Abstract: A continuous-time delta-sigma digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes a first delta-sigma modulator configured to quantize a most significant bit or bits of a digital input signal and produce a first quantization error signal, and a second multi-stage delta-sigma modulator configured to quantize less significant bits of the digital input signal. A first DAC is coupled to an output of the first delta-sigma modulator, and a second DAC is coupled to an output of the second noise-shaping filter. The second DAC has a greater resolution than the first DAC. A low pass output filter is coupled to a sum of an output of the first DAC and an output of the second DAC.

Abstract: A composite dielectric layer including a tensile stressed nitride layer over an oxide layer serves the dual function of acting as an SMT (stress memorization technique) film while an annealing operation is carried out and then remains partially intact as it is patterned to further serve as an RPO film during a subsequent silicidation process. The composite dielectric layer covers part of a semiconductor substrate that includes a gate structure. The tensile stressed nitride layer protects the oxide layer and alleviates oxide damage during a pre-silicidation PAI (pre-amorphization implant) process. Portions of the gate structure and the semiconductor substrate not covered by the composite dielectric layer include amorphous portions that include the PAI implanted dopant impurities. A silicide material is disposed on the gate structure and portions of the semiconductor substrate not covered by the composite dielectric layer.

Abstract: A device includes an address storage device. A first circuit includes a first flash memory, configured to sequentially receive first and second addresses and store the first address in the address storage device. The first circuit has a first set of control inputs for causing the first circuit to perform a first operation from the group consisting of read, program and erase on a cell of the first flash memory corresponding to a selected one of the first and second addresses. A second circuit includes a second flash memory, configured to receive the second address. The second circuit has a second set of control inputs for causing the second circuit to read data from a cell of the second flash memory corresponding to the second address while the first operation is being performed.

Abstract: A space transformer for a semiconductor test probe card and method of fabrication. The method may include depositing a first metal layer as a ground plane on a space transformer substrate having a plurality of first contact test pads defining a first pitch spacing, depositing a first dielectric layer on the ground plane, forming a plurality of second test contacts defining a second pitch spacing different than the first pitch spacing, and forming a plurality of redistribution leads on the first dielectric layer to electrically couple the first contact test pads to the second contact test pads. In some embodiments, the redistribution leads may be built directly on the space transformer substrate. The method may be used in one embodiment to remanufacture an existing space transformer to produce fine pitch test pads having a pitch spacing smaller than the original test pads.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure, at least one process chamber, a robot and at least one valve. The enclosure has a gas therein and at least one door configured to cover an opening into the enclosure. The gas includes at least one reduction gas. The robot is disposed within the enclosure and configured to transfer a substrate between the door and the process chamber. The valve is coupled to the enclosure.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments describe an automatic, adaptive system and method for efficiently and effectively scheduling advertising spots in commercial break locations across various networks, zones, channels, dates, times, and specific products, for example. The disclosed embodiments make use of fixed and relative factors, that may be user-defined, which assign a “cost” to one or more particular breaks which thereby allow for quick and accurate scheduling of spots. The “costs” may represent a value, or desirability, of a break for the advertiser and may be a function of both the fixed and relative factors. The fixed and relative factors may be configurable and may change for different advertising clients, different contract lines, different networks, different spot placement, etc. The placement of spots may be accomplished through the use of an ordered list which may be generated based on a number of inputs that may be user-selected.

Abstract: Applied kinesiology method and device utilizes an examiner's autonomic response to truth/false or beneficial/non-beneficial stimulus and provides immediate feedback to the examiner in the context of an applied kinesiology exam. Kinesiology glasses detect local pupillary response to truthfulness locally and remotely. Through measurements of the pupils dilation or constriction and processing of the measurements, the response is obtained and feedback, via sensory stimulation, is provided to the examiner that reflects the pupillary response. The device and method effectively eliminate the subjective components of prior art muscle testing response from the hands of the testing examiner.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus having a plurality of antennas 11-1 to 11-M and for diversity-combining signals received by the antennas 11-1 to 11-M, includes a first combining unit (23, 24) for combining received power of the antennas 11-1 to 11-M based on a first algorithm; a second combining unit (21-1 to 21-M, 22, 23) for combining received power of the antennas 11-1 to 11-M based on a second algorithm, which is different from the first algorithm; a determination unit 15 for determining whether there is a delayed wave based on the received signals; and a control unit 16 for selecting either one of the first combining unit (23, 24) and the second combining unit (21-1 to 21-M, 22, 23) depending on a determination result by the determination unit 15 and controlling a selected combining unit to combine received power of the antennas 11-1 to 11-M.

