Abstract: One embodiment is a method comprising collecting photoplethysmography (“PPG”) data associated with a user using a biometric monitoring device; extracting a signal quality metric (“SQM”) from the collected PPG data; classifying the PPG data signal based on the extracted SQM into one of a plurality of signal quality levels; and determining based on the classification whether to increase, decrease, or maintain a power level of an LED of the biometric monitoring device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a measurement module for measurement of a multi-electrode resistive sensing element with improved noise performance and accuracy. In some embodiments, stimulation to the sensing element is provided by a current path that originates from a signal source, through a switch block, through a pair of terminals, and ending at a reference node such as ground. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is coupled directly to one or both of the terminals to digitize a voltage. The ADC is coupled to terminals on the sensing element to measure a sensed voltage signal before the sensed signal goes through the switch block. As a result, the measured voltage signal may be free of noise that could be picked up from passing through the switch block, and accuracy of the resistance measurements on the sensing element can be improved.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for a system to track usage of a software application on a remote device, without having connectivity to the remote device. The system transmits an activation token to a computing device different from the remote device to activate the software application, and receives a deactivation token generated by the remote device from the computing device when the software application is deactivated. The system uses transmission of an activation token and receipt of a deactivation token as indicators of start and end times of use of the software application. For example, the system uses the indicated start and end times to determine a billing period for use of the software application.

Abstract: A method and electronic device for configuring a PUF, wherein: PUF cells are configured to use a signal path; determining a winner of racing pairs of PUF cells in a first round and in a second round wherein winners of the first round are raced; the first and second round are repeated for different signal paths; determining, for each signal path, a comparison metric, wherein the comparison metric is based on the count of the outputs of the PUF cells having the signal path in common; determining an optimum signal path for the PUF from the respective comparison metrics; and configuring the PUF to use the optimum signal path.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to envelope regulated, digital predistortion (DPD) are provided. An example apparatus includes an envelope regulator circuit to process, based on a parameterized model, an input signal to generate an envelope regulated signal; a digital predistortion (DPD) actuator circuit to process the envelope regulated signal and the input signal based on DPD coefficients associated with a nonlinearity characteristic of a nonlinear component; and a DPD adaptation circuit to update the DPD coefficients based on a feedback signal indicative of an output of the nonlinear component.

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: Simple, low-cost systems and methods allow to shape the output spectrum of pre-equalized Tomlinson Harashima Precoding (THP)-equalized transmitters in a manner such as to create a relatively narrow DC null to facilitate transmission over DC-null channels in AC-coupled communication channels. Advantageously, this may be accomplished without significantly adding to the peak value of the to-be-transmitted signal and without the need to resort to high-order filters in the signal path or the use of recursive taps to compensate such filters.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides magnetic sensor system that includes a magnetic sensing device comprising a magnetic multi-turn sensor, and an initialization device for setting the magnetic multi-turn sensor in a known state ready for use. The initialization device is in the form of a substrate, such as a printed circuit board, comprising one or more wires. A strong electrical pulse is applied to the one or more wires, which thereby generate a magnetic field that is strong enough to cause the magnetoresistive elements of the magnetic multi-turn sensor to be filled with domain walls, thereby magnetizing each element into an initialized state.

Abstract: A bootstrapped switch circuit coupled to a timing circuit. The bootstrapped switch circuit comprises a charge pump coupled to the timing circuit. The bootstrapped switch circuit also comprises a logic circuit coupled to the output of the charge pump and the timing circuit. The logic circuit is capable of generating multiple control signals which can independently control the turn-on of switches in the voltage path between the inputs and outputs of the bootstrapped switch circuit.

Abstract: Systems and methods involving nanomaterial-based electrodes, such as supercapacitor and battery electrodes that can be flexible, are described.

Abstract: In a first aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a power converter or a power inverter, comprising: using a comparator to detect a negative voltage drop at a gate of a passive switch device, the negative voltage drop being indicative of an active switch device turning off; applying an adjustment time to a predetermined turn on time of the passive switch device so as to reduce the resultant dead time; and turning on the passive device once the resultant dead time has elapsed.

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: The disclosed technology relates generally to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to semiconductor devices including a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor and are configured for accelerating and monitoring degradation of the gate dielectric of the MOS transistor. In one aspect, a semiconductor device configured with gate dielectric monitoring capability comprises a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor including a source, a drain, a gate, and a backgate region formed in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device additionally comprises a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) including a collector, a base, and an emitter formed in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the backgate region of the MOS transistor serves as the base of the BJT and is independently accessible for activating the BJT.

Abstract: Systems and methods that combine multiple techniques such as supervised learning, data analytics, measurement hardware modelling and scalable sensing hardware to quickly deliver a highly optimized and production ready solution to cover the condition-based maintenance requirements of a specific physical asset.

Abstract: A zero trust 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 zero trust 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 zero trust industrial control system are provisioned with the security credentials for providing security at multiple (e.g., all) levels of the system.

Abstract: A numerically controlled oscillator system for maintaining a consistent phase reference while switching data rates may include a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) circuit. The NCO circuit may include a phase accumulator, a phase-to-signal mapping circuit, and a first free-running counter. The phase accumulator may receive a new phase value as an input in response to an update signal. The phase-to-signal mapping circuit may map a value from the phase accumulator to a periodic signal. The first free-running counter may continue counting, without being reset, while the numerically controlled oscillator system is switching digital data rates. The first free-running counter may be configured to provide the new phase value to the phase accumulator using a representation of a counter value of the first free-running counter and a frequency tuning word defined by a representation of a frequency of the periodic signal.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods related to time-interleaved polyphase linearization for a receive signal chain are provided. An example receive signal chain includes an input node to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal. The receive signal chain further includes a plurality of polyphase mixer circuitries including first mixers and first local oscillators to generate a plurality of phase-shifted downconverted signals based on the received RF signal. The receive signal chain further includes a first multiplexer to select one of the plurality of phase-shifted downconverted signals during each time slot of a plurality of time slots. The receive signal chain further includes signal conditioning circuitry comprising at least one nonlinear component. The signal conditioning circuitry conditions, during each time slot, a respective selected one of the plurality of phase-shifted downconverted signals to generate a conditioned signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide sensing of quadrants, angles, or distance using magnetoresistive elements. A quadrant or angle sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split into multiple angles to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A distance sensor can have magnetoresistive elements split and spaced apart to generate an output with reduced harmonics. A biasing conductor can alternatingly carry different amounts of current (different in at least one of magnitude or direction) for DC offset compensation or cancellation.

Abstract: Drive circuits and methods control a switching output stage. The drive circuit includes a control drive circuit coupled to a control node of a low side power transistor and a switching node of a switching output stage. The control drive circuit includes a slew rate control circuit to control the adjusted drive current on the control node of the low side power transistor responsive to the slew rate of the output voltage to cause the low side power transistor to provide a constant slew rate for the output voltage over a range of values for the output current. A reverse detector circuit is coupled to the switching node and to a control node of a high side power transistor in the switching output stage. The reverse detector circuit controls activation of the high side power transistor in response to the output voltage on the switching node reaching a switching threshold.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package can contain a semiconductor die and provide electrical connections between the semiconductor die and additional electronic components. The integrated circuit package can reduce stress placed on the semiconductor die due to movement of the integrated circuit package due to, for example, temperature changes and/or moisture levels. The integrated circuit package can at least partially mechanically isolate the semiconductor die from the integrated circuit package.