Importance

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Abstract

A power supply arrangement for a battery-powered device includes a high energy density capacitor which is selectively coupled to the device's battery. In one embodiment, the device includes a first circuit which requires a continuous operational power supply voltage to be applied to its power supply input, and further includes a second circuit periodically operates in a peak phase in which it places a high demand upon the device's battery. During normal operation of the device, the first circuit's power supply input and the high energy density capacitor are coupled to the battery so that operational power for the first circuit is provided directly from the battery, and the high energy density capacitor is charged by said battery. During the peak operational phases of the second circuit, the first circuit and high energy density capacitor are decoupled from the battery, such that operational power for the first circuit is provided from the capacitor, while operational power for the second circuit is provided from the battery. During the peak phases, the output voltage of the high-energy density capacitor is monitored, and if it falls below predetermined minimum threshold level, the first circuit's power supply input terminal and the capacitor are temporarily re-coupled to the battery, so that sufficient operational power to the first circuit is ensured.

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First Claim