Abstract: A tunable duplexer using voltage-controlled varactors is presented. The center frequency, the pass band, and the stop band are each tunable to meet system requirements. A calibration circuit driving digital to analog converters produces the necessary voltages used in the resonant circuits. The tunable duplexer can be fabricated on a single silicon chip. On-chip transformers can be used to reduce the voltage level of signals in the filters to improve the linearity of the duplexer.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit structure includes a dual directional silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) formed in a substrate. The SCR includes first and second P-wells laterally interposed by an N-well. A deep N-well is disposed underneath the P-wells and the N-well. First and second N-type regions are disposed in the first and second P-wells, respectively, and are coupled to a pair of pads. First and second P-type regions are disposed in the first and second P-wells, respectively, are coupled to the pads, and are disposed closer to the N-well than the first and second N-type regions, respectively.

Abstract: A cellular phone includes, for the sake of privacy protection, a camera for outputting a pick up image in which an operator is photographed, a touch panel to accept designation of at least a partial region of the pick up image, and a control portion to determine a masked region to mask at least a part of the pick up image based on the accepted region, generate a composite image in which the masked region of the pick up image is converted to another image, and transmit the composite image.

Abstract: The present invention relates a process for the preparation of catalytic support and the supported metallocene catalysts used in the production of ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers with ?-olefins, of high and ultra high molecular weight with broad molecular weight distribution, in gas or liquid phase polymerization processes, the latter being in slurry, bulk or suspension, and the products obtained from these processes.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a wireless device has transmitted one or more forged satellite measurements. An estimated location of the wireless device may be determined as a function of information from a cellular network. Acquisition assistance data may be determined for a first set of satellites as a function of the estimated location, the assistance data including an uncertainty window. If measured code phase information in the satellite measurements substantially correlates to the uncertainty window, then the wireless device may be transmitting forged satellite measurements.

Abstract: Methods and systems for preparing a torrefied biomass fuel are disclosed. Moisture is initially extracted from relatively wet biomass fuel to produce a relatively dry biomass fuel. Remaining moisture is then extracted from the relatively dry biomass fuel in a final drying stage, using steam at a temperature of about 900° F. The resulting dried biomass fuel is conveyed downward using gravity and undergoes torrefaction, which produces torrefied biomass fuel and torrefaction gases. A gaseous mixture of steam and torrefaction gases is vented to a heat exchanger, where the gaseous mixture is heated by a flue gas, and the heated gaseous mixture is used to support the extraction of the remaining moisture in the final drying stage and to support the torrefaction of the dried biomass fuel. Embodiments disclosed herein efficiently use available energy resources to the benefit of manufacturers, consumers, and the environment.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the sacrificial layer. A plurality of conductive structures are formed within the sacrificial layer and the first dielectric layer. The sacrificial layer is treated through the first dielectric layer, at least partially removing the sacrificial layer and forming at least one air gap between two of the conductive structures. A surface of the first dielectric layer is treated, forming a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, after the formation of the air gap. A third dielectric layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. At least one opening is formed within the third dielectric layer such that the second dielectric layer substantially protects the first dielectric layer from damage by the step of forming the opening.

Abstract: To evaluate an exact bone mineral density, when a reference bar region in an X-ray picture of a mandible and a reference bar disposed beside the mandible is selected, the mean value and deviation of the brightness of this region are displayed by means of letter groups. When an evaluation object region is selected, the brightness of this region is corrected according to the mean value and deviation of the brightness of the reference bar region and standard mean value and deviation, or, in other words, according to a fixed reference. The corrected brightness is displayed in the form of histogram. Furthermore, the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness are determined, and they are displayed by means of letter groups. The bone mineral density is quantitatively evaluated from the histogram and the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness.

Abstract: A control unit assigns time slots to terminal apparatuses, at regular intervals, over predetermined sub-channels among a plurality of sub-channels where the time slot is formed by frequency-multiplexing a plurality of sub-channels and frames each of which is formed by a plurality of time slots are contiguous. The control unit also arbitrarily assigns a plurality of time slots to terminal apparatuses, respectively, over the remaining sub-channels. An RF unit through an IF unit communicate with the terminal apparatuses assigned by the control unit.