Abstract: Optically isolated micromachined (MEMS) switches and related methods are described. The optically isolated MEMS switches described herein may be used to provide isolation between electronic devices. For example, the optically isolated MEMS switches of the types described herein can enable the use of separate grounds between the receiving electronic device and the control circuitry. Isolation of high-voltage signals and high-voltage power supplies can be achieved by using an optical isolator and a MEMS switch, where the optical isolator controls the state of the MEMS switch. In some embodiments, utilizing optical isolators to provide high voltages, the need for electric high-voltage sources such as high-voltage power supplies and charge pumps may be removed, thus removing the cause of potential damage to the receiving electronic device. In one example, the optical isolator and the MEMS switch may be co-packaged on the same substrate.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to detecting a header of a packet. A receive signal path can provide a receive signal that includes packets and a guard preamble between successive packets of the packets. A receiver control circuit can trigger a timer that sets a time for detecting a header of a packet in response to detecting an end of a preamble of the packet.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to decoding the output of a multi-turn magnetic sensor using a successive approximation technique to detect a number of turns of a magnetic target. A decoder circuit can decode a turn count of the multi-turn magnetic sensor by obtaining measurements at nodes that are determined from values of previous measurements.

Abstract: An microelectromechanical switch uses electrostatic attraction to draw a beam toward a contact and electromagnetic repulsion to disengage and repel the beam from the contact. The electrostatic attraction is generated by a gate electrode. The electromagnetic repulsion is generated between the beam and a magnetic coil positioned on the same side of the beam as the contact. The magnetic coil produces a magnetic field, which induces a current in the beam that repels the magnetic coil. The gate electrode and the magnetic coil may be co-planar or in different planes. A circuit may also operate a coil-shaped structure act as the gate electrode and the magnetic coil, depending on the configuration.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides for utilizing pulse width modulation (PWM) signaling to influence a closed loop of a shunt boost controller and reduce an imbalance of a load. The imbalance reduction helps reduce remanence of a current transformer (CT) and thereby prevent saturation of the CT. A shunt boost controller provides the control signal to control flow of current to the load. A feedback network provides a feedback signal to the shunt boost controller based on a direct current (DC) voltage and causes a power switch circuit to turn on when a magnitude of the feedback signal exceeds a threshold magnitude. The PWM generator supplies a PWM signal to cause the control signal to be provided more symmetrical to the power switch circuit and causes the power switch circuit to turn on more frequently with the control signal to reduce the imbalance of the load.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to integrated circuit devices with wear out monitoring capability. An integrated circuit device includes a wear-out monitor device configured to record an indication of wear-out of a core circuit separated from the wear-out monitor device, wherein the indication is associated with localized diffusion of a diffusant within the wear-out monitor device in response to a wear-out stress that causes the wear-out of the core circuit.

Abstract: Techniques for improving efficiency of a switched-capacitor voltage regulator are provided. In an example, a switched-capacitor voltage regulator can include a switched-capacitor network having multiple gain configurations, a clock configured to switch capacitors of the switched-capacitor network between a charge state and a discharge state to provide a scaled output voltage, and a controller configured to select a capacitor configuration associated with a gain of the multiple gain configurations to provide the scaled output voltage within a desired output voltage range while continuously switching the capacitor configuration, and to interrupt switching of the capacitor configuration to permit an output voltage of the switched-capacitor voltage regulator to fall below the scaled output voltage but to remain above a lower limit of the desired output voltage range to save power by reducing losses due to the switching.

Abstract: An impedance in an electrochemical gas sensor can be measured by connecting at least one pin in an integrated circuit to at least one electrode in an electrochemical gas sensor, using a damping capacitor to connect the at least one pin in the integrated circuit to an electrical ground, applying a voltage to the electrochemical gas sensor to provide a bias voltage to at least one electrode in the electrochemical gas sensor, receiving a current from at least one electrode in the electrochemical gas sensor, determining a measured gas amount from the received current, activating a switch located within the integrated circuit to isolate the damping capacitor from the at least one pin in the integrated circuit, and measuring an impedance of the electrochemical gas sensor using an excitation signal while the at least one damping capacitor is isolated from the at least one electrode in the electrochemical gas sensor.

Abstract: A system includes a multiturn counter that can store a magnetic state associated with a number of accumulated turns of a magnetic field. The multiturn counter includes a plurality of magnetoresistive elements electrically coupled in series with each other. A matrix of electrical connections is arranged to connect magnetoresistive elements of the plurality of magnetoresistive elements to other magnetoresistive elements of the plurality of magnetoresistive elements.

