Abstract: The number of constituent components is reduced so as to provide a small-size and inexpensive electric-power conversion system.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein include systems, methods and/or devices used to produce a rectified and regulated output signal. In one aspect, the method includes, at a circuit, comparing an output signal at an output node with an input signal at an input node, wherein the output signal is a rectified and regulated signal, and the input signal is an unrectified and unregulated signal, and computing a difference between a reference signal and a comparison signal. Power transfer from the input node to the output node is prevented when the output signal is greater than the input signal. Furthermore, power transfer from the input node to the output node is regulated to produce the rectified and regulated output signal when both the input signal is greater than the output signal, and when the magnitude of the reference signal exceeds the magnitude of the comparison signal.

Abstract: A common zero volt reference AC/DC power supply with positive and negative rectification, and method of operation thereof. The power supply comprises an input for receiving an AC input voltage and an output for outputting a DC output voltage, the AC input and DC output having a common zero volt reference. The power supply comprises a first rectifier and a second rectifier, for respectively performing a half-wave rectification of a positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the AC input voltage. The power supply comprises control logic for detecting the negative half cycle of the AC input voltage and activating the second rectifier upon the detection. The power supply comprises a power converter for converting a DC rectified voltage received from at least one of the first and second rectifiers into the DC output voltage.

Abstract: In a power supply device the bridge circuit is configured such that a plurality of series circuits of two inverse parallel connection circuits of a semiconductor switch and a diode are connected in parallel. The power supply device includes a control unit configured to control the semiconductor switch such that a voltage between AC terminals of the bridge circuit becomes a zero voltage only during a prescribed time period before and after two zero crossing points in one cycle of the input current and such that the voltage becomes a positive-negative voltage in which the output voltage is a peak current value during other time periods. Consequently, a power factor of the power receiving circuit is improved and a loss of an entire device is inhibited, and a size and a cost of the entire device may be reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method (60) for controlling an inverter (10) using space-vector pulse width modulation, in particular to control an electric machine (14), said inverter (10) being equipped with a plurality of controllable switches (S) and being designed to provide a polyphase electric current (IU, IV, IW), in particular to supply multiphase electric current to an electric machine (14). In said method, a reference phase angle (alpha_R) is predefined, and the inverter (10) is controlled in such a way that a plurality of different successive switching states (V0-V7) is established for the switches (S) in order to provide the electric current (IU, IV, IW) in the form of a current space vector (I*).

Abstract: A DC-to-AC conversion apparatus converts a DC input power source to a three-phase AC output power source. The DC-to-AC conversion apparatus includes an input capacitor assembly, a first conversion circuit, a second conversion circuit, and a control circuit. The input capacitor assembly is connected to the DC input power source, and has a neutral point. The neutral point is connected to a first phase sequence of the AC output power source. The first conversion circuit is connected a second phase sequence and a third phase sequence. The second conversion circuit is connected to the first phase sequence, the second phase sequence, and the third phase sequence. The control circuit generates a plurality of control signals to respectively control the first conversion circuit and the second conversion circuit, thus converting the DC input power source into the three-phase AC output power source.

Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment, a III-nitride power conversion circuit includes a gate driver having a plurality of cascaded inverters, each of the plurality of cascaded inverters including at least one III-nitride transistor. At least one of the plurality of cascaded inverters has a cutoff switch and a III-nitride depletion mode load where the cutoff switch is configured to disconnect the III-nitride depletion mode load so as to prevent current from flowing from a supply voltage of the at least one of the plurality of cascaded inverters. The cutoff switch of the at least one of the plurality of cascaded inverters can be driven by one of the plurality of cascaded inverters. The III-nitride power conversion circuit can also include an output driver driven by the gate driver where the output driver has a segmented III-nitride transistor. Furthermore, a selector circuit can be configured to selectively disable at least one segment of the segmented III-nitride transistor.

