Abstract: A power supply circuit in an embodiment includes a series circuit of a first resistor and a second transistor, the series circuit being connected in parallel to a first transistor between an input terminal and an output terminal, a third transistor configured to output an electric current corresponding to an electric current flowing to the first resistor, a third resistor configured to generate a voltage corresponding to the electric current, and a second operational amplifier configured to output a signal corresponding to a voltage difference between the voltage and a reference voltage to a gate of the first transistor and a gate of the second transistor.

Abstract: A sectioned field effect transistor (“FET”) for implementing a rapidly changing sense range ratio dynamically in response to changing load and main supply conditions. The sectioned FET may have multiple main FET sections, and multiple sense FET sections. These sections can be dynamically connected and disconnected from the sectioned FET. The sections may also be connected by a common gate. There may also be common drain or source connections for the main FET sections, and also common drain or source connections for the sense FET sections. The sectioned FET allows for the sense range to be extended by a multiple of k+1, where k is the size ratio or factor of the additional sense FET sections. This allows the current sense range ratio to be extended to (m+n)/n*(k+1).

Abstract: The present specification discloses a dialysis system having a reservoir module with a reservoir housing defining an internal space, a surface located within the internal space for supporting a container that contains dialysate, and a conductivity sensor located within the internal space, where the conductivity sensor has a coil, a capacitor in electrical communication with the coil, and an energy source in electrical communication with the circuit.

Abstract: SPADs detect photons of a return light pulse and output corresponding pulse signals. First and second counters, when enabled in response to phase measurement value, are configured to count the pulse signals. The phase measurement value is set for a subsequent iteration of the return light pulse in response to processing of first and second count values of the first and second counters, respectively, for a current iteration. If the first count value exceeds the second count value by more than a difference threshold limit, the phase measurement value is decremented for the subsequent iteration. Otherwise, the phase measurement value is incremented for the subsequent iteration. If the difference threshold limit is not satisfied, the phase measurement value may be maintained for the subsequent iteration, but one of the counters is preloaded for the subsequent iteration with a value equal to a magnitude of the difference between the count values.

Abstract: An electrical discharge testing system for detecting electrical discharge rate failure in an electrical-based tire defect tester. The electrical discharge testing system generally includes a probe which is connected to a power source such that the probe periodically discharges electricity for the purpose of testing a tire for defects. A sensor detects each electrical discharge of the probe. To ensure that the probe is discharging at an appropriate rate for efficient coverage of the tire, a timer is preset to a threshold period of time between electrical discharges. The timer is reset each time an electrical discharge from the probe is detected by the sensor. If the timer reaches zero before a subsequent electrical discharge after a reset, an indicator is activated to indicate a fault in the tire defect tester.

Abstract: Embodiments provide stakeholder market simulator systems and methods for verifying optimal utilization of stakeholder resources in an energy delivery system. Embodiments include obtaining initial resource schedules and prices for a stakeholder's resources using a set of input data regarding the stakeholder's resources; creating a model incorporating constraints describing the stakeholder's resources based on the input data; executing an optimization of an objective function for the stakeholder's resources subject to the determined constraints to determine optimal prices and schedules for the stakeholder's resources; and verifying the optimization by comparing the determined optimal prices and schedules for the stakeholder's resources against published prices and schedules from an independent system operator. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: A partial discharge detection board includes a voltage divider configured to attenuate a voltage of a reflected signal. A buffer is connected to the voltage divider. The buffer attenuates frequencies of the reflected signal that are greater than an upper cutoff frequency. An analog-to-digital converter is connected to the buffer. The analog-to-digital converter receives portions of the reflected signal up to the upper cutoff frequency, and the analog-to-digital converter converts the reflected signal from an analog domain to a digital domain. A filter is connected to the analog-to-digital converter. The filter attenuates frequencies of the reflected signal that are less than a lower cutoff frequency. A comparator is connected to the filter. The comparator compares the voltage of the reflected signal to a reference voltage. A counter is connected to the comparator. The counter increments when the voltage of the reflected signal is greater than the reference voltage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a punched part for producing an electrical resistor, in particular a current measuring resistor, comprising a resistor element (9) consisting of a low-resistance resistive material (for example Manganin®) and two electrical connection parts (10, 11) consisting of a conductor material (for example copper), wherein the resistor element (9) is arranged between the two electrical connection parts (10, 11) in the direction of current flow in such a way that the electrical current flows through the resistor element (9). In accordance with the invention, the punched part additionally has a landing area (14) for providing an integrated circuit (16) on the landing area (14) of the punched part. Furthermore, the invention comprises a current sensor comprising such a punched part and a corresponding production method.

