Abstract: An AC-DC voltage converter includes input terminals with a series circuit connected between the input terminals. The series circuit includes a switching element and a capacitor. The discharge of the capacitor supplies the output voltage of the converter. A control circuit controls the operation of the switching element so that the conducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the input voltage, while the nonconducting state of the switching element is controlled exclusively as a function of the output voltage. The converter has a good dynamic range and allows accurate measurement of current consumption at the output.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit component has: an MOS-FET 12 which is a load-control semiconductor switching device with a control terminal; a control signal supply circuit 14 including a charging pump circuit for supplying a control signal to a gate G of the MOS-FET 12 to drive the MOS-FET 12; and a drive control circuit 16 for performing drive control only when a switch unit SW externally provided is turned on, so that a power supply voltage is supplied from a battery power supply to the control signal supply circuit 14 to thereby make the control signal supply circuit 14 output the control signal.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the electric power to be supplied from a direct-current source to a load, particularly to a fan or heater in a motor vehicle. The circuit has a first field-effect transistor, to be connected in series with the load to be controlled, and a control circuit for controlling the field-effect transistor. The first field effect transistor has a second field-effect transistor connected in series therewith, and a resistor is connected in parallel with one of the field-effect transistors. The control circuit is adapted to control the two field-effect transistors in the sense of a fadeover between two final states in each of which one of the field-effect transistors is off and the other is on.

Abstract: A circuit system for generating a stabilized power supply voltage, which, on the basis of a temperature quantity, selects an operating mode of a voltage regulator. In this context, it is provided, in particular, to apply the principles of the present invention to the supplying of voltage to electronic consumers in motor vehicles. During operation of the voltage regulator, a temperature quantity is recorded which is indicative of a quantity representing or influencing the operation of the voltage regulator. During active operation, the voltage regulator can be operated in at least two operating modes, and the current operating mode is selected as a function of the recorded temperature quantity.

Abstract: A voltage regulator (10) is disclosed for producing a regulated voltage at a regulator output (30). The voltage regulator includes a reference voltage generator (12) arranged to provide a reference voltage at a reference output (28). The reference voltage generator includes a plurality of first field effect transistors (18, 20, 22, 24) connected in series, each first field effect transistor (18, 20, 22, 24) being biased so as to operate as a diode, and the reference output (28) being connected to the regulator output (30).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a high voltage in a device includes a boosting means that precharges a first node, a second node and a substrate voltage of a charge transfer transistor. The charge transfer transistor may perform a charge sharing operation between the first node and a high voltage generating terminal based on a voltage at the second node. The first node may be boosted to a first voltage, and the substrate voltage may be increased based on a voltage at the high voltage generating terminal. The second node may be boosted to a second voltage different than the first voltage, and the substrate voltage may be increased based on a voltage at the high voltage generating terminal. The substrate voltage may also be increased based on changes to the first voltage of the first node that occur during the charge sharing operation.

Abstract: A Factorized Power Architecture (“FPA”) method and apparatus for supplying power to highly transient loads such as microprocessors includes a front end power regulator (“PRM) which provides a controlled DC bus voltage which is converted to the desired load voltage using a DC voltage transformation module (“VTM”) at the point of load. The VTM converts the DC bus voltage to the DC voltage required by the load using a fixed transformation ratio K=Vout/Vin where Vin>Vout and with a low output resistance. The response time of the VTM, TVTM is less than the response time of the PRM, TPRM. A first capacitance, C1, across the load is made large enough to support the microprocessor current requirement within a time scale, T1, which is preferably greater than or equal to the characteristic open-loop response time of the VTM by itself, TVTM.

Abstract: A semiconductor device has a transistor that controls, according to the resistance of the load externally connected to the output terminal thereof, the current fed to the base of an output-stage transistor for driving the load to turn it on. In this circuit configuration, even if a base current of the output-stage transistor is so determined as to permit the semiconductor device to drive the heaviest permissible load, only a reduced amount of extra current is fed to the base of the output-stage transistor when it is turned on with a light load connected to the semiconductor device.

Abstract: This invention provides a power-on reset circuit capable of eliminating a wasteful current consumption after the power-on reset pulse generation even when the electric current flowing path means in the capacitor charge time constant circuit is configured by using a minute MOS element in which the off-leakage current tends to increase.

