Abstract: When communicating with a traditional interrogator of passive smart tags, an actively transmitting smart tag of the invention, even within a data frame being transmitted, observes a first phase (?i) being a phase of a voltage induced in a tag's antenna by an interrogator's high-frequency carrier signal and transmits wave packets in that it excites the antenna with a voltage having a phase (?t), which is always set at the beginning of transmission of each said wave packet shifted with respect to said first phase (?i) by the same phase angle (??). At ??=180° an amplitude of voltage across an interrogator's antenna, when some of said wave packets influence this antenna, attains the largest attainable interference rise. Miniature actively transmitting smart tags are enabled to wirelessly communicate with said traditional interrogator and a communication range of pocket-sized tags is herewith increased.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for controlling at least one light source comprises a photodetector (2), a sampling circuit (6) for selectively sampling a photodetector signal (lin2) generated by the photodetector (2) as a function of a first and a second light source (10, 12), and a control unit (5), which is coupled on the input side to the sampling circuit (6). The circuit arrangement further comprises a first power-supply source (7), which is coupled to the control unit (5) and is designed for controlling at least one parameter of a first light source (12), and at least one second power-supply source (11), which is coupled to the control unit (5) and is designed for controlling at least one parameter of a second light source (12). The circuit arrangement is suitable, for example, for RGB lighting.

Abstract: An MEMS microphone is bonded onto the surface of an IC component containing at least one integrated circuit suitable for the conditioning and processing of the electrical signal supplied by the MEMS microphone. The entire component is simple to produce and has a compact and space-saving construction. Production is accomplished in a simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit arrangement with a column latch has a first terminal (A1) for connection to a bit line (BL) of a nonvolatile memory, a second terminal (A2) connected via a first switchable path (P1) to a reference-potential terminal (VSS) and via a second switchable path (P2) to a supply-potential terminal (VPP), and the column latch (100, 110), which is coupled to the second terminal (A2) and is adopted for storing a potential at the second terminal (A2). The first terminal (A1) is coupled to the second terminal (A2) via a first switchable connection (L1) and via a second switchable connection (L2). A method for operating a column latch is additionally disclosed.

Abstract: In a measurement method, a plurality of magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) that are arranged along a circular periphery (CIR) and are each configured to emit a sensor signal (H0-H15) as a function of a magnetic field intensity is provided. A diametrically magnetized magnetic source (MAG) seated rotatably on the circular periphery (CIR) about an axis of rotation (RA) is further provided. A first set of sensor signals from the magnetic field sensors (MS0-MS15) is received and a first orientation (AL1) of an axis (AX) defined by a reference value transition (RFD) is determined as a function the first set. After a rotation of the magnetic source (MAG) about the axis of rotation (RA), a second set of sensor signals is received and a second orientation (AL2) of the axis (AX) is determined as a function of the second set of sensor signals. A position (X0, Y0) of the axis of rotation (RA) is acquired as a function of the first and the second orientation (AL1, AL2).

Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes an input to which an input current is supplied, an output at which an output current is provided, and a current control circuit coupled to the input and the output includes a unit that provides an instantaneous value signal proportional to the output current of the DC/DC converter with the aid of the input current, an internal input that supplies a reference signal, and a comparison device coupled to the unit that provides the instantaneous value signal and the internal input and comprises an internal output that provides a control signal dependent on a comparison of the instantaneous value signal with the reference signal, wherein the control signal adjusts the output current of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for protection against electrostatic discharges comprises an shunt device, which is connected between a first and a second terminal of the circuit arrangement and has a control input, via which the conduction of the shunt device can be controlled. In addition there is a trigger element, which has a trigger output for issuing a trigger signal in dependence on a voltage between the first and the second terminal of the circuit arrangement. The circuit arrangement additionally comprises an interruption unit that can be controlled via a deactivation input by means of a sendable deactivation signal and which is connected on the input side to the trigger output and on the output side to the control input. In addition, a method for shunting electrostatic discharges is shown.

Abstract: A substrate (1) of semiconductor material is provided with a contact pad (7). An opening (9) is formed through the semiconductor material from an upper surface to the contact pad, the opening forming an edge (18) at or near the upper surface. A dielectric layer (10) is applied on the semiconductor material in the opening. A metallization (11) is applied, which contacts the contact pad and is separated from the substrate by the dielectric layer. A top-metal (12) is applied, which contacts the metallization at or near the edge. A protection layer (13) is applied, which covers the top-metal and/or the metallization at least at or near the edge, and a passivation (15) is applied.

Abstract: A signal processing arrangement including a signal processing stage that divides an input signal (Vin) applied to a signal input (In) of the signal processing stage into at least two subsignals (Vin_a, Vin_b) as a function of a signal amplitude (A) of the input signal (Vin), wherein the signal processing stage is designed for parallel signal processing of the subsignals (Vin_a, Vin_b), and a reconstruction stage connected to the signal processing stage and provides an output signal (Vout) by weighting and combining the at least two processed subsignals (Vin_a, Vin_b).

