Method and apparatus to provide active cancellation of the effects of the parasitic elements in capacitors

An electronic circuit or system, comprising:

• means for determining a value of a series parasitic effect associated with a part of the electronic circuit or system that exhibits capacitance;
• means for sensing a voltage signal across said part of the electronic circuit or system;
• means for determining from said sensed voltage signal and said value of the series parasitic effect, a parasitic voltage associated with said part of the electronic circuit or system;
• and
• a voltage source in series with said part of the electronic circuit or system;
• wherein said voltage source is arranged to deliver a compensating voltage of roughly equal magnitude and roughly in opposite phase to said determined parasitic voltage.

A method of reducing a parasitic effect in an electronic circuit, comprising:

• determining a value of a parallel parasitic effect associated with a capacitor in the electronic circuit;
• sensing a voltage signal across said capacitor;
• determining from said sensed voltage signal and said value of the parallel parasitic effect, a parasitic voltage associated with said capacitor;
• and
• adding a voltage source in series with said capacitor;
• wherein said voltage source is arranged to deliver a compensating voltage of roughly equal magnitude and roughly in opposite phase to said determined parasitic voltage.

An electronic circuit comprising:

• a capacitor;
• means for sensing a voltage signal across said capacitor;
• means for determining from said sensed voltage signal and a value of a series parasitic effect associated with said capacitor, a parasitic voltage associated with said capacitor;
• and
• a voltage source in series with said capacitor;
• wherein said voltage source is arranged to deliver a compensating voltage of roughly equal magnitude and roughly in opposite phase to said determined parasitic voltage.