Microchip Technology Inc.

Atmel Corporation

Em Microelectronic-Marin Sa

Daniel Arthur Staver

Tue Tran

Jean-Jacques Kazazian

Bruce Carl Wall

Various embodiments relate to detecting loss of electrical energy. A method of detecting loss of electrical energy may include determining, for a number of time samples, a neutral current and an imputed neutral current of an electrical energy metering system. Further, the method may include determining, for each of the number of time samples, a squared difference between the neutral current and the imputed neutral current. The method may further include detecting, based on the squared difference, loss of electrical energy from the electrical energy metering system.

Electrical energy loss detection

Systems and methods are provided for improving the operation of a computer or other electronic device that utilizes root-mean-square (RMS) measurements, e.g., RMS current measurements, by reducing error in the RMS measurement. A series of measurement samples are received at a processor, which executes a noise-decorrelated RMS algorithm including: calculating a current-squared value for each measurement sample by multiplying the measurement sample by a prior measurement sample in the series (rather by simply squaring each measurement sample as in conventional techniques), summing the current-squared values, and calculating an RMS value based on the summed values. The processor may also execute a frequency-dependent magnitude correction filter to correct for frequency-dependent attenuation associated with the noise-decorrelated RMS algorithm. The calculated RMS value has a reduced error, particularly for lower-end current measurements, which may improve the operation of the computer or electronic device that utilizes the RMS value.

Systems and methods for improved root mean square (RMS) measurement

Various embodiments relate to detecting theft of electrical energy. A method of detecting theft of electrical energy may include measuring, for each time sample of a number of time samples, a neutral current of an electrical energy metering system. The method may further include summing, for each time sample of the number of time samples, a number of measured phase current values of the electrical energy metering system to determine an imputed neutral current. Further, the method may include determining, for each time sample of the number of time samples, a squared difference between the measured neutral current and the imputed neutral current. Moreover, the method may include integrating, for each time sample of the number of time samples, the squared difference to determine an accumulator value. In addition, the method may include detecting, based on the accumulator value, theft of electrical energy from the electrical energy metering system.

A testing circuit configures an analog to digital converter (ADC) to receive a test signal instead of a live input signal. The testing circuit compares an output test value from the ADC to an expected test value for the test signal. The testing circuit provides an expected live output value to a digital circuit instead of the output test value, thereby preventing the ADC from providing a value to the digital circuit not based on the live input signal.

Testing circuit for an analog to digital converter

A two-wire communication protocol between a controller device and a controlled device, wherein both devices are coupled by a clock line and a data line. The controller device sends control signals comprising N bits, N being greater than or equal to two, to the controlled device via the data line. Each bit of said control signals is latched onto the controlled device on consecutive edges of a clock signal sent by the controller device to the controlled device on the clock line.

Growing community of inventors

Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Daniel Arthur Staver