Abstract: An data transmission method is provided for transmitting analog data through an isolating device using a calibration input pulse and a data input pulse. The analog data may represent, for example, the desired dimming value for a flyback converter powering a solid state lighting system.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and integrated circuit for broad-range current measurement using duty cycling are disclosed. Embodiments of an apparatus for sensing current through a transistor device may include an interface configured to receive a current from the transistor device for sensing. Additionally, embodiments may include a sensor component coupled to the interface and configured to receive the current from the transistor device and to generate a responsive sensor voltage. Embodiments may also include a sense control circuit configured to control a duty cycle of the sensor component.

Abstract: Congruent power and timing signals in a single electronic device. In an embodiment, a circuit may include just one isolation transformer operable to generate a power signal and a timing signal. On the secondary side, two branches may extract both a power signal and a clock signal for use in the circuit on the isolated secondary side. The first branch may be coupled to the transformer and operable to manipulate the signal into a power signal, such as a 5V DC signal. Likewise, the second circuit branch is operable to manipulate the signal into a clock signal, such as a 5 V signal with a frequency of 1 MHz. By extracting both a power supply signal and a clock signal from the same isolation transformer on the secondary side, valuable space may be saved on an integrated circuit device with only having a single winding for a single isolation transformer.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a dialysis system having a reservoir module with a reservoir housing defining an internal space, a surface located within the internal space for supporting a container that contains dialysate, and a conductivity sensor located within the internal space, where the conductivity sensor has a coil, a capacitor in electrical communication with the coil, and an energy source in electrical communication with the circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and integrated circuit for broad-range current measurement using variable resistance are disclosed. Embodiments of an apparatus for sensing current through a transistor device may include an interface configured to receive a current from the transistor device for sensing. In an embodiment, the apparatus may also include a sensor component coupled to the interface and configured to receive the current from the transistor device and to generate a responsive sensor voltage, the sensor component comprising an adjustable resistance component, a resistance value of the adjustable resistance component being selectable in response to a level of the current received at the interface.

Abstract: In an isolation system, different analog to digital converters (“ADCs”) are provided on a first side of an isolation barrier. Outputs from the ADCs may be merged into a common data stream and communicated across the isolation barrier by a single isolation device. The ADCs may sample independent signals or may sample a common signal. When the ADCs sample a common signal, the system may monitor the input signal for fault conditions. During no fault operation, results of an analog-to-digital conversion may be communicated across an isolation barrier by an isolation device. During a fault condition, data representing the fault condition may replace the ADC data in communication across the isolation barrier. Fault conditions may be signaled by unique data patterns that can be distinguished from ADC data.

Abstract: A current transformer includes capacitive phase angle error correction in the secondary circuit boosted by an isolating impedance. Temperature compensation for the phase error correction and amplitude correction is also provided.

Abstract: A system for power measurement in an electronic device includes a sensing unit, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a controller. The sensing unit senses voltage across a power source and modulates a carrier signal based on the sensed voltage. The ADC converts a combination of the modulated carrier signal and audio signals received by the electronic device to generate a digitized combined signal and provides the digitized combined signal to the controller. The controller separates digitized modulated carrier signal and digitized audio signals. The digitized modulated carrier signal is demodulated to generate an output signal that provides a measure of the power consumed by the electronic device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic motor vehicle control system having at least one valve actuating circuit which controls a load current by means of pulse width modulation. The actuating circuit has at least one electronic current measuring circuit which has at least one measurement path with at least one analog/digital converter. The analog/digital converts an analog measurement signal of the load current into a digital measurement signal of the load current and is actuated or designed in such a way as to carry out a plurality of current measurements per PWM period. The at least one measurement path of the current measurement circuit has a signal conservation circuit which provides the analog measurement signal of the load current substantially unchanged, and independent of the actual load current, for at least a defined hold time (toff->on, ton->off).

