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: 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.

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: Apparatus and methods for amplifier input-overvoltage protection with low leakage current are provided herein. In certain embodiments, amplifier input circuitry for an amplifier includes a pair of input terminals, a pair of input transistors each having a control input (for instance, a transistor gate), a pair of protection transistors each connected between one of the input terminals and the control input of a corresponding one of the input transistors, and a bidirectional clamp connected between the control inputs of the input transistors. Implementing the amplifier input circuitry in this manner provides a number of advantages including, but not limited to, robust protection against input overvoltage and low input-leakage current.

Abstract: Navigation systems and methods for autonomous vehicles are provided. The navigation system may include multiple navigation subsystems, including one having an inertial measurement unit (IMU). That unit may serve as the primary unit for navigation purposes, with other navigation subsystems being treated as secondary. The other navigation subsystems may include global positioning system (GPS) sensors, and perception sensors. In some embodiments, the navigation system may include a first filter for the IMU sensor and separate filters for the other navigation subsystems.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for compressing and decompressing data in an ultrasound beamformer. The systems and methods include an encoder for compressing delay data based at least in part on a smoothness of a delay profile, and for compressing apodization data based at least in part on a smoothness of an apodization profile.

Abstract: Micro-scale planar-coil transformers including one or more shields are disclosed. The one or more shields can block most common-mode current from crossing from one side to another side of a transformer. Reduction of common-mode current crossing the transformer results in reduction of dipole radiation, which is the main component of electromagnetic interference (EMI) in some transformers.

Abstract: A method for determining, in an optical detection system, a distance to a target region includes obtaining first and second light pulses from a signal generator within the optical detection system and obtaining samples of the respective first and second light pulses, where the samples having a first temporal resolution. The method also includes generating a reference waveform having a second temporal resolution by combining the samples of the respective first and second light pulses, where the second temporal resolution being higher than the first temporal resolution. The method further includes obtaining a reflection of a third light pulse from the target region and determining an arrival time of the reflection of the third light pulse using the reference waveform.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compensating supply sensitive circuits for supply voltage variation are provided. An electronic system includes a power supply that outputs a supply voltage having a nominal voltage level, a supply conductor for routing the supply voltage, and a group of integrated circuits (ICs) that each receive the supply voltage from the supply conductor. Each IC includes a supply sensing circuit that generates a sense signal based on a local voltage level of the supply voltage at the IC, a bias control circuit that adjusts a bias signal based on the sense signal to account for a difference between the nominal voltage level and the local voltage level of the supply voltage, and a signal processing circuit biased by the bias signal.

Abstract: RF systems configured to implement full-duplex wireless data transfer for rotary joints are disclosed. An example RF system includes a 60 GHz short distance communication link implemented using elliptically (e.g., circularly) polarized antennas. Such a system may provide a mm-wave, high-speed, wideband wireless communication link in a manner that is associated with simpler design and operation, mechanical integrity, and reduced power consumption, compared to alternative solutions.

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: An integrated circuit (IC) heater circuit comprises a drive circuit configured to increase the temperature of the IC when consuming power; a temperature sensor coupled to a control node of the drive circuit to activate and deactivate the drive circuit to provide an ambient temperature for the IC, wherein current of the temperature sensor varies with temperature; and a control circuit coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to adjust variation in the temperature sensitivity of the current of the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A cable includes a wiring assembly with a knuckle and wires bundled together. The cable also includes a connector assembly with a connector having connections for the wires, where the connections are arranged along a longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the connector assembly captures an end of the wiring assembly, and the knuckle of the wiring assembly is pivotally connected to the connector assembly. In some embodiments, the cable includes circuitry configured to authenticate the cable to a device connected to the cable by the connector and/or to authenticate the device connected to the cable. A control system includes control elements and/or subsystems coupled with a backplane adjacent to one another and cables configured to connect to the control elements and/or subsystems. Wiring assemblies of the cables can articulate to be parallel to each respective connector. Further, each cable can authenticate the cables and/or the control elements or subsystems.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide improved mismatch shaping for a digital to analog converter, the method including splitting an original input of a circuit into a plurality of time interleaved data streams; element rotation selection (ERS) logic to process the plurality of time interleaved data streams; and directing one of the plurality of time interleaved data streams to the ERS logic according to a decision of a data-weighted sigma-delta (SD) modulator. In other example implementations, the method can further include multiplexing one of the plurality of time interleaved data streams to be provided to a barrel shifter. In yet other examples, the method can include monitoring a difference between the plurality of time interleaved data streams as a basis for the directing such that a data sample rate for the digital to analog converter is reduced over a time interval.

Abstract: An integrated ion-sensitive probe is provided. In an example, an ion-sensitive probe can include a semiconductor substrate and a first passive electrode attached to the semiconductor substrate. The first passive electrode can be configured to contact a solution and to provide a first electrical voltage as function of a concentration of an ion within the solution. In certain examples, a passive reference electrode can be co-located on the semiconductor substrate. In some examples, processing electronics can be integrated on the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: Circuitry and techniques described herein can use a clamp circuit to provide back-drive compensation in applications where a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) device is to be controlled. A back-drive compensation circuit can be used to inhibit or prevent a linear output stage of a TEC control circuit from being forced out of its intended operating range. The clamp circuit can be implemented using a variety of circuit topologies, such as including a comparator arrangement with hysteresis. In another approach, a linear amplifier topology can provide clamping behavior, such as by injecting or sinking a current at the output node or an intermediate node to inhibit or prevent the output node or intermediate node from being driven outside a specified voltage range by an external source.