Abstract: A high-withstand-voltage normally-on transistor and a low-withstand-voltage normally-off transistor are connected in series, and diodes are provided in reverse parallel to the transistor. A gate terminal of the transistor is connected to a source terminal of the transistor, and a gate driving circuit that outputs a control signal to a gate terminal of the transistor is provided. Forward voltage of the diode is made lower than forward voltage of the diode, and an inductance component of a path connecting nodes via the diode is made greater than an inductance component of a path connecting the nodes via the diode. Accordingly, a switching circuit which includes transistors connected in series and in which transient current at a time of turning off is reduced is provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the line frequency ripple in a resonant converter are described. In some embodiments, a power supply includes a switching network; an LLC resonant tank coupled to the switching network; a rectifier coupled to the LLC resonant tank; and a control circuit coupled to the switching network and to the rectifier, where the control circuit is configured to modify an operating frequency of the switching network to reduce a line frequency ripple at an output of the rectifier.

Abstract: A power conversion system includes an isolating transformer (30) and an output-controlling device (40). The isolating transformer (30) includes a primary winding (310) and a plurality of secondary windings (320a˜320d) coupled with the primary winding (310), and the isolating transformer (30) has a plurality of coupling distances between the secondary windings (320a˜320d). The output-controlling device (40) includes a controller (420) and a plurality of output-controlling modules (400a˜400d), wherein each one of the secondary windings (320a˜320d) is electrically connected to one of the output-controlling device (400a˜400d). The controller (420) places at least one output-controlling device (400a˜400d) in a conducting state for output a rectified power. An amount of the secondary windings (320a˜320d) coupled with the primary winding (310) is modulated for varying a leakage inductance of the power conversion system.

Abstract: A power converter device includes a power element module, a conductor, and a magnetic-conductive assembly. The power element module includes at least two electrodes and a power semiconductor unit. Voltage among these electrodes is AC voltage. The power semiconductor unit includes at least one pure die, and the pure die includes plural surfaces. The surface which occupies the most area of the pure die is the pure die surface. The conductor is coupled to the power element module. A current loop forms between the power element module and the conductor. A magnetic loop forms in the magnetic-conductive assembly. The magnetic-conductive assembly includes a chamber. The current loop passes through the chamber and intersects the magnetic loop to form inductance which the current loop needs. A part of the power element module is disposed in the chamber.

Abstract: A power adapter, a cable, and a charger. The power adapter includes an output port, a comparator circuit, and a voltage control and shaping circuit. The output port includes a voltage output terminal, a signal feedback terminal, a first ground terminal, and a second ground terminal.

Abstract: A power converter in a powered device (PD) of Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) system and a control method are provided. The power converter includes a transformer, a PD interface, a primary-side controller and a detecting circuit. The PD interface receives an input voltage to determine a PoE protocol type of the input voltage, so as to generate a first power type signal. The primary-side controller receives the first power type signal to adjust a primary-side control signal, wherein a primary-side switch is controlled by the primary-side control signal. The detecting circuit detects a mapping signal generated in a secondary-side winding according to the primary-side control signal to generate a second power type signal, wherein the second power type signal indicates the PoE protocol type of the input voltage.

Abstract: A power conversion device includes: a conversion device for each phase which converts DC voltage inputted from a DC power supply, to voltage having an AC waveform to be outputted to each phase with respect to a neutral point of three-phase AC; and a control unit which controls these conversion devices. Each conversion device includes: a first conversion unit which has a DC/DC converter including an isolation transformer, and a capacitor, and which converts the inputted DC voltage to voltage containing a pulsating-current waveform corresponding to the absolute value of voltage obtained by superimposing a third-order harmonic on a fundamental wave as the AC waveform to be outputted; and a second conversion unit which has a full-bridge inverter for inverting the polarity of the voltage containing the pulsating-current waveform, per one cycle, thereby converting the voltage to voltage having the AC waveform.

Abstract: A three-phase inverting apparatus and a control method and a paralleled power conversion system thereof are provided. The control method is suitable for controlling a three-phase inverter having a plurality of switch sets, a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor. The control method includes following steps: obtaining a DC bus voltage, a plurality of phase voltages, and a plurality of phase currents; obtaining inductances of the first, the second, and the third inductors; calculating a plurality of switch duty ratios by a division-summation control means according to the DC bus voltage, the phase voltages, current variations of the phase currents, the inductances, and a switching cycle based on a sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM); and generating corresponding control signals based on the switch duty ratios so as to control a switching of the switch sets.

