Abstract: A current source driving an LED is monitored for a fault condition such as an open circuit or a short circuit. The current source may be disabled and/or a common power source may be disabled in response to the type of fault condition. A test current may be applied to the current source to determine the type of fault.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a bandwidth of a phase-locked loop are disclosed. Some such systems can detect an error signal generated by the phase-locked loop in response to a stimulus signal and adjust the bandwith of the phase-locked loop based at least partly on a difference between the integral of the error signal and a nominal value thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the bandwidth of the phase-locked loop can be adjusted based at least partly on a mismatch associated with two charge pumps.

Abstract: An RF measurement system includes an envelope detector to extract the modulation envelope of the RF input signal. The resulting baseband envelope signal is then applied to a statistics extraction circuit which provides a precise measure of the modulation envelope. The statistics extraction circuit can be implemented with any number of lower-frequency precision measurement technologies because the high-frequency carrier portion of the signal is removed, and thus, the demands on the post-envelope extraction circuit are greatly reduced. In one embodiment, the envelope detector and statistics extraction circuit may be implemented as a logarithmic amplifier followed by an RMS-responding post-processing circuit to provide accurate power measurement.

Abstract: Electrical networks are formed to produce an approximation of at least one desired performance characteristic, based on the recognition that fabrication variations introduce slight differences in electronic sub-networks which were intended to be identical. These fabrication differences are turned to an advantage by providing a pool of sub-networks, and then selectively connecting particular combinations of these sub-networks to implement networks that approximate the desired performance characteristics. The sub-networks are of like kind (e.g., resistors) and have a like measure.

Abstract: Packaged integrated devices and methods of forming the same are provided. In one embodiment, a packaged integrated device includes a package substrate, a package lid, and an integrated circuit or microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device. The package lid is mounted to a first surface of the package substrate using an epoxy, and the package lid and the package substrate define a package interior. The package lid includes an interior coating suited to good adhesion with the epoxy, and an exterior coating suited to RF shielding, where the materials of the interior and exterior coatings are different. In one example, the interior lid coating is nickel whereas the exterior lid coating is tin.

Abstract: An input stage receives a differential input signal at first and second input nodes and provides a differential output current at first and second output nodes. The differential output current includes a component taken from the input nodes through first and second impedances, and an additional component generated in response to a sample of the voltage of the differential input signal. A transconductance cell having cross-coupled inputs may generate the additional component of the output current.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for compensating cable losses in a video signal transmission system includes feedback circuits to determine the spectral attenuation of a received signal and to control an equalizer circuit to amplify selected frequencies of the received signal, and to determine the various times of arrival of two or more video signals and selectively adjust one or more delay lines to reduce the differences in their arrival times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic audio standard detection in terrestrial broadcast signals is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of detecting automatic audio standard for terrestrial broadcast includes scanning for each known audio frequency standard of interest in a current band energy spectrum in an incoming broadcast signal using a standard of non standard energy estimation algorithm, such as Goertzel DFT or FFT based algorithm for a predetermined time interval. At each known audio frequency standard of interest, energy is computed using the associated standard or non standard energy estimation algorithm within the predetermined time interval. The computed energy at each known audio frequency standard of interest is then compared to predetermined threshold energy. At each known audio frequency standard of interest, it is determined whether the audio frequency standard of interest is detected based on the outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for dividing a frequency includes the steps of receiving a first signal having a first frequency as a clock input to a first digital counter and outputting a second signal as a clock input to a second digital counter having a higher counting capacity than the first counter. The output occurs when the first counter reaches a first number of count cycles. The method also includes generating a third signal having a high cycle and a low cycle, which are determined at least as a function of the first number of count cycles. Depending on a desired division ratio, the high and low cycles may also be a function of a second number of count cycles associated with the second counter. The third signal has a frequency lower than the first frequency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an audio amplification circuit comprising a first preamplifier for receipt of an audio input signal and a second preamplifier comprising a first differential input for receipt of an attenuated audio input signal. The attenuated audio input signal is generated by an attenuator coupled to the audio input signal. A non-linear element is coupled to a first input of the first preamplifier thereby distorting the audio input signal at the first input at large signal levels. A distortion compensation network is adapted to supply a distortion compensation signal from the first input of the first preamplifier to a second differential input of the second preamplifier such that distortion in the output signal of the second preamplifier is cancelled or attenuated. The invention further relates to a corresponding method of compensating an audio amplification circuit for distortion induced by a non-linear element.

