Abstract: A gas phase plasma cleaning method is utilized for removing contaminants from the surface of exposed metallic, ceramic and plastic parts on integrated circuits (IC's). A two step method uses a defined gas mixture of argon and oxygen, followed by ammonia and hydrogen. For plastic packages, a two step method using a fluorinated plasma, followed by oxygen and argon is utilized. The gases are separately introduced into a plasma chamber. The argon oxygen mixture is used to remove carbonatious material by chemical reaction and by milling. The ammonia hydrogen mixture is introduced to chemically remove and reduce oxides and phosphates from the metallic parts. The fluorinate is used to remove surface silicon and organo-silicon compounds from the plastic parts, while the oxygen argon mixture removes carbonatious and ionic compounds from the plastic package surface. Surface energies are increased to permit improved adhesion of inks.

Abstract: A method of plasma cleaning semiconductor wafers for subsequent soldering the dice cut from the semiconductor wafers to a substrate. The plasma cleaning removes all contaminants such that the semiconductor dice has improved solderability.

Abstract: Two filter sections having different frequency responses are interconnected via selectively enabled switches, formed on the same integrated circuit (IC) as the filter sections, between a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal. The selectively enabled switches can be used to: (a) selectively connect the two filter sections in cascade between the signal input and output terminals to produce a bandpass filter; or (b) selectively connect the two filter sections in parallel to produce a notch filter, or (c) couple only one of the two filter sections between the signal input and output terminals; or (d) provide a short circuit between the signal input and output terminals. In a preferred embodiment the filter sections are switched capacitor filters. The filter system of the invention is highly suited for use in an engine knock signal processor integrated circuit.

Abstract: An assembly is disclosed for supporting and transporting integrated circuits (ICs) or circuit die. The ICs are held to a planar surface of a support plate by a magnet. Support plates can optionally be perforated in order to view and inspect the circuits being processed and allows fluids and gases to pass therethrough. A separator plate is used when a plurality of support plates are stacked on top of each other to separate the support plates. The support plates can be placed in a container to transport the circuits during the manufacturing process. The container and separator plate can also be perforated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a digital multistandard decoder for composite video signals. The multistandard decoder according to the invention can selectively process NTSC or PAL video signals and there is no need to know the corresponding signal standard beforehand.

Abstract: A system for the digital decoding of composite video signals (CVBS), comprising a brightness signal (luminance component Y) and two color difference signals (chrominance components U, V). The system modulates a color subcarrier according to the quadrature amplitude modulation principle, in which a plurality (N) of sample values of the video signal are transformed by a Walsh-Hadamard transformation (WHT) from the pixel domain into the WHT domain. The color difference signals (U, V) are derived as specific WHT coefficients of the WHT matrix obtained. The WHT coefficients determining the color difference signals (U, V) are subtracted from the WHT matrix. The WHT matrix is transformed back into the pixel domain an inverse Walsh-Hadamard transformation (IWHT), and the brightness signal (Y) are derived from the IWHT result.

Abstract: The invention is a sample rate converter, which converts input sample values of a signal digitized with a first predetermined clock frequency into desired sample values at a second virtual sample frequency, with a delay device, which delays the serial input sample values and outputs in parallel a block of delayed input sample values z.sup.-2 to z.sup.+2, a computing device, with a WHT stage, which transforms the delayed input sample values (z.sup.-2 to z.sup.+2), by using a Walsh-Hadamard transformation, into the WHT domain, and an interpolating device, which interpolates in equally weighted manner the resulting WHT coefficients and performs an amplitude correction of the interpolation results.

Abstract: An amplifier system embodying the invention includes an input stage comprising one or more differential amplifiers having a high degree of common mode rejection. The inputs of the differential amplifiers of the input stage are AC coupled to different signal input terminals which are adapted to receive small information signals riding on large common mode signals. The AC coupling blocks any dc level associated with the input signals from affecting the amplifier system and the high degree of common mode rejection maintains the gain of the amplifiers relatively constant over a wide range of common mode signals. The outputs of the differential amplifiers of the input stage are connected in common to an output node to sum their output signals and to reduce random noise associated with the input signals and the input stage. The output node of the input stage is AC coupled to the input of a second stage whose output is in turn AC coupled to a third output stage to reduce the effect of amplifier offsets.

Abstract: Analog-to-digital (AID) converters with power line frequency noise rejection by synchronization of the converter clock with the power line frequency through a phase locked loop. Both sigma delta and integrating A/D converters may use the synchronized clock to precisely reject power line frequency noise.

Abstract: A mechanism structure for decoupling prong and socket type electrical connections, particularly for circuit board cards and their connections to receptacle-connectors in chassis-like housings. In one embodiment, the decoupling structure comprises a plate, a rotatable rod supported by the plate, an actuating lever attached to one end of the rod, and a cam attached along the rod. In application, the lever is pushed or pulled causing the cam to apply a force separating the circuit board from the receptacle connection so as to reduce or avoid torsional forces when disconnecting the board from the receptacle.