Amplifier with output AC coupling envelope tracking power supply

Abstract

The invention relates to an amplifier with an output AC coupling envelope tracking power supply. An apparatus includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit receives a first signal and a second signal, and the first circuit provides a third signal. The second circuit receives a fourth signal and a fifth signal, and the second circuit provides a sixth signal. The third circuit receives the third signal and the sixth signal, and the third circuit provides a seventh signal to indicate whether to track a difference between an amount of voltage provided to a driver and an amount of voltage provided by the driver or to track a difference between an amount of voltage provided by a source and the amount of voltage provided to the driver.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to signal amplification and amplifiers. Background Art

[0002] Amplifiers may have multiple classes and each class of amplifiers may have different characteristics. Summary of the invention

[0003] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system, comprising: a device, comprising: a first circuit, which is configured to: receive a first signal indicating a first voltage amount provided by a first source; receive a second signal indicating a second voltage amount provided to a driver; provide a third signal having a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal and provide the third signal having a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal; a second circuit, which is configured to: receive a fourth signal indicating a third voltage amount provided by the driver; receive a fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount; provide a sixth signal having a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal and provide the sixth signal having a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal; and a third circuit, which is configured to: receive the third signal and the sixth signal; and provide a seventh signal to indicate whether to: track the difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; or track the difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

[0004] On the other hand, the present disclosure relates to a device, comprising: a first circuit, which is configured to: receive a first signal indicating a first voltage amount provided by a first source; receive a second signal indicating a second voltage amount provided to a driver; and provide a third signal having a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal and provide the third signal having a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal; a second circuit, which is configured to: receive a fourth signal indicating a third voltage amount provided by the driver; receive a fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount; and provide a sixth signal having a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal and provide the sixth signal having a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal; and a third circuit, which is configured to: receive the third signal and the sixth signal; and provide a seventh signal to indicate whether to: track the difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; or track the difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

[0005] In yet another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for tracking a signal of a driver, the method comprising: receiving a first signal and a second signal by a first circuit, the first signal indicating a first voltage amount provided by a first source, and the second signal indicating a second voltage amount provided to the driver; providing a third signal having a first level by the first circuit in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal, and providing the third signal having a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal; receiving a fourth signal and a fifth signal by a second circuit, the fourth signal indicating a third voltage amount provided by the driver, and the fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount; providing a sixth signal having a first level by the second circuit in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal, and providing the sixth signal having a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal; receiving the third signal and the sixth signal by a third circuit; and providing a seventh signal by the third circuit to indicate whether to: track a difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; or track a difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The various objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by reference to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference characters identify all corresponding elements. In the drawings, the same reference numbers generally indicate the same, functionally similar and / or structurally similar elements.

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a system for output tracking according to some embodiments.

[0008] Figure 2 According to some embodiments Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of the system described in .

[0009] Figure 3 According to some embodiments Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of the system described in .

[0010] Figure 4 According to some embodiments Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of the system described in .

[0011] Figure 5 It is to illustrate that according to some embodiments, Figure 2 Graphs of signals of components of the system illustrated in FIG.

[0012] Figure 6 It is to illustrate that according to some embodiments, Figure 3 Graphs of signals of components of the system illustrated in FIG.

[0013] Figure 7 It is to illustrate that according to some embodiments, Figure 4 Graphs of signals of components of the system illustrated in FIG.

[0014] Figure 8 is a block diagram of a process for tracking an output signal according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Some embodiments relate to systems and methods for output signal tracking of an amplifier. Output signal tracking may refer to and / or include envelope tracking, power supply tracking, and power supply modification. Output signal tracking may include monitoring, analyzing, recording, and / or otherwise evaluating an output signal of an amplifier. For example, output signal tracking may include receiving an output signal from an amplifier and comparing a value of the output signal to an amount of power and / or an amount of voltage provided to the amplifier. Tracking the value of an output signal provided by an amplifier may allow for improved efficiency of the amplifier.

[0016] The amplifier is typically electrically coupled to a power supply and the power supply provides power to the amplifier. The power supply typically provides power to the amplifier at a given voltage or current level (e.g., 0.7 volts, 1 volt, 5 volts, 10 volts, 12 volts, etc.). The given voltage or current may be direct current (DC), alternating current (AC), and / or other varying combinations. The voltage level or current level provided to the amplifier may affect the efficiency of the amplifier. For example, the voltage level provided to the power supply terminals of the amplifier may establish the output range of the amplifier (e.g., the output of the amplifier may not exceed the amount of power (e.g., voltage level) provided to the amplifier from the power supply). Additionally, the characteristics of the input signal may also affect the efficiency of the amplifier.

[0017] According to one example, an amplifier may receive a signal at a 3 volt voltage level and receive power at its power terminal at a 12 volt voltage level. The amplifier and / or circuitry including the amplifier may have a given gain factor that affects the voltage level of an output signal provided by the amplifier. For example, the amplifier may have a gain factor of 2, which means that the amplifier is capable of generating an output signal having a 6 volt voltage level in response to the amplifier receiving an input signal having a 3 volt voltage level. In this example, the efficiency of the amplifier may be reduced because the amplifier receives power at a 12 volt level when it only generates an output signal at a 6 volt voltage level based on the input signal and the power level.

[0018] Some technical solutions and advantages of some embodiments relate to a system including a device that can track the level of an input signal provided to an amplifier and compare the level of the input signal to the level of a power signal provided to a power supply terminal of the amplifier and / or compare the level of the input signal to the level of a signal provided by a driver (e.g., an amplified output signal). The device can control and / or otherwise change the amount of voltage provided to the power supply terminal to adjust and / or otherwise change the efficiency of the amplifier. The device can include at least one circuit. For example, the device can include a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit and the second circuit can receive signals corresponding to different amounts of power that can be provided to the amplifier (e.g., a driver) by at least one source. For example, the different amounts of power can be provided by the first source and / or the second source. The first circuit and the second circuit can also receive a signal provided by the driver. For example, the first circuit and the second circuit can receive an output signal provided by the driver. The first circuit and the second circuit can generate a signal indicating a comparison between the signals and the generated signal can be provided to the third circuit. The third circuit can track and / or otherwise monitor the signals generated by the first and second circuits and the third circuit can generate a signal that can control the amount of voltage provided to the driver in response to the monitoring signal.

[0019] The device may communicate with an amplifier (e.g., a driver). In some embodiments, the communication between the device and the driver may be direct (e.g., the device is directly connected to the driver and the device communicates directly with the driver) and / or indirect (e.g., a component receives a signal from the driver and a component provides a signal to the device). The communication between the device and the driver may include the device and the driver being electrically coupled to each other. The device may also similarly communicate with a power supply and / or power supply device that may provide power to the power supply terminals of the driver. The device may provide a signal that causes the amount of voltage provided to the power supply terminals of the driver to be controlled and / or otherwise adjusted.

