Abstract: It is desired to further reduce output errors which are caused by temperature characteristics. A sensor device is provided which includes a sense circuit which outputs a sense signal according to a magnitude of a detected physical quantity, an amplifier circuit which amplifies the sense signal, and a switching unit which switches at least one of a sensitivity of the sense circuit and an offset of the amplifier circuit discontinuously according to whether a temperature measurement value exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: Provided is a shunt resistor mount structure comprising: a shunt resistor including a pair of electrodes and a resistive body; a current detecting substrate having a control circuit mounted thereon, the substrate having a voltage detecting portion to which a pair of voltage detection terminals of the shunt resistor are connected; and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the electrodes.

Abstract: A readout circuit for use with a Wheatstone bridge sensor. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: driving an excitation signal in parallel through a first set of sensor elements of a Wheatstone bridge sensor and refraining from driving the excitation signal through a second set of sensor elements of the Wheatstone bridge sensor; measuring response of the first set of sensor elements, the measuring response of the first set of sensor elements creates a first measurement; and then driving the excitation signal in parallel through the second set of sensor elements of the Wheatstone bridge and refraining from driving the excitation signal through the first set of sensor elements; and measuring response of the second set of sensor elements, the measuring response of the second set of sensor elements creates a second measurement.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a circuit for regulating power supplying, a method for regulating power supplying and a test system. The circuit for regulating power supplying includes a switch circuit connected to a first power terminal and an output terminal. The switch circuit is configured to control whether a power supply is turned on or off. The circuit includes a turn-off rate control circuit connected to the first power terminal, a second power terminal and the switch circuit. The turn-off rate control circuit is configured to control a turn-off rate of the switch circuit.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit with a pressure-sensitive sensor array includes a pressure-sensitive sensor array with M rows and N columns, and an excitation source adapted for outputting positive and negative excitation voltages, wherein: the positive output terminals of the sensing units at a same row of the pressure-sensitive sensor array are connected with each other and act as an output of the row; the negative output terminals of the sensing units at a same column of the pressure-sensitive sensor array are connected with each other and act as an output of the column; so that the whole pressure-sensitive sensor array has a positive excitation input end, a negative excitation input end, M row output signals and N column output signals. The signal processing circuit and method are capable of significantly decreasing an amount of output signal wires of the sensor, reducing connection areas, and improving reliability.

Abstract: A blended passive microphone includes a dynamic first microphone, a dynamic second microphone, and a blending circuit adjusting outputs of the dynamic first microphone and the dynamic second microphone.

Abstract: A circuit device includes a differential input-to-single-ended output first amplifier, to an inversion input terminal of which, of first and second signals forming differential signals, the first signal is input and to a non-inversion input terminal of which the second signal is input, a differential input-to-single-ended output second amplifier, to a non-inversion input terminal of which the first signal is input and to an inversion input terminal of which the second signal is input, and a failure detection circuit that performs failure detection on the basis of an output signal of the first amplifier and an output signal of the second amplifier.

Abstract: In order to realize a thermistor on a base substrate without restricting the layout of a wiring layer, a thermistor mounting apparatus is provided, the thermistor mounting apparatus including a base substrate, and a thermistor component provided over the base substrate, in which the thermistor component has an insulating substrate, an electrode provided over the insulating substrate, and a thermistor provided over the insulating substrate and electrically connected to the electrode.

Abstract: Devices and methods for reducing or eliminating image artifacts are provided. By way of example, a display panel includes a pixels including pixel electrodes configured to receive an image data signal, and common electrodes (VCOMs) configured to receive a common voltage signal. The display panel includes a source driver, which includes a first digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a gamma voltage signal to provide a first adjustment to the image data signal, and a second DAC configured to generate an error correction voltage signal to provide a second adjustment to the image data signal. The second adjustment is configured to adjust the image data signal to compensate for an operational characteristic difference between row pixels and column pixels of the display panel. The source driver includes an output buffer to supply the image data signal to the pixel electrodes.

