Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention pertains to systems for acoustic beamforming that include one or more speaker membranes, such as, for example, a continuous ribbon membrane, and several independently addressable drivers. Moreover, certain embodiments relate to methods for beamforming with improved directionality.

Abstract: An analog amplifier includes at least one signal path. Each of the at least one signal path extends between an input and an output and includes a load device coupled to the output and a transistor coupled to the input. The analog amplifier further includes a dither current source selectively coupled to one of the at least one signal path. The dither current source is capable of supplying dither current to the load device of the selected signal path directly by bypassing the transistor of the selected signal path.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for rotational frequency detection are disclosed. In one embodiment, a rotational frequency detector is configured to receive samples taken from a serial data stream and to generate a frequency up error signal or a frequency down error signal. The rotational frequency detector processes a first set of samples to generate first transition data, which may be stored in a memory. The rotational frequency detector processes a second and third set of samples to generate second and third transition data. The frequency up or frequency down error signal is generated based at least partly on the first, second or third transition data. This configuration can reduce the maximum operating frequency of the rotational frequency detector, thereby simplifying the rotational frequency detector design to a point that a conventional static digital CMOS circuit design flow can be used to design the rotational frequency detector.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for clock and data recovery are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clock and data recovery system includes a sampler, a deserializer, a phase detector and a frequency detector. The sampler may be configured to sample a serial data stream to produce data samples and transition samples. The deserializer may be configured to deserialize the data samples and the transition samples to produce deserialized data samples and deserialized transition samples. The deserialized data samples and the deserialized transition samples can be aligned and provided to the phase detector and the frequency detector, thereby improving phase alignment and cycle slip detection.

Abstract: A DC to DC converter comprising an inductor, first and second electrically controllable switches and a controller, wherein the first electrically controllable switch is interposed between an input node and a first terminal of the inductor and the second electrically controllable switch extends between a second terminal of the inductor and a common node or a ground, and where a first rectifier extends between the common node or ground and the terminal of the inductor and a second rectifier connects the second terminal of the inductor to an output node, wherein the controller controls the operation of the first and second switches to perform voltage step down or step up, as appropriate, to achieve a desired output voltage and wherein a decision about when to switch the first electrically controlled switch is made as a first function of a voltage error between the output voltage and a target output voltage, and an estimate of the current flowing in the inductor.

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 variable gain amplifier includes an attenuator having a plurality of pairs of tap points, and a plurality of pairs of gm cells, wherein each pair of gm cells is coupled to a corresponding pair of the tap points, and each pair of gm cells is constructed and arranged to operate as a multi-tanh cell.

Abstract: A charge/discharge control circuit for controlling current through an input/output audio device includes a first voltage reference; a second voltage reference and a waveform generation circuit responsive to the first and second voltage references for generating a multi-stage waveform profile which is approximately an inaudible waveform for suppressing audible artifacts in the input/output device.

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: The method provides a semiconductor structure and method for forming such a structure that provides for protection for resistive layers formed within the structure from contamination from adjacent layers. By encapsulating the resistive layer in a material that is resistant to the diffusion of contaminants it is possible to protect the resistive material during the processing required to manufacture the structure.

Abstract: A logic signal isolator comprising a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; a transmitter circuit which drives said primary winding in response to a received logic signal, such that in response to a first type of edge in the logic signal, a signal of a first predetermined type is supplied to the primary winding and in response to a second type of edge in the logic signal, a signal of a second predetermined type is supplied to said primary winding, the primary winding and the transmitter being referenced to a first ground; and the secondary winding being referenced to a second ground which is galvanically isolated from the first ground and said secondary winding supplying to a receiver circuit signals received in correspondence to the signals provided to the primary winding, the receiver reconstructing the received logic signal from the received signals.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion system includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a plurality of receivers, each for capturing input analog signals, a multiplexer having inputs coupled to each of the receivers and an output coupled to the ADC, the multiplexer establishing a signal path between a selected one of the inputs and the output in response to an index signal, and a mux controller to supply a random sequence of index signals to the multiplexer.

Abstract: A transformer-based power conversion system includes a primary coil is provided in a current path that includes a single energy switch. An oscillator is coupled to a control input of the energy switch. The design conserves switch-based losses as compared to prior designs because a single switch is provided in a current path occupied by the primary coil. The design also provides improved conversion efficiency because parasitic capacitances associated with the energy switch cooperate with charge transfers generated by the oscillator.

Abstract: A capped wafer includes a device wafer and an opposing cap wafer with an annular glass frit disposed between the device wafer and the cap wafer. The glass frit and the opposing wafers define a sealed volume that encloses the capped devices, and the glass frit may support the wafer cap during removal of excess wafer cap material from the capped wafer. A method of fabricating a capped wafer includes fabricating an annular intermediate layer between a device wafer and a cap wafer. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of unsingulated dice each contains bond pads along a single edge and are arranged on a device wafer in an alternating order so that the bond pads of a first die are adjacent to the bond pads of a second die.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for reducing signal distortion and saturation within an RF receiver which may be operated in an environment under the presence of interfering signals such as in a WiMAX environment. In an embodiment, a first gain stage and a second gain stage are selectively lowered to predetermined lower levels, assuring that if there is a blocker present, it would not cause signal distortion and saturation in the receiver. The loss of the gain in the first gain stage and second gain stage is compensated by a third gain stage which selectively amplifies the signals of interest. If a blocker is not detected, the maximum allowable gain of the first gain stage and the second gain stage is set to a predetermined upper limit allowing for maximum receiver sensitivity. Accordingly, with this system and method a direct conversional receiver can operate in the presence of interfering signals without signal distortion and saturation.

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: In a micromachined devices having a movable shuttle driven in oscillation, measuring the electrical charge accumulated on opposing drive capacitors to determine the displacement of the movable shuttle. Alternately, in such a micromachined device, measuring the electrical charge accumulated on a drive capacitor and comparing the measured electrical charge to a nominal electrical charge to determine the displacement of the movable shuttle.

Abstract: Digital potentiometer architecture is disclosed, composing of an integrated circuit containing multiple string arrays, each having a plurality of switching devices and an array of resistors. The insertion of an additional string array between the input terminals and the wiper, allows for the disconnection of a common string array and for the independent calibration of the resistance between each input terminal and the wiper.

Abstract: The transduction scale factor for a MEMS gyroscope is calibrated without moving the MEMS device based on measurements of the resonator resonance frequency and the accelerometer resonance frequency as well as a distance value that may be a fixed distance value or a measured distance value. The measured distance value may be obtained by measuring the quality factor of the resonator or accelerometer and deriving the measured distance value from the quality factor measurement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a configurable timing generator outputs at least one timing signal. The configurable timing generator comprises a first timing generator configurable to output the at least one timing signal so that the at least one timing signal is adaptable to a plurality of applications. In one embodiment, a configurable parameter storage unit comprising a parameter storage area configurable so as to store a plurality of parameters at least partially defining a desired plurality of waveform hierarchy elements, where the desired plurality of waveform hierarchy elements enable the definition of a waveform. In one embodiment, a method of constructing a waveform for a configurable timing generator, the method comprising acts of constructing a first pattern waveform, where the first pattern waveform comprises a first basic pulse, and constructing a first sequence waveform, where the first sequence waveform comprises a plurality of repetitions of the first pattern waveform.