Abstract: A detection device includes an antenna for receiving an incident signal, and for delivering a base signal. A comparator receives the base signal and provides an intermediate signal representative of the sign of the base signal relative to a reference signal. A sampling circuit samples the intermediate signal for providing a digital signal. A digital processing circuit correlates the digital signal with a predetermined correlation signal.

Abstract: The method is for decoding an incident UWB signal including successive incident pulses respectively received during successive Pulse Repetition Periods (PRP). The method includes determining a correlation matrix, whose terms respectively represent the correlation between all the M possible symbols transmitted in a current (PRP), and at least in the previous and in the next (PRP), and performing a correlation between an incident current pulse received during a current PRP and the M possible symbols transmitted in the current PRP and at least in the previous and in the next PRPs for obtaining a correlation vector. The method also includes preprocessing the correlation vector including reducing the effect of ISI from the correlation vector by using the correlation matrix, and decoding the preprocessed correlation vector for obtaining the bits of the transmitted symbol included in the incident received current pulse.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a source memory device partitioned into N elementary source memories for storing a sequence of input data sets, and a processor clocked by a clock signal and having N outputs for producing, per cycle of the clock signal, N output data sets respectively associated with the N input data sets stored in the N elementary source memories at respective source addresses. The electronic device may also include N single port target memories, N interleaving tables including, for each relative source address, the number of a target memory and the respective target address thereof, N cells connected in a ring structure. Further, each cell may also be connected between an output of the processor, an interleaving table, and a target memory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a TFA image sensor with stability-optimized photodiode for converting electromagnetic radiation into an intensity-dependent photocurrent with an intermetal dielectric, on which, in the region of the pixel matrix, a lower barrier layer is situated and a conductive layer is situated on the barrier layer, and vias being provided for the contact connection to the ASIC, the vias in metal contacts on the ASIC. A TFA image sensor having improved electrical properties is provided. This is achieved in that an intrinsic absorption layer is provided between the TCO layer and the barrier layer with a layer thickness of between 300 nm and 600 nm. Before the application of the photodiodes, the topmost, comparatively thick metal layer of the ASIC is removed and replaced by a matrix of thin metal electrodes which form the back electrodes of the photodiodes, the matrix being patterned in the pixel raster.

Abstract: An ultra wide band (UWB) device includes a first control unit for controlling a UWB data stream according to a first operation mode, and a second control unit for controlling the UWB data stream according to a low duty cycle operation mode. An activation unit selectively activates the first and second control units.

Abstract: Successive sequences of interleaved data samples extracted from a virtual memory having L0 columns and C0 rows are de-interleaved. The de-interleaving includes receiving each sequence of the interleaved data samples, and writing row by row the received sequences of interleaved data samples in a de-interleaving memory array having L rows and C columns, with L being greater or equal to L0 and C being greater or equal to C0. The data samples stored in the de-interleaving memory array are de-interleaved sub-array by sub-array. Each sub-array is a square cluster array having a number SQ of rows and columns. A cluster array is a row of the square cluster array comprising SQ data samples, with the number L of rows and the number C of columns of the de-interleaving memory array being multiples of the number SQ of rows and columns.

Abstract: A method is for estimating drift between a first clock used in a digital transmission processing of a first Ultra Wide Band (UWB) pulse train signal and a second clock used in a digital reception processing of a second UWB pulse train signal resulting from a transmission of the first UWB pulse train signal. The method may include sampling the second UWB pulse train signal, and calculating trellis information representative of a trellis having reference paths respectively associated to different reference values of the drift and including sample transitions of a sampled third signal from the sampled second UWB pulse train signal. The method may further include processing the sampled third signal along the trellis for obtaining a path metric for each processed reference path, and selecting the processed reference path having a greatest path metric, the drift being the reference value associated to the selected processed reference path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a TFA image sensor in which a multi-layer arrangement comprising a photo diode matrix is arranged on an ASIC switching circuit provided with electronic circuits for operating the TFA image sensor, such as pixel electronics, peripheral electronics and system electronics, for the pixel-wise conversion of electromagnetic radiation into an intensity-dependent photocurrent, the pixels being connected to contacts of the underlying pixel electronics of the ASIC switching circuit. The method enables conventionally produced ASIC switching circuits to be used without impairing the topography of the photoactive sensor surface. The CMOS passivation layer in the photoactive region and then the upper CMOS metallization are removed and replaced by a metallic layer which is structured in the pixel raster, for the formation of back electrodes.

Abstract: Successive groups of N bits are delivered at a delivery frequency Fe greater than a predetermined frequency PRF. At least one of the successive groups includes at least one subgroup of at least one bit defining at least one digital cue of position and of shape of at least one base pulse within a window of length 1/PRF. This digital cue is converted into the base pulse, and the base pulse is filtered using a high-pass filter for providing a pulse of the ultra wideband type within the window with a temporal accuracy equal to 1/N*Fe.