[0020] A system may refer to and / or include at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a capacitive load component, a display driver, a touch screen, a keyboard sensor, a mobile device, and / or other possible touch controllers. In some embodiments, a device may refer to and / or include at least one of an integrated circuit, a general purpose processor, a multi-core processor, a software programmable device, a programmable logic controller, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware. Similarly, the functions of the device may be stored in a memory as software and / or instructions and when the information stored in the memory (e.g., software and / or instructions) is executed by a processor, the processor is caused to perform the functions of the device (e.g., the processor may monitor the output signal and control the amount of voltage provided to the driver) and / or perform the functions of the components of the device (e.g., the first circuit, the second circuit, and / or the third circuit).

[0021] In some embodiments, the first circuit may refer to and / or include at least one of an operational amplifier (Opamp), a comparator circuit, an integrated circuit, a software programmable device, a programmable logic controller, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware. In some embodiments, the second circuit may refer to and / or include at least one of an operational amplifier, a comparator circuit, an integrated circuit, a software programmable device, a programmable logic controller, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware. In some embodiments, the third circuit may refer to and / or include at least one of an operational amplifier, a comparator circuit, a filter, a digital signal processing engine, a pattern generator (e.g., a device that sends control signals to components of a device and / or system), a flip-flop, a logic gate, a latch, a state storage device, an integrated circuit, a software programmable device, a programmable logic controller, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware.

[0022] In some embodiments, the driver may refer to and / or include at least one of a driver circuit, an integrated circuit, an operational amplifier, a regulator, a software programmable device, a programmable logic controller, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware. In some embodiments, the first source may refer to and / or include at least one of a power supply device, a passive electronic component, a power storage device, a power rail, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware. In some embodiments, the second source may refer to and / or include at least one of a power supply device, a passive electronic component, a power storage device, a power rail, and / or other possible circuit systems and / or hardware. In some embodiments, the level may refer to and / or include at least one of the voltage level of a signal, the voltage amount of a signal, the power amount of a signal, the current amount of a signal, and / or various combinations. In some embodiments, the difference may refer to and / or include an indication of which signal (e.g., the first signal or the second signal) is larger and / or smaller relative to each other, a binary value (e.g., 0 or 1) indicating whether the first signal is higher and / or lower than the second signal, and / or various combinations. In some embodiments, the difference may also refer to the mathematical difference between two or more signals (e.g., a larger signal minus a smaller signal). In some embodiments, the first component may refer to and / or include at least one of a voltage source (e.g., a battery, a current through a resistor, etc.), circuit system hardware (e.g., a transistor, a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, a diode, etc.), and / or various combinations.

[0023] Some embodiments relate to a system. The system may include a device. The device may include a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit may receive a first signal indicating a first voltage amount provided by a first source. The first circuit may also receive a second signal indicating a second voltage amount provided to a driver and provide a third signal, the third signal may have a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal, and the third signal may have a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal. The second circuit may receive a fourth signal indicating a third voltage amount provided by the driver. The second circuit may also receive a fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount and provide a sixth signal, the sixth signal may have a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal, and the sixth signal may have a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal. The third circuit may receive the third signal and the sixth signal and provide a seventh signal to indicate whether to track the difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount or the difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first source may be electrically coupled to a terminal of the driver, and the first source may provide a first level of the second voltage amount. A second source may be electrically coupled to the terminal of the driver, and the second source provides a second level of the second voltage amount. In response to the seventh signal having a first level, the first component may electrically decouple the first source from the terminal of the driver and electrically couple the second source to the terminal of the driver.

[0025] In some embodiments, the level of the second signal may have a first level in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount. The second signal may have a second level in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount, and the second level of the second signal may be greater than the first level of the second signal.

[0026] In some embodiments, in response to the seventh signal having a second level, the first component may electrically decouple the second source from the terminal of the driver and electrically couple the first source to the terminal of the driver. The second circuit may receive the fourth signal in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount or in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first component may electrically couple the driver with the first source in response to the seventh signal having a first level. The second component may electrically couple the driver with a second source in response to the seventh signal having a second level.

[0028] In some embodiments, the fourth signal may have a first range in response to the first source providing a first level of the second voltage amount. The fourth signal may have a second range in response to the second source providing a second level of the second voltage amount, and the first range may be different from the second range.

[0029] In some embodiments, the second signal may be indicative of a supply voltage of the driver and the supply voltage may dictate a range of the driver.

[0030] In some embodiments, in response to the seventh signal having a first level, the first component may electrically couple the second component with the first circuit to adjust the level of the first signal from the first level to a second level and generate a threshold between the first signal and the second signal in response to the first signal being adjusted from the first level to the second level.

[0031] In some embodiments, a second component may be electrically coupled to the second circuit. The second component may also adjust the level of the fifth signal from a first level to a second level and generate a threshold between the fifth signal and the fourth signal in response to the fifth signal being adjusted from the first level to the second level.

[0032] In some embodiments, the seventh signal may have a first level to indicate tracking the difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount, and the seventh signal may have a second level to indicate tracking the difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

[0033] Some embodiments relate to a device. The device may include a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit may receive a first signal indicating a first voltage amount provided by a first source. The first circuit may also receive a second signal indicating a second voltage amount provided to a driver and provide a third signal, the third signal may have a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal and the third signal may have a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal. The second circuit may receive a fourth signal indicating a third voltage amount provided by the driver. The second circuit may also receive a fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount and provide a sixth signal, the sixth signal may have a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal and the sixth signal may have a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal. The third circuit may receive the third signal and the sixth signal and provide a seventh signal to indicate whether to track the difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount or the difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first source may be electrically coupled to a terminal of the driver and provide a first level of the second voltage amount. A second source may be electrically coupled to the terminal of the driver and provide a second level of the second voltage amount. In response to the seventh signal having a first level, a first component may electrically decouple the first source from the terminal of the driver and electrically couple the second source to the terminal of the driver.

[0035] In some embodiments, the level of the second signal may have a first level in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount. The second signal may have a second level in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount, and the second level of the second signal is greater than the first level of the second signal.

[0036] In some embodiments, in response to the seventh signal having a second level, the first component may electrically decouple the second source from the terminal of the driver and electrically couple the first source to the terminal of the driver. The second circuit may receive the fourth signal in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount or in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first component may electrically couple the driver with the first source in response to the seventh signal having a first level. The second component may electrically couple the driver with a second source in response to the seventh signal having a second level.

[0038] In some embodiments, the fourth signal may have a first range in response to the first source providing a first level of the second voltage amount. The fourth signal may have a second range in response to the second source providing a second level of the second voltage amount, and the first range may be different from the second range.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second signal may be indicative of a supply voltage of the driver and the supply voltage may dictate a range of the driver.

[0040] In some embodiments, in response to the seventh signal having a first level, the first component may electrically couple the second component with the first circuit to adjust the level of the first signal from the first level to a second level and generate a threshold between the first signal and the second signal in response to the first signal being adjusted from the first level to the second level.

