Abstract: In certain aspects, an apparatus includes a first power chain, a second power chain, and an enable circuit having an output coupled to an input of the first power chain. The apparatus also includes a multiplexer having a first input coupled to an output of the first power chain, a second input coupled to the output of the enable circuit, and an output coupled to an input of the second power chain, wherein the multiplexer is configured to receive a select signal, and couple the first input or the second input to the output of the multiplexer based on the select signal.

Abstract: A power amplifier circuit includes a first transistor having a base or gate connected to a signal path, an emitter or source grounded via a first conductor, and a collector or drain, the first transistor amplifying an input signal supplied to the base or gate thereof along the signal path and outputting the amplified signal from the collector or drain thereof; a first element in a preceding stage of the first transistor, the first element having a first end connected to the signal path such that the first element is connected along a path branched from the signal path, and a second end grounded via a second conductor; and a first capacitor having a first end connected to a node between the emitter or source of the first transistor and the first conductor, and a second end connected to a node between the first element and the second conductor.

Abstract: A hearing instrument comprises a wireless communication unit interconnected with an antenna for emission and reception of an electromagnetic field having an RF wavelength, a speaker interconnected with the wireless communication unit and being configured to provide an output audio signal. A battery is configured to supply power to the hearing instrument and a filter circuit interconnects the battery and a power management circuit of the hearing instrument. The antenna extends from a feed and at least a part of the antenna being is arranged adjacent the battery. A distance between the at least part of the antenna and the battery is below 1/40 of the wavelength. The filter circuit is configured to de-couple the battery and the power management circuit at frequencies above 3 MHz and configured to connect the battery to the power management circuit at frequencies below 300 kHz.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a voltage output circuit for use in a process automation field device, the voltage output circuit including an op-amp configured to supply the output voltage. The output circuit's op-amp is connected to the process automation system though a normally open switch. The normally open switch is closed only when the voltage output circuit is properly powered and operating. An improper connection of a power supply to the voltage output circuit will not power the voltage output circuit, and thus the switch remains open and protects the voltage output circuit from power being drawn in from the improper connection. The disclosure includes also a transceiver circuit having similar power draw protection.

Abstract: A driver circuit is provided. The driver circuit includes a first operational amplifier circuit, a second operational amplifier circuit, and at least one power switching circuit is provided. The first operational amplifier circuit receives a first input signal and generates a first output signal according to the first input signal. The second operational amplifier circuit receives a second input signal and generates a second output signal according to the second input signal. The at least one power switching circuit is configured to be coupled to switch a first input stage circuit to one of a first output stage circuit and a second output stage circuit, and the at least one power switching circuit is further coupled to switch a second input stage circuit to the other one of the first output stage circuit and the second output stage circuit.

Abstract: Self-regulating body-biasing techniques for Process, Voltage, and Temperature (PVT) fluctuation compensation in Fully-Depleted Silicon-on-Insulator (FDSOI) semiconductors are disclosed. In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an electronic device may include a logic cell having a plurality of FDSOI transistors manufactured thereon; and at least one current source coupled to a body terminal of each transistor in a subset of the FDSOI transistors, wherein the current source is configured to output a high-impedance current.

Abstract: A high-voltage power amplification system can include a supply circuit configured to provide a high supply voltage in an average power tracking mode. The power amplification system can further include a power amplifier configured to operate with the high supply voltage and provide an impedance that substantially matches an impedance of a component coupled to an output of the power amplifier. The power amplification system can further include a signal path configured to route an amplified signal from the output of the power amplifier to the component, with the output path being substantially free of an output matching network.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed for particular gain modes to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores when switching gain modes to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a high gain amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity (e.g., for lower gain modes). The disclosed signal amplifiers have a first active core with amplification chains for each of a plurality of inputs and a second active core with a single amplification chain to amplify signals received at the plurality of inputs.

Abstract: An LNA having a plurality of paths, each of which can be controlled independently to achieve a gain mode. Each path includes at least an input FET and an output FET coupled in series. A gate of the output FET is controlled to set the gain of the LNA. Signals to be amplified are applied to the gate of the input FET. Additional stacked FETs are provided in series between the input FET and the output FET.

Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing amplifier operations are described. The described methods and systems particularly describe a feed-forward control circuit that may also be used as a feed-back control circuit in certain applications. The feed-forward control circuit provides a control signal that may be used to configure an amplifier in a variety of ways.

Abstract: Systems and methods for suppressing transient outputs from an amplifier system are provided. An amplifier having a plurality of bias levels may be controlled to initiate a change in the level of a bias signal provided to the amplifier. The level of the bias signal is ramped from an initial bias level to a final bias level over numerous steps. The steps include at least one step in which the level of the bias signal is between the initial bias level and the final bias level. An amplifier system having multiple stages may be controlled to enable each stage and selectively couple each stage in a sequence that couples an output stage to an output terminal at the completion of the sequence.

Abstract: The Ethernet switch for an optic fiber network includes: a first light emitter designed to transmit a light signal in the optic fiber, first photodetector configured to transform a light signal coming from the optic fiber into an electric signal, at least one communication port of electric signals with a terminal, a power supply circuit configured to supply power to the light emitter and to the first photodetector, a wake-up circuit connected to the first photodetector and to the communication port configured to generate an electric wake-up signal on receipt of a light signal by the first photodetector and/or of an electric signal on the communication port, the wake-up circuit being connected to the power supply circuit to trigger power supply of the first light emitter and of the communication port.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for monitoring the operating state of an audio circuit, and in particular for detecting a defective operating state, as may occur after an Electrical Over-Stress (EOS) event. An audio circuit (210) has an input node (103) for receiving an input audio signal (SIN) and an output node (104) for outputting an output audio signal (AOUT) for driving an audio load. A monitoring module (202) receives a first signal (S1) derived from the output audio signal and a second signal (S2) indicative of the input audio signal. The monitoring module (202) monitors the first signal (S1) with respect to the second signal (S2) to determine whether at least one parameter of the first signal corresponds to an expected parameter value based on the indication of input audio signal. If the parameter does not correspond to the expected parameter value, the monitoring module (202) outputs an indication (CTRL) of a defective operating state of the audio circuit (201).

Abstract: A receiver front end capable of receiving and processing intraband non-contiguous carrier aggregate (CA) signals using multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) is disclosed herein. A cascode having a “common source” configured input FET and a “common gate” configured output FET can be turned on or off using the gate of the output FET. A first switch is provided that allows a connection to be either established or broken between the source terminal of the input FET of each LNA. Further switches used for switching degeneration inductors, gate capacitors and gate to ground caps for each legs can be used to further improve the matching performance of the invention.

Abstract: A signal amplifier includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and an output. The first amplifier amplifies a first input signal to form a first amplified output signal. The first input signal has a common mode voltage in a first voltage range, and the first amplified output signal has a common mode voltage in a second voltage range different from the first voltage range. The second amplifier amplifies a second input signal to form a second amplified output signal. The first input signal has the common mode voltage in the second voltage range and the second amplified output signal has the common mode voltage in the second voltage range. The output outputs the first amplified output signal or the second amplified output signal as an amplified output signal.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a communication device, an information processing device, and a communication method. [Solution] A communication device including: a detector configured to detect an optical signal and convert the optical signal to an electric signal; a data processing unit configured to process the electric signal converted by the detector to acquire data; and a controller configured to control an operating state including a standby state in which the data processing unit is deactivated to reduce power consumption and an active state in which the data processing unit is capable of executing acquisition of the data on a basis of the optical signal detected by the detector, in which the detector detects the optical signal in the standby state.

Abstract: An analog multiplexer core circuit (120A) includes a differential pair (121) that includes two transistors (Q1, Q2), a differential pair (122) that includes two transistors (Q3, Q4), a differential pair (123) that includes two transistors (Q5, Q6), and a constant current source (124) that causes a current (IEE) to flow. This analog multiplexer core circuit (120A) time-multiplexes two analog signals (Ain1, Ain2) and outputs a time-multiplexed analog signal (Aout). Each emitter resistor (REA1, REA2, REA3, REA4) is connected to a corresponding one of the transistors (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4). At this time, a relation of “REA·IEE?the amplitude of an input analog signal” is satisfied. As a result, linearity of response can be ensured by expanding the linear response input range of the differential pairs (121, 122).

