Abstract: A method of operating an electronic circuit including: a master converter including a master controller and a switch, a slave converter including a slave controller and a switch, designed to step up an input voltage of the electronic circuit to an output voltage, each converter operating in a quasi-resonant mode by zero-voltage switching of their respective switch, wherein: the master controller sends, when the master converter switch is turned on and when a preset phase-shift criterion is met, a control signal to the slave controller which turns off the slave converter switch, the master and slave controllers turn on the switch of their respective converter as soon as a zero voltage is detected across the terminals of the switch, wherein the electric current magnitude in the master converter switch is measured, and the preset phase-shift criterion is met when the measured magnitude reaches a preset value.

Abstract: A supply arrangement, a supply unit and a method in which a switching element is connected in series to an operating voltage and an electrical load, wherein a supply unit supplies an electronic unit with power independently of the switching state of the switching element.

Abstract: A voltage generating circuit includes first and second step-up circuits, each having first and second input terminals and an output terminal and configured to increase a voltage level of an input signal supplied through the first input terminal and output the signal with the increased voltage level through the output terminal. The second input terminal of the first step-up circuit is connected to the output terminal of the second step-up circuit and the second input terminal of the second step-up circuit is connected to the output terminal of the first step-up circuit. The voltage generating circuit may also include third and fourth step-up circuits and fifth and sixth step-up circuits having similar configurations.

Abstract: A transistor device includes a high electron mobility field effect transistor (HEMT) and a protection device. The HEMT has a source, a drain and a gate. The HEMT switches on and conducts current from the source to the drain when a voltage applied to the gate exceeds a threshold voltage of the HEMT. The protection device is monolithically integrated with the HEMT so that the protection device shares the source and the drain with the HEMT and further includes a gate electrically connected to the source. The protection device conducts current from the drain to the source when the HEMT is switched off and a reverse voltage between the source and the drain exceeds a threshold voltage of the protection device. The protection device has a lower threshold voltage than the difference of the threshold voltage of the HEMT and a gate voltage used to turn off the HEMT.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter configurable for operating as a multiphase DC/DC. A controller produces a master drive signal for controlling a primary power switch to produce the output DC signal at a desired level. Multiple secondary power stages are coupled between the input and the output nodes for producing an output DC signal. Each of the multiple secondary power stages has at least one secondary power switch responsive to the input DC signal for producing the output DC signal. An expander system configures the DC/DC converter for operation in a multiphase DC/DC conversion mode. The expander system is responsive to the master drive signal for producing multiple slave drive signals respectively supplied to the multiple secondary power stages for controlling secondary power switches. The slave drive signals have phases shifted with respect to the master drive signal and with respect to each other.

Abstract: One example embodiment may include a power supply system. The power supply system may include a main capacitor and a boost converter. The main capacitor is used to generate an electrical pulse. The boost converter is configured to be coupled to the main capacitor. Additionally, the boost converter includes a compensator supply including an energy storage capacitor that can store electrical energy. The boost converter also includes and a compensator inductor that receives the electrical energy from the compensator supply and is configured to supply electrical energy to the main capacitor when the main capacitor is generating the electrical pulse.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for a switched-mode voltage converter system with energy recovery. The device may include a first voltage converter circuit including a boost voltage node and an output voltage port coupled to a load. The first voltage converter circuit configured to deliver energy from the boost voltage node to the load in a first mode, and to deliver energy from the load to the boost voltage node in a second mode. The device may also include a second voltage converter circuit coupled to an energy source and to the boost voltage node, the second voltage converter circuit configured to convert a first voltage associated with the energy source to a second voltage associated with the boost voltage node.

Abstract: A self-biased reference circuit device (100) includes a first cascode current mirror (116), a second cascode current mirror (118), and a startup circuit (108). The first cascode current mirror (116) is capable to generate a first bias voltage (136) and a second bias voltage (140) in response to a first current and to generate a second current in response to the first and second bias voltages. The second cascode current mirror (118) is capable to generate a third bias voltage (164) in response to the second current, to generate a fourth bias voltage (168) in response to a third current, and to generate the first current in response to the third and fourth bias voltages. The startup circuit includes a first switch (188) and a second switch (196). The first switch (188) is capable to connect the first bias voltage (136) and fourth bias voltage (168) during startup.