[0041] Some embodiments relate to a method for tracking a signal of a driver. The method may include receiving a first signal and a second signal by a first circuit. The first signal may indicate a first voltage amount provided by a first source and the second signal may indicate a second voltage amount provided to the driver. The method may also include providing a third signal by the first circuit, the third signal may have a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal and the third signal may have a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal. The method may also include receiving a fourth signal and a fifth signal by a second circuit. The fourth signal may indicate a third voltage amount provided by the driver and the fifth signal indicates the second voltage amount. The method may also include providing a sixth signal by the second circuit, the sixth signal may have a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal and the sixth signal may have a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal. The method may also include receiving the third signal and the sixth signal by a third circuit and providing a seventh signal by the third circuit to indicate whether to track a difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount or to track a difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

[0042] In some embodiments, the level of the second signal may have a first level in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount. The second signal may have a second level in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount, and the second level of the second signal may be greater than the first level of the second signal.

[0043] Figure 1A block diagram of a system 100 is depicted in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, the system 100 includes at least one device 105, at least one power supply 120, at least one driver 125, and at least one component 130. The power supply 120 may be and / or include at least one of the power sources and / or power supplies described herein. For example, the power supply 120 may provide power to a power terminal (e.g., to a pair of power terminals (e.g., positive, negative, power, ground, etc.)) of the driver 125. The power supply 120 may also provide an input signal to the device 105. The power supply 120 may include a converter circuit, a regulator, a battery, a storage capacitor, or any device for providing a power signal. The driver 125 may be and / or include a driver described herein. For example, the driver 125 may provide an output signal to the device 105.

[0044] Device 105 may be and / or include the devices described herein. In some embodiments, device 105 includes one or more comparators 110 and one or more tracking mode selectors 115. Comparator 110 may be and / or include at least one of the circuits described herein. Tracking mode selector 115 may be and / or include at least one of the circuits described herein. Comparator 110 may receive one or more signals. For example, comparator 110 may receive one or more signals from power supply 120 (indicated as power supply signals) and comparator 110 may receive one or more signals from driver 125 (indicated as Figure 1 output signal in ).

[0045] The power signal may refer to, correspond to, and / or otherwise indicate at least one of an amount of voltage (e.g., a voltage level and / or voltage amount) and / or an amount of power provided to at least one power terminal (e.g., a terminal) of the driver 125. For example, the power terminal of the driver 125 may receive an amount of power from the power supply 120 including a voltage level (e.g., a voltage amount) of a given amount and / or value. The voltage level included in the amount of power provided to the power terminal of the driver 125 may also be provided to the comparator 110 (e.g., as a power signal). The power signal may also refer to, correspond to, and / or otherwise indicate an amount of power and / or an amount of voltage carried by a rail or line (e.g., a voltage level of a power line generated by the power supply 120).

[0046] The output signal may refer to, correspond to, and / or otherwise indicate the amount of power and / or voltage provided by the driver 125. For example, the driver 125 may receive the signal and then provide an amplified signal. The amplified signal may include a voltage level of a given amount and / or value. The voltage level included in the amplified signal (e.g., the amount of power provided by the driver 125) may also be provided to the comparator 110 (e.g., as an output signal).

[0047] The comparator 110 may receive a signal indicating an amount of voltage provided by a power source. For example, the comparator 110 may receive a first power signal indicating an amount of voltage provided by the first power source 120 to a power line or voltage rail. The first power signal may include a voltage level indicating the amount of voltage provided by the first power source 120. The comparator 110 may also receive a signal indicating an amount of voltage provided to the driver 125. For example, the comparator 110 may receive a second power signal indicating an amount of voltage provided to a power terminal of the driver 125. The second power signal may include a voltage level indicating an amount of voltage provided to the power terminal of the driver 125.

[0048] The power signal may have one or more levels. For example, the second power signal may have a first level and a second level. When the first power supply 120 provides a first level of voltage to the driver 125, the second power signal may have a first level. When the second power supply 120 provides a second level of voltage to the driver 125, the second power signal may have a second level. The second level may be different from the first level (e.g., a voltage level included in the voltage provided by the second power supply 120 may be different from (e.g., greater than or less than) a voltage level included in the voltage provided by the first power supply 120).

[0049] The comparator may receive a signal indicative of the amount of voltage provided by the driver 125. For example, the comparator may receive a first output signal indicative of the amount of voltage provided by the driver 125. The first output signal may include a voltage level indicative of the amount of voltage provided by the driver 125.

[0050] Comparator 110 may also provide one or more signals. For example, comparator 110 may provide one or more signals to tracking mode selector 115 (in Figure 1 denoted as a comparison signal in FIG. 1 ). The comparator 110 may compare one or more signals to determine which signal is larger and / or smaller. For example, the comparator 110 may compare the first power signal with the first output signal to determine which signal is larger. The comparator 110 may also compare the first power signal with the second power signal.

[0051] The comparator 110 may provide a signal indicating a difference between the amount of voltage provided by the first source (e.g., power supply 120) and the amount of voltage provided to the driver (e.g., driver 125). For example, the comparator 110 may provide a first comparison signal indicating a difference between the first power supply signal and the second power supply signal. The comparator 110 may also provide a second comparison signal indicating a difference between the second power supply signal and the first output signal.

[0052] The first comparison signal may have a first level in response to the first power signal being greater than the second power signal. The first comparison signal may have a second level in response to the second power signal being greater than the first power signal. The first level and the second level may include voltage levels. For example, a first comparison signal having a 0V voltage level (e.g., the first level) may indicate that the first power signal is greater than the second power signal and a first comparison signal having a 1V voltage level (e.g., the second level) may indicate that the second power signal is greater than the first power signal.

[0053] When the first output signal is greater than the second power signal, the second comparison signal may have a first level. When the second power signal is greater than the first output signal, the second comparison signal may have a second level. The first level and the second level may include voltage levels. For example, a second comparison signal having a 1V voltage level (e.g., the first level) may indicate that the first output signal is greater than the second power signal and a second comparison signal having a 0V voltage level (e.g., the second level) may indicate that the second power signal is greater than the first output signal.

[0054] As a non-limiting example, the first power supply signal may include a 5V voltage level and the second power supply signal may include an 8V voltage level. In this example, the comparator 110 may determine that the second power supply signal is greater than the first power supply signal. The comparator 110 may provide a first comparison signal indicating a difference between the first power supply signal and the second power supply signal. For example, the first comparison signal may have a second value indicating that the second power supply signal is greater than the first power supply signal.

[0055] Although the examples described herein with respect to comparing and / or determining the difference between signals (e.g., which signal is larger and / or smaller) relate to signals including voltage levels greater than and / or equal to 0 (e.g., positive values), the comparison of signals may include voltage levels less than 0 (e.g., negative values). When the signals include voltage levels with negative values, the comparison between the signals may be absolute and / or relative. For example, the signal with a voltage level closer to 0V (e.g., a less negative value) may be determined to be the signal with the maximum value. Additionally, the absolute values ​​of the voltage levels may be obtained and then after obtaining the absolute values, the signal with the maximum voltage level may be determined to be the maximum signal.

