Abstract: An acoustic shock protection method and device are provided. A pattern analysis-based approach is taken to an input signal to perform feature extraction. A parameter space is identified, which is corresponding to, the signal space of the input signal. A rule-based decision approach is taken to the parameter space to detect an acoustic shock event. The device may be advantageously implemented using a weighted overlap-add approach to provide low group delay, high-fidelity and a high degree of protection from acoustic shock events.

Abstract: A method and system for data logging in a listening device is provided. The system includes a digital signal processing (DSP) entity, which performs normal hearing aid audio and system processing, a level translating module, and a non-volatile (NV) memory. The NV memory is used to store logged data. During the hearing aid audio processing, the DSP entity communicates with the NV memory via the level translating module. The level translating module performs voltage-translation during data logging to a communication signal between the DSP entity and the NV memory.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing audible side effects of dynamic current consumption is provided. The system includes an audio subsystem, and a plurality of digital subsystems. The audio subsystem and the digital subsystem are powered by a common power supply. T he digital subsystem processes data packets including audio data packets. The processing events implemented in one or more than one digital subsystem are reorganized to change the profile for executing the events inside the subsystem(s). The dynamic current spectral properties in one or more digital subsystems are changed.

Abstract: A low power analog-to-digital channel includes a decimation filter coupled to a sigma-delta modulator. Various embodiments include a decimation filter including an output and a sigma-delta modulator coupled to the output of the decimation filter, where a clock frequency applied to the decimation filter is approximately a integral multiple of a sampling frequency of the sigma delta modulator. In an embodiment, the sigma-delta modulator includes one or more successive approximation converters. In an embodiment, the sigma delta modulator includes one or more area efficient integrators.

Abstract: An acoustic shock protection method and device are provided. A pattern analysis-based approach is taken to an input signal to perform feature extraction. A parameter space is identified, which is corresponding to the signal space of the input signal. A rule-based decision approach is taken to the parameter space to detect an acoustic shock event. The device may be advantageously implemented using a weighted overlap-add approach to provide low group delay, high-fidelity and a high degree of protection from acoustic shock events.

Abstract: Manufacturing a power transistor by forming a gate structure on a first layer, forming a trench in the first layer, self aligned with the gate structure, and forming part of the transistor in the trench. By forming a spacer next to the gate, the spacer and gate can be used as a mask when forming the trench, to allow space for a source region next to the gate. The self-aligning rather than forming the gate after the trench means the alignment is more accurate, allowing size reduction. Another aspect involves forming a trench in a first layer, filling the trench, forming a second layer on either side of the trench with lateral overgrowth over the trench, and forming a source region in the second layer to overlap the trench. This overlap can enable the chip area to be reduced.

Abstract: A circuit for determining a direction of rotation of an electric motor, the motor having asymmetry and/or eccentricity in a profile of back electromotive force as a function of angular position of a rotor with respect to a stator, the circuit receiving a signal representing the BEMF, and use the corresponding asymmetry and/or eccentricity in the signal to derive the direction of rotation. The signal representing the back emf can be generated by a control circuit. The control circuit can have a feedback loop regulator to generate a control signal (TL or TR) to control a current drive circuit (11,12) to control an amplitude of current (iw) in the windings, the feedback loop regulator being arranged to compare the amplitude of the current (iw) in the windings with a reference value (iset), and use the control signal to provide the signal representing the back electromotive force.

Abstract: An antenna and a method for direct matching the antenna to a transceiver is provided. The method includes designing the antenna to directly match an antenna impedance to at least one of an input impedance of the transceiver and an output impedance of the transceiver. The step of designing includes modeling the antenna and the transceiver and implementing an electromagnetic field simulation using a human body phantom model with the antenna to determine the value of an antenna parameter for the antenna model. The antenna for a communication device having a transceiver, includes an antenna element directly coupled with the transceiver having a transmitter and a receiver, an antenna parameter of the antenna element being tuned so that the real part of the impedance of the antenna is maximized, and a plate for optimizing the reactive part of the impedance of the antenna. The impedance of the antenna is directly matched to at least one of an impedance of the transmitter and an impedance of the receiver.

Abstract: An echo detection circuit that detects an echo by detecting the magnitude of a digitally mixed representation of the received acoustic signal and reference sine and cosine signals. That magnitude is then compared against an echo threshold to verify the presence or absence of an echo signal. A low pass filter with a configurable cut-off frequency may be used to define the selectivity of the echo detector.

