An integrated circuit is provided with interface circuitry used to provide an interface between functional circuitry of the integrated circuit and components external to the integrated circuit. The functional circuitry is configured to operate from a first power supply and has a power supply distribution network associated therewith providing the first power supply to the functional components of the functional circuitry. The interface comprises a plurality of interface cells that have interface components operating from a second power supply different to the first power supply. A power supply line structure is shared by the plurality of interface cells, and arranged to provide the second power supply to the interface components. In addition, at least a subset of the interface cells include additional interface components that operate from the first power supply. Each such interface cell is arranged to have independent connection to the power supply distribution network in order to receive the first power supply. This avoids the need to incorporate any lines within the power supply line structure for provision of the first power supply to such additional interface components.

An integrated circuit is provided with interface circuitry used to provide an interface between functional circuitry of the integrated circuit and components external to the integrated circuit. The functional circuitry is configured to operate from a first power supply and has a power supply distribution network associated therewith providing the first power supply to the functional components of the functional circuitry. The interface comprises a plurality of interface cells that have interface components operating from a second power supply different to the first power supply. A power supply line structure is shared by the plurality of interface cells, and arranged to provide the second power supply to the interface components. In addition, at least a subset of the interface cells include additional interface components that operate from the first power supply. Each such interface cell is arranged to have independent connection to the power supply distribution network in order to receive the first power supply. This avoids the need to incorporate any lines within the power supply line structure for provision of the first power supply to such additional interface components.

A multi-power supply system and a control method thereof are disclosed. The multi-power supply system includes a first power-supply unit, a second power-supply unit, a switching unit, and a control unit. The power-supply unit comprises a reverse current prevention circuit, a converter circuit, and an input circuit. The switching unit is electrically coupled to the first power-supply unit and the second power-supply unit. When the first and second input circuits are in normal operation, the control unit controls the switching unit to be turned off to allow the first power-supply unit and the second power-supply unit to supply power to a load. When one of the first and second input circuits is in abnormal operation, the control unit controls the switching unit to be turned on. The switching unit cooperates with the first and second reverse current prevention circuits to achieve the switching of input.

A smart charging cable and a method of operating the cable are disclosed. The cable can analyze any input voltage to determine whether the input voltage is sufficient to charge the battery of an electronic device and/or to operate the electronic device. If not, the cable is capable of transforming the input voltage to a voltage sufficient to charge and/or operate.

Devices and method for selecting voltage sources. A voltage selection module may include an analog voltage input. The voltage selection module may also include a digital based voltage input. The voltage selection module further includes a control component coupled to the analog voltage input and the digital based voltage input, the control component configured to determine whether to use a first voltage received from the analog voltage input or a second voltage received from the digital based voltage input to generate an output voltage.

An electrical distribution device includes at least one power controller that is connectable to at least one electrical body, at least one local controller used to interface at least one power controller with at least one external calculator, and at least one local power supply path for powering at least one power controller and each local controller. Each power controller and each local controller includes a local DC/DC-type converter for coupling to each local power supply path. The device also includes an energy reservoir coupled to each local power supply path and to the local converters of the power controllers and the local controller.

An electrical distribution device includes at least one power controller that is connectable to at least one electrical body, at least one local controller used to interface at least one power controller with at least one external calculator, and at least one local power supply path for powering at least one power controller and each local controller. Each power controller and each local controller includes a local DC/DC-type converter for coupling to each local power supply path. The device also includes an energy reservoir coupled to each local power supply path and to the local converters of the power controllers and the local controller.

A remotely controlled electronic general switch in DC power electrical supply system(s), ensuring switching and control of current and supply voltage, has an electronic module. The module has a controller or processor connected (i) to the switching and measurement circuit, the controller and measurement circuit optionally being linked bidirectionally, the controller being configured such that, when it receives a voltage and current measurement of the measurement circuit, it is respectively able to verify whether the input voltage lies in a predetermined interval and to instruct current interruption by the switching circuit for a certain duration, as a function of the measured current value, and (ii) to the communication interface, the communication interface connected to the communication bus and controller optionally being linked bidirectionally, such that the controller can be programmed remotely. An addressing bus, connected to the controller, enables selection, from several systems, a particular supply system linked to the general switch.

A high-efficiency digital voltage controller capable of providing monotonically-varying stepwise voltage, said controller comprises of a plurality of two-terminal voltage modules connected in series; within each module one or more two-terminal voltage cells of identical voltage each and connected in series; within each module a plurality of switches controllable to connect any number of the voltage cells in series to the output terminals of the voltage module; the ratios of the magnitudes of voltage of any one voltage cell between the voltage modules being substantially equal to integer values uniquely defined by present invention, according to the numbers of voltage cells in each of the voltage modules; said plurality of switches being controlled by a control module implemented in any suitable logic.

A power conversion system includes a first converter effectively connected in series to a second converter. Each converter has a plurality of output levels. A phase-shifted transformer is coupled to the converters. The phase-shifted transformer has a delta-wound winding and an open star winding. The first converter is coupled to the open star winding and the second converter is coupled to the delta winding. The open star winding is configured for direct connection to either of a load or the open star winding of a second phase-shifted transformer, having a delta winding connected to a third converter. One or more DC voltage sources are each connected to the first and second converters by a respective DC link capacitor. Each DC voltage source is connected to a common power grid by an isolated multiphase transformer winding.