Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for data communication between controllable devices, and more particularly, between a first programmable device (21) and at least one second programmable device (31) coupled to a processor. In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the second programmable device (31) includes an addressable memory location and an output, and is adapted to receive data from a processor. In this embodiment, the first programmable device (21) is programmed to decode at least one addressable memory location from the processor and enabled to transmit each address to each second programmable device (31) in a first simultaneous write operation. The first programmable device (21) then selects at least one of the second programmable devices (31) to output a signal (33) corresponding to the data in a second write operation.

Abstract: A capacitive device includes a substrate (110), a first electrode (130, 140, 1220) located over the substrate and a second electrode (170, 1070, 1071, 1250) located over the first electrode, movable relative to the first electrode, and capacitively coupled to the first electrode. The device further includes a first control electrode (120, 150, 1210) located over the substrate and a second control electrode (160, 180, 1060, 1061, 1080, 1081, 1240) located over the first control electrode, movable relative to the first control electrode, and capacitively coupled to the first control electrode. The first and second control electrodes actuate the second electrode toward the first electrode.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic component includes forming first, second, and third capacitors (260, 270, 280) and electrically testing the first, second, and third capacitors to characterize an etch process for a sacrificial layer. Each of the first, second, and third capacitors has different amounts of first and second electrically insulative materials.

Abstract: A digital video encoder (16) receives a reference clock signal (REF_CLK27) for determining both a short term and a long term phase correction factor. A pulse detector (46) determines a number of sample clock (CLK324) time periods between the reference clock signal (REF_CLK27) and a clock signal (CLK27) that is derived from the data received by the digital video encoder (16). A phase increment generator (56) supplies an accumulator circuit (58) with a long term phase increment value based on the number of sample clocks and a TV_standard signal. A counter (60) and a phase look-up table (62) supply a short term increment value. The combined short term and long term increment values provide phase and frequency accuracy for the video subcarrier signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency single to differential buffer amplifier provides a 180 degree phase difference between two output signals by using a current mirroring circuit and using different referencing on the two output signals. Fine adjustment on the phase of the two output signals can be done by adjusting a phase adjustment device embedded in a cascode amplifier. High input power handling capability is accomplished by class AB operation on two input transistors in the amplifier.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solder bump on a power copper structure and resultant device is disclosed. In the method, a layer of an electrically conductive, non-wettable material such as TiW is applied over a power copper structure. Then, solder bumps are formed on the non-wettable layer. The presence of the non-wettable layer prevents the collapse of the solder bumps when heated.

Abstract: A pixel signal amplification circuit (200) receives a signal from a pixel element. A first semiconductor switch (225a) is connected to the pixel element and transfers a reset value of the pixel signal to a first storage capacitor (C1). A second semiconductor switch (235a) is also connected to the pixel element and transfers a sampled pixel signal to a second storage capacitor (C3). A differential voltage amplifier (OP1) generates an amplified signal of the difference between the values stored on the first and second storage capacitors (C1 and C3).

Abstract: A system and method for cooling are disclosed. The system for cooling includes an opening out of which a jet of coolant can flow, a target element, and a forcing device which causes the jet of coolant to flow out of the opening. The target element is positioned in front of the opening so that the jet of coolant, when flowing out of the opening, is directed toward the target element. The jet of coolant oscillates so that the jet of coolant sweeps across the target element and cools a variety of different locations along the target element.

Abstract: In a Huffman decoder, a data structure for storing Huffman codes includes a first field for storing a 0-way code and a second field for storing a 1-way code. A first flag is associated with the first field and indicates whether the first field stores an index adjustment or a Huffman code result. A second flag is associated with the second field and indicates whether the second field stores an index adjustment or a Huffman code result.

Abstract: In an improved routing method vertical constraint graph is generated in which a critical node is selected. The critical node is expanded to contain corresponding terminals. The resulting subnodes within the critical node are interconnected by edges that are representative of vertical constraints. A graph coloring method is employed to split the critical node into a number of new nodes. Thereby it is possible to route channels having multi-dimensional vertical constrains.

Abstract: A linear envelope tracking radio frequency (RF) power amplifier having an adaptive analog signal processing circuit. The amplifier outputs a voltage which is sampled by the adaptive analog signal processing circuit. The adaptive analog signal processing circuit generates an error signal which varies the linearity of the power amplifier. In one embodiment, the error signal controls a modulator which in turn controls the supply voltage to the power amplifier. In another embodiment, the control signal varies a controller which in turn varies a load placed on the power amplifier. The load in turn varies in linearity of the amplifier.

