Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a pass gate having an input and an output. An NMOS pass transistor is connected between the input and the output. The drain of the NMOS pass transistor is connected to the input and the source of the NMOS pass transistor is connected to a node between the source of the NMOS transistor and the output of the pass gate. A current clamp is connected between the node and a current sink so as to conduct current to the current sink when the node reaches a threshold value.

Abstract: A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) includes a core capacitor portion having first conductive elements electrically connected to and forming a part of a first node of the capacitor formed in a first layer and second conductive elements electrically connected to and forming a part of a second node of the capacitor formed in the first layer. The first and second conductive elements alternate in the first conductive layer. Third conductive elements electrically connected to and forming a part of the first node are formed in a second layer adjacent to the first layer. The capacitor also includes a shield capacitor portion having fourth conductive elements formed in at least first, second, third, and fourth layers. The shield capacitor portion is electrically connected to and forms a part of the second node of the capacitor and surrounds the first and third conductive elements.

Abstract: A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) has a first plurality of conductive crosses formed in a layer of the IC electrically connected to and forming a portion of a first node of the capacitor and a second plurality of conductive crosses formed in the metal layer of the IC. The conductive crosses in the second plurality of conductive crosses are electrically connected to and form a portion of a second node of the capacitor and capacitively couple to the first node.

Abstract: A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) has a distribution grid formed in a first patterned metal layer of the integrated circuit and a first vertical conductive filament connected to and extending away from the distribution grid along a first direction. A second vertical conductive filament is connected to the distribution grid and extends in the opposite direction. First and second grid plates are formed in the metal layers above and below the first patterned metal layer. The grid plates surround the first and second vertical conductive filaments. The distribution grid, first vertical conductive filament and second vertical conductive filament are connected to and form a portion of a first node of the capacitor and the first grid plate and the second grid plate are connected to and form a portion of a second node of the capacitor.

Abstract: A capacitor in an integrated circuit (“IC”) has a first node conductor formed in a first metal layer of the IC with a first spine extending along a first direction, a first vertical element extending from the first spine along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first capital element extends along the first direction, and a first serif element extends from the capital element. The capacitor also has a second node conductor having a second spine, a second vertical element extending from the second spine toward the first spine, a second capital element, and a second serif element extending from the second capital between the first vertical element and the first serif element.

Abstract: An ankle brace utilizes first and second strap segments. The strap segments are positioned proximate the bottom portion of the brace and extends up and across the front portion of the brace before being secured about the brace.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the calibration of current cells, whereby a current signal from each current cell may be generated by either a thermometer current cell, or a binary current cell. If generated by a binary current cell, then two or more replica binary current cells exist to form a group of binary current cells within two or more binary current cell sets. The current magnitude generated by each replica current cell of each binary current cell group is first calibrated to be substantially equal to each other. Next, the combined current generated by the replica current cell group is calibrated to be substantially equal to a magnitude of a temporary current signal, or a portion thereof. Subsequent less-significant binary current cell groups are similarly calibrated to the temporary current signal through the use of the previously calibrated, more-significant binary current cell groups.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a system monitor embedded in a programmable logic device are described. The system monitor includes a dynamic reconfiguration port interface for configuring or reconfiguring the system monitor during operation thereof. The system monitor includes an analog-to-digital converter which is reconfigurable responsive to input via a dynamic reconfiguration port.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a system monitor embedded in a programmable logic device are described. The system monitor includes a dynamic reconfiguration port interface for configuring or reconfiguring the system monitor during operation thereof. The system monitor includes an analog-to-digital converter which is reconfigurable responsive to input via a dynamic reconfiguration port.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for a system monitor (20) embedded in a programmable logic device (10, 50, 60) are described. The system monitor (20) includes a dynamic reconfiguration port interface (205) for configuring or reconfiguring the system monitor (20) during operation thereof. The system monitor (20) includes an analog-to-digital converter (200) which is reconfigurable responsive to input via a dynamic reconfiguration port (201).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a current source to a reference current through the use of 1-bit current comparisons. A temporary current source is first calibrated to the reference current, which allows an input offset current generated by the current comparator to be memorized. The current to be calibrated is then fine-tuned to the temporary current within specified limits, which effectively cancels comparison error that is generated by the input offset current.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing high common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) in a single-ended CMOS operational transconductance amplifier is disclosed. A common-mode feedback boosts the OTA CMRR, while allowing integration of conventional OTA improvements.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for providing accurate level shifting, residue multiplication, and sample-and-hold functions for ADCs, while eliminating capacitor mismatch as a source of ADC errors. An input signal is sampled onto a first capacitor, and the complemented input signal is sampled onto a second capacitor. The sampled input signal is provided to a first input terminal of a unity gain amplifier by controllably connecting the first capacitor between the amplifier output and the first input terminal. An inverted version of the sampled complemented input signal is level shifted and provided to the amplifier's second input terminal by controllably coupling the second capacitor between a selected level-shift voltage and the second input terminal. The sampled analog input signal is added to the inverted version of the sampled complemented analog input signal, while subtracting the selected level-shift voltage, to provide a residue signal available for use in subsequent conversion stages.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adding input voltage signals. First and second input voltage signals are respectively sampled onto first and second capacitors during a first clock phase. In response to a second clock phase, the first sampled input voltage that is held on the first capacitor is coupled to the negative input terminal of an amplifier, and the second sampled voltage held on the second capacitor is coupled to the positive terminal of the amplifier. A feedback voltage is provided from the amplifier output to the negative amplifier input via the first capacitor during the second clock phase. The first and second input voltage signals are added at the amplifier during the second clock phase to output the sum in response to the sampled input voltage signals and the output feedback, whereby the resulting transfer function is independent of capacitor mismatch and non-linearity.

