Abstract: An image display apparatus includes an envelope, first to third electroconductive members disposed in the envelope, a plate-like spacer disposed between the first and third members and between the second and third members, and a circuit for supplying a potential to the first member and supplying a potential lower than that of the first member to the second and third members. When a sheet resistance between a first region of the spacer to which the potential is supplied from the first member and a second region of the spacer to which the potential is supplied from the second member is defined as ?f [?/?] and a sheet resistance between a third region of the spacer to which the potential is supplied from the third member and a region located between the first and second regions is defined as ?r [?/?], a condition 1/100<?r/?f?40 is satisfied.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to prevent an insulating film from peeling in a section where the insulating film is adjacent to a sealing region. Over a first substrate 104, a pixel portion 100 provided with a light emitting element, a source driver 101, a gate driver 102, and a sealing region 103 are provided. A light emitting element is sealed between the first substrate 104 and a second substrate 110 by a sealant 108. An insulating film 107 serves as a partition wall of the light emitting element. An end portion of the insulating film 107 which is adjacent to the sealing region 103 does not overlap with a step formed by a side surface and an upper surface of a conductive film 106 which serves as a wiring.

Abstract: An external electrode lamp capable of preventing a lighting defect by easily emitting secondary electron within a lamp tube, a method of manufacturing the external electrode lamp, and a liquid crystal display apparatus using the external electrode lamp. The external electrode lamp includes a lamp tube filled with a discharge gas, an external electrode encompassing both ends of the lamp tube, and a conductive material disposed at an inner surface of the both ends of the lamp tube.

Abstract: Fluorescent lamp (1) comprising a glass discharge vessel (2) in which a gas is present, which discharge vessel (2) is on two sides provided with a tubular end portion (3) having a longitudinal axis, which end portion (3) includes a glass stem (5), wherein an exhaust tube (6) extends axially outwardly from said stem (5) for supplying and/or discharging gases during the production of the lamp (1), wherein an electrode (8) extends axially inwardly through the stem (5) for generating and maintaining a discharge in the discharge vessel (2), said electrode (8) comprises two pole wires (9) held in position by the stem (5) and connected to plug pins (11) of an end cap (13) fixed to said end portion (3), characterized in that said end cap (13) is at least substantially made of a shrink material.

Abstract: A lamp structure for adjusting light to be a high beam and a low beam has a sliding seat which comprises one end installed a lamp component and another end installed an annulate guiding groove on outer surface thereof, and the guiding groove comprises a first groove segment and a second groove segment, and the two groove segments have the same curvature; a lamp seat which comprises a first space for the sliding seat restricting in the first space, and a first through hole which is bored through the lamp seat into the first space and is according to the guiding groove of the sliding seat; and a restricting component comprises one end inserted in the first through hole of the lamp seat to trace the guiding groove for restricting the moving of the sliding seat. The first groove segment comprises a first position, a second position, and a third position, and the second groove segment comprises a forth position, a fifth position, and a sixth position.

Abstract: Metal halide lamp suitable as projection lamp, for instance as a vehicle headlamp comprising a discharge vessel surrounded by an outer envelope with clearance and having a ceramic wall which encloses a discharge space filled with a filling comprising an inert gas, such as xenon (Xe), and an ionizable salt, wherein in said discharge space two electrodes are arranged whose tips have a mutual interspacing so as to define a discharge path between them, with the special feature that said ionizable salt comprises NaI, TlI, CaI2 and XI3 wherein X is selected from the group comprising rare earth metals.

Abstract: Plasma-assisted methods and apparatus that use multiple radiation sources are provided. In one embodiment, a plasma is ignited by subjecting a gas in a radiation cavity to electromagnetic radiation having a frequency less than about 333 GHz in the presence of a plasma catalyst, which may be passive or active. A controller can be used to delay activation of one radiation source with respect to another radiation source.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light fixture device comprising an elongate housing, the housing having a pair of opposed edge faces, a first central longitudinal region and a pair of second longitudinal regions, the first longitudinal region being centrally located therebetween, the first and second longitudinal regions extending between the two edge faces, the central first longitudinal region including at least one light emitting portion, one of the second longitudinal regions including at least one sensor portion, the at least one sensor portion being positioned at a location which is optimally selected relative to a work station in a room space below the light fixture device and/or relative to one or more ambient light sources near the light fixture device, the location being one of a plurality of possible locations along a substantially continuous location line extending between the two edge faces.

