Abstract: The invention includes a process for copper metallization of an integrated circuit, comprising the steps of forming tantalum on a substrate, forming tantalum nitride over the tantalum, forming titanium nitride over the tantalum nitride, forming copper over the titanium nitride and integrated circuits made thereby. The invention is particularly useful in forming damascene structures with large aspect ratios.

Abstract: A communication system with variable filter bandwidth includes a first mixer circuit configured to receive a communication signal and shift the frequency range of the communication signal to a first frequency range. A second mixer circuit is configured to receive the same communication signal and shift the frequency range of the communication signal to a second frequency range. An activation circuit is coupled to the first and second mixer circuits so as to provide an activation signal that activates at least one of the mixer circuits. A plurality of filter circuits are provided such that each filter circuit is configured to receive a signal from a corresponding mixer circuit, when said corresponding mixer circuit is activated.

Abstract: An improved voice activity detection system and method is provided for use in speakerphones and other voice activated systems. To facilitate switching between various operating modes, the voice activity detection scheme utilizes a new voice energy term which is based on an integral of the absolute value of a derivative of a speech signal. Voice activity is detected during a silence mode by comparing a first ratio of a current voice energy value to a background noise value with a voice activity threshold value. Voice activity is detected when the first ratio is greater than the voice activity threshold value. Another step involves identifying a direction of the voice activity during a transmit and receive mode by comparing a second ratio of a transmit path voice energy value to a receive path voice energy value with a transmit threshold value and a receive threshold value. When the second ratio is greater than the transmit threshold value, voice activity is present in the transmit path.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to generate an alternative receiver off-hook (AROH) notification signal to a user of a telephone system suffering from an extended off-hook condition. The alternative receiver off-hook notification signal may be, e.g., an e-mail message sent to a preferred e-mail address, a paging message sent to a preferred pager number, a facsimile message sent to a preferred facsimile machine, and/or an audible message sent to a preferred alternative telephone. More than one alternative receiver off-hook notification device may be used, and are preferably prioritized such that as one notification device fails to rectify the off-hook condition, the next priority notification device will be utilized after a suitable delay. Thus, the user of the telephone system can receive notification of the off-hook condition of their telephone system even when not within an audible or visual distance of the telephone system.

Abstract: A device for tuning the propagation of electromagnetic energy. The device includes a first and a second periodic dielectric structure. One of the periodic dielectric structures is movable with respect to the other periodic dielectric structure to modify a composite propagating wave characteristic of the device.

Abstract: A bipolar device (10) includes an oxide layer (24) which is grown on the surface (16) of a semiconductor substrate (12) by immersing the surface in ozonated deionized water. By selecting an appropriate temperature of the water and concentration of the ozone, the thickness of the film can be maintained within fine tolerances from lot to lot, and over the surface of a wafer (W) comprising the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic package is adapted to be coupled in a single-ended configuration and in a differential configuration. The package provides a characteristic impedance of approximately 50 ohms when configured in a single-ended mode and also when configured in the differential mode. The package includes multiple terminals, which are coupled to ground, S, and {overscore (S)}. The package may be configured externally by the user for either mode. The package may also be fabricated to be coupled in either the differential mode or single-ended mode for user specific applications.

Abstract: A digital (de)modulation system uses a larger code set of M codes for N length codes, where M>N, to provide an increased data rate while maintaining the coding gain. For example, the system can use 16 different codes each having a length of 11 chips in a code set while the conventional M-ary keying systems use a code set size of 8 for 11-chip codes or 8-chip codes. By extending the code set size, the system increases the data rate of the system. With 16 codes and the ability to change the sign of the code to be transmitted, the system can encode 5 data bits on both I and Q, so a total of 10 data bits can be encoded per code symbol. In this embodiment, a code symbol contains an 11 chip code on a I modulation branch and an 11 chip code on a Q modulation branch. As such, using 11 chip codes and a chip rate of 11 Mhz, the system provides a data rate of 10 Mbps while conventional M-ary keying systems can only achieve 8 Mbps using the same code length and chip rate.

Abstract: The invention is a semiconductor device, and a method of fabrication, where a waveguide layer in which light is propagated and an integral photodetector are formed in the device. A light absorbing layer of the photodetector includes a portion of the waveguide layer which is modified to absorb a portion of the light while transmitting the remainder of the light. Additional components, such as a laser, optical amplifier and modulator can be included with the photodetector.

Abstract: A method for device testing using an adjustment algorithm including a plurality of predetermined algorithm factors and corresponding quality factors. The algorithm includes a first parameter of the device which is adjusted in order to produce a predetermined value of a second parameter based on an optimum one of the plurality of quality factors when applied to the device.

