Abstract: A monolithic capacitance-type microstructure includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of posts extending from the surface of the substrate, a bridge suspended from the posts, and an electrically-conductive, substantially stationary element anchored to the substrate. The bridge includes an element that is laterally movable with respect to the surface of the substrate. The substantially stationary element is positioned relative to the laterally movable element such that the laterally movable element and the substantially stationary element form a capacitor. Circuitry may be disposed on the substrate and operationally coupled to the movable element and the substantially stationary element for processing a signal based on a relative positioning of the movable element and the substantially stationary element. A method for fabricating the microstructure and the circuitry is disclosed.

Abstract: Performing a coarse conversion of an analog signal to a coarse digital representation using a first analog-to-digital converter, transferring the coarse representation to a second converter, and performing a fine analog-to-digital conversion of the signal using the coarse representation as a starting value for a fine digital representation. The fine conversion can include a redundant portion that can be used to correct a mismatch between the coarse and fine conversions, and this correction can operate according to a combinatorial transfer function. The fine conversion may include switching from a coarse reference to a fine reference after transferring the coarse representation. The fine conversion can also include comparing an amount of charge in a sampling capacitor after performing the coarse conversion.

Abstract: A circuit that provides samples of in-phase and quadrature components of an input waveform includes an oversampling ADC that receives the input waveform and converts the input waveform to digital samples at an oversampling rate. A first digital filter, coupled to the ADC, receives the digital samples from the ADC and provides the in-phase component samples of the input waveform. A second digital filter, coupled to the ADC, receives the digital samples from the ADC and provides the quadrature component samples of the input waveform.

Abstract: An IC chip having an analog-to-digital converter together with control circuitry for effecting switchover between normal-power mode and low-power mode. The control circuitry includes a first D-type flip-flop with reset which receives on its "D" input a continuous high signal; on its differential clock inputs the flip-flop receives complementary logic signals derived from the "conversion start" (CONVST) signal applied to one pin of an 8-pin chip. In normal mode, the CONVST signal is a short pulse having an initial negative-going (falling) leading edge, and the flip-flop responds to that leading edge by producing a high Q output (CONVEN). This signals the A/D converter to carry out a conversion. In low-power mode, the CONVST short pulse is positive. The subsequent negative-going (falling) trailing edge of the pulse activates the flip-flop to cause its Q output to go high and turn on the A/D converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analog-to-digital conversion using sigma-delta modulation of the temporal spacing between digital samples are provided. The method and apparatus include sigma-delta modulation of the time-base such that errors produced by non-uniform sampling are frequency-shaped to a high frequency region where they are reduced by conventional digital filtering techniques. In one embodiment, a sigma-delta ADC receives an analog input signal and converts the analog input signal to digital samples at an oversampling rate. A decimator, coupled to the sigma-delta ADC, receives the digital samples and decimates the digital samples to produce the digital samples at a preselected output sample rate, less than the oversampling rate. An ADC sample rate control circuit, coupled to the ADC, receives a frequency select signal representing the preselected output sample rate, and produces a noise-shaped clock signal for controlling operation of the ADC at the oversampling rate.

Abstract: A monolithic digital signal processor includes a core processor for performing digital signal computations, an I/O processor for controlling external access to and from the digital signal processor through an external port, first and second memory banks for storing instructions and data for the digital signal computations, and first and second buses interconnecting the core processor, the I/O processor and the memory banks. The core processor and the I/O processor access the memory banks on the first bus without interference on different clock phases of a clock cycle. The internal memory and the I/O processor of the digital signal processor are assigned to a region of a global memory space, which facilitates multiprocessing configurations. In a multiprocessor system, each digital signal processor is assigned a processor ID. The digital signal processor includes a bus arbitration circuit for controlling access to an external bus through the external port.

Abstract: A circuit for providing programmable hysteresis levels is disclosed. The circuit includes comparators for producing output signals when an input signal crosses respective set points and a hysteresis circuit for establishing a hysteresis in the output signals. When a comparator's output signal is "on", the input signal is shifted by a hysteresis differential. The output signal is terminated when the shifted input signal returns to the set point. The hysteresis circuit includes a programmable hysteresis input for adjusting the hysteresis differential to different preset and intermediate hysteresis levels.

Abstract: A carrier for carrying IC packages having a bevelled flange and bevelled dog combination which firmly engages a flange of the package in order to hold the package extremely securely to the carrier such that any force applied to the carrier is transmitted wholly and accurately to the package and so that the package does not dislodge easily from the carrier when subjected to acceleration or vibration.

Abstract: A carrier is used to couple a packaged device having leads of a certain length to a testing device. The carrier includes an adapter for receiving packaged dies with leads that are cut so that they are otherwise too short for the testing device. The adapter thus allows the leads to be cut prior to testing.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter including a plurality of binarily-weighted stages each incorporating a differential switch-pair circuit which includes two matched bipolar switch transistors the bases of which are driven by a corresponding pair of complementarry signal sources. Two additional switches are included in this circuit, with each such switch being connected between a respective signal source and its corresponding transistor control electrode. These two switches are both opened before the clock-controlled activation of the complementary signal sources. A short time after such activation, sufficient to assure that the complementary signal voltages have stabilized at their new values, the two additional switches are reclosed simultaneously by a single control signal so as to effect synchronized switchover of the two switch transistors at that instant.

