Abstract: Voltage regulation schemes for powering multiple circuit blocks are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a front end system includes a reference voltage circuit that receives power from a power supply voltage and generates a reference voltage, a group of circuit blocks each selectively enabled by a corresponding one of a group of enable signals, and a programmable voltage regulator that generates a programmable regulated voltage based on the reference voltage and provides the programmable regulated voltage to the circuit blocks. The programmable regulated voltage has a voltage level that changes based on a selection of the circuit blocks that are enabled by the enable signals.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring at least one property of a fluid comprises a capacitive fluid sensor (110) comprising a first electrode (111) and a second electrode (112) with a sensing region (113) between the electrodes. The apparatus comprises an alternating signal source (120) configured to apply an alternating drive signal to the capacitive fluid sensor (110). The apparatus comprises a processing apparatus (200) configured to receive a sense signal from the capacitive fluid sensor (110) and the alternating drive signal. The processing apparatus (200) is configured to: determine a complex difference signal comprising an in-phase difference component between the drive signal and the sense signal and a quadrature difference component between the drive signal and the sense signal; determine the at least one property of the fluid based on both the in-phase phase difference component and the quadrature difference component of the difference signal.

Abstract: Hybrid-coding, multi-cell architecture and operating techniques for step devices provide advantages over binary-coded and thermometer-coded step devices by minimizing or avoiding glitches common in the transient response of binary-coded step devices and by minimizing or avoiding significant increases or degradation in one or more of area, package dimensions, pin counts, power consumption, insertion loss and parasitic capacitance common to thermometer-coded step devices having equivalent range and resolution.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protection device that can more surely protect an electronic or an electric apparatus even when an inrush current value is large and its magnitude has large dispersion, and that has a recovery property. The protection device of the present invention includes a PTC component; a resistive component; and a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal, the PTC component, the resistive component, and the second terminal are electrically connected in series in this order.

Abstract: An attenuation cell is provided for use in a switched attenuator. The attenuation cell includes an attenuation path that has an input, a first switch, a resistive network, a second switch, and an output. The resistive network provides a desired attenuation from the input to the output. The attenuation cell also includes a bypass path in parallel with the attenuation path with a bypass switch between the input and the output. The attenuation cell also has a shunt switch coupled between the resistive network and a reference node to selectively connect the resistive network to the reference node.

Abstract: An exemplary voltage sensor device includes at least one high voltage segment and at least one low voltage impedance element. In order to enhance the power dissipation due to impedances spread inside of the device body, the sensor device can be adapted or extended such that at least one high voltage segment, and at least one low voltage impedance element are arranged on an elongated insulating support with adaptive complementary mechanical and electrical interconnection elements on at least one end of the support element. The mechanical and electrical interconnection elements provide a manner of interconnecting at least two elongated insulating supports together in a pivotable way.

Abstract: A low power radio frequency envelope detector includes a charging transistor for controlling the charge supplied to an output capacitor. A first input capacitor couples an input signal to a gate of the charging transistor. A second input capacitor couples a first polarity of the input signal to a first diode such that the first diode is operable to couple charge to the first input capacitor and to the gate of the charging transistor in response to a positive excursion of the first polarity of the input signal. A third input capacitor couples a second polarity of the input signal to a second diode coupled in series with the first diode. The first and second diodes are operable to couple charge to the first input capacitor and to the gate of the charging transistor in response to a positive excursion of the first polarity of the input signal.

Abstract: Multi-state radio frequency (RF) attenuator configurations that include bridged-T type, pi-type, and T-type structures each having a programmable throughput section and a coupled programmable shunt section. The throughput sections and shunt sections may be configured in various combinations of parallel and serial fixed or selectable resistance elements such that multiple resistance states and impedance matching states can be programmatically selected, and may include stacked switch elements to withstand applied voltages to a specified design level.

