Abstract: There is provided a method of detecting offset in a sense amplifier of an sRAM memory unit. The method comprises using a sense amplifier of the SRAM memory unit to implement a read of a first data value stored in a memory cell of the SRAM memory unit, and measuring a first time for the sense amplifier to read the first data value. The method further comprises using the sense amplifier to implement a read of a second data value stored in a memory cell of the SRAM memory unit, and measuring a second time for the sense amplifier to read the second data value. The method then comprises calculating a difference between the first time and the second time, and determining whether an offset adjustment should be applied to the sense amplifier in dependence upon the difference between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: There is provided an analog-to-digital converter that comprises an analog signal input for receiving an analog signal; a reference voltage input for receiving a reference voltage signal; and a plurality of comparators, one input of each comparator being connected to the analog signal input, and the other input of each comparator being connected so as to receive a respective portion of the reference voltage signal; wherein at least one of the plurality of comparators can be selectively activated and deactivated in order to determine a mode of operation of the analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: There is provided a Security Manager Device for allowing the secure establishment of network connections between devices, the Security Manager Device comprising a memory for storing network authentication information for a network and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the stored network authentication information to a device to be connected to a second device.

Abstract: An ultra wideband antenna comprises a substrate (21). A metal layer deposited on the substrate comprises first and second non-metallic regions (22a, 22b) defined therein. The first and second non-metallic regions (22a, 22b) are arranged on either side of a longitudinal axis (X0), the longitudinal axis (X0) corresponding to a feed axis of the antenna. The first and second non-metallic regions taper towards the first longitudinal (X0) to form a bowtie pattern. Each of the first and second non-metallic regions (22a, 22b) comprises at least one tuning slot (31, 33), the at least one tuning slot (31, 33) being arranged about a respective first axis (X1, X2), the first axis (X1, X2) being parallel to the longitudinal axis (X0), and wherein the at least one tuning slot extends along its respective axis (X1, X2) to form a non-metallic area outside the non-metallic area defined by the respective first and second non-metallic region (22a, 22b).

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises an integrated circuit comprising electronic circuitry for performing wireless control functions. An external circuit, separate from the integrated circuit, is provided for performing a predetermined stage of a wireless control function, the external circuit comprising at least one discrete component. The at least one discrete component of the external circuit is controlled by one or more control signals received from the integrated circuit. As such, the invention makes use of a low cost external device as the input device in an integrated solution, thus benefiting from the improved performance of the external device while gaining the control and system benefits of a complex integrated solution.

Abstract: A system for gathering data from at least one mobile station (107) at a central station (100), the system comprises a plurality of remote nodes (105) or radio transceiver. Each node (105) receives wirelessly, data from at least one mobile station (107); and a wire (electric) fence (103) connected to each of the plurality of nodes (105) and said central station (105) transfers the received data from each of the plurality of remote nodes (105) to the central station (100). Each node (105) is powered by the electric fence (103).

Abstract: An ultra-wideband communication system 101 comprises a first device 103, such as a host device or server, which communicates with a second device 105, such as a portable device. The first device 103 comprises a memory 107 for storing data, for example a movie, that is to be downloaded to the second device 105. The first device 103 includes an ultra-wideband transmitter 109 for transmitting data over an air interface to an ultra-wideband receiver 113 in the second device. The effective data transfer rate between the first device 103 and the second device 105 is increased by concatenating two or more frequency sub-bands in a multi-band orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme, such that the transmitter 109 in the first device 103 is configured to behave like a number of transmitters, all bursting at the same time. In addition, means are provided for enabling the second device 105 to be located in a fixed positional relationship with the first device 103 during the data transfer operation.