Abstract: A sensor system with performance compensation testing capability includes a sensor device, a resistance bridge, a signal conditioning circuit, a first test connector, and a second test connector. The resistance bridge circuit is disposed on the sensor device and includes an excitation terminal, a circuit common terminal, and two output terminals, and is configured, upon being energized, to supply a bridge output voltage across the two output terminals. The signal conditioning circuit is electrically coupled to the excitation terminal, the circuit common terminal, and the two output terminals, and is configured to supply a sensor output signal representative of bridge output voltage. The first test connector is electrically coupled to one of the two output terminals and is configured to be coupled to an impedance test device. The second test connector is electrically coupled to the circuit common terminal and is configured to be coupled to the impedance test device.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring a timer, in particular a device for operating a passenger protection arrangement for a vehicle, the timer being configured for generating a periodic clock signal. The device includes a monitoring arrangement to monitor a pulse duration of the clock signal and consequently the pulse duration of the clock signal is monitored.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly determining ambient temperature in a fluid-analyte meter. The meter includes a housing defining an interior space and an area for receiving a fluid sample. A processor and a first temperature sensor are disposed within the interior space of said the housing. A second temperature sensor is disposed on the housing. One or more processors are configured to determine a first temperature value from temperature data received from the first temperature sensor. The processor(s) are also configured to apply a variable current to a temperature-adjustment source such that the second temperature sensor is adjusted to a predetermined steady-state temperature value different from the first temperature value. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an ambient temperature of an exterior space of the housing based on the applied variable current, pre-determined steady-state temperature, and received first temperature values.

Abstract: A sensor system with performance compensation testing capability includes a sensor device, a resistance bridge, a signal conditioning circuit, a first test connector, and a second test connector. The resistance bridge circuit is disposed on the sensor device and includes an excitation terminal, a circuit common terminal, and two output terminals, and is configured, upon being energized, to supply a bridge output voltage across the two output terminals. The signal conditioning circuit is electrically coupled to the excitation terminal, the circuit common terminal, and the two output terminals, and is configured to supply a sensor output signal representative of bridge output voltage. The first test connector is electrically coupled to one of the two output terminals and is configured to be coupled to an impedance test device. The second test connector is electrically coupled to the circuit common terminal and is configured to be coupled to the impedance test device.

Abstract: An optical communication module includes a modulation current supply circuit for supplying to a light-emitting element for transmitting a burst optical signal, a modulation current having magnitude in accordance with a logical value of data to be transmitted, a light-receiving element for monitoring, for outputting a current in accordance with intensity of light received from the light-emitting element, a measurement unit for measuring an output current from the light-receiving element for monitoring at set measurement timing, an adjustment unit for adjusting magnitude of the modulation current based on a result of measurement of the output current by the measurement unit, and a measurement timing setting unit for setting measurement timing based on a control signal for controlling transmission of the burst optical signal.

Abstract: A power-supply circuit for a DC appliance includes an input unit including a first terminal and a second terminal so as to receive a DC current, an output unit including a third terminal to output the DC current entered by the input unit and a fourth terminal, a connection unit including a first conductive line and a second conductive line so as to interconnect the input unit and the output unit, a rectifier unit including first to fourth diodes coupled as a bridge diode format so as to rectify the input DC current in a predetermined direction, an inductor unit that is connected in series to the rectifier unit in such a manner that the input DC current is gradually increased from an abrupt change time point of the DC current, and a condenser unit that is connected in series to the inductor unit.

Abstract: A capacity detector for detecting capacity of an energy storage unit includes a first and a second buffers and a voltage divider. The first buffer is used for generating a first threshold reference according to a first adjustable reference which is predetermined based upon chemistry of the energy storage unit. The second buffer is used for generating a second threshold reference according to a second adjustable reference which is predetermined based upon chemistry of the energy storage unit. The voltage divider coupled to the first buffer and the second buffer is used for dividing a voltage across the first threshold reference and the second threshold reference and for generating capacity references indicating capacity percentages of the energy storage unit according to a voltage versus capacity characteristic of the energy storage unit.