Abstract: A variable voltage generation circuit includes an amplifier, a P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor, at least one variable resistor, and a lower resistor. Each variable resistor includes M resistors and M switches. An ith switch of the M switches has a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of the variable resistor, and a second terminal. An ith resistor has a first terminal coupled to the second terminal of the ith switch, and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of an (i+1)th resistor, where 2?M, 1?i?M, and i and M are natural numbers. Therefore, the variable voltage generation circuit outputs at least one variable voltage according to a reference voltage, the at least one variable resistor, and the lower resistor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistive voltage divider comprising a plurality n of resistive elements in a configuration wherein the angles m=n?1 between each pair of elements are between 180° and 10°, characterized in that the group of elements is supported by a dielectric the shape of which is such that it allows the creepage distance of the divider to be equal to or longer than the sum of creepage distances of the individual resistances. This arrangement allows a correct insulation of the device because it maintains the outer insulation since in the event of short-circuit the current will flow through the resistances and not through the support.

Abstract: An inverter system includes inverting circuitry for inverting an input DC signal into a square wave or quasi-square wave AC signal across a resistance, and a controller for causing the inverting circuitry to invert the input DC signal into the AC signal. The DC signal is a DC voltage having a value that ranges from 24-32 volts DC. The AC signal is an AC voltage having a value that ranges from 115-230 volts AC RMS.

Abstract: For thermal compensation for an intrinsic element in a system, a circuit and method are proposed to predict the temperature variation caused by power loss of the intrinsic element, in addition to sense the external environment temperature variation of the intrinsic element, and thus sense the operational temperature of the intrinsic element more precisely.

Abstract: A driving voltage adjusting circuit includes a digital rheostat, a control chip, a low dropout regulating circuit, and a driving circuit. The control chip is connected with the digital rheostat, and configured for adjusting the resistance of the digital rheostat. The low dropout regulating circuit is connected with the digital rheostat and outputs an output voltage according to the resistance of the digital rheostat. The driving circuit comprising a number of switch elements connected with each other and a driver configured for driving the switch elements, each of the switch elements comprising a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal configured for controlling connection and disconnection of the first terminal and the second terminal; the first terminal and the second terminal connected with the control chip, the driver is connected with the low dropout regulating circuit and output an driving voltage to the control terminal.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a USB port and a voltage dividing circuit. The USB port includes a power pin and a ground pin, the power pin is connected to a voltage port. The voltage dividing circuit is connected between the voltage port and ground and is used to divide a voltage of the voltage port to a division voltage proportional to the voltage of the voltage port. The voltage dividing circuit is also connected to the ground pin of the USB port and provides the division voltage to the ground pin.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring circuit includes a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) resistor, a zener diode, an alarm, a silicon controlled rectifier. A first terminal of the NTC resistor is connected to a power supply through a first resistor. A second terminal of the NTC resistor is grounded. A cathode of the zener diode is connected to a node between the NTC resistor and the first resistor. An anode is grounded through a second resistor. A first terminal of the alarm is connected to the cathode of the zener diode, and is grounded through a third and fourth resistors in series. A cathode of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected to the anode of the zener diode. An anode of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected to a second terminal of the alarm. A control terminal of the silicon controlled rectifier is connected to a node between the third and fourth resistors.

Abstract: A system, method and circuit for providing constant current to an LED array are described herein. These include a resistor coupled to the LED array and a thermistor coupled to the LED array and the resistor. The resistor and the thermistor limit the current at a given temperature and compensate for the forward voltage shift of the LED array as a function of temperature. The system, method and integrated circuit may also include a fuse coupled to the thermistor. The fuse allows the system to continue to operate if a single LED within the LED array fails to short-circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a resistive voltage divider comprising a plurality n of resistive elements in a configuration wherein the angles m=n?1 between each pair of elements are between 180° and 10°, characterized in that the group of elements is supported by a dielectric the shape of which is such that it allows the creepage distance of the divider to be equal to or longer than the sum of creepage distances of the individual resistances. This arrangement allows a correct insulation of the device because it maintains the outer insulation since in the event of short-circuit the current will flow through the resistances and not through the support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for charging a battery includes a battery to be charged, a power delivery path configured for delivering power to the battery, and an integrated switching battery charger configured for charging a battery by delivering output power to the battery via the power delivery path based on input power from an input power source. The integrated switching battery charger includes an output voltage regulation loop and an input voltage regulation loop, both of which are configured to control the output current flowing out of the integrated switching battery charger to the battery. The input or output voltage regulation loops are further enhanced by adding a current source which is proportional to absolute temperature from the regulated voltage to the control voltage for the purpose of either regulating peak power from the source or to maximize energy storage in the battery as a function of temperature.