Abstract: In a position detection device, an amplitude modulation is executed for AC excitation signals Sc using modulation wave signals. Differential amplifiers execute a voltage conversion of the modulated wave signal Sin, Cos to digital data SIN, COS and transmit them to a microcomputer. The microcomputer multiplies the modulated wave signals SIN, COS with parameters cos ?, sin ?, and executes a subtraction of the multiplied value to obtain an error-correlation value ?. An angle calculations section in the microcomputer receives a detected value ?c obtained by multiplying the error-correlation value ? with a binary detection signal Rd. The binary detection signal Rd corresponds to a positive sign or a negative sign of the signal Sc. It is adjusted that the sampling number of samples of the signal Rd corresponding to a positive value is equal to that corresponding to a negative value during one period of the signal Sc.

Abstract: A method for generating electromagnetic waves in the ELF/ULF comprising the steps of using a ground-based Horizontal Electric Dipole (HED) antenna to send electromagnetic pulses upwardly in the E-region of the ionosphere to form an oscillatory or pulsed electric field; allowing said pulsed electric field to interact with magnetized plasma of the lower ionosphere to generate a pulsed horizontal and vertical current which have associated Horizontal and Vertical Electric Dipole moment; and allowing them to radiate.

Abstract: A magnetic package for a communication system is disclosed the package comprises a plurality of transformers, wherein each transformer comprises a differential transformer. Each differential transformer comprises at least 2 sets of three pins. Each transformer is coupled to a twisted pair channel and a transceiver. The magnetic package includes at least one common mode transformer coupled to at least one of the transformers, wherein the at least one common mode transformer includes at least three pins. The at least three pins for the at least one common mode transformer are in a position relative to the other pins such that the package size is minimized.

Abstract: An electronic circuit (100) for use in a wireless receiver (1720). The circuit (100) includes an audio demodulator (15), an audio envelope portion (35) operable to deliver an audio envelope signal, a high pass filter (38) coupled between the audio demodulator (15) and the audio envelope portion (35), a volume control (25) fed by the audio demodulator (15) and operable to provide a controllable audio signal output, and a controller (45) responsive to the audio envelope portion (35) to provide an attenuation control to the volume control (25). Other circuits, receivers, processes of operation, processes of manufacture, and processes of testing are disclosed.

Abstract: A quadrature modulator (QM) may be calibrated by determining total equivalent offsets in the I- and Q-channels, a total equivalent gain imbalance between the I- and Q-channels, and a total equivalent phase skew between the I- and Q-channels. These values may be obtained by taking various scalar measurements of the image to signal ratio (ISR) and carrier to signal ratio (CSR) of the QM, while alternatively altering the system gain imbalance, system phase skew, I-channel offset and Q-channel offset using a respective gain parameter, phase parameter, I-channel offset parameter, and Q-channel parameter. The gain and phase parameters may be defined in terms of the ISR, and the channel offset parameters may be defined in terms of the CSR. The system gain imbalance, system phase skew, and total offset in the channels may then be calculated based on the various ISR and CSR measurements.

Abstract: A sampling module, for sampling one or more analog characteristics of a power transmission system, including at least one input circuit for sampling a respective analog characteristic. Each input circuit includes: a scaling circuit for reducing the magnitude of the analog characteristic to a desired level; an isolating circuit for creating an electrical barrier between respective upstream and downstream portions of the input circuit; and an analog to digital converter for digitizing the analog characteristic to produce a digital data stream. The scaling circuit is electrically connected to an input of the analog to digital converter, and the isolating circuit is electrically connected directly to an output thereof.

Abstract: A method of measuring the frequency of a received signal comprising the steps of: generating a first phase signal by digitising the phase of the received signal; delaying the first phase signal by a predetermined amount to generate a second phase signal; calculating a phase difference between the first and the second phase signals; and calculating the frequency of the input signal from the phase difference.