Abstract: A driver circuit provides electrical energy from a power source to a fluorescent lamp such as that used in a flat-panel or other liquid crystal display (LCD). The circuit includes a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding, with the ends of the secondary winding coupled to the fluorescent lamp. A first switch switchably provides a drive output signal to the transformer based upon a switch input signal. A current control loop adjusts the switch input in response to the current in one of the windings of the transformer, and a luminance control loop adjusts the switch input in response to the brightness of the light. A lamp current frequency control loop adjusts the polarity of the primary winding in response to a signal received from the transformer to thereby adjust the frequency of the lamp drive current applied to the fluorescent lamp.

Abstract: An improved decorative light string circuit comprises full bridge rectification located in or downstream of the front plug, wherein the rectification circuit contains one or more voltage reducing and/or filtering elements in order to reduce or limit LED drive current and reduce (filter) DC ripple and 1 or 2 LED series sets. Additional rectification circuits and LED series sets can be added in parallel to the first in “stacked mode”, with each rectification circuit and LED series set electrically independent of prior and subsequent circuits. This eliminates the rectifying diode current summation load restrictions imposed by prior art and associated safety hazard due to diode overheating.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a simple, low cost ballast for fluorescent lamps that incorporates an integrated circuit and a number of ballast protection functions to cost effectively enhance its reliability. End of lamp life circuitry is provided to shut down the ballast when rectification currents due to lamp aging exceed a predetermined level. This circuitry also functions to stop the ballast operation when the lamp's voltage exceeds a predetermined cutoff level for a set period of time. Re-ignition circuitry is provided that restarts the ballast when new lamps are installed without shutting off the ballast. Multiple striking attempt circuitry is provided that initiates a predetermined number of striking attempts such that cold or old lamps are quickly ignited without the introduction of excessive flickering.

Abstract: A discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes: a DC power supply to supply power to a HID lamp; a transformer to transmit a voltage of DC power supply to the HID lamp; a switch connected between the DC power supply and a primary winding of the transformer; switches connected to a primary side of the transformer; an inductance connected in series to a secondary winding of the transformer; a series resonance circuit connected to a secondary side of the transformer and including an inductance and a capacitor; and a parallel resonance circuit connected to the secondary side of the transformer and including an inductance and a capacitor. The switches are opened or closed to intermittently supply power from the DC power source to the transformer to always supply a current to the transformer.

Abstract: A method of matching the brightness of a plurality of lamps driven by an AC drive current may comprise the steps of: selecting a first one of said lamps having a lowest brightness; and reducing the AC drive current in a second lamp periodically so as to reduce the brightness of the second lamp to match that of the first lamp. According to another embodiment, a reference brightness may be selected, or optionally a reference AC current level, and the method may reduce the drive current periodically so as to set the lamp brightness in relation to the reference brightness or optionally the reference AC current level. A circuit for driving a lamp with controllable brightness may comprise: a drive circuit for supplying an AC drive current to the lamp; and a reducing circuit, advantageously comprised in an IC, for reducing the AC drive current in the lamp periodically to set the AC drive current in the lamp to match a reference.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter 111 with a switching element Q11 changes a supply of power to a HID lamp DL1. On/off of the element Q11 is controlled with a control circuit 13. The circuit 13 controls an on/off state of the element Q11 with constant lamp power control on stable operation of the lamp. The circuit 13 controls the on/off state of the element Q11 so as to provide the lamp with lamp power larger than lamp power by the constant lamp power control based on high power control for a period of time that the lamp is on. It is possible to keep temperature of electrodes and within a bulb of the lamp in a proper state through simple control, and to prevent flicker generation and electrode degradation.

Abstract: To avoid the phenomenon of unsightly flickering in images projected by the projector, in high pressure discharge lamps—especially in high intensity discharge lamps, such as high pressure mercury lamps, metal halide lamps, and xenon lamps—that are used in projectors, even in the presence of the phenomenon of cyclical modulation of the lamp voltage by the returning the light spectrum when the light reflected by the dynamic color filter returns back through the optical system to the lamp, at least during steady operation of the discharge lamp (Ld), a target lamp current signal generation circuit (Up) acquires multiple lamp voltage detection signal (Sv) over a period that is at least as long as the color order cycle of the dynamic color filter (Of) and generates a target lamp current signal (St) based on the multiple lamp voltage detection signals (Sv) that were acquired.

