The voltage variation detection circuit includes: a threshold voltage generation circuit arranged to generate a threshold voltage; a comparator arranged to compare a variation detection-target voltage and the threshold voltage to each other; and a controller arranged to control the threshold voltage generation circuit based on output of the comparator. Repeated are operations of: decreasing the threshold voltage stepwise; when the variation detection-target voltage has come to the threshold voltage or more, first increasing the threshold voltage by specified steps and then again decreasing the threshold voltage stepwise; and when the variation detection-target voltage has come to the threshold voltage or more, increasing the threshold voltage by specified steps. The controller detects a variation of the variation detection-target voltage based on control results at time points when the variation detection-target voltage comes to the threshold voltage or more.

The voltage variation detection circuit includes: a threshold voltage generation circuit arranged to generate a threshold voltage; a comparator arranged to compare a variation detection-target voltage and the threshold voltage to each other; and a controller arranged to control the threshold voltage generation circuit based on output of the comparator. Repeated are operations of: decreasing the threshold voltage stepwise; when the variation detection-target voltage has come to the threshold voltage or more, first increasing the threshold voltage by specified steps and then again decreasing the threshold voltage stepwise; and when the variation detection-target voltage has come to the threshold voltage or more, increasing the threshold voltage by specified steps. The controller detects a variation of the variation detection-target voltage based on control results at time points when the variation detection-target voltage comes to the threshold voltage or more.

Examples herein describe techniques for testing a receiver interface on a die. In one embodiment, the die includes tester circuitry which includes a digital to analog convertor (DAC) which outputs an analog test signal to a selector circuit (e.g., a multiplexer) which forwards the analog test signal to a receiver. By varying the analog test signal, the tester circuitry can identify one or more trip points corresponding to the receiver. That is, by monitoring the output of the receiver, a testing application can determine when the output of the receiver switches states thereby indicating that the analog test signal at the input of the receiver corresponds to the trip point of the receiver. In this manner, internal circuitry (e.g., the tester circuitry) can be used to test a receiver interface that may otherwise be inaccessible.

Examples herein describe techniques for testing a receiver interface on a die. In one embodiment, the die includes tester circuitry which includes a digital to analog convertor (DAC) which outputs an analog test signal to a selector circuit (e.g., a multiplexer) which forwards the analog test signal to a receiver. By varying the analog test signal, the tester circuitry can identify one or more trip points corresponding to the receiver. That is, by monitoring the output of the receiver, a testing application can determine when the output of the receiver switches states thereby indicating that the analog test signal at the input of the receiver corresponds to the trip point of the receiver. In this manner, internal circuitry (e.g., the tester circuitry) can be used to test a receiver interface that may otherwise be inaccessible.

A control circuit for controlling the operation of a main switch device which manages an electrical current delivered to an inductive load device, the control circuit including: a current sense circuit configured to be coupled to the switch device and to output a signal representative of an electrical current through the inductive load device; a current comparator circuit configured to receive an actuation command signal, compare the signal representative of the electrical current through the inductive load device with a signal representative of a predetermined current, and to output a control signal based on the comparison for controlling the operation of the main switch device when the actuation command signal indicates that the inductive load device is to be activated; and a recirculation circuit configured to recirculate current through the inductive load device, such that the current used to activate the inductive load device is selectively provided by the main switch device and the recirculation circuit.

A control circuit for controlling the operation of a main switch device which manages an electrical current delivered to an inductive load device, the control circuit including: a current sense circuit configured to be coupled to the switch device and to output a signal representative of an electrical current through the inductive load device; a current comparator circuit configured to receive an actuation command signal, compare the signal representative of the electrical current through the inductive load device with a signal representative of a predetermined current, and to output a control signal based on the comparison for controlling the operation of the main switch device when the actuation command signal indicates that the inductive load device is to be activated; and a recirculation circuit configured to recirculate current through the inductive load device, such that the current used to activate the inductive load device is selectively provided by the main switch device and the recirculation circuit.

A method for and apparatus processing a measurement signal of a dynamic physical quantity is provided which includes acquiring a measurement signal representing the dynamic physical quantity over time; comparing the acquired measurement signal with a predefined signal characteristic of the respective physical quantity or with a signal characteristic of another physical quantity being dependent from the respective physical quantity to provide a comparison result; and adjusting a waveform representing the acquired measurement signal based upon the comparison result. A digital oscilloscope is also provided.

A method for and apparatus processing a measurement signal of a dynamic physical quantity is provided which includes acquiring a measurement signal representing the dynamic physical quantity over time; comparing the acquired measurement signal with a predefined signal characteristic of the respective physical quantity or with a signal characteristic of another physical quantity being dependent from the respective physical quantity to provide a comparison result; and adjusting a waveform representing the acquired measurement signal based upon the comparison result. A digital oscilloscope is also provided.

A continuous-time sampler has series-connected delay lines with intermediate output taps between the delay lines. Signal from an output tap can be buffered by an optional voltage buffer for performance. A corresponding controlled switch is provided with each output tap to connect the output tap to an output of the continuous-time sampler. The delay lines store a continuous-time input signal waveform within the propagation delays. Controlling the switches corresponding to the output taps with pulses that match the propagation delays can yield a same input signal value at the output. The continuous-time sampler effectively holds or provides the input signal value at the output for further processing without requiring switched-capacitor circuits that sample the input signal value onto some capacitor. In some cases, the continuous-time sampler can be a recursively-connected delay line. The continuous-time sampler can be used as the front end sampler in a variety of analog-to-digital converters.

The present disclosure generally describes a method and system for converting power to operate a load being supplied by line power having a line energy. The method includes rectifying the line power, bucking the rectified line power to generate a desired voltage output such that current is drawn from the line power in phase with the desired voltage output, and bypassing switching energy created during the bucking of the rectified line power.