Abstract: A portable electronic device having a variable focus display comprises a housing (512), supporting an image generating apparatus (518, 610, 710, 810), a lens (514, 612, 712, 812), and an optical element (520, 620, 720, 730, 820). The optical element has zero optical power and is located along an optical axis between the image generating apparatus and the lens.

Abstract: A pickup tool (30) has reflective surfaces (42, 44, 46, 48) attached thereto. The pickup tool (30) picks up an object (38) and moves the object (38) over a light source (51). The reflective surfaces (42, 44, 46, 48) reflect a light beam (61) emitted from the light source (51), generating deflected light beams (63, 65, 67, 69) which back light the object (38). The deflected light beams (63, 65, 67, 69) form silhouette images of the object (38) in cameras (52, 54, 56, 58). A visual inspection of the object (38) is performed by analyzing the images.

Abstract: Selective encapsulation of a micro electro-mechanical pressure sensor provides for protection of the wire bands (140) through encapsulation while permitting the pressure sensor diaphragm (121) to be exposed to ambient pressure without encumbrance or obstruction. Selective encapsulation is made possible by the construction of a protective dam (150) around the outer perimeter of a pressure sensor diaphragm (121) to form a wire bond cavity region between the protective dam (150) and the device housing (105). The wire bond cavity may be encapsulated with an encapsulation gel (160) or by a vent cap (170). Alternatively, the protective dam (150) may be formed by a glass frit pattern (152) bonding a cap wafer (151) to a device wafer (125) and then dicing the two-wafer combination into individual dies with protective dams attached.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for variable linear amplification and an apparatus for a variable linear amplifier, which is particularly suited for RF communication applications. One embodiment includes a high gain circuit in communication with a transconductor to receive an RF signal, a low gain circuit in communication with the transconductor and a current dissipation circuit in communication with the transconductor and a ground source. In one embodiment, the high gain circuit is a NMOS device which is characteristically larger than the low gain device.

Abstract: A method for patterning a substrate having a surface with high aspect ratio topography with a photoresist is described. Specifically the surface of a semiconductor substrate is pre-wetted with a solvent solution to form a liquid solvent film. An additional amount of the solvent solution is added to form a solvent puddle on the liquid solvent film. Photoresist is dispensed onto the solvent puddle for a sufficient time and in a sufficient amount to allow diffusion of the photoresist and the solvent puddle into the openings defined in the topography of the substrate. The solvent solution in and on the surface of the openings defined in the substrate from the pre-wetting step is replaced with the photoresist by facilitating diffusion of the photoresist into the topography openings. A photoresist layer is then cast in a predetermined thickness on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of decomposing a chemical compound, which may be an environmentally undesirable material, is accomplished by impinging a flow of the chemical compound on a heated member. Various embodiments are possible, including having the member have a plurality of openings, having the member be configured to direct the flow of the chemical compound in a particular direction, and having the member be self supported on the wall of the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A demodulator circuit (10) includes an oscillator (12) and an injection circuit (14). An Automatic Frequency Control (AFC) signal adjusts the tail current of a current source (28) provided in the oscillator (12) and the tail current of a current source (44) provided in the injection circuit (14). A phase detector (16) compares the phase of the signal generated by the oscillator (12) with the phase of the injected input signal. The phase detector (16) generates an output signal V0 having a value of zero when the input signal is in quadrature with the signal generated by the oscillator (12), but generates a non-zero signal that is used to adjust the AFC signal when the input signal and the signal generated by the oscillator (12) are not in quadrature.

Abstract: A device and technique for selective over-ranging provides for the folding of signals in an input signal range such that the folded signals in the center of the input signal range are folded NF times while the folded signals at the lower and upper extremes of the input signal range are folded NFf+1 times. One embodiment includes an over-ranging lower pre-amplifier group (230), a center pre-amplifier group (240) and an over-ranging upper pre-amplifier group (250).

Abstract: A controller (40) which estimates the coil resistance (R) of an electric motor (10), receives representations of a voltage (u(t)) across a stator coil (11) and of a current (i(t)) through the coil (11). At first, the controller (40) estimates the magnetic flux (&PSgr;E(t2)) in the coil by integrating the difference between u(t) and the product between the current with a preliminary resistance (R) over a predetermined time interval (t1, t2) in which the coil (11) is energized. Second, the controller (40) calculates a resistance error (&Dgr;R) using a known actual flux value &PSgr;A(t2) at the end (t2) of the time interval, the previously estimated magnetic flux &PSgr;E(t2) and the integral of the current over the time interval. Third, the calculator derives the coil resistance (R) from the preliminary resistance (R) and the resistance error (&Dgr;R).