Abstract: There is disclosed herein programmable delay lines and control methods having glitch suppression. In particular, the programmable delay lines may include latches that are triggered based on a trigger event of an input signal (which is often an edge of the input signal). The programmable delay lines may include one or more latches coupled between capacitor and transistor subassemblies and the latches, where the latches cause a delay between the time the trigger event arrives at the capacitor and transistor subassemblies and the latches. The delay can prevent the latches from updating at the same time that the edge of the input signal arrives at the capacitor and transistor subassemblies, which can suppress glitches that can causes errors in operation.

Abstract: Rotary traveling wave oscillators (RTWOs) with distributed stubs are provided. In certain embodiments, an RTWO includes segments that are implemented using distributed stubs to mitigate flicker noise upconversion arising from transmission line dispersion. For example, a distance between the distributed stubs can be selected to intentionally generate a phase difference between transmission line modes, thereby cancelling out phase shifts due to transmission line dispersion. In particular, each segment is subdivided into multiple transmission line sections with a maintaining amplifier electrically connected to one of the sections and a tuning capacitor array connected to adjacent transmission line sections.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of a multiple-mass, multi-axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer sensor device with a fully differential sensing design that applies differential drive signals to movable proof masses and senses differential motion signals at sense fingers coupled to a substrate. In some embodiments, capacitance signals from different sense fingers are combined together at a sensing signal node disposed on the substrate supporting the proof masses. In some embodiments, a split shield may be provided, with a first shield underneath a proof mass coupled to the same drive signal applied to the proof mass and a second shield electrically isolated from the first shield provided underneath the sense fingers and biased with a constant voltage to provide shielding for the sense fingers.

Abstract: Couplers for selectively coupling in-plane and out-of-plane motion between moving masses are provided herein. In particular, aspects of the present application provide for a coupler configured to couple in-plane motion between moving masses while decoupling out-of-plane motion between the moving masses. The selective couplers as described herein may be used in a device, such as a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) inertial sensor. In some embodiments, a MEMS inertial sensor comprises a first mass configured to move in-plane, a second mass configured to move in-plane and out-of-plane, and a coupler coupling the first and second masses and comprising two levers coupled to an anchor point by respective tethers and coupled to each other by a spring.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods to operate the same to provide fast fault-detection on power semiconductor devices such as power transistors are disclosed. In some embodiment, a desaturation based fault-detection circuit for a power transistor is provided. The fault-detection circuit has an adaptable blanking time and a disconnect switch in the blanking mechanism that allow for quick enabling of fault-detection mechanisms to achieve fast fault detection times on power semiconductor devices.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of monitoring the magnetic field in which a magnetic sensor is operating in to ensure that the sensor is operating within its defined magnetic window. For example, the method uses the sensor output of either a multi-turn sensor, or some other magnetoresistive sensor that is being used in conjunction with the multi-turn sensor, for example, a magnetic single turn sensor or a second multi-turn sensor, to monitor the operating magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods for measuring electrical currents. A measurement circuit is electrically separated from a primary conductor through which the current to be measured flows. An indirect coupling between the primary conductor and the measurement circuit is achieved by magnetic coupling. The magnetic field created by the current is detected by a magnetic field sensor, which forms part of the measurement circuit. To avoid unwanted capacitive coupling, according to at least some embodiments, an electrical shield is placed between the primary conductor and the measurement circuit. In some embodiments, a differential magnetic field sensor is placed in proximity to two opposite segments of the primary conductors to achieve differential sensing. The disclosed circuits are particularly useful in the design and manufacturing of highly integrated sensors, such as a sensors integrated into a single chip package, and can be used for PWM controlled currents.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques to count objects in an area. The techniques include operations comprising: receiving, from a first sensor, data that identifies a location of a first object in an area at a given point in time; receiving, from a second sensor, data that identifies a location of a second object in the area at the given point in time; and aggregating the data from the first sensor and the data from the second sensor to compute a count value indicating how many objects are present in the area at the given point in time.

Abstract: Isolated circuit systems are provided. The systems include a primary side circuit and a secondary circuit, electrically isolated from each other. The primary side and secondary side circuits each utilize a direct current (DC) reference signal. The primary side circuit may use the DC reference signal in a modulation operation. The secondary side circuit may use the DC reference signal in a demodulation operation. The DC reference signal may be sent from the primary side circuit to the secondary side circuit, or from the secondary side circuit to the primary side circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide predistortion for a phased array. Radio frequency (RF) sample signals from phased array elements are provided along return paths and are combined by a hardware RF combiner. Phase shifters are adjusted such that the RF sample signals are phase-aligned when combined. Adaptive adjustment of predistortion for the amplifiers of the phased array can be based on a signal derived from the combined RF sample signals.

Abstract: Non-idealities of input circuitry of a receiver signal chain can significantly degrade the overall performance of the receiver signal chain. A digital nonlinearity correction (NLC) can be implemented in a receiver signal chain having an ADC. Digital NLC can be designed as a drop in signal preconditioner for existing RF ADC wideband receiver signal chains. A unique equalizer can compensate for a variety of mixer spurs. Accordingly, digital NLC can correct nonlinearities due to mixers and any amplifiers preceding or following the ADC, potentially improving receive chains performance by 15-25 dB. Such a digital NLC solution can be particularly beneficial in defense and instrumentation applications which demand the greatest performance.