Abstract: This invention provides a power-on reset circuit capable of eliminating a wasteful current consumption after the power-on reset pulse generation even when the electric current flowing path means in the capacitor charge time constant circuit is configured by using a minute MOS element in which the off-leakage current tends to increase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for efficiently powering an integrated circuit include processing that begins by generating a representation of a battery voltage. The processing then continues by producing a regulated bias current based on the representation of the battery voltage. The processing continues by providing the regulated bias current to an external crystal, which, in turn, generates an oscillation in response to the bias current. The processing then continues by generating a clock signal from the oscillation produced by the external crystal. The clock signal is then provided to a DC-to-DC converter that converts the battery voltage into a regulated output voltage.

Abstract: In order to limit the heat dissipation within a regulator for controlling the supply to the microprocessor control unit of a communications device, a dropping component is connected in series with the regulator during periods of high battery voltage and is shunted during periods of low battery voltage in the battery charge cycle.

Abstract: A voltage generator for generating an output voltage at an output terminal thereof which includes a first transistor of a first channel conductivity type having a first end connected to the output terminal and a feedback regulator connected to the output terminal. A switch is connected between a voltage node and a second end of the first transistor, the switch receiving a switching signal.

Abstract: A precision voltage regulator is provided for a capacitor-charging power supply. Both the power supply output and the load capacitor are shunted at the same time by a shunt control circuit. The load capacitor shunt is maintained for a period of time determined by the hysteresis of a precision comparator that compares the voltage across the capacitor with a program voltage that has been adjusted for the power supply's instantaneous current. The regulator is particularly applicable to high power applications with a high repetition rates.

Abstract: A voltage-reducing device of low power dissipation is provided, including a plurality of transistors, which are self-connected as diode equivalent. These transistors are then cascaded in series in the same direction and coupled to a voltage source. Since every transistor has a threshold voltage, the voltage at the end of the forward-biased cascaded transistors will be lowered than the voltage source so as to provide a reduced voltage source. Furthermore, since the voltage adjustment of the device is based on the threshold voltage, there is hardly any power dissipation. In addition, we can use different threshold voltages from various transistors to provide different combinations of these threshold voltages to obtain the desired voltage drop.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip configuration, e.g., a microprocessor, includes feedback control circuitry defined thereon to control mid-frequency components of current demand of the integrated circuit chip and thereby regulate power supply voltage to within design tolerances of the integrated circuit chip. Such mid-frequency components can be generated by directed changes in operating frequency of the integrated circuit chip or by cyclic or episodic variations in circuit activity, e.g., instruction sequence dependent variations. When generated, such mid-frequency components can excite mid-frequency resonances in a power distribution system and generate power supply voltage disturbances. In some configurations, the integrated circuit chip includes current dump circuitry defining a controlled impedance path between first and second power supply voltage terminals of the integrated circuit chip.

Abstract: A switching power supply unit controls an output voltage of a power supply without monitoring an output voltage. The switching power supply unit includes a pulse width modulator for generating a control signal to turn on and off a switching transistor. A central processing unit outputs a modulation signal to control the pulse width modulator while sensors detect an input voltage, an output current and a peripheral temperature. A table is used by the central processing unit to store information about a relation between the detected values from the sensors and an ON time of the switching transistor. The central processing unit then selects an ON time of the switching transistor from the table according to values detected by the respective sensors to thereby provide control for switching the switching transistor on and off.

Abstract: A power on reset circuit composed of a power supply voltage sensing circuit, a capacitor charging circuit and an output circuit, the internal structure of such components as a power supply voltage sensing circuit, a capacitor charging circuit and an output circuit having a various variety but the basic concept of the power on reset circuit being on an idea to delay the time to charge a capacitor until the voltage of the power supply has increased to a certain level.