Abstract: An apparatus with a direct-current to direct-current power transformer is configured to transform an input voltage at an input terminal to an output voltage at an output terminal. A current sensor is coupled to the power transformer and configured to measure a current flowing through the power transformer. A voltage adjustment controller is coupled to the current sensor and the output terminal and configured to change the output voltage based at least on the measured current.

Abstract: A system and method to optimize multi-core microprocessor performance using voltage offsets is presented. A multi-core device tests each of its processor cores in order to identify each processor core's optimum supply voltage. In turn, the device configures voltage offset networks for each processor core based upon each processor core's identified optimum supply voltage. As a result, the offset voltages produced by the voltage offset networks are subtracted from the multi-core device's main voltage, which results in the voltage offset networks supplying optimum supply voltages to each processor core. The voltage offset networks may include fuses to generate a fixed voltage offset, or the voltage offset networks may include a control circuit to dynamically adjust voltage offsets during the multi-core device's operation.

Abstract: A power converter includes a switch controller having a dual output digital-to-analog converter for generating a variable reference voltage and a knee voltage offset from the reference voltage by a predetermined voltage. The variable reference voltage is generated based on a reconstructed representation of output voltage of the power converter in a previous switching cycle. Comparators compare the variable reference voltage and the variable knee voltage to a sensed output of the power converter in a first switching cycle. A digital logic of the switch controller receives signals from the comparators and determines a pulse signal for controlling an on-time and an off time of a switch in a second switching cycle.

Abstract: A description is given of a circuit arrangement with a resistor voltage divider chain which comprises a number N of two-terminal resistors which are connected in series between a number N+1 of connection points, with N being greater than or equal to 2.

Abstract: A resistance network is provided for synthesizing a non-linear logarithmic response in the resistance of the network comprising a potentiometer from the change of the resistance of the potentiometer. The network additionally comprises a set of resistors. The potentiometer allows the resistance of the network to be varied, while the network manipulates the current in such a fashion that the input current required to produce a desired output voltage is a linear function of the resistance of the potentiometer. Incorporated into a current overload detection circuit, this allows an even spacing of the desired trip current settings about the dial of the potentiometer.

Abstract: A piezoelectric motor comprising: a layer of piezoelectric material having narrow edge surfaces and first and second large face surfaces, formed with at least three arms, each extending radially outward from a common central region and terminating in an end; and at least one electrode on the first face surface and at least one electrode on the second face surface.

Abstract: A power converter includes a shunt resistor constituted by a shunt resistance and a plurality of main electrodes made of a sheet-like resistive material. In the shunt resistor, plates lower in volume electric resistivity than the resistive material, higher in thermal conductivity than the resistive material and thicker in thickness than the resistive material are fixedly attached by solder, to the side surfaces of the main electrodes opposite to the side surfaces with which the main electrodes are fixedly attached to an insulating layer. At least one plate main electrode for electrically connecting with main circuit wiring is provided in each of the plates. At least one constricted portion is formed between each of the plate main electrodes and the shunt resistance. Plate detection electrodes for detecting a voltage between the opposite ends of the shunt resistance is provided on the plates near the shunt resistance portion.

Abstract: A system for measuring differences in a physical variable, such as temperature or voltage, by utilizing predictable behavior in the relative time drift of offset curves for various circuit elements, including, for example, two sensors coupled to a difference signal amplifier, an ambient condition amplifier, and an analog to digital converter. In an initial calibration mode, the system records several offset curves, stored in memory, correlating ambient condition measurements to offset measurements acquired from the ambient condition amplifier and the difference signal amplifier. Offset curves recorded in the initial calibration mode, correlating ambient condition measurements to measurements from the difference signal amplifier, include one curve recorded with both inputs of the difference signal amplifier held at equal potential and another curve recorded with both sensors held at the same value of the physical variable, over a given ambient condition range.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus comprises a power supply, a load circuit, a first switch, a limiting resistor, a second switch and a controller. The power supply voltage is applied to the load circuit by the power supply, and the load is driven. The first switch is connected to the load circuit and the power supply in series, and enable or disenable the application of power supply voltage to the load circuit. The limiting resistor is connected to the load circuit in series, dividing the power supply voltage between itself and the load circuit, and thereby limiting the current supplied to the load circuit. The second switch is connected to the limiting resistor in series and to the first switch in parallel, and enable or disenable the application of power supply voltage to the load circuit and the limiting resistor.