Abstract: A continuous-time sampler has series-connected delay lines with intermediate output taps between the delay lines. Signal from an output tap can be buffered by an optional voltage buffer for performance. A corresponding controlled switch is provided with each output tap to connect the output tap to an output of the continuous-time sampler. The delay lines store a continuous-time input signal waveform within the propagation delays. Controlling the switches corresponding to the output taps with pulses that match the propagation delays can yield a same input signal value at the output. The continuous-time sampler effectively “holds” or provides the input signal value at the output for further processing without requiring switched-capacitor circuits that sample the input signal value onto some capacitor. In some cases, the continuous-time sampler can be a recursively-connected delay line. The continuous-time sampler can be used as the front end sampler in a variety of analog-to-digital converters.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for biasing radio frequency (RF) switches to achieve fast switching are disclosed herein. In certain configurations, a switch bias circuit generates a switch control voltage for turning on or off a switch that handles RF signals. The switch bias circuit provides the switch control voltage to a control input of the switch by way of a resistor. Additionally, the switch bias circuit pulses the switch control voltage when turning on or off the switch to thereby shorten switching time. Thus, the switch can be turned on or off quickly, which allows the switch to be available for use soon after the state of the switch has been changed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the control of an operation of a monitor module of an electrical measurement system, where the monitor module has a plurality of operating states, including a) monitor at least a first measurement sensor of the utility meter to determine a first monitor result comprising an estimate of a transfer function of the first measurement sensor and a corresponding certainty value indicative of the accuracy of the estimate of the transfer function of the first measurement sensor, wherein the first measurement sensor is for measuring a first electrical property, and b) do not monitor any measurement sensor of the electrical measurement system.

Abstract: Amplifier systems for driving a wide range of loads are provided herein. In certain embodiments, an amplifier system includes a voltage output amplifier and a current output amplifier that are electrically coupled in parallel with one another between an input terminal and an output terminal. The amplifier system further includes a control circuit operable to control whether or not the voltage output amplifier and/or current output amplifier drive the output terminal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for performing DC offset correction of a video signal received over an AC-coupled video link. In one aspect, a transmitter is configured to compute, and provide to a receiver, metadata indicative of a statistical characteristic (e.g., an average or a sum of values) for a group of active pixels of a video signal acquired by a camera. The receiver is configured to compute an analogous statistical characteristic on the video signal received over an AC-coupled video link, and to perform DC offset correction by modifying one or more values of the received video signal based on a comparison of the statistical characteristic computed by the receiver and the one computed by the transmitter and indicated by the received metadata.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide various nanogap sensor designs (e.g., horizontal nanogap sensors, vertical nanogap sensors, arrays of multiple nanogap sensors, various arrangements for making electrical connections to the electrodes of nanogap sensors, etc.), as well as various methods which may be used to fabricate at least some of the proposed sensors. The nanogap sensors proposed herein may operate as molecular sensors to help identify chemical species through electrical measurements using at least a pair of electrodes separated by a nanogap.

Abstract: A magnetic field sensor is disclosed. The magnetic field sensor includes a first magnetoresistive element and a second magnetoresistive element arranged as a half bridge. The magnetic field sensor also includes two or more conductors adjacent to the first magnetoresistive element and the second magnetoresistive element. The two or more conductors can carry a bias current and a compensation current such that the bias current and the compensation current flow in the same direction adjacent to the first magnetoresistive element while the bias current and the compensation current flow in opposite directions adjacent to the second magnetoresistive element.

Abstract: A gas sensor package is disclosed. The gas sensor package can include a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber. An electrolyte can be provided in the first chamber. A gas inlet can provide fluid communication between the second chamber and the outside environs. The gas inlet can be configured to permit gas to enter the second chamber from the outside environs. An integrated device die can be mounted to the housing. The integrated device die can comprise a sensing element configured to detect the gas. The integrated device die can have a first side exposed to the first chamber and a second side exposed to the second chamber, with the first side opposite the second side.

Abstract: SPI Round Robin Mode for Single-Cycle MUX Channel Sequencing. SPI round robin mode is an SPI mode applicable for MUX devices control. It allows the MUX output to connect to the next input channel sequentially in just one clock cycle. Configurations can be made such as: clock edge to use (rising/falling), ascending/descending channel sequence, and enabling/disabling the channels to go through. The device supersedes an ADC with built in sequencing and is applicable to multiplexing, switching, instrumentation, process control and isolation application—while retaining SPI device control and operation.

Abstract: A phase-locked loop (PLL) comprising a multi-band oscillator and a memory configured to store control input for the oscillator. The PLL is operable in a calibration mode in which the PLL is configured to acquire a frequency controlled word (FCW) for the PLL corresponding to a frequency generated by the oscillator in response to a first control input threshold on a first band of the oscillator; generate a frequency corresponding to said FCW on a second band of the oscillator adjacent to said first band; identify a second control input causing the oscillator to generate said frequency corresponding to said FCW and store said second control input in memory.

Abstract: An optical device package is disclosed. The optical device package includes a substrate that passes light at an optical wavelength. The optical device package also includes an optical device assembly that is mounted to the substrate. The optical device assembly comprises an optical device die. The optical device die has a first surface that is mounted to and facing the substrate and a second surface that is opposite the first surface. The optical device package further includes a molding compound that is disposed at least partially over the second surface of the integrated device die.