Abstract: A microchip has a bonding material that bonds a first substrate to a second substrate. The bonding material has, among other things, a rare earth metal and other material.

Abstract: A bias-shaping circuit for adjusting power consumption in a frequency divider to a temperature-dependent minimum includes a temperature-dependent bias source for producing a temperature-dependent bias. The bias is combined with an input signal to create an output bias. The output bias changes in response to a change in temperature to compensate for at least a portion of a temperature-induced change in the frequency divider, thereby adjusting power consumption in the frequency divider to a temperature-dependent minimum.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit can include a first pair of transistors having connected sources and gates configured to receive a first pump signal and an inverse first pump signal and a second pair of transistors having connected drains and gates configured to receive a second pump signal and an inverse second pump signal, sources of the second pair of transistors being connected to drains of the first pair of transistors at first and second connection nodes, wherein the first and second pair of transistors are all of the same transistor type and provide an output current in response to the first and second pump signals. The charge pump circuit can also include a voltage stabilizer circuit connected to the second connection node and configured to regulate the second connection node to have a voltage within a predetermined range about a selectable voltage. Duty cycle stabilizers and control loops such as delay locked loops can include the charge pump circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-electro-mechanical switch, including a substrate having a gate connection, a source connection, a drain connection and a switch structure, coupled to the substrate. The switch structure includes a beam member, an anchor and a hinge. The beam member having a length sufficient to overhang both the gate connection and the drain connection. The anchor coupling the switch structure to the substrate, the anchor having a width. The hinge coupling the beam member to the anchor at a respective position along the anchor's length, the hinge to flex in response to a charge differential established between the gate and the beam member. The switch structure having gaps between the substrate and the anchor in regions proximate to the hinges.

Abstract: A tracking module that tracks the operation of a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC tracking module may be included on-chip with a DAC, and be formed with similar circuit components as a DAC. The DAC tracking circuit may output a signal indicating that the DAC within a SAR ADC has settled to an approximate value during each bit conversion. A differential solution is also provided. Power may be optimized because optimal conversion speed may be achieved, and a comparator within the DAC may be turned off or placed in a standby mode at the end of bit conversions, and before the next conversion cycle in response to the signal output by the DAC tracking module.

Abstract: Distributively associated with each output row of point cells or each subset of point cells in each output row is one or more of a: memory device for storing an address identifying a cell in its associated output row and a decoder device responsive to the memory device for actuating the associated enable circuit to operate the transconductance device of the identified cell; a bias device, and an output cascode device; and also disclosed as switching systems having a bias device including a current mirror with an input reference portion responsive to a reference current and a co-located output local portion for reproducing that current as the bias current.

Abstract: A method of forming an inertial sensor provides 1) a device wafer with a two-dimensional array of inertial sensors and 2) a second wafer, and deposits an alloy of aluminum/germanium onto one or both of the wafers. The alloy is deposited and patterned to form a plurality of closed loops. The method then aligns the device wafer and the second wafer, and then positions the alloy between the wafers. Next, the method melts the alloy, and then solidifies the alloy to form a plurality of conductive hermetic seal rings about the plurality of the inertial sensors. The seal rings bond the device wafer to the second wafer. Finally, the method dices the wafers to form a plurality of individual, hermetically sealed inertial sensors.

Abstract: Video decoding with video enhancement using direct contrast enhancement in the spatial domain including transforming the decoded intramacroblock output to a matrix of spatial domain coefficients; multiplying the spatial domain coefficients with the corresponding intramacroblock enhancement matrix elements of an intramacroblock enhancement matrix to provide enhanced spatial coefficients; transforming said enhanced spatial coefficients to the temporal domain to generate an enhanced decoded intramacroblock; multiplying the spatial domain intermacroblock coefficients from the entropy decoder of the video decoder with the corresponding intermacroblock enhancement matrix elements of an intermacroblock enhancement matrix to provide enhanced spatial coefficients, and transforming the enhanced spatial coefficients to generate enhanced decoded residual coefficients.

Abstract: A system architecture allows for the transmission of multiple HDCP encrypted audio/video streams over a single unified cable to multiple receivers using a daisy chain topology. Each individual audio/video stream is first encrypted and then combined into a uniform stream, and the uniform stream is transmitted to each of the receivers. Each receiver contains a decryption engine that operates independently of the engines in the other receivers, therefore allowing each receiver to select to a unique channel and decrypt and display one of the audio/video streams.

