Abstract: A “dry” packaging in which a prosthetic heart valve is packaged within a container with hydrogel that can be provided in many forms. Certain embodiments include hydrogel that is preloaded with glycerol or the like. The hydrogel regulates the humidity within the container through a diffusion-driven mechanism if a gradient of humidity between the inside and the outside of the hydrogel exists. Humidity regulation is important to prevent the tissue of the valve structure from drying out. When the partially-hydrated hydrogel is present within container, which is saturated with air of a predefined humidity, the water molecules from the air will be absorbed by the hydrogel if the air humidity is high (i.e. when the thermodynamics favor hydrogel hydration) or vice versa. Various embodiments are configured to also house at least a portion of a delivery device for delivering the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for detection of an item being delivered at a premises. Based on a movement pattern shown in a video captured by a camera associated with a premises, a delivery event may be determined. A notification of the delivery event may be sent to a user device associated with the premises.

Abstract: The updating of a definition layer or schema for a large distributed database can be accomplished using a plurality of data store tiers. A distributed database can be made up of many individual data stores, and these data stores can be allocated across a set of tiers based on business logic or other allocation criteria. The update can be applied sequentially to the individual tiers, such that only data stores for a single tier are being updated at any given time. This can help to minimize downtime for the database as a whole, and can help to minimize problems that may result from an unsuccessful update. Such an approach can also allow for simplified error detection and rollback, as well as providing control over a rate at which the update is applied to the various data stores of the distributed database.

Abstract: Equalization circuitry for a data channel in an integrated circuit device includes an analog equalization stage coupled to the data channel, and a digital signal processing stage downstream of the analog equalization stage. The digital signal processing stage generates control signals to control the analog equalization stage, and includes a digital equalization stage that operates on output of the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may further include an enhanced processing stage for optical signals, which may be selectably coupled to the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may include at least one feed-forward or feedback equalization stage, and a decision stage that outputs decision signals at one of a first plurality of signal levels. The enhanced processing stage operates on the decision signals to output enhanced decision signals at one of a second plurality of signal levels of higher resolution than the first plurality of signal levels.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier includes input terminals configured to receive a differential input of the variable gain amplifier, output terminals configured to generate a differential output of the variable gain amplifier, the differential output having a gain applied by the variable gain amplifier to the differential input, and an impedance ladder circuit coupled to the input terminals, the impedance ladder circuit comprising a plurality of semiconductor switches configured to receive respective control signals based on a control voltage. The plurality of semiconductors switches are responsive to the respective control signals to adjust the gain of the variable gain amplifier and configured with a predetermined exponential scale such that the impedance ladder circuit causes a slope of the gain of the variable gain amplifier relative to the control voltage to be generally linear.

Abstract: Equalization circuitry for a data channel in an integrated circuit device includes an analog equalization stage coupled to the data channel, and a digital signal processing stage downstream of the analog equalization stage. The digital signal processing stage generates control signals to control the analog equalization stage, and includes a digital equalization stage that operates on output of the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may further include an enhanced processing stage for optical signals, which may be selectably coupled to the analog equalization stage. The analog equalization stage may include at least one feed-forward or feedback equalization stage, and a decision stage that outputs decision signals at one of a first plurality of signal levels. The enhanced processing stage operates on the decision signals to output enhanced decision signals at one of a second plurality of signal levels of higher resolution than the first plurality of signal levels.

Abstract: A variable gain amplifier includes input terminals configured to receive a differential input of the variable gain amplifier, output terminals configured to generate a differential output of the variable gain amplifier, the differential output having a gain applied by the variable gain amplifier to the differential input, and an impedance ladder circuit coupled to the input terminals, the impedance ladder circuit comprising a plurality of semiconductor switches configured to receive respective control signals based on a control voltage. The plurality of semiconductors switches are responsive to the respective control signals to adjust the gain of the variable gain amplifier and configured with a predetermined exponential scale such that the impedance ladder circuit causes a slope of the gain of the variable gain amplifier relative to the control voltage to be generally linear.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides variable gain amplifier that includes an impedance ladder and a control circuit. The impedance ladder includes n switches configured in parallel. The control circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter and an amplifier. The control circuit generates n control signals for the n switches. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to electrical circuits. In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides variable gain amplifier that includes an impedance ladder and a control circuit. The impedance ladder includes n switches configured in parallel. The control circuit includes a digital-to-analog converter and an amplifier. The control circuit generates n control signals for the n switches. There are other embodiments as well.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a method for controlling an ADC. The ADC includes a plurality of quantization levels for analog-to-digital conversion. The ADC is adapted for utilizing a subset of the plurality of quantization levels for analog-to-digital signal conversion. The subset is formed by selecting at least one level to be deactivated using a greedy search method and deactivating the at least one level. The method includes using a subset of the plurality of quantization levels for analog-to-digital signal conversion, the subset being formed by selecting at least one level to be deactivated using a greedy search method and deactivating the at least one level.