Abstract: A sampling module, for sampling one or more analog characteristics of a power transmission system, including at least one input circuit for sampling a respective analog characteristic. Each input circuit includes: a scaling circuit for reducing the magnitude of the analog characteristic to a desired level; an isolating circuit for creating an electrical barrier between respective upstream and downstream portions of the input circuit; and an analog to digital converter for digitizing the analog characteristic to produce a digital data stream. The scaling circuit is electrically connected to an input of the analog to digital converter, and the isolating circuit is electrically connected directly to an output thereof.

Abstract: Power supplies are disclosed herein. One embodiment of a power supply comprises a first input and a second input, wherein the first input and the second input are connectable to a pulse width modulation controller and wherein a pulse width modulation signal is outputable from the pulse width modulation controller. A power stage connected to the first input and the second input. A first comparator having a first comparator first input is connected to the first input and a first comparator second input connected to the output of the power stage. A change of voltage at the output of the first comparator constitutes a difference in phase between the first input and the output of the power stage.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an information signal across an isolation barrier comprises receiving an input signal, preconditioning the input signal according to a modulation function, passing the preconditioned signal through the isolation barrier, and recovering the passed signal according to a demodulation function corresponding to the modulation function, the recovered signal being operative as a feedback signal.

Abstract: An energy measurement system including a radio frequency (“RF”) device powered by a solar panel. The RF device comprising a wireless communication port operative to transmit and receive communication over a wireless network of additional RF devices. The energy measurement system able to transmit energy parameters of the RF device over the wireless network.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus employing a differential transformer includes a high-frequency oscillator which generates a high-frequency signal having a frequency higher than the excitation frequency of the differential transformer, a frequency divider which divides the high-frequency signal to generate a driving signal for the differential transformer, a multiplier or divider which reduces the frequency of the high frequency signal by the frequency of the driving signal, a mixer which mixes the output from the multiplier or the divider with the output from the differential transformer, a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter which cuts a low-frequency component of the output from the mixer, and a double balanced mixer which synchronously detects the output from the high-pass filter or the band-pass filter with the use of the high-frequency signal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided which in one embodiment includes a first sub-circuit coupled to a first power supply rail providing a first power supply voltage; a second sub-circuit coupled to a second power supply rail providing a second power supply voltage; and first power supply modulation means, coupled to the first sub-circuit, for modulating the first power supply voltage without modulating the second power supply voltage.

Abstract: A peripheral device includes a data port having high and low impedance terminations, a transmitter having a data signal generator and a receiver detector. The data signal generator is electrically coupled to the low impedance termination of the data port when in a low impedance operating mode, and to the high impedance termination when in a high impedance operating mode. The receiver detector includes a noise detector adapted to detect a presence or an absence of rail-to-rail noise at the data port when the transmitter is in the high impedance operating mode.

Abstract: A receiver detector of a peripheral device for use in a computer system to detect whether a receiver is electrically coupled to a data port of the peripheral device includes a modulator, a high pass filter, and a demodulator. The modulator is configured to modulate a receiver detect signal at a frequency that is higher than a noise frequency, below which high amplitude noise can develop. The high pass filter is electrically coupled to the receiver detect signal and is configured to block frequencies of the receiver detect signal that are below the noise frequency and pass a filtered receiver detect signal. The demodulator is configured to demodulate the filtered receiver detect signal and produce a recovered receiver detect signal that is indicative of whether a receiver is electrically coupled to the data port.

Abstract: Systems and processes for synchronous demodulation of signals in detection contexts in order to improve frequency, magnitude and/or phase response over pulsed signal methods. According to a preferred embodiment, a return signal is demodulated for the time corresponding to when its corresponding transmitting signal has been discontinued or has fallen below a certain level. Multiple transmission frequencies, transmitters, and or sensors, among other things, may be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transformer bandwidth enhancement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a transformer is provided for use in a high frequency communication environment. In one configuration, the transformer is configured with one or more compensation networks to improve high frequency operation and to reduce insertion loss at all frequencies. The compensation networks may be designed, in combination with a transformer, to create an equivalent all-pass symmetric lattice network having a frequency response in the desired range. In one embodiment, the compensation networks comprise a capacitance creating device which, when cross-connected to the transformer, increases transformer bandwidth.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for galvanically isolated voltage sensing circuit. A circuit includes a scaling device that provides a scaled signal of an input voltage to a modulator. An oscillator provides a carrier frequency to the modulator, the modulator modulating the scaled signal with the carrier frequency to produce a modulated scaled signal. An isolation transformer is coupled to an output of the modulator. The isolation transformer receives the modulated scaled signal. A demodulator is coupled to an output of the isolation transformer and demodulates the modulated scaled signal to produce an input voltage signal representative of the scaled signal.