Abstract: A low power DC-DC converter includes a converter stage coupled to an input node, and having a low side switch and a rectifier switch. A peak current detector senses a current at the low side switch and a zero current detector senses a current at the rectifier switch. It is configured to set the low side switch to a non-conductive state and the rectifier switch to a conductive state if the peak current detector detects a predetermined peak current. It is configured to set the rectifier switch to a non-conductive state if the zero current detector detects zero current at the rectifier switch. A time interval between subsequent current peaks is triggered by a charge comparator receiving an average current fed to the low side and rectifier switches from the input node and a reference current coupled to the charge comparator by a reference current source.

Abstract: Dual frequency control of first and second pairs of switches of a buck-boost regulator with pass through band is disclosed. In buck and boost modes respectively a first pair of the switches is operated at high frequency and a second pair of the switches is operated at low frequency. In pass through mode, both pairs of switches are operated at low frequency. Dual frequency control and operation of the pairs of switches enables current sharing between positive and negative power leads in buck, boost and pass-through modes.

Abstract: Transistors suitable for high voltage and high frequency operation. A nanowire is disposed vertically or horizontally on a substrate. A longitudinal length of the nanowire is defined into a channel region of a first semiconductor material, a source region electrically coupled with a first end of the channel region, a drain region electrically coupled with a second end of the channel region, and an extrinsic drain region disposed between the channel region and drain region. The extrinsic drain region has a wider bandgap than that of the first semiconductor. A gate stack including a gate conductor and a gate insulator coaxially wraps completely around the channel region, drain and source contacts similarly coaxially wrap completely around the drain and source regions.

Abstract: A low side driver includes a first transistor coupled in series with a second transistor at a low side voltage node for a load. A capacitance is configured to store a voltage and a voltage buffer circuit has an input coupled to receive the voltage stored by the capacitance and an output coupled to drive a control node of the second transistor with the stored voltage. A current source supplies current through a switch to the capacitance and the input of the voltage buffer circuit. The switch is configured to be actuated by an oscillating enable signal so as to cyclically source current from the current source to the capacitance and cause a stepped increase in the stored voltage which is applied by the buffer circuit to the control node of the second transistor.

Abstract: A voltage regulator for generating a housekeeping voltage in a high voltage power supply circuit includes a charging switch coupled to a high voltage node and to a storage device at an output node, and a control voltage regulation circuit coupled to the charging switch and configured to cause the charging switch to generate a current pulse for charging the storage device.

Abstract: A direct current (DC) converter for converting an input voltage to an output voltage, includes a driving-stage circuit having an upper and a lower switch for converting the input current to a switch signal and transmitting the switch signal through an output terminal, an output-stage circuit coupled to the output terminal for converting the switch signal to the output voltage, a bootstrap circuit coupled between a bootstrap voltage terminal and the output terminal of the driving-stage circuit, a upper switch driving circuit for generating the upper switch control signal, and a control module for generating the upper and the lower switch control signal and controlling the upper switch driving circuit to generate the upper switch control signal according to a first and a second time duration, so as to timely switch the bootstrap circuit to a charge state accordingly.

Abstract: A reactor 1 of the present invention includes a coil 2 and a magnetic core 3 disposed inside and outside the coil 2 to form a closed magnetic path. At least part of the magnetic core 3 is made of a composite material containing a magnetic substance powder made of an identical material and a resin containing the powder being dispersed therein. In the particle size distribution of the magnetic substance powder, a plurality of peaks are present. That is, the magnetic substance powder contains both a fine powder and a coarse powder at high frequencies. Since the composite material contains the fine powder, it can reduce the eddy current loss, and hence achieves to be a low-loss material. Thanks to the mixed powder including the fine powder and the coarse powder, the packing density of the magnetic substance powder is increased. Thus, the composite material exhibits a high saturation magnetic flux density.

Abstract: A direct current (DC)-DC converter, which includes a charge pump buck power supply and a buck power supply is disclosed. The charge pump buck power supply includes a charge pump buck converter, a first inductive element, and an energy storage element. The charge pump buck converter and the first inductive element are coupled in series between a DC power supply, such as a battery, and the energy storage element. The buck power supply includes a buck converter, a second inductive element, and the energy storage element. The buck converter and the second inductive element are coupled in series between the DC power supply and the energy storage element. As such, the charge pump buck power supply and the buck power supply share the energy storage element.