Abstract: An amplifier amplifies an input signal. A splitter branches an output signal of the amplifier into a first signal path and a second signal path and performs impedance conversion of the first and second signal paths. A first output terminal outputs the output signal of the amplifier or a signal obtained by branching the output signal of the amplifier into the first signal path by the splitter. A second output terminal outputs the output signal of the amplifier or a signal obtained by branching the output signal of the amplifier into the second signal path by the splitter. An output controller switches whether the output signal of the amplifier is output from the first output terminal, is output from the second output terminal, or is branched by the splitter to be output from both the first and second output terminals.

Abstract: Amplifier systems and methods are provided that include a fixed gain amplification stage coupled to an adjustable attenuation stage further coupled to a variable gain amplification stage. A controller controls an amount of attenuation provided by the adjustable attenuation stage and an amount of gain provided by the variable gain amplification stage to maintain any of various noise, efficiency, and/or linearity requirements of the amplifier system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are signal amplifiers having a plurality of amplifier cores. Individual amplifier cores can be designed for particular gain modes to enhance particular advantages while reducing other disadvantages. The signal amplifier can then switch between amplifier cores when switching gain modes to achieve desired performance characteristics (e.g., improving noise figure or linearity). Examples of signal amplifiers disclosed herein include amplifier architectures with a high gain amplifier core that reduces the noise figure and a linearity boost amplifier core that increases linearity (e.g., for lower gain modes). The disclosed signal amplifiers can also have switchable reference biases to provide targeted bias current matching. The disclosed signal amplifiers can also include degeneration switching blocks for individual amplifier cores to improve signal linearity.

Abstract: A switching circuit is provided. The switching circuit includes at least one Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) filter, a Single-Pole n Throw (SPnT) switch connected to an input port of each of the at least one SAW filter, and a Dual-Pole n Throw (DPnT) switch connected to an output port of each of the at least one SAW filter.

Abstract: A power detector with a detection signal input connectable to a source of a radio frequency signal and a detected power level output has a differential amplifier detector circuit with an input connected to the detection signal input and an output corresponding to the detected power level output. A feedback network is connected to the input and the output of the differential amplifier detector circuit. A mirror circuit is connected to the differential amplifier detector circuit. A root mean square current corresponding to a power level of the radio frequency signal from the source is mirrored and integrated, with a direct current voltage level being generated therefrom and output to the detected power level output.

Abstract: A device includes a substrate and a package input terminal. The device includes a driver amplifier mounted to the substrate and configured to receive a radio frequency input signal. A first amplifier is mounted to the substrate. The first amplifier includes a first amplifier input terminal. A second amplifier is mounted to the substrate. The second amplifier includes a second amplifier input terminal. An inter-stage network is connected between the driver amplifier and the first amplifier and between the driver amplifier and the second amplifier. The inter-stage network includes a first capacitor connected between the driver amplifier and the first amplifier input terminal, and an inductor having a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal of the inductor is connected to the first capacitor. The inter-stage network includes a second capacitor connected between the second terminal of the inductor and the second amplifier input terminal.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the performance of the payload of a satellite in orbit is executed with the aid of a test ground station including first radio-frequency amplification means and a radio-frequency transmit ground antenna. The method includes a step of providing first amplification means that can be configured to generate at the input of the transmit ground antenna a wide-band test thermal noise the power spectral density of which can be adjusted to a test thermal noise reference power spectral density Dref so that the ratio of the test thermal noise spectral density received at the input of the transponder and that corresponds to it to the thermal noise floor spectral density generated by the satellite alone internally and the natural thermal noise of the Earth is greater than or equal to a first threshold Ds1 equal to 10 dB. An IOT system is configured to execute the method.