Abstract: Various circuit configurations for use in switch assembly used in a surgical hand piece system are provided. The circuit configuration provide a number of functions such as permitting the presence and direction of conductivity to be detected. The circuit configurations also provide a way to detect and measure the degree of influence of debris which is located between the conductive members of the handpiece. In addition, the circuit configurations also provide a way to identify the type of switch end cap which is attached to the handpiece. The handpiece body and the switch mechanism are electrically connected to one another in such a manner that permits the switch end cap to be freely rotated about the handpiece body and reduces the number of conductive members needed to communicate the status of each switch.

Abstract: A receiver detector of a peripheral device for use in a computer system to detect whether a receiver is electrically coupled to a data port of the peripheral device includes a modulator, a high pass filter, and a demodulator. The modulator is configured to modulate a receiver detect signal at a frequency that is higher than a noise frequency, below which high amplitude noise can develop. The high pass filter is electrically coupled to the receiver detect signal and is configured to block frequencies of the receiver detect signal that are below the noise frequency and pass a filtered receiver detect signal. The demodulator is configured to demodulate the filtered receiver detect signal and produce a recovered receiver detect signal that is indicative of whether a receiver is electrically coupled to the data port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining differential currents in a pair of circuits. In a preferred embodiment, an excitation voltage and a tightly coupled differencing current transformer are coupled to a differential capacitance manometer to generate a differential current. This differential current is input to a low-impedance summing node of a charge amplifier that effectively integrates the differential current. A shielding structure surrounding the current transformer and amplifier is driven to the excitation voltage potential. The output of the charge amplifier is passed through a common mode transformer which is coupled to the excitation voltage source in order to remove the guard potential (corresponding to the excitation signal) from the output signal. A synchronous detector then converts the resulting signal to a DC level indicative of the differential capacitance of the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the inductance of a wire-loop with noise-cancellation, auto-calibration and wireless communication features, or detector circuit. The apparatus measures the effective change in inductance induced in a wire-loop as a vehicle passes over the wire-loop to produce an inductive signature corresponding to a vehicle.

Abstract: An envelope detector for detecting the envelope of an input signal. The envelope detector includes an inverter for inverting the input signal and two offsetting circuits for offsetting the input signal and the inverted input signal so as to align the peaks of the signals with zero volts. The two offset signals are then summed, which results in a signal proportional to the inverted envelope of the input signal.

Abstract: A current sense amplifier (10) for measuring current flowing through a sense resistor (12) coupled between first (11) and second (13) terminals, respectively, of the current sense amplifier, the current sense amplifier includes a first amplifier (18) having a first input (17) coupled by a first resistor (16) to the first terminal (11) and a second input (20) coupled by a second resistor (19) to the second terminal (13) and a bias circuit (30,24) coupled to the first input (17) of the first amplifier for causing the bias current to flow through the first resistor (16. A feedback transistor (26) is coupled to the output (22) of the first amplifier and the second input (20) of the first amplifier to cause a feedback current to equalize the voltages on the first (17) and second (20) inputs of the first amplifier and supply the feedback current to an output terminal (36) of the current sense amplifier (10).

Abstract: An apparatus using a resonator probe for determining an electronic property of a conductor across a dielectric. The apparatus has a device for inducing lateral mechanical oscillations of the resonator probe and a voltage source for producing a voltage difference between the resonator probe and the conductor to create an electronic drag between the conductor and resonator probe, thus damping the mechanical oscillations of the probe. The electronic property, such as charge carrier mobility, surface resistance, charge carrier lifetime and the number of charge carriers is determined from the damping experienced by the probe.

