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: In a dynamic signal traffic scenario, a narrowband to wideband transition in a DPD system results in a tilt in the output spectrum until the next DPD adaptation cycle occurs. To address this problem, regularization term is applied with a weighing factor when performing DPD coefficient estimation and adaptation. The regularization term can be obtained from in a variety of ways: using pre-stored waveforms, through factory or in-situ calibration, or through an adaptive or opportunistic update by observing the system. Application of the regularization term improves the spectrum flatness for a narrow to wideband signal transition, and does not require transmitting additional calibration tones to correct the gain flatness.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches are disclosed. The MEMS switch may have an actuation voltage greater than the expected voltage of a signal being passed by the MEMS switch in normal operation. The MEMS switches may include a distributed hinge structure in some embodiments. Radial contact pads are included in some embodiments, with or separate from the distributed hinge.

Abstract: Accurately measuring bio-impedance is important for sensing properties of the body. Unfortunately, contact impedances can significantly degrade the accuracy of bio-impedance measurements. To address this issue, a method is provided for estimating an impedance matrix of parasitic network disposed between a first network and a second network of a bio-impedance measurement system, the method comprising determining an impedance matrix for the first network (ZMUX) based on an impedance matrix for the second network (ZLOAD) for at least one known load condition; fitting ZMUX values for ZLOAD for the at least one known load condition to estimate parameters of the impedance matrix of the intervening network.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to using model architecture search for hardware configuration are provided. A method includes receiving, by a computer-implemented system, information associated with a pool of processing units; receiving, by the computer-implemented system, a data set associated with a data transformation operation; training, based on the data set and the information associated with the pool of processing units, a parameterized model associated with the data transformation operation, where the training includes updating at least one parameter of the parameterized model associated with configuring at least a subset of the processing units in the pool; and outputting, based on the training, one or more configurations for at least the subset of the processing units in the pool.

Abstract: Accuracy of vital signs monitoring systems depend on the quality of the measurements by the sensors. Crude techniques are applied to discard measurements which have a low signal-to-noise ratio or are saturated. A more accurate and flexible technique enables more measurements to be kept, more meaningful signal quality information to be extracted, more accurate vital signs extraction and more systems to readily embed signal quality assessment in the signal processing pipeline. Improvements include preprocessing of the signal that is independent of variations of underlying hardware, use of features with low computational complexity and high predictive power, cross-channel feature extraction, application of a trained machine learning model, and flexible translation of signal quality classification information into a continuous metric for signal quality.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to using model architecture search for hardware configuration are provided. An example apparatus includes an input node to receive an input signal; a pool of processing units to perform one or more arithmetic operations and one or more signal selection operations, wherein each of the processing units in the pool is associated with at least one parameterized model corresponding to a data transformation operation; and a control block to configure, based on a first parameterized model, a first subset of the processing units in the pool, where the first subset of the processing units processes the input signal to generate a first signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that is implemented to enable multiple tests of different types, such as a direct current (DC) test and/or a radio frequency (RF) test of a semiconductor device. The apparatus includes a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switch block coupled between the semiconductor device and automatic testing equipment (ATE). The apparatus is configured to enable/disable a DC path or an RF path to switch between a DC test and an RF test without reconfiguring the connections between the semiconductor device and the ATE. The DC path is used to perform a DC contact test for one or more pins of the semiconductor device. The RF path is used to perform an RF test for the semiconductor device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing offset compensation in a receiver with multiple offset compensation D/A converters. At each stage where offset cancellation is applied, there is a fan-out of two or more. At the final stage, comparator offset compensation codes are summed and compared against a digital reference. In one version the digital reference is zero. A second implementation has a non-zero digital reference which is the sum of comparator offsets stored from start up. The difference between the sum of offsets and digital reference is applied to a digital accumulator. The most significant bits of the digital accumulator are applied to a digital D/A converter, which cancel analog offsets in an intermediate stage of amplifiers. The summation of offsets feeding into an accumulator is implemented for all preceding stages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a power-efficient 3-level digital-to-analog converter. A converter cell using a current starving technique keeps a portion of the converter cell turned on in a low power mode, as opposed to completely turning off current in selected modes. A conversion system keeps a first set of converters active while allowing a second set of converters to be powered down. Systems and methods presented save power and allow for efficient reactivation of converters.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a layer of a first semiconducting material, where the first semiconducting material is epitaxially grown to have a crystal structure of a first substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a layer of a second semiconducting material disposed adjacent to the layer of the first semiconducting material to form a heterojunction with the layer of the first semiconducting material. The semiconductor device further includes a first component that is electrically coupled to the heterojunction, and a second substrate that is bonded to the layer of the first semiconducting material.

