Abstract: The system can be used for the automatic analysis of images (I), comprising a matrix of spots, such as images of DNA microarrays after hybridisation. The system can be associated—and preferably integrated in a single monolithic component implementing VLSI CMOS technology—to a sensor (10) for acquiring said images (I). The system comprises a circuit (20) for processing the signals corresponding to the images (I), configured according to a cellular neural network (CNN) architecture for the parallel analogue processing of signals.

Abstract: An integrated cellular network structure that is programmable to solve partial derivative differential equations in order to control a phenomenon of diffusion or a propagation of electric drive pulses for robot actuators. Such structure includes analog and digital portions interconnected with each other; the analog portion having a matrix array of analog cells arranged to receive data from an I/O interface, and the digital portion having first and second memory arrays for storing a desired configuration and the initial state of such analog matrix array, respectively.

Abstract: A method to protect the contents of an electronic document through an encryption system based on an initial confusing step in a scrambler and a subsequent diffusion step in a chaotic processor, both steps being of a chaotic type. Initially, encryption keys and an initial chaotic value are acquired; input character strings are acquired; and diffused character strings are calculated using the input character strings, the encryption keys, and previous diffused character strings. After a certain number of iterations, sets of diffused character strings are added to subsequent chaotic values generated by a chaotic processor to obtain encrypted words. Decryption is obtained through two successive operations, wherein the encrypted words are added to chaotic values identical to the encryption values and subtracted from previously decrypted words using an unscrambler element having a structure similar to that of the scrambler and using identical encryption keys.

Abstract: A robust communication system for transmitting through a noisy environment includes a signal source for providing discrete signals, a chaotic modulator for modulating the discrete signals, and an incoherent discriminator or receiver for receiving the modulated signals. The incoherent discriminator includes a high-pass filter for removing the lowest frequency harmonics of the received signals, a rectifier for providing an absolute value of the received signals, a low-pass filter and a comparator after the low-pass filter.

Abstract: A step-up continuous-mode DC-to-DC converter with integrated current control, comprising a comparator for comparing a voltage signal output from the converter and a reference signal for generating an error signal and circuitry for generating a compensation ramp which generates a ramp signal which is added to a signal which is proportional to a current ramp that flows across the converter. The signal output from the comparator and the signal obtained from the sum are sent to an additional comparator, the output whereof, together with an oscillator signal, is used for driving a power transistor of the converter.

Abstract: A method of controlling a flyback DC-DC converter includes using a primary control loop to monitor an auxiliary winding of a transformer for determining the amount of energy being transferred to a load. The voltage in the auxiliary winding is induced by current flowing in the secondary winding of the transformer. The primary control loop disables and enables the turning on of a power switch for driving the primary winding of the transformer, and detects the zero-crossing. The duration that the power switch is turned on is established by a secondary control loop using the output voltage for turning off the power switch for a new off phase. The flyback DC-DC converter further includes a fixed frequency oscillator having a frequency lower than the self-oscillating frequency of the converter. The power transferred from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit of the flyback transformer is controlled by introducing a delay on the turn-on instant of the power switch.

Abstract: A DC/DC conversion circuit, adapted to convert a DC input voltage to a DC output voltage, employs a PNP type of bipolar power transistor as a synchronous rectifier element, to allow power-on through a simplified control circuitry capable of sensing, automatically and at a high speed, the difference of potential across the switch. This approach allows power to be transferred from the input to the output unilaterally, while automatically controlling the depth of saturation of the power transistor and regulating its base current.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular architecture of a cellular network for improved large-scale integration, of the type which comprises a plurality of fuzzy cellular elements (C.sub.m,n) interconnected to form a matrix of elements having at least m rows and n columns, the row and column numbers describing the location of each element. Each fuzzy processor is adapted for connection to other processors of the same type such that a parallel architecture of the modular type can be implemented. The management of the architecture is facilitated by each submatrix being controlled by an individually dedicated fuzzy processor device.