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.

A power management circuit is provided. The power management circuit includes a plurality of detectors, wherein each of the plurality of detectors are configured with a different reference threshold voltage level; and a controller coupled to the plurality of detectors and configured to activate a subset of the plurality of detectors at any given time, wherein a subset of the plurality of detectors, when activated, are configured to provide a multi-level voltage level indication on a state of a voltage supply.

According to the disclosed embodiments, an on-die capacitor utilized in energy-harvest based circuits is provided. In the disclosed design, the harvester is coupled to the on-die capacitor, thus there is no need to provide power interfaces and semi-conductor devices external to the IC. The disclosed design of the on-die capacitor would reduce the overall size and cost of the IC.

A semiconductor apparatus includes a first voltage detection circuit configured to generate a first voltage detection signal in response to the voltage level of a first voltage, a current control signal and a second voltage detection signal; and a storage and output circuit configured to generate a power control signal and the current control signal in response to the voltage detection signal.

A power adapter, a cable, and an electronic device capable of delivering data or electric current to another electronic device via at least two different types of cables include: an internal power source and a first resistor, and the internal power source is electrically connected to an electronic interface of the electronic device via the first resistor. A method for identifying a type of a cable and is executable by the electronic device includes: determining a measured voltage when the electronic interface of the electronic device is connected to an electronic interface of a target cable; and identifying the type of the target cable based on the measured voltage.

A semiconductor apparatus includes a data input and output (input/output) circuit configured to operate by receiving a first voltage, a core circuit configured operate by receiving a second voltage, and a control circuit configured to output a power control signal for activating the data input/output circuit when the first voltage is higher than a first set voltage and the second voltage is higher a second set voltage.

A multi-relay including a first relay switch operable over a first current range; a second relay switch operable over a second current range; and a current sensor configured to: detect an input current; in response to the input current being within the first current range, activate the first relay switch; and in response to the input current being within the second current range, activate the second relay switch.

A device for selfadjusting an electrical threshold for detecting an electric power consumption failure of an electric charge comprises a plurality of reference signals of increasing values according to a geometric sequence, a setpoint signal representative of the supply signal of the electric charge, a framing unit including a plurality of successive intervals of reference signals successively bounded by the terms of the geometric sequence, a setpoint signal, a plurality of binary output signals, and a logic signal processing means configured to assign to a first binary output signal of the plurality of binary output signals a binary state of belonging of the setpoint signal to a first interval, at least one electrical switch configured to be controlled by the first binary output signal and configured to provide a reference signal of a value of a second term of the geometric sequence, such that the first term and the second term are of equidistant order at both ends of the geometric sequence, the second term being representative of the electrical detection threshold.

A semiconductor device is provided and includes: a voltage sensing circuit configured to output first and second sensing voltages based on a target voltage applied thereto; and a comparing circuit configured to generate a monitoring output signal based on levels of the first and second sensing voltages, wherein the voltage sensing circuit includes: a first transistor including a gate to receive a reference bias voltage, a source connected to an input node, and a drain connected to one end of a first resistive element; a second transistor provided in a current mirror structure with the first transistor, and including a drain connected to a third resistive element; and a second resistive element connected to another end of the first resistive element, the first sensing voltage being provided to both ends of the second resistive element, and the second sensing voltage being provided to both ends of the third resistive element.

A load detection circuit includes a variable current source circuit having a first input connected to a power supply, a second input, and a first output connected to an output load; a switched capacitor circuit having a third input connected to an external voltage reference signal, a fourth input connected to the first output of the variable current source, a fifth input connected to ground, a sixth input, and a second output; a comparator having a seventh input connected to the second output of the switched capacitor circuit, an eighth input connected to the first output of the variable current source, and a third output; an edge detector having a ninth input connected to the third output of the comparator, and a fourth output; and a digital controller having a fifth output connected to the variable current source and a sixth output connected to the switched capacitor circuit.