Abstract: A differential stage which uses a bias generator circuit to set the operating currents of the input stage FETs to make the incremental Gm primarily a function of a single resistor embedded in the biasing circuit, such that the input stage has a Gm which only gradually departs from nominal under overdrive, and continues to supply output currents which increase with an increasing differential input signal.

Abstract: A MEMS apparatus has a MEMS device sandwiched between a base and a circuit chip. The movable member of the MEMS device is attached at the side up against the circuit chip. The movable member may be mounted on a substrate of the MEMS device or formed directly on a passivation layer on the circuit chip. The circuit chip provides control signals to the MEMS device through wire bonds, vias through the MEMS device or a conductive path such as solder balls external to the MEMS device.

Abstract: A MEMS stiction testing method applies a first electrical signal to a MEMS device having two opposing surfaces to cause the two opposing surfaces to make physical contact. The two opposing surfaces produce a second electrical signal when in physical contact. The method then substantially mitigates the first electrical signal after detecting that the second electrical signal has reached a prescribed maximum value.

Abstract: A thin film resistor (5) of an integrated circuit comprises an elongate resistive film (7) extending between electrical contact pads (10,11). A low impedance element (20) overlays and is electrically coupled to a portion of the resistive film (7) in an intermediate portion (22) thereof adjacent a second side edge (17) of the resistive film (7) for conducting current in parallel with the intermediate portion (22), and for reducing current density in the intermediate portion (22). First and second transverse edges (28,29) formed by spaced apart first and second slots (26,27) which extend from a first side edge (16) into the resistive film (7) define with a first side edge (16) of the resistive film (7) and the low impedance element (20) first and second trimmable areas (30,31) in the intermediate portion (22).

Abstract: A microphone system has an output and at least a first transducer with a first dynamic range, a second transducer with a second dynamic range different than the first dynamic range, and coupling system to selectively couple the output of one of the first transducer or the second transducer to the system output, depending on the magnitude of the input sound signal, to produce a system with a dynamic range greater than the dynamic range of either individual transducer. A method of operating a microphone system includes detecting whether a transducer output crosses a threshold, and if so then selectively coupling another transducer's output to the system output. The threshold may change as a function of which transducer is coupled to the system output. The system and methods may also combine the outputs of more than one transducer in a weighted sum during transition from one transducer output to another, as a function of time or as a function of the amplitude of the incident audio signal.

Abstract: Reference network embodiments are provided for use in pipelined signal converter systems. The network embodiments are fast and power efficient and they generate low-impedance reference signals through the use of a complimentary common-drain output stage, an output current valve inserted between transistors of the output stage, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide gate voltages to the output current valve to thereby establish a substantially-constant output current. The controller is further configured to provide gate voltages to the output stage to establish top and bottom reference voltages about the output current valve that are spaced from a common-mode voltage. This reference structure maintains a constant output current as the span between the top and bottom reference voltages is selectively altered. In different embodiments, transistors of the output current valve are arranged in a drain-to-source-coupled configuration and in a source-coupled configuration.

Abstract: Disclosed is a die having photodetectors provided on a first surface thereof. The die includes an insulative shell member, a conductive shell member and a photodetector conductor. The insulative shell member extends around a periphery of the photodetector receptors and extending through a depth of the semiconductor die. The conductive shell member bridges the insulative shell member and extends through the depth of the semiconductor die. The photodetector conductors are provided on the first surface of the semiconductor die and electrically couple respective photodetectors with a corresponding conductive shell member. Also disclosed is a process for making a semiconductor die and an integrated circuit structure.

Abstract: A MEMS device has a movable beam, a differential capacitor with a movable electrode that moves in response to the displacement of the movable beam and that is disposed between two stationary electrodes, and a voltage circuit for applying a first voltage to the first stationary electrode, second voltage to the second stationary electrode, and a third voltage to the movable electrode. The MEMS device also has a monitor operably coupled with the movable beam to monitor the displacement of the movable beam. In some embodiments, the monitor may monitor the distance between the movable electrode and at least one of the stationary electrodes. The MEMS device further has a voltage reducing circuit operatively coupled with the monitor, the movable electrode, and the stationary electrodes.

Abstract: A high-voltage, low-leakage, bidirectional electrostatic discharge (ESD, or other electrical overstress) protection device includes a doped well disposed between the terminal regions and the substrate. The device includes an embedded diode for conducting current in one direction, and a transistor feedback circuit for conducting current in the other direction. Variations in the dimensions and doping of the doped well, as well as external passive reference via resistor connections, allow the circuit designer to flexibly adjust the operating characteristics of the device, such as trigger voltage and turn-on speed, to suit the required mixed-signal operating conditions.