Abstract: A five-level inverter and its application circuit are provided. The five-level inverter is enabled to output multiple levels of voltage by controlling different conduction combinations of first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth switch transistors, as well as a clamping capacitor. Two conduction combinations may be selected for outputting a positive voltage, with currents flowing through the clamping capacitor in opposite directions in the two conduction combinations. Therefore the voltage of the clamping capacitor can be balanced by controlling the two conduction combinations. Similarly, when outputting a negative voltage, the voltage of the clamping capacitor can be balanced by controlling other two conduction combinations. Therefore, a balance of power capacitor voltage can be achieved at full power and full modulation without adding an extra hardware circuit.

Abstract: A wearable power generating device is provided. The wearable power generating device includes an arcuate-shaped flexible substrate, a first energy generating device, an energy harvesting circuit, and an energy storage device. The first energy generating device generates a first voltage in response to the first energy generating device being in tension or compression or being bent. The energy harvesting circuit receives the first voltage and outputs a DC voltage in response to receiving the first voltage. The energy storage device is electrically coupled to the energy harvesting circuit and receives the DC voltage.

Abstract: A solid or liquid fuel to plasma to electricity power source that provides at leas; one of electrical and thermal power comprising (i) at least one reaction cell for the catalysis of atomic hydrogen to form hydrinos, (ii) a chemical feel mixture comprising at least two components chosen from: a source of H2O catalyst or H2O catalyst; a source of atomic hydrogen or atomic hydrogen; reactants to form the source of H2O catalyst or H2O catalyst and a source of atomic hydrogen or atomic hydrogen; one or more reactants to initiate the catalysis of atomic hydrogen; and a material to cause the feel to be highly conductive, (iii) a fuel injection system such as a railgun shot injector, (iv) at least one set of electrodes that confine the fuel and an electrical power source that provides repetitive short bursts of low-voltage, high-current electrical energy to initiate rapid kinetics of the hydrino reaction and an energy gain due to forming hydrinos to torn! a brilliant-light emitting plasma, (v) a product recovery sys

Abstract: A circuit includes a first operating component, a second operating component and a starting time control circuit. The starting voltage of the first operating component is different from that of the second operating component, and the starting time control circuit is configured to regulate a starting time of the first operating component to be synchronous with that of the second operating component.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an axial engagement-controlled variable damper comprising a rotor assembly coupled to a rotor shaft and disposed about an axis of rotation and a stator, coaxially aligned with the rotor assembly. The axial engagement-controlled variable damper may further comprise a flux sleeve, axially movable relative to the rotor assembly between at least a first position and a second position. The flux sleeve may comprise a circumferential flange portion disposed radially between the rotor assembly and the stator, and may be configured to alter magnetic coupling between the stator and the rotor assembly in response being moved axially. The axial-engagement controlled variable damper may be configured to generate a first drag torque in response to the flux sleeve being in the first position and a second drag torque in response to the flux sleeve being in the second position.

Abstract: A method to control a wind power installation is provided. The wind power installation includes a generator and a converter. The generator is configured to convert wind power into electrical power and to provide the electrical power from the generator to the converter. The converter is configured to adapt and to provide the electrical power to an electrical grid. The converter is operable to comply with pre-determined grid code requirements during a grid fault. An amount of electrical power, which is present in the wind power installation during the grid fault, is fed into the generator. The generator is operable to convert the respective amount of electrical power into a generator loss.

Abstract: A motor controller architecture and method of operating the same. The motor controller asynchronously generates multiphase control signals for a multi-phase electric motor, relative to the estimation of various state parameters used in generating those control signals. Latency between the state estimation task and the control signal generation task is addressed by storing a timestamp with each input data sample from the sensors, and maintaining that timestamp with the output data from state estimation. Knowledge of the timestamp value allows the control task to update the state estimates to compensate for the time difference between the input data sample and the current sampling period.

Abstract: A control device for an AC rotating machine includes: a current detection unit; a command generation unit for generating a voltage command, using a moment of inertia J; a speed estimation unit for calculating an estimated speed ?0 on the basis of the voltage command and detected current; an output torque computing unit for calculating output torque on the basis of the detected current; and an inertia moment computing unit for calculating the moment of inertia J. The output torque computing unit gives a delay characteristic corresponding to an estimation delay of the estimated speed ?0, to the output torque, and the inertia moment computing unit calculates the moment of inertia J on the basis of the estimated speed ?0 and the output torque having the delay characteristic.