Abstract: A front end circuit includes a bypass circuit comprising a first bypass switch and a second bypass switch configured to bypass a signal to a first terminal according to switching operations of the first bypass switch and the second bypass switch; and an amplifier connected in parallel to the bypass circuit and configured to amplify the signal.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a switch architecture for switching between a low power amplifier and a high power amplifier. One example amplification system includes a high power amplifier and a low power amplifier. The amplification system further includes a first switch coupled between the high power amplifier and an output. The amplification system further includes a second switch coupled between the output and a reference potential. The second switch is further coupled between the low power amplifier and the output and configured to selectively couple the low power amplifier to the output. The amplification system further includes a third switch coupled between the low power amplifier and the second switch.

Abstract: A receiver front end capable of receiving and processing intraband non-contiguous carrier aggregate (CA) signals using multiple low noise amplifiers (LNAs) is disclosed herein. A cascode having a “common source” input stage and a “common gate” output stage can be turned on or off using the gate of the output stage. A first switch is provided that allows a connection to be either established or broken between the source terminal of the input stage of each cascode. Further switches used for switching degeneration inductors, gate/sources caps and gate to ground caps for each legs can be used to further improve the matching performance of the invention.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a high-frequency semiconductor amplifier circuit includes an input terminal and an output terminal. A gate of a first transistor is connected to the input terminal. A drain of the first transistor is connected to the output terminal. A second transistor is connected between a source of the first transistor and a reference potential terminal. A bias generation circuit has an input control signal terminal, a bias voltage terminal connected to the gate of the first transistor, a control voltage terminal connected to a gate of the second transistor, and an intermediate voltage terminal connected to the drain of the first transistor. The bias generation circuit supplies a control voltage, a bias voltage, and a first voltage according to the input control signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mixing a plurality of audio streams coded according to a frequency sub-band coding, comprising the steps for decoding (E201) a part of the coded streams over at least a first frequency sub-band, for summing (E202) the streams thus decoded so as to form at least a first mixed stream. The method is such that it comprises the steps for detection (E203), over at least a second frequency sub-band different from the at least first sub-band, of the presence of a predetermined frequency band in the plurality of coded audio streams and for summing (E205) the decoded audio streams (E204) for which the presence of the predetermined frequency band has been detected, over said at least a second sub-band, so as to form at least a second mixed stream. The invention also relates to a mixing device implementing the method described and may be integrated into a conference bridge, a communications terminal or a communications gateway.

Abstract: A method for ramping a switched capacitor power amplifier is disclosed, where the switched capacitor power amplifier comprises a plurality of capacitors in a capacitor bank, and where a number of the capacitors in the capacitor bank are activated. The method comprises changing the number of capacitors in the capacitor bank that are activated, maintaining the changed number of activated capacitors in the capacitor bank for a period of time, and repeating the changing and maintaining, where a length of the period of time is varied between at least two repetitions of the maintaining.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a configurable low-noise amplifier with programmable band-selection filters may comprise a receiver with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with first and second input terminals and differential output terminals; a low pass filter operably coupled to the LNA; a high pass filter operably coupled to the second input terminal of the LNA; and a signal source input coupled to the low pass filter and the high pass filter. The LNA may be operable to receive signals in a pass band of the high pass filter and a pass band of the low pass filter. The receiver may be operable to amplify input signals in the pass band of a first filter but not signals in the pass band of the second filter by operably coupling the second to ground.

Abstract: A communication device for power saving and a method for controlling power thereof are provided. The communication device includes a power amplifying unit and a control unit. The power amplifying unit generates an output signal obtained by amplifying a downlink signal, using a supply voltage, and outputs the output signal. The control unit determines a current state by comparing predetermined downlink reference information with output signal information on the output signal, and, if the current state is an active state as a comparison result, controls the supply voltage to correspond to the output signal information. Accordingly, power for amplifying a signal can be controlled according to communication traffic, thereby preventing consumption of unnecessary power.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a configurable low-noise amplifier with programmable band-selection filters may comprise a receiver with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with first and second input terminals and differential output terminals; a low pass filter operably coupled to the LNA; a high pass filter operably coupled to the second input terminal of the LNA; and a signal source input coupled to the low pass filter and the high pass filter. The LNA may be operable to receive signals in a pass band of the high pass filter and a pass band of the low pass filter. The receiver may be operable to amplify input signals in the pass band of a first filter but not signals in the pass band of the second filter by operably coupling the second to ground.