Abstract: The multiple lamp circuit for minimizing lamp current imbalance comprises at least one transformer comprising primary windings and secondary windings. Multiple lamps are coupled in serial to the secondary windings of the transformer. Multiple separated lamp drive circuits are spliced from the transformer's secondary windings. A current balancing resistance is connected at a common node of the multiple lamps and other terminal of the current balancing resistance is connected to ground. The impedance of the current balancing resistance is relatively high compared to the ones of the multiple lamps to generate a balancing current for one of the multiple lamps, thereby resulting a current that flows through the multiple lamps is approximately equal.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is supplied with a supply voltage from a system control circuit having the function for changing the supply voltage. When the supply voltage is within a predetermined voltage range, the pressure sensor outputs the detection signal corresponding to the pressure to be measured and outputs a predetermined voltage which is irrespective of the pressure. More specifically, the system control circuit outputs the supply voltage at a value outside a predetermined voltage range in a diagnostic mode, that is, a value which is higher than the measuring mode, in order to turn on the transistors Q1 and Q2 to supply the predetermined voltage to the system control circuit to detect an error caused by increase in contact resistance between the pressure sensor and the system control circuit.

Abstract: A load driving apparatus comprises a power supply, a load circuit, a first switch, a limiting resistor, a second switch and a controller. The power supply voltage is applied to the load circuit by the power supply, and the load is driven. The first switch is connected to the load circuit and the power supply in series, and enable or disenable the application of power supply voltage to the load circuit. The limiting resistor is connected to the load circuit in series, dividing the power supply voltage between itself and the load circuit, and thereby limiting the current supplied to the load circuit. The second switch is connected to the limiting resistor in series and to the first switch in parallel, and enable or disenable the application of power supply voltage to the load circuit and the limiting resistor.

Abstract: A power supply control system which prevents thermal overload of the apparatus to which power is being supplied. The supply voltage is controlled so that as the temperature of the apparatus increases beyond a predetermined threshold the supply voltage is reduced in incremental steps, thereby reducing thermal dissipation.

Abstract: A temperature-compensating method of a resistance bridge circuit constructed of a plurality of resistance devices, comprises: a first step of adjusting in direction and in curvature a temperature characteristic curve of an output signal issued from the resistance bridge circuit in which a resistor for temperature compensation is connected in parallel with one of a pair of the resistance devices, the pair being disposed in adjacent arms of the resistance bridge circuit; and a second step of applying an additional signal to the output signal of the resistance bridge circuit so as to offset the temperature variation of the output signal of the resistance bridge circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for weighted addition which includes a transistor having a gate and a plurality of resistance elements. Each resistance element has a first and second end. The first end of each resistance element is impressed with a voltage, and the second end of each resistance element is connected to the gate of the transistor. The circuit is small in size and renders precise and various types of weighted addition possible.

