Abstract: The present invention provides a method to compensate for the sensitivity drift of a magnetic field sensor for sensing a magnetic field. The magnetic field sensor comprises at least four electrodes. The method comprises a first step where a first set of two electrodes is used to bias the sensor and a second set of two electrodes is used to sense an output signal of the magnetic field sensor, and a second step where the second set of two electrodes is used to bias the sensor and the first set of two electrodes is used to sense an output signal of the magnetic field sensor. The method is characterized in that at least one of the first or the second step is subdivided in at least a first sub-step and a second sub-step. A reference magnetic field has first magnetic field parameters, e.g. a first amplitude and/or direction, in the first sub-step and second magnetic field parameters, a second amplitude and/or direction, in the second sub-step.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed to include a plurality of conductor layers that interconnect electrical signals between semiconductor elements of the semiconductor device. A metal shield layer is formed overlying a portion of the plurality of conductor layers. A signal re-distribution layer is formed overlying the metal shield layer.

Abstract: A multi-channel digital hearing instrument is provided that includes a microphone, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, a sound processor, a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter and a speaker. The microphone receives an acoustical signal and generates an analog audio signal. The A/D converter converts the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal. The sound processor includes channel processing circuitry that filters the digital audio signal into a plurality of frequency band-limited audio signals and that provides an automatic gain control function that permits quieter sounds to be amplified at a higher gain than louder sounds and may be configured to the dynamic hearing range of a particular hearing instrument user. The D/A converter converts the output from the sound processor into an analog audio output signal. The speaker converts the analog audio output signal into an acoustical output signal that is directed into the ear canal of the hearing instrument user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a two terminal multi-channel ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a plurality of P-N diodes.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transistor is formed to have a first current flow path to selectively conduct current in both directions through the transistor and to have a second current flow path to selectively conduct current in one direction.

Abstract: A band-switch control apparatus for an intermediate-frequency filter comprising: an adjacent interference-signal detecting unit for detecting an adjacent interference-signal, having a frequency adjacent to the desired frequency, superimposed on a reception signal having a frequency tuned to a desired frequency; a modulation-degree detecting unit for detecting a modulation degree of the reception signal; a bandwidth selecting unit for selecting a pass bandwidth of the intermediate-frequency filter corresponding to the amplitude of the adjacent interference-signal; and a band-narrowing suppression control unit for selecting a lower limit value of the pass bandwidth of the intermediate-frequency filter corresponding to the demodulation degree, the intermediate-frequency filter for passing, with a variable pass bandwidth, an intermediate-frequency signal obtained by frequency converting the reception signal, and changing the pass bandwidth selected by the bandwidth selecting unit to the lower limit value, if the

Abstract: A bus driver having one or more feedback paths between a column amplifier and a pixel bus in an image sensor is described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a two terminal multi-channel ESD device is configured to include a zener diode and a plurality of P-N diodes. In another embodiment, the ESD devices has an asymmetrical characteristic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a control circuit for a series resonant switching power supply control system is configured to disable a power switch of secondary side of the system in response to a polarity reversal of the voltage across a primary side winding of the system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a PWM controller includes a circuit operably coupled to inhibit a drive signal responsively to a bulk input voltage remaining at a low value for a time interval and to re-enable the drive signal subsequently to the time interval responsively to the bulk input voltage increasing to greater than the first value subsequently to the time interval. In another embodiment, a method of forming a PWM controller includes configuring the PWM controller to use a clock signal to form a drive signal and to sense a bulk input voltage decreasing to no greater than a first value and to disable the drive signal without disabling the clock signal responsively to the bulk input voltage remaining no greater than the first value for a time interval.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an edge seal region of a semiconductor die is formed by forming a first dielectric layer on a surface of a semiconductor substrate near an edge of the semiconductor die and extending across into a scribe grid region of the semiconductor substrate. Another dielectric layer is formed overlying the first dielectric layer. An opening is formed through the first and second dielectric layers. The second dielectric layer is used as a mask for forming a doped region on the semiconductor substrate through the opening. A metal is formed that electrically contacts the doped region and an exterior edge of the first dielectric layer within the opening.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a vertical MOS transistor is formed without a thick field oxide and particularly without a thick field oxide in the termination region of the transistor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a current controller is configured to control a value of the current without regulating a voltage formed by the controller.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an amplifier circuit is formed to minimize pop and click noise on the outputs of the amplifier circuit. The amplifier circuit is configured to place an output stage of the amplifier circuit in a high impedance state to minimize the pop and click noise. In another embodiment, the amplifier circuit is configured to couple the inputs of two amplifiers together to minimize the pop and click noise.

Abstract: A pixel having a high voltage DC supply being replaced by a pulsed signal high voltage supply that is coupled to one of the plates of a memory capacitor in the pixel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the ESD device uses highly doped P and N regions deep within the ESD device to form a zener diode that has a controlled breakdown voltage.

Abstract: A charge pump controller (20) comprises a configurable pump capacitor (15, 16). A charge pump controller (20) controls the charge supplied to a load (12) to be less than the charge stored on the pump capacitor (15, 16).

Abstract: In one embodiment, semiconductor die are singulated from a semiconductor wafer by etching openings completely through the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a bi-directional diode structure is formed to have a substantially symmetrical current-voltage characteristic.

Abstract: In one embodiment, semiconductor die are singulated from a semiconductor wafer by etching openings completely through the semiconductor wafer.