Abstract: A highly accurate voltage reference and temperature sensor circuit requires only several low-cost components in addition to a general-purpose microcontroller with an analog-to-digital converter. Unlike known circuits, the circuit disclosed does not rely on matching between a pair of semiconductor devices, as only a single semiconductor junction is used. All of the signal processing may be performed digitally.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip in which an internal circuit is formed, with the internal circuit having an output signal that fluctuates due to variation of fluctuation in electrical characteristics of multiple circuit elements constituting the internal circuit; a chip tab on which the semiconductor chip is mounted, with the semiconductor chip completely overlapping the chip tab and the circuit elements in the semiconductor chip arranged on the chip tab, and encapsulation resin within which the semiconductor chip and the chip tab are sealed. A horizontal surface area of the chip tab is smaller than that of the semiconductor chip, and a distance between a periphery of the chip tab and a periphery of the semiconductor chip is sufficient to cause stress exerted on the semiconductor chip by the encapsulation resin to be uniform across the horizontal surface area of the chip tab.

Abstract: An electric circuit connected to a thermal switch with three terminals and a method for connecting the switch are realized. In an electric circuit 40 of a common power supply, an external connection wire 27 (first terminal 8) of a thermal switch 10 arranged close to a current limiting resistor 39 is connected to a load side (rectifier circuit 35), the current limiting resistor 39 is connected between the external connection wire 27 (first terminal 8) and an external connection wire 28 (second terminal 21), and an external connection wire 29 (third terminal 22) is connected to the output side of a power supply switch 32. Thus, the current limiting resistor 39 is connected and arranged to an internal resistor unit 18 of the thermal switch 10 in series and to a switch unit 38 (contact) in parallel.

Abstract: A voltage generation circuit includes: a resistor circuit which includes a plurality of resistors connected to each other in series or in parallel; a plurality of input ports which are connected in parallel to the resistor circuit and to which a control signal for controlling a potential state of the input port to one of a high state, a low state, and an open state is input; and an output port which is connected to the resistor circuit and outputs voltage signals with voltage values corresponding to combinations of the potential states of the plurality of input ports.

Abstract: A voltage-converter and a signal processing circuit are disclosed. A voltmeter, a power meter and a three-phase meter each including the voltage-converter and the signal processing circuit are disclosed. Methods of making the voltage-converters, voltmeters, three phase meters and power meters, as well as operating and/or using these apparatus are disclosed. Apparatus including feedback paths with at least one voltage-converters, voltmeters, three-phase meters and/or power meters are disclosed.

Abstract: A power-supply-voltage detecting circuit in an embodiment includes a compensation circuit and a switching element which controls ON-and-OFF of the signal output of the signal circuit. The compensation circuit has a positive temperature coefficient to balance out the negative temperature coefficient that the switching element has.

Abstract: A power supply device for intrinsically safe power supply of an intrinsically safe load circuit includes a voltage source, a power-limiting circuit including at least two controllable semiconductor devices, a current-limiting circuit including at least one resistor, and a load circuit connector connected to the load circuit. The power-limiting circuit and the current-limiting circuit are active between the voltage source and the load circuit connector. The resistor includes a resistance value that suffices to limit a short circuit current to a current without danger of a spark ignition.