Abstract: An analog circuit including a pair of input nodes and a pair of output nodes is coupled to a mismatch reduction circuit including an input node, an output node, a phase controller that times even and odd phases, an input switch, and an output switch. The input switch electrically connects the mismatch reduction circuit input node to a first node of the pair of analog circuit input nodes during each even phase and to electrically connects the mismatch reduction circuit input node to a second node of the pair of analog circuit input nodes during each odd phase. The output switch electrically connects a first node of the pair of analog circuit output nodes to the mismatch reduction circuit output node during each even phase and electrically connects a second node of the pair of analog circuit output nodes to the mismatch reduction circuit output node during each odd phase.

Abstract: A display device includes: a display panel including a display area; scan lines disposed on the display panel; data lines disposed on the display panel, the data lines crossing the scan lines while being insulated from the scan lines; pixel units disposed in the display area and positioned at a point where the scan line intersects the data line; and photosensors respectively connected to the pixel units, each photosensor configured to activate a respective pixel units when laser light is incident on the photosensor.

Abstract: A method for an electronic device includes amplifying a signal by a first power amplifier, obtaining a temperature of the first power amplifier during the amplification of the signal, comparing the temperature of the first power amplifier to a predetermined threshold value, and switching the first power amplifier to a second power amplifier for amplifying a signal if the temperature of the first power amplifier is higher than a threshold value. An electronic device for switching power amplifiers are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for combining a plurality of audio streams encoded by frequency sub-band encoding, comprising the following steps: decoding (E301) a portion of the encoded streams over at least one frequency sub-band; combining (E302) the streams thus encoded to form a mixed stream; selecting (E303), from among the plurality of encoded audio streams, at least one encoded replication stream, over at least one frequency sub-band that is different from that of the decoding step. The method is such that the selection of the at least one encoded replication stream is carried out according to a criterion which takes into consideration the presence of a predetermined frequency band in the encoded stream (E304). The invention also relates to a device which implements the described method and can be integrated into a conference bridge, a communication terminal or a communication gateway.

Abstract: A method for suppressing POP noise in an audio operation amplifier, comprising: connecting a first resistor and a second resistor in series at an output stage of the audio operation amplifier by turning on a first switch and a second switch; generating, with a ramp generator, a ramp voltage after an audio signal is input into the audio operation amplifier, wherein the ramp voltage varies from zero to a first value; generating, with an voltage generator, a second voltage, wherein a third switch is turned on and a fourth switch is turned off when the ramp voltage reaches the second value; short-circuiting the first and second resistors by turning off the first and second switches; and outputting, with the audio operation amplifier, an amplified audio signal.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an analog front-end circuit. When a chopping signal has a first logical value, a non-inverting instrumentation preamplifier subtracts a second input voltage from a first input voltage and generates a first output voltage by amplifying a subtraction voltage while outputting the second input voltage as a second output voltage. When the chopping signal has a second logical value, the non-inverting instrumentation preamplifier subtracts the first input voltage from the second input voltage and generates the first output voltage by amplifying and then inverting the polarity of a subtraction voltage while outputting the second input voltage as the second output voltage.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a configurable low-noise amplifier with programmable band-selection filters may comprise a receiver with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with first and second input terminals and differential output terminals; a low pass filter operably coupled to the LNA; a high pass filter operably coupled to the second input terminal of the LNA; and a signal source input coupled to the low pass filter and the high pass filter. The LNA may be operable to receive signals in a pass band of the high pass filter and a pass band of the low pass filter. The receiver may be operable to amplify input signals in the pass band of a first filter but not signals in the pass band of the second filter by operably coupling the second to ground.

Abstract: A wideband front-end device comprises a wideband amplifying module and a plurality of narrow band filters. The wideband amplifying module comprises an input end, a plurality connecting ends and at least one receiving end. A wideband transmitting RF signal can be transmitted to one of the connecting ends from the input end according to the frequency band thereof. Thus, the wideband transmitting RF signal can be divided into several narrow band signals with different frequency bands. Each narrow band signal with different frequency bands is transmitted to different connecting ends and narrow band filters respectively. Therefore, each narrow band filter can be used to filter wideband transmitting RF signal or narrow band signals with different frequency bands respectively to reduce production costs of the wideband front-end device.