Abstract: A frequency-responsive integrated circuit (IC) for determining when the frequency of a clock pulse input signal is below a predetermined threshold level, the IC including a capacitor charged up at a nearly constant rate by a current source. If the capacitor voltage reaches one-third of the DC power voltage, and input pulses are received, the capacitor is discharged to start another charge-up cycle. If no input pulses were received, the capacitor continues to charge up until its voltage reaches two-thirds of the DC power voltage, at which point an output signal is produced indicating that the input frequency is below the predetermined threshold level.

Abstract: A monolithic digital signal processor includes a core processor for performing digital signal computations, an I/O processor for controlling external access to and from the digital signal processor through an external port, first and second memory banks for storing instructions and data for the digital signal computations, and first and second buses interconnecting the core processor, the I/O processor and the memory banks. The core processor and the I/O processor access the memory banks on the first bus without interference on different clock phases of a clock cycle. The internal memory and the I/O processor of the digital signal processor are assigned to a region of a global memory space, which facilitates multiprocessing configurations. In a multiprocessor system, each digital signal processor is assigned a processor ID. The digital signal processor includes a bus arbitration circuit for controlling access to an external bus through the external port.

Abstract: A method for providing programmable hysteresis levels includes producing output signals when an input signal crosses respective set points and establishing a hysteresis in the output signals. When a comparator's output signal is "on", the input signal is shifted by a hysteresis differential. The output signal is terminated when the shifted input signal returns to the set point. A programmable hysteresis input is adjusted to set the hysteresis differential to different preset and intermediate hysteresis levels.

Abstract: With an input voltage V.sub.in between first and second input terminals (24, 25), a charge pump (20) generates output voltages +3V.sub.in and -3V.sub.in at first and second output terminals (26, 28). The output voltages are generated in first and second switching phases. The charge pump includes first, second and third pump capacitors (36, 46, 56), switch networks (38, 48, 58) and reservoir capacitors (26, 28). It is particularly suited for implementation with MOS switching transistors.

Abstract: An electrical overstress (EOS) protection circuit includes a pair of contra-directed diode-connected bipolar EOS transistors connected between two integrated circuit (IC) terminals. One of the EOS transistors has a reverse-biased junction and the other has a forward-biased junction when a voltage is applied across the IC terminals. A pair of parasitic bipolar transistors are formed in series to provide a current path between the EOS transistors. When the voltage difference between the IC terminals exceeds the breakdown voltage of the EOS transistor with a reverse-biased junction as during an electrostatic discharge event, the parasitic transistors activate the EOS transistor with a reverse-biased junction to divert ESD current from the IC.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital-to-analog conversion using sigma-delta modulation of the temporal spacing between digital samples are provided. The method and apparatus include sigma-delta modulation of the time-base such that errors produced by non-uniform sampling are frequency-shaped to a high frequency region where they are reduced by conventional filtering techniques. In one embodiment, an oversampling modulator receives digital input samples and, responsive to a noise-shaped clock signal, modulates the digital input samples to produce modulated samples at an oversampling rate. The oversampling rate preferably is equal to an oversampling ratio times a preselected input sample rate. A DAC, coupled to the modulator, converts the modulated samples to an analog signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a charge redistribution analog-to-digital converter. The method includes sampling a first voltage with a capacitive network, and then switching the plate of one of the capacitors in the network from a supply voltage node to a reference voltage node. After switching, a second voltage is sampled, and a quantity of charge stored in the capacitive network, which quantity results from both of the sampling steps, is tested. In another general aspect, a method of converting an analog voltage to a digital value, which includes sampling a charge related to the analog voltage, and precharging and charging capacitors in an array. The charge sampled in the step of sampling is then tested against a charge stored in the capacitors in the array.

Abstract: A CMOS comparator which includes a capacitor connected in an electrical path between two amplification stages. The comparator also includes a voltage source, and a switch is provided between the voltage source and the input of the second stage. A variability of electrical parameter of the voltage source can be matched with a parameter of the amplification stage. The comparator can also include another switch between another voltage source and a third stage, with the two voltage sources providing different voltages. A comparator gain stage includes circuitry for deriving a differential current from the two voltages. Circuitry is also provided for loading the differential current to derive an amplified difference voltage. Further circuitry is provided for bypassing the loading circuity to reduce a quiescent voltage drop associated with the loading circuitry.

Abstract: A write precompensation circuit includes a plurality of current-controlled delay buffers connected to form a delay line having selectable output taps. The precise delay of each delay buffer is controllable by a secondary control current derived from a master control current such that the precise delay is a precise percent of an oscillator period. The master control current is also used to control the period of a master write clock generated by a current-controlled ring oscillator of delay buffers. A write precompensation method includes steps of controlling current in delay buffers in a current-controlled ring oscillator used to generate a master write clock and current in delay buffers in a current-controlled delay line to maintain delays through delay buffers of the oscillator and the delay line in predetermined proportions to each other.

Abstract: The sub-rail voltage generator includes three sections: an output stage having an output terminal that provides a sub-rail output voltage; a voltage divider network that includes two voltage nodes; and a current gain stage connected between the voltage nodes of the voltage divider and the output terminal of the output stage. The current gain stage includes two sections. The first section includes a first transistor connected between a respective voltage divider voltage node and the output terminal for sensing the output load current demanded at the output terminal. A current is produced in the first transistor responsive to a sourcing load current demanded at the output terminal. A current mirror is coupled to the first transistor to "mirror" the current through the first transistor. This mirrored current is provided to a first output transistor in the output stage as a first bias current. The first output transistor provides the demanded output current responsive to the first bias current.