Described are concepts, systems, circuits and techniques directed toward methods and apparatus for generating one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) waveforms with the ability to dynamically control pulse width and phase with respect to a reference signal.

Class-D amplifier circuits provide operation with low-distortion zero crossings outside of a unipolar power supply voltage range. The amplifiers include a first H-bridge driver circuit and a second H-bridge driver circuit. The class-D amplifier circuits also include a control circuit having an input for receiving an input signal to be reproduced by the class-D amplifier circuit. The control circuit has outputs coupled to inputs of the first and second H-bridge drivers, and includes one or more modulators. The control circuit selects between actively operating a selected one of the driver circuits or both, according to the signal to be reproduced, while setting an unselected driver circuit to turn either a high-side switch or a low-side switch of the unselected one of the first driver circuit or the second driver circuit fully on for at least some cycles of the one or more modulators.

An improved audio amplifier system can both reduce power consumption by supporting a standby mode and shorten wake time when resuming from the standby mode. The audio amplifier system may reduce power by entering a sleep or standby state in response to a command and/or detecting that an audio input signal is not received. Further, the audio amplifier system may use a burst generator to periodically or intermittently activate the power supply during standby mode. By periodically or intermittently activating the power supply, one or more of the capacitors may be charged. By charging the capacitors during standby mode, the time to wake from standby mode may be significantly reduced. In some cases, the wake time may be reduced by several order of magnitudes (e.g., from seconds to milliseconds).

An improved audio amplifier system can both reduce power consumption by supporting a standby mode and shorten wake time when resuming from the standby mode. The audio amplifier system may reduce power by entering a sleep or standby state in response to a command and/or detecting that an audio input signal is not received. Further, the audio amplifier system may use a burst generator to periodically or intermittently activate the power supply during standby mode. By periodically or intermittently activating the power supply, one or more of the capacitors may be charged. By charging the capacitors during standby mode, the time to wake from standby mode may be significantly reduced. In some cases, the wake time may be reduced by several order of magnitudes (e.g., from seconds to milliseconds).

A pulse width modulation (PWM) digital-to-analog conversion circuit includes switches 102, 104, 114, 116 controlled by a first PWM signal, and switches 106, 108, 110, 112 controlled by a second PWM signal. A first operational amplifier (op-amp) includes a first input coupled to an output of a filter, and a second input coupled to an output of the first op-amp. During a first time period, an output of a second op-amp is coupled to an input of the filter via switches 102 and 104, and an output of a third op-amp is coupled to the output of the first op-amp via switches 114 and 116. During a second time period, the output of the second op-amp is coupled to the output of the first op-amp via switches 106 and 108, and an output of the third op-amp is coupled to the input of the filter via switches 110 and 112.

Amplifier circuits provide operation with low-distortion zero crossings outside of a unipolar power supply voltage range. The amplifiers include multiple driver circuits and a control circuit. The control circuit selects between actively operating selected ones of the multiple driver circuits or all of the multiple driver circuits, according to an input signal to be reproduced by one or more of the multiple amplifier driver circuits. The control circuit determines a splice point at which the control circuit selects between actively operating selected ones of the multiple driver circuits or all of the multiple driver circuits.

A magnetic bearing control apparatus and a vacuum pump which do not require a displacement sensor, which enable control with high accuracy, and which are small and low cost. A rate of change (di/dt) that is a time derivative of a current value I.sub.m flowing through an electromagnet varies in accordance with a magnitude of a displacement of a gap between a target member and the electromagnet. The rate of change (di/dt) can be obtained by detecting a voltage value V.sub.s that is generated at both ends of an inductive element. Therefore, by detecting the voltage value V.sub.s, the magnitude of the displacement of the gap can be estimated by calculation. Inductive elements are connected in series to electromagnets and the voltage V.sub.s between the inductive elements is detected by the differential input amplifier. A single period of switching of a PWM switching amplifier is constituted by a current control period of the electromagnet and a displacement detection period for detecting the rate of change (di/dt). In addition, the displacement detection period is further constituted by a current increase period and a current decrease period which are certain periods of time. The current increase period and the current decrease period are equal to each other.

A magnetic bearing control apparatus and a vacuum pump which do not require a displacement sensor, which enable control with high accuracy, and which are small and low cost. A rate of change (di/dt) that is a time derivative of a current value I.sub.m flowing through an electromagnet varies in accordance with a magnitude of a displacement of a gap between a target member and the electromagnet. The rate of change (di/dt) can be obtained by detecting a voltage value V.sub.s that is generated at both ends of an inductive element. Therefore, by detecting the voltage value V.sub.s, the magnitude of the displacement of the gap can be estimated by calculation. Inductive elements are connected in series to electromagnets and the voltage V.sub.s between the inductive elements is detected by the differential input amplifier. A single period of switching of a PWM switching amplifier is constituted by a current control period of the electromagnet and a displacement detection period for detecting the rate of change (di/dt). In addition, the displacement detection period is further constituted by a current increase period and a current decrease period which are certain periods of time. The current increase period and the current decrease period are equal to each other.

Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a small modular self-contained surface plasma device for decontamination of air and surfaces within enclosed volumes. Embodiments of the subject invention relate to a method and apparatus using the technical process of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) surface plasma generation from ambient atmosphere for decontamination of air and surfaces within enclosed volumes. The primary application mode is for preservation of perishable commodities within industrial shipping containers through reduction of surface spoilage organisms and destruction of evolved gaseous ethylene that causes premature ripening. Additional implementations include deployment for oxidation of surfaces and/or container atmospheres in applications to diminish or eradicate pesticides, toxins, chemical residues, and other natural or introduced contaminants. Other embodiments envisioned include incorporation of device capabilities and or ancillary modules for feedback input (e.g. ozone sensor(s) to maintain steady state levels, self-tuning circuitry to adjust operating frequency), communication (e.g. among modules, RFID data loggers, Wi-Fi output), and programing (e.g. user input of container volume, transit time, ozone level, etc.).

A device includes a first amplifier and a second amplifier. The first amplifier includes an inverting input configured to be coupled to a feedback node of an output of a power converter, a first non-inverting input configured to couple to a first voltage node, a second non-inverting input, and an output. The second amplifier includes an inverting input coupled to the output of the first amplifier, a non-inverting input coupled to a second voltage node, and an output. The device also includes a first transistor coupled to the output of the first amplifier and having a control terminal coupled to the output of the second amplifier, a capacitor coupled to a ground node and to the second non-inverting input of the first amplifier, and a current node coupled to the capacitor.