[0056] As described herein, according to some embodiments, the efficiency of a driver and / or amplifier (e.g., driver 125) may be based on the amount of voltage provided to the power supply terminal and the output value produced by the amplifier. In some embodiments, tracking mode selector 115 may provide the technical solutions described herein by monitoring the power supply terminal voltage (e.g., the power supply signal described herein) and the output signal (e.g., the output signal described herein) of driver 125 to determine when the first power supply 120 or the second power supply 120 may provide power to the power supply terminal of driver 125. For example, the first power supply 120 may provide 5 volts to the power supply terminal of driver 125 and the second power supply 120 may provide 10 volts to the power supply terminal of driver 125. Tracking mode selector 115 may control the efficiency of driver 125 by causing the first power supply 120 to provide power to driver 125 when the output of driver 125 is below 5 volts and causing the second power supply 120 to provide power to driver 125 when the output of driver 125 is close to a predetermined threshold of 5 volts or about 5 volts.

[0057] Component 130 may be and / or include at least one of a transistor, a diode, a circuit switch, a latch, a passive element (e.g., a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, etc.), a voltage source, a current source, and / or other possible hardware and / or circuit elements. A transistor may include a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET), a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), and / or other possible types of transistors. A voltage source may include a power source such as a battery and / or a current flowing through a resistor.

[0058] Tracking mode selector 115 may receive one or more signals. For example, tracking mode selector 115 may receive a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal. Tracking mode selector 115 may determine when to track a difference between an amount of voltage provided to a terminal of a driver (e.g., an amount of voltage provided to a power supply terminal of driver 125) and an amount of voltage provided by the driver (e.g., an amount of voltage included in an amplified output signal of driver 125) based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal. Tracking mode selector 115 may also determine when to track a difference between an amount of voltage provided by a source (e.g., power supply 120) and an amount of voltage provided to a power supply terminal of driver 125 based on the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal. For example, when second power supply 120 supplies power to a power supply terminal of driver 125, tracking mode selector 115 may determine to track a difference between the first power supply signal and the second power supply signal. In this example, tracking mode selector 115 may track the first and second power supply signals to determine when the power supply voltage (eg, the amount of voltage provided to driver 125 ) may switch from a voltage level provided by second power supply 120 to a voltage level provided by first power supply 120 .

[0059] Tracking mode selector 115 may provide one or more signals. For example, tracking mode selector 115 may provide a signal to component 130. The signal provided by tracking mode selector 115 is Figure 1 120 is indicated as a tracking signal. Tracking mode selector 115 may provide a tracking signal to component 130. The tracking signal may cause component 130 to electrically decouple and / or electrically couple one of power sources 120 to driver 125. For example, the tracking signal may cause component 130 to electrically couple a first power source 120 to a terminal of driver 125 and the tracking signal may cause component 130 to electrically decouple a second power source 120 from a terminal of driver 125. For example, component 130 may include a MOSFET and the tracking signal may have a given level (e.g., a given voltage level, a given voltage amount, a given power amount, and / or a given current amount), and the given level of the tracking signal may cause the current flowing through the MOSFET to switch from a first path to a second path. The tracking signal may also activate and / or deactivate a switch (e.g., open and / or close a portion or path of a circuit).

[0060] The signals described herein may be at least one of sequential signals (e.g., a first signal followed by a second signal, etc.), continuous signals (e.g., a first signal is continuously provided, but the value of the first signal may change), semi-continuous signals (e.g., a first signal is intermittently provided in response to a change in the value of the first signal), non-continuous signals (e.g., a first signal is not immediately followed by a second signal), and / or other possible combinations. For clarity, when a first power source and a second power source are discussed herein, the first power source may have a voltage value that is lower than a voltage value of the second power source. However, the power sources described herein may have and / or include varying voltage values, voltage types (e.g., AC, DC, etc.), varying configurations, and / or various positions.

[0061] Figure 2 Schematic diagram 200 is depicted including elements of system 100 according to some embodiments. Schematic diagram 200 includes comparator 110, tracking mode selector 115, driver 125, and component 130. Comparator 110 may include one or more operational amplifiers 203 and / or one or more comparator circuits 203 (e.g., comparator 203). For example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the comparator 110 includes a first comparator 203 and a second comparator 203. In some embodiments, at least one of the first comparator 203 and / or the second comparator 203 can perform a function similar to that of the comparator 110. Both the first comparator 203 and the second comparator 203 can receive one or more signals. Both the first comparator 203 and the second comparator 203 can also provide one or more signals.

[0062] The first comparator 203 is shown electrically coupled to a power source 275 or source 275 via a power line 255 and to a power line 260. The source 275 can be and / or include at least one power source 120. The source 275 can also be or include at least one of the power supplies, power sources, and / or sources described herein. Figure 2 The source 275 that provides a voltage level including the voltage level VDD5 is illustrated. The voltage level provided by the source 275 is Figure 2 The power supply 1 signal may be and / or include the first power supply signal described herein. For example, the power supply 1 signal may be and / or include the first level of the first power supply signal.

[0063] Power line 260 is also shown as being electrically coupled to terminal 270 of driver 125. Terminal 270 may be and / or include at least one of the terminals, power terminals, and / or input terminals described herein. Power provided and / or generated by at least one of the sources described herein may be transmitted by power line 260. The amount of voltage transmitted by power line 260 is Figure 2 The terminal power supply may be and / or include the second power signal described herein.

[0064] The first comparator 203 may receive a signal indicating the amount of voltage provided by the first source. For example, the first comparator 203 may receive a power supply 1 signal. The first comparator 203 may also receive a signal indicating the amount of voltage provided to the driver. For example, the first comparator 203 may receive a terminal power supply signal. The first comparator 203 may compare the power supply 1 signal with the terminal power supply signal to determine which signal is larger and / or smaller. The first comparator 203 may provide a signal (e.g., a first comparison signal) indicating the difference between the power supply 1 signal and the terminal power supply signal. The first comparison signal may be provided to the R terminal of the tracking mode selector 115.

[0065] The second comparator 203 is shown electrically coupled to the driver 125 via a power line 265 and to the power line 260. The power line 265 is also shown electrically coupled to the output terminal of the driver 125. The amount of voltage provided by the driver 125 may be transmitted as a signal along the power line 265. The signal transmitted along the power line 265 may be and / or include the first output signal described herein. The signal transmitted along the power line 265 is shown as including a voltage level Vout.

