Abstract: An amplifier system has an amplifier for amplifying a plurality of input signals from a plurality of different channels, and a plurality of demodulators each operatively coupled with the amplifier for receiving amplified input signals from the amplifier. Each demodulator is configured to demodulate a single amplified input channel signal from a single channel of the plurality of different channels. The system thus also has a plurality of filters, coupled with each of the demodulators, for mitigating the noise.

Abstract: A MEMS sensor includes at least one closed nodal anchor along a predetermined closed nodal path on at least one surface of a resonant mass. The resonant mass may be configured to resonate substantially in an in-plane contour mode. Drive and/or sense electrodes may be disposed within a cavity formed at least in part by the resonant mass, the closed nodal anchor, and a substrate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit system including a first active layer fabricated on a front side of a semiconductor die and a second pre-fabricated layer on a back side of the semiconductor die and having electrical components embodied therein, wherein the electrical components include at least one discrete passive component. The integrated circuit system also includes at least one electrical path coupling the first active layer and the second pre-fabricated layer.

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: Electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices can protect electronic circuits. In the context of radio frequency (RF) circuits and the like, the insertion loss of conventional ESD protection devices can be undesirable. The amounts of parasitic capacitances at nodes of devices of an ESD protection device are not necessarily symmetrical, with respect to the substrate. Disclosed are techniques which decrease the parasitic capacitances at signal nodes, which improve the insertion loss characteristics of ESD protection devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for high-frequency low-pass filtering are disclosed. A first resistor is operatively coupled between a first node and a second node. A second resistor is operatively coupled between the second node and a third node. An amplifier circuit has a first input operatively coupled to the third node and a first output operatively coupled to a fourth node. The first output is configured to provide a first output signal. A first complex impedance network is operatively coupled between the fourth node and the third node. A first feedback path is operatively coupled between the fourth node and the second node. The first feedback path is configured to invert at least a portion of the first output signal. The first feedback path is further configured to provide a first feedback capacitance at the second node.

Abstract: Loop instructions are analyzed and assigned stage numbers based on dependencies between them and machine resources available. The loop instructions are selectively executed based on their stage numbers, thereby eliminating the need for explicit loop set-up and tear-down instructions. On a Single Instruction, Multiple Data machine, the final instance of each instruction may be executed on a subset of the processing elements or vector elements, dependent on the number of iterations of the original loop.

Abstract: In one example implementation, the present disclosure provides a system that includes circuitry and one or more electronic components for synchronizing data transfer from a core to a physical interface. One example can involve an apparatus for interfacing a digital core with at least one physical interface that includes a macro configured on the digital core, the macro having at least one data output, a first data input, a reset input and a sync reset output, the macro to be clocked by a first clock having a first clock rate. The first clock can be configured to clock in data from the digital core on the first data input; clock in a reset signal from the digital core on the reset input, wherein a synchronized reset signal is output on the sync reset output. The apparatus can also include physical interface circuitry and a reset sampling input.

Abstract: A storage device includes a storage array having a group of storage elements. Each storage element can written to a discrete set of physical states. A read circuit selects one or more storage elements and generates, for each selected storage element, an analog signal representative of the physical state of the selected storage element. A signal processing circuit processes the analog signal to generate a plurality of outputs, with each output representing a degree of an association of the selected storage element with a different subset of one or more of the discrete set of physical states.

Abstract: A method of detecting motion provides a resonator having a mass, moves the mass in a translational mode, and actuates the mass in a given bulk mode. The mass moves in the translational and given bulk modes at substantially the same time and, accordingly, the resonator is configured to detect linear and rotational movement when moving and actuating the mass in the translational and given bulk modes. The method produces one or more movement signals representing the detected linear and rotational movement.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a substrate, a mass having a first and second set of elongated mass fingers extending from the mass, and a support structure supporting the mass on the substrate. The support structure may include at least one anchor and a plurality of springs that allow movement of the mass relative to the substrate. The MEMS device may also include a first set of sensing fingers for sensing movement of the first set of mass fingers relative to the first set of sensing fingers, and a second set of sensing figures for sensing movement of the second set of mass fingers relative to the second set of sensing fingers. The first and second sets of sensing fingers may have different size finger gaps between the sensing fingers and the respective mass fingers.

