An integrated circuit with a matched transistor pair with a matching resistance heater coupled to each transistor of the matched transistor pair. A method for forming a matching resistance heater. A method for operating an SOI integrated circuit containing a matched transistor pair with a matching resistance heater coupled to each transistor of the matched transistor pair.

An integrated circuit with a matched transistor pair with a matching resistance heater coupled to each transistor of the matched transistor pair. A method for forming a matching resistance heater. A method for operating an SOI integrated circuit containing a matched transistor pair with a matching resistance heater coupled to each transistor of the matched transistor pair.

A Maintain Power Signature (MPS) Powered Device (PD) is described. In one or more implementations, the MPS device comprises a current sensor configured to sense current flowing from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to the PD. The current sense based MPS device also comprises a current generator configured to sink electrical current to prevent the PSE from removing power to the PD. Thus, the electrical current comprises a current amplitude characteristic selected based upon MPS requirements of the PSE. In some implementations, the current is sunk to a ground. In other implementations, the current is sunk to a storage device, such as a storage device included with the PD and/or external to the PD.

A Maintain Power Signature (MPS) Powered Device (PD) is described. In one or more implementations, the MPS device comprises a current sensor configured to sense current flowing from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to the PD. The current sense based MPS device also comprises a current generator configured to sink electrical current to prevent the PSE from removing power to the PD. Thus, the electrical current comprises a current amplitude characteristic selected based upon MPS requirements of the PSE. In some implementations, the current is sunk to a ground. In other implementations, the current is sunk to a storage device, such as a storage device included with the PD and/or external to the PD.

A power delivery system may include a first voltage regulator configured to output an upper intermediate voltage about an expected discharge voltage plateau of a battery for use by the power delivery system, a switched capacitive charge pump configured to down convert the upper intermediate voltage of the first voltage regulator to a lower intermediate voltage, and a second voltage regulator configured to use the lower intermediate voltage to provide power to a load.

In one form, a reference circuit includes a measurement circuit and a determination circuit. The measurement circuit has an output for providing a ratio of a difference in base-to-emitter voltage (V.sub.BE) of a bipolar device at different current densities to a V.sub.BE of the bipolar device at a first current density. The determination circuit has an input coupled to the measurement circuit, and an output for providing a digital value of a parameter in response to the ratio. In another form, the reference circuit further includes a voltage generation circuit having an input coupled to the determination circuit, and an output, for modulating an analog voltage using the digital value to provide a reference voltage to the output, wherein the reference voltage is temperature compensated over a temperature range.

In one form, a reference circuit includes a measurement circuit and a determination circuit. The measurement circuit has an output for providing a ratio of a difference in base-to-emitter voltage (V.sub.BE) of a bipolar device at different current densities to a V.sub.BE of the bipolar device at a first current density. The determination circuit has an input coupled to the measurement circuit, and an output for providing a digital value of a parameter in response to the ratio. In another form, the reference circuit further includes a voltage generation circuit having an input coupled to the determination circuit, and an output, for modulating an analog voltage using the digital value to provide a reference voltage to the output, wherein the reference voltage is temperature compensated over a temperature range.

A diagnostic system for a voltage regulator is provided. The diagnostic system includes a microcontroller having first and second analog-to-digital converters and first and second output ports. The first analog-to-digital converter outputs a first voltage value corresponding to the first voltage from the voltage regulator. The microcontroller executes a first diagnostic function to set a first voltage regulator diagnostic flag equal to a fault value indicating a voltage out of range condition, if the first voltage value is greater than a first threshold voltage value or the first voltage value is less than a second threshold voltage value. The microcontroller executes a second diagnostic function to stop generating first and second control signals to de-energize a contactor coil to open a contact of a contactor if the first voltage regulator diagnostic flag is equal to the fault value.

A diagnostic system for a voltage regulator is provided. The diagnostic system includes a microcontroller having first and second analog-to-digital converters and first and second output ports. The first analog-to-digital converter outputs a first voltage value corresponding to the first voltage from the voltage regulator. The microcontroller executes a first diagnostic function to set a first voltage regulator diagnostic flag equal to a fault value indicating a voltage out of range condition, if the first voltage value is greater than a first threshold voltage value or the first voltage value is less than a second threshold voltage value. The microcontroller executes a second diagnostic function to stop generating first and second control signals to de-energize a contactor coil to open a contact of a contactor if the first voltage regulator diagnostic flag is equal to the fault value.

New devices and methods for producing a precision current source or sink with programmable slew rate are disclosed. For example, an electronic circuit capable of providing precision current control including a programmable slew rate is disclosed. For example, the electronic circuit can include a constant current circuit configured to provide a constant current, and a transient current circuit coupled to the constant current circuit at a common electrical node, the transient current circuit configured to sample the constant current of the constant current circuit during a sampling phase, then provide a turn-on programmable slew rate based on the sampled constant current during an active phase.