Analog Devices Global

Analog Devices,inc.

Analog Devices International Unlimited Company

Analog Devices Technology

Yanfeng Lu

Bin Shao

Hua-Jung Yang

Mathew Todd Wich

Roger Peppiette

Suyi Yao

Linus Sheng

Stephen Todd Van Duyne

Xiaohua Su

Fu Sun

Scott D Biederwolf

Techniques for efficient operation of a linear stage in an H-bridge system are provided. In an example, a linear stage can switch between voltage regulation and current regulation over a range of a command signal. The particular regulation mode can depend on the regulation mode of a switched stage of the H-bridge system. Efficiency can be realized by using current regulation of the linear stage when the output voltage of the linear stage moves away from the voltage of a supply rail. Such a control scheme can reduce the voltage across the linear stage for a larger range of the command signal resulting in less heat dissipation of the linear stage compared to conventional control of H-bridge linear stages.

Linear stage efficiency techniques for H-bridge systems

Apparatus and techniques described herein can include a load circuit comprising a direct current (DC) input terminal, and a source circuit comprising a direct current (DC) output terminal coupled to the DC input terminal of the load circuit. The source circuit can include a source control circuit configured to provide a current-limited DC output voltage and monitor the current-limited DC output voltage to detect an authentication signal provided at the DC output terminal by the load circuit, the load circuit configured to modulate the voltage at the DC output terminal using a pull-down circuit. The load circuit can be configured to compare the supply voltage at the DC input terminal to a reference voltage and, in response, energize other portions of the load circuit when the input current provided the DC input terminal is sufficient as indicated at least in part by the comparison.

Power node communication for device detection and control

Apparatus and techniques for controlling measurement of an electrical parameter of an energy source can be used to obtain information for use in enhancing a power transfer efficiency between the energy source and a load. For example, during a first measurement cycle, information indicative of the electrical parameter of the energy source can be obtained using a measurement circuit during a first sampling duration in which the load is decoupled from the energy source. The information indicative of the obtained electrical parameter can be compared to a threshold. In response to the comparing, a different second sampling duration can be determined for use in obtaining information indicative of the electrical parameter during a subsequent measurement cycle. The information indicative of the electrical parameter of the energy source includes information for use in enhancing the power transfer efficiency between the energy source and the load.

Sampling duration control for power transfer efficiency

At least one embodiment provides a method for a nanopower boost regulator to startup from an ultra-low-voltage (such as 0.3V&#x2dc;0.5V) for energy harvesting applications. The method does not necessarily require a special process or any external components such as mechanical switches. The startup circuit can include an asynchronous boost circuit to charge up an output with stacked power NMOS transistors, a ring oscillator, and/or a charge pump, along with accompanying circuitry.

Ultra low-voltage circuit and method for nanopower boost regulator

This application discusses, among other things apparatus and methods for a voltage boost circuit. In an example, a voltage boost circuit can include first and second inverters, sharing a first supply node, and sharing a second supply node, a first charge transfer capacitor, configured to couple a first clock signal to the first inverter output, a second charge transfer capacitor, configured to couple a second clock signal to the second inverter output, the second clock signal being out-of-phase with the first clock signal, a first gate drive capacitor, configured to couple the first clock signal to the second inverter input, and a second gate drive capacitor, configured to couple the second clock signal to the first inverter input.

Charge pump

An apparatus comprises an output port for a circuit load, a first input port for an energy harvest source, an input/output port a second energy source, a first circuit path from the energy harvest source to the second energy source at the input/output port and to the variable load at the output port, a second circuit path from the second energy source to the output port, a cold start circuit that produces a first voltage level at the output port by charging a capacitor at the output port using energy of the energy harvest source, and a main converter circuit that produces a second regulated voltage level at the input/output port using energy of the energy harvest source when the voltage at the output port capacitor is above a specified voltage value and uses the energy of the capacitor at the output port during startup of the main converter circuit.

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Shanghai, China

Yanfeng Lu