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: Packages and methods for 3D integration are disclosed. In various embodiments, a first integrated device die having a hole is attached to a package substrate. A second integrated device die can be stacked on top of the first integrated device die. At least a portion of the second integrated device die can extend into the hole of the first integrated device die. By stacking the two dies such that the portion of the second integrated device die extends into the hole, the overall package height can advantageously be reduced.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) based frequency sweep generator and methods for performing a frequency sweep are disclosed. In one implementation, the frequency sweep generator includes a circuit configured to generate a signal having a saw-tooth wave frequency ramp. The saw-tooth wave frequency ramp includes a rising portion and a resetting portion. The resetting portion has a shorter duration than the rising portion and includes a plurality of steps for decrementing the frequency of the signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for notch filtering are provided. In certain implementations, an amplifier includes amplification stages for providing signal amplification, chopper circuitry for generating a chopped signal by chopping an amplified signal associated with the amplification stages at a chopping frequency, and a time-interleaved finite impulse response (FIR) notch filter for notching frequency components of the chopped signal near the chopping frequency. The time-interleaved FIR notch filter includes a plurality of FIR filters configured to sample the chopped signal at a sampling rate of about twice the chopping frequency. The FIR filters are interleaved in time to reduce sampling error. Additionally, the time-interleaved FIR notch filter includes an infinite impulse response (IIR) filter configured to average samples taken by respective ones of the FIR filters and to integrate the averaged samples to generate the time-interleaved FIR notch filter's output signal.

Abstract: A switch circuit can include an impedance selection switch and a multi-output-resistance switch driver. The impedance selection switch can electrically connect an impedance to an input of an amplifier in response to a driver output signal, and include at least one transistor. The multi-output-impedance switch driver may provide the driver output signal to the switch, and have a first, relatively higher output resistance when providing a first logic state of the driver output signal to turn on the switch, and a second, relatively lower output resistance when providing a second logic state of the driver output signal to turn off the switch. The ratio of the first output resistance to the second output resistance can be greater than a selected predetermined ratio value.

Abstract: A high voltage isolation protection device for low voltage communication interface systems in mixed-signal high voltage electronic circuit is disclosed. According to one aspect, the protection device includes a semiconductor structure configured to provide isolation between low voltage terminals and protection from transient events. The protection device includes a thyristor having an anode, a cathode, and a gate, and a thyristor cathode-gate control region that is built into the protection device. The protection device is configured to provide multiple built-in path-up to power-high terminals and path-down to power-low terminals at different voltage levels. The protection device also includes independently built-in discharge paths to the common substrate that is connected to a different power-low voltage reference. The conduction paths may be built into a single structure with dual isolation regions.

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: An apparatus for transferring charge has a first charge pump path with a plurality of stages having first capacitors, and a second charge pump path, also with a plurality of stage having second capacitors, in parallel with the first charge pump path. The first and second charge pump paths are coupled to share a common output node. The apparatus also has a timing circuit coupled with the first and second charge pump paths. Among other things, the timing circuit is configured to cause at least one of the first capacitors to periodically charge at least one of the second capacitors.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a two-wire (e.g., unshielded twisted pair) bus system that is simple (e.g., no microcontroller required in slave devices), synchronous with embedded clock information, inexpensive, automotive EMC compliant, and has sufficient speed and bandwidth for a large number of slave devices/peripherals, and also provides various protocols that can be used in various communication systems such as a two-wire bus system. The two-wire bus optionally may be self-powered, i.e., the master device may provide power to the slave devices over the two-wire bus.

Abstract: Improvements in and relating to electronic pulse generation or oscillation circuitry based on a signal path exhibiting endless electromagnetic continuity and affording signal phase inversion in setting pulse duration or half-cycles of oscillation within time of signal traverse of said signal path, and having active switching means associated with said signal path to set rise and fall times of each said pulse or said half-cycle of oscillation, including for frequency adjustment by selective inductance and power saving without stopping pulse generation or oscillation.

Abstract: A clock distribution system for a multi-bit latch. The clock distribution system may include a plurality of branches, each connected to a common clock input. Each branch may be driven by an input clock buffer. Each branch may be connected to clock inputs of a predetermined number of latch stages within the multi-bit latch. A predetermined number of clock branches may include a clock output buffer. The number of clock output buffers may be less than the total number of latch stages. In this manner the clock distribution system may reduce the feed through capacitance of the latch stages, which may mitigate the latch transition skew for each latch stage.