[0066] The second comparator 203 may receive a signal indicating the amount of voltage provided by the driver. For example, the second comparator 203 may receive the first output signal via power line 265. The second comparator 203 may also receive a signal indicating the amount of voltage provided to the driver. For example, the second comparator 203 may receive the terminal power signal via power line 260. The second comparator 203 may compare the first output signal with the terminal power signal to determine which signal is larger and / or smaller. The second comparator 203 may provide a signal (e.g., a second comparison signal) indicating the difference between the first output signal and the terminal power signal. The second comparison signal may be provided to the S terminal of the tracking mode selector 115.

[0067] The second comparator 203 is shown as being electrically coupled to the voltage offset 210. The voltage offset 210 may include a power source 210. The power source 210 may be electrically coupled to a power line 260. The power source 210 may electrically couple the second comparator 203 to the power line 260. The power source 210 may be and / or include at least one of the power sources and / or power supplies described herein. The power source 210 is shown as including a voltage level V_Ref. The orientation and / or placement of the power source 210 between the power line 260 and the second comparator 203 may cause the power source 210 to adjust the level of the terminal power signal received by the second comparator 203. For example, the power source 210 may adjust the terminal power signal (received by the second comparator 203) from a first level (e.g., terminal power) to a second level (e.g., terminal power −V_Ref).

[0068] The power supply 210 may generate a threshold between the terminal power signal and the first output signal in response to adjusting the terminal power signal from a first level to a second level. The threshold between the terminal power signal and the first output signal may cause the tracking mode selector 115 to determine that the first output signal is greater than the terminal power signal before the level of the first output signal is actually greater than the level of the terminal power signal. For example, the terminal power signal may include a 5V voltage level (e.g., VDD5 provided by the source 275) and the first output signal may include a 4.5V voltage level. However, the voltage level of the terminal power signal received by the second comparator 203 may include a 5V-V_Ref voltage level. In this example, based on the V_Ref voltage level, the second comparator 203 may determine that the first output signal is greater than the terminal power signal before the voltage level of the first output power signal exceeds the voltage level of the terminal power signal. The threshold generated by the power supply 210 may cause the device 105 to increase the amount of voltage provided to the driver 125 (e.g., terminal 270) before the amount of voltage generated by the driver 125 exceeds its power supply (e.g., terminal power). For example, tracking mode selector 115 may generate a signal that increases the amount of voltage provided from source 1 to terminal 270 to the amount of voltage provided by source 272 .

[0069] Source 272 can be and / or include at least one power source 120. Source 272 can also be and / or include at least one of the power supplies, power sources, or sources described herein. Figure 2 The source 272 is illustrated as providing a voltage level including the VDD10 voltage level. The voltage level provided by the source 272 is Figure 2 The power supply 2 signal may be and / or include the first power supply signal described herein. For example, the power supply 2 signal may be and / or include the second level of the first power supply signal.

[0070] Tracking mode selector 115 may receive one or more signals from comparator 203. For example, tracking mode selector 115 may receive a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal. Figure 2 As illustrated in , the tracking mode selector 115 is shown as an SR flip-flop. Although shown as an SR flip-flop, the tracking mode selector 115 may also be and / or include several other types of flip-flops and / or digital signal processors. The tracking mode selector 115 may maintain, store and / or otherwise retain state information related to the first comparison signal and the second comparison signal. For example, the R terminal and the S terminal may be set to low (e.g., set to 0) and / or high (e.g., set to 1), and the output terminal (e.g., the Q terminal) may maintain a low value (e.g., 0) and / or a high value (e.g., 1) based on how the tracking mode selector 115 is configured. The output of the Q terminal is shown as being electrically coupled to the NOT gate 205. The output of the Q terminal is shown as tracking. The output of the Q terminal may be or include the tracking signal described herein. The NOT gate 205 may invert the output of the Q terminal. The output of the NOT gate 205 is illustrated as Figure 2 As described in The signal may be and / or include a tracking signal as described herein.

[0071] As a non-limiting example, the first comparison signal may be low and the second comparison signal may be high. Given that the R terminal and the S terminal are already set to low, the first comparison signal may keep the R signal low and the second comparison signal may set the S terminal to high. This may cause the Q terminal to go high and the Q terminal may remain high while the R terminal remains unchanged (e.g., the first comparison signal does not change). The output of the Q terminal (e.g., a high signal) may be provided to the NOT gate 205 and the NOT gate 205 may invert the signal (e.g., set the tracking signal to 0).

[0072] The schematic diagram is shown to include at least one switch 220 and at least one transistor 235 (shown as a MOSFET). The switch 220 and transistor 235 may be controlled by a tracking signal provided by a tracking mode selector. Figure 2 Display can be The value of the tracking signal (e.g., low or high) may affect switch 220 and transistor 235. For example, a change in the tracking signal from low to high may cause switch 220 to move from an open position to a closed position. As another example, switch 220 may move from a closed position to an open position due to a change in the value of the tracking signal.

[0073] The tracking signal may adjust the current through transistor 235. For example, the current through transistor 235 may have a first path with the tracking signal set high and the current through transistor 235 may have a second path with the tracking signal set low. The current path through the transistor may affect the level of the terminal power supply signal and / or the level of the first output power supply signal. For example, when the tracking signal has a first level, transistor 235 may electrically couple source 275 with power supply line 260. Transistor 235 electrically coupling source 275 with power supply line 260 may cause source 275 to provide a first level of the amount of voltage provided to terminal 270 (e.g., the terminal power supply signal includes a voltage level similar to voltage level VDD5). The amount of voltage provided to terminal 270 of driver 125 may also affect the amount of voltage provided by driver 125 (e.g., the first output power supply signal) because the amount of voltage provided by driver 125 cannot exceed the amount of voltage provided to driver 125 (e.g., the voltage level of the terminal power supply signal).

[0074] The switch 220 may electrically couple the first comparator 203 with the voltage offset 215. The voltage offset 215 may include a power supply 215. The power supply 215 is shown to include a voltage level VP_Ref. The switch 220 may electrically couple the first comparator 203 with the power supply 215 based on the level of the tracking signal. For example, when the tracking signal has a level indicating a difference between the tracking power supply 1 signal and the terminal power supply, the level of the tracking signal may cause the switch 220 to electrically couple the first comparator 203 with the power supply 215. The switch 220 may electrically couple the first comparator 203 with the power supply 215 to adjust the level of the power supply 1 signal from a first level (e.g., VDD5) to a second level (e.g., VDD5+VP_Ref).

[0075] The switch 220 may generate a threshold between the power supply 1 signal and the terminal power signal in response to adjusting the power supply 1 signal from the first level to the second level. The effect of the threshold generated by the transistor switch between the power supply 1 signal and the terminal power signal may be similar to the effect of the threshold generated by the power supply 210. For example, the threshold between the power supply 1 signal and the terminal power signal may cause the first comparator 203 to determine that the level of the power supply 1 signal is greater than the level of the terminal power signal before the power supply 1 signal exceeds the terminal power signal.