Abstract: Switching mode power supplies (SMPS) and control methods used thereof are disclosed. An exemplifying SMPS is coupled to control an inductive device. The SMPS comprises a voltage divider and a peak controller. The voltage divider comprises a resistor and a controllable resistor connected in series through a connection node. The resistance of the controllable resistor is variable, controlled by a control signal. The voltage divider generates a limiting signal at the connection node based on a line voltage at a line voltage power node. The peak controller controls a peak current flowing through the inductive device according to the limiting signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a driving-voltage generating circuit including a diode-connected rectifying element and a resistor element as a voltage generating source, one end of which is connected to one end of the rectifying element and the other end of which is connected to a ground potential, wherein a voltage generated by the resistor element is output to the other end of the rectifying element as a driving voltage.

Abstract: An adaptive power converter controller coupled to a load and a power converter circuit is provided. The adaptive power converter controller has an adaptive voltage sensing unit and a converting control circuit. The adaptive voltage sensing unit is coupled to the load and output a voltage sensing signal according to a load current and a load voltage from the load. The converting control circuit is utilized for receiving the voltage sensing signal and comparing the voltage level of the voltage sensing signal with a current sensing signal, which is corresponding solely to the load current, so as to decide whether the power converter circuit is controlled according to the voltage sensing signal or the current sensing signal.

Abstract: In an aircraft windshield defogging/deicing system, a pair of transparent sheets maintained in spaced facing relation by a transparent interlayer have a resistive coating positioned between the transparent sheets. An inverter is provided for applying to the resistive coating a square wave or quasi-square wave AC signal. In response to receiving this AC signal, the resistive coating generates heat, which reduces or avoids the accumulation of moisture or ice on the aircraft windshield.

Abstract: A method of improving voltage detection accuracy and precision by employing a switchable resistor epi bias design, which consists of switches to control connection of resistor epi bias. By constantly maintaining the resistor epi bias to its own resistor terminal bias via switches, higher accuracy detection than conventional resistor bias method can be achieved.

Abstract: A reference voltage generation circuit includes a gamma correction resistor circuit which outputs reference voltages generated by resistively dividing voltages of two opposite ends of a resistor circuit to resistive division nodes, and high-potential-side-voltage and low-potential side-voltage supply circuits which supply a high-potential-side voltage and a low-potential-side voltage to the two opposite ends, respectively. The high-potential-side-voltage and low-potential side-voltage supply circuits supply the high-potential-side voltage and the low-potential-side voltage to the two opposite ends, respectively, by switching the high-potential-side voltage and the low-potential-side voltage for each of color components which faun one pixel, the high-potential-side voltage and the low-potential-side voltage being provided for each of the color components.

Abstract: Provided is a semiconductor apparatus including a divided voltage generation circuit that includes a first resistor element and a first transistor connected in series between a first power supply and a second power supply and generates a divided voltage by dividing a voltage difference between the first power supply and the second power supply with a resistance ratio of the first resistor element and the first transistor specified according to a level of a first current flowing to the first transistor, and a current control circuit that includes a second transistor that is connected in a mirror configuration to the first transistor and determines the level of the first current by a control current flowing from a first terminal to a second terminal, and increases and decreases the control current according to an increase and decrease in a voltage difference between the first power supply and a ground power supply.

Abstract: A control circuit, applicable to a voltage regulator including a power switch. The control circuit includes a variable resistance generating unit and a detecting circuit. The variable resistance generating unit provides a variable resistor with resistance that varies over time. A reference current representing the current flowing through the power switch flows through the resistor to generate a first feedback voltage. The detecting circuit reduces the conduction of the power switch when the first feedback voltage is detected as being equal to or exceeding a predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: In one embodiment, harmful solar cell polarization is prevented or minimized by providing a conductive path that bleeds charge from a front side of a solar cell to the bulk of a wafer. The conductive path may include patterned holes in a dielectric passivation layer, a conductive anti-reflective coating, or layers of conductive material formed on the top or bottom surface of an anti-reflective coating, for example. Harmful solar cell polarization may also be prevented by biasing a region of a solar cell module on the front side of the solar cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable-electric-power self-regulating cable exhibiting PTC behaviour, to a specific connector therefor, to a device comprising said cable and said connector, and to the use of said device to generate variable electric power using a single cable.

