Abstract: A MEMS lead frame package body encloses a MEMS device enclosed in an internal cavity formed by the mold body and cover. To accommodate a MEMS microphone, an acoustic aperture extends through the mold body. In some embodiments, a conductive column extends through the pre-molded body to allow electrical connection from a partially encapsulated lead frame to the conductive cover. Some embodiments may include a multi-tiered cavity within the mold body for mounting an integrated circuit separated by a gap above the MEMS device.

Abstract: Multiplication engines and multiplication methods are provided for a digital processor.

Abstract: An analog to digital converter comprising at least one sampling capacitor connected to a sample node, and a pre-charge circuit arranged to cause the voltage on the sample node to substantially match the input voltage prior to the analog to digital converter entering an acquire mode in which the sample node is connected to the input node by a sample switch.

Abstract: A MEMS lead frame package body encloses a MEMS device enclosed in an internal cavity formed by the mold body and cover. A conductive internal shell with a connection window sits in the cavity. The MEMS device is mounted in the shell and electrically coupled to the lead frame through wire bonds directed through the connection window. To accommodate a MEMS microphone, an acoustic aperture extends through the mold body aligned with a hole in the internal shell.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical microphone and method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The microphone has a moveable diaphragm and a fixed backplate that create a variable capacitance. A fixed anchor electrically coupled to the diaphragm has an electrode that measures the variable capacitance, but also measures an unwanted, additive, parasitic capacitance. Various embodiments include a reference electrode, manufactured in the same deposition layer as the diaphragm or anchor, that measures only the parasitic capacitance. A circuit is provided either on-chip or off-chip that subtracts the capacitance measured at the reference electrode from that measured at the anchor, thereby producing only the desired variable capacitance as output. Because the reference electrode is deposited at the same time as the diaphragm or anchor, only minimal changes are required to existing manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a package that encompasses at least a first integrated circuit die and a second integrated circuit die. The first integrated circuit die is attached to the package and includes one or more electrical overstress/electrostatic discharge (EOS/ESD) protection circuits. The second integrated circuit die is attached to the package and electrically coupled to the first integrated circuit die such that at least one component of the second integrated circuit die is protected from EOS/ESD by the first integrated circuit die.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for wave reversing in a travelling wave oscillator are disclosed. The travelling wave oscillator includes a differential transmission line and regeneration elements connected along the differential transmission line. The differential transmission line can be used to propagate a wave traveling in either a counterclockwise or a clockwise direction. Each of the regeneration elements includes a first gain portion operable to degenerate a wave travelling in the counterclockwise direction and to regenerate a wave travelling the clockwise direction, and a second gain portion operable to degenerate a wave travelling in a clockwise direction and to regenerate a wave travelling in a counterclockwise direction.

Abstract: A system and method provide for a radio transmitter with digital predistortion. The radio transmitter includes a high output power narrowband upconverter and a low output power wideband upconverter. In a stage of the radio transmitter, digital predistortion is applied to transmit data by setting digital coefficients by a digital predistortion algorithm, resulting in a predistortion signal. A predistortion signal is separated into a narrowband component and a wideband component, where the narrowband component corresponds to a desired traffic signal and the wideband component corresponds to a digital predistortion signal reflecting separated digital predistortion correction products. The narrowband upconverter provides a transmission path for a desired traffic signal or transmit data (the narrowband component of the digital predistortion signal), while the wideband upconverter provides a transmission path for the wideband component representing digital predistortion correction products.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a relaxation oscillator with improved performance against phase noise error. The phase noise error may be reduced from sources whose power is greater at lower frequencies. To reduce the noise error, the relaxation oscillator may include chopping in the charging current driver; chopping in the trigger level generator; and/or chopping in the currents that feed the cells. A chopped amplifier may be provided to perform chopping of the input signals.

