Abstract: An exemplary multipath feedforward amplifier includes a plurality of amplification stages configured to form at least partially distinct amplification paths extending from an input terminal to an output terminal, each amplification path defined by a respective subset of the plurality of amplification stages, wherein at least one amplification stage is a band pass resonator. In various implementations, multipath feedforward amplifier can maximize gain at a frequency of interest by having an amplification path that cascades band pass resonators. In various implementations, the plurality of amplification paths are configured to optimize gain at a center frequency ranging from about 2 GHz to about 3 GHz.

Abstract: An integrated circuit has a semiconductor die provided in a first IC layer and an inductor fabricated on a second IC layer. The inductor may have a winding and a magnetic core, which are oriented to conduct magnetic flux in a direction parallel to a surface of a semiconductor die. The semiconductor die may have active circuit components fabricated in a first layer of the die, provided under the inductor layer. The integrated circuit may include a flux conductor provided on a side of the die opposite the first layer. PCB connections to active elements on the semiconductor die may progress through the inductor layer as necessary.

Abstract: An improved algorithm for edge detection is provided that utilizes the second order derivative of the intensity distribution function of an image to provide edge orientation information for the detected edges. An exemplary embodiment of the improved algorithm includes determining the second order derivative of the intensity distribution function, identifying zero-crossings in the horizontal and vertical directions, assigning angle information to the identified zero-crossings in the horizontal and vertical directions; and identifying an edge orientation based the assigned angle information for the horizontal and vertical zero-crossing of the edge and adjacent edges.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for implementing a bootstrapped switching circuit having improved (i.e. faster) turn-on time is provided. In an embodiment, an inner switching loop is implemented in a bootstrapped switching circuit where the inner switching loop is configured to turn on an input switch in the bootstrapped drive circuit independent of the drive circuit output. The embodiment decouples the inner switching loop circuitry from the output drive circuit of the bootstrapped switching circuit, which typically has a larger load capacitance than the inner switching loop. This allows the inner switching loop to turn on the input switch in the bootstrapped switching circuit faster and decreases the turn-on time of the bootstrapped switching circuit.

Abstract: When reservoir capacitors are moved on-chip for individual bit decisions, a successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter (SAR ADC) has an addition source of error which can significantly affect the performance of the SAR ADC. Calibration techniques can be applied to measure and correct for such error in an SAR ADC using decide-and-set switching. Specifically, a calibration technique can expose the effective bit weight of each bit under test using a plurality of special input voltages and storing a calibration word for each bit under test to correct for the error. Such a calibration technique can lessen the need to store a calibration word for each possible output word to correct the additional source of error. Furthermore, another calibration technique can expose the effective bit weight of each bit under test without having to generate the plurality of special input voltages.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a method of calibrating an isolator system. The method may comprise the steps of driving a common signal to a pair of input terminals of the isolator system; measuring differences in signals at output terminals of the isolator system; and varying impedance of impedance elements connected between the output terminals and a center-tap terminal of the isolator system until a mismatch at the output terminals is minimized.

Abstract: A temperature sensing system can include first and second temperature sensing circuits and a digitizing encoder. The first and second temperature sensing circuits can include respective devices with semiconductor junction areas. Temperature information can be determined from one or more characteristic signals measured from the temperature sensing circuits. A feedback circuit can be configured to provide one or more offset signals to the digitizing encoder. The one or more offset signals can correspond to components or characteristics of the first and second temperature sensing circuits. In an example, at least one of the first and second temperature sensing circuits can include an adjustable load circuit for use with the other of the first and second temperature sensing circuits.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing transient overstress protection with active feedback are disclosed. In certain configurations, a protection circuit includes a transient detection circuit, a bias circuit, a clamp circuit, and a sense feedback circuit that generates a positive feedback current when the clamp circuit is clamping. The transient detection circuit can detect a presence of a transient overstress event, and can generate a detection current in response to detection of the transient overstress event. The detection current and the positive feedback current can be combined to generate a combined current, and the bias circuit can turn on the clamp circuit in response to the combined current. While the transient overstress event is present and the clamp circuit is clamping, the sense feedback circuit can generate the positive feedback current to maintain the clamp circuit turned on for the event's duration.

Abstract: Suppression of spurious modes of vibration for resonators and related apparatus and methods. A device may include a MEMS resonating structure, a substrate, and anchors between the MEMS resonating structure and the substrate. The MEMS resonating structure may have at least one main eigenmode of vibration and at least one spurious eigenmode of vibration. The anchors may be configured to suppress the response of the at least one spurious mode of vibration.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for multi-mode low noise amplifiers (LNAs) are provided herein. In certain configurations, a radio frequency (RF) system includes a multi-mode LNA including at least a first amplification stage and a second amplification stage electrically connected in a cascade. The RF system further includes a mode control circuit, which receives a mode selection signal and controls the biasing of the first and second amplification stages based on the mode selection signal. The mode control circuit operates the multi-mode LNA in one of a plurality of modes including both a first mode in which the LNA operates with higher gain and better noise figure and a second mode in which the LNA operates with lower gain and higher linearity. Controlling the mode of the multi-mode LNA using the mode selection signal allows the multi-mode LNA to advantageously achieve both the benefits of low noise figure and high linearity.