Abstract: A method for signal strength detection begins by comparing a signal strength representation of a signal with a signal strength representation of a reference signal. The method continues by adjusting, when the signal strength representation of the signal compares unfavorably with the signal strength representation of the reference signal, at least one of the signal strength representation of the signal and the signal strength representation of the reference signal until the signal strength representation of the signal compares favorably with the signal strength representation of the reference signal. The method continues by determining signal strength of the signal based on the adjusting of the signal strength representation of the signal and signal strength of the reference signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for temperature limitation according to the current and/or voltage, for an actuating device (10) associated with an electric motor (M), especially a fan regulator (12) of a motor vehicle, the temperature limitation being carried out according to at least one operating parameter of the motor (M). The invention also relates to a corresponding device (1) and a fan regulator (12).

Abstract: A voltage reference containing a programmable resistance portion at an output node at which an output reference voltage is provided. The desired magnitude of the programmable portion which provides optimum matching of an output resistance of the voltage reference and a series resistance of an output capacitor of the voltage reference is determined and hard-programmed. As a result, the output voltage of the voltage reference is provided with improved linearity. In an embodiment, the determination of the magnitude of the programmable portion is performed by providing an input to an analog to digital converter (ADC) with the voltage reference driving the ADC. The resistance setting corresponding to the third harmonic being less than a desired threshold is then hard-programmed. In an alternative embodiment, the programmable portion is set to specific resistance dynamically during operation.

Abstract: A potentiometer network includes a first main terminal, a second main terminal, a plurality of resistive elements connected in parallel between the first main terminal and the second main terminal, and means for embedding calibration of said resistive elements in said potentiometer network.

Abstract: A programmable voltage generator has software-programmable registers that may be decoded to generate control bits that turn on select transistors that control a variable resistor network. An external power voltage is input to a regulator transistor, which has a channel resistance controlled by a gate voltage. The channel resistance of the regulator transistor produces a regulated voltage as an output. An op amp compares a reference voltage to a feedback voltage to generate the gate voltage. The feedback voltage is taken from a tap within the variable resistor network. The variable resistor network has select transistors that select one resistor between the regulated voltage and an upper node, and that select one resistor between a lower node and ground. Switches select a tap within a series of resistors between the upper and lower nodes. Y (fine) control bits select the tap while X (coarse) control bits enable select transistors.

Abstract: An AC electrical power dividing circuit includes a hot line, a neutral line, a ground line, two output ports, a first voltage-dividing module, a second voltage-dividing module, a first sampling resistor, and a second sampling resistor. The hot line is coupled to the ground line via the first voltage-dividing module and the first sampling resistor in turn. The neutral line is coupled to the ground line via the second voltage-dividing module and the second sampling resistor in turn. One of the output ports is connected to a node between the first voltage-dividing module and the first sampling resistor. Another one of the output ports is connected to a node between the second voltage-dividing module and the second sampling resistor. The AC electrical power dividing circuit supplies adjustable AC power to an AC electrical device from a 110 V or a 220V power source.

Abstract: In a drive unit for use with a matrix type display, a buffer circuit of the power supply circuit of the drive unit has an high-voltage first output circuit and a low-voltage second output circuit for generating the same output voltage under a normal operating condition, wherein the high-voltage output circuit has enhanced capability of providing output current to bring up the output voltage and the low-voltage output circuit has enhanced capability of providing output current to bring down the output voltage. A voltage detected at a node connected to the output end of the buffer circuit is compared with a bias voltage. Based on the comparison, the outputs of the first and second output circuits are switched over from one to the other as it is supplied to the display.