Abstract: Provided are methods of manufacturing comprising providing a FET base structure, the FET base structure comprising a substrate, a drain and a source; and providing a channel layer on the FET base structure; and providing a first layer on the FET base structure. The first layer comprises a one-dimensional or two-dimensional material and is arranged on an upper surface of the channel layer so as to form a sensing surface of the FET. The step of providing the channel layer comprises forming the channel layer and subsequently transferring the channel layer onto the FET base structure. Alternatively or additionally, the step of providing the first layer on the FET base structure comprises forming the first layer and subsequently transferring the first layer onto the FET base structure.

Abstract: A sensing assembly comprises for detecting a property of a sample comprises a field effect transistor (FET) configured to output a first signal indicative of a property of a sample comprises: a first layer providing a sensing surface; a channel provided below the first layer; and a drain and a source in electrical communication with the channel. The sensing assembly may further comprise a gate provided below the first layer and the first layer comprises a one-dimensional or two-dimensional material. Alternatively or additionally, the first layer comprises N-polar hexagonal boron nitride (hBN).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a reference electrode for providing a reference potential during measurement of a property of a sample. The reference electrode comprising: a reference electrode layer; and a reference layer provided over at least a part of the reference electrode layer and defining a sample receiving region which is separated from the reference electrode layer by the reference layer. In one embodiment, the reference layer comprises fluorinated or silanized graphene and/or fluorinated or silanized graphene oxide. Alternatively, the graphene or graphene oxide are functionalised or doped so as to form a super-hydrophobic reference layer.

Abstract: A low noise amplifier topology can achieve very low noise figure by applying multiple magnetic coupling between gate matching inductors and source degeneration inductor of a field effect transistor. The resulting low noise amplifier has smaller inductors, which can have lower thermal noise contribution, and can maintain good gain and linearity performance. For example, a low noise amplifier includes a first inductor to receive an input; a second inductor coupled to the first inductor in series; a first field effect transistor device whose gate receives a signal from the second inductor; and a third inductor coupled to a source of the first field effect transistor device, where the third inductor is magnetically positively coupled to the first inductor and the second inductor.

Abstract: It is not trivial to implement speech and natural language processing in offline embedded systems. Voice control of devices in various settings and applications can benefit from an embedded speech and natural language processing solution. One feature that helps to correct automatic speech recognition outputs is grammar projection. Another feature addresses situations where there is imperfect information or incomplete information by providing an application programming interface to enable structured queries and responses between an interpreter and an application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating cameras and phased array antennas for use in electronic toll charge (ETC) are disclosed. In one aspect, an ETC system includes a camera including a lens and configured to capture an image indicative of a position of a vehicle and a plurality of antennas formed in a ring around the lens of the camera. The system further includes control circuitry configured to: determine the position of the vehicle based on the image captured by the camera, adjust the antennas for beamforming based on the position of the vehicle, and wirelessly communicate with an on board device (OBU) of the vehicle via the beamforming provided by the adjusted antennas.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe mechanisms for radio frequency (RF) ranging between pairs of radio units based on radio signals exchanged between units. An exemplary radio system may include a first radio unit, configured to transmit a first radio signal, and a second radio unit configured to receive the first radio signal, adjust a reference clock signal of the second radio unit based on the first radio signal, and transmit a second radio signal generated based on the adjusted reference clock signal. Such a radio system may further include a processing unit for determining a distance between the first and second radio units based on a phase difference between the first radio signal as transmitted by the first radio unit and the second radio signal as received at the first radio unit. Disclosed mechanisms may enable accurate RF ranging using low-cost, low-power radio units.

Abstract: A circuit having a capacitance driver circuit can allow for reduction of thermal noise to an application circuit. An output of the capacitance driver circuit can drive a capacitor for use by the application circuit coupled to the capacitor at the output of the capacitance driver circuit. The capacitance driver circuit can be structured to operate over a bandwidth of interest. With an input signal, received at the capacitance driver circuit, associated with a target voltage, an output voltage can be provided at the output of the capacitance driver circuit as a bandlimited filtered voltage value of the target voltage, where a root-mean-square voltage deviation of the output voltage from the target voltage, due to thermal noise, is less than a square root of (kT/C). The term k is Boltzmann's constant, T is Kelvin temperature of the capacitance driver circuit, and C is the capacitance of the driven capacitor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for measuring depth, position, and/or angle of a cannula in a medical drug delivery device. In particular, a drug delivery device having a cannula is positioned adjacent to tissue, a voltage pulse is provided to the cannula, a charge is measured at an electrode in the drug delivery device, and the depth of penetration of the cannula is determined based in part on the charge at the first electrode. Systems and methods described herein can be used to determine subcutaneous insertion depth in a wearable bolus injector. In some implementations, insertion depth determination is achieved through capacitive sensors which measure needle depth in a drug delivery device.