Abstract: An electric motor has first and second power feed terminals. A power feed line connects a dc power supply and the electric motor. A switching element provided in the power feed line includes a MOS-FET having a gate subjected to a pulse width modulation signal with a controllable duty cycle. The switching element changes between its on state and its off state in response to the pulse width modulation signal. The first power feed terminal of the electric motor is connected to the switching element. A flywheel diode connected in parallel with the electric motor operates to absorb a voltage which appears across the electric motor and returning a current when the switching element changes to its off state. A capacitor connected between the gate of the switching element and the second power feed terminal of the electric motor operates to suppress radio-frequency noise occurring upon every change of the switching element between its on state and its off state.

Abstract: A distributed power supply for a motor controller including electronic control circuits for controlling IGBT power transistor stages. The power supplies for the power transistors and gate drivers therefor are isolated from the power supplies for the electronic control circuits. Each of the gate drivers for the IGBT power transistor is supplied through a separate floating supply. Power supplies for the digital components and the analog components have separate ground return paths and are tied together at the supplies.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus has a read unit for reading a document sheet image and a battery power supply. The read unit has a voltage conversion unit for converting power supplied directly from the battery power supply. Other units, such as a recording head and a motor drive unit, may also receive power directly from the battery. A modified thermal head design is used to provide response equal to that obtainable with a higher-voltage supply.

Abstract: A dual sourced voltage supply circuit for use with a flash EPROM or the like and comprising output voltage circuitry including an input for receiving a control signal determining which of two voltage supplies is used to provide an output of the dual sourced voltage supply circuit. The output voltage is provided by one of the two voltage supplies by means of a controllable conductive path connected between one voltage supply and an output node of the circuit.

Abstract: A variable power source is provided having multiple power modules each of which can produce a portion of the total range of voltage required for pulsed operation of an electromagnetic acoustic transducer electromagnet. The power modules are connected in series, and controlled by individual potentiometers which are simultaneously adjusted. Selector switches are provided for enabling or disabling each module. The output of the power modules is connected to a pulser/controller for wave forming prior to sending the output signal to the electromagnet. A noise filter can be placed between the power modules and the pulser. LED-type indicators on the selector switches may be used to indicate the operational status of the modules.

Abstract: A power supply circuit is provided with a first battery, a second battery, an output terminal, and a voltage dividing circuit for dividing a voltage from the first battery. An output voltage of the dividing circuit is compared with a voltage of the second power source by a comparing circuit. A first P-channel-type MOSFET is connected between the first battery and the output terminal. A second P-channel-type MOSFET is connected between the second battery and the output terminal. Depending on an output from the comparing circuit, one of the MOSFET is turned on, and the other is turned off.

Abstract: A constant current source is connected to a first node that connects on the one hand to a predetermined potential via a first switching transistor with a control electrode thereof connected to a signal input terminal, a second node, and a resistive conduction member, and on the other hand to a current output terminal via a second switching transistor with a control electrode thereof connected to the second node to constitute a current switching circuit operable without an external reference bias and with a reduced number of components.

Abstract: A current consumption control system for controlling the current draw of an electric power-consuming device, e.g., a modular strip lighting unit for a lighting system including at least one said unit, in which the strip lighting unit includes at least one light source element operatively coupled to a lighting circuit. The lighting circuit may illustratively comprise at least one pair of primary conduction lines connectable to a voltage source, and coupled in electrical circuit relationship with a current regulating circuit. The current regulating circuit includes an operational amplifier which is coupled with the primary conduction lines to generate a reference voltage, and which is coupled with positve and negative current input lines, with at least one power-consuming device coupled to the current output of the operational amplifier, and to the negative current input line.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a dimmer which incorporates an alternating current (AC) trigger which exhibits asymmetrical electrical characteristics. This eliminates the undesirable snap on hysteresis effect associated with conventional dimmers utilizing symmetrical AC triggers such as diacs and silicon bilateral switches (SBS). One embodiment of the present invention utilizes a zener diode to create the asymmetry. During one polarity of the AC source, the breakover voltage of the trigger is increased, forcing the trigger to breakover at a time later in the AC cycle than it would otherwise have with a symmetric trigger. This compensates for charge dumping of the phase control capacitor into the gate of the triac which would otherwise cause the snap on hysteresis effect.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for automatically decreasing the load current includes a series arrangement formed by a load and a first electronic switching device and connected to a DC source of power. The first switching device is driven by a driver. The circuit further includes a control circuit controlling the driver. The control circuit is adapted to be initiated by a second electronic switching device, so that the second electronic switching device connects the first terminal of a capacitor and of a first resistor as well as the base of a transistor to one pole of the DC source of power, with the main current path of the transistor being between the input of the driver and the other pole of the DC source of power. The second terminal of the capacitor and of the first resistor is coupled to the other pole of the DC source, and the end of the first electronic switching device connected to the load is coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor through a feedback resistor.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement and method for firing a gated thyristor used for applying electrical power to a load, in response to a trigger signal, from a live power lead and a neutral power lead such as found in the common household electrical service. The load to be energized in response to the trigger signal is connected between the neutral power lead and one of the thyristor main terminals, the other thyristor main terminal being connected to the live power lead. The live power lead is biased at a negative potential with respect to the neutral power lead to define a circuit ground at the negative potential. A gate circuit is connected between the gate terminal and the circuit ground for applying a potential to the gate terminal in response to the trigger signal that is at least as great as the thyristor's characteristic threshold potential for enabling current flow between the thyristor main terminals and thereby energizing the load.

