Abstract: A semiconductor device having a digital region and an analog region embedded therein has an annular seal ring which surrounds the outer circumference of the digital region and the analog region in a plan view; a guard ring which is provided in the area surrounded by the seal ring, between the digital region and the analog region, so as to isolate the analog region from the digital region, and so as to be electrically connected to the seal ring; and an electrode pad which is electrically connected to the guard ring in the vicinity of the guard ring.

Abstract: In the reception and demodulation of a communication signal with frequency hopping among a plurality of frequency bands, a demodulator is formed by a balance circuit. The demodulator performs frequency conversion by multiplying signals in_a and in_b, which are obtained by converting a received signal into differential signals, by local signals Lo—1a and Lo—1b with a frequency corresponding to a frequency band of the received signal, which are frequency-switched during a guard interval period of the received signal, in synchronization with a symbol of the received signal. Further, two output ends of the demodulator are charged/discharged through capacitors in synchronization with frequency switching of the local signal so that a voltage difference between the two output ends of the demodulator becomes a prescribed level.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having a digital region and an analog region embedded therein has an annular seal ring which surrounds the outer circumference of the digital region and the analog region in a plan view; a guard ring which is provided in the area surrounded by the seal ring, between the digital region and the analog region, so as to isolate the analog region from the digital region, and so as to be electrically connected to the seal ring; and an electrode pad which is electrically connected to the guard ring in the vicinity of the guard ring.

Abstract: In the reception and demodulation of a communication signal with frequency hopping among a plurality of frequency bands, a demodulator is formed by a balance circuit. The demodulator performs frequency conversion by multiplying signals in_a and in_b, which are obtained by converting a received signal into differential signals, by local signals Lo—1a and Lo—1b with a frequency corresponding to a frequency band of the received signal, which are frequency-switched during a guard interval period of the received signal, in synchronization with a symbol of the received signal. Further, two output ends of the demodulator are charged/discharged through capacitors in synchronization with frequency switching of the local signal so that a voltage difference between the two output ends of the demodulator becomes a prescribed level.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier circuit according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an output offset correcting unit for executing correction to attenuate a fixed offset component independent of a gain change of a variable gain amplifier circuit out of a DC offset involved in an output voltage of an amplifying unit; and an input offset correcting unit for executing correction to attenuate an input offset component that varies depending on a gain of an amplifying unit. The correction of the fixed offset component with the output offset correcting unit and the correction of the input offset component with the input offset correcting unit are independently executed.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier circuit according to an embodiment of the invention includes: an output offset correcting unit for executing correction to attenuate a fixed offset component independent of a gain change of a variable gain amplifier circuit out of a DC offset involved in an output voltage of an amplifying unit; and an input offset correcting unit for executing correction to attenuate an input offset component that varies depending on a gain of an amplifying unit. The correction of the fixed offset component with the output offset correcting unit and the correction of the input offset component with the input offset correcting unit are independently executed.

Abstract: A method for forming an electrostatic latent image on an image recording medium includes forming a primary electrostatic latent image on a screen-type photosensitive plate, forming a secondary electrostatic latent image on the image recording material by irradiating the same with a charged particle current passed through the screen-type plate carrying the primary latent image, and correcting the secondary latent image on the recording material by irradiating the same with a charged particle current passed through the screen-type plate carrying the primary latent image.