Abstract: A reset circuit comprising: a first depletion mode device having a first terminal coupled to a node at a reset voltage and a second terminal for providing a reset signal to at least one device; and a control circuit arranged to switch the first depletion mode device into a high impedance state after a first predetermined period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing movement resonates a primary member in a flexure mode at a given frequency, thus causing the primary member to have top and bottom portions that resonate at substantially about zero Hertz. The method also secures the bottom portion to a first substrate, and mechanically constrains the top portion while resonating in the flexure mode to substantially eliminate vibrations in the top portion. Finally, the method generates a changing capacitance signal in response to movement of the primary member. When generating this changing capacitance signal, the primary member resonates in a bulk mode at a given frequency.

Abstract: A system and method for safing vehicle sensors includes two safety systems, each with a primary sensor for monitoring vehicle motion and activating its corresponding safety system in response to certain vehicle motions. Each sensor may act as a safing sensor for the other in the event that activation of a safety system is indicated by the primary sensor. Each sensor may also monitor the other prior to such an event, to detect a sensor malfunction before that sensor is needed to active a safety system.

Abstract: A switching power supply controller which includes at least one switching element, and controls a switching cycle during which the switching elements are switched on and off to regulate the power supply's output voltage. The controller has a feedback signal which represents the output voltage, and a circuit node which conducts a current that is higher during a second portion of the switching cycle than it is during a first portion, such that the feedback signal varies with the current conducted by the node. To overcome feedback signal inaccuracies, a sampling circuit samples a signal which varies with the feedback signal only during the first portion of the switching cycle; the controller then regulates the output voltage in response to the sampled signal. The sampling circuit may be further arranged to produce an output which approximates the portion of the feedback signal waveform which is not sampled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for high voltage transient electrical overstress protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an internal circuit electrically connected between a first node and a second node; and a protection circuit electrically connected between the first node and the second node. The protection circuit is configured to protect the internal circuit from transient electrical overstress events while maintaining a relatively high holding voltage upon activation.

Abstract: A multi-string LED drive system for multiple LED strings powered by a common line voltage. A plurality of current control circuits are connected in series with respective LED strings, each of which includes a transistor which causes a desired LED string current to be conducted when a sufficient voltage is applied to the transistor's gate. A “maximum” circuit receives each of the gate voltages at respective inputs and outputs a voltage which is proportional to the greatest of the received voltages. A line regulator circuit receives the output of the maximum circuit and a signal which represents a target gate voltage at respective inputs and generates the common line voltage such that the highest of the gate voltages is approximately equal to the target gate voltage, such that system power efficiency is optimized in cases of imbalance between LED string voltage drops and/or sink device characteristics.

Abstract: A computed tomography detector module can include a detector element, a frame, and a converter element. The detector element can be configured to detect electromagnetic radiation at a detection plane and output one or more analog detection signals. The frame can connect to the detector element and include a shield portion, parallel to the detection plane, configured to at least partially block X-rays. The converter element can include a substrate having connector and component substrate portions, the connector substrate portion thicker in a direction perpendicular to the detection plane than the component substrate portion and configured to extend through an aperture of the frame, the component substrate portion having at least one substrate surface parallel to the detection plane with one or more electrical components attached thereto.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include various mounting systems (referred to herein as “carriers”) on which multiple matched inertial sensors (e.g., gyroscopes or accelerometers) can be mounted in a fixed, optimized arrangement that allows for multiple-axis sensing, while maintaining the position of the inertial sensors over the life of the product.

Abstract: A line voltage control circuit for use with a multi-string LED drive system which provides a common line voltage for multiple LED strings that are connected to respective current sink circuits at respective junctions. An error amplifier receives the minimum junction voltage and a reference ‘desired junction voltage’ at respective inputs, and a voltage regulator outputs the line voltage in response to a voltage applied to a feedback input. A comparator toggles an output when the maximum junction voltage (Vmax) exceeds a reference limit (Vlimit). A multiplexer receives the error amplifier output and a fixed voltage at respective inputs and provides one of the signals to the regulator's feedback input in response to the comparator output. When Vmax>Vlimit, the fixed voltage is provided to the feedback input and the line voltage is reduced, thereby protecting low voltage current sinks from potentially damaging high voltages.