Abstract: A reconfigurable integrated circuit chip includes an output terminal (42) which is connected to the output of an inverting amplifier (44). The integrated circuit chip (10) includes an output terminal (46) which is connected to one input of a comparator (22). The other end of comparator (22) is connected to an internal voltage reference device (48). The output of comparator (22) is connected to the input of the inverting amplifier (44). The integrated circuit chip (10) may be configured as a linear regulator when a transconductance device (14) is connected between a DC power supply (12) and a load and an integrator (24) is connected between terminal (42) and the control input of the transconductance device (14). The integrated circuit chip (10) is configured as a switching regulator when a gated switch (14) is connected between a DC power supply (12) and a switching node (65) wherein the gated switch (14) is gated by the signal output by the output terminal (42).

Abstract: A first current mirror circuit for driving a first output stage transistor to flow out current to a coil in a motor is disposed between a power source voltage line and a reference voltage line, and a second current mirror circuit for driving a second output stage transistor to receive a current flowing out from the coil of the motor is disposed between a reference voltage line and a ground line.

Abstract: A voltage regulation circuit that includes a sample and hold circuit for sampling an input voltage and for holding a reference voltage generated in response to the input voltage. The sample and hold circuit includes a capacitor that holds the reference voltage. The voltage regulation circuit also includes a regulator circuit coupled to the capacitor of the sample and hold circuit. The regulator circuit outputs an output voltage using the reference voltage supplied by the capacitor. The voltage regulation circuit may be used to provide a high precision programming voltage for programming memory cells having two or more analog states.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to reduce the maintenance required for equipment which is not operating for relatively long periods of time such as seasonal equipment. The invention turns the equipment on for a brief interval at fixed periods of time. This cycling of the equipment during normally non-operating periods of time helps to prevent problems which occur when equipment is left idle for relatively long periods of time.

Abstract: An integrated circuit having a unit for controlling a load of an inductive nature, which unit includes a first output transistor having a first control electrode and a first main current path, a second output transistor having a second control electrode and a second main current path, a control stage coupled to the control electrodes and adapted to control the output transistors. An output terminal is coupled between the main current paths and adapted to connect the load.

Abstract: A voltage generation circuit reduces power consumption by providing a regulator circuit wherein the current in an inverter leg of the generator is proportional to the current in a sense element portion of the regulator. The inverter leg comprises n- and p-channel transistors which are gated by signals from the sense element portion.

Abstract: Control apparatus for controlling a driving unit which receives DC power, wherein the driving unit has a detecting device for detecting a driving condition of the driving unit, includes detection circuitry for detecting a power supply condition of the DC power supplied to the driving unit. A memory is provided for storing a predetermined range of driving unit driving condition values verses a predetermined range of driving unit control signals. The memory has a plurality of tables, each table storing a portion of the predetermined range of driving unit driving condition values and a corresponding portion of the predetermined range of driving unit control signals. A control unit is provided for (1) selecting one of the plurality of tables according to the detected power supply condition, (2) selecting a driving unit control signal according to the detected driving condition of the driving unit, and (3) controlling the driving unit in accordance with the selected driving unit control signal.