Abstract: A lighting circuit includes a DC/DC converting circuit for boosting an input DC voltage so as to produce boosted DC power, a detecting circuit for producing a detection signal in response to the output voltage of the DC/DC converting circuit, a DC/AC converting circuit for producing AC power to be supplied to the discharge tube from the boosted DC power, a starting circuit for starting up the discharge tube, and a control circuit for receiving the detection signal from the detecting circuit. The control circuit contains a capacitor which is charged based upon the detection signal, a first discharging unit for discharging the capacitor, a second discharging unit for providing a discharging path for the capacitor in response to turning-OFF of the input DC voltage, and a signal producing unit for producing a control signal used to adjust the output of the DC/DC converting circuit in response to a terminal voltage of the capacitor.

Abstract: A discharge lamp driving device, for driving a plurality of lamp modules (23), includes a plurality of power stage circuits (22), a plurality of driving circuits (24), a multi-phase controller (21), and a controller (25). The power stage circuits, respectively corresponding to the lamp modules, converts received direct current (DC) signals to alternating current (AC) signals to drive the corresponding lamp modules. The driving circuits, respectively connected to corresponding power stage circuits, output driving signals to control outputs of the corresponding power stage circuits. The multi-phase controller, connected to the driving circuits, controls timing of the driving circuits outputting the driving signals. The controller, connected to the driving circuits, controls duty cycles of the driving signals.

Abstract: A method for attenuating switching noise from back electromotive force (EMF) observations in a motor is described. The motor is controlled by pulse width modulation (PWM) signals provided at a PWM frequency. The method comprises sampling back EMF observed in the motor at a sampling frequency at least two times greater than the PWM frequency to obtain over-sampled back EMF readings. The oversampled readings may be used in a raw or filtered form to commutate the motor. A system implementing the method is also described.

Abstract: Wireless control systems and methods for adjusting the position and/or alignment of a telescope. In one example, a wireless handheld controller enables a user to adjust a corresponding telescope from a remote location. The controller preferably communicates motion commands via radio frequency to a transceiver coupled to the telescope. The transceiver may also communicate status information to the controller regarding the current position and/or alignment of the telescope. In certain embodiments, the controller and transceiver are assigned corresponding identification codes and/or operational frequencies to enable handshaking between the controller and the transceiver during wireless communication.

Abstract: A vehicle propulsion includes an alternating current (AC) traction drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the traction drive through a direct current (DC) link, a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the traction drive such that the voltage output from the second energy storage system is decoupled from the DC link using a bidirectional boost converter, and an energy management system configured to control said first and second energy storage systems when the vehicle is operating in at least one of a pre-charge mode and a normal operation mode with the traction drive system enabled.

Abstract: A method to determine a back electromotive force induced in a coil of a voice-coil motor by its motion. The motor is driven in a discontinuous mode by commanding alternating on-phases and off-phases (tristate). A drive current flowing in the coil or a drive voltage on the coil at an end of an on-phase is sensed. An amplitude of a voltage disturbance induced in the coil by mutual induction between a permanent magnet of the voice-coil motor and the moving coil as a function of the sensed drive current or drive voltage is estimated. Voltage on the coil is sensed during a following off-phase with no current flowing in the coil. The back electromotive force induced in the moving coil is determined as a difference between the sensed voltage and the estimated amplitude of the voltage disturbance.

Abstract: A robot control apparatus capable of largely reducing a calculation amount to be capable of lowering a load of a CPU is provided.

Abstract: A live handle switch in the form of a hand operated safety switch for an industrial robot or a machine is described. The live handle comprises a safety certified switch for operating a robot or other machine safely while under manual control. The live handle switch may be comprised in a portable robot controller of the TPU Teach Pendant Unit type. Such a TPU may comprise control means for moving a robot in three or more degrees of freedom. In other aspects of the invention a system comprising a robot and a control unit and the live handle switch are described.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system to condition a radiation beam. A patterning support holds a patterning device that imparts the radiation beam with a pattern to form a patterned radiation beam. A substrate support holds a substrate. A projection system projects the patterned radiation beam onto the substrate. A positioning system positions the patterning support and the substrate support. The positioning system has a motor with a stator and a mover coupled to a support, and an associated motor control system with a controller providing an output for controlling currents applied to the motor. The motor control system determines a controller output required to compensate for a weight of mover and associated support, determines a deviation of this output from an output required to compensate the gravity force acting on the mover and associated support, and corrects the currents applied to the motor based on the deviation.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided for controlling a motor having three phases driven by a motor driver. In one implementation, the electronic device includes a detection means and a control circuit. The detection means includes three high-gain differential amplifiers and three A/D converters. The detection means detects back EMF voltages induced by the rotation of the motor and applies corresponding signals to the control circuit. The control circuit computes and filters the position and/or the speed of the motor and then delivers the filtered values of the computed rotor position and/or speed to control the motor driver. The motor may thus be controlled even at near-zero rotational speed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for varying a speed of a hybrid induction motor (HIM). The apparatus comprises a starting capacitor; a driving capacitor; at least one speed varying capacitor for varying a speed of a HIM by a control signal; and a controlling unit for analyzing a user's commands and outputting a control signal to vary the speed of the HIM based on a result of the analysis.

