Abstract: A contactless smartcard type integrated circuit needing only two pins for performing a standard ATPG test is disclosed. A scan test may be performed using one pin for the clock and the other pin for the input and input of the scan test data. Additionally, security is enhanced by using an embedded signature generator to avoid observation of the data shifted out.

Abstract: A switching circuit suitable for a low power oscillator circuit includes control and output circuits, the control circuit arranged to control the output circuit, the control circuit having input and output terminals, the output circuit having input and output terminals and control terminals; wherein the input terminal of the control circuit is connected to the input terminal of the output circuit, and the control terminal of the output circuit is connected to the output terminal of the control circuit, the output circuit first switches connected in series and arranged such that in use at least one of the switches is in a low impedance state at any given time, and the control circuit has second switches connected in series and arranged such that in use at least one of the switches is in a low impedance state at any given time.

Abstract: A device including a Doherty amplifier, the Doherty amplifier having an amplifier input and output. At least one main amplifier is coupled to the input via a main input impedance and to the output via a main output impedance and additional amplifiers, each amplifier being coupled to the input via respective additional input impedances. Each additional amplifier has a respective additional amplifier output coupled to a respective pair of additional impedances connected in series and having a respective connection node between them. The device also has a first additional amplifier having their respective additional impedances coupled between its respective output and the amplifier output, the pair of additional impedances having first and second impedances, the first impedance being connected to the respective additional amplifier output and to the connection node, the second impedance being coupled between their respective connection node and the connection node of the previous additional amplifier.

Abstract: A optical detection system for used as a bio sensor is disclosed, comprising a card or cartridge and a reader. The cartridge comprises at least a detection chamber and an optical detector, and the reader includes means to urge a fluid into the detection chamber to initiate the analysis. The optical coupling may be enhanced by including optical elements in the card; conversely the system may be simplified by reducing or eliminating the number of moving parts in the card. In embodiments, additional elements such as a light source which may be an LED, flow restrictors or mixers, and electronic elements such as NFC functionality, may be included on the card. The card may be compatible with smart-cards.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a semiconductor device comprised of a combination of device die. The semiconductor device comprises a package substrate having groups of pad landings. A first device die is anchored to the package substrate, the first device die having been wire-bonded to a first group of pad landings. At least one subsequent device die is anchored to the first device die. The at least one subsequent device die has an underside profile with recesses defined therein, the recesses of a size are defined to accommodate wires bonded to the first device die; the at least one subsequent device is wire bonded to a second group of pad landings.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and a method of making the same. The device includes a semiconductor substrate having an AlGaN layer on a GaN layer. The device also includes first contact and a second contact. The average thickness of the AlGaN layer varies between the first contact and the second contact, for modulating the density of an electron gas in the GaN layer between the first contact and the second contact.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated circuit die comprising an active substrate including a plurality of components laterally separated from each other by respective isolation structures, at least some of the isolation structures carrying a further component, wherein the respective portions of the active substrate underneath the isolation structures carrying said further components are electrically insulated from said components. A method of manufacturing such an IC die is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric vehicle charging system in which the charging station and the vehicle each have a power transfer measurement unit, and a communication system for communicating data at least from the vehicle to the station. The power delivery is controlled based on a comparison of power transfer measurements made by the charging station and by the electric vehicle control system.

Abstract: A semiconductor uses an isolation trench, and one or more additional trenches to those required for isolation are provided. These additional trenches can be connected between a transistor gate and the drain to provide additional gate-drain capacitance, or else they can be used to form series impedance coupled to the transistor gate. These measures can be used separately or in combination to reduce the switching speed and thereby reduce current spikes.

Abstract: A trench-gate device with lateral RESURF pillars has an additional implant beneath the gate trench. The additional implant reduces the effective width of the semiconductor drift region between the RESURF pillars, and this provides additional gate shielding which improves the electrical characteristics of the device.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention a localization method for localizing a host device (100) in a control system, in particular a building control system, is provided, the localization method comprising determining geographical location information of the host device (100) by means of a localization device (102) and associating the geographical location information with a unique identifier of the host device (100). According to another aspect of the invention a computer program product is provided that comprises program instructions which, when being executed by one or more processing units, cause said processing units to carry out or control the steps of the inventive localization method. According to another aspect of the invention, a localization device (102), in particular a portable localization device is provided for use in the inventive localization method.