Abstract: Power amplifiers for amplifying a radio frequency signal are provided.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes a sampling circuit and an amplifier connected to an output of the sampling circuit. A feedback capacitor is between an output terminal of the amplifier and an output terminal of the sampling circuit. A quantizer that includes a comparator is configured to quantize a voltage at the output terminal of the sampling circuit according to a comparison of a voltage at the output terminal of the sampling circuit to a voltage at the reference potential terminal of the comparator. The quantizer outputs a digital code according to the voltage comparison. A control circuit receives the digital code from the quantizer and stores the digital code in a register as a cancellation digital code. A digital-analog (D/A) converter outputs an analog signal in accordance with digital codes from the control circuit.

Abstract: A platform for audio and electronic music applications where the electronics are implemented as modules, and the modules mount in a cabinet with a common power supply and infrastructure. The platform addresses problems in electrical, mechanical, usability, and power distribution areas, and is suitable for guitar effects, synthesizers, studio equipment, and DJ gear.

Abstract: A controller may be configured to sequentially apply a plurality of switch configurations of a power converter in order to operate the power converter as a differential output converter to switch a polarity of the output voltage, such that: during a charging phase of the power converter, a power inductor is coupled between one of a first terminal and a second terminal of the power source and one of a first terminal and a second terminal of the output load, during a transfer phase of the power converter, at least one of the plurality of switches is activated in order to couple the power inductor between the second terminal of the power source and one of the first terminal of the output load and the second terminal of the output load, wherein the output voltage is a differential voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an electronic measurement circuit for measuring a physical parameter. The circuit comprises: a measurement sensor comprising two differential mounted capacitors each comprising a fixed electrode, and a common electrode, common to the two capacitors which is arranged to be movable relative to each fixed electrode of the two capacitors in order to alter the capacitive value of each capacitor when the physical parameter is measured.

Abstract: The invention concerns an amplifier circuit comprising: an amplifier having a first input coupled to an input node of the amplifier circuit via a first resistor and an output coupled to a load via a coupling capacitor, the output being coupled to the first input via a second resistor; and a current ramp generator adapted to supply a current ramp to the first input of the amplifier during a power up phase or power down phase of the amplifier circuit to control the rate of charge or discharge of the coupling capacitor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a configurable low-noise amplifier with programmable band-selection filters may comprise a receiver with a low-noise amplifier (LNA) with differential output terminals; a low pass filter operably coupled to the LNA; a high pass filter operably coupled to the second input terminal of the LNA; and a signal source input coupled to the low pass filter and the high pass filter. The LNA may be operable to receive signals in a pass band of the high pass filter and a pass band of the low pass filter. The receiver may be operable to amplify input signals in the pass band of a first filter but not signals in the pass band of the second filter by operably coupling the second to ground.

Abstract: Power amplifier having a common input and a plurality of outputs. In some embodiments, a power amplifier can include a plurality of signal paths having a common input node. Each signal path can include a dedicated amplifier stage, and be configured to be capable of amplifying a radio-frequency (RF) signal received at the common input node. The power amplifier can further include a bias selector configured to provide a bias signal to the dedicated amplifier stage of a selected one of the plurality of signal paths to thereby allow amplification of the RF signal through the selected signal path. Such a power amplifier can be implemented in products such as a die, a module, and a wireless device.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a transformer-less drive circuit is provided that includes a switch control network having an output terminal connected to a first switch and another output terminal connected to a second switch. A driver connected to the second switch. In accordance with another embodiment, a method for generating a drive signal is provided that includes charging a first energy storage element to a first voltage level and a second energy storage element to a second voltage level. The charge stored in the second energy storage element is increased so that the second energy storage element stores a voltage at a third voltage level. The terminals of the second energy storage element are alternately connected to a fourth voltage level. The second energy storage element is used to supply or drive a driver.