Abstract: A method for producing a MEMS device having improved charge elimination characteristics includes providing a substrate having one or more layers, and applying a first charge elimination layer onto at least one portion of one given layer of the substrate. The method may then (1) apply a sacrificial layer onto the first charge elimination layer, (2) apply a second charge elimination layer onto at least a portion of the sacrificial layer, and (3) deposit a movable layer onto at least a portion of the second charge elimination layer. To form a structure within the movable layer the method may etch the movable layer. The method may then etch the sacrificial layer to release the structure.

Abstract: A controller for a DC to DC converter, comprising first and second electrically controlled switches and an inductor, wherein placing the first switch in a low impedance state causes a current flow in a first direction through the inductor to increase, and placing the second switch in a low impedance state causes the current flow in the first direction to decrease. The controller can operate a DC to DC converter in a first mode when a current taken by a load supplied by the converter is above a first current threshold, and in a low power mode when the current taken by the load is below the first current threshold, wherein the controller uses information about a switching time of the first switch in the first mode to control a switching time of the first switch in the low power mode.

Abstract: A multilevel DC-DC converter includes a voltage source that provides a voltage Vout1 to at least one charge converter circuit and an output filter capacitor having an associated output voltage Vout2. The at least one charge converter circuit includes a transformer having at least one primary winding and at least two secondary windings, a primary and secondary circuit each having at least two switching elements, and a control unit which receives a control signal, such as but not limited to an envelope tracking signal, which represents a desired output voltage. The control unit is arranged to provide output control signals to the respective switching elements of the primary and secondary circuits to activate and deactivate the respective switching elements to obtain a desired output voltage Vout2. The multilevel DC-DC converter can be arranged to operate as a boost converter or as a buck-boost converter.

Abstract: Apparatus and techniques for controlling measurement of an electrical parameter of an energy source can be used to obtain information for use in enhancing a power transfer efficiency between the energy source and a load. For example, during a first measurement cycle, information indicative of the electrical parameter of the energy source can be obtained using a measurement circuit during a first sampling duration in which the load is decoupled from the energy source. The information indicative of the obtained electrical parameter can be compared to a threshold. In response to the comparing, a different second sampling duration can be determined for use in obtaining information indicative of the electrical parameter during a subsequent measurement cycle. The information indicative of the electrical parameter of the energy source includes information for use in enhancing the power transfer efficiency between the energy source and the load.

Abstract: An accelerometer has a movable mass suspended above a substrate, and a variable acceleration capacitor supported by the substrate. The movable mass has a mass anchor securing the mass to the substrate, while the acceleration capacitor has both a stationary finger extending from the substrate, and a movable finger extending from the movable mass. The accelerometer also has a variable stress capacitor, which also includes the stress finger, for determining movement of the mass anchor relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A capped micromachined device has a movable micromachined structure in a first hermetic chamber and one or more interconnections in a second hermetic chamber that is hermetically isolated from the first hermetic chamber, and a barrier layer on its cap where the cap faces the first hermetic chamber, such that the first hermetic chamber is isolated from outgassing from the cap.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power converter circuit and a controller. The power converter circuit includes an inductor, a switching circuit, and a digital control loop circuit having an adjustable transfer function, wherein the transfer function includes a zero variable and a signal gain variable. The controller includes a tuning module configured to set a value for the zero variable, set the signal gain variable to a first gain value, determine a control error for the first gain value setting, wherein the control error is a difference between a reference current and a load current at a circuit load, iteratively update the gain value of the signal gain variable and determine the control error for the updated gain value, and set an operating gain value of the signal gain variable to the gain value corresponding to a minimum control error.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for time-delayed thermal overload protection are provided. In one aspect, an integrated circuit includes a primary circuit disposed in a primary circuit region on a substrate, and a thermal protection circuit disposed in a thermal protection circuit region on the substrate and in thermal communication with the primary circuit. The thermal protection circuit includes a temperature sensing circuit configured to sense a temperature of the thermal protection circuit region and to activate a temperature warning signal when the temperature exceeds a temperature threshold level. The thermal protection circuit additionally includes a time delay circuit configured to activate a shut off signal to disable at least a portion of the primary circuit when the temperature warning signal is active for a duration exceeding a time delay.

Abstract: An inductive device may include a pair of half-shell magnetically-conductive housings joined together and defining an enclosed cavity between them. The inductive device may also include primary and secondary windings provided spatially within the cavity providing magnetic coupling between them. The windings may be electrically insulated from each other and terminals of the primary and secondary windings may traverse to an exterior of the inductive device.