Abstract: It is described a method for accessing a secure storage of a mobile device, the method comprising: providing a generic interface for accessing the secure storage; accessing the secure storage using the generic interface by a first application of the mobile device; accessing the secure storage using the generic interface by a second application of the mobile device. Further, a corresponding secure electronic storage and a system is described.

Abstract: A method for storing or reading data in a memory array of a transponder and a corresponding transponder, read/write device and program element is described. Therein, a data file system for storing data within the memory array is defined by a predetermined protocol. The method for storing additional data includes checking whether a memory size of the application data file is larger than the memory size indicated by the application data length indicator; and storing second application data in a partial memory area of the application data file not occupied by the first application data. Thereby, memory areas which, according to the predetermined protocol, are not used can be used for new applications, data can be hidden in these areas such that they can not be read by protocol compliant reader devices and the data structure read or written by the method of the invention is compatible with the former predetermined protocol.

Abstract: A wireless mobile communication device having short range functionality that is designed to always be capable of short range functionality, including secure short range functionality by having a first and second energy source where charging of the second energy source may be achieved by the voltage induced by the received short range signal.

Abstract: A communication partner appliance is implemented within a near field communication system. The communication partner appliance includes a receiver, a detector, and a processor. The receiver receives a NFC command signal from another communication partner appliance. The detector detects whether a carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver at a time other than during a transmission of the NFC command signal from the other communication partner appliance to the receiver. The processor controls a power supply element based on a determination by the detector whether the carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver. The power supply element is configured to establish a connection to either a first power supply or a second power supply. The first power supply is dependent on the carrier signal, and the second power supply is independent of the carrier signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a ballast in a circuit for a lighting application and connected to a mains power supply is disclosed. The method comprises determining whether a dimmer is present in the circuit; in response to detecting that a dimmer is present, determining a zero-crossing of the power supply and setting a bleeder current through the ballast in dependence on the phase of the power supply within a mains half-cycle; and in response to determining that a dimmer is not present, disabling the bleeder current. A ballast which is controlled by such a method is also disclosed. Additionally, a controller, which may include a digital signal processor, for a ballast and operable according to the above method is disclosed.

Abstract: A radio frequency communication device has data transmission means and data receiving means. The data transmission means comprise load modulating means being adapted to receive a radio frequency carrier signal emitted by another RF communication device and to modulate the RF carrier signal by means of load modulation in accordance with data to be sent. The data receiving means comprise a RF frequency carrier signal generator being adapted to emit a radio frequency carrier signal and load demodulating means being connected to an emission path of the radio frequency carrier signal and demodulating the radio frequency carrier signal when it has been load modulated by another RF communication device.

Abstract: A method for storing or reading data in a memory array of a transponder and a corresponding transponder, read/write device and program element is described. Therein, a data structure for storing data within the memory array is defined by a predetermined protocol. The data structure comprises: a header data block including predefined header data; an application data block for storing application data; a memory control data block including a reservation indicator for indicating a reserved partial memory area of the memory array where, in accordance with the predetermined protocol, application data cannot be read or written by a protocol compliant reader device. The method for storing data comprises storing additional application data in the reserved partial memory area.

Abstract: A voltage sampling RF receiver in which an impedance control circuit controls the input impedance, by using a mixer stage which generates a feedback voltage, which is coupled to the RF input by a feedback resistor. A biasing arrangement can be used to adjust the feedback path so that local oscillator leakage signals are suppressed.

Abstract: A semiconductor chip, apparatus, and associated method wherein the semiconductor chip, having at least one electrode and configured as a sensor such as a biosensor, is removably attachable to a tip of a dipstick. The dipstick tip, with the attached semiconductor chip, is arranged to be dipped into a well containing an analyte. The well may be part of a micro-titre plate. The chip electrically senses the presence of a target molecule in the analyte. The sensing may be by detecting a change in capacitance associated with the electrode which occurs in the presence of the target molecule. The apparatus may include plural dipsticks and associated semiconductor chips which are sensitive for different target molecules. Alternatively or in addition, a single semiconductor chip may have a plurality of electrodes, which may be sensitive to different target molecules.