Abstract: A method for equalizing output signals from a plurality of signal paths is disclosed. The method comprises steps of identifying a transfer function for each of signal paths, determining a filtering function for each signal path such that a product of the transfer function, and the filtering function is a selected function and applying the filtering function to the corresponding signal path, thereby correcting the transfer function of the signal path to the selected function to equalize the output signals from the signal paths. The step of applying the filtering function comprises steps of providing an equalization filter to the signal path and applying the filtering function to the equalization filter of its corresponding signal path, thereby equalizing output signals from the filter of the signal paths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high power IC (Integrated Circuit) semiconductor device and process for making same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a high conductivity or low resistance metal stack to reduce the device R-on which is stable at high temperatures while in contact with a thick aluminum wire-bond that is required for high current carrying capability and is mechanically stable against vibration during use, and process thereof. The invention further discloses a thick metal interconnect with metal pad caps at selective sites, and process for making the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high power IC (Integrated Circuit) semiconductor device and process for making same. More particularly, the invention encompasses a high conductivity or low resistance metal stack to reduce the device R-on which is stable at high temperatures while in contact with a thick aluminum wire-bond that is required for high current carrying capability and is mechanically stable against vibration during use, and process thereof. The invention further discloses a thick metal interconnect with metal pad caps at selective sites, and process for making the same.

Abstract: A driver circuit suitable for outputting a signal onto an output line affected by conducted EMI, has a slope control circuit and an output circuit, (op-amp, Mo, M13 to M21). It can be used for driving a LIN network. The slope control circuit outputs a slope controlled version of the input signal to the output circuit, which (M6,M7) is arranged to reduce an amount of conducted EMI induced DC shift in the output circuit. This can involve clipping a feedback signal, and regulating an output stage of the op-amp to prevent the DC shift. Having a separate output circuit can help shield the slope control circuit from the EMI on the output line.

Abstract: An electrical circuit testing assembly that includes a mechanical reference that is relatively stationary as compared to a circuit under test. A probe support assembly is coupled to the mechanical reference and includes probes for contacting interconnect pads on the circuit under test. Optionally, the probe support structure is attached to the mechanical reference via a column that is thermally resistive. Also optionally, a testing circuitry support structure (e.g., a printed circuit board) is not rigidly attached to the mechanical reference or to the probe support structure, thereby permitting the testing circuitry support structure to float with respect to the probe support structure.

Abstract: Digital data encoding and decoding method and system is provided. The method for digital data communication include encoding bit stream having monitoring a specific bit pattern in the bit stream when a frame signal is received, and based on the monitoring, creating a unique encoding pattern for the frame signal in encoded data. The system for digital data communication includes an encoder having a control unit for monitoring incoming bit stream to detect a specific bit pattern at a bit position relative to a frame signal and asserting a control signal, and a mark and space unit for generating encoded data having at least one of one or more marks and one or more spaces, based on the bit stream in response to the control signal so that the frame signal is embedded into the encoded data. The method for decoding includes recovering bit stream from encoded data. The encoded data is generated using a unique encoding pattern for a frame signal in the encoded data.

Abstract: A method, system and digital modulator for modulation are provided The modulator includes a dividing mechanism for dividing a reference clock by a divide value to produce a modulated signal associated with at least one input data, and a control unit for providing at least one divide sequence to the dividing mechanism. The at least one divide sequence includes a sequence of one or more divide values. The divide value of the divide sequence is configurable and selectively provided to the dividing mechanism based on the at least one input data. The method includes configuring at least one divide sequence including a sequence of one or more divide values, and selecting a divide value from the at least one divide sequence based on at least one input data. The method includes dividing a reference clock by the selected divide value and generating a modulated signal based on the divide operation.

Abstract: A method and system for a frequency shift key demodulation is provided. The system includes a counting block for counting a reference clock within a window defined by a modulated signal, a detector for comparing a count value output from the counting block with digital multi-level thresholds and outputting baseband data based on the comparison, and a configurations block for configuring at least one of the counting block and the detector. The method includes counting a reference clock within a window defined by the FSK modulated signal and outputting a count value as a result of the counting, and comparing the count value with multi-level thresholds to output baseband data based on the comparison.

Abstract: A differential operation circuit that uses the differential input signals to generate a reference voltage that fluctuates with the common mode voltage of the differential input signals. The reference voltage includes a common mode component that generally follows the common mode voltage of the differential input signals. The common mode component of the reference voltage is used to fully or almost fully offset the common mode voltage of the differential input signals, thereby increasing the differential operation circuit's common mode rejection characteristics.

Abstract: A integrated semiconductor device has a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type over the first layer, a third semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type over the second layer, an isolation trench extending through the entire depth of the second and third layers into the first layer, and a first region of the second conductivity type located next to the isolation trench and extending from an interface between the second and third layers, along an interface between the second layer and the isolation trench. This first region can help reduce a concentration of field lines where the isolation trench meets the interface of the second and third layers, and hence provide a better reverse breakdown characteristic.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided to inhibit apparent amplitude modulation in non-linear processing that causes distortion in a processed signal. One aspect of the invention includes a hearing aid. The hearing aid includes a microphone to receive an input signal, a speaker to reproduce the input signal, and a processor. The processor processes the input signal using a gain. The processor includes an inhibitor, which inhibits distortions, and an adjuster, which adjusts the gain. The inhibitor acts to smooth an envelope of the input signal to inhibit undesired modulation. The adjuster adjusts the gain if the envelope is either above or below a threshold.