Abstract: An electronic device receiving a voltage from a power supply comprises a load, a control module, a switching module, and a protection module. The control module generates a first control signal. The protection module transmits the first control signal to the switching module. The switching module establishes an electrical connection between the power supply and the load in response to the first control signal. The load is powered by the power supply when the electrical connection between the power supply and the load is established. The protection module connected between the control module and the switching module prevents a reverse current or a reverse voltage supplied by the power supply from being transmitted to the control module.

Abstract: A method is described comprising conducting a first current through a switching transistor. The method also comprises conducting a second current through a pair of transistors whose conductive channels are coupled in series with respect to each other and are together coupled in parallel across the switching transistor's conductive channel. The second current is less than and proportional to the first current.

Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus includes a switching voltage regulator, wherein the switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a switching controller and a switched output filter. The switching controller is configured to generate a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of the series switch element and the shunt switch element. The switched output filter filters the switching voltage and generates a regulated output voltage, wherein the switched output filter includes a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switched output filter.

Abstract: In a power conversion device provided with a power semiconductor device and a semiconductor driver circuit for driving the power semiconductor device, false firing can be prevented, and improvement in reliability can be achieved. The power conversion device is provided with: a first switch element inserted between a power supply voltage and an output node; a second switch element inserted between a ground power supply voltage and the output node; and a gate driver circuit for controlling turning ON/OFF of the second switch element. When the second switch element is controlled to be turned OFF, the gate driver circuit drives a gate-source voltage at, for example, a level of 0 V.

Abstract: A high side gate driver, a switching chip, and a power device, which respectively include a protection device, are provided. The high side gate driver includes a first terminal configured to receive a first low level driving power supply that is provided to turn off the high side normally-on switch; a first switching device connected to the first terminal; and a protection device connected in series between the first switching device and a gate of the high side normally-on switch, the protection device configured to absorb a majority of a voltage applied to a gate of the high side normally-on switch. The power device includes the high side gate driver. In addition, the switching chip includes a high side normally-on switch, an additional normally-on switch, and a low side normally-on switch, which have a same structure.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes: a step-up-or-step-down circuit including a choke coil and step-down and step-up transistor pairs; and a control circuit to control the transistor pairs based on an output voltage, wherein the control circuit includes: a differential triangular wave generation circuit to generate a positive-phase triangular wave signal and a negative-phase triangular wave signal; a switch to select the positive-phase triangular wave signal or the negative-phase triangular wave signal in response to a switching signal; an error detector to output an error signal; a PWM comparator to compare the positive-phase triangular wave signal or the negative-phase triangular wave signal with the error signal to generate a control pulse signal; a switching comparator to compare the error signal with reference potential and generate the switching signal; and a driver control circuit to generate a control signal for the transistor pairs based on the control pulse signal and the switching signal.

Abstract: A control circuit for a DC-DC converter includes: an output control circuit configured to control an output voltage of a DC-DC converter according to a reference voltage; a reference control circuit configured to control the reference voltage according to an open-circuit voltage of an external power supply coupled to the DC-DC converter; a limiting circuit configured to limit a current flowing from DC-DC converter to an external load; and a stopping control circuit configured to stop operation of the limiting circuit until the reference voltage reaches a given value.

Abstract: Provided is a voltage regulator capable of preventing a large current from flowing even when a battery (110) is connected with reverse polarity by mistake. The voltage regulator employs a circuit configuration in which a substrate potential (n-well) of an output transistor (103) of the voltage regulator is not fixed to a potential of a VDD terminal, and a power supply of a reference voltage circuit (101) and an error amplifier (102) is not fixed to the VDD terminal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device provides a gate electrode formed on a lateral face of a wide trench, and thereby the gate electrode is covered by a gate insulating layer and a thick insulating layer to be an inter layer. Therefore, a parasitic capacitance of the gate becomes small, and there is no potential variation of the gate since there is no floating p-layer so that a controllability of the dv/dt can be improved. In addition, the conductive layer between the gate electrodes can relax the electric field applied to the corner of the gate electrode. In consequence, compatibility of low loss and low noise and high reliability can be achieved.

