Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compound semiconductor protection clamps are provided herein. In certain configurations, a compound semiconductor protection clamp includes a resistor-capacitor (RC) trigger network and a metal-semiconductor field effect transistor (MESFET) clamp. The RC trigger network detects when an ESD/EOS event is present between a first node and a second node, and activates the MESFET clamp in response to detecting the ESD/EOS event. When the MESFET clamp is activated, the MESFET clamp provides a low impedance path between the first and second nodes, thereby providing ESD/EOS protection. When deactivated, the MESFET clamp provides high impedance between the first and second nodes, and thus operates with low leakage current and small static power dissipation.

Abstract: Switching interference is a primary artifact which affects the accuracy of arc detectors. To address switching interference, conventional arc detectors employ computationally intensive techniques which are often designed specifically for a target application. Thus, conventional arc detectors require a significant amount of hardware to accurately detect arc faults, which can increase costs of the power systems and prohibit wide deployment of arc detectors. With improved signal processing, a unique method for arc detection can accurately detect arc faults efficiently while tolerate switching interference from an inverter of the power system. Specifically, the method provides accurate but efficient arc detection by using a small Fast Fourier Transform with coherent sampling that is accomplished with a common clock generator in combination with signal conditioning. The overall system implementing the method is also programmable to suit a variety of target applications.

Abstract: An adaptive self-configuring sensor node is disclosed herein. The node is associated with one or more sensor, and can include a microcontroller unit (MCU), sensors and a wired/wireless communication module (e.g., transceiver) to communicate the data collected by the sensors. Sensor node software running on the CPU can be adaptively reconfigured based on the sensors connected with the node, and using configuration data that is read from a non-volatile memory (NVM). The NVM can further store loadable sensor device specific data acquisition and processing (DAP) routines corresponding to one or more of the sensors, which can be executed to configure a sensor or cause collection or processing of sensor data.

Abstract: Techniques for wirelessly charging smart textiles, such as smart garments, are provided. Aspects of the present application provide a smart garment device with an array of integrated coils and rectifiers that enable wireless charging of the device from a drawer or other enclosure that produces a roughly uniform AC magnetic field. The smart garment can draw power from the magnetic field once placed within the enclosure, regardless of how the garment is placed in the enclosure. The method can be applied to garments of any shape, and multiple garments can be charged simultaneously by placing the multiple garments into the same magnetic field.

Abstract: Techniques for fabricating low-loss magnetic vias within a magnetic core are provided. According to some embodiments, vias with small, well-defined sizes may be fabricated without reliance on precise alignment of layers. According to some embodiments, a magnetic core including a low-loss magnetic via can be wrapped around conductive coils of an inductor. The low-loss magnetic vias can improve performance of an inductive component by improving the quality factor relative to higher loss magnetic vias.

Abstract: A system and device including reconfigurable physical unclonable functions (‘RPUFs’) and threshold cryptography uses cryptographic and physical means of security. A plurality of reconfigurable physical unclonable functions (‘RPUFs’) and a memory are connected to a processor that is configured to derive information associating the RPUFs with cryptographic shares of a sensitive value, store such information in the memory, and reconfigure a RPUF upon powering up of the device such that information stored in the memory is not valid for the reconfigured RPUF.

Abstract: Various embodiments enhance security and tamper resistance of device or components having a hardware intrinsic identity. For example, devices or components having PUFs can map challenges and helper values to a secret or share of secret to utilize a local identity in cryptographic operations. A plurality of components having individual identities can be extend so that the plurality of components can enroll into a shared global identity. Shares of the global identity can be distributed among the plurality of components or devices such that at least two devices must provide at least two shares of the global identity (or threshold operations on the at least two shares) to successfully use the global identity. Such sharing mitigates adversarial tampering attack o the global identity. Share refresh protocols can provide additional security, enable introduction of new components or devices to the global identity, and allow removal of existing components or devices.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a circuit is provided that includes a current source with a calibrated trim circuit whose output current varies with transconductance of the current source, and tracks a current mismatch between the current source and another current source under varying bias currents and temperatures. The trim circuit may include at least one calibration digital to analog converter (CAL DAC), which may be driven by a bias circuit generating current proportional to the transconductance of the current source. In an example embodiment, the trim circuit may include at least two CAL DACs, whose output current may vary with bias current only, and with bias current and temperature. A method to calibrate the CAL DACs includes varying calibration settings of the CAL DACs under different bias currents until the output current of the trim circuit substantially accurately tracks the current mismatch under disparate bias currents and temperatures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automatic exposure detection feature for adding to an x-ray panel readout device, including an imaging panel having a low power mode, a sense circuit for receiving an input signal in the low power mode and restricting an input signal voltage to a first voltage, and a sensor for sensing a change in the input signal voltage, wherein the change in input signal voltage indicates exposure to an x-ray signal.