[0076] Schematic 200 may include Mtrack. Mtrack is shown as including transistor 225. Schematic 200 may also include Mreset. Mreset may be or include switch 220. Mtrack may refer to and / or include a path taken by device 105 when tracking the difference between the level of the terminal power supply signal and the level of the first output signal as the level of the terminal power supply signal increases from VDD5 to VDD10. For example, the terminal power supply signal may have a VDD5 voltage level and comparator 110 may compare the difference between VDD5 and the first output signal to determine when to switch the amount of voltage provided to driver 125 from source 275 to source 272. When comparator 110 indicates that the first output signal is greater than the terminal power supply signal, transistor 225 may electrically couple source 272 to power supply line 260 and transistor 235 may electrically decouple source 275 from power supply line 260. The amount of voltage provided to the terminal of driver 125 may change from VDD5 to VDD10.

[0077] Mreset may refer to and / or include the path taken when the affected and / or changed components are reset based on the device 105 increasing the voltage level of the terminal power supply from VDD5 to VDD10. For example, Mreset may electrically decouple the source 272 from the power supply line 260 and Mreset may electrically couple the source 275 to the power supply line 260. Mreset may also return the terminals (e.g., the R terminal and the S terminal) of the tracking mode selector 115 to their initial configuration or settings. Figure 2 An example of schematic 200 is depicted having a single-sided tracking configuration because the input to the positive supply terminal of driver 125 can be adjusted (eg, source 275 or source 272 provides an amount of voltage to terminal 270 ) and the supply to the negative supply terminal of driver 125 remains constant.

[0078] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the configuration, layout, design and / or arrangement of the components can be advantageous for use in a system including one or more drivers and / or multiple channels because the power supply terminal of each additional driver (e.g., one or more second drivers 125) can be electrically coupled to the power supply line 260 (e.g., terminal power), and the corresponding device 105 can be electrically coupled to the one or more second drivers 125, and the power supply terminal of each additional driver (e.g., one or more second drivers 125) can be electrically coupled to the power supply line 260 (e.g., terminal power). Figure 2 Schematic 200 may include at least one capacitor 245 and capacitor 245 may provide an AC voltage across power line 265. As more drivers 125 may be added to schematic 200, capacitor 245 may be able to maintain its performance without adding additional capacitors 245.

[0079] Although Figure 2An example of a schematic block diagram 200 including two sources (e.g., source 272 and source 275) is depicted, but the schematic block diagram 200 may include a different number of sources. For example, the schematic block diagram 300 may include less than two sources and / or the schematic diagram 300 may include more than two sources. In some embodiments, the schematic block diagram 200 may include multiple sources and the multiple sources may provide various equivalent levels. For example, the schematic diagram may include three sources and each source may have a given voltage level. Continuing with this example, the first source may have a 1V voltage level, the second source may have a 5V voltage level, and the third source may have a 10V voltage level. In some embodiments, the first source may be electrically coupled to the driver 125 in response to Vout having an absolute value voltage level less than 1V. In some embodiments, the second source may be electrically coupled to the driver 125 in response to Vout having an absolute value voltage level greater than 1V and less than 5V. In some embodiments, the third source may be electrically coupled to the driver 125 in response to Vout having an absolute value voltage level greater than 5V.

[0080] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram 300 is depicted including elements of system 100 according to some embodiments. First comparator 203 may receive a signal from VDD5 and first comparator 203 may receive a second signal from VDDR. VDD5 signal may include a power supply 1 signal. VDDR signal may include a terminal power supply signal. First comparator 203 may provide a signal to tracking mode selector 115. The signal may be a comparison of the VDD5 signal and the VDDR signal.

[0081] Schematic 300 may include at least one capacitor 305. Capacitor 305 may be used to increase, boost, modify, and / or otherwise change the amount of voltage provided to the power supply terminal of driver 125. Capacitor 305 may replace, supplement, and / or otherwise perform functions similar to those of source 272, the second power source, and / or the second power supply described herein. Capacitor 305 may provide a voltage to VDDR and the voltage provided by capacitor 305 to VDDR may be applied to the power supply terminal of driver 125.

[0082] Schematic 300 may include one or more switches, such as switches 310 and 315. Switches 310 and 315 are shown to be controllable by the inversion of the tracking signal. Schematic 300 may also include MtrackD and MtrackU. MtrackD and / or MtrackU may be or include Mtrack described herein.

[0083] like Figure 3As shown, the configuration, layout, design and / or arrangement of the components can be advantageous for use in a system that includes a certain number of drivers and / or a certain number of channels because each driver 125 that can be added to schematic 300 requires its own capacitor 305 and adding multiple capacitors 305 in schematic 300 can increase the amount of space to accommodate (e.g., on a chip) the elements of schematic 300.

[0084] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram 400 according to some embodiments is depicted. The schematic block diagram 400 may include at least Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 . The first comparator 203 may receive a first signal from VDD5 and the first comparator 203 may receive a second signal from VDDR. The first comparator 203 may generate a third signal corresponding to at least one of the first signal or the second signal. The third signal may be provided to the tracking mode selector 115. The second comparator 203 may receive a fourth signal from the driver 125 and the second comparator 203 may receive a fifth signal corresponding to the second signal. The second comparator 203 may generate a sixth signal corresponding to at least one of the fourth signal or the fifth signal. The sixth signal may be provided to the tracking mode selector 115.

[0085] Figure 5 A graph 500 is depicted according to some embodiments. Graph 500 may include a signal indicating an amount of voltage provided to a terminal of a driver. The amount of voltage is shown as including a VDDR voltage level. Graph may include a signal indicating an amount of voltage provided by the driver. The signal is shown as including a Vout voltage level. The signal having the VDDR voltage level may be and / or include a terminal power supply signal. The signal including the Vout voltage level may be and / or include a first output signal. Graph 500 may include at least one line 505 and at least one line 510. The area between line 505 and line 510 may represent, indicate, and / or otherwise relate to when device 105 is tracking the output of driver 125. For example, graph 500 may include a line 506 that is provided by the device 105. Figure 2 Signals generated and / or provided by some of the components described.

[0086] Figure 6 Graph 600 is depicted in accordance with some embodiments. Graph 600 may include a signal indicative of VDDR, a signal indicative of Vout, and a signal indicative of VSSR. The area between line 605 and line 610 may represent, indicate, and / or otherwise relate to when device 105 tracks the output of driver 125. Graph 600 illustrates an example of the elements of schematic 300 performing double-sided tracking when controlling the output values ​​of VDDR and VSSR. Figure 6 VDDR is shown increasing in value (while tracking the output) and once the output returns to the baseline, VDDR also returns to its baseline value.

[0087] Figure 7 Graph 700 is depicted according to some embodiments. Graph 700 may include a signal indicating VDDR and a signal indicating Vout. Graph 700 may include at least one line 705 and at least one line 710. The area between lines 705 and 710 may represent, indicate, and / or otherwise relate to device 105 (e.g., Figure 4 400 ) when to track the output of driver 125. For example, graph 700 may correspond to signals generated and / or provided by elements of schematic diagram 400.

