Abstract: A system and method to identify whether a removable battery pack inserted into a battery-powered device is an authorized battery pack for the device. Battery-powered devices may include a battery-powered drill, saw, flashlight or other type of device. The battery-powered device may send an authentication query to the battery pack. If the battery-powered device does not receive a valid reply from the battery pack, the battery-powered device may verify that the battery-powered device is still within a phase-out period that allows the battery-powered device to use a battery pack with an invalid authentication. If the phase-out period has expired, the battery-powered device may disable the use of the battery pack with an invalid authentication. If the phase-out period is still running, the battery-powered device may allow the use of the battery pack with an invalid authentication, but only for a limited number of battery pack recharge cycles.

Abstract: A current-mode logic circuit is provided. The current-mode logic circuit includes a transmitter module. The transmitter module includes an output impedance circuit, a switch circuit, and a current source. The output impedance circuit provides an adjustable output resistor. The adjustable output resistor includes floating resistors and/or pull-up resistors. The switch circuit is coupled to the output impedance circuit. The switch circuit receives differential input signals, outputs differential output signals, and controls high-low level switching of the differential input signals and the differential output signals according to the adjustable output resistor. The current source is coupled to the output impedance circuit and the switch circuit. The current source provides currents to the output impedance circuit and the switch circuit.

Abstract: A current-mode logic circuit is provided. The current-mode logic circuit includes a transmitter module. The transmitter module includes an output impedance circuit, a switch circuit, and a current source. The output impedance circuit provides an adjustable output resistor. The adjustable output resistor includes floating resistors and/or pull-up resistors. The switch circuit is coupled to the output impedance circuit. The switch circuit receives differential input signals, outputs differential output signals, and controls high-low level switching of the differential input signals and the differential output signals according to the adjustable output resistor. The current source is coupled to the output impedance circuit and the switch circuit. The current source provides currents to the output impedance circuit and the switch circuit.

Abstract: A pre-driver circuit is provided. The pre-driver circuit includes a switch circuit, a common-mode voltage control circuit, and a current supply circuit. The switch circuit receives differential input signals, outputs differential output signals, and controls switching between a high level and a low level of the differential output signals and the differential input signals. The common-mode voltage control circuit is coupled to the switch circuit. The common-mode voltage control circuit receives a reference voltage and controls a common-mode voltage of the differential output signals according to the reference voltage. The current supply circuit is coupled to the switch circuit and the common-mode voltage control circuit. The current supply circuit provides a driving current for the switch circuit and the common-mode voltage control circuit.

Abstract: A system and method to identify whether a removable battery pack inserted into a battery-powered device is an authorized battery pack for the device. Battery-powered devices may include a battery-powered drill, saw, flashlight or other type of device. The battery-powered device may send an authentication query to the battery pack. If the battery-powered device does not receive a valid reply from the battery pack, the battery-powered device may verify that the battery-powered device is still within a phase-out period that allows the battery-powered device to use a battery pack with an invalid authentication. If the phase-out period has expired, the battery-powered device may disable the use of the battery pack with an invalid authentication. If the phase-out period is still running, the battery-powered device may allow the use of the battery pack with an invalid authentication, but only for a limited number of battery pack recharge cycles.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first analog to digital converter configured to convert an analog voltage sample of a rechargeable power source into a digital voltage value, a second analog to digital converter configured to convert an analog current sample of the rechargeable power source into a digital current value, a charge state controller configured to determine a charge state of the rechargeable power source based on the digital voltage value and the digital current value, and a communication interface configured to output a computer-readable indication of the charge state. The charge state controller is further configured to receive pregenerated voltage values and pregenerated current values, and determine a simulated charge state of the rechargeable power source based on the pregenerated voltage values and the pregenerated current values. The communication interface is further configured to output a computer-readable indication of the simulated charge state.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first analog to digital converter configured to convert an analog voltage sample of a rechargeable power source into a digital voltage value, a second analog to digital converter configured to convert an analog current sample of the rechargeable power source into a digital current value, a charge state controller configured to determine a charge state of the rechargeable power source based on the digital voltage value and the digital current value, and a communication interface configured to output a computer-readable indication of the charge state. The charge state controller is further configured to receive pregenerated voltage values and pregenerated current values, and determine a simulated charge state of the rechargeable power source based on the pregenerated voltage values and the pregenerated current values. The communication interface is further configured to output a computer-readable indication of the simulated charge state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forwarding data traffic to a broadband network. The method includes receiving at a local broadband wireless router data traffic to be forwarded to a broadband network and acquiring over a wireless communications link current bandwidth utilization rates for one or more neighboring broadband wireless routers. Based at least in part on the current bandwidth utilization rate of the local router and the current bandwidth utilization rate acquired from the one or more neighboring wireless routers, the data traffic is forwarded to the broadband network over a broadband interface of the local router or to a selected one of the neighboring routers over a wireless interface of the local router.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for forwarding data traffic to a broadband network. The method includes receiving at a local broadband wireless router data traffic to be forwarded to a broadband network and acquiring over a wireless communications link current bandwidth utilization rates for one or more neighboring broadband wireless routers. Based at least in part on the current bandwidth utilization rate of the local router and the current bandwidth utilization rate acquired from the one or more neighboring wireless routers, the data traffic is forwarded to the broadband network over a broadband interface of the local router or to a selected one of the neighboring routers over a wireless interface of the local router.