Abstract: An inference task is performed using a computation device having a plurality of processing elements operable in parallel and connected via a connectivity system. Performing the task includes accepting at the device a specification of at least part of the inference task. The specification characterizes a plurality of variables and a plurality of factors, each factor being associated with a subset of the variables. Each of the processing elements is configured with data defining one or more of the plurality of factors. At each of the processing elements, computation associated with one of the factors is performed concurrently with other of the processing elements performing computation associated with different ones of the factors. Messages are exchanged via a connectivity system. The messages provide inputs and/or outputs to the processing elements for the computations associated with the factors and provide a result of performing of the at least the part of the inference task.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for monitoring temperature of a mechanical resonator. Two or more temperature sensors may be positioned at respective locations to detect a temperature difference between the locations. The temperatures measured by the two or more temperature sensors may be used to determine a temperature of the mechanical resonator.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the substrate. A plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements may be disposed within the dielectric layer. The p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric elements may be connected in series while alternating between the p-type and the n-type thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: An integrated circuit may include a substrate and a dielectric layer formed over the substrate. A plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of n-type thermoelectric elements may be disposed within the dielectric layer. The p-type thermoelectric elements and the n-type thermoelectric elements may be connected in series while alternating between the p-type and the n-type thermoelectric elements.

Abstract: Present disclosure describes an improved scaling mechanism for a multi-stage fixed-point FFT algorithm used to process signals received by radar or sonar systems. Proposed scaling includes scaling an output of every pair of consecutive butterfly stages of the FFT algorithm by a scaling factor equal to two times of the inverse of a growth factor for the pair of consecutive butterfly stages for the FFT algorithm for a purely complex exponential input signal. Besides this scaling, input signals are allowed to overflow by saturation. Such mechanism yields adequate performance of radar and sonar receivers implementing fixed-point FFTs for any types of input signals, from random to substantially complex exponential or sinusoidal signals. Proposed scaling achieves a balance between having signal to noise ratio (SNR) that is possible to obtain for a particular input signal and SNR that is needed to successfully process that signal for radar and sonar applications.

Abstract: A programmable charge pump, such as for use in CMOS phase-locked loop circuits, is provided. In an example, the charge pump includes a reference stage that provides DC signals to an output stage of the charge pump. The output stage includes output switches for generating output pulses in accordance with external control signals. In an example, loop performance can be improved when an output stage of the charge pump provides a relatively large output impedance. The output switches can be isolated when the charge pump is in an OFF state. For example, respective isolation switches can be used to substantially concurrently switch source and drain terminals for each of the output switches in the charge pump. In an example, a reference stage of the charge pump can provide a buffer for reducing charge-sharing between the output switches and an output node of the output stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for phase adjustment of a RF transceiver is disclosed. Based on a first local oscillator signal and a second local oscillator signal, a beat signal that indicates the frequency and phase relationship between the first and second local oscillator signals can be generated. Using the beat signal, changing phase relationship between the first and second local oscillator signals can be cumulatively taken account for using phase averaging to allow quick restoration to observation of a previously observed channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for digitally-assisted feedback offset correction are provided herein. In certain configurations, an amplifier includes amplification circuitry for providing amplification to an input signal and chopping circuitry for compensating for an input offset voltage of the amplifier. Additionally, the amplifier further includes a digitally-assisted feedback offset correction circuit, which includes a chopping ripple detection circuit, a feedback-path chopping circuit, a digital correction control circuit, and an offset correction circuit. The chopping ripple detection circuit generates a detected ripple signal based on detecting an output ripple of the amplifier. Additionally, the feedback-path chopping circuit demodulates the detected ripple signal using the amplifier's chopping clock signal.

Abstract: Filter circuits with emitter follower transistors and servo loops, and associated methods and apparatuses, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a filter circuit may include: a resistor-capacitor network having an input to receive an input signal; an emitter follower transistor, coupled to the resistor-capacitor network, wherein the filter circuit has an output to provide an output signal from the emitter of the emitter follower transistor; a current source to provide a constant reference current; and a current-buffering servo loop circuit, coupled to the emitter follower transistor and the current source, including a current buffer and a controlled current sink to maintain the collector current and the emitter current of the emitter follower transistor equal to the constant reference current.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are differential amplifiers for improved slew performance. In some embodiments, a differential amplifier may receive positive and negative input signals at first and second transistor branches, respectively; provide a dynamic bias current to the first and second transistor branches, responsive to the positive and negative input signals; and provide positive and negative output signals at the second and first transistor branches, respectively.