[0088] Figure 8 A block diagram depicts a process 800 for tracking a signal of a driver according to some embodiments. At least one step of process 800 may be performed by at least one component of system 100. For example, tracking mode selector 115 may perform at least one step of process 800. At least one step of process 800 may be performed by at least one element of schematic 200, schematic 300, and / or schematic 400. For example, first comparator 203 may perform at least one step of process 800. Although the steps included in process 800 are described in a particular order, the order of the steps included in process 800 may be performed simultaneously, modified, reorganized, and / or otherwise changed.

[0089] At step 805, a first signal and a second signal may be received. For example, the first signal and the second signal may be received by comparator 110. The first signal may be a power supply 1 signal described herein. The second signal may be a terminal power supply signal described herein. The first signal may indicate an amount of voltage provided by a source. For example, the first signal may indicate an amount of voltage provided by source 272. The second signal may indicate an amount of voltage provided to a driver. For example, the second signal may indicate an amount of voltage provided to terminal 270 of driver 125. In some embodiments, the first signal and the second signal may be received by first comparator 203.

[0090] At step 810, a third signal may be provided. For example, the third signal may be provided by comparator 110. The third signal may be the first comparison signal described herein. The third signal may be provided to tracking mode selector 115. The third signal may indicate a difference between the first signal and the second signal (e.g., a difference between the signals received in step 805). For example, comparator 110 may compare a voltage level of the first signal with a voltage level of the second signal. When the level of the first signal is greater than the level of the second signal, the third signal may have a first level. When the level of the second signal is greater than the level of the first signal, the third signal may have a second level. In some embodiments, the third signal may be provided by first comparator 203.

[0091] At step 815, a fourth signal and a fifth signal may be received. For example, the fourth signal and the fifth signal may be received by the comparator 110. The fourth signal may be a first output signal described herein. The fifth signal may be a terminal power supply signal described herein. The fourth signal may indicate the amount of voltage provided by the driver. For example, the fourth signal may indicate the amount of voltage (e.g., Vout) provided by the driver 125. The fifth signal may indicate the amount of voltage provided to the driver. For example, the fifth signal may indicate the amount of voltage provided to the terminal 270 of the driver 125. In some embodiments, the fourth signal and the fifth signal may be received by the second comparator 203.

[0092] At step 820, a sixth signal may be provided. The sixth signal may be provided by the comparator 110. The sixth signal may be a second comparison signal described herein. The sixth signal may be provided to the tracking mode selector 115. The sixth signal may indicate a difference between the fourth signal and the fifth signal (e.g., a difference between the signals received in step 815). For example, the comparator 110 may compare a voltage level of the fourth signal with a voltage level of the fifth signal. When the level of the fourth signal is greater than the level of the fifth signal, the sixth signal may have a first level. When the level of the fifth signal is greater than the level of the fourth signal, the sixth signal may have a second level. In some embodiments, the sixth signal may be provided by the second comparator 203.

[0093] At step 825, the third signal and the sixth signal may be received. For example, the tracking mode selector 115 may receive the third signal and the sixth signal. In some embodiments, the tracking mode selector 115 may receive the third signal and the sixth signal from the comparator 110. In some embodiments, the tracking mode selector 115 may receive the third signal from the first comparator 203 and the sixth signal from the second comparator 203.

[0094] At step 830, a seventh signal may be provided. The seventh signal may be provided by tracking mode selector 115. The seventh signal may refer to the tracking signal described herein. The seventh signal may be provided to component 130. The seventh signal may indicate when to track the difference between the amount of voltage provided to driver 125 and the amount of voltage provided by driver 125. The seventh signal may also indicate when to track the difference between the amount of voltage provided by source 275 and the amount of voltage provided to driver 125.

[0095] The hardware systems described herein may be implemented in many different ways and in many different combinations of hardware and software and circuit design. For example, all or part of the implementation may be: a circuit system including an instruction processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, or a microprocessor; an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLO), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA); or a circuit system including discrete logic or other circuit components, including analog circuit components, digital circuit components, or both; or any combination thereof. As an example, the circuit system may include discrete interconnected hardware components and / or may be combined on a single integrated circuit die, distributed in multiple integrated circuit dies, or implemented in a multi-chip module (MCM) of multiple integrated circuit dies in a common package. In some embodiments, the circuit system may be provided on one or more integrated circuit dies in an integrated circuit package. In some embodiments, the integrated circuit package may be a combination of two or more packages.

[0096] The circuit system may further include or access instructions (e.g., software or firmware) that are executed by the circuit system. The instructions may be stored in a tangible storage medium other than a transient signal, such as flash memory, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM); or on a magnetic or optical disk, such as a compact disk read-only memory (CDROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or other magnetic or optical disk; or in or on another machine-readable medium. A product, such as a computer program product, may include a storage medium and instructions stored in or on the medium, and the instructions, when executed by the circuit system in a device, may cause the device to perform any of the processes described above or illustrated in the drawings.

[0097] Embodiments may be distributed as circuitry among multiple system components, such as among multiple processors and memories, optionally including multiple distributed processing systems. Parameters, databases, and other data structures may be stored and managed separately, may be incorporated into a single memory or database, may be logically and physically organized in many different ways, and may be implemented in many different ways, including as data structures such as linked lists, hash tables, arrays, records, objects, or implicit storage mechanisms. Programs may be parts of a single program (e.g., subroutines), separate programs, distributed across several memories and processors, or implemented in many different ways, such as in a library such as a shared library (e.g., a dynamic link library (DLL)). For example, a DLL may store instructions that, when executed by the circuitry, perform any of the processing described above or illustrated in the drawings.

[0098] The term "coupled" and its variations include two components being joined directly or indirectly to one another. The term "electrically coupled" and its variations include two components being joined directly or indirectly to one another through a conductive material (e.g., a metal or copper trace). This joining may be static (e.g., permanent or fixed) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). This joining may be achieved by two components being directly coupled to one another, by two components being coupled to one another using a separate intermediary component and any additional intermediate components being coupled to one another, or by two components being coupled to one another using an intermediary component that is integrally formed as a single entity with one of the two components. If "coupled" or its variations are modified by additional terms (e.g., directly coupled), the general definition of "coupled" provided above is modified by the ordinary language meaning of the additional terms (e.g., "directly coupled" means that two components are joined without any separate intermediary components) to result in a narrower definition than the general definition of "coupled" provided above. This coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0099] The features of several embodiments are summarized above so that those skilled in the art can better understand aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they can easily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures to implement the same purposes and / or achieve the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that such equivalent constructions should not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they can make various changes, substitutions, and modifications to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0100] It should be noted that certain paragraphs of the present disclosure may refer to terms such as "first" and "second" related to transmission spatial streams, sounding frames, responses, and subsets of devices to identify or distinguish them from each other. These terms are not intended to relate entities (such as first devices and second devices) only in time or according to a sequence, although in some cases, these entities may include such a relationship. These terms also do not limit the number of possible entities that can operate in a system or environment. It should be understood that the above-mentioned system may provide multiple of any or each of those components and these components may be provided on a stand-alone machine or, in some embodiments, multiple machines in a distributed system. In addition, the above-mentioned systems and methods may be provided as one or more computer-readable programs or executable instructions embodied on or in one or more articles of manufacture, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, CD-ROM, flash memory card, PROM, RAM, ROM, or tape. The program may be implemented in any programming language, such as LISP, PERL, C, C++, C#, or any byte code language such as JAVA. The software program or executable instructions may be stored as object code on or in one or more articles of manufacture.