Abstract: An improved voltage reference circuit is shown for use in analog integrated circuits including A/D and D/A converters. The voltage reference circuit comprises an operational amplifier having an non-inverting terminal connected to a capacitor. The inverting terminal of the op amp is connected to the op amp output terminal. The output terminal provides a constant reference voltage which is a function of the voltage charged in the capacitor. The capacitor includes a floating gate, an isolating layer, and a controlling gate which is used to charge (program) the capacitor to a fixed voltage. The capacitor structure is such that its charge is maintained constant over time independent of any temperature change. As a result, the voltage reference circuit prevents fluctuations in the output reference voltage throughout its operating period.

Abstract: A traction motor drive protection circuit which provides the inverter protection capability of a conventional commutation arrangement, but which limits or eliminates fault currents that stress the internal elements of the alternator and traction machines. A series protection thyristor is connected between a commutation thyristor and the inverter circuit to block motor fault currents, and RC elements are connected in series with the commutation thyristor to limit alternator fault currents. Normal inverter gating is continued in the presence of a fault, to circulate the stored inductive energy and discharge the filter capacitor, providing a "ride-through" operation which is substantially transparent to the traction motor. The RC elements in the commutation circuit not only limit the alternator faul current, and hence the stress on the eommutation thyristor, but also commutate the commutation thyristor to provide automatic reset capability.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving at least one electromagnetic relay provides that all of the excitation circuits can be connected to a constant voltage source in parallel relative to each other and jointly in series with the switching path of an electronic switch (FET). The electronic switch (FET) is switched through and blocked in impulsive manner whereby the pulse-duty factor is adjusted in a control unit depending on the operating voltage (U.sub.B) and the ambient temperature of the relay so that it does not fall below the minimum holding current required for the connected relays.

Abstract: The invention relates to a power source circuit in which an output of a power source battery is converted by a voltage regulator constructed by a predetermined voltage regulating system and is output, an output voltage is divided by a resistance controller whose voltage dividing resistance value can be discontinuously adjusted, the divided voltage is input to the voltage regulator, and thereby controlling an output voltage, wherein means for controlling a voltage changing speed of a resistor is connected in parallel with a predetermined resistance element of the resistance controller. With the above construction, a voltage drop and a deterioration of voltage regulating efficiency which easily occur in the case of changing the output voltage from a low value to a high value in a stepwise manner are reduced. Then, the life of battery is prolonged and, further, an erroneous warning of the battery life is prevented.

Abstract: The high voltage regulator employs a field effect transistor (FET) amplifier and a wide band frequency compensated RC voltage divider. The device comprises a FET amplifier used as a current source in a 20 KV power supply. The negative output of the supply is sensed by a voltage divider consisting of two resistors in parallel with two capacitors. The voltage divider output is applied to the non-inverting input of an operational amplifier whose reference is set to affect the linear operation of an inverting operational amplifier. A no load to full load and line regulation of 0.1% is provided to a microwave tube. For a 16-KV regulated output the inverting amplifier must have a dc operation point of 4 KV to accommodate a 20% storage capacitor voltage droop and a .+-.5% line change. At this level the inverting amplifier provides a swing of .+-.4 KV. This range allows for a large line voltage variation and storage capacitor voltage droop.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for feeding a load (3) from a low voltage energy source (1) via a direct-voltage conversion circuit (2). The direct-voltage conversion circuit periodically takes energy from the energy source by means of a main switching element (10) and supplies this energy as an increased supply voltage (at 12) to the load via an inductive element (9) and a rectifier (11). A starting switching element (15) takes energy for generating the supply voltage (at 12) from the energy source during a starting phase. The circuit arrangement is simple and compact and the energy losses produced are so low that it is economic to use it for energizing a small appliance particularly a small domestic appliance, from a battery or a rechargeable accumulator. A main control circuit (13) is supplied with energy directly from the supply voltage (at 12) and periodically controls the main switching element.

Abstract: The present system includes a bridge circuit (with four legs) with one leg including a heating element. The mid-points of the bridge circuit are connected to a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) which is further connected to the control element of a monostable multivibrator. Further connected to the power input elements of the monostable multivibrator is a D.C. power source. The monostable multivibrator is connected to a transistor which has a light emitting diode (LED) in its cathode circuit. The LED is part of a circuit which further includes a light sensitive triac. The light sensitive triac is further connected through a pulse generating circuit to the control element to a second triac which in turn is connected to supply heavy electrical current to the heating element.

