Abstract: A method is presented for monitoring a tampering state of closed container wherein a first electrically conductive wire extends across a slot between two portions of the closed container. The method includes applying a voltage across the first electrically conductive wire, sensing a voltage at one end of the first electrically conductive wire, and generating a signal indicating the tampering state of the closed container in response to the sensed voltage. The sensed voltage has a first voltage value if the first electrically conductive wire has been severed by tampering, and this tampered state is then reported using near field communication. The near field communication is blocked if it is sensed that the severed first electrically conductive wire has been repaired.

Abstract: A closed container includes a detection device for detecting opening of or an attempt to open the container. The detection device includes a contactless passive transponder that is configured to communicate with a reader via an antenna using a carrier signal. An integrated circuit of the transponder includes two input terminals connected to the antenna and two output terminals linked by a first electrically conductive wire having a severable part which is severed in the event of an opening of or an attempted opening of the container. A shorting circuit is configured to short-circuit a first output terminal with a first input terminal in the event of a conductive repair of the severed part which forms an electrical connection between the two output terminals.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is embedded in a circuit intermediate a first node (coupled to a battery) and a second node (supplying power to an external memory). The voltage regulator is activatable in a first mode of operation for startup during which an voltage is applied to the second node that increases towards a supply threshold. In response to the voltage at the second node reaching the supply threshold, the voltage regulator transitions to a second mode of operation where a programmable regulated voltage (higher than the supply threshold) is applied to the second node. In response to receipt of a low-power operation request, a first high-drive regulator circuitry is deactivated and a second low-power regulator circuitry is activated to provide a third mode of operation at low power.

Abstract: A voltage regulator is embedded in a circuit intermediate a first node (coupled to a battery) and a second node (supplying power to an external memory). The voltage regulator is activatable in a first mode of operation for startup during which an voltage is applied to the second node that increases towards a supply threshold. In response to the voltage at the second node reaching the supply threshold, the voltage regulator transitions to a second mode of operation where a programmable regulated voltage (higher than the supply threshold) is applied to the second node. In response to receipt of a low-power operation request, a first high-drive regulator circuitry is deactivated and a second low-power regulator circuitry is activated to provide a third mode of operation at low power.

Abstract: A closed container includes a detection device for detecting opening of or an attempt to open the container. The detection device includes a contactless passive transponder that is configured to communicate with a reader via an antenna using a carrier signal. An integrated circuit of the transponder includes two input terminals connected to the antenna and two output terminals linked by a first electrically conductive wire having a severable part which is severed in the event of an opening of or an attempted opening of the container. A shorting circuit is configured to short-circuit a first output terminal with a first input terminal in the event of a conductive repair of the severed part which forms an electrical connection between the two output terminals.

Abstract: A method for managing the operation of an object capable of contactless communication with a reader, magnetically coupled to the object, includes at least one phase for transmission of information from the object to the reader, including a modulation of the impedance of a load connected across the terminals of the antenna of the object. The method furthermore comprises a control phase that includes an estimation of the distance between the object and the reader and an adjustment of the impedance of the load as a function of the estimated distance.

Abstract: A method for managing the operation of an object capable of contactless communication with a reader, magnetically coupled to the object, includes at least one phase for transmission of information from the object to the reader, including a modulation of the impedance of a load connected across the terminals of the antenna of the object. The method furthermore comprises a control phase that includes an estimation of the distance between the object and the reader and an adjustment of the impedance of the load as a function of the estimated distance.

Abstract: A sampling rate converter that converts an incoming stream of data, clocked at a first frequency, to an output stream of data that can be clocked at a second frequency is described. The sampling rate converter up-samples an incoming data stream, filters the up-sampled incoming data stream, interpolates the filtered up-sampled data stream, and then stores the interpolated filtered up-sampled incoming data stream in a FIFO at the first frequency. The interpolated filtered up-sampled data can then be read from the FIFO at the second frequency. A control block that includes a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) that generated the first frequency is provided. Control of the NCO's production of the first frequency is based on the status of the FIFO, how the data stream is modulated, and the sampling rate ratio of the incoming data stream with respect to the output or read rate of data stream.

Abstract: A sampling rate converter that converts an incoming stream of data, clocked at a first frequency, to an output stream of data that can be clocked at a second frequency is described. The sampling rate converter up-samples an incoming data stream, filters the up-sampled incoming data stream, interpolates the filtered up-sampled data stream, and then stores the interpolated filtered up-sampled incoming data stream in a FIFO at the first frequency. The interpolated filtered up-sampled data can then be read from the FIFO at the second frequency. A control block that includes a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) that generated the first frequency is provided. Control of the NCO's production of the first frequency is based on the status of the FIFO, how the data stream is modulated, and the sampling rate ratio of the incoming data stream with respect to the output or read rate of data stream.

Abstract: A pacemaker is provided having an improved circuit for obtaining a measure of battery end-of-life. The EOL detector includes an input stage with a current mirror output providing a current which is proportional to the current being consumed by the pacemaker circuitry, and thus being expended by the battery. The proportional current is directed to charge a capacitor, which is periodically discharged at a constant current, following which the battery goes through repeated cycles of charging and discharging. A measuring circuit measures the time of capacitor discharge, thereby providing a measure of battery energy discharge during the interval that the capacitor was charging. The interval counts are accumulated to provide an overall count representative of battery expenditure, and thus of pacemaker EOL.