Abstract: A turn-off overvoltage limiting for IGBT is described herein. The injection of a sample of the overvoltage across the IGBT in the gate drive to slow down the slope of the gate voltage decrease only during the overvoltage above a predetermined value is described herein. Techniques to increase the parasitic inductance to allow the control to limit an overvoltage at turn off of the second IGBT are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy supply system having an energy storage device. The energy storage device has a plurality of energy storage modules that are serially connected in at least one energy supply branch, each comprising an energy storage cell module having at least one energy storage cell, and a coupling device having coupling elements configured to selectively switch the energy storage cell module into the respective energy supply branch, or to circumvent same, and comprising a plurality of driver devices, each dedicated to one of the energy storage modules, and coupled to one of the energy storage modules, and which are configured to actuate the coupling elements of the coupling devices according to a driver signal.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for driving a load are disclosed. An exemplary driving circuit may include a plurality of switching devices and a controller electrically connected to the plurality of switching devices. The controller may be configured to provide a switching signal for controlling switching operations of the switching devices. The controller may also be configured to determine whether the switching signal falls within a predetermined dead zone. When it is determined that the switching signal falls within the predetermined dead zone, the controller may be configured to modify the switching signal by moving a space vector corresponding to the switching signal to a boundary of the predetermined dead zone. In addition, the controller may be configured to provide the modified switching signal to the switching devices.

Abstract: An actuator includes a first deformable material layer, a second deformable material layer, and an intermediate layer provided between the first deformable material layer and the second deformable material layer. The first deformable material layer includes a first deformable material containing a first stimulus-responsive compound, which changes its molecular structure and also its color tone according to an oxidation-reduction reaction, a first polymeric material, a first electronically conductive substance having a light transmitting property, and a first electrolyte. The second deformable material layer includes a second deformable material containing a second stimulus-responsive compound, which changes its molecular structure and also its color tone according to an oxidation-reduction reaction, a second polymeric material, a second electronically conductive substance having a light transmitting property, and a second electrolyte.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating particles uses tunable standing surface acoustic waves includes a channel defined on a substrate and a pair of variable frequency interdigital transducers. The channel is disposed asymmetrically between the transducers such that the zero order node location is outside of a working region in the channel.

Abstract: A power generating device includes: a piezoelectric member that is formed from a piezoelectric material; one pair of electrodes that are installed to the piezoelectric member; a transformation unit that repeatedly transforms the piezoelectric member; an inductor that is installed between the one pair of electrodes and configures a resonance circuit together with a capacitive component of the piezoelectric member; a switch that is connected to the inductor in series; and a switch control unit that connects the switch when a transformation direction of the piezoelectric member is switched, and cuts off the switch when a time corresponding to a half period of a resonance period of the resonance circuit elapses.

Abstract: Embodiments of electrostatic chucks are provided herein. In some embodiments, an electrostatic chuck for retaining a substrate includes a base plate, a ceramic plate, supported by the base plate, having a substrate supporting surface, a first plurality of electrodes disposed within the ceramic plate having a first polarity, and a second plurality of electrodes disposed within the ceramic plate having a second polarity opposite from the first polarity, wherein the first and second plurality of electrodes are independently controllable to provide a desired chucking power and frequency.

Abstract: In accordance with this disclosure, there are provided several inventions, including an electrostatic chuck apparatus comprising multiple layers with cutouts that form a labyrinth structure which defined a path for cooling or heating gas. The structure prevents particles from accelerating such that they form unwanted lightup in the gas flow path.

Abstract: Technologies for reducing peak fault output current in a DC power generation system include a generator having a reduced damper winding and a controller to control a rectifier array to generate a DC power output. In some embodiments, the generator may have no damper windings, may have damper windings including a reduced number of damper bars, and/or may have damper windings having separated end ring mounts for each damper bar. The controller is configured to control the rectifier array so as to reduce oscillations of the DC output that may be due to the reduced damper windings. To do so, the controller is configured to generate the control signal based on an oscillation component of the DC power output. For example, the controller may generate an oscillation correction signal based on the DC power output and adjust a firing angle set point of the rectifier array based on the oscillation correction signal.

Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing a parameter used in a frequency converter connected to an electrical rotating machine. The method includes identifying a parameter of the machine using electrical quantities, the identified parameter being used in the frequency converter and being identified in a first operating point, providing an electro-mechanical model of the rotating electrical machine to the frequency converter, and calculating when a processor capacity of the frequency converter is available, (i) a state of the rotating electrical machine in the first operating point using a finite element method with the electro-mechanical model of the rotating electrical machine, (ii) a state of the rotating electrical machine in a selected operating point using the finite element method with the electro-mechanical model, correcting the calculated state of the rotating electrical machine, and calculating, from the corrected state, parameter(s) of the electrical machine to be used in the frequency converter.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor including a rotor and a stator, sensors for measuring currents flowing in the rotor and in the stator, a mechanism determining setpoints of current, and a mechanism processing the signals from the measurement sensors, the method including: determining intermediate signals by a transformation according to which stator voltages and rotor voltages of the electric motor are expressed in a decoupled reference system as a function of the signals received from the processing means, and determining signals for regulating voltage as a function of the currents flowing in the rotor and in the stator of the electric motor satisfying the setpoints of current as a function of the intermediate signals obtained by transformation.