Abstract: A process for controlling a variable-reluctance synchronous electric motor is implemented in a processing unit coupled to a power converter connected to the electric motor. The process includes a phase of identifying a flux inductance value of the electric motor, which includes a step of generation of a reference current (?d) at the input, for each reference-current value (?d), a step of determination of a current value (?d) in the output phases, for each reference-current value (?d), a step of determination, by an identification module, of an inductance value (?dEST) as a function of a reference-current value applied at the input, of the corresponding current value measured in the output phases, and of a predetermined or variable inductance value ({circumflex over (L)}d).

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-motor frequency control system and a control method thereof. The system includes an event generation module, a control module, a signal selection module, a motor module including multiple motors, a driving module for driving the motor vibration, a frequency processing module, and a frequency reading module for reading the vibration frequency of at least one motor and giving feedback to the frequency processing module. Further, a control method of the multi-motor frequency control system is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-motor driving device and a method. The device includes an event generation system, a motor system and control system which includes multiple motors, an initial signal issued by the event generation system when an event is generated. The control system includes a control module, a motor selection module, a signal selection module and a driving module. The control module receives initial signal then outputs a motor selection instruction and a signal selection instruction. The motor selection module selects motor control signal of the motor according to the motor selection instruction exported by the control module. The signal selection module exports vibration signal according to signal selection instruction exported by the control module. This disclosure can select a certain motor or multiple motors to vibrate according to actual requirement.

Abstract: An integrated IC provided in an SBW-ECU has plural functions such as a receiving function of receiving output signals of an encoder and a current supply function of supplying current to each phase of the motor. A microcomputer checks individually whether the signal receiving function and the current supply function are potentially abnormal and checks whether the integrated IC is abnormal based on the check results about the signal receiving function and the current supply function. For example, when it is determined that only the signal receiving function of the integrated IC is potentially abnormal, the encoder is determined to be abnormal. When it is determined that the signal receiving function and the current supply function of the integrated IC are both potentially abnormal, the integrated IC is determined to be abnormal.

Abstract: A drive system includes a first energy storage, a second energy storage, a voltage transformer, a drive apparatus, a detector, and circuitry. The first energy storage outputs a first voltage. The second energy storage outputs a second voltage different from the first voltage. The voltage transformer transforms at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage. The drive apparatus is driven with power supplied from at least one of the first energy storage and the second energy storage. The detector detects a fault in at least one of the first energy storage and the second energy storage. The circuitry is configured to control the voltage transformer in a first control mode or in a second control mode.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine control device for a rotary electric machine having winding sets with coils includes: an inverter for each winding set; a power source relay for each inverter; a terminal voltage detector detecting a terminal voltage of each coil; and a controller including an inverter controller, a relay controller and an abnormality determination unit. Each winding set and a corresponding inverter provides a system. When the rotary electric machine is driven using a normal system: the relay controller controls the power source relay to cut off power supply from a power source to the inverter in an abnormal system; the abnormality determination unit specifies a short-circuited location based on the terminal voltage in the abnormal system; and the inverter controller corrects a command value related to control of the inverter in the normal system according to a specified short-circuited location.

Abstract: A control method of over-temperature protection, a driver chip and a control system of over-temperature protection are disclosed. The control method includes the following steps: a driver chip provides an output voltage to drive a DC fan. A temperature of the driver chip is detected by an over-temperature detection module. When the temperature of the driver chip is higher than a first threshold value, the power supplying to the driver chip is stopped, so that the driver chip can cool down. After the temperature of the driver chip is lower than a second threshold value, the driver chip is restarted. A preset voltage is provided to the DC fan by the driver chip and the DC fan rotates at a preset rotational speed which is higher than the rotational speed.

Abstract: A motor control device includes: a substrate on a heat sink; switching elements providing a power converter; a drive circuit IC having a pre-driver; a control circuit IC having a current control unit; first and second temperature detectors; and a temperature estimation unit of evaluation places. When the current control unit is halted after operation and is restarted after halt, the temperature estimation unit: stores estimated temperature and the first and second detected temperature at the halt; calculates, as an estimated gain, a ratio of a temperature difference at the halt to a temperature difference at restart; and estimates temperature at the restart based on a temperature difference obtained by multiplying a temperature difference between the first detected temperature and the estimated temperature at the halt by the estimated gain, and increased temperature.

