Abstract: A method for detecting rotation of a rotor of a multiple phase motor with bipolar drive is described, excluding a three-phase motor with bipolar drive with star connected coils or motor stator windings. The motor has at least a first and a second energizable motor stator winding. A voltage is sequentially and alternately sensed on the first and the second motor stator winding at or near the end of a period of a non-energised state thereof. An apparatus for detecting rotor speed is also provided.

Abstract: A method or apparatus is provided for detecting an error condition associated with a load (RL) or a connection (P) to the load (RL). The load (RL) may comprise an energy storing element (Cext). During a first diagnosis phase, it is determined whether the load (RL) or the connection (P) to the load (RL) is in a normal operation condition or in an error condition. If the load (RL) or the connection (P) to the load (RL) is in an error condition, during a second diagnosis phase it is determined whether the error condition is an open load condition, short circuit condition to ground or a short circuit condition to a power supply. When the load is in a starting state before the first diagnosis phase, the method or apparatus may further comprise carrying out, after the second diagnosis phase, a resetting phase for resetting the load to the starting state.

Abstract: An H-bridge circuit capable of performing switching using one or more intermediate voltage phases each held for a period of time in the midst of the switching operation. This reduces power dissipation associated with the switching operation, while only using one set of high/low voltage supplies. The H-bridge may be used to provide current via an inductor to a load. A class AB amplifier may be placed in parallel with the H-bridge to provide supplemental correcting current to the load to allow the combination to act as an efficient and accurate signal driver. Furthermore, the use of intermediate voltages in the H bridge allows for increased slew rates for any given operation frequency, and allows for the driving of a given signal on the load using a lower operational frequency.

Abstract: A PWM controller for a bridge driver circuit for controlling current in an inductive load such as a motor, can set the driver into a forward mode, a slow decay mode or a fast decay mode, and can switch from slow decay mode into forward mode or into fast decay mode for the duration of pulses at controlled time intervals to provide pulse width modulated control of the current. This is a simpler control scheme avoiding complex switching schemes related to mixed mode decay. By using a controlled PWM frequency, it is easier to avoid the problems of variable frequency such as increased heat dissipation or acoustic noise generation. It can have a selector for selecting top or bottom sense switching, enabling a wider range of stable PWM duty-cycles to be used (e.g. 0% to 100%), which is useful to compensate for Back emf influence on coil-drive.

Abstract: A measurement method or system for measuring a physical value comprises, during a same clock cycle, forming an input signal, a reference signal and an offset signal, the input signal including a parasitic value and a useful measurement value. A relationship between the input signal where the parasitic value has been cancelled out, and the reference signal is derived. From this relationship, a value relating to the physical value is determined. The input signal, reference signal and offset signal are respectively associated with an input element, a reference element and a parasitic element. All elements have a common driving signal, and the parasitic value is depending on the common driving signal.

Abstract: A monotonic digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for converting a digital input signal into an analog output signal comprises: an input node for receiving the digital input signal having at least M+L bits, an output node for delivering the analog output signal corresponding to the received digital input signal, a coarse conversion block comprising current sources and first switching means for converting M more significant bits of the digital input signal into a coarse block output current, a fine conversion block comprising a current divider and second switching means for converting L less significant bits of the digital input signal into a corresponding current value, the fine conversion block having means for receiving current from a first unselected current source of the coarse conversion block, and a first cascode means for active cascoding the coarse block output current, a second cascode means, for active cascoding the current from the first unselected current source.

Abstract: A two-dimensional matrix decoder of a digital-to-analog converter comprises an array of current cells, the cells having a current source means or a current divider means and a switching means, all cells being activatable in a pre-determined sequence. The matrix decoder comprises: a selection means outputting a first selection signal for selecting a cell, a cell state signaling means outputting a cell state signal determining whether a cell comes before or after the selected cell in the pre-determined sequence, and matrix logic associated with each cell for generating a control signal suitable for controlling the switching means of that cell for switching current from the current source means or current divider means of that cell to at least one of a first node or a second node, the control signal being generated depending on the first selection signal and the cell state signal.

Abstract: Protection circuits (1) to be located between power supplies (2) and further circuitries (20,30) for protecting further circuitries (20,30) against voltage irregularities and comprising main transistors (7) coupled to switching circuits (10) for rendering main transistors (7) operative/non-operative can be made more allround by providing them with comparators (11) for controlling gate voltages of main transistors (7) via switches (12,13) to get protection against small negative voltage pulses and voltage fluctuations. Said switches (12,13) comprise two switches (12,13) for interrupting a reference voltage generated by a reference voltage source and for supplying a nearby ground voltage to said gate. A diode (14) between switch (13) and gate allows negative voltages at said gate for simplifying the introduction of further stages. Thick oxide transistors (15) protect further circuitries (20,30) and main transistors (7) against large negative voltage pulses.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for tungsten chemical vapor deposition on a semiconductor substrate, comprising positioning said substrate within a deposition chamber, heating said substrate and depositing under low pressure the tungsten on the substrate by contacting the latter with a mixture of gases flowing through the deposition chamber comprising tungsten hexafluoride (WF6), hydrogen (H2) and at least one carrier gas. The mixture of gases comprises also silane (SiH4) with such a flow rate that the flow ratio WF6/SiH4 is from 2.5 to 6, the flow rate of WF6 being from 30 to 60 sccm, while the pressure in the deposition chamber is maintained from 0.13 to 5.33 kPa (1 and 40 Torr).

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated high power sine wave carrier circuit for outputting a low distortion high power sine wave. The circuit is used for antennas, and especially for antennas in automotive appliances. The circuit comprises a H-bridge (2) with matched power transistors (4, 6, 8, 10), a sine generator (24) for driving the H-bridge and a regulator (22) for sensing the power applied to the antenna and controlling the current amplitude of the sine wave output by the sine generator. The circuit operates under partial time-working, whereby the integration circuit is turned on or off. The circuit therefore comprises a shutdown pin, for shutting the circuit down in order to allow cooling. The partial time operation allows the circuit to be integrated on a single die.