Abstract: A D-Q or rotating reference frame control system for a switched reluctance motor (SRM) provides a negativity removal module and a non-linear model module. As such, the control system utilizes control inputs fq and fd, which are converted into the ABC domain as electrical current functions f?ix with negative values. The negativity removal module is configured to share the torque portion of the negative values of the electrical current functions f?ix for each of the three phases of the SRM motor to remove the negative values. The non-linear module corrects the non-linearity of the SRM to smooth the torque that is output. The control system also utilizes a phase advancing module, which outputs fd for achieving a wide range of operating speeds.

Abstract: A method is described for activating a multiphase machine that has a link circuit equipped with a link circuit capacitor, phase windings, and one high-side switch and one low-side switch per phase. The switches associated with the individual phases have control signals applied to them by a control unit. The control unit provides, in successive activation cycles, pulse-shaped control signals for the switches, the pulse widths and pulse onsets of which are respectively varied within an activation cycle in such a way that the link circuit current is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling operation of an electric motor in a height-adjustable furniture arrangement, wherein operation of the electric motor provides a height-adjusting function in the height-adjustable furniture arrangement. The method comprises the steps of providing, by a power supply unit connected to the electric motor, an incoming power comprising an incoming current and an incoming voltage, transforming the incoming current and the incoming voltage to a motor supply current and a motor supply voltage supplied to the electric motor, measuring load on the electric motor, and when the measured load requires a current higher than the incoming current for providing the height-adjusting function, setting the levels of the motor supply current and/or the motor supply voltage such that the motor supply current is higher than the incoming current and the motor supply voltage is lower than the incoming voltage.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for monitoring the operating temperature of one or more circuit elements, such as a metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET) switch, where the circuit element is used to control at least one phase of an electric motor. The systems and techniques may calculate temperature by determining at least two electrical signals from the circuit element taken at least two different times. This results in an accurate temperature calculation without requiring precise knowledge of the particular characteristics of each respective circuit element.

Abstract: A module bracket includes first and second mounting clips (202, 204) that are spaced from each other along the pitch of a roofing surface. An inlet (212) to the first mounting clip (202) faces or projects in the general direction that the second mounting clip (204) is spaced from the first mounting clip (202). An inlet (212) to the second mounting clip (204) faces or projects in the general direction that the first mounting clip (202) is spaced from the second mounting clip (204). A second module flange (134) of a first photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the first mounting clip (202) of the module bracket. A first module flange (128) of a second photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the second mounting clip (204) of this same module bracket.

Abstract: A solar power generation apparatus with non-equidirectional solar tracking stages. At the beginning of sunrise, a solar power generation module is driven by a link assembly to gradually rotate from an initial position to the sun in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the sun. After the solar power generation module is rotated to a position of first preset elevation and azimuth, where the solar power generation module right faces the sun, the solar power generation module starts pivotally rotating along with the change of the position of the sun. When the sun and the direction of the solar power generation module synchronously move to a position of second preset elevation and azimuth, the solar power generation module is further driven to gradually pivotally rotate back to the initial position in a direction reverse to the moving direction of the sun for next cycle.

Abstract: A power generation control apparatus (14) includes a solar cell controller (18) and a range determinator (20). The solar cell controller (18), while changing at least one of an operation current and an operation voltage serving as driving variables within a first range, calculates actual power generated by a solar cell (13). The solar cell controller (18) controls the solar cell (13) to generate power by using a driving variable that maximizes the generated power within the first range. The range determinator (20), based on maximum generated power and at least one of a rated PV curve or an approximation line of the rated PV curve and a rated PI curve or an approximation line of the rated PI curve, updates the first range.

