCB manufacture technique.

Abstract: An improved oscillator system has a control logic block which has an input from an external device to which clock is being provided. The input controls a counter which counts cycles from the oscillator. If some predetermined number of cycles has passed in the absence of a predetermined input condition, then the oscillator halts, thus reducing power consumption by the oscillator system. Later, upon the predetermined input condition, the oscillator resumes oscillation. The system has improved noise immunity and permits a continuous-oscillation mode without the need of an extra pin or memory bit. The control logic block may also employ a counter which counts the number of times the predetermined input condition has occurred, and only after some predetermined number of occurrences does the oscillator-halting activity take place.

Abstract: A single-wire serial communications bus has a master device and one or more slave devices. The slave devices are addressed according to a predetermined addressing scheme in an address space. The master device starts a transmission with a number of line state changes which define a clock period to be used by the slave devices in clocking and framing the serial data. This permits omitting a clock line, thus saving a pin and saving printed circuit board space. This also permits the slave devices to shut down their own clocks during periods of inactivity on the bus, thus saving power. Likewise the master device is able to shut down its clock during periods of bus inactivity.

Abstract: In the exemplary system, a “software” handshake is employed to signal from the keyboard when it is desired to “wake up” the host. After the handshake is completed, a key scan code is communicated to the host. Thereafter the host may revert to “sleep” mode until another keystroke (press or release) occurs. This helps to conserve power and increase battery life.

Abstract: A system is described in which the Master can stop its clock and go into a low-power state (for power conservation reasons) at arbitrary times. Before going into the stopped-clock or low-power mode, the Master checks that the serial bus is idle (defined as both Clock and Data lines being “High”). A latch circuit is provided which is active when them aster is in low-power mode. The latch circuit watches for the very first negative-going clock pulse (from the slave), and its configuration is such that when latched, it holds the clock line low. Holding the clock line low prompts the slave to discontinue efforts to send the data. Stated differently, the slave will not conclude that it had successfully sent its data, and this prompts the slave to retain a copy of its data for later resending.