Abstract: The invention relates to a drivetrain, in particular for motor vehicles, having an internal combustion engine, comprising an output shaft; having a turbocharger, comprising an exhaust gas turbine, which is situated in the exhaust gas stream of the internal combustion engine, and a compressor driven by the exhaust gas turbine, which is situated in an air channel leading to the internal combustion engine in order to compress air for the internal combustion engine; the exhaust gas turbine additionally having a drive connection to an auxiliary system or to the output shaft of the internal combustion engine or being switchable into such a connection, in order to transmit drive power alternately or simultaneously from the exhaust gas turbine to the compressor or the output shaft and the auxiliary system; and a hydrodynamic clutch being situated in the additionally provided drive connection, comprising a bladed primary wheel and a bladed secondary wheel, which implement a working chamber with one another, which i

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a semiconductor die having increased usable area has at least six sides. The semiconductor die has a reduced stress at each corner of the die, resulting in smaller keep out zones near the corners of the semiconductor die, which allow the placement of bond pads near each corner of the die. The semiconductor die further allows the placement of active circuitry near each corner of the semiconductor die. One embodiment results in a 5.0% increase in usable area on the semiconductor die.

Abstract: There is provided a method for use by a speech encoder to encode an input speech signal.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for duty cycling a network device based on aggregate throughput of the device are provided. In this regard, a limit on aggregate ingress and egress data of a network device during a time interval may be determined. Processing of data by the network device may be duty cycled based on the determination. The device may process data at a first rate during a first portion of the time interval and process data at a second rate during a remaining portion of the time interval. In this regard, portions of the device may be slowed or powered down during the first portion of the time interval. Power consumed by the device during the first portion of the time interval may be less than power consumed by the device during the remaining portion of the time interval.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a storage medium, the storage medium having a media content portion; and a plurality of digital rights management (DRM) envelopes, wherein each of the plurality of DRM envelopes corresponds to a different DRM format; wherein each of the plurality of DRM envelopes enables access to the media content portion according to its corresponding the DRM format. In another aspect, a method includes decrypting a second portion of the media content according to the secondary content access key to impart a marking in the decrypted first portion of the media content identifying the DRM format. In an additional aspect, a method includes presenting a product serial number to obtain an encryption key associated with the DRM format.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a power management unit residing in an electronic device includes a battery detection controller coupled to a battery charger and a regulator block, where the regulator block is capable of providing power to the electronic device. The battery detection controller is configured to turn off the regulator block when the battery charger is coupled to an external power source and is not coupled to a battery of the electronic device. The battery detection controller can be further configured to turn on the regulator block when the battery charger is coupled to the external power source and is coupled to the battery if the battery has a battery voltage greater than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a power managing semiconductor die with reduced power consumption includes a power island including an event detection block and an event qualification block. The event detection block is configured to activate the event qualification block in response to an input signal initiated by an external event. The input signal is coupled to the event detection block, for example, via a bond pad situated in an I/O region of the power managing semiconductor die. The event qualification block is configured to determine if the external event is a valid external event. The event qualification block resides in a thin oxide region and the event detection block resides in a thick oxide region of the semiconductor die. The power managing semiconductor die further includes a power management unit configured to activate the event qualification block in response to power enable signal outputted by the event detection block.

Abstract: A III-nitride semiconductor device which includes a charged gate insulation body.

Abstract: A power amplifier that can provide electrical isolation between an input signal and an amplified output signal avoids isolation between the amplifier output and the load to reduce complexity, component count, cost and size over prior power amplifiers. The power amplifier avoids the use of a power transformer to provide electrical isolation, while maintaining electrical isolation between the amplifier and the input signal to satisfy regulatory requirements. A power converter in the amplifier may be directly connected to input power lines, and provide power factor correction and voltage bus regulation to supply appropriate power to the amplifier. The input signal may be electrically isolated from the amplifier through any suitable isolation including optical isolation or magnetic isolation.

Abstract: There is presented a user interface (UI) framework and systems and methods for its use. Such a system comprises a content server and a rich media content generated by a compiling of a rich media source code, wherein the rich media content is hosted by the content server. The rich media content includes a first embedded graphics environment configured to present display assets of the rich media content, and a first UI framework ported to the first embedded graphics environment, the first UI framework configured to interact with the first embedded graphics environment to modify the display assets of the rich media content in response to data received from a UI layout feed. The first UI framework is configured to modify the display assets of the rich media content without requiring modifications to the rich media source code or recompiling of the rich media source code.