Abstract: The cooling fixture for solar photovoltaic panels has a hollow support platform made from thermally conductive metal that contains a heat exchange medium, preferably water. The solar photovoltaic panel is supported atop the platform so that heat absorbed by the panel is transferred to the platform by conduction and through the media by convection. The platform is pivotally supported on a base frame, and can be adjusted to any desired angle by a brace releasably engaging lugs projecting from the edge of the platform. The heat exchange medium is circulated from the top of the platform to the bottom of the platform by a thermo-siphon effect through at least one thin, rectangular duct having at least one fin for cooling the medium by heat exchange with air.

Abstract: A method for detecting the degree of soiling of PV modules of a string includes the following steps: determination of the deviations of the string power output values from a calculated reference value over the last year; calculation of a historical trend line from the deviations; determination of a maximum difference between the trend line and the deviations; calculation of final deviations of the power output values through subtraction of the maximum difference from the trend line; and determination of the degree of soiling through subtraction of the final deviations from the deviations.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed a metamaterial circuit may further be coupled to a möbius strip resonator or a substrate integrated waveguide. The disclosure is also directed to a device having a tuning circuit and a metamaterial resonator operatively coupled to the tuning circuit. The metamaterial resonator operatively coupled to the tuning circuit may likewise be coupled to a möbius strip resonator or a substrate integrated waveguide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electric circuit of a generator of oscillations, comprising an enhancement-mode field transistor T1, inductance L1 and resistance R1 connected to the source or the drain of the transistor T1, characterized in that the inductance L1 is connected directly between the gate and the drain of the transistor T1 or to an electric circuit of a generator of oscillations, comprising an depletion-mode field transistor T1, inductance L1 and resistance R1 connected with its one end to the source of the transistor T1, characterized in that the inductance L1 is connected directly between the gate of the transistor T1 and the other end of the resistance R1.

Abstract: When a voltage difference between a raised output voltage vcp and an input voltage vin is larger than a set voltage value, based on a added-on voltage vup detected by a voltage monitor 3 or a current iu passing through the voltage monitor 3, the clock generator controller 4 is activated. Then the clock generator controller 4 draws in a frequency control current iw from a clock generator 1 side, switches the frequency Fclk of a clock signal CLK generated by the clock generator 1 from a first frequency, which is comparatively high, to a second frequency, which is one or more digits lower than the first frequency, and applies the clock signal CLK to the voltage raiser 2. The voltage raiser 2 saves power by performing voltage raising (charge pumping) at the second frequency.

Abstract: A transceiver comprising a tank circuit, a variable differential conductance, VDC, coupled to the tank circuit, and a variable resistance coupled to the VDC is disclosed. The variable resistance is arranged to bias the VDC into a region of positive differential conductance during a first state of operation of the transceiver, and bias the VDC into a region of negative differential conductance during a second state of operation of the transceiver.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods to overcome technology limitations to achieve linearity and efficiency performance suitable for practical wireless communications systems. In an embodiment, an amplifier is provided that superimposes the transconductance from a common source amplifier with inductor degeneration with the transconductance from a common source amplifier without degeneration. In an embodiment, an amplifier is provided having a feedback-balun-transformer that provides electro-magnetic coupling between primary, secondary, and negative feedback degeneration inductors and a differential to single-ended conversion output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for linearizing a baseband filter are provided. The apparatus is configured to, via a first conducting module, receive a first current signal. The apparatus is further configured to, via a converting module, receive a second current signal, generate a voltage signal based on the second current signal, and apply the voltage signal to the first conducting module. An amount of the second current signal received by the converting module is based on an amount of the first current signal flowing through the first conducting module. The apparatus is also configured to, via a second conducting module, control an output current signal based on the voltage signal. The output current signal is controlled to be a linear replica of the first current signal for in-band frequencies.

Abstract: An amplifier calibration system has a calibration controller, a comparator coupled between an amplifier to be tested and the calibration controller, and an analog test signal generator driven by the calibration controller and coupled to the amplifier input. The system applies a cycle of analog tests to the amplifier input. The cycle has an upward path and a downward path. The upward path includes three signal levels: lowest, medium low, and medium high. The downward path includes: highest, medium high, and medium low. The comparator determines successive polarities of the amplifier's responses to the cycle of analog tests. Based on the polarities, the system determines amplifier characteristics, and calibrates amplifier parameters to change the amplifier characteristics to desired values. Characteristics may include hysteresis, offset, input range values, and other amplifier specifications.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are generally directed to a power supply for generating an output supply voltage. The power supply generally includes a variable voltage supply configured to generate an intermediate supply voltage based on a reference signal, a correction circuit configured to generate an error signal based on the output supply voltage or the intermediate supply voltage, and a combiner configured to combine the intermediate supply voltage and the error signal to provide the output supply voltage.