Abstract: An ankle support (10 ) includes a first portion (11), which is a boot-like member, and an outer member (30). A pre-configured figure eight member comprising a strap (240 ) is positioned around the boot-like member (11). The outer member (30) is secured to the boot-like member (11) and forms a cover to hold the pre-configured figure eight member in place to prevent misalignment of the strap (240).

Abstract: A track-and-hold circuit including a pair of circuits each receiving input signals and providing half of a differential output signal. Each of the circuits of the pair includes an amplifier, and a configurable switch circuit coupled to a selectable reference voltages based on an expected input signal type. Each circuit includes a first switched capacitor circuit to sample its respective first input signal in response to a first clock phase, and to couple the sampled first input signal between the output and the negative input of the amplifier in response to a second clock phase. A second switched capacitor circuit samples its respective second input signal relative to an external common mode voltage in response to the first clock phase, and couples the sampled second input signal to a positive amplifier input relative to the selected reference voltage in response to the second clock phase.

Abstract: An ankle support (10) includes a first portion which is a boot-like member (11) A preconfigured figure 8 member comprising a first strap (40) and a second strap (50) is positioned around the boot-like member. An outer member (30) is secured to the boot-like member and forms a cover to hold the preconfigured figure 8 member in place to prevent misalignment of the straps (40 and 50).

Abstract: An ankle support 10 includes a first portion which is a boot-like member 11. A preconfigured figure 8 member comprising a first strap 40 and a second strap 50 is positioned around the boot-like member. An outer member 30 is secured to the boot-like member and forms a cover to hold the preconfigured figure 8 member in place to prevent misalignment of the straps 40 and 50.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment ankle brace includes a foot plate and opposing uprights extending upward from opposite sides of the foot plate. Cleats protrude downward from the bottom of the foot plate. The ends of the junctions between the uprights and the foot plate curve outside the planes defined by the respective uprights and the foot plate. The foot plate and uprights are symmetrical about a plane of symmetry which extends perpendicularly between the opposite sides of the foot plate. A lateral side panel is rotatably connected to one upright, and a medial side panel is rotatably connected to the other upright at a relatively greater distance away from the foot plate. Flat, oval-shaped bearing surfaces are disposed on abutting sides of respective uprights and side panels. Pads are secured within the side panels and ventilation channels and holes are formed in the pads.