Abstract: A control circuit arrangement for pulse-width modulated DC/DC converters includes a phase generator for a complementary driver which provides respective gate signals to a first and second driver transistor in response to a control signal. A clock control circuit receives a clock signal and a pulse-width modulated signal and provides the control signal in response to a signal edge of the pulse-width modulated signal and the clock signal applied thereto. A mode selection input terminal receives a mode selection signal to select a first mode or a second mode of operation. The phase generator provides in the first mode each of the gate signals the control signal and the respective other gate signal. In the second mode of operation, it provides each gate signal in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and a system for reducing power consumption of an at least partially resonant actuator system includes adjusting a driving system with an actuator controller computing device configured to provide a driving signal including a delay interval during a transition in the driving signal. The driving system provides the driving signal with the delay interval to an at least one partially resonant actuator device.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium, and system for controlling velocity of an at least partially resonant actuator system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes determining with an actuator controller computing device a sequence of full bridge and half bridge outputs to control an output velocity of an at least partially resonant actuator device. The actuator controller computing device controls a driver system to output a driving signal based on the determined sequence of full bridge and half bridge outputs. The driver system provides the driving signal to the at least one at least partially resonant actuator device.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for driving a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode, comprises a first adjustable current path (1), that connects a terminal (BAT_IN) for a battery to a terminal (CAP_IN) for a capacitor, a second current path (2) that connects the terminal (CAP_IN) for a capacitor to a terminal (LED_OUT) for a light source, and a third adjustable current path (3) that connects the terminal (BAT_IN) for a battery to the terminal (LED_OUT) for a light source. A control unit (CTRL) is provided that has a control input (IN) and is set up to adjust current intensities (I_CHRG, I_CAP, I_DIRECT) on the first, second and third control paths (1, 2, 3), respectively, as a function of control signals (I_in) that can be applied to the control input (IN). A method for operating a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode, is also proposed.

Abstract: An amplifier arrangement comprising an amplifier (AMP) with a terminal (SPL) for a supply signal (VSPL) and a bias circuit (BIAS) for providing the supply signal (VSPL) at the terminal (SPL). The bias circuit holds an operating point (OP) of the amplifier (AMP) constant by means of the supply signal (VSPL). The bias circuit (BIAS) comprises a reference circuit (REF) for providing a reference signal (VREF) and a correction device (COR) by means of which the supply signal (VSPL) is regulated based on the reference signal (VREF) and a correction signal (Vfeed), the correction signal (Vfeed) being dependent on the operating point (OP) of the amplifier (AMP). A method for operating an amplifier arrangement is also described.

Abstract: A DC/DC converter comprises an inductive element (L) having a first terminal connected to an input connection (1) and a second terminal (4) coupled to a reference potential connection (3) by a first switching element (N1). A second switching element (P1) being a p-channel field-effect transistor couples the second terminal (4) to an output connection (2). A control unit (CTL) comprises a detection unit which is configured to detect a first mode of operation in which an input voltage (VIN) is higher than a desired output voltage (VOUT).

Abstract: A circuit arrangement including a fuse comprises a fuse path (SP) which is coupled to a control input (SE) and comprises the fuse (RS) and a first charge reservoir (C1) serially connected thereto for providing a first charge state (L1), a reference path (RP) which is coupled to the control input (SE) and comprises a comparison element (RV) and a second charge reservoir (C2) serially connected thereto for providing a second charge state (L2), and an evaluation unit (AE) comprising a first input (E1) connected to the fuse path (SP) in a switchable manner, a second input (E2) connected to the reference path (RP) in a switchable manner, and a data output (DA) for providing a condition of the fuse (RS) depending on a difference between the first and second charge states (L1, L2). Further, a method for determining the condition of a fuse is provided.

Abstract: A switch arrangement comprises a first and a second terminal (1, 2), a first switch (3), a current sensor (10), a first and a second control circuitry (20, 30). The first switch (3) comprises a control terminal (4), a first terminal (5) which is coupled to the first terminal (1) of the switch arrangement and a second terminal (6) which is coupled to the second terminal (2) of the switch arrangement. The current sensor (10) is realized for the measurement of a load current (Iload) flowing through the first switch (3). The first control circuitry (20) is coupled to an output terminal of the current sensor (10) and to the control terminal (4) of the first switch (3). The second control circuitry (30) is coupled to the control terminal (4) of the first switch (3).

Abstract: An etch apparatus, especially for silicon nitride etch includes a control unit coupled to at least one component of the group of components comprising heater current sensors, a pump transducer sensor and a flow sensor provided for a diluting liquid. A malfunction of the apparatus is avoided and the etching process can be controlled for better performance.

Abstract: A MOSFET comprising a substrate of a semiconductor material; source/drain regions, which are arranged at a distance from each other at a surface of the substrate; a gate electrode arranged above an area of the surface of the substrate between the source/drain regions, the gate electrode being electrically insulated from the semiconductor material; at least one recess in the gate electrode, a through-contact arranged in the recess of the gate electrode, the through-contact being electrically insulated from the gate electrode; a terminal contact on the semiconductor material; and a terminal conductor arranged on the side of the gate electrode that faces away from the substrate, wherein the through-contact electrically connects the terminal contact to the terminal conductor.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement (1) comprises a current source (10), a comparator (50) and a control device (90). The current source (10) serves for supplying a light-emitting diode (41). The comparator (50) may be coupled to the light-emitting diode (41) at a first input (51) via a push-button (101). The comparator (50) may be fed with a reference voltage (VREF) at a second terminal (52). The control device (90) selectively puts the current source (10) into a first operational state (A) for polling a push-button position of the push-button (101) or into a second operational state (B) for emitting radiation by means of the light-emitting diode (41).