A microcontroller based multifunctional electronic switch using a detection circuit design to convert external control signal into message carrying sensing signal readable to the microcontroller. Based on a time length of sensing signal and a format of the sensing signal received in a preset instant period of time the microcontroller through the operation of its software program codes is able to recognize working modes chosen by the external control signal generated by user, and thereby selecting appropriate loops of subroutine for execution. The system and method of the present invention may simultaneously be applicable to detection circuit design using infrared ray sensor, electrostatic induction sensor, conduction based touch sensor or push button sensor for performing multifunctions such as controlling on/off switch performance, diming or speed control and delay timer management within the capacity of a single lighting load or an electrical appliance.

A microcontroller based multifunctional electronic switch using a detection circuit design to convert external control signal into message carrying sensing signal readable to the microcontroller. Based on a time length of sensing signal and a format of the sensing signal received in a preset instant period of time the microcontroller through the operation of its software program codes is able to recognize working modes chosen by the external control signal generated by user, and thereby selecting appropriate loops of subroutine for execution. The system and method of the present invention may simultaneously be applicable to detection circuit design using infrared ray sensor, electrostatic induction sensor, conduction based touch sensor or push button sensor for performing multifunctions such as controlling on/off switch performance, diming or speed control and delay timer management within the capacity of a single lighting load or an electrical appliance.

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for photoconductive switch package configurations. In some aspects, a photoconductive switch package includes of a wide bandgap photoconductive material (e.g., GaN, ZnO, diamond, AlN, SiC, BN, etc.), a source for energetic photons (e.g., a laser), a mechanism to couple the laser into the switch, and a mechanism for high voltage to enter and leave the switch package. In some implementations, the disclosed photoconductive switch packages can be configured as a three terminal device, e.g., similar to transistors, with one of the terminals being laser input or the voltage input to the laser system.

Described herein is an electric motor drive system, including at least one power phase line, an external controller configured to generate a drive signal and provide the drive signal to the at least one power phase line, and motor electronics. The motor electronics include at least one switch coupled between the at least one power phase line and at least one electric motor terminal, and an internal controller configured to cooperate with the external controller to perform an authentication process therebetween. The external controller is further configured to cause the at least one switch to electrically couple the at least one power phase line to the at least one electric motor terminal in response to success of the authentication process.

A flyback power converter circuit includes a transformer, a blocking switch, a primary side switch, a primary side controller circuit and a secondary side controller circuit. The transformer is coupled between an input voltage and an internal output voltage in an isolated manner. The blocking switch controls the electric connection between the internal output voltage and an external output voltage. In a standby mode, the internal output voltage is regulated to a standby voltage, and the blocking switch is controlled to be OFF; in an operation mode, the internal output voltage is regulated to an operating voltage, and the blocking switch is controlled to be ON, such that the external output voltage has the operating voltage. The standby voltage is smaller than the operating voltage, so that the power consumption of the flyback power converter circuit is reduced in the standby mode.

A flyback power converter circuit includes a transformer, a blocking switch, a primary side switch, a primary side controller circuit and a secondary side controller circuit. The transformer is coupled between an input voltage and an internal output voltage in an isolated manner. The blocking switch controls the electric connection between the internal output voltage and an external output voltage. In a standby mode, the internal output voltage is regulated to a standby voltage, and the blocking switch is controlled to be OFF; in an operation mode, the internal output voltage is regulated to an operating voltage, and the blocking switch is controlled to be ON, such that the external output voltage has the operating voltage. The standby voltage is smaller than the operating voltage, so that the power consumption of the flyback power converter circuit is reduced in the standby mode.

Aspects of the invention relate to a high-power switching module for the direct pulse energy feeding of a consumer with a plurality of switching stages connected in series. A coupling element and an energy buffer store are provided, the coupling element coupling a primary circuit comprising a balancing capacitance and a semiconductor switch to a secondary circuit comprising the energy buffer store, the coupling element being provided and embodied for obtaining energy of the balancing capacitance and delivering this energy to the energy buffer store during the on phase of the semiconductor switch, and the energy buffer store being provided and embodied for delivering the obtained energy to an energy store of the driver assembly when the semiconductor switch is in the switched-off state.

Aspects of the invention relate to a high-power switching module for the direct pulse energy feeding of a consumer with a plurality of switching stages connected in series. A coupling element and an energy buffer store are provided, the coupling element coupling a primary circuit comprising a balancing capacitance and a semiconductor switch to a secondary circuit comprising the energy buffer store, the coupling element being provided and embodied for obtaining energy of the balancing capacitance and delivering this energy to the energy buffer store during the on phase of the semiconductor switch, and the energy buffer store being provided and embodied for delivering the obtained energy to an energy store of the driver assembly when the semiconductor switch is in the switched-off state.

A system includes a sensor circuit configured to sense a parameter of a power system having an operating voltage greater than a voltage rating of the sensor circuit, an optical communications circuit configured to receive a sensor signal from the sensor circuit and to generate an optical communications signal therefrom, and an optical power supply circuit configured to receive an optical input, to generate electrical power from the received optical input and to supply the generated electrical power to the sensor circuit and the optical communications circuit. A driver circuit may be configured to generate a first control signal applied to a control terminal of the power semiconductor switch, and the optical power supply circuit may be configured to supply the generated electrical power to the sensor circuit, the optical communications circuit and the driver circuit.

According to one aspect, an ambient-light sensor includes a photodiode configured to generate an electrical signal according to an ambient light, a capacitive-feedback transimpedance amplifier connected at its input to the photodiode for receiving a signal generated by the photodiode and for generating as an output an amplified signal from the signal generated by the photodiode, and an auto-zero switch at the input of the capacitive-feedback transimpedance amplifier. The ambient-light sensor further includes a control circuit including a bootstrap circuit configured to receive an initial positive- or zero-voltage logic control signal, and then generate, from this initial logic control signal, an adapted logic control signal having a first positive voltage level and a second negative voltage control level for controlling the auto-zero switch.