Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a digital pen cap that can be positioned on the end of a stylus. The digital pen cap includes sensors for measuring position and orientation of the tip of the stylus, a controller configured to process the sensor data and output processed data, a memory for storing the processed data, and a transmitter for transmitting the processed data.

Abstract: System and apparatus for carbon dioxide detection within an automobile. Specifically, this disclosure describes apparatuses and systems for optical gas detection in a stationary and moving vehicle. There is a need for a such a system to prevent loss of life and contribute to a safer traffic environment. This disclosure provides a highly efficient optical measurement system based on principals of optical absorption spectroscopy. It detects the presence of neglected children and animals and changes the vehicle's interior environment accordingly so as to preclude many potentially dangerous conditions. The present disclosure can also optimize ventilation for a driver. To this end, a driver can maximize alertness and attentiveness.

Abstract: Systems and methods embodiments are described for low-power, low-area current reference generator circuits that deliver a stable current bias for applications such as wake-up circuits. The current reference generator circuit provides for a nearly temperature-independent small-area bias current generator that uses a single pair of BJTs to reliably output a nominal 150 nA bias current that, irrespective of variations in process, supply voltage, and temperature (PVT), and local device mismatch, remains in a range between 120 nA and 180 nA. Advantageously, the circuit, which may be powered from and supply that is operationally functional at as low as about 1.0 V, does not require a calibration procedure or the combination of traditional PTAT and CTAT circuitries.

Abstract: Multiple transmit and receive channels in a communication transceiver may be dynamically configured using corresponding channel registers. The present disclosure proposes a profile-based direct memory access (PDMA) that can be used to transfer data from a memory and program specific profile registers in a randomly accessed addressing manner. PDMAs can offload the system processor from reprogramming many system registers based on external or internal events in a multi channels communication system. Furthermore, a PDMA based DMA controller is proposed to configure the frequency hopping registers of the transceiver based on PDMA.

Abstract: A depth estimation system can enhance depth estimation using brightness image. Light is projected onto an object. The object reflects at least a portion of the projected light. The reflected light is at least partially captured by an image sensor, which generates image data. The depth estimation system may use the image data to generate both a depth image and a brightness image. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, each of which is associated with two ADCs. The ADCs receive different analog signals from the pixel and outputs different digital signals. The depth estimation system may use the different digital signals to determine the brightness value of a brightness pixel of the brightness image. The ADCs may be associated with one or more other pixels. The pixel and the one or more other pixels may be arranged in a same column in an array of the image sensor.

Abstract: A secure industrial control system is disclosed herein. The industrial control system includes a plurality of industrial elements (e.g., modules, cables) which are provisioned during manufacture with their own unique security credentials. A key management entity of the secure industrial control system monitors and manages the security credentials of the industrial elements starting from the time they are manufactured up to and during their implementation within the industrial control system for promoting security of the industrial control system. An authentication process, based upon the security credentials, for authenticating the industrial elements being implemented in the industrial control system is performed for promoting security of the industrial control system. In one or more implementations, all industrial elements of the secure industrial control system are provisioned with the security credentials for providing security at multiple (e.g., all) levels of the system.

Abstract: A digital technique to reduce or minimize switching in a DAC by using a partial DAC data ignore switching mode. In the partial DAC data ignore switching mode, a control circuit compares first and second data, such a first and second digital words, and operates corresponding switches only when the first data differ from the second data. The techniques are applicable to many types of DACs, including voltage output DACs, current output DACs, variable resistance DACs, digital rheostats, digital potentiometers, digiPOTs.

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: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques for remote bus enable. In some embodiments, a communication system with remote enable functionality may include: a master transceiver coupled to a downstream link of a bus; a voltage regulator, wherein the voltage regulator has a voltage output and an enable input, and the voltage output is coupled to the master transceiver; and a switch coupled to the enable input of the voltage regulator.

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: A detector for use in detecting reflected or scattered light pulses for a lidar system includes a primary lens, a secondary lens, and a photodiode array. The primary lens is configured to collect and focus the light pulses, the secondary lens is configured to receive and further focus the light pulses from the primary lens, and the photodiode array is configured to receive and sense the light pulses from the secondary lens. At least one of the primary lens or the secondary lens are configured using liquid crystal polymer (LCP).