Abstract: There is provided a method of quantifying a voice quality in a telecommunication system including a first gateway in communication with a second gateway over a packet network. The method comprises deriving speech parameters from a first speech signal of a first talker received by the first gateway over a first communication line and a second speech signal of a second talker received by the first gateway from the second gateway over the packet network, determining a conversational impairment index using the speech parameters, deriving technology parameters based on voice technology and components in the telecommunication system, determining a technology impairment index using the technology parameters, and mapping the conversational impairment index and the technology impairment index into a conversational quality index to quantify the voice quality in the telecommunication system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit for providing a tail current for a line driver includes an adjustable current source. The adjustable current source includes a number of current source cells coupled together in a parallel configuration, where the current source cells are configured to provide the tail current for the line driver in response to a digital control signal. The circuit can further include a digital core coupled to the adjustable current source, where the digital core provides the digital control signal. The digital control signal provides a number of bits, where each bit controls one of the current source cells. In one embodiment, a current source cell can comprise a number of current source sub-cells. The current source cells can be configured to provide the tail current for the line driver in response to the digital control signal when the line driver is operating in a class AB mode.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for forming a one-time programmable metal fuse structure includes forming a metal fuse structure over a substrate, the metal fuse structure including a gate metal segment situated between a dielectric segment and a polysilicon segment, a gate metal fuse being formed in a portion of the gate metal segment. The method further includes doping the polysilicon segment so as to form first and second doped polysilicon portions separated by an undoped polysilicon portion where, in one embodiment, the gate metal fuse is substantially co-extensive with the undoped polysilicon portion. The method can further include forming a first silicide segment on the first doped polysilicon portion and a second silicide segment on the second doped polysilicon portion, where the first and second silicide segments form respective terminals of the one-time programmable metal fuse structure.

Abstract: A network device comprising asymmetric, multi-rate, Ethernet MAC and asymmetric, multi-rate, Ethernet PHY communicates signals via a network utilizing A/V bridging services. Higher bandwidth A/V signals are communicated and lower bandwidth signals are received or vice versa. Signals are communicated based on a plurality of different Ethernet protocols and/or data rates. Signals may be communicated based on 10GBASE-T in a first direction and based on a lower rate Ethernet protocol in a second direction. Extended range mode may be utilized. PDUs comprise time stamps, traffic class designations and/or destination addresses. Data rate requests, resource reservation messages and/or registration for delivery of PDUs may be communicated. Time stamps enable end to end transport within a specified latency target. Video signals may be compressed, uncompressed, encrypted, unencrypted and/or formatted for a video display interface.

Abstract: A method and system for wireless communication using integrated clock generation for Bluetooth and FM transmit and FM receive functions may include generating a clock signal to enable transmission and/or reception of Bluetooth signals; and clocking a Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizer (DDFS) via the generated clock signal to generate one or more signals by the DDFS that enable transmission or reception of FM signals. The generated clock signals for the Bluetooth and for the FM transmit and receive functions may include an in phase and quadrature phase component. Time Division Duplex of FM transmission and reception and simultaneous FM transmission and FM reception may be simulated by switching the control frequency word at a certain rate. The DDFS may also receive control words to compensate for frequency changes in the Bluetooth LO. The FM signals reception and transmission may be controlled by a bi-directional coupler.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method and system for determining and removing DC offset in an AC signal includes receiving an AC signal having a first-channel and a second-channel, e.g. an I-channel and a Q-channel, receiving a plurality of first-channel and second-channel samples, storing a negative first-channel sample corresponding to a first sign change in the plurality of second-channel samples, and storing a positive first-channel sample corresponding to a second sign change in the plurality of second-channel samples. The method further includes determining an average value of the negative first-channel sample and the positive first-channel sample, where the average value is the DC offset in the first-channel. The method can further include subtracting the determined DC offset from samples received in the first-channel (or the second-channel) prior to demodulation. The method and system can be implemented in, for example, a Bluetooth receiver.

Abstract: A support tape used in semiconductor wafer processing that includes an adhesive tape and a plurality of spaced support ribs arranged on the adhesive tape.

Abstract: A power factor correction integrated circuit housed in an integrated circuit package for controlling a boost converter circuit having an input inductor coupled in series with a boost rectifier between a rectified AC line input voltage and a DC bus voltage, on a DC bus, the rectified AC line input voltage provided by a rectifier coupled to an AC line input voltage to be power factor corrected.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package are provided. In a hybrid circuit comprising an integrated circuit bonded to a multi-layer package, one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements via one or more switching elements. In this regard, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within and/or on the multi-layer package and/or within the integrated circuit. The switching elements may be MEMS switches on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. The IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls. The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. The antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency.

Abstract: A III-nitride power device that includes a Schottky electrode surrounding one of the power electrodes of the device.