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: A datapath circuit may include a digital multiply and accumulate circuit (MAC) and a digital hardware calculator for parallel computation. The digital hardware calculator and the MAC may be coupled to an input memory element for receipt of input operands. The MAC may include a digital multiplier structure with partial product generators coupled to an adder to multiply a first and second input operands and generate a multiplication result. The digital hardware calculator may include a first look-up table coupled between a calculator input and a calculator output register. The first look-up table may include table entry values mapped to corresponding math function results in accordance with a first predetermined mathematical function. The digital hardware calculator may be configured to calculate, based on the first look-up table, a computationally hard mathematical function such as a logarithm function, an exponential function, a division function and a square root function.

Abstract: Error sources related to aerodynamics of an inertial sensor resonator are detected by modulating the distance between the resonator and the underlying substrate and sensing modulated error signals in the accelerometer that are induced by such modulation. Compensating signals may be provided to substantially cancel errors caused by such error sources.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for integrated circuit protection are provided. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a first pad, a second pad, a third pad, a first protection subcircuit coupled between the first pad and a common node, a second protection subcircuit coupled between the second pad and the common node, and a third protection subcircuit coupled between the third pad and the common node. The first, second, and third protection subcircuits each include one or more building blocks for maintaining the voltage of each of the pads within a predefined safe range, as well as to maintain the voltage between each of the pads within acceptable limits. A portion of the building blocks used to provide transient signal protection can be shared between pads, thereby reducing the area of the pad protection circuit relative to a scheme using a separate stack of building blocks for each pad.

Abstract: Static and dynamic DC offsets in receivers may be cancelled in two stages using a digitally implemented offset-correction loop.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of testing one-time-programmable memory provides one-time-programmable memory having one or more memory locations for storing data and corresponding programming circuitry for each memory location. In addition, each programming circuitry has a circuit element configured to permanently change state to store the data in the memory. The method also reads each memory location to verify that the memory location is unprogrammed and activates the programming circuitry for each memory location, which applies a test current to the programming circuitry. The test current is less than a threshold current needed to permanently change the state of the circuit element. The method then determines whether the programming circuitry is functioning properly.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for phase-locked loops (PLLs) are provided. In certain implementations, a PLL includes a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) including first and second frequency control circuits, which are coupled to first and second frequency control inputs, respectively. Additionally, the PLL can further include a loop filter, a high frequency pole circuit, and a low frequency pole circuit. The high frequency pole circuit can be electrically connected between the loop filter's output and the VCO's first frequency control input, and the low frequency pole circuit can be electrically connected between the loop filter's output and the VCO's second frequency control input.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for amplifier power supply control are provided. In certain implementations, an amplifier includes an input amplification stage and a power supply control block for generating a power high supply and a power low supply for the input amplification stage. The power supply control block receives a reference signal indicative of a common-mode input voltage of the amplifier, and the power supply control block adjusts a voltage level of the power high and power low supplies while maintaining a substantially constant voltage difference between the power high and power low supplies. The power supply control block changes the voltage level of the power high and power low supplies based on the reference signal such that the voltage levels of the power high and power low supplies move in relation to the common-mode input voltage.

Abstract: A buck converter comprising a controller arranged to monitor an output voltage of the converter, the controller comprising: a comparator arranged to compare an output voltage at an output of the buck converter with a reference voltage, and a modification circuit within the comparator or connected to a modification signal input of the comparator and arranged to produce a correction signal to modify the operation of the comparator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of managing power in a communication device determines if the communication device is moving in one of a plurality of predefined movement modes, which may be one of a first mode and a second mode. The method causes the communication device 1) to consume power at a first rate if in the first mode, and 2) consume power at a second rate, relative to the first rate, if in the second mode. The first rate is different than the second rate.

Abstract: A wearable device has a motion detector configured to detect motion of the device and produce a motion signal relating to motion of the device, a contact sensor configured to detect if the device is in contact with an object and produce a contact signal relating to whether the device is in contact with an object, and a controller operatively coupled with the motion detector and the contact sensor. The controller is configured to switch between on and off-states as a function of at least one of the motion signal and contact signal. The device also has a sound transducer or other transducer operatively coupled with the controller. The controller is configured to change the state of the sound transducer between on and off-states in response to receipt of the motion signal, and the contact signal.