Abstract: In an ISDN network, terminals connected to an S-bus (4) are fed via this S-bus (4) by a d.c. supply arrangement (6, 7, 20). The d.c. supply arrangement comprises a main supply unit (7) and an emergency supply unit (6) which are coupled with opposite polarity to the S-bus (4) via a coupling circuit (20). Consequently, the emergency supply unit (6) needs to supply only those terminals which are also made suitable for voltages with opposite polarity, and which generally present only elementary telecommunications functions. An electrically arranged coupling circuit (20) includes a monitoring circuit which monitors the value of the main supply unit output voltage and inhibits the output from the main supply unit and connects the emergency supply unit when the output voltage drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A slow start motor control circuit for applications wherein extremely accurate speed control is required, such as, in a centrifugal blood separator application is disclosed. In a blood separator, the degree of separation of cellular components, such as red blood cells and platelets, from the blood plasma is a function of the rotational speed of the centrifuge and the spin time. The control circuit controls the spin time and the rotational speed of the drive motor by controlling the voltage applied to the motor. The control circuit allows the drive motor to start relatively slowly to avoid cell breakage which can contaminate the plasma. After the centrifuge attains its desired operational speed, the speed of the motor is regulated and is relatively uninfluenced by ambient temperature variations.

Abstract: There is disclosed a phase-controlled switching circuit, comprising a controlled rectifier (e.g. bidirectional triode thyristor); an amplifier connected at its output terminal to the gate of the controlled rectifier; an ac Wheatstone bridge having at one of its arms a variable resistance (e.g. thermistor to CdS photoconductive cell), said ac Wheatstone bridge being connected at one branch to the input terminal of the amplifier and at its other branch between the cathode and anode of the controlled rectifier through a load; a time constant circuit connected with the variable resistance; a pair of mechanical contacts (e.g. relay) connected in parallel with the controlled rectifier and a dc source for electrifying the whole circuit.

Abstract: An electronic dimming apparatus includes a semiconductor power controller which couples a lamp to an alternating current source and variably controls the average power supplied to the lamp by adjusting the relative proportion of each half-cycle in which the power controller is in a conductive condition. The semiconductor power controller is controlled by the output of a transition controller which in turn is connected to a triggering circuit. The triggering circuit is responsive to a first input condition corresponding to desired average power and also responsive to the zero-crossing of the alternating current waveform. The transition controller gradually changes the condition state of the semiconductor power controller between non-conduction and conduction and controls the voltage across the lamp load to maintain a stable rate of voltage change despite lamp impedance variations, thus reducing electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A power supply which includes terminals for connection to an electric power source, a storage capacitance, an electrical charging circuit and an operative arrangement for connecting the storage capacitance in series with the charging circuit across the terminals. The power supply has a charging circuit which includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor and a rectifier, constituted by at least one diode, in series. A control stage includes a first transistor, which has a collector-emitter path and a base-emitter path. The transistor is operatively connected so that the base-emitter path is connected in parallel with the first resistor. A fourth resistor is provided, the fourth resistor being connected in series with the collector-emitter path of the transistor and the third resistor.

Abstract: This invention concerns a regulated-current source and a controlled-voltage generator comprising an injector (Ir) kept at a constant potential (U.sub.1) by a regulation loop (D.sub.1, C.sub.1) which by means of a unit (C.G.) controls the intensity (i) of the current flowing in a load (R).

Abstract: A battery charger which includes terminals for connection to an electric power source, an electrical charging circuit and an operative arrangement for connecting at least one rechargeable battery cell in series with the charging circuit across the terminals. The battery charger has a charging circuit which includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a third resistor and a rectifier, constituted by at least one diode, in series. A first transistor, which has a collector-emitter path and a base-emitter path, is operatively connected so that the base-emitter path is connected in parallel with the first resistor. A fourth resistor is provided, the fourth resistor being connected in series with the collector-emitter path of the transistor and the third resistor.