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.

An apparatus for controlling a refrigerator, and a method for diagnosing a fault of the refrigerator are presented. More specifically, a power consumption of a refrigerator may be measured, and a fault of a plurality of loads included in the refrigerator may be diagnosed based on the measured power consumption. Accordingly, all of the plurality of loads included in the refrigerator may be diagnosed whether they have a fault or not. Further, among the plurality of loads included in the refrigerator, one or more loads having feedback uncontrollable may be diagnosed whether they have a fault of not.

An apparatus for controlling a refrigerator, and a method for diagnosing a fault of the refrigerator are presented. More specifically, a power consumption of a refrigerator may be measured, and a fault of a plurality of loads included in the refrigerator may be diagnosed based on the measured power consumption. Accordingly, all of the plurality of loads included in the refrigerator may be diagnosed whether they have a fault or not. Further, among the plurality of loads included in the refrigerator, one or more loads having feedback uncontrollable may be diagnosed whether they have a fault of not.

A regulator system includes a multi-bit detector system and a multi-cell charge/discharge circuit. The multi-bit detector system includes a plurality of detectors. Each of the plurality of detectors has a predetermined threshold voltage. The multi-cell charge/discharge circuit includes a plurality of charge pumps. Each of the charge pumps is configured to generate a predetermined charge. Each of the charge pumps is associated with a predetermined threshold voltage of the detector circuit.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a cellular power supply network, an intelligent gateway and a power supply control method thereof. The cellular power supply network further comprises: at least one cellular power supply layer formed by a plurality of transformers connected as a cellular structure. In the embodiments of the present invention, the electricity energy can be transferred from one transformer to another transformer demanding power as needed, so that the power is more reasonably distributed and the energy utilization rate is improved. In the technical solutions of the present invention, when a certain transformer cannot work normally due to a fault, the electricity energy outside the transformer can be introduced into the user of the transformer using the cellular power supply network, so as to keep continuous power usage. Meanwhile, the transformer can be separated from the power supply network for repairing and maintenance.

The embodiments of the present invention provide a cellular power supply network, an intelligent gateway and a power supply control method thereof. The cellular power supply network further comprises: at least one cellular power supply layer formed by a plurality of transformers connected as a cellular structure. In the embodiments of the present invention, the electricity energy can be transferred from one transformer to another transformer demanding power as needed, so that the power is more reasonably distributed and the energy utilization rate is improved. In the technical solutions of the present invention, when a certain transformer cannot work normally due to a fault, the electricity energy outside the transformer can be introduced into the user of the transformer using the cellular power supply network, so as to keep continuous power usage. Meanwhile, the transformer can be separated from the power supply network for repairing and maintenance.

An activity smoothener circuit is provided to control rates of change in processing activity to limit di/dt in activity areas of an IC to mitigate voltage droops or overshoots. Controlling the rate of change of activity prevents or reduces instances of a di/dt exceeding a programmed maximum that is based on physical limits of the IC and/or a package. In examples, the activity smoothener circuit includes a hierarchy of smoothening circuits controlling activity in areas down to individual circuit blocks (tiles) including execution circuits. An indication of a desired level of activity is provided to a parent smoothening circuit and the parent smoothening circuit responds with indications of actual activity allowed to occur. At each level of hierarchy, the activity smoothener circuit may use algorithms to generate indications of actual activity based on indications of desired activity and di/dt limits. Di/dt limits and current minimums and maximums are controlled.

An activity smoothener circuit is provided to control rates of change in processing activity to limit di/dt in activity areas of an IC to mitigate voltage droops or overshoots. Controlling the rate of change of activity prevents or reduces instances of a di/dt exceeding a programmed maximum that is based on physical limits of the IC and/or a package. In examples, the activity smoothener circuit includes a hierarchy of smoothening circuits controlling activity in areas down to individual circuit blocks (tiles) including execution circuits. An indication of a desired level of activity is provided to a parent smoothening circuit and the parent smoothening circuit responds with indications of actual activity allowed to occur. At each level of hierarchy, the activity smoothener circuit may use algorithms to generate indications of actual activity based on indications of desired activity and di/dt limits. Di/dt limits and current minimums and maximums are controlled.

A circuit device includes first and second detection circuits which detect physical quantity signals based on detection signals from first and second physical quantity transducers, a multiplexer which selects any one signal among a plurality of signals including the physical quantity signals from the first and second detection circuits, an A/D conversion circuit which performs A/D conversion of the selected signal, and a logic circuit which performs processing of a digital signal from the A/D conversion circuit. The first detection circuit is arranged on a second direction side from a first side of the circuit device. The second detection circuit is arranged on the second direction side from the first side and on a first direction side from the first detection circuit. The A/D conversion circuit is arranged between at least one of the first or second detection circuit and the logic circuit.

A circuit device includes first and second detection circuits which detect physical quantity signals based on detection signals from first and second physical quantity transducers, a multiplexer which selects any one signal among a plurality of signals including the physical quantity signals from the first and second detection circuits, an A/D conversion circuit which performs A/D conversion of the selected signal, and a logic circuit which performs processing of a digital signal from the A/D conversion circuit. The first detection circuit is arranged on a second direction side from a first side of the circuit device. The second detection circuit is arranged on the second direction side from the first side and on a first direction side from the first detection circuit. The A/D conversion circuit is arranged between at least one of the first or second detection circuit and the logic circuit.