Abstract: A storage device includes a storage array having a group of storage elements. Each storage element can written to a discrete set of physical states. A read circuit selects one or more storage elements and generates, for each selected storage element, an analog signal representative of the physical state of the selected storage element. A signal processing circuit processes the analog signal to generate a plurality of outputs, with each output representing a degree of an association of the selected storage element with a different subset of one or more of the discrete set of physical states.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for amplifying signals over a wide frequency range to generate high voltage outputs feature a pair of switching modules which are connected in series. Switching modules, e.g., field-effect transistors (FETs), operate based on the voltage difference between an amplified signal and a fixed DC signal at two of their terminals, thereby generating an output waveform that has peak-to-peak voltage higher than, e.g. twice, the breakdown voltage of the transistors within the amplifier. The DC signals applied at the switching modules may be varied using an AC signal to improve the risetime of the output waveform and achieve a faster operational speed of the amplifier.

Abstract: A bipolar transistor comprising an emitter region, a base region and a collector region, and a guard region spaced from and surrounding the base. The guard region can be formed in the same steps that form the base, and can serve to spread out the depletion layer in operation.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave gyroscope has a primary member in a member plane, and an electrode layer in an electrode plane spaced from the member plane. The electrode layer has a first portion that is electrically isolated from a second portion. The first portion, however, is mechanically coupled with the second portion and faces the primary member (e.g., to actuate or sense movement of the primary member). For support, the second portion of the electrode is directly coupled with structure in the member plane.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may provide a signal processing circuit that may comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and an output restriction circuit. The output restriction circuit may reduce the accuracy of the digital output of the ADC when signal content exceeds a pre-determined spectrum mask in an undesirable band. In one embodiment, the input signal spectrum may be actively monitored and when the input spectrum is inconsistent with an intended application, the output resolution may be restricted, for example, by truncating least significant bits (LSBs) of the digital output or adding digital noise.

Abstract: MEMS in-plane resonators include a substrate wafer, at least one resonant mass supported by the substrate wafer and configured to resonate substantially in-plane, and at least one transducer coupled to the at least one resonant mass for at least one of driving and sensing in-plane movement of the at least one resonant mass, wherein at least part of one surface of the resonant mass is configured for exposure to an external environment and wherein the at least one transducer is isolated from the external environment. Such MEMS in-plane resonators may be fabricated using conventional surface micromachining techniques and high-volume wafer fabrication processes and may be configured for liquid applications (e.g., viscometry, densitometry, chemical/biological sensing), gas sensing (e.g., where a polymer film is added to the sensor surface, further degrading the damping performance), or other applications.

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 vertical mount pre-molded type package for use with a MEMS sensor may be formed with a low moisture permeable molding material that surrounds a portion of the leadframes and forms a cavity in which one or multiple dies may be held. The package includes structures to reduce package vibration, reduce die stress, increase vertical mount stability, and improve solder joint reliability. The vertical mount package includes a first leadframe having first leads and molding material substantially surrounding at least a portion of the first leads. The molding material forms a cavity for holding the MEMS sensor and forms a package mounting plane for mounting the package on a base. The cavity has a die mounting plane that is substantially non-parallel to the package mounting plane. The first leads are configured to provide electrical contacts within the cavity and to provide electrical contacts to the base.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving a transconductance amplifier. One such apparatus includes a transconductance amplifier comprising an input to receive an input voltage signal, and an output to provide an output current signal at least partly in response to the input voltage signal. The apparatus also includes a linearizer configured to remove non-linearity in the output current signal such that the output current signal is substantially linear when the input voltage signal is within a range; and a current booster configured to add a current to the output current signal such that the output current signal is substantially linear when the input voltage signal is outside the range. The current booster allows the amplifier to have a linear response to a larger voltage swing without adding noise.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes a first amplifier stage having a first output node; a second amplifier stage having a second output node; and a compensation block electrically coupled between the first and second output nodes. The compensation block has a compensation capacitor electrically coupled to the first node and electrically connectable to the second node, and has an impedance electrically connectable to the compensation capacitor. The compensation capacitor is electrically coupled via a switch to the impedance such that the compensation capacitor can contribute a zero to shunt branch formed by the compensation capacitor and impedance when the compensation capacitor is disconnected from the second node.