Abstract: A galvanic isolator having a transmitter die, a receiver die, and a lead frame is disclosed. The transmitter die includes an LED having first and second contacts for powering the LED, and the receiver die includes a photodetector. The lead frame includes first and second transmitter leads, and first and second receiver leads. The transmitter die is bonded to the first lead, the first contact being connected electrically to the first transmitter lead and the second contact being connected to the second transmitter lead. The receiver die is connected to the first and second receiver leads. The LED and the photodetector are positioned such that light generated by the LED is received by the photodetector. The first and second transmitter leads are capacitively coupled to the first receiver lead. The capacitive couplings are characterized by first and second capacitance values that are substantially the same.

Abstract: A galvanic isolator having a transmitter die, a receiver die, and a lead frame is disclosed. The transmitter die includes an LED having first and second contacts for powering the LED, and the receiver die includes a photodetector. The lead frame includes first and second transmitter leads, and first and second receiver leads. The transmitter die is bonded to the first lead, the first contact being connected electrically to the first transmitter lead and the second contact being connected to the second transmitter lead. The receiver die is connected to the first and second receiver leads. The LED and the photodetector are positioned such that light generated by the LED is received by the photodetector. The first and second transmitter leads are capacitively coupled to the first receiver lead. The capacitive couplings are characterized by first and second capacitance values that are substantially the same.

Abstract: A circuit for actuating a switch includes a conductive liquid switch comprising a conductive liquid droplet and a control processor configured to receive a switching signal and configured to provide at least one actuation pulse to the conductive liquid droplet to initiate movement of the conductive liquid droplet based on a duration of a time period between the switching signal and a preceding switching signal.

Abstract: A galvanic isolator having a transmitter die, a receiver die, and a lead frame is disclosed. The transmitter die includes an LED having first and second contacts for powering the LED, and the receiver die includes a photodetector. The lead frame includes first and second transmitter leads, and first and second receiver leads. The transmitter die is bonded to the first lead, the first contact being connected electrically to the first transmitter lead and the second contact being connected to the second transmitter lead. The receiver die is connected to the first and second receiver leads. The LED and the photodetector are positioned such that light generated by the LED is received by the photodetector. The first and second transmitter leads are capacitively coupled to the first receiver lead. The capacitive couplings are characterized by first and second capacitance values that are substantially the same.

Abstract: A circuit for actuating a switch includes a conductive liquid switch comprising a conductive liquid droplet and a control processor configured to receive a switching signal and configured to provide at least one actuation pulse to the conductive liquid droplet to initiate movement of the conductive liquid droplet based on a duration of a time period between the switching signal and a preceding switching signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a switch includes first and second mated substrates defining therebetween a number of cavities. A plurality of electrically conductive elements extends to near at least a first of the cavities. A switching fluid, held within at least the first of the cavities, serves to electrically, but not physically, couple and decouple at least a pair of the electrically conductive elements, in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid. A passivation layer covers at least a first of the electrically conductive elements and i) separates the first of the electrically conductive elements from at least the first of the cavities, and ii) is a dielectric for a capacitor formed between the first of the electrically conductive elements and the switching fluid. Other switches, and methods for making same, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat actuated switch comprises a substrate, a moveable element having at least one electrical contact associated therewith, a permanent magnet in the vicinity of the electrical contact, a ferromagnetic material in the vicinity of the permanent magnet and associated with the at least one electrical contact, and a heater adjacent the ferromagnetic material, whereby actuating the heater alters the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic material and causes the moveable element to switch the electrical contact.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a switch includes first and second mated substrates defining therebetween a number of cavities. A plurality of electrically conductive elements extends to near at least a first of the cavities. A switching fluid, held within at least the first of the cavities, serves to electrically, but not physically, couple and decouple at least a pair of the electrically conductive elements, in response to forces that are applied to the switching fluid. A passivation layer covers at least a first of the electrically conductive elements and i) separates the first of the electrically conductive elements from at least the first of the cavities, and ii) is a dielectric for a capacitor formed between the first of the electrically conductive elements and the switching fluid. Other switches, and methods for making same, are also disclosed.