Abstract: A fuse blown detection circuit for use in conjunction with the control transistor output circuits of a programmable controller which provides low leakage after the fuse is blown. The detection circuit comprises a pair of voltage dividers and a diagnostic triggering device forming an H-bridge network connected across the terminals of the fuse and a blocking diode. When the fuse is blown the voltage levels defined by the dividers change to activate the trigger device and enable a diagnostic signal indicative of the fuse blown condition while the blocking diode prevents current flow back through the control transistor and output circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides compensation for temperature in a transducer by connecting the adjustment resistors to the transducer itself to provide a correct transducer output. A number of switches are used to couple the adjustment resistors to the transducer circuit. An individual resistor may be coupled in parallel or in series with a transducer resistance. The control input for the switches are each coupled to a separate bit output of a multiple bit memory. The memory is programmed to control the duty cycle of the switches when addressed.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling rate of battery current discharge, comprising, variable means applying resistance load to the battery output, comparator means connected for defining and communicating a targeted battery discharge current level set point, sensor means connected for sensing the rate of current discharge from the battery, and connected to the comparator for comparing the actual battery discharge current rate to the targeted battery discharge current, and adjusting means connected to the variable means and operative responsively to the comparitor means for incrementally increasing or decreasing the resistive load in response to signals from the comparator means as to whether the battery discharge current exceeds the targeted current set point.

Abstract: A circuit disclosed maintains ratiometric analog inputs to an integrated circuit using a network of resistors, some of which are external to the integrated circuit and some of which are internal to the integrated circuit, reducing expense. The analog inputs maintain a fixed ratio during fluctuations in supply voltage and fluctuations in temperature.

Abstract: A signal level attenuating device having an analog attenuator and a digital attenuator which respectively include resistance attenuators. The resistance attenuators have the same attenuating characteristics and are mutually coupled. When one of the resistance attenuators is adjusted, the other of the resistance attenuators is simultaneously adjusted so that an analog signal and a digital signal respectively entered therein are attenuated at an identical attenuating factor. The digital attenuator further comprises an A/D convertor, a coefficient generator and a multiplier. The resistance attenuator in the digital attenuator attenuates a reference voltage and sends it to the A/D convertor. The coefficient generator computes an attenuation coefficient by which the digital signal entered therein is to be multiplied, based on an output of the A/D convertor. The digital signal is multiplied by the attenuation coefficient in the multiplier.

Abstract: A potentiometric circuit arrangement 30 is based on a resistive potentiometer tarck 11 with a capacitively coupled `wiper` 14', the resistive track being driven by switched alternating voltages of +/- V at 12 and -/+(X-V) at 13, where X is a reference voltage and V is the output of an integrator 15 to which the voltage sensed by the elecrode 37, and rectified at 36, is applied. A null voltage point establishes itself at the position of the electrode and stabilizes the integrator output at a d.c. voltage proportional to the distance of the `wiper` from the track end 12. Any `wiper` displacement taps a non-null signal which integrated applies new voltages to the track until the null point is re-established at the `wiper` position. The capacitive pick-up enables a potentiometer-type voltage output with less wear of the track, less drag against motion and less electrical noise, and electronic differentiation (27) of the position signal to give a rate signal.

Abstract: A bridge balancing circuit includes a bridge having a resistance change type sensor, a differential amplifier for extracting a voltage difference across two central nodes of the bridge, a comparator connected to the output terminal of the differential amplifier, a D/A converter an output terminal of which is connected to one of the two central nodes, and a controller for controlling the D/A converter. The differential amplifier and the comparator automatically detect a balanced point of the bridge, and the controller maintains a balanced state of the bridge.

Abstract: A circuit dedicated to the stabilization of integrated circuit temperature charactristics is achieved by integrating on the same semiconductor material chip as the integrated circuit and a device comprised of a sensor having at least two resistors (R1, R2 and/or R3, R4) supplied between two voltages (DC1, DC2) used alone or in conjunction with differential circuit structure (T2, T3) supplied by a current source (T1), comprising a transistorized variable load impedance (T4, T5, T6, T7). The resistors have different temperature coefficients, and the output voltage (VA or VB) of the bridge is temperature dependent. The integrated must incorporate a voltage-controlled element (transistor or diode).

