Abstract:
Systems and methods for port management are disclosed. In one aspect, the system may consolidate port management functions as well as power conversion, protection features, and signal conditioning circuitry into a single integrated circuit (IC) for a device without a battery. Further exemplary aspects allow for arbitration between ports to handle power supply versus power sink functions. Still further exemplary aspects provide an indication when a weak power source is coupled to the computing device to alert a user that the weak power source may not provide sufficient power for full operation. Such consolidated functionality allows a single form factor to be used for all ports whether the ports are used as a power port or an output port. Further, such consolidated functionality helps mitigate possible damage caused by improper activity.
Abstract:
Circuitry in an adapter, such as a power supply, can provide power at a desired voltage level to a portable device. The circuitry may assert one of several electrical configurations on the cabling that electrically connects the portable device to the external device to indicate to the external device a desired voltage level.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for adaptively providing power. In example implementations, an apparatus includes a power adapter coupler, at least one transistor, a first charger, and a second charger. The first charger and the second charger are coupled between the power adapter coupler and the transistor. The apparatus also includes a first switch, a second switch, and a charging controller. The first switch is coupled in series with the first charger between the power adapter coupler and the transistor. The second switch is coupled in series with the second charger between the power adapter coupler and the transistor. The charging controller is coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The charging controller is configured to selectively close the first switch to connect the first charger to the at least one transistor or close the second switch to connect the second charger to the at least one transistor.
Abstract:
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C and power delivery port with scalable power architecture is disclosed. In one aspect, at least two circuits for a USB port are consolidated into a single integrated circuit (IC). At least one of the at least two circuits is part of a Type-C port controller (TCPC) group of circuits including sensors associated with detecting whether a voltage and current are present at pins of a USB receptacle. At least the other one of the at least two circuits is selected from a battery-related group of circuits including a battery charging circuit, an over-voltage protection circuit, and a conditioning circuit. The more circuitry integrated into the single IC the more readily scalable the end product is for a multi-port device. Additional circuitry such as a light emitting diode (LED) driver may also be included in the single IC.
Abstract:
Circuitry in an electronic device may be attached to external device, such as a power supply, to receive a voltage at a desired voltage level from the external device. The circuitry may assert one of several electrical configurations on the cabling that electrically connects the portable device to the external device to indicate to the external device a desired voltage level.
Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed for wireless power transfer circuitry with a multi-path architecture. In an example aspect, the apparatus includes a wireless power receiver with at least one receiving element, at least one output power node, and two or more power paths having at least one power path configured to be selectively activated. The two or more power paths are coupled between the at least one receiving element and the at least one output power node.
Abstract:
Circuitry in an adapter, such as a power supply, can provide power at a desired voltage level to a portable device. The circuitry may assert one of several electrical configurations on the cabling that electrically connects the portable device to the external device to indicate to the external device a desired voltage level.
Abstract:
In one embodiment the present invention includes a system and method of charging a battery using a switching regulator. In one embodiment, a switching regulator receives an input voltage and input current. The output of the switching regulator is coupled to a battery to be charged. The switching regulator provides a current into the battery that is larger than the current into the switching regulator. As the voltage on the battery increases, the current provided by the switching regulator is reduced. The present invention may be implemented using either analog or digital techniques for reducing the current into the battery as the battery voltage increases.
Abstract:
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C and power delivery port with scalable power architecture is disclosed. In one aspect, at least two circuits for a USB port are consolidated into a single integrated circuit (IC). At least one of the at least two circuits is part of a Type-C port controller (TCPC) group of circuits including sensors associated with detecting whether a voltage and current are present at pins of a USB receptacle. At least the other one of the at least two circuits is selected from a battery-related group of circuits including a battery charging circuit, an over-voltage protection circuit, and a conditioning circuit. The more circuitry integrated into the single IC the more readily scalable the end product is for a multi-port device. Additional circuitry such as a light emitting diode (LED) driver may also be included in the single IC.
Abstract:
Thermal mitigation features may be included in a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable assembly or in the USB receptacle portion of a device. In one aspect, one or both ends of a USB cable jacket may have greater thermal conductivity than the portion between them. The portion having the greater thermal conductivity may dissipate excess heat from the cable into the environment. In another aspect, a USB cable connector or the USB receptacle portion of a device may include a thermoelectric heat pump. The thermoelectric heat pump may move excess heat from the cable assembly or receptacle into a portion of the cable assembly or device that dissipates the heat into the environment.