Abstract: Device comprising an electric power converter circuit for converting electric energy. The converter circuit comprises a switch arrangement with two or more controllable electric switches connected in a switching configuration and controlled so as to provide a current drive of electric energy from an associated electric source connected to a set of input terminals. This is obtained by the two or more electric swiches being connected and controlled to short-circuit the input terminals during a part of a switching period. Further, a low pass filter with a capacitor and an inductor are provided to low pass the output from the switch arrangement and designed such that a high impedance at a frequency range below the switching frequency is obtained, seen from the output terminals. Switches implemented by normally-on-devices are preferred, e.g. in the form of a JFET. The converter circuit may be in different configurations such as half bridge buck, full bridge buck, half bridge boost, or full bridge boost.

Abstract: The present invention is a single-stage voltage converter. With only one switch, a higher DC (direct current) voltage at input end is converted into a lower DC voltage at output end. Thus, a lower-voltage load is provided with the lower DC voltage. The present invention is characterized in power factor correction and high step down voltage ratio. The present invention can be applied to multiple DC pairs.

Abstract: A voltage stabilizing circuit includes an input terminal that receives an external input voltage, a three terminal voltage regulator including an input pin and an output pin; and a voltage reduction unit. The voltage reduction unit reduces the external input voltage and outputs the reduced external input voltage to the input pin. The three terminal voltage regulator regulates the reduced external input voltage to a stabilized supply voltage, and outputs the stabilized supply voltage through the output pin for powering a load.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for control operation of a boost converter. The boost converter includes an input, an output, and a plurality of paths electrically connecting the input to the output. The boost converter also includes a plurality of switches disposed along the paths to control current flow between the input and the output. The system includes a controller. The controller receives a desired current to be supplied at the output. The controller determines which of the paths to utilize based at least in part on the desired current. The controller controls the switches based at least in part on the determination of which of the paths to utilize.

Abstract: A power management chip and a power management device including the power management chip. The power management chip includes at least one power switch and a driver unit for generating a driving signal for driving the at least one power switch, the driver unit including one or more circuit units formed on a same substrate as the at least one power switch.

Abstract: Generally, this disclosure provides an apparatus, method and system for DC-DC conversion. The apparatus may include a switch network including a first plurality of switches configured to operate in a Buck mode to generate an output voltage that is less than an input voltage, and a second plurality of switches configured to operate in an Up mode to generate an output voltage that is greater than the input voltage. The apparatus of this example may further include controller circuitry configured to generate control signals to control the conduction state of the first plurality of switches and the second plurality of switches based on a variable reference signal indicative of power demands from a load coupled to the switch network.

Abstract: Power source, in particular for use in a databus in public means of transportation, wherein the power source has a first transistor (T2), and wherein in a normal operating mode of the power source the current (IA) which is conducted through the first transistor (T2) is determined by a first resistor (R3) at the emitter of the first transistor (T2), is characterized with respect to safe operation accompanied by the smallest possible space requirement and lowest possible manufacturing costs in that a temperature-dependent resistor (RV1) is thermally coupled to the first transistor (T2) and that the temperature-dependent transistor (RV1) is connected to the power source in such a way that when the temperature of the first transistor (T2) is rising the temperature-dependent resistor (RV1) influences the voltage across the first resistor (R3) and thereby brings about a reduction in the output current (IA) of the power source.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for a PTAT cell with no resistors which can operate at low power, has less sensitivity to process variation, occupies less silicon area, and has low noise. Further, a system and method are provided to scale up the reference voltage and current through a cascade of unit cells. Still further, a system and method are provided for PTAT component to be fine-tuned, advantageously providing less process variability and less temperature sensitivity.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for converting power from a floating source of DC power to a dual direct current (DC) output is disclosed. The electronic circuit may include a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal connectible to the floating source of DC power. The dual DC output may connectible to the input of an inverter. A positive output terminal connected to the positive input terminal of the inverter and a negative output terminal and a ground terminal which may be connected to the input of the inverter. A series connection of a first power switch and a second power switch connected across the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal. A negative return path may include a first diode and a second diode connected between the negative input terminal and the negative output terminal. A resonant circuit may connect between the series connection and the negative return path.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a first capacitor which can be charged by a power-supply voltage; a second capacitor that generates the output voltage using electric charge previously discharged by the first capacitor; a comparator that compares the output voltage with a reference voltage and outputs a comparison signal that shows whether the output voltage is below the reference voltage; multiple switches that switch to allow the first capacitor either to be charged or to discharge its charge to the second capacitor, and a controller that controls the switch timing of the multiple switches on the basis of the comparison signal.

