Abstract:
A method for dynamic limiting of battery voltage includes determining that a voltage delivered by a battery exceeds a predefined maximum safe voltage for operation of a portable electronic device in a hazardous environment and, in response, enabling a voltage restriction circuit in a supply line between the battery and the portable electronic device to reduce the voltage delivered by the battery below the maximum safe voltage, and supplying electrical power to the portable electronic device at the reduced voltage. Enabling the voltage restriction circuit may include deactivating a MOSFET switch that includes a forward biased body diode to allow the body diode to provide a fixed voltage drop. The method also includes determining that the voltage delivered by the battery no longer exceeds the maximum safe voltage and, in response, disabling the first voltage restriction circuit by activating the MOSFET, thus allowing the body diode to be bypassed.
Abstract:
A battery module for a portable communication device having a controller. In one embodiment, the battery module includes a battery accessory interface having a positive terminal, an identifying terminal, and a negative terminal. A voltage regulator is connected to the positive terminal of the battery accessory interface and configured to output a voltage on the positive terminal in response to a control signal. An addressable switch is connected to the identifying terminal of the battery accessory interface. The addressable switch is configured to communicate with the controller and generate the control signal based on input from the controller and the identifying terminal.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for wirelessly charging a chargeable device, such as a smart phone, digital music player, or navigation device, using a wireless charger. The wireless charger includes a connector, a retainer, and a wireless power transmitter. The connector is configured to secure the wireless charger to a visor in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The retainer is configured to selectively retain a chargeable device having a recipient coil. The wireless power transmitter includes a charging coil configured to carry a fluctuating electric current that generates a changing magnetic field for receipt by a recipient coil of the chargeable device. The changing magnetic field induces a fluctuating electric current in the recipient coil, which is used to charge a battery pack of the chargeable device.
Abstract:
A battery module for a portable communication device having a controller. In one embodiment, the battery module includes a battery accessory interface having a positive terminal, an identifying terminal, and a negative terminal. A voltage regulator is connected to the positive terminal of the battery accessory interface and configured to output a voltage on the positive terminal in response to a control signal. An addressable switch is connected to the identifying terminal of the battery accessory interface. The addressable switch is configured to communicate with the controller and generate the control signal based on input from the controller and the identifying terminal.
Abstract:
A printed circuit board includes at least one plated-through hole via drilled into at least one of a first layer on a first side of the printed circuit board and a second layer on a second side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board also includes a core section laminated between the first layer and the second layer, wherein a length of the core section is shorter than a length of the first layer and a length of the second layer. The printed circuit board further includes an open slot configured to house a connection tab of an electronic product connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the open slot is formed adjacent to the core section and between sections of the first layer and the second layer that are longer than the core section.
Abstract:
A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a first charger terminal, a charger enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal and a second terminal coupled to the second load terminal. A first isolation device is coupled between the first load terminal and the first charger terminal and has an enable terminal coupled to the charger enable terminal. A first protection circuit includes a second isolation device coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal and a first sensing circuit configured to enable the second isolation device responsive to detecting a failure of the first isolation device.
Abstract:
A battery module includes a first load terminal, a second load terminal, a load enable terminal, and a battery having a first battery terminal coupled to the first load terminal. A first protection circuit includes a first isolation device coupled between a second battery terminal of the battery and the second load terminal of the battery module. The first protection circuit further includes a first sensing circuit configured to measure a battery parameter and control the first isolation device based on the battery parameter. A driver circuit is coupled between the first battery terminal and the first protection circuit. The driver circuit is configured to control power to the first protection circuit based on a load enable signal asserted at the load enable terminal. A bypass circuit is coupled between the second battery terminal and the second load terminal.
Abstract:
A method for charging a battery includes detecting, with an electronic processor, a presence of the battery coupled to a charging interface. The method includes receiving, with the electronic processor, a command, the command including a charge mode. The method includes, in response to receiving the command, controlling a charging circuit coupled to the charging interface to charge the battery to a predetermined level based on the charge mode. The method includes, when the battery reaches the predetermined charge level, sending a battery control command, based on the charge mode, to control an active limiting circuit of the battery via a single wire data line coupled to the charging interface.
Abstract:
A battery, method and battery operated portable communication device are provided with protection from excessive current and thermal conditions. A plurality of protection circuits are coupled in series within a common charge/discharge path of the battery. The first protection circuit is configured to block current by opening a switch in response to a voltage drop across the switch and a current sense resistor in the common charge/discharge path. The second protection circuit provides redundancy under conditions where the first switch might fail, where the second switch will block current through the current sense resistor.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for providing a selectively reduced voltage to a portable electronic device are disclosed. When a determination is made that an output voltage from a voltage source exceeds a predefined maximum permitted voltage, a plurality of circuitries, including an adaptive active current limiting circuitry, are enabled in order to derive the reduced voltage from the output voltage. The reduced voltage is at least at or below the predefined maximum permitted voltage and is supplied to the portable electronic device by battery circuitry that includes the active current limiting circuitry.