Abstract: A starting system for a single-phase induction motor, comprising: a stator having a running coil (11) and a starting coil (12); a power source (F) which supplies current to said running coil (11) and said starting coil (12); a running switch (S1) and a starting switch (S2), respectively connecting the running coil (11) and the starting coil (12) to the power source (F) when in a closed condition; and a control unit (30) which is programmed to operate the running switch (S1) so as to cause a delay in the supply of the current supplied to the running coil (11) in relation to the supplied of the to the starting coil (12), during the motor start for a determined time interval which is previously defined and considered from the zero-crossing moment of the current supplied to the stator.

Abstract: A three-phase AC speed adjustable motor relates to the motor speed adjusting technique in the field of electrical engineering. Said three-phase AC speed adjustable motor is composed of an AC motor body and an inverse electromotive force generator which is connected with ends of the three stator windings of the AC motor body, wherein the DC voltage, output voltage and the output phase of the inverse electromotive force generator are variable. Instead of adjusting the speed of a motor by extracting energy from the motor and then returning the extracted energy back to the electric network in prior art, the present invention alter the ideal non-load angular speed to adjust the speed of a motor by applying an inverse electromotive force to the motor to counteract a part of energy of the motor and to control the magnitude of the DC voltage.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide a method and a system for handling cross-reference of batteries. A battery cross-reference system is provided for users of all levels of knowledge to search for a battery based on different attributes of a battery. The different attributes of a battery includes a chemistry, a category, a brand of the category, a brand model, a manufacturer, a battery model and other attributes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DC adapter that can be housed in a battery housing portion of an electronic apparatus selectively with a primary and secondary battery.

Abstract: A plug is provided that includes a charging circuit and a supplemental memory and the plug body includes an outer profile that is a compact size. The plug allows for data from a battery powered device to be written to the supplemental memory for emergency access by the battery powered device. The plug provides for the backup from a battery powered device such as a cell phone or personal digital assistant of data such as telephone numbers, addresses, calendars, ring-tones, video or music files.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for controlling a capacitor charging circuit and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a first comparator, a second comparator, and a controller. The first comparator, which is coupled to the charging circuit, receives a voltage level and compares the voltage level with a reference voltage level to generate a first indication signal. The voltage level corresponds to an output voltage of the charging circuit. The second comparator receives a control value and compares the control value with a threshold value to generate a second indication signal. The controller, which is coupled to the charging circuit, the first comparator and the second comparator, generates a control signal according to the first indication signal and the second indication signal to turn the charging circuit on and off, and further generates the control value according to the control signal.

Abstract: A controller built in Li-battery electric tool includes a microprocessor, a charging switch loop, a battery voltage detecting loop, a motor driving loop, and a power circuit. The charging switch loop is connected with the microprocessor and connected to a chargeable battery and a charging source, for controlling the charging status of the rechargeable battery. The battery voltage detecting loop is connected with the microprocessor for detecting the voltage of the rechargeable battery. The motor driving loop is connected with the microprocessor, having an electrically-controlled switch connected with a motor mounted inside the electric tool. The power circuit is connected with the microprocessor and the charging source, for providing the microprocessor with a power source. Thus, the rechargeable battery can be controlled while charged and discharged, and the present invention is of few components and small-sized as advantages.