Abstract: The specification describes stepped etalon structures and techniques for their fabrication. The preferred etalon material is LiCaAlF6, which is not efficiently processed using reactive ion etching. The approach of the invention is to produce the steps on the etalon by depositing a blanket layer of step material that is effectively etched by RIE, masking a portion of the step material, and etching the masked blanket layer using the LiCaAlF6 substrate as an etch stop. These process steps may be repeated to form multiple steps on the etalon. Etalon structures with steps on both major surfaces are described, as well as etalon structures with steps having differing areas. In the latter case a difference in amplitude in the output signal from a single detector can be used to identify the step that is resonating.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to record a verbal or textual summary for a particular voice message in a voice message system such as a telephone answering device. A message summary memory allows storage of either verbal or textual voice message summaries recorded by the calling party and/or by the user. The voice message summaries are retrievable by the user for playback or display before or during playback of the voice message.

Abstract: An apparatus controls a light source, which may be a laser. A first detector provides a first electrical signal representing an amplitude of a first light that is output by the light source. A filter receives the first light and provides a filtered light having an amplitude that depends on the amplitude and wavelength of the first light. A second detector provides a second electrical signal representing the amplitude of the filtered light. A switching device, such as a multiplexer, is capable of providing either the first electrical signal or the second electrical signal as its output signal. A common amplifier is coupled to the switching device. The common amplifier amplifies the output signal of the switching device, to alternately provide a first amplified signal and a second amplified signal, representing the first and second electrical signals, respectively.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an adder having a first adder circuit for receiving a portion of the operands to be summed, along with corresponding carry-in inputs. The first adder circuit provides a sum output and carry-out outputs. A second adder circuit receives another portion of the operands to be summed, along with corresponding carry-in inputs. Multiplexers between the first and second adder circuits determine whether the carry-in inputs to the second adder circuit are the same the carry-in inputs to the first adder circuit or whether the carry-in inputs to the second adder circuit are independent.

Abstract: The invention includes a semiconductor device, comprising a silicon carbide substrate comprising micropipes, wherein the micropipes are filled with a dielectric, and a method of making such a device.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for ensuring synchronization for digital communication between a transmitting and a receiving device, particularly when the clock and/or frame synchronization is sourced from a different location than the transmit data. In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the transmitting device employs a look ahead algorithm to begin transmitting data before actual receipt of the frame synchronization signal.

Abstract: A method for characterizing defects of integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer includes storing at least one reference wafer map in a memory corresponding to a known defect pattern of the integrated circuits caused during a manufacturing step thereof, testing the integrated circuits for defects, generating a test wafer map for the semiconductor wafer comprising a pattern of each defective integrated circuit thereon, comparing the test wafer map to the at least one reference wafer map to determine if the known defect pattern is present in the test wafer map, and generating a new reference wafer map corresponding to the test wafer map if the test wafer map has an unknown defect pattern. An apparatus for characterizing defects of integrated circuit die on a semiconductor wafer is also provided.

Abstract: A method for processing semiconductor wafers includes forming a plurality of wafers each comprising a plurality of dies, performing a plurality of tests on the dies to determine good dies and failed dies, and packaging the good dies. The tests are performed on the good dies after packaging to determine good packaged dies and failed packaged dies. A determination is made as to which tests indicate both failed dies and failed packaged dies so that corrective action may be taken. A database is formed to include test data collected at wafer level on dies before they are packaged, and test data collected at package level after the good dies have been packaged. The database and the results of the test comparisons are made available via the Internet so that other facilities processing the same type devices can review and compare the information to their own data. A global or worldwide monitoring of the test data is thus made available.

Abstract: A phase tracker receives a signal component xn and forms a phase- and gain-corrected signal zn. In particular, the phase tracker performs a Hilbert transform of xn to produce a quadrature phase component yn to form the constellation defined by (xn, yn). Consequently, phase rotation and gain adjustment are combined into a linear transform of the constellation defined by (xn, yn). The linear transform zn=&agr;xn+&bgr;yn employs two coefficients &agr; and &bgr;. The coefficients &agr; and &bgr; of the linear transform are derived so as to provide an optimal solution according to minimum mean square error. Approximations to the coefficients &agr; and &bgr; of the linear transform may be iteratively determined with a stochastic gradient method. Advantages of employing the phase- and gain-corrected signal zn as an I-phase detection result of a demodulator include 1) the phase rotation and gain adjustment are combined into one operation, and 2) the a sine/cosine lookup table is not employed.

Abstract: The current draw of a wireless device, e.g., a cordless telephone, is minimized for a cradled remote handset drawing power from an AC outlet. This allows a greater portion of the total current amperage provided by the AC to DC converter to be allowed to charge the battery in the remote unit, and reduces the overall maximum or peak value of the current draw of the wireless device. With an improved peak power budget, a smaller (and presumably less expensive) AC to DC adapter than otherwise necessary may be used to power the wireless device. In one aspect, sniff operations of the remote handset are disabled or otherwise suppressed while the remote handset is in the cradle of the base unit, e.g., receiving a quick charge or trickle charge to its battery. In a second aspect, sniff operations of the base unit are disabled or otherwise suppressed while the remote handset is in the cradle of the base unit.