Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a stack structure, a staircase structure, conductive pad structures, and conductive contact structures. The stack structure includes vertically alternating conductive structures and insulating structures arranged in tiers. Each of the tiers individually includes one of the conductive structures and one of the insulating structures. The staircase structure has steps made up of edges of at least some of the tiers of the stack structure. The conductive pad structures are on the steps of the staircase structure and include beta phase tungsten. The conductive contact structures are on the conductive pad structures. Memory devices, electronic systems, and methods of forming microelectronic devices are also described.

Abstract: Configuring the operational behavior of an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of configuration inputs for configuring the IC. The IC also has a memory which stores a plurality of sets of parameter values. Each parameter value of the respective set corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters. The IC includes logic which determines a first plurality of configuration values corresponding to the first plurality of configuration inputs. The logic then selects a set of parameter values from the stored plurality of sets of parameter values. The selection of parameter values is based on the first plurality of configuration values. The IC is then configured for operation according to one or more operational parameter values in the selected set of parameter values.

Abstract: Complex filters may be used to achieve compensation of a plant, corresponding for example to a power regulator or point-of-load (POL) regulator. Digital filter coefficients may be mapped to analogous poles and zeros, or they may be mapped to values of the quality factor (Q) of the output, frequency, and gain. The plant may be observed and characterized using a network analyzer to generate the Bode plot (or Nyquist plot) for the plant. The digital filter coefficients may be mapped to features that may be identified on the Bode plot (or Nyquist plot) to easily correlate characteristics of the digital filter or digital compensator to the plant characteristics. The mapped features may be adjusted, for example by a user, either manually or by executing one or more optimization algorithms, to achieve the desired results relative to the Bode plot (or Nyquist plot).

Abstract: Configuring the operational behavior of an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit (IC) comprises a plurality of configuration inputs for configuring the IC. The IC also has a memory which stores a plurality of sets of parameter values. Each parameter value of the respective set corresponds to a different operational parameter of a plurality of operational parameters. The IC includes logic which determines a first plurality of configuration values corresponding to the first plurality of configuration inputs. The logic then selects a set of parameter values from the stored plurality of sets of parameter values. The selection of parameter values is based on the first plurality of configuration values. The IC is then configured for operation according to one or more operational parameter values in the selected set of parameter values.

Abstract: Sensing current flowing through a semiconductor device includes providing an input pin to receive an input, providing an output pin coupled to a predefined voltage source, providing a control pin to receive a control signal for controlling a flow of current between the output pin and the input pin, and electrically coupling a Kelvin sense pin to an output pad located on a semiconductor die of the device. An electrical path from the output pad to the output pin has a predefined resistance. The current is Kelvin current sensed using the predefined resistance. A flow of an output current provided to a load coupled to the device is interrupted when a value of the current is greater than a predefined value.

Abstract: Regulating a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter, a semiconductor switch having an improved current sensing technique is used to switch a DC voltage input at a predefined frequency. The switch includes a control pin to receive a control signal for controlling a current flowing between an input pin and an output pin. The switch also includes a Kelvin sense pin electrically coupled to an output pad located on a semiconductor die of the device for sensing the current. An electrical path from the output pad to the output pin in the form of a conductive lead wire has a predefined resistance. The current is Kelvin current sensed using the predefined resistance to tightly control deviation in the current beyond a predefined range.

Abstract: Power down to a reduced power state, such as a standby or off state, of an information handling system is delayed by a user-configured time after detection of closing of the cover of the information handling system. In one embodiment, a cover delay module associated with the BIOS of the information handling system delays communication of the detection of the closing of the cover from the BIOS to a power manager of the operating system that commands the reduced power state. In another embodiment, the cover delay module integrates with the operating system power manager.

Abstract: Information handling system display brightness adjustments in response to ambient light sensed by an ambient light sensor are calibrated by reference to brightness levels, such as manually selectable brightness levels stored on the display. A brightness calibration module running on the information handling system or a controller of an inverter associated with the display generates an ambient light response from the manually selectable brightness levels, such as with a piecewise linearization of each pair of sequential manually selectable brightness levels. The inverter automatically adjusts display brightness by correcting ambient light levels sensed by the ambient light sensor according to the ambient light response.

Abstract: Regulating a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter, a semiconductor switch having an improved current sensing technique is used to switch a DC voltage input at a predefined frequency. The switch includes a control pin to receive a control signal for controlling a current flowing between an input pin and an output pin. The switch also includes a Kelvin sense pin electrically coupled to an output pad located on a semiconductor die of the device for sensing the current. An electrical path from the output pad to the output pin in the form of a conductive lead wire has a predefined resistance. The current is Kelvin current sensed using the predefined resistance to tightly control deviation in the current beyond a predefined range.

Abstract: Sensing current flowing through a semiconductor device includes providing an input pin to receive an input, providing an output pin coupled to a predefined voltage source, providing a control pin to receive a control signal for controlling a flow of current between the output pin and the input pin, and electrically coupling a Kelvin sense pin to an output pad located on a semiconductor die of the device. An electrical path from the output pad to the output pin has a predefined resistance. The current is Kelvin current sensed using the predefined resistance. A flow of an output current provided to a load coupled to the device is interrupted when a value of the current is greater than a predefined value.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for continuous lengths of filaments bundles, film ribbons, filamentary-type or other material in strip like form is disclosed containing a tube that is readily adjustable in very small increments relative to rotating blades. A housing surrounds the exit end of the tube and rotating blades which is attached to a suction device. The device creates a high velocity flow of air through the tube which aligns the filamentary material for cutting. An insert may be placed in the tube which contains an upper surface or anvil at its outer end. The tube and/or the insert in the tube is adjustable in two dimensions relative to one or more blades rotating in a plane transverse to the axis of the tube. These adjustments which may be made during operation of the cutting process to facilitate a cleaner, uniform cutting of the filamentary material.

Abstract: Power down to a reduced power state, such as a standby or off state, of an information handling system is delayed by a user-configured time after detection of closing of the cover of the information handling system. In one embodiment, a cover delay module associated with the BIOS of the information handling system delays communication of the detection of the closing of the cover from the BIOS to a power manager of the operating system that commands the reduced power state. In another embodiment, the cover delay module integrates with the operating system power manager.

Abstract: A message player is connected to the music on-hold input of a telephone system of a non-profit or community organization. The message player is provided by a service provider that also sells advertising space on the player to businesses. Information regarding the organization's activities as well as advertisements for the businesses are loaded by the service provider onto the message player. The service provider receives advertising fees from the businesses and distributes a portion of these fees to the organization. The organization may also sell advertising space on the message player to businesses and obtain a greater portion of the advertising fees. Updated messages may be downloaded into the player remotely from the service provider.