Abstract: An on-board solar battery module includes: an encapsulant layer of power generating elements; a top surface layer joined to the encapsulant layer on the side corresponding to a light receiving surface side of the power generating elements; and a back surface layer joined to the encapsulant layer on the side opposite the side corresponding to the light receiving surface side of the power generating elements. Furthermore, an end portion of the back surface layer is positioned on the inner side of an end portion of the top surface layer in an extension direction of the top surface layer, and the top surface layer has a general portion that covers the power generating elements, and a peripheral edge portion that is formed at an end portion side thereof on the outer side of the general portion, and that has a thicker panel thickness than that of the general portion.

Abstract: A transportable power supply unit is disclosed comprising a load carrying support and an electrical storage arrangement on the support. At least two solar panels are mounted on the load carrying support, each of which is interchangeable between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. The load carrying support comprises a base and a rectangular support frame projecting up above the base having four sides. In some forms the unit further includes a post mounted on the base that is extendible between a collapsed configuration for transport and an extended configuration projecting above the support frame. A security camera may be mounted on an upper end of the post.

Abstract: A mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a sloped support surface, such as a sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The mounting system may include one or more support surface attachment devices, each support surface attachment device configured to attach one or more photovoltaic modules to a support surface; and one or more module coupling devices, each module coupling device configured to couple a plurality of photovoltaic modules to one another.

Abstract: A solar collector is provided for detachable arrangement on a parcel shelf of a passenger car. In this way, the solar collector can be used in the vehicle attached to the parcel shelf or outside the vehicle detached from the parcel shelf. When the solar collector is attached to the parcel shelf, electrical devices of the vehicle and external electrical devices can be operated by the solar collector. When the solar collector is disconnected from the parcel shelf, external electrical devices may still be operated by the solar collector. Accordingly, the solar collector presents itself as a mobile component which can be utilized independently of the passenger car.

Abstract: A rigidly mountable solar panel includes lenses supported above a movable panel to focus sunlight onto photovoltaic material carried on the movable panel. Flexible supports space the movable panel at the focal points of the lenses, and a servo-mechanism enables movement of the movable panel to adjust position as the focal point moves with the sun. A light detector on the movable panel, sensing movement of the focal point signals the servo-mechanism to adjust the position of the movable panel automatically, thereby tracking the sun's movement. Concentrating sunlight on photovoltaic material selected to have higher conversion efficiency increases output. Segmenting the photovoltaic material so the output of the segments can be combined in a series-parallel relationship and using mirrors on the ends of the movable panel to reflect sunlight onto the segments allows electricity that is generated by the photovoltaic material to be more uniform during daylight.

Abstract: An assembly comprises at least two structural profiles arranged parallel to each other with respect to their length direction and at least one solar panel. Each of the structural profiles is doubled walled and comprises a continuous top cover and a plurality of spaced panel support sections. Each of said plurality of structural profiles is positioned such that, in between the respective top covers and their corresponding panel supports of adjacent structural profiles, along the length direction, the at least one solar panel can be slidably mounted at both its opposing edges.

Abstract: A solar battery module includes: a sealing layer including a solar battery cell and a sealant sealing the solar battery cell; a front side layer formed from a resin and disposed at a side of the sealing layer at which sunlight is incident; a back side layer that is disposed at an opposite side of the sealing layer from the side at which the front side layer is disposed; and a cooler that is disposed at an opposite side of the back side from the side at which the sealing layer is disposed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) system includes module-level power electronic (MLPE) devices that produce energy. The PV system includes a gateway to receive and send data to MLPE devices. The gateway also connects the PV system with a network, such as a local area network, that allows access to the Internet. The gateway provides functionality within the PV system to perform various processes to improve operation of MLPE devices.

Abstract: A measuring device for the property of a photovoltaic device and a measuring method using the same are provided. The measuring device includes several light sources and a feedback control module. The light color of each light source is different and includes several light-emitting elements symmetrically configured. The feedback control module is used for controlling illuminations of the light-emitting elements for measuring the property of a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: A photovoltaic energy system includes a photovoltaic field configured to convert solar energy into electrical energy, one or more solar intensity sensors configured to measure solar intensity and detect a cloud approaching the photovoltaic field, and a controller. The controller receives input from the solar intensity sensors and predicts a change in solar intensity within the photovoltaic field before the change in solar intensity within the photovoltaic field occurs. The controller is configured to preemptively adjust an electric power output of the photovoltaic energy system in response to predicting the change in solar intensity within the photovoltaic field.