Abstract: One or more hardware identity circuits (which may be reconfigurable) may be employed in a device or system in order to impose a tampering penalty, preferably without relying on battery-backed volatile memory to do so. The device or system may also include a cryptographic division and distribution (‘sharing’) of a secret internal to the device or system.

Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical instrument using 3-axis magnetic positioning, system and methods thereof. This invention describes two key ideas that enable the development of a magnetic position system based on integrated anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) magnetic field sensors. This achieves the resolution, power and area targets necessary to integrate 3 axes anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) sensors along with the Analog Front End integrated circuit (IC) in a 4 mm by 350 um integrated solution for catheter applications. The stringent area and power dissipation requirements are met by development through both system level solutions for higher field strengths and a minimally necessary Analog Front End (AFE) to meet the 1 mm rms resolution requirement in the power dissipation and area budget.

Abstract: System and apparatus for portable gas detection. Specifically, this disclosure describes apparatuses and systems for optical gas detection in a compact package. There is a need for a very compact, low-power, gas detection system for gases such as CO2, NOx, water vapor, methane etc. This disclosure provides an ultra-compact and highly efficient optical measurement system based on principals of optical absorption spectroscopy. It reduces the size of the instrument as well its power consumption by more than an order of magnitude making it possible to deploy it widely. There is an identified need for large number of distributed gas sensors to improve human health, environment, and save energy usage.

Abstract: A combined isolator and power switch is disclosed. Such devices are useful in isolating low voltage components such as control compilers from motors or generators working at high voltages. The combined isolator and power switch includes circuits to transfer internal power from its low voltage side to the switch driver circuits on the high voltage side. The combined isolator and switch is compact and easy to use.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: System and apparatus for measuring biopotential and implementation thereof. A device for mitigating electromagnetic interference (EMI) thereby increasing signal-to-noise ratio is disclosed. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to an elegant, novel circuit for measuring a plurality of biopotentials in useful in a variety of medical applications. This allows for robust, portable, low-power, higher S/N devices which have historically required a much bigger footprint.

Abstract: An inductive device may include a pair of half-shell magnetically-conductive housings joined together and defining an enclosed cavity between them. The inductive device may also include primary and secondary windings provided spatially within the cavity providing magnetic coupling between them. The windings may be electrically insulated from each other and terminals of the primary and secondary windings may traverse to an exterior of the inductive device.

Abstract: A soft start amplifier provides a soft-start function that controls a battery charging current in a feedback loop charging circuit by selecting the lowest voltage between a soft start voltage and an error derived control voltage. The lowest voltage is used as a control signal for controlling the battery charging current in the feedback loop charging circuit. The error voltage is a difference between a voltage proportional to the charging current and a voltage proportional to the target charging current while the soft start voltage is a voltage configured to ramp up with time. Using the lower voltage of the error voltage and the soft start voltage reduces the inrush current that may occur when the error derived control voltage spikes to the supply voltage in an attempt to correct the initial difference between the target charging current and a measured charging current.

Abstract: Mobile devices are increasing aware of the environment surrounding the mobile devices. In many applications, it is useful for the mobile device to be able to sense different types of hand grips and/or where fingers are positioned with respect to the mobile device. The present disclosure describes a capacitive sensing apparatus particularly suitable for sensing hand grips and/or finger tracking along edges of a mobile device. The capacitive sensing apparatus comprises strips arranged along two lines, and the respective lengths and spacing are designed to allow optimal response behavior for sensing hand grips and/or tracking fingers.

Abstract: Integrated digital isolators comprise a first transformer coil or capacitor plate mounted on an integrated circuit substrate, and separated from a second transformer coil or capacitor plate via an electrically insulating isolation layer. The electrical isolation that is achieved is dependent upon the material and thickness of the isolation layer. In order to reduce the amount of time required for fabrication whilst still allowing thick isolation layers to be deployed, in examples of the disclosure a pre-formed solid layer of dielectric material is bonded to the substrate over the first transformer coil or capacitive plate. The preformed solid layer is formed from a thick layer of solid dielectric material, which is ground to the required thickness, either prior to being bonded to the circuit substrate, or thereafter. Such techniques result in a thick isolation layer that is formed more quickly and with lower outgassing risk than conventional spin-coating or deposition techniques.

Abstract: Integrated digital isolators comprise a first transformer coil or capacitor plate mounted on an integrated circuit substrate, and separated from a second transformer coil or capacitor plate via an electrically insulating isolation layer. The electrical isolation that is achieved is dependent upon the material and thickness of the isolation layer. In order to reduce the amount of time required for fabrication while still allowing thick isolation layers to be deployed, in examples of the disclosure pre-formed sheets or tapes of dielectric material are applied to the substrate over the first transformer coil or capacitive plate, for example by being rolled onto the substrate using a heated roller. Such a technique results in a thick isolation layer that is formed using a simple process and much more quickly and reliably than conventional spin-coating or deposition techniques.