Abstract: A bootstrap circuit provides a gate-emitter voltage to the high-side IGBT of a half-bridge IGBT arrangement. The bootstrap circuit includes a buck-boost circuit for providing a negative gate-emitter voltage for turning the high-side IGBT off.

Abstract: An inductor L2 is inserted in series between an input power supply E and a switching device Q1. An input smoothing capacitor C2 is provided between a connecting point of the inductor L2 and the switching device Q1 and a ground point. Herein, let L2 be an inductance value of the inductor, C2 be an electrostatic capacity of the input smoothing capacitor, and T1 be a time since the switching device Q1 is switched from an ON state to an OFF state until the switching device Q1 is switched to an ON state again according to an output signal from a drive circuit DR, then T1 is set so as to satisfy 0<T1<??{square root over (L2×C2)} By lowering a voltage applied to a switching device when the switching device switches OFF from ON, it becomes possible to use a switching device having low breakdown voltage in a step-down DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: The LDO has at least three stages supplied by a supply voltage. A first stage has a differential amplifier and a folded cascode device with a regulated current mirror. The LDO has two nodes that are configured to couple the differential amplifier and the regulated current mirror and to receive a differential signal, respectively. The regulated current mirror is configured to convert and amplify the differential signals to a single ended signal. Said LDO has a first capacitor configured for frequency compensation, said first capacitor coupled between said first stage and a second stage. The LDO has a second capacitor for balancing capacitive loading of a first cascode circuit, said second capacitor coupled between said first stage and said supply voltage. Said first cascode circuit is configured to suppress different voltages between input and output of the capacitors caused of a modulation of said supply voltage.

Abstract: A regulating apparatus with soft-start and fast-shutdown function is applied to a voltage-supplying apparatus. The regulating apparatus includes a soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit, a regulating circuit, and a ground circuit. When voltages are supplied from the voltage-supplying apparatus to the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit, the regulating circuit, and the ground circuit, the ground circuit is connected to ground, so that the starting time of the regulating circuit is delayed by the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit. When voltages are not supplied from the voltage-supplying apparatus to the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit, the regulating circuit, and the ground circuit, the ground circuit is not connected to ground, so that the regulating circuit is shut down fast by the soft-start and fast-shutdown circuit.

Abstract: A voltage switching circuitry comprises a switching arrangement with a given number N of switches in series between a first terminal receiving a first voltage and a second terminal receiving a second voltage. The first voltage level is higher than the second voltage level, and N is at least equal to 2. A voltage-by-N divider, having N?1 output taps, is arranged to divide the first voltage by N to a scaled down version of the first voltage having a voltage level below voltage max ratings of the switches. The N?1 output taps of the divider are arranged to respectively output N?1 third voltages having respective levels staged below the first voltage level. N?1 max voltage generators generate N?1 fourth voltages, respectively equal to the maximum of the second voltage and of each of the N?1 third voltages. A switch control unit generates N control signals using the N?1 fourth voltages. These N control signals have respective voltage levels staged between the first voltage level and the second voltage level.

Abstract: A reference voltage that is consistent over various operational conditions and uses low power is provided. According to an example, an internal temperature-compensated voltage (e.g., vdd_int in 200) is generated from a power supply (e.g., vdd in 200), and a reference voltage (e.g., vref in 200) is generated from the internal voltage. The reference voltage is stored on a storage circuit (e.g., 430) that is coupled (charged) and refreshed under conditions, relative to circuit characteristics, that make low and ultra-low power operation possible.

Abstract: A high voltage resonant step-up convertor converts a lower voltage signal to a higher voltage signal. The converter may be used, for example, to supply power via electromagnetic coupling to an implantable medical device. In some embodiments, a power converter comprises a driver circuit and a resonant circuit. The resonant circuit generates a high voltage output signal at a selected frequency. The driver circuit is controlled by a low voltage signal and periodically generates a higher frequency signal (e.g., approximately twice the selected frequency) to drive the resonant circuit. In some embodiments, the driver circuit comprises another resonant circuit and a switching circuit. The switching circuit periodically pumps current to the other resonant circuit and isolates the two resonant circuits. The other resonant circuit periodically pumps current to the output resonant circuit.

Abstract: The load driving device disclosed in the specification includes a controller to generate a first control signal based on an input signal, a first output transistor to supply an output current to a load according to the first control signal, a first dividing circuit to output a first divided voltage by dividing a voltage across a first primary electrode and a second primary electrode of the first output transistor by a first transistor and a second transistor connected in serial, a first voltage generating circuit to output a first reference voltage, and a first comparator to supply a first over current detection signal to the controller based on the first reference voltage and the first divided voltage.