Abstract: Sensing devices are described. A sensing device includes an inertial sensor, a read-out circuit configured to determine first data indicative of an acceleration of the structure using an output of the inertial sensor, an energy harvester configured to capture energy, and a power management unit. The power management unit comprises a plurality of energy storage components coupled to the energy harvester and a plurality of switches coupled to respective energy storage components of the plurality of energy storage components. The power management unit monitors energy levels stored in the energy storage components, selectively charges the plurality of energy storage components by selectively activating the plurality of switches, and provides power to one or more of the inertial sensor and the read-out circuit based on the monitored energy levels.

Abstract: A new method and circuit arrangement for operating an electric motor, such as a stepper motor, in a control loop for preventing motor stall, the electric motor comprising at least a first motor coil and a second motor coil, the method comprising: operating the electric motor at a velocity equal to the target velocity; receiving a load value associated with an electric motor load; and determining whether the load value is greater than a load value threshold. Based on a determination that the load value is greater than the load value threshold decreasing the velocity of the electric motor to a velocity less than the target velocity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a magnetic field sensor system, comprising an AMR magnetic field sensor and an overcurrent detection sensor. The overcurrent detection sensor comprises an AMR sensing element connected in a half bride arrangement with a field insensitive component. The output of the overcurrent detection sensor is able to monitor the strength of the magnetic field experiences by the sensor system, and detect if the magnet field goes beyond a sensing threshold of the AMR magnetic field sensor. Outside of this threshold, the AMR magnet field sensor is unable to provide a measurement of the magnetic field strength. The overcurrent detection sensor can therefore detect that the system is operating in very high magnetic fields, which in turn can indicate that there is overcurrent in the system.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometers are described. The MEMS accelerometers may include multiple proof mass portions collectively forming one proof mass. The entirety of the proof mass may contribute to detection of in-plane acceleration and out-of-plane acceleration. The MEMS accelerometers may detect in-plane and out-of-plane acceleration in a differential fashion. In response to out-of-plane accelerations, some MEMS accelerometers may experience butterfly modes, where one proof mass portion rotates counterclockwise relative to an axis while at the same time another proof mass portion rotates clockwise relative to the same axis. In response to in-plane acceleration, the proof mass portions may experience common translational modes, where the proof mass portions move in the plane along the same direction.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to detecting and recording information associated with electrical overstress (EOS) events, such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. For example, in one embodiment, an apparatus includes an electrical overstress protection device, a detection circuit configured to detect an occurrence of the EOS event, and a memory configured to store information indicative of the EOS event.

Abstract: A giant magnetoresistance (GMR) element is provided for use in a magnetic multi-turn sensor in which the free layer, that is, the layer that changes its magnetization direction in response to an external magnetic field so as to provide a resistance change, is thick enough to provide good shape anisotropy without exhibiting an AMR effect. To achieve this, at least a portion of the free layer comprises a plurality of layers of at least two different materials, specifically, a plurality of layers of at least a first material that is ferromagnetic and a plurality of layers of at least a second material that is known not to exhibit an AMR effect and that does not interfere with the GMR effect of the layers of ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide miniaturized isolator modules capable of transferring power and/or data signals across an isolation barrier by way of a transformer while maintaining intrinsic safety (IS) compliance. For example, the isolator modules may provide power from a non-IS side to an IS side of the isolation barrier while protecting the IS side in the event of an overvoltage and/or overcurrent event on the non-IS side. In some aspects, an isolator module includes one or more silicon protection devices, which facilitate the miniaturization of the isolator module while maintaining protection against overvoltage and/or overcurrent events in accordance with IS standards. In some aspects, an isolator module includes a transformer adapted for IS compliance. For example, coils of the transformer may be disposed on opposing sides of an isolation barrier having a thickness of at least 200 microns.

Abstract: Testing of a battery module can be conducted using monitoring electronics attached to the battery module. Stimulus can be applied to the battery module and removed. After removal of the stimulus, the monitoring electronics can collect signals from the monitoring electronics reflecting parameters of the battery module as it relaxes back to a non-stimulated state. The stimulus can be provided by test equipment or by components of a system in which the battery module, having attached monitoring electronics, is implemented. The monitoring electronics attached to the battery module can provide autonomous recording of signals associated with the battery module that can provide data regarding the status of the battery module or one or more batteries contained in the battery module.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating an electrolyzer. The systems and methods include operations comprising: forming an electrical series connection through the plurality of electrolytic cells; bypassing a first electrolytic cell using bypass circuitry included in a first bipolar plate to electrically remove the first electrolytic cell from the electrical series connection while maintaining flow of current through a second of electrolytic cell; monitoring one or more parameters of the plurality of electrolytic cells; and generating, based on the one or more parameters, a model representing operating conditions of the electrolytic cells on an individual electrolytic cell basis.