A method and system is provided for programming the digital filter compensation coefficients of a digitally controlled switched mode power supply within a distributed power system. The distributed power system comprises a plurality of point-of-load (POL) regulators each comprising at least one power switch adapted to convey power to a load and a digital controller adapted to control operation of the power switch responsive to a feedback measurement. The digital controller further comprises a digital filter having a transfer function defined by plural filter coefficients. A serial data bus operatively connects each of the plurality of POL regulators. A system controller is connected to the serial data bus and is adapted to communicate digital data to the plurality of POL regulators via the serial data bus. The digital data includes programming data for programming the plural filter coefficients. The system controller further comprises a user interface adapted to receive the programming data therefrom.

Method and system for communicating filter compensation coefficients for a digital power control system

A driving circuit includes a first inductor coupled in series with a light source for providing power to the light source. A controller coupled to the first inductor can control a switch coupled to the first inductor, thereby controlling a current flowing through the first inductor. A current sensor coupled to the first inductor can provide a first signal indicative of the current flowing through the first inductor, regardless of whether the switch is on or off. The switch is controlled according to the first signal. A second inductor magnetically coupled to the first inductor is also electrically coupled to the first inductor via a common node between the switch and the first inductor for providing a reference ground for the controller. The reference ground is different from the ground of the driving circuit.

Circuits and methods for driving light sources

Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on microscope slides are provided. Individualized slide temperature control is accomplished by the heating system according to the present invention that has thermal platforms radially mounted to the carousel for heating the slides and sensing the temperature of each. The heating system also permits automated de-waxing if necessary.

Automated molecular pathology apparatus having independent slide heaters

By doping an organic compound functioning as an electron donor (hereinafter referred to as donor molecules) into an organic compound layer contacting a cathode, donor levels can be formed between respective LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) levels between the cathode and the organic compound layer, and therefore electrons can be injected from the cathode, and transmission of the injected electrons can be performed with good efficiency. Further, there are no problems such as excessive energy loss, deterioration of the organic compound layer itself, and the like accompanying electron movement, and therefore an increase in the electron injecting characteristics and a decrease in the driver voltage can both be achieved without depending on the work function of the cathode material.

Light Emitting Device

A package that encapsulates an integrated circuit optical sensor and mounts on a support substrate includes a base substrate constructed of an insulating material. The optical sensor bottom surface is bonded to the base substrate top surface. Conductive strips on the base substrate top surface extend from a region near the optical sensor to an edge of the base substrate top surface. Wires are bonded on one end to a sensor bonding pad for which connection is desired and on the other end to a corresponding conductive strip. A window is bonded to the base substrate top surface in a spaced-apart relationship using seal material extending around the sensor enclosing each wire bond. Various means are provided for connecting each conductive strip to a corresponding trace on the support substrate. An electrochromic variable attenuator may be formed on the window, allowing control over the intensity of light striking the optical sensor.

Optical sensor package and method of making same

Switching regulator circuits and methods are provided in which the output circuit is adaptable to maintain high efficiency over various load current levels. The regulator circuits generate one or more control signals in response to the load current and selectively route a switch driver control signal to one or more switches in the output circuit. The switches differ in their size, such that the most efficient switch can be used at a particular load current level. At low load current levels, the driver control signal is routed to output circuitry with smaller switch devices, which incur smaller driver current losses for a given frequency of operation, thereby increasing the regulator efficiency. At high load current levels, the driver control signal is routed to large switch devices, which incur greater driver current losses for a given frequency of operation, but which have a lower impedance. The regulator thus maintains high efficiency over a wide range of load currents while operating at a constant frequency.

High efficiency switching regulator with adaptive drive output circuit

Switching regulator circuits and methods are provided in which a voltage controlled oscillator circuit (VCO) is utilized to produce signals that turn ON a switch circuit. The VCO is itself controlled by a phase detector circuit that compares the output of the VCO to an external synchronization signal and locks the VCO to the external synchronization signal. The switching regulator circuits also include a slope compensation circuit that derives a slope compensation signal from an oscillator ramp signal produced by the VCO. The slope compensation signal is used to modify turning the switch circuit OFF when the duty cycle of the switch circuit exceeds a predetermined value. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes a signal generation circuit in place of the phase detector circuit. The signal generation circuit applies a waveform to the VCO to vary the voltage oscillator circuit frequency, which causes a reduction in the amplitude of noise generated by the switching regulator circuit.

Switching regulators having a synchronizable oscillator frequency with constant ramp amplitude

Bidirectional power conversion systems provide the ability to change power attributes to and from a component. Current bidirectional power conversion systems use a unidirectional power converter for each direction. The integration of the two normally independent power converters results in a bidirectional power converter with nearly half the size, weight, volume, cost and complexity. Described are embodiments of bidirectional power conversion systems that allow power transfer between two or more components without requiring the use of separate unidirectional power converters.

Bidirectional power conversion with multiple control loops

System and methodology for controlling output current of switching circuitry having an input circuit and an output circuit electrically isolated from each other. A value of the output current may be determined based on input voltage, input current and reflected output voltage representing the voltage in the input circuit which corresponds to the output voltage. A switching element in the input circuit is controlled to produce the determined value of output current.

Adaptive output current control for switching circuits

The present invention comprises methods and circuits for spread spectrum frequency modulation that reduce peak spectral noise at the outputs or inputs of switching regulators. More specifically, the present invention modulates the operating frequency of the switching regulator in accordance with a frequency modulation waveform having a shape coordinated to a peak noise amplitude waveform that describes the correlation between the operating frequency of a switching regulator and the peak noise amplitude at the regulator's input or output absent spread spectrum frequency modulation.

Robert C. Dobkin

Papers

High efficiency switching regulator with adaptive drive output circuit

Switching regulators having a synchronizable oscillator frequency with constant ramp amplitude

Bidirectional power conversion with multiple control loops

Adaptive output current control for switching circuits

Methods and circuits for frequency modulation that reduce the spectral noise of switching regulators