Abstract: A power amplifier includes a power splitter that splits a first signal into a second signal and a third signal delayed from the second signal by about 90°, a first amplifier that outputs a fourth signal by amplifying the second signal when a power level of the first signal equals/exceeds a first level, a second amplifier that outputs a fifth signal by amplifying the third signal when the power level of the first signal equals/exceeds a second level higher than the first level, a first phase shifter that receives the fourth signal and outputs a sixth signal delayed from the fourth signal by about 45°, a second phase shifter that receives the fifth signal and outputs a seventh signal advanced from the fifth signal by about 45°, and a combining unit that outputs an amplified signal of the first signal by combining the sixth and seventh signals.

Abstract: A balanced Doherty power amplifier circuit and a radio transmitter is provided. The circuit includes a first peak amplifier, where an input end of the first peak amplifier is connected to a first input end of the circuit, and a first mean amplifier, where an input end of the first mean amplifier is connected to a second input end of the circuit, and an output end of the first mean amplifier is connected to an input end of a first matching unit. The circuit also includes a second peak amplifier, where an input end of the second peak amplifier is connected to the first input end of the circuit; and a second mean amplifier, where an input end of the second mean amplifier is connected to the second input end of the circuit, and an output end of the second mean amplifier is connected to an input end of the second matching unit.

Abstract: Techniques for improving performance of a transformer shared amongst a plurality of operating modes. In an aspect, first and second primary windings of a transformer are coupled to an AC ground voltage. Primary windings are mutually coupled to a secondary winding of the transformer. To render the second primary winding inactive, e.g., when operating in a first mode, a switch coupling the second primary winding to the common reference voltage is opened. Similarly, when it is desired to render the first primary winding inactive, e.g., when operating in a second mode, a switch coupling the first primary winding to the common reference voltage is opened. In this manner, the inactive primary winding advantageously does not load the secondary winding. Further aspects provide for, e.g., extending the techniques to more than two modes, and alternative techniques to mutually couple the signal from the primary to the secondary winding.

Abstract: A signal amplifying circuit with noise suppression function includes a first circuit module and a second circuit module. The first circuit module includes a current source and a switch. The current source is connected to an input stage for inputting a current. The switch is connected to a first output terminal and adapted to switch the input stage and the first output terminal according to a chopping frequency. The second circuit module includes an equivalent capacitance disposed between an output stage and a second input terminal connected to the first output terminal. The signal amplifying circuit controls current volume of the current source and capacity value of the equivalent capacitance to accordingly adjust an interior frequency bandwidth of the signal amplifying circuit, and the interior frequency bandwidth is smaller than the chopping frequency and greater than an input signal of the input stage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for power amplifier bias circuits are disclosed herein. In certain implementations, a power amplifier bias circuit includes a current source configured to generate a reference current, a plurality of reference bipolar transistors, a selection circuit configured to select one or more selected reference bipolar transistors from the plurality of reference bipolar transistors, and a transimpedance amplifier. The one or more selected reference bipolar transistors have a current therethrough that changes in relation to a power amplifier stage bias voltage, and the transimpedance amplifier is configured to control the power amplifier stage bias voltage based on an error current corresponding to a difference between the reference current and the current through the one or more selected reference bipolar transistors.

Abstract: A novel and useful radio frequency (RF) front end module (FEM) circuit that provides high linearity and power efficiency and meets the requirements of modern wireless communication standards such as 802.11 WLAN, 3G and 4G cellular standards, Bluetooth, ZigBee, etc. The configuration of the FEM circuit permits the use of common, relatively low cost semiconductor fabrication techniques such as standard CMOS processes. The FEM circuit includes a power amplifier made up of one or more sub-amplifiers having high and low power circuits and whose outputs are combined to yield the total desired power gain. An integrated multi-tap transformer having primary and secondary windings arranged in a novel configuration provide efficient power combining and transfer to the antenna of the power generated by the individual sub-amplifiers.

