Abstract: A microchip system has a package forming a hermetically sealed interior, and MEMS structure within the interior. The system also has a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of at least one of oxygen or hydrogen within the interior.

Abstract: A voltage regulator comprises first and second bipolar transistors operating at different current densities; a resistor is connected between their bases across which ?VBE appears. A third bipolar transistor is connected such that the voltages at the bases of the first and third transistors are equal or differ by a PTAT amount. A current mirror is arranged to balance the collector current of one of the second and third transistors with an image of the collector current of the first transistor when the output node is at a unique operating point. The operating point includes both PTAT and CTAT components, the ratio of which can be established such that the operating point has a desired temperature characteristic. A transistor connected to the output node and driven by the output of the current mirror regulates the output voltage by negative feedback.

Abstract: A MEMS sensing system includes a movable mass having at least one contact surface, a stopper system for stopping the movement of the mass, the stopper system having at least one contact surface that contacts a corresponding contact surface of the mass if a sufficient movement of the mass occurs in a direction, at least one stopper gap formed between the at least one contact surface of the stopper system and the corresponding contact surface of the mass, and a spring system in communication with the at least one stopper gap.

Abstract: Systems and methods for amplitude compressing a digital signal. An input signal is divided into frames having a first and second sets of samples. The samples in the second set are also in a subsequent frame. Peak values are determined for the first and second sets. One or more slopes are calculated based on the peak values. The slopes are used to define a scale factor which is applied to the first set to produce the output signal. For example, if the first peak value exceeds an amplitude threshold, first and last samples in the first set to exceed the amplitude threshold are found. Slopes are calculated for each of three regions of the first set demarcated by the first and last samples. In each region a slope is selected. These slopes along with an initial scale factor are used to calculate the scale factor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving deskewing serial data transmissions. One such apparatus includes a plurality of receivers, each of which is configured to receive a serial data stream. Each of the receivers includes a shift register including a plurality of stages arranged in sequence to propagate a stream of characters. Each of the stages is configured to store a character, and shift the character to a next stage in response to a clock signal. The receiver also includes a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs, each of the inputs being electrically coupled to a respective one of the stages of the shift register, and to select one of the stages to generate an output such that the outputs of the multiplexers in the receivers are deskewed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving deskewing serial data transmissions. One such apparatus includes a plurality of receivers, each of which is configured to receive a serial data stream. Each of the receivers includes a shift register including a plurality of stages arranged in sequence to propagate a stream of characters. Each of the stages is configured to store a character, and shift the character to a next stage in response to a clock signal. The receiver also includes a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs, each of the inputs being electrically coupled to a respective one of the stages of the shift register, and to select one of the stages to generate an output such that the outputs of the multiplexers in the receivers are deskewed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a haptics control system that may include a driver to generate a continuous drive signal and to output the drive signal to a mechanical system on an electrical signal line, wherein the continuous drive signal causes the mechanical system to vibrate to produce a haptic effect. The haptics control system may further include a monitor, coupled to the electrical signal line, to capture a Back Electromotive Force (BEMF) signal generated by the mechanical system in the electrical signal line, to measure a BEMF signals attribute, and to transmit an adjustment signal to the driver based on the BEMF signals attribute. The driver is further configured to adjust the continuous drive signal according to the adjustment signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving an electronic device. One such apparatus includes a transmitter; a receiver; and a transmit/receive switch configured to electrically block the receiver from the transmitter during a transmit period. The transmit/receive switch includes one or more MOSFETs coupled between an input node and an output node, the input node being electrically coupled to the transmitter, the output node being electrically coupled to the receiver. The one or more MOSFETs are configured to be off during the transmit period. The transmit/receive switch further includes a clamp circuit configured to couple the output node to ground during the transmit period. This configuration effectively protects the receiver while minimizing switching artifacts.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor, comprising a collector, a base and an emitter, in which the collector comprises a relatively heavily doped region, and a relatively lightly doped region adjacent the base, and in which the relatively heavily doped region is substantially omitted from an intrinsic region of the transistor.

Abstract: A MEMS sensor includes a substrate and a MEMS structure coupled to the substrate. The MEMS structure has a mass movable with respect to the substrate. The MEMS sensor also includes a reference structure electrically coupled to the mass of the MEMS sensor. The reference structure is used to provide a reference to offset any environmental changes that may affect the MEMS sensor in order to increase the accuracy of its measurement.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a primary charge pump and replica charge pump may be coupled to matching control mechanisms and loads. In an embodiment, the replica charge pump may produce an error current originating from charge pump timing mismatches in a steady locked loop state. The error current produced by the replica charge pump may be measured by a difference amplifier to adjust at least one current source to compensate for the error current originating from the timing mismatches. To adjust the current sources, the amplifier may cause the current source to produce an equal but opposite current to cancel the effects of the error current, resulting in a constant output voltage.