Abstract: The control precision of one or more parameters of an integrated circuit (IC), for example the output voltage of a voltage regulator comprised in the IC, may be improved even when using inaccurate components external to the IC. Control of the output voltage, or any parameter, using components external to the IC may include coupling a resistor to the IC and measuring the actual resistance value of the resistor, and based on the measured value, selecting a nominal resistance value from a set of resistance values previously specified by the user. The output voltage, or parameter, may be generated according to the nominal resistance value instead of the actual resistance value, thereby reducing the error that may be incurred due the actual resistance value of the resistor not matching the expected nominal value of the resistor.

Abstract: Provided is a digitally-controlled linear regulator having noise-shaped component selection. The digitally-controlled linear regulator has a regulated-voltage sensor, a comparator module, a quantization module, and an impedance switching network. The regulated-voltage sensor is operably coupled to sense an output voltage of the digitally-controlled linear regulator to produce a sensed output voltage. The comparator module is operably coupled to compare the sensed output voltage with a reference voltage at a predetermined clock rate to produce a digital regulation signal. The quantization module is operably coupled to quantize the digital regulation signal to produce a quantized regulation signal. The impedance switching network is operably coupled to convert a source voltage into the output voltage of the digitally-controlled linear regulator based on the quantized regulation signal.

Abstract: An impedance network, which includes at least one end terminal, a wiper terminal, a center impedance element, and a first plurality of impedance elements. The wiper terminal provides a tap position at a selected impedance value of the impedance network, selectable at a specified increment value. The first plurality of impedance elements is configured to reduce resistance variation during switching from one tap position to another tap position. The first plurality of impedance element is connected in series in a mirrored configuration about the center impedance element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing an impedance of a power supply path of an integrated circuit is provided. The power supply path includes a first power supply line and a second power supply line to provide power to the integrated circuit. At least one resistive element connected between the first power supply line and the second power supply line is adjusted to reduce the impedance of the power supply path.

Abstract: An electronic nicrowave circuit (1) with field effect transistors which are integrated on at least one semiconductor chip (2), has a light source (3), which radiates the field effect transistors with light and possesses a housing (6) which encloses in a microwave excluding manner the said semiconductor chip (2) and the light source (3) or a light conducting means (8) connected with the light source (3).

Abstract: A circuit regulates the flow of current to a bank of light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit is sensitive to ambient temperature and increases the voltage at the LEDs in the circuit. Consequently, the current flow to the LEDs will increase when the ambient temperature increases and the LEDs would, with a fixed current, begin to lose brightness. Consequently, the circuit allows LEDs to be used as lighting in applications, such as vehicle turn or brake signals, that experience wide ambient temperature variation but require that the LEDs remain sufficiently bright despite the temperature increases.

Abstract: Disclosed are solid-state potentiometers having high resolution and high accuracy. An exemplary potentiometer comprises a first main terminal, a second main terminal, a wiper terminal, and a resistor stack comprising a plurality M of resistors coupled in series to one another at a plurality of M−1 internal nodes. Each of the resistors in the stack has substantially the same value of RS ohms. The potentiometer further comprises a first variable resistance network coupled between one end of the resistor stack and the potentiometer's first main terminal, and a second variable resistance network coupled between the other end of the resistor stack and the potentiometer's second main terminal. The first variable resistance network has a variable resistance value R1 which varies between zero ohms and RP ohms. The second variable resistance network has a variable resistance value R2 which is maintained substantially at value of (RP−R1).

Abstract: A power supply device for driving liquid crystal which generates four liquid crystal drive voltages V1 and V4 between first and second reference voltages, the power supply device comprising: a voltage division circuit 102 which divides a voltage between voltages between voltages V1 and V5 and generates four pairs of first voltages NV1 to NV4 and second voltages PV1 to PV4; and four impedance conversion circuits 103 and 104 which generate impedance converted liquid crystal drive voltages V1 to V4 based on the four pairs of the first and second voltages. Each impedance conversion circuit comprises voltage follower type of differential amplifier circuits 120 and 110 to which a pair of the first and second voltages is input, and an output circuit 130 which is driven by the differential amplification circuits. The N-type transistor 134 and P-type transistor 132 in the output circuit are independently driven by the first and second output voltages VN, VP from the differential amplification circuits 120 and 110.