Abstract: Data indicating a relationship of life of a battery to a value of load power applied to the battery in discharge and environmental temperature of a place where the battery is installed are prepared beforehand. Next, the load power and the environmental temperature when the battery is discharged are measured, and then a life value corresponding to these measured values is selected from the data so as to be set as an expected life value. Next, a first life reduction amount is calculated from a natural logarithmic function with the number-of-discharges as a variable, and the difference between the expected life value and the first life reduction amount is set to a remaining life value, on the basis of which the life of the nickel-hydride battery is determined. By this method, the life of the nickel-hydride battery as a backup power source can be accurately determined, while correction based on phenomena unique to the nickel-hydride battery is performed.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for battery power management comprises the following steps. A first power consumption magnitude indicating the amount of battery power consumed when the portable electronic device is in standby mode is calculated. A second power consumption magnitude indicating the amount of battery power consumed for a dynamic function to be activated is estimated. A power storage magnitude indicating the remaining power of the battery is acquired. The remaining battery life is calculated according to the first and second power consumption magnitudes and the power storage magnitude.

Abstract: A battery pack includes a first switching element which shuts off a discharging current flowing to a battery cell and a second switching element which shuts off a charging current. A positive temperature coefficient thermistor is inserted between a gate control terminal of a protective control circuit and a gate of at least one of the switching elements, and a resistor is connected between the gate and a source of the switching element. The positive temperature coefficient thermistor is thermally connected to one or more of the first and second switching elements and/or to the battery cell. Thus, an abnormally overheated state of one or more of the switching elements or the battery cell leads to an increase in the resistance of the positive temperature coefficient thermistor causing shut-off of the switching elementthereby protecting the battery pack.

Abstract: There is provided an abnormality detection apparatus for a secondary battery device having n secondary batteries (where n is 2 or more) connected in series for obtaining a high battery voltage. The apparatus includes n voltage detecting circuits which outputs high-level signals at a normal voltage between both terminals of each of the n secondary batteries, n N-channel field effect transistors having gates to which outputs of the n voltage detecting circuits are respectively supplied, and n P-channel field effect transistors having gates to which drain voltages of the n N-channel field effect transistors are respectively supplied. In the n P-channel field effect transistors, a drain of a P-channel field effect transistor is connected to a source of the next P-channel field effect transistor successively, thus detecting an abnormality by a voltage obtained at a drain of the n-th P-channel field effect transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a medium- or large-sized battery pack having a plurality of unit cells. The battery pack includes a safety device (fire-extinguishing safety device) for spraying a material to prevent or restrain the fire or the explosion of the battery pack when the temperature of the battery pack exceeds the critical temperature level threatening the safety of the battery pack. The fire-extinguishing safety device according to the present invention has the effect of securing the safety of the battery pack when the temperature or the voltage is abruptly increased entirely or partially in the battery pack due to various causes, such as a breakdown of a safety system, and it is not possible to control the battery pack only by an operation control system.

Abstract: A regulator for eliminating noises generated by an automotive power generator is composed of a front-end circuit, a semiconductor power element, a resistor, and a capacitor. The front-end circuit includes a plurality of electronic components for offering control signals generated therefrom. The semiconductor power element is electrically connected with a field coil of the power generator, including a gate electrically connected with the front-end circuit for receiving the control signals that switch ON/OFF the gate. The resistor is electrically connected in series between the gate and the front-end circuit. The capacitor includes an end connected with the gate and the other end thereof grounded. Thus, the semiconductor power element can slow down the ON/OFF switching to be further low-cost and simple-circuit for enhanced quality of the output voltage of the power generator.

Abstract: A battery charging control device comprising a control circuit that performs control to keep a voltage across a battery charged by an output of an AC generator around a target value, comprising: a load driving switch inserted between the battery and a load; and a load driving switch control circuit that performs control to turn on the load driving switch when the AC generator generates the output and a voltage across the load is equal to or lower than a set value, and turn off the load driving switch when the voltage across the load exceeds the set value lower than the target value of the voltage across the battery.

Abstract: Embodiments of reducing perceptible flicker are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method providing output voltage control in a power supply circuit. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise at least a first module adapted to receive an input DC voltage and at least one voltage control signal and output an output DC voltage that is a function of the input DC voltage and the voltage control signal. At least a second module may be adapted to receive a feedback signal representative of the output DC voltage and output the at least one voltage control signal as a function of at least the feedback signal. The second module may, for example, be a digital module adapted to generate the at least one voltage control signal utilizing digital active components. The second module may also, for example, utilize transistors and/or passive components controlled by the digital active components to generate the at least one voltage control signal.