Abstract: Herein disclosed are multiple embodiments of a signal-processing circuit that may be utilized in various circuits, including conversion circuitry. The signal-processing circuit may receive an input and produce charges on multiple different capacitors during different phases of operation based on the input. The charges stored on two or more of the multiple different capacitors may be utilized for producing an output of the signal-processing circuit, such as by combing the charges stored on two or more of the multiple different capacitors. Utilizing the charges on the multiple different capacitors may provide for a high level of accuracy and robustness to variations of environmental factors, and/or a low noise level and power consumption when producing the output.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to hybrid basis function, neural network-based digital predistortion (DPD) are provided. An example apparatus for a radio frequency (RF) transceiver includes a digital predistortion (DPD) actuator to receive an input signal associated with a nonlinear component of the RF transceiver and output a predistorted signal. The DPD actuator includes a basis-function-based actuator to perform a first DPD operation using a set of basis functions associated with a first nonlinear characteristic of the nonlinear component. The DPD actuator further includes a neural network-based actuator to perform a second DPD operation using a first neural network associated with a second nonlinear characteristic of the nonlinear component. The predistorted signal is based on a first output signal of the basis-function-based actuator and a second output signal of the neural network-based actuator.

Abstract: One embodiment is circuitry for implementing a baseline restoration (“BLR”) circuit for a photon-counting computed tomography (“PCCT”) signal chain, the circuitry comprising a multi-level discriminator circuit for receiving a shaper voltage from the PCCT signal chain, the discriminator circuit outputting a digital signal indicative of one of a range of voltages within which the shaper voltage falls; a digital-to-analog converter (“DAC”) connected to receive the digital signal output from the discriminator circuit, the DAC converting the received digital signal to a corresponding active reference voltage; and a feedback circuit that injects a cancellation current proportional to the difference between the shaper voltage and the active reference voltage at the input of the PCCT signal chain.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to configuring at least one pair of devices in a physical unclonable function (PUF) apparatus and reading out at least one pair of devices for determining a persistent random PUF output. The pair of devices may be readout by measuring a physical difference between the devices/components caused by random manufacturing differences, which may then be used to determine a persistence random PUF output. Configuring the pair of devices includes measuring the random manufacturing difference and, based on that measurement, setting a readout condition for the pair of devices, which dictates aspects of the readout process that should be used for that pair of devices. Each time the pair of devices is readout in the future, it may be readout in accordance with the condition that was set at configuration.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for automatically decoding and demodulating radio signals in a communication network. Embodiments utilize a one-dimensional (1D) convolutional neural network (CNN) as the key architecture of a decoder that utilizes one or more 1D convolution windows to perform convolution operations on to-be-decoded or demodulated input signals received by the communication network. In embodiments, this may be achieved by receiving, at a CNN correlator implemented in a decoder, an input signal that comprises unknown data and applying to the input signal, in the discrete time domain, a convolution to obtain a CNN correlator output to which an activation may be applied to decode the input signal and output the decoded signal.

Abstract: A switched-mode power converter apparatus includes a switching converter to receive an input voltage, to convert the input voltage to an output voltage, and to transmit the output voltage to an output node. The apparatus also includes a ripple attenuation circuit coupled to the output node and a voltage source. The voltage source is adjusted to generate a ripple attenuation signal by the ripple attenuation circuit at the output node.

Abstract: According to one example configuration, an apparatus enhances functionality of a mobile communication device. The apparatus includes an encasement in which to retain the mobile communication device and supplemental circuitry. The supplemental circuitry is operable to: i) control an optical transmitter in the supplemental circuitry to irradiate matter under test, ii) monitor attributes of an optical signal reflected off the matter under test and received by the optical receiver; and iii) communicate the attributes of the optical signal from the supplemental circuitry to the mobile communication device over a communication link. The supplemental circuitry optionally includes multiple electrodes to further monitor attributes of the matter under test.

Abstract: A current sensor circuit comprises multiple resistive circuit elements of different values of electrical resistance arranged between at least one input terminal of the current sensor circuit and an output terminal; a first plurality of switching circuits coupled between the input terminal and the resistive circuit elements, wherein each switching circuit of the first plurality of switching circuits includes a pair of transistors connected in series; at least one drive amplifier including an output and an input connected to the output terminal; and a second plurality of switching circuits, each switching circuit including a first switch terminal coupled to the at least one drive amplifier output and a second switch terminal coupled to a common connection of a pair of transistors of the first plurality of switching circuits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting magnetic turn counter errors are provided herein. In one aspect, there is provided a magnetic field turn sensor system including: a magnetic field angle sensor, a signal processing path configured to receive an output from the magnetic field angle sensor and generate an angle measurement based on the output, a turn count path configured to process the output from the magnetic field angle sensor and output a quadrant measurement based on the output and a processor. The processor is configured to: receive the angle measurement from the signal processing path and the quadrant measurement from the turn count path, determine that the angle measurement deviates from the expected transition angle by more than a threshold value, and indicate a fault in response to determining that the angle measurement deviates from the expected transition angle by more than the threshold value.