Abstract: A data cache memory coupled to a processor including processor clusters are adapted to operate simultaneously on scalar and vectorial data by providing data locations in the data cache memory for storing data for processing. The data locations are accessed either in a scalar mode or in a vectorial mode. This is done by explicitly mapping the data locations that are scalar and the data locations that are vectorial.

Abstract: A processor architecture for multimedia applications includes processor clusters providing vectorial data processing capability. Processing elements in the processor clusters process both data with a bit length N and data with bit lengths N/2, N/4, and so on according to a Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) function. A load unit loads into the processor clusters data to be processed according to a same instruction. An intercluster data path exchanges data between the processor clusters. The intercluster data path is scalable to activate selected processor clusters. The processor operates simultaneously on SIMD, scalar and vectorial data.

Abstract: A calibration is performed tone per tone during interframe spacing. A peak detection is used for measuring the level of the corresponding signal, and a gain correction coefficient is stored for correcting the digital complex modulation coefficients provided by the mapping.

Abstract: A device belonging to a wireless communication system and adapted to exchange information with another device of the system within a main band of frequencies includes N different antennas having respectively different antenna characteristics, with N being greater than one. A controllable selector selects one of the antennas. A detector detects through the selected antenna the eventual presence of at least one interferer operating within the main band of frequencies. A controller, upon presence of a detected interferer, controls the selector for selecting another antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided for initiating communications over a channel between a transmitter and a receiver within a specified spectral range, subject to a mask to be applied at the transmitter so as to attenuate at least one segment of the spectral range. The method includes providing to the receiver a definition of the at least one segment and of a level of attenuation to be applied within the at least one segment during a training interval of the communications. A training signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver while applying to the training signal the level of attenuation within the at least one segment. The receiver compensates for a response of the channel based on the received training signal and on the definition of the at least one segment and of the level of attenuation.

Abstract: Pulses of a signal, which are respectively contained in successive time windows, may be generated by a generator, and a control device may formulate a control signal for the generator including, for each pulse, an indication of its position in the corresponding window. The control device may include a processor to deliver for each time window, at a delivery frequency Fe greater than the pulse repetition frequency, successive groups of N bits together defining a digital cue of position of a pulse inside the window. Also, a converter may convert this digital position cue into the control signal temporally spread over the length (T) of the window and including the indication of position at an instant corresponding to the digital position cue. This makes it possible to position the pulse inside its window with a temporal precision equal to 1/N*Fe.

Abstract: A receiver and a method for receiving a signal including a carrier modulated with a known training sequence is described in which an estimate a carrier frequency offset is obtained from an autocorrelation signal by autocorrelation of the part of the received signal containing a known training sequence. The received signal is compensated with the frequency offset obtained to form a compensated received signal, and a timing reference for the received signal is obtained by cross-correlation of the compensated received signal with a known training sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a photodiode contact for a TFA image sensor which includes a photodiode, produced by deposition of a multilayer system and a transparent conductive contact layer on an ASIC circuit that has been coated with an intermediate metal dielectric component and that has vias in a photoactive zone which are arranged on a pixel grid. Said vias extend through the intermediate metal dielectric component and are linked with respective strip conductors of the CMOS-ASIC circuit. A pixel-grid structured barrier layer, and on top thereof a CMOS metallization, are arranged on the intermediate metal dielectric component. The aim of the invention is to improve the characteristic variables of the photodiode by simple technological means.

Abstract: Improved radio frequency (RF) envelope tracking apparatus for use in wireless and wired systems. In one exemplary embodiment, a transmitter upconversion stage receives input digital I and Q values, the output of the upconversion stage being fed to both an envelope tracking circuit and a power amplifier (before or after optional filtering). The envelope tracking circuit controls the operation of a power modulator, which adjusts the power amplifier. The envelope tracking circuit is specifically configured to provide improved linearity and power efficiency. The envelope tracking apparatus and methods of the present invention may be applied to heterodyne/super-heterodyne architectures as well as others.

Abstract: A method is provided for decoding a turbo-code encoded signal in a receiver. According to the method, the signal is received from a transmission channel, and the signal is digitally turbo-code decoded. Additionally, a quality information representative of conditions of the channel state estimation is dynamically determined, and the quality information is dynamically compared with a predetermined criteria for defining good or bad estimation conditions. A Maximum-A-Posteriori algorithm in the logarithmic domain is dynamically selected for good estimation conditions, or an approximation of the Maximum-A-Posteriori algorithm in the logarithmic domain is dynamically selected for bad estimation conditions. Also provided is a receiver that implements such a decoding method.

Abstract: A receiver for high-speed data communications, which receives a differential signal through a pair of signal lines. The receiver includes a common-mode choke, which has first and second signal windings, which are respectively coupled in series to the pair of signal lines so as to attenuate common-mode interference in the differential signal. The choke also has a sampling winding, which is inductively coupled to the signal windings so as to generate a sampled signal responsive to current flowing in the signal windings. Signal processing circuitry is coupled to receive the sampled signal from the sampling winding and to receive the differential signal from the signal windings and to process the differential signal responsive to the sampled signal.