Abstract: A low noise amplifier includes a T-type circuit, a first amplification module and a second amplification module. The T-type circuit is adapted to receive an input signal from a signal source, filters the input signal to generate a filtered signal, and is configured such that an equivalent input impedance seen into the T-type circuit matches an equivalent output impedance seen into the signal source. The first amplification module is coupled to the T-type circuit for receiving the filtered signal therefrom, and amplifies the filtered signal to generate an amplified signal. The second amplification module is coupled to the first amplification module for receiving the amplified signal therefrom, and amplifies the amplified signal to generate an output signal.

Abstract: Provided herein are apparatus and methods for low distortion composite amplifiers with high load current. In certain configurations, a composite amplifier can be a closed loop system which includes two or more amplifiers such that one or more amplifiers can provide an output current to a load while one or more amplifiers can control an output voltage to be proportional to an input voltage. The loop gain can be proportional to the product of the individual amplifier gains and to a noise gain network function. In this way the composite amplifier can maintain low distortion for heavier loads and for load currents which exceed the normal load current operation of a single amplifier.

Abstract: A biosignal apparatus is described including an amplifier and a sampler. The amplifier is configured to alternate between an operating state and a low power state based on a periodically changing control signal. The sampler is configured to sample a signal output from the amplifier in response to the amplifier being in the operating state and maintain the sampled signal in response to the amplifier being in the low power state.

Abstract: A differential amplifier includes an amplifying stage that outputs an output signal by amplifying an input signal with a gain set by a control signal, and an adjusting stage that stabilizes a DC level of the output signal. The amplifying stage includes a first source supplying a first current, and a load, and determines a ratio of a current flowing through the load to the first current depending on the input signal and the control signal, and generates the output signal from a voltage drop of the load. The adjusting stage includes a second source supplying a second current, and a monitor resistor, and generates a monitor current divided from the second current by the ratio, and duplicates the DC level as a voltage drop of the monitor resistor caused by the monitor current, and controls the first current source and the second current source depending on the DC level.

Abstract: A first transconductance cell having a differential input voltage ?V1 and a forced output current ?I1, has a bias set by a feedback loop. A second transconductance cell having a differential input voltage ?V2 and using the same biasing as the first cell has analytically identical transconductance. The second transconductance cell produces an output current ?I2 dependent on the product of the output current ?I1 of the first transconductance cell and the quotient of the second differential input voltage ?V2, and the first differential input voltage ?V1. The adaptive transconductance cells can be used to generate mathematic functions such as multiplication and division.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for adjusting the sound volume of a digital sound recording characterised in that it comprises: a step consisting of determining, in absolute values, for a recording, the maximum amplitude values for sound frequencies audible for the human ear, a step consisting of calculating the possible gain for a specified sound level setting, between the maximum amplitude value determined above and the maximum amplitude value for all frequencies combined, a step consisting of reproducing the recording with a sound card by automatically adjusting the amplification gain level making it possible to obtain a sound level for the recording of a specified value so that it corresponds to the gain calculated for this recording.

Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement and control of the perceived sound loudness and/or the perceived spectral balance of an audio signal. An audio signal is modified in response to calculations performed at least in part in the perceptual (psychoacoustic) loudness domain. The invention is useful, for example, in one or more of: loudness-compensating volume control, automatic gain control, dynamic range control (including, for example, limiters, compressors, expanders, etc.), dynamic equalization, and compensating for background noise interference in an audio playback environment. The invention includes not only methods but also corresponding computer programs and apparatus.

Abstract: A zero-crossing amplifier unit for use in high speed analog-digital-converters. A gain stage compares a sampling voltage at an input node with a provided threshold voltage to obtain a gain stage output signal. A voltage controlled current source provides a load current depending on a time window between an initial slope and an end slope of the gain stage output signal. A slope control means increases a duration of a rise and/or fall time of at least one of the initial and end slopes of the gain stage output signal.

Abstract: A converter including: an amplifier having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, the first input terminal configured to receive a reference voltage; an array of resistors configured to generate a tuning voltage; and a first plurality of switches coupled to the second input terminal of the amplifier and the array of resistors, the first plurality of switches configured to adjust a gain of the amplifier by selecting at least one resistor in the array of resistors to connect to the second input terminal of the amplifier.