Abstract: A temperature insensitive oscillator system. The system includes a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a CMOS device with one or more CMOS circuits attached to the first surface of the substrate, one or more piezoelectric transducers attached to an outer surface of the CMOS device, a voltage-controlled oscillator generating a RF frequency, which is transmitted as a plurality of short pulses to the one or more piezoelectric transducers, and one or more delays and oscillators using resistor and active components arranged alongside the piezoelectric transducers or on the CMOS device such that the voltage-controlled oscillator has minimal dependence on temperature, and has minimal deviation from a programmed frequency.

Abstract: There is a need for miniature, low power, and remotely powered sensors that can measure moisture and reactive gas content in the environment. Examples of devices that already exist include dew-point sensors, moisture sensors, and oxygen sensors. This disclosure describes the use of high-frequency ultrasonic pulses to interrogate thin films on the imaging surface of a CMOS integrated GHz Ultrasonic imager substrate. In one embodiment the device uses a Peltier cooler and heater chip to detect the dew point by the act of moisture condensing on the surface. Integrated temperature measurement is enabled by using some of the pixels, isolated from the environment, to be reflectors that measure the phase change in the reflected signal due to the change in the speed of sound in the silicon substrate. In another embodiment a thin film is exposed to gases, changing its ultrasonic impedance, which can be used to extract the film thickness and its ultrasonic properties.

Abstract: An GHz ultrasonic transducer pixel, alone or incorporated into imaging system with a CMOS device. The ultrasonic transducer pixel includes an ultrasonic transducer connected to a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit and receive circuits are chosen by switches. The ultrasonic transducer pixel also includes a mixer of the receive circuit positioned as a first stage in the receive circuit, a pixel select circuit comprising analog components and digital components, and a power supply conditioning circuitry.

Abstract: A single-chip solution for multi-modal imaging with every pixel capable of electrostatic, ultrasonic and optical imaging. The device can be configured in as much modality configurations as possible based on the types of the transducers included in the system.

Abstract: A transceiver apparatus for maximizing voltage. A voltage booster or transformer is implemented using piezoelectric thin films in substrates, preferably CMOS substrates where active processing of RF signals can lead to highly integrated and inexpensive ICs. The voltage gain is achieved by cascading multiple transducers, formed in the same piezoelectric thin film, or films cascaded in series on top of each other. An array of transducers are connected in parallel or series, connected to the input or output port electrodes. Other approaches include placing the receive transformer in a location where the diffracting field from the transmitter transducer is incident on the receive transducer generating a higher ultrasonic field at the receive transformer and increasing the voltage is to connect an array of transducers, formed in the same layer, or different layers of piezoelectric layer in parallel in drive mode when the pulse is transmitted.

Abstract: A thin card reader (TCR) designed to reduce card-not-present fraud, in credit card transactions, and other applications where security verification is needed in remote locations. The TCR is powered by external RF power, or through a battery. Further, the TCR uses energy from an energy harvester, which converts the mechanism energy used to insert the credit card into the TCR. Energy harvesting allows the TCR to be a self-powered device, alleviating the need to charge the TCR or connect a cable thereto. TCR shifts the burden of the electronics from the card to the TCR, reducing the cost of credit cards with a biometric sensor. One TCR can be used per consumer (with many cards), reducing costs and resulting in substantial savings. The TCR also allows remote enrollment of biometrically enabled credit cards where the new card can be entered into a TCR when placed in a self-enrollment mode.

Abstract: A thin card reader (TCR) designed to reduce card-not-present fraud, in credit card transactions, and other applications where security verification is needed in remote locations. The TCR is powered by external RF power, or through a battery. Further, the TCR uses energy from an energy harvester, which converts the mechanism energy used to insert the credit card into the TCR. Energy harvesting allows the TCR to be a self-powered device, alleviating the need to charge the TCR or connect a cable thereto. TCR shifts the burden of the electronics from the card to the TCR, reducing the cost of credit cards with a biometric sensor. One TCR can be used per consumer (with many cards), reducing costs and resulting in substantial savings. The TCR also allows remote enrollment of biometrically enabled credit cards where the new card can be entered into a TCR when placed in a self-enrollment mode.