Abstract: A soft switch driving circuit is disclosed for a DC converter, to transform an input voltage into an output voltage. The soft switch driving circuit includes a regulating module for outputting a reference voltage, a first bootstrap circuit for generating a first voltage value according to a DC voltage, a second bootstrap circuit for generating a second voltage value according to the reference voltage, a control module for generating a plurality of control signals according to a control voltage, a switch module having one end coupled to the first bootstrap circuit and another end coupled to the second bootstrap circuit for outputting a voltage signal, and an output circuit connected to the control module and the switch module for transforming the input voltage into the output voltage according to the voltage signal and one of the plurality of controlling signals.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a lead frame that is composed of a lead and a die stage; a GaN-HEMT that is disposed on the die stage and has a source electrode on a rear surface of the GaN-HEMT, the source electrode being connected to the die stage; and a MOS-FET that is disposed on the die stage and has a drain electrode on a rear surface of the MOS-FET, the drain electrode being connected to the die stage; wherein the source electrode of the GaN-HEMT and the drain electrode of the MOS-FET are cascode-connected with each other via the die stage.

Abstract: A converter for converting an input current to an output voltage may include: a first region; a second region galvanically separated from the first region; an input reference node in the first region, wherein the converter allows a flow of the input current through a device to the input reference node; a circuitry for generating, based on the input current, the output voltage relative to an output reference electric potential, the circuitry including a voltage transfer component for transferring the output voltage from the first region to the second region, wherein the voltage transfer component comprises a first circuit in the first region and a second circuit in the second region, wherein the first circuit is driven by a first electric supply voltage relative to a first supply reference potential; and an output terminal, located in the second region and connected to the second circuit, for outputting the output voltage.

Abstract: A switching circuit includes first and second MOS transistors of the same conductive type. The second MOS transistor has a drain connected to a first terminal, a source connected to a load connecting terminal, a gate connected to a gate of the first MOS transistor, and a back gate connected to a source of the first MOS transistor. The switching circuit includes a circuit that controls a current flowing between the source of the first MOS transistor and a resistor connecting terminal so that the potential of the source of the first MOS transistor and the potential of the source of the second MOS transistor are equal. This switching circuit further includes a circuit that outputs a control signal to the gate of the first MOS transistor and the gate of the second MOS transistor and controls the operations of the first MOS transistor and the second MOS transistor.

Abstract: A small reactor with high heat-release performance is provided. A reactor 1 includes an assembly (10) and a case (4), the assembly (10) having a coil (2) and a magnetic core (3) at which the coil (2) is arranged, the case (4) housing the assembly (10). The case (4) includes a bottom plate (40) that contacts a fixing object when the reactor (1) is installed on the fixing object, a side wall (41) that is mounted on the bottom plate (40) with an adhesive and surrounds the assembly (10), and a junction layer (42) that fixes the coil (2) to an inner surface of the bottom plate (40). The bottom plate (40) is formed of a material with higher thermal conductivity than that of the side wall (41). The reactor (1) easily transfers heat of the coil (2) to the bottom plate (40) and hence has high heat-release performance because the reactor (1) includes the bottom plate (40) with the high thermal conductivity and the coil (2) is joined to the bottom plate (40) through the junction layer (42).

Abstract: A drive unit has a load driving portion driving a load by a PWM drive method; a soft-start function portion for achieving a soft-start function; and a soft-start disabling portion counting a time elapsed after a PWM signal is turned on at start-up of the unit, and disabling the soft-start function when a count value reaches a predetermined value.

Abstract: A universal module capable of being removably coupled to each of a plurality of distinct products for demonstrating a functionality is described. In the universal module an activation switch is operatively coupled to a DC power source. An external electrical connector is operatively coupled to the DC power source and the activation switch. An external electrical connector is configured to removably couple the universal module to an external circuit of one of the plurality of distinct products. The circuit has an integrated circuit that is operatively coupled to the DC power source, the activation switch and the external electrical connector. When the external electrical connector is coupled to the external circuit and the activation switch is activated, the integrated circuit outputs a voltage from the DC power source through the external electrical connector to enable a functionality of a coupled product for a predetermined period of time.