Abstract: Circuits and methods to provide an LDO output stage implemented with low-voltage devices and still allowing higher voltage levels have been achieved. The output stage has been built using two low voltage MOS devices in series. During the time the regulator is in active mode the second MOS device acts as a small resistor in series to the pass device. During power down this second device actively protects the MOS pass device and itself from high voltage stress levels. This is achieved by a robust regulating mechanism that compensates leakage currents. These leakage currents normally determine the different potentials of the output stage during power down. Although the second transistor presents a resistive obstacle during active mode the total chip area required is smaller compared to a single pass device tolerating e.g. 5 Volts.

Abstract: A switching power device includes a control circuit 20 that inputs output voltage from a voltage detecting terminal a and turns ON/OFF a switching element Q1 on a basis of the output voltage, detection holding means 23, 24 that detect an abnormality when it occurs in a power-factor improvement circuit, stop an operation of the switching element and output a holding signal while holding a stopped condition of the switching element, abnormal operating signal outputting means 30 that outputs an abnormal operating signal in the form of voltage more than a predetermined voltage to the voltage detecting terminal a on the basis of the holding signal from the detection holding means 23, 24, and abnormal signal detecting means 40 that outputs an abnormal signal to a load circuit 10 upon detecting that a potential of the voltage detecting terminal a has reached voltage more than the predetermined voltage on the basis of the abnormal operating signal from the abnormal operating signal outputting means 30.

Abstract: In a power supply apparatus, in a standby mode, control signals for controlling a first MOSFET of a power supply apparatus to be turned on and a second MOSFET to be turned off are supplied to the gates of the first and second MOSFETs from a control circuit, respectively. The emitter of a PNP transistor is connected to the gate of the second MOSFET through a diode of a switch circuit and the collector is connected to the ground. A power supply operation control signal is input to the base of the PNP transistor. When a power supply operation control signal in a Low state is input to the base in a standby mode, the emitter and the collector are connected to each other. Accordingly, the gate of the second MOSFET has a potential substantially the same as a ground potential and the second MOSFET is turned off irrespective of the control signal.

Abstract: A ripple converter includes a transistor for switching an input direct-current voltage, a choke coil and a smoothing capacitor for smoothing the switched direct-current voltage, a flywheel diode for causing a current to flow through the choke coil when the transistor is turned off, and a comparing unit for controlling the ON/OFF of the transistor according to ripple in an output voltage. In the ripple converter, a waveform converter is provided on a connecting path between an output terminal and a non-inverting input terminal of a comparator in the comparing unit. A result of converting the waveform of the output voltage is compared with a reference voltage, and a result of the comparison is fed back to the transistor.

Abstract: This invention relates to Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS) controllers, especially analogue controllers employing a combination of Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Pulse Frequency Modulation (PFM). We describe a switch mode power supply (SMPS) controller circuit for controlling a power switching device of said SMPS, the circuit including: a current input to receive a feedback signal current dependent upon an output voltage of said SMPS; a ramp generator circuit coupled to said current control input to generate responsive to said feedback current signal consecutive first and second voltage ramps, one rising the other falling; and a control output responsive to said voltage ramps from said voltage ramp generator to provide a drive signal for controlling said power switching device.

Abstract: A regulated internal power supply and method are provided. According to various embodiments, a regulated internal power supply system includes a DC to DC converter adapted to connect to an external supply voltage. The converter is further adapted to increase voltage level above a level of the external supply voltage. A low pass filter is connected to the DC to DC converter, and a current-mode bandgap voltage reference (BVR) is connected to the low pass filter. The BVR is adapted to provide second order curvature correction and to provide a tunable voltage reference gradient with respect to the external supply voltage. A power amplifier is connected to the BVR and to a circuit die, to provide a stable internal supply voltage to the die. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: A circuit (200) can include a reference circuit (202) and a start-up circuit (204). A start-up circuit (204) can include a low threshold voltage reference current device (N3) that can pull a start node (210) low in a start-up operation. This can enable activation device (P3), which can place reference circuit (202) in a stable operating mode. Operation of transistor (N3) can be essentially independent of a high power supply voltage and start-up circuit (204) can include no resistors.

Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes a capacitance changing structure constructed by connecting a first construction unit, a second construction unit, a third construction unit, and a fourth construction unit, which each include a first electric element that hinders transmission of a direct current (DC) signal and has a capacitance that changes in accordance with the magnitude of an absolute value of an applied voltage, in the mentioned order in a ring. A voltage measuring apparatus measures the voltage of a measured object and includes a detection electrode capable of being disposed facing the measured object and the variable capacitance circuit described above. A power measuring apparatus includes a current measuring apparatus that measures current flowing in a measured object and the voltage measuring apparatus that measures the voltage of the measured object.