Abstract: Provided is a method of evaluating performance of a photovoltaic module and a system therefor. The method of evaluating performance of the photovoltaic module according to the present invention has an advantage of more accurately evaluating and predicting a service life and/or performance of the photovoltaic module by reflecting a deterioration index of a photovoltaic module component on a first output value calculated using an electronic-optical diode (E/O diode) model for the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A system for measuring the power or energy loss in a photovoltaic array due to soiling, which is the accumulation of dust, dirt, and/or other contaminants on the surfaces of photovoltaic modules, comprising: a pair of photovoltaic reference devices placed within or near the photovoltaic array and co-planar to the modules comprising the array, wherein one reference device is a module similar to those of the array and is allowed to accumulate soiling at the natural rate, and wherein the second reference device is a module or a cell and is periodically cleaned; and a measurement and control unit which measures and compares the electrical outputs of the soiled reference device and the clean reference device in order to determine the fraction of power lost by the soiled reference module due to soiling.

Abstract: A low voltage crystal oscillator (XTAL) driver with feedback controlled duty cycling for ultra low power biases an amplifier for an XTAL in the sub-threshold operating regime. A feedback control scheme can be used to bias the amplifier for an XTAL biased in the sub-threshold operating regime. The amplifier of a XTAL oscillator can be duty cycled to save power, e.g., the XTAL driver can be turned off to save power when the amplitude of the XTAL oscillation reaches a maximum value in range; but be turned back on when the amplitude of the XTAL oscillation starts to decay, to maintain the oscillation before it stops. In addition or alternatively, a feedback control scheme to duty cycle the amplifier of a XTAL oscillator can be used to monitor the amplitude of the oscillation.

Abstract: An oscillator has an oscillator output emitting an oscillating signal. The oscillator includes oscillator cores which each have a same circuit topology. A set of configuration switches couple a selected number of oscillator cores in parallel to generate the oscillating signal. The oscillator cores are arranged with a symmetry around a central axis. The planar inductors of the oscillator cores are arranged in a petal-like pattern with the planar inductors forming the petals of the petal-like pattern. The selected coupling of the oscillator cores in made in response to a selected phase noise threshold of a modulation device which receives the oscillating signal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a drive circuit for driving an oscillator. The drive circuit comprises a first inductor comprising a first terminal and a second terminal; an electrical energy source connected to the first terminal; and a switching circuit connected to the second terminal and to the oscillator. The switching circuit is configured to operate at least in an off state, where it is configured not to feed electrical energy to the oscillator, and in an on state, where it is configured to feed electrical energy to the oscillator. The first inductor is arranged to store energy in its magnetic field when the switching circuit is in the off state, and, when the switching circuit is in the on state, the switching circuit is arranged to use at least some of the energy stored in the magnetic field to deliver a surge of current from the electrical energy source to the oscillator.

Abstract: A quadrature LC tank based digitally controlled ring oscillator (DCO). The oscillator structure incorporates a plurality of stages, each stage including a buffer and a series LC tank. Four stages are coupled together to create a 360 degree phase shift around a loop. The oscillation frequency of the oscillator is the same as the resonant frequency of each LC tank, therefore it avoids quality factor degradation of LC tanks found in the prior art. In one example embodiment, class-D amplifiers are used to drive each of the LC tanks. Capacitor banks before at the input and output of the buffers provide coarse and fine tuning of the frequency of oscillation. The high efficiency exhibited by these amplifiers results in very good phase noise performance of this oscillator. The oscillator utilizes a startup circuit to launch oscillation upon power on.

Abstract: A transmitter according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes: a modulation circuit configured to modulate a baseband signal into a multi-bit digital signal including a component in a radio-frequency band; a plurality of switch-mode power amplifiers corresponding to each bit of the multi-bit digital signal output from the modulation circuit; and a signal synthesis circuit including a band limiting unit configured to perform a band limitation on output signals from the plurality of switch-mode power amplifiers, and a plurality of voltage-to-current converting units configured to perform a voltage-to-current conversion on respective output signals from the plurality of switch-mode power amplifiers, the signal synthesis circuit configured to makes a synthesized signal connecting the band limiting unit and the plurality of voltage-to-current converting units, wherein, depending on an output power at a synthesis point where the synthesized signal is made, a switch-mode power amplifier is selecte

Abstract: A gate bias circuit for a plurality of GaAs amplifier stages is a transistor coupled to a temperature compensation current received from a CMOS control stage. A plurality of pHEMPT amplifier stages are coupled to the gate bias circuit and to a control voltage which switches the amplifier stage. A selectively controlled stage pass transistor enables a current mirror between the gate bias circuit and each stage amplifying transistor. The penultimate pHEMPT amplifier stage is coupled to a CMOS amplifier. A CMOS circuit provides both the temperature compensation current by a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) circuit and the control voltage enabling each pHEMPT transistor to receive its input signal in combination with the gate bias voltage.