Abstract: A high-side current sense circuit comprises a sense resistance Rsense connected in series with a signal having an associated current to be measured I, which develops voltages V1 and V2 on either side of Rsense. A differential gain stage powered by supply voltages VCC and VEE produces an output voltage which varies with the difference between its input signals. To keep the common mode portion of the input signal between voltages VCC and VEE, a voltage modification circuit subtracts or adds a common mode voltage to or from V1 and V2 to produce modified voltages V1? and V2?, which are coupled to the gain stage inputs. The voltage modification circuit is arranged to ensure that VEE?V1? and V2??VCC.

Abstract: A LED driver is connectible to several series connected RGB LEDs which connect in series with a current generator. A plurality of LED switches are respectively connectible across one RGB LED. Each LED switch, operating in response to a binary signal is either open to permit electrical current to flow through the RGB LED, or closed to shunt current around that RGB LED. By varying respective duty cycles of the binary signals the LED driver is adapted for controlling operation of the combined RGB LEDs so they emit differing colors of light. An adaptive boost converter LED driver continuously adjusts voltage applied across the series connected RGB LEDs to be only that required for operating those LEDs through which open LED switches permit current to flow.

Abstract: A MEMS resonator has an outer element having an inner surface, the inner surface defining an area and a inner element coupled to the outer element and disposed within the area. The MEMS resonator also has an actuation electrode, in communication with the outer element, for generating electrostatic signals that cause the inner element to flex in a periodic manner.

Abstract: A selectable gain amplifier includes two or more selectable gain stages, each gain stage having a first input coupled to receive an input signal, a second input, and an output. The amplifier further includes and two or more feedback paths coupled between the outputs and the second inputs of the selectable gain stages.

Abstract: An adaptive control system is described. The system includes a control having a plurality of control parameters, the control parameters providing for control of an associated plant. The control parameters are tuned using a prediction error filter, the prediction error filter selecting values of the control parameters that minimize the values of a prediction error between actual and predicted values of an autoregressive process.

Abstract: A power converter provides power across an isolation barrier, such as through the use of coils. A coil driver has transistors connected in a positive feedback configuration and is coupled to a supply voltage in a controlled manner by measuring the output power and opening or closing a switch as needed between the power supply and the coil driver. An output circuit, such as a FET driver, can be used with or without isolation to provide power and a logic signal.

Abstract: A method for capping a MEMS wafer to form a hermetically sealed device. The method includes applying a glass bonding agent to the cap wafer and burning off organic material in the glass bonding agent. The cap wafer/glass bonding agent combination is then cleaned to reduce lead in the combination. The cleaning is preferably accomplished using an oxygen plasma. The MEMS device is coated with a WASA agent. The cap wafer is then bonded to the MEMS wafer by heating this combination in a capping gas atmosphere of hydrogen molecules in a gas such as nitrogen, argon or neon. This method of capping the MEMS wafer can reduce stiction in the MEMS device.

Abstract: A MEMS system includes an inertial sensor having sensor circuitry and management circuitry implemented with the sensor circuitry. The management circuitry includes a detection module that detects a condition of the system and a management module that coordinates the functionality of the inertial sensor and the detection module based on the detected condition.

Abstract: A data bus and message handling method provide a definitive means of indicating a client-aborted message for data bus systems which employ a message protocol that requires each message conveyed between a client device and an originating device to automatically and atomically include a frame check sequence (FCS). When a message is not to be client-aborted, a ‘good’ FCS is generated by a first method, typically based on the message's data content. However, when a message is to be client-aborted, the FCS is generated by a second method which requires modifying the good FCS value to create a ‘bad’ FCS, preferably using a mathematical means that preserves the uniqueness of the bad FCS to a high degree.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a pipeline ADC front-end sampling structure that provides a continuous time input signal to a flash comparator for sampling. By providing a continuous time input signal to the flash comparator, no delay is introduced from the need to transfer a DC charge representing the sampled input to the flash comparator. Matching sampling networks in the residual generator and the flash comparator are avoided due to the high bandwidth response requirements of the residual generator and the flash comparator when operating on high frequency input signals.

Abstract: Signal converter systems are provided which reduce degradation of system bit error rate that is caused by metastable conversion errors which generally occur when analog input signals are near reference thresholds Vth of system comparators. When operating correctly, the comparators generate a corresponding converter code when the input signals cross the threshold. Metastability, however, may cause the comparators to fail to generate the corresponding converter code. In system embodiments, logic is provided to sense the absence of comparator decisions at the end of a predetermined decision period. In response to this absence, the system is configured to substitute the corresponding converter code. In another embodiment, the system is configured to substitute the corresponding converter code when it lies outside a predetermined digital code window.