Abstract: An envelope detector for detecting the envelope of an input signal. The envelope detector includes an inverter for inverting the input signal and two offsetting circuits for offsetting the input signal and the inverted input signal so as to align the peaks of the signals with zero volts. The two offset signals are then summed, which results in a signal proportional to the inverted envelope of the input signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to characterize a modulator without requiring access to modulator local oscillators. A periodic signal is input so that at least two tones are output, and the envelope of the filtered output is detected. The modulated output signal is generally differentially filtered before envelope detection, and the measured amplitude and phase of the envelope of the differentially filtered modulator output frequencies, combined with the known filter characteristics, are used to deduce the amplitude and phase of the modulated output. The modulator input signal frequencies may advantageously be controlled to substantially limit the output to frequencies which differ from a reference frequency by odd multiples of a delta frequency, reducing intermodulation components. In this special case the modulator output may be deduced from a squared envelope signal without a need for differential filtering. The deduced output, compared to the known input, characterizes the modulator at the input frequencies.

Abstract: A phase difference to duty-cycle circuit converts a phase shifted signal and a reference signal into a single signal having a duty cycle that is a function of the phase difference between the two signals. The single signal may be further converted to a single direct current (DC) value before being transmitted to external measurement circuitry. The external measurement circuitry, by simply measuring the magnitude of the DC signal, can determine the phase difference between the phase shifted signal and the reference signal. In an alternate embodiment, the phase shift in the target bit of a bit pattern is determined based on measurements of the DC voltage value of the shifted target bit pattern, the DC voltage value of first bit pattern comprising a non-shifted bit pattern representing a zero phase shift of the target bit, and a DC voltage value of a bit pattern comprising a non-shifted bit pattern representing a 100% phase shift of the target bit.

Abstract: A method for rectifying a sensor current with a synchronous demodulator, wherein the rectifying factor of the synchronous demodulator can be controlled. A control clock pulse signal of the synchronous demodulator is toggled between at least two different states, with the states corresponding to different rectifying factors. The resulting total rectifying factor of the synchronous demodulator can be selected at will by adjusting the pulse duty factor between the at least two states.

Abstract: An electricity meter includes measurement channels. In order to permit an extensive self monitoring of the measurement channels, input signals, in particular detected current signals and voltage signals, are detected in a double manner through different signal channels with sigma delta modulators. A plausibility monitoring of the detected signals takes place in a following digital signal processing device, wherein a corresponding error signal is generated depending on the type of malfunction or signal deviation.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing current in a switching device having resistive voltage-current characteristics includes a first and second power terminal (typically common or ground) for the application therebetween of an operating potential (or alternatively, power), an impedance connected between the first power terminal and a node, a switching device having its main conduction path connected between the node and the second power terminal for controlling the flow of current through the impedance, at least one sense device coupled to the node, operative to sense or divide the potential at the node to thereby provide a sensing potential, where at least one of the sense devices is switched only during at least a portion of the period when the switching device is turned on, and a voltage reference generating circuit operative to generate a reference voltage for comparison with the sensed potential.

Abstract: An object oriented architecture is used within individual monitoring units. The monitoring devices include circuitry which receives an electrical signal and generates at least one digital signal representing the electrical signal. Objects within such individual monitoring units include modules which perform a function and registers which contain the inputs, outputs and setup information for the modules. Methods can be invoked on all objects to change or query the operation or configuration of the device. At least one of the modules receives the digital signal as an input and uses the signal to generate measured parameters. Additional modules take measured parameters as input and generate additional parameters therefrom. The module may be linked in an arbitrary manner to form arbitrary functional blocks.

Abstract: An object oriented architecture is used within individual monitoring units. The monitoring devices include circuitry which receives an electrical signal and generates at least one digital signal representing the electrical signal. Objects within such individual monitoring units include modules which perform a function and registers which contain the inputs, outputs and setup information for the modules. Methods can be invoked on all objects to change or query the operation or configuration of the device. At least one of the modules receives the digital signal as an input and uses the signal to generate measured parameters. Additional modules take measured parameters as input and generate additional parameters therefrom. The module may be linked in an arbitrary manner to form arbitrary functional blocks.