Abstract: Voltage-to-current converters that include two current mirrors are disclosed. In an example voltage-to-current converter each current mirror is a complementary current mirror in that one of its input and output transistors is a P-type transistor and the other one is an N-type transistor. Such voltage-to-current converters may be implemented using bipolar technology, CMOS technology, or a combination of bipolar and CMOS technologies, and may be made sufficiently compact and accurate while operating at sufficiently low voltages and consuming limited power.

Abstract: A MEMS device is provided comprising a mass configured to move along a first axis and a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis; a drive structure coupled to the mass and configured to cause the mass to move along the first axis; a sense structure coupled to the mass and configured to detect motion of the mass along the second axis; a stress relief structure coupled to one of the drive structure or the sense structure; and at least one anchor coupled to an underlying substrate of the MEMS device, wherein the stress relief structure is coupled to the at least one anchor and the at least one anchor is disposed outside of the stress relief structure.

Abstract: Remote keyless entry (RKE) systems and devices are described. The RKE devices include one or more passive radios that respond to an interrogation signal from an interrogating device such as a vehicle. The passive radio sends a responsive signal that can include a decaying portion representing a ringdown signal. The passive radio includes a SAW resonator in some situations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the efficiency of a rotational dynamic element matching (DEM) for Delta Sigma converters. In some implementations, the systems and methods are provided for reducing intersymbol interference (ISI) of a Delta Sigma converter. A delta sigma converter architecture can include multiple I-DACs, and the output from each I-DAC can vary from the other l-DACs. Techniques include decreasing mismatch among multiple l-DACs while improving efficiency of rotational dynamic element matching.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides magnetic sensor system that includes a magnetic sensor package comprising a magnetic single turn sensor and a magnetic multi-turn sensor, and a shield arrangement for shielding the magnetic sensor from stray magnetic fields. The shielding arrangement comprises a ferromagnetic tube that houses one or more magnets and connects to an end of rotating shaft, such that rotation of the shaft causes a corresponding rotation of the ferromagnetic tube and magnets. The magnetic sensor package is positioned on a surface of a PCB substrate, which is positioned in close proximity to the ferromagnetic tube and magnet arrangement. A shielding device is then arranged in close proximity to the magnetic sensor package, for example, on the opposite side of the PCB substrate or directly between the PCB substrate and the ferromagnetic tube, to provide additional shielding of any stray magnetic fields.

Abstract: A measurement circuit comprises an input terminal to receive a current signal, a first circuit branch coupled to the first terminal and including one or more circuit elements to receive a portion of the current signal, a second circuit branch coupled to the first terminal and including one or more additional circuit elements to receive another portion of the current signal, a nonlinear circuit element coupling the first circuit branch to the second circuit branch, and a quantization circuit configured to produce an input current measurement of current in the first and second circuit branches, and to include current in the second circuit branch in the input current measurement according to a magnitude of the input current signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compensating supply sensitive circuits for supply voltage variation are provided. An electronic system includes a power supply that outputs a supply voltage having a nominal voltage level, a supply conductor for routing the supply voltage, and a group of integrated circuits (ICs) that each receive the supply voltage from the supply conductor. Each IC includes a supply sensing circuit that generates a sense signal based on a local voltage level of the supply voltage at the IC, a bias control circuit that adjusts a bias signal based on the sense signal to account for a difference between the nominal voltage level and the local voltage level of the supply voltage, and a signal processing circuit biased by the bias signal.

Abstract: Device for improving an optical detecting smoke apparatus and implementing thereof. Apparatus and methods for detecting the presence of smoke in a small, long-lasting smoke detector are disclosed. Specifically, the present disclosure shows how to build one or more optimized blocking members in a smoke detector to augment signal to noise ratio. This is performed while keeping the reflections from the housing structure to a very low value while satisfying all the other peripheral needs of fast response to smoke and preventing ambient light. This allows very small measurements of light scattering of the smoke particles to be reliable in a device resistant to the negative effects of dust. In particular, geometrical optical elements, e.g., cap and optical defection elements, are disclosed.

Abstract: A stacked package configuration is described that includes a bottom package and an upper package. The bottom package includes a substrate having a top surface with first circuitry and metal first pads. A molded layer is then formed over the substrate. Holes through the molded layer are then laser drilled to expose the first pads. The holes and first pads align with leads of an upper package, which contains further circuit components. The holes are then partially filled with a solder paste. A thermal epoxy is applied between the molded layer and the upper package. The leads of the upper package are then inserted into the holes, and the solder paste is reflowed to electrically, thermally, and mechanically connect the upper package to the bottom package. The reflow heat also cures the epoxy. A ball grid array is then formed on the bottom of the substrate.