Abstract: A biasing device for direct current (DC) biasing a linear power amplifier that comprises multiple linear power amplifier circuits that are ideally identical to each other; wherein the biasing device may include a replica circuit that is a replica of a linear power amplifier circuit of the multiple linear power amplifier circuits; and a bias control circuit; wherein the bias control circuit is configured to feed the replica circuit with one or more DC biasing signals thereby maintaining at a constant value a replica DC current that is consumed by the replica circuit, and maintaining at a fixed value a replica DC voltage of a replica output node of the replica circuit; and wherein the replica circuit is coupled the multiple linear power amplifier circuits and is configured to supply DC voltage bias signals that force each linear power amplifier circuit of the multiple linear power amplifier circuits to consume a linear power amplifier circuit DC current that equals the replica DC current, when the linear power

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are related to inductor shielding. A device may include an inductor and a plurality of conductive strips extending across the inductor. At least a first conductive strip of the plurality of conductive strips is physically isolated from at least a second conductive strip of the plurality of conductive strips in a region of overlay of the first and second conductive strips.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic device includes an audio connector port comprising a ground terminal and one or more audio output terminals, a first audio amplifier coupled to one of the audio output terminals, and a multiplexer having an output terminal coupled to the input terminal of the first audio amplifier. Sense circuits inside the electronic device may be alternately coupled through the multiplexer and first audio amplifier so that, in a first mode of operation, the multiplexer couples the audio signal to the first audio output terminal, and in a second mode of operation, the multiplexer couples an analog voltage corresponding to an internally sensed value to the first audio output terminal. Use of the audio connector and audio circuitry to access internal electrical parameters may facilitate testing and analysis of internal systems.

Abstract: A new compensation system for an audio input reduces noise by matching feedback ratios in the positive and negative paths. A variable resistance network allows for fine control of resistance trimming in one of the signal paths, which allows for compensation between tolerance of resistors that are external to an integrated circuit and those that are internal to the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for providing output signal swings that are greater than the supply voltage in a class-D amplifier. The amplifier circuit boosts the voltage across the amplifier load, such as a loudspeaker, by using capacitors to “charge pump” the voltage across the load and thus increase the voltage temporarily. This is done by using two or more output bridges rather than one, and connecting the bridges through the capacitors. For signals of less than the supply voltage, only an inner bridge, similar to a full bridge of the prior art, operates. For signals above the supply voltage, an outer bridge charges capacitors, which are then used to ‘boost’ the voltage on the bridge output for the short period of the Class-D switching period. Thus, only relatively small value boosting capacitors are needed, as they do not need to supply charge for very long.

Abstract: A distributed amplification device with p inputs, p outputs, p amplification paths comprises a redundant reservoir of n amplifiers including n-p back-up amplifiers, an input redundancy ring and an output redundancy ring formed by rotary switches, the input and output redundancy rings sharing the same technology. The internal amplification pathways associated with the n-p back-up amplifiers frame in an interlaced manner the internal amplification pathways associated with the p nominal amplifiers and the amplification paths of the routing configurations each pass through at least five rotary switches. The input and output redundancy rings are topologically and geometrically configured and the family of the routing configurations is chosen such that the electrical lengths of all the paths of one and the same routing configuration of the family are equal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a femtowatt sensitivity optical detector is provided using one or more photodiodes, intended as a replacement for the photomultiplier based photon counting unit.

Abstract: A method is for depositing by pulsed DC reactive sputtering an additive containing aluminium nitride film containing at least one additive element selected from Sc, Y, Ti, Cr, Mg and Hf. The method includes depositing a first layer of the additive containing aluminium nitride film onto a film support by pulsed DC reactive sputtering with an electrical bias power applied to the film support. The method further includes depositing a second layer of the additive containing aluminium nitride film onto the first layer by pulsed DC reactive sputtering with no electrical bias power applied to the film support or with an electrical bias power applied to the film support which is lower than the electrical bias power applied during the sputter deposition of the first layer, where the second layer has the same composition as the first layer.