Abstract: A low dropout voltage regulator (LDO) includes first and second amplifiers and a current mirror. The first amplifier includes a first input receiving a reference voltage and a second input receiving a voltage proportional to an output of the LDO. The current mirror includes an input current at a first end of the current mirror to an output current at a second end of the current mirror, the input current controlled by an output of the first amplifier and the output current being supplied to the output of the LDO. The second amplifier includes a first input coupled to the first end of the current mirror and a second input coupled to the second end of the current mirror.

Abstract: A system for reducing power consumption in a transistor-based system includes a measurement circuit and a comparator. The measurement circuit measures a delay of a transistor-based device and produces a control signal corresponding to the measured delay. The comparator compares the control signal to a predetermined threshold. Adjusting a power supply voltage of the transistor-based system based at least in part on a result of the comparison reduces the power consumed by the system.

Abstract: A digital video interface receiver adjusts a transfer function of a phase-locked loop circuit having a programmable charge pump, a programmable phase-locked loop filter, or a programmable gain voltage controlled oscillator. The digital video interface receiver monitors and detects errors in a data stream associated with the phase-locked loop circuit. Moreover, the digital video interface receiver changes the transfer function of the phase-locked loop circuit, in response to the detected errors, by changing parameters associated with the programmable charge pump, the programmable phase-locked loop filter, or the programmable gain voltage controlled oscillator of the phase-locked loop circuit so as to change the transfer function of the phase-locked loop circuit.

Abstract: A quadrature demodulator preweights an input signal prior to mixing with in-phase and quadrature clock signals. In an implementation with discrete phase rotation, a series of weighting circuits may be arranged before or after a select circuit to select the amount of phase rotation. Various implementations may include ratioed current mirrors to perform the weighting function, a stacked arrangement of mixers, an H-bridge input stage, integrated mixers and select circuits, and/or selectable gain stages such as gm cells to perform the weighting function.

Abstract: A junction field effect transistor having a drain and a source, each defined by regions of a first type of semiconductor interconnected by a channel, and in which a dopant profile at a side of the drain facing the channel is modified so as to provide a region of reduced doping compared to a body region of the drain. The region of reduced doping and the body region can be defined by the same mask and doping step, but the mask is shaped to provide a lesser amount and thus less depth of doping for the region of reduced doping.

Abstract: Efficiently controlled converter system embodiments are provided to operate in different operational modes. In a first operational PWM mode, first and second transistors are switched with a feedback-controlled duty cycle to thereby realize an inductor current that maintains a system output voltage. In a second operational PFM mode, after the output voltage decays to a lower threshold over a decay time, the control and synchronous transistors are driven a sufficient number of times to raise the output voltage to an upper threshold. The systems are controlled to efficiently transition between the first and second operational modes. For example, a converter system preferably transitions to the second PFM operational mode when current peaks of the inductor current drop below a predetermined current threshold and the system preferably transitions to the first PWM operational mode when the output voltage drops to a predetermined reference voltage.

Abstract: A voltage boost circuit is driven with a clock signal CLK which toggles between voltages V1 and V2. A first MOSFET is coupled between CLK and an output node OUT, and at least one additional MOSFET is coupled between OUT and a supply voltage. The first terminal of a capacitance is coupled at its first terminal to OUT, and at its second terminal to a delay circuit arranged to toggle its output to ˜V2 or ˜V1 a predetermined amount of time after the voltage applied to the clock signal side of the first MOSFET toggles to ˜V2 or ˜V1, respectively. The capacitance is charged to ˜V2 when the voltage applied to the clock signal side of the first MOSFET toggles to ˜V2, and OUT is increased to a voltage greater than V2 when the output of the delay circuit toggles to ˜V2. The only active device junctions subjected to the boosted voltage are MOSFET well-substrate junctions, such that no active devices are overstressed.

Abstract: Clock generator embodiments are provided to generate half-rate I and Q clock signals. The generators are configured to insure fan-out limitations, to insure correct phasing at startup, to reduce the number of signal inverters in a critical path, and to reduce the total number of inverter structures to thereby substantially extend generator operational frequency. An exemplary generator embodiment requires only two tri-state inverters and four inverters. These clock generators are particularly suited for variety of electronic systems such as high speed data serializers.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes driving piezoelectric transducers for enabling an oscillation of a resonator, sensing piezoelectric transducers for enabling a detection of a movement of the inertial sensor, and piezoelectric compensating elements substantially equidistantly among the driving and the sensing piezoelectric transducers, wherein the compensating elements and the resonator form corresponding capacitors having capacitive gaps, and wherein, during the oscillation of the resonator, changes in electrostatic charges stored in the capacitors are measured with the compensating elements and are modified so as to modify the oscillation of the resonator.