Abstract: An electronic control circuit for a bridge resistance circuit (10) of a transducer (20) has a switchable source of constant magnitude current (22) to direct current pulses of constant amplitude through the bridge circuit. A temperature setpoint detector (24) generates a temperature signal (TA) to a control logic circuit (26) when the circuit attains a predetermined temperature. The control logic circuit periodically turns on the current and directs a sample and hold network (32) to read the transducer output when the predetermined temperature is reached by enabling a gate (30). The control logic circuit turns off the current by applying a signal to the source of current after a reading of transducer output is taken. The current through the transducer develops its output, heats up the transducer and generates the temperature signal.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for compensating for the temperature dependence of the sensitivity and of the null point of a piezoresistive pressure sensor having a temperature sensor thermally coupled thereto. The temperature sensor is coupled to an auxiliary amplifier, in the output circuit of which the feed diagonal of the pressure sensor is connected. The output diagonal of the pressure sensor is connected to an output amplifier, to which a temperature-dependent correction voltage can be applied on the input side via a resistor arrangement. To perform the compensation of the temperature dependence of the sensitivity independently of the temperature dependence of the null point, the resistor arrangement is connected directly to the output of the temperature sensor, preferably via jumpers.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a system parameter includes three sensing elements to independently sense a single system parameter and provide respective feedback signals. Three substantially identical controllers are responsive to these feedback signals with the controllers each having a bridge network of three resistors and being connected to a common resistor. In response to the feedback signals and signals representative of the imbalance in the bridge networks, the controllers act to cause bridge balance by collectively supplying current to the common resistor to effect a balance and to thus control the system parameter in accordance with the middle valued of the three feedback signals.

Abstract: A resistance bridge is temperature-compensated to provide acceptable values of sensitivity error and zero input error, by using a temperature-responsive current source from which are derived voltages which modify the bridge supply voltage and the bridge output voltage respectively. The output voltage is also modified to provide an acceptable sensitivity error by means of resistors in a circuit between output connections of the bridge and an output connection of the arrangement as a whole.

Abstract: A transducer unit comprised of a pair of transducers coupled together in a manner such that the offsets, drifts and the like of the circuit elements of one transducer are opposed by and cancelled out by the circuit elements of the other transducer. The transducers can be in the form of Wheatstone bridges and each of the branches of the bridge contains a circuit element of each transducer, respectively, the circuit elements of the branches of the transducer unit being in opposition to each other so as to cancel out the effects due to temperature, acceleration, aging and the like.

Abstract: A temperature-compensating voltage generator circuit for compensating the temperature characteristics of an electric device whose electrical characteristics vary in accordance with a change of the ambient temperature and can be changed or controlled by a control voltage. The temperature-compensating voltage generator circuit includes: a temperature-sensing device for generating an electric signal whose voltage level varies in accordance with a temperature change, and a discriminating device for discriminating the electric signal by using a predetermined reference voltage for generating output signals in accordance with the voltage level of the electric signal.

Abstract: A circuit for linearizing the output of a differential pressure transducer includes first and second operational amplifiers. Each amplifier is associated with threshold devices as diodes so that one amplifier will be active for one condition of output polarity while the other amplifier will be active for the other condition of output polarity. The output of the amplifiers are connected to a common terminal which provides a compensating biasing voltage to the transducer. The voltage varies in a "V" shaped characteristic to enable one to achieve a linear output voltage from the transducer for both positive and negative pressure differences.

Abstract: A pyrotechnic device (UUT) is automatically tested for thermal response cacteristics using an automatically balanced Wheatstone bridge. One branch of the bridge is a series of relay connected resistances which are selectively connected to coursely balance the bridge using a voltage developed across the UUT. An FET in series with the series of resistances, in response to the bridge null currents, finely balances the bridge. A low constant current pulse is used to generate a voltage across the UUT and to balance the bridge. A second high constant current pulse is used to measure the transient thermal response of the UUT. The transient test current pulses are generated automatically or manually and whose amplitude and repetition rate are manually set. The pulses are generated by a D/A converter whose output is fed to a constant current generator coupled to a manually settable resistance range for setting the value of the high current transient test pulse amplitude.