Abstract: A radio frequency, RF, receiver circuit is configured to simultaneously monitor a two or more different RF frequencies. The RF receiver circuit uses a sub-sampler to sub-sample an RF signal that is at any of the monitored RF frequencies, and the sub-sampled signal is then demodulated and a digital code that was encoded in the RF signal is recovered. The RF receiver circuit may be particularly low power, in part owing to using the same sub-sampler for each of the two or more monitored RF frequencies, and not relying on superheterodyning. Furthermore, monitoring two or more different RF frequencies simultaneously means that signals received on the monitored RF frequencies may be acted on very quickly. These characteristics make the RF receiver circuit particularly suitable for use in low-power wake-up receivers, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wake-up receivers.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) inertial sensors exhibiting reduced parasitic capacitance are described. The reduction in the parasitic capacitance may be achieved by forming localized regions of thick dielectric material. These localized regions may be formed inside trenches. Formation of trenches enables an increase in the vertical separation between a sense capacitor and the substrate, thereby reducing the parasitic capacitance in this region. The stationary electrode of the sense capacitor may be placed between the proof mass and the trench. The trench may be filled with a dielectric material. Part of the trench may be filled with air, in some circumstances, thereby further reducing the parasitic capacitance. These MEMS inertial sensors may serve, among other types of inertial sensors, as accelerometers and/or gyroscopes. Fabrication of these trenches may involve lateral oxidation, whereby columns of semiconductor material are oxidized.

Abstract: A structural electronics wireless sensor node is provided that includes layers of electronic components fabricated from patterned nanostructures embedded in an electrically conductive matrix. In some aspects, the structural electronics wireless sensor node includes a plurality of nanostructure layers that each form individual electronic components of the structural electronics wireless sensor node. In certain embodiments, the structural electronics wireless sensor node includes electronic components such as a resistor, a inductor, a capacitor, and/or an antenna.

Abstract: A network node device of a communication network comprises physical (PHY) layer circuity configured to transmit and receive data packets via a communication network; and processing circuitry connected to the PRY layer circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to encode a data packet for sending according to a first communication protocol for sending to a second network node during a specified communication time slot, initiate resending of the data packet when the second network node does not respond during a specified acknowledge time slot, and encode the data packet according to a second communication protocol for sending to the second network node for a last retry attempt of a finite number of retry attempts, wherein the time to send the data packet formatted in the second communication protocol extends into the specified acknowledge time slot.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electronic assembly can include: a first electronic device package configured to be mounted on and electrically connected with a system substrate; a second electronic device package electrically connected to the system substrate; and an electrical pathway configured to extend from the system substrate through the first electronic device package and connected to an input terminal of the second electronic device package, the electrical pathway bypassing processing circuitry of the first electronic device package.

Abstract: A magnetic angle measurement system having magnetic angle sensors, signal processing circuitry and a processor is disclosed. First signal processing circuitry receives a first subset of outputs of a first plurality of outputs from a first magnetic angle sensor and determines first magnetic angle data based on the received first subset of outputs. Second signal processing circuitry receives a second subset of the outputs from the first magnetic angle sensor and determines second magnetic angle data based on the received second subset of outputs. Third signal processing circuitry receives a second plurality of outputs from the second magnetic sensor and determines third magnetic angle data based on the received second plurality of outputs. The processor compares the magnetic angle data and determines a processing result based on the comparison, where fault tolerance resolution of the magnetic angle measurement system is based at least in part on the processing result.

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 system for ultrasound beamforming is provided, including a sampled analog beamformer, an array of ultrasound transducers, and a high voltage amplifier coupled to the sampled analog beamformer and the array of ultrasound transducers. The sampled analog beamformer includes a sampled analog filter for filtering an incoming analog signal and adding a fractional delay, and transmitting a filtered analog ultrasound signal. The array of ultrasound transducers further transmits the filtered analog ultrasound signal. The high voltage amplifier drives transducers in the array of ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: Described herein is a switching regulator that can provide a high current while operating with low noise and low spur. The switching regulator may operate with a varying switching frequency. Spurs at the varying switching frequency may be reduced by compensating an error amplifier, which controls the switching frequency.

Abstract: A three-axis accelerometer includes a single, integrated mass including at least one lateral (x-y) proof mass and at least one vertical (z) proof mass. The vertical proof mass is arranged as a teeter-totter mass, which is located within the lateral proof mass. The vertical proof mass is mechanically coupled to the lateral proof mass with one or more torsional springs, and the lateral proof mass is mechanically coupled to one or more anchors with one or more lateral springs. The at least one vertical proof mass may be symmetrically positioned about one or more axes of the three-axis accelerometer, so that the 3-axis accelerometer has in-plane symmetry. The three-axis accelerometer may be less susceptible for mechanical cross-talk or noise and may provide a smaller packaged solution for sensing acceleration in three directions.