Abstract: A drive signal for a motor-driven mechanical system has zero (or near zero) energy at an expected resonant frequency of the mechanical system. These techniques not only generate a drive signal with substantially no energy at the expected resonant frequency, they provide a zero-energy “notch” of sufficient width to tolerate systems in which the actual resonant frequency differs from the expected resonant frequencies.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed related to using one or more field effect transistors as a resistor. One such apparatus includes a field effect transistor with a first series circuit in parallel with the gate and the source of the field effect transistor and a second series circuit in parallel with the gate and the drain of the field effect transistor. Each series circuit can include a capacitor and a switch in series with the capacitor. The switch can be configured to be on when the field effect transistor is on, and to be off when the field effect transistor is off. This can improve the linearity of the field effect transistor as a resistor. In some implementations, the apparatus can further include an isolation resistor having a first end and a second end, the first end electrically coupled to the gate of the field effect transistor.

Abstract: Lookup table addressing of a set of lookup tables in an external memory is achieved by: transferring a data word from a compute unit to an input register in a data address generator; providing in at least one deposit-increment index register in the data address generator including a table base field for identifying the location of the set of tables in memory, and a displacement field; and depositing a section of the data word into a displacement field in the index register for identifying the location of a specific entry in the tables.

Abstract: A method for delivering control information together with sampled data between a DSP and an RF/analog front-end in a high speed communication modem, which embeds sampled data and control information in frames to be transferred over one interface. A frame may comprise various fields, each may consist of one or more bytes or octets. The frame may have a data field for carrying the sampled data, and at least one control field for transferring the control information to update RF/analog front-end registers. The control field may include an octet containing a control address, an octet containing a control command, and an octet containing control data. The frame may also provide means of synchronization, e.g., by using a sync field to identify the frame boundary.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a hybrid analog to digital converter that may include a DAC coupled to a hybrid analog to digital converter input; an integrator having an input coupled to the hybrid analog to digital converter input and the DAC, and generating an integrator output; a comparator coupled to the integrator output and having a comparator output; a successive approximation register coupled to the comparator output; and a counter coupled to the comparator output to generate an hybrid analog to digital converter output. The hybrid analog to digital converter may be operable as a successive approximation register converter and a continuous time sigma delta converter.

Abstract: A digital potentiometer includes a circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices connected to an array of resistors. Each input terminal receives a separate digital input code enabling the resistance of one of the arms to be varied without changing the other.

Abstract: Packages for electronic amplification include a packaged microphone device that includes a housing and an acoustic transducer disposed therein. The housing includes an exterior top surface and an exterior bottom surface that includes electrical terminals disposed thereon. The package microphone device can include a flexible substrate having a top portion, a bottom portion and a flexible middle portion. The flexible middle portion is folded around the housing such that the top portion at least partially overlays and attaches to the exterior top surface of the housing and the bottom portion at least partially overlays and attaches to the exterior bottom surface of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electronic amplification are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a first differential amplification block, providing a second differential amplification block, electrically connecting the first and second differential amplification blocks in a stack between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference, amplifying a first signal using the first differential amplification block, and amplifying a second signal using the second differential amplification block. A voltage difference between the first and second voltage references defines a power supply voltage, and the first differential amplification block operates over a first range of the power supply voltage and the second differential amplification block operates over a second range of the power supply voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a user interface processing system for a device that may include at least one sensor, at least one output device, and a controller. The controller may include a memory, which may store instructional information, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive sensor data from the at least one sensor and to interpret sensor data according to the instructional information. The processor may also generate a user interface feedback command and transmit the command to the at least one output device. Furthermore, the processor may report the sensor data to a host system of the device. By processing the sensor data and generating a corresponding feedback response, for example a haptic response, without the need for host system processing, the user interface controller may decrease latency in providing the feedback response to the user.

Abstract: Techniques to provide a three-dimensional (“3D”) user interface (“UI”) processing system for a device that may include at least one sensor, a 3D display, and a controller. The controller may include a memory, which may store instructional information, and a processor. The processor may be configured to receive sensor data from the sensor(s) and to interpret sensor data according to the instructional information. The processor may generate a user interface command(s) and transmit the command(s) to the 3D display to control and/or manipulate the 3D display. The processor may also generate host commands to control and/or execute applications within a host system of the device.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a device including a haptic driver to drive a coupled actuator causing the actuator to generate a vibratory haptic effect. A touch screen may display a user interface and may include a sensor to detect user interaction with the touch screen within a predetermined range above the touch screen. A controller may calculate a proximity event based on the detected user interaction above the touch screen, and to control haptic driver operations according to the proximity event.