Abstract:
When a conventional printed wiring board is subjected to a harsh environment, leakage can develop between adjacent conductors over a period of time. If high impedance circuits are employed on the board, such leakage can adversely affect circuit performance. The effect of such leakage can be minimized if the circuit layout is so arranged that potentially troublesome leakage occurs only to elements that operate at comparable operating potentials. In one embodiment of the invention, a circuit is shown having a high impedance point on a printed wiring board intended for an automotive application. The high impedance wiring conductor is completely surrounded by a metal conductor that is connected to a potential point in the circuit that approximates the potential at which the high impedance point will operate. When the automotive environment results in surface leakage, there will be very little change in the operational character of the high impedance circuit.
Abstract:
An electrostatic sensor device including a first sensor element and a second sensor element; a dielectric substrate material formed in two layers, and a sensing hole which penetrates the dielectric substrate material from its upper surface to its lower surface. The first sensor element is receivable in the sensing hole; and second sensor element includes a first conducting ring disposed on an upper surface of said dielectric substrate and surrounding said sensing hole. The second conducting ring is disposed on a lower surface of the dielectric substrate and surrounds the sensing hole. The first sensor element and the second sensor are capable of producing a variable response when the first sensor element is disposed in the sensing hole.
Abstract:
A level translator has an inverter comprising a first transistor having a first predetermined voltage threshold and a second transistor having a second predetermined voltage threshold. The two transistors have control gates being of complementary conductivity. A first capacitor is connected at one end to the gate of the first transistor and at a second end to an input signal. A second capacitor is connected at one end to the gate of the second transistor, the input signal being applied to a second end of the second capacitor. A comparator is used for detecting the relationship between the input signal and a reference voltage. A first current mirror has one terminal connected to an output of the comparator, and another terminal connected to the gate of the first transistor. A second current mirror has one terminal connected to an output of the comparator, and another terminal connected to the gate of the second transistor. A first clamp circuit is used for limiting a gate voltage of said first transistor. A second clamp circuit is used for limiting a gate voltage of said second transistor.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus are provided for processing a wide dynamic range analog signal which comprises a compressive nonlinear transfer function responsive to the average amplitude of the signal without feedback along the signal path. The invention employs frequency selective filtering and expansion of the compressed signal. The invention is applicable to any analog signal system having a plurality of channels carrying related signal information.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed for operating a highly linearized resistance for a switch through use of a bootstrapped features. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a method and system that implements a method for operating a circuit configured to provide a highly linearized resistance including receiving a signal via a bootstrapped switch, coupling the received signal to a gate if the received signal is high, receiving a signal via a switch control input coupled to a high impedance element. Moreover, the method includes coupling the high impedance element to the gate and turning off the switch via a gate turn off when the gate turn off pulls the gate low.
Abstract:
A circuit is disclosed for determining which of a multiplicity of LED strings in an illumination system has a fault. A group of circuits determines the maximum, minimum, midpoint between maximum and minimum, and average voltage of the group of LED string voltages in use, and examines the statistical properties of the LED string voltages. Comparators are used to find the strings which have the highest and lowest operating voltages, and to compare the midpoint and average voltages to determine whether the highest or lowest voltage string is responsible for causing a fault in the illumination system operation. Memory means are used to keep the said determined string turned off to prevent faulty operation.
Abstract:
A high speed logic signal level shifter is comprised of: a logic signal buffer for receiving logic signal information and having true and complement state differential outputs; a binary flip-flop circuit with set and reset inputs; a first coupling capacitor connected from the true buffer output to the set input of the binary flip-flop circuit; and a second coupling capacitor connected from the complement buffer output to the reset input of the binary flip-flop circuit. The high speed logic signal level shifter transfers a fast logic signal across a high voltage difference by making use of rapid voltage changes transmitted through small capacitors. The signal changes carried by the capacitors are about 10 times faster than any expected voltage transient on VPP or VNN. Furthermore, the differential coupling circuit is used to provide enhanced protection against undesired circuit switching during supply voltage changes.
Abstract:
A level translator has a pair of transistors, wherein a first transistor of the pair of transistors and a second transistor of the pair of transistors are complimentary. A pair of capacitors are provided, wherein a first capacitor of the pair of capacitors is coupled to a voltage input VIN and to a gate of a first transistor of the pair of complimentary transistors and a second capacitor of the pair of capacitors is coupled the voltage input VIN and to a gate of a second transistor of the pair of complimentary transistors. A flip flop device is provided having a first input coupled to a drain of the first transistor, and a second input coupled to a drain of the second transistor. A pair of resistors is provided, wherein a first resistor of the pair of resistors is coupled to the gate of the first transistor and to a voltage supply of VDD, and a second resistor of the pair of resistors is coupled to the gate of the second transistor and to a voltage supply VSS. A pair of clamping circuits is provided, wherein a first clamping circuit of the pair of clamping circuits is coupled to the gate of the first transistor and to a voltage supply of VDD, and a second clamping circuit of the pair of clamping circuits is coupled to the gate of the second transistor and to a voltage supply VSS.