[0101] Although the above written description of the method and system enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiments thereof, a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods, and examples presented herein. Therefore, the inventive method and system should not be limited by the above-described embodiments, methods, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system comprising: A device comprising: A first circuit is configured to: receiving a first signal indicative of a first voltage amount provided by a first source; receiving a second signal indicative of a second amount of voltage provided to the driver; and providing a third signal having a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal and providing the third signal having a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal; A second circuit is configured to: receiving a fourth signal indicative of a third voltage amount provided by the driver; receiving a fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount; and providing a sixth signal having a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal and providing the sixth signal having a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal; and A third circuit is configured to: receiving the third signal and the sixth signal; and A seventh signal is provided to indicate whether: tracking a difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; or A difference between the first voltage magnitude and the second voltage magnitude is tracked.

2. The system according to claim 1, comprising: The first source is configured to: electrically coupled to a terminal of the driver; and providing a first level of the second voltage amount; A second source is configured to: electrically coupled to the terminal of the driver; and providing a second level of the second voltage amount; and a first component, configured, in response to the seventh signal having a first level, to: electrically decoupling the first source from the terminals of the driver; and The second source is electrically coupled to the terminal of the driver.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein: the level of the second signal having a first level in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount; the second signal having a second level in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount; and The second level of the second signal is greater than the first level of the second signal.

4. The system according to claim 2, comprising: The first component is configured, in response to the seventh signal having a second level, to: electrically decoupling the second source from the terminals of the driver; and electrically coupling the first source to the terminal of the driver; and The second circuit is configured to: The fourth signal is received in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount or in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount.

5. The system according to claim 1, comprising: a first component configured to electrically couple the driver with the first source in response to the seventh signal having a first level; and A second component is configured to electrically couple the driver with a second source in response to the seventh signal having a second level.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein: the fourth signal having a first range in response to the first source providing a first level of the second voltage amount; The fourth signal has a second range in response to a second source providing a second level of the second voltage amount; and The first range is different from the second range.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second signal indicates a supply voltage of the driver and wherein the supply voltage specifies a range of the driver.

8. The system according to claim 1, comprising: a first component, configured, in response to the seventh signal having a first level, to: electrically coupling a second component to the first circuit to adjust the level of the first signal from a first level to a second level; and A threshold between the first signal and the second signal is generated in response to the first signal being adjusted from the first level to the second level.

9. The system according to claim 8, comprising: A second component is configured to: electrically coupled to the second circuit; adjusting the level of the fifth signal from the first level to the second level; and A threshold between the fifth signal and the fourth signal is generated in response to the fifth signal being adjusted from the first level to the second level.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein: The seventh signal has a first level to indicate tracking the difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; and The seventh signal has a second level to indicate tracking the difference between the first voltage amount and the second voltage amount.

11. An apparatus comprising: A first circuit is configured to: receiving a first signal indicative of a first voltage amount provided by a first source; receiving a second signal indicative of a second amount of voltage provided to the driver; and providing a third signal having a first level in response to a level of the first signal being greater than a level of the second signal and providing the third signal having a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal; A second circuit is configured to: receiving a fourth signal indicative of a third voltage amount provided by the driver; receiving a fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount; and providing a sixth signal having a first level in response to a level of the fourth signal being greater than a level of the fifth signal and providing the sixth signal having a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal; and A third circuit is configured to: receiving the third signal and the sixth signal; and A seventh signal is provided to indicate whether: tracking a difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; or A difference between the first voltage magnitude and the second voltage magnitude is tracked.

12. The device according to claim 11, comprising: The first source is configured to: electrically coupled to a terminal of the driver; and providing a first level of the second voltage amount; A second source is configured to: electrically coupled to the terminal of the driver; and providing a second level of the second voltage amount; and a first component, configured, in response to the seventh signal having a first level, to: electrically decoupling the first source from the terminals of the driver; and The second source is electrically coupled to the terminal of the driver.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein: the level of the second signal having a first level in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount; the second signal having a second level in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount; and The second level of the second signal is greater than the first level of the second signal.

14. The device according to claim 12, comprising: The first component is configured, in response to the seventh signal having a second level, to: electrically decoupling the second source from the terminals of the driver; and electrically coupling the first source to the terminal of the driver; and The second circuit is configured to: The fourth signal is received in response to the first source providing the first level of the second voltage amount or in response to the second source providing the second level of the second voltage amount.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11, comprising: a first component configured to electrically couple the driver with the first source in response to the seventh signal having a first level; and A second component is configured to electrically couple the driver with a second source in response to the seventh signal having a second level.

16. The device according to claim 11, wherein: the fourth signal having a first range in response to the first source providing a first level of the second voltage amount; The fourth signal has a second range in response to a second source providing a second level of the second voltage amount; and The first range is different from the second range.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second signal indicates a supply voltage of the driver and wherein the supply voltage specifies a range of the driver.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11, comprising: a first component, configured, in response to the seventh signal having a first level, to: electrically coupling a second component to the first circuit to adjust the level of the first signal from a first level to a second level; and A threshold between the first signal and the second signal is generated in response to the first signal being adjusted from the first level to the second level.

19. A method for tracking a signal of a driver, the method comprising: receiving, by a first circuit, a first signal and a second signal, the first signal indicating an amount of a first voltage provided by a first source, and the second signal indicating an amount of a second voltage provided to the driver; providing, by the first circuit, a third signal having a first level in response to the level of the first signal being greater than the level of the second signal and providing the third signal having a second level in response to the level of the second signal being greater than the level of the first signal; receiving, by a second circuit, a fourth signal and a fifth signal, the fourth signal indicating a third voltage amount provided by the driver, and the fifth signal indicating the second voltage amount; providing, by the second circuit, a sixth signal having a first level in response to the level of the fourth signal being greater than the level of the fifth signal and providing the sixth signal having a second level in response to the level of the fifth signal being greater than the level of the fourth signal; Receiving the third signal and the sixth signal by a third circuit; and A seventh signal is provided by the third circuit to indicate whether: tracking a difference between the second voltage amount and the third voltage amount; or A difference between the first voltage magnitude and the second voltage magnitude is tracked.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: the level of the second signal having a first level in response to the first source providing a first level of the second voltage amount; the second signal having a second level in response to a second source providing a second level of the second voltage amount; and The second level of the second signal is greater than the first level of the second signal.

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