Abstract: Disclosed is a power management system for a portable phone, for example, a cellular phone operating according to a specific mobile communications standard GSM. The power management system comprises a switching module which switches automatically from a voltage provided by a battery to a voltage provided by an external power supply when the power management system is connected to an external power supply. Furthermore, the system comprises a module of voltage regulators, each regulator providing a preset voltage, and a first and second voltage converter. The first voltage converter transforms a first input voltage having a first value to an internal voltage having a lower value. The second voltage converter transforms a second input voltage having a second value to an internal voltage having a higher value. An included reset circuit provides an automated reset function. A logic array module is connected to input ports and is associated with a communications interface.

Abstract: An echo canceller has an adaptive filter with an input coupled to a digitized audio input producing samples at a first rate. The adaptive filter also produces an estimated digitized audio feedback signal at the first rate based upon a set of tap values. A controller is coupled to the adaptive filter and determines the values of the set of tap values. A shared processor is coupled to the adaptive filter and the controller. The shared processor services tasks of the adaptive filter and the controller as well as other devices. When the adaptive filter has converged upon an unknown echo channel response, the controller determines the set of tap values at a rate lower than the first rate.

Abstract: A pitch lag coding device and method using interframe correlation inherent in pitch lag values to reduce coding bit requirements. A pitch lag value is extracted for a given speech frame, and then refined for each subframe. For every speech frame having N samples of speech, LPC analysis and vector quantization are performed for the whole coding frame. The LPC residual obtained for each frame is then processed such that pitch lag values for all subframes within the coding frame are analyzed concurrently. The remaining coding parameters, i.e., the codebook search, gain parameters, and excitation signal, are then analyzed sequentially according to their respective subframes.

Abstract: K replacement for color digital image printing reduces the computational complexity and processing resource requirements of an image printing system. The invention is implemented using a variety of devices capable of reproducing image data including color photo-copy machines, color facsimiles, color printers, black and white printers, and digital printers. The image printing system is employed in a multi-functional peripheral capable of performing several functions. The image printing system detects whether or not ink is to be printed using all of the available print channels in the system. If ink is to be printed using a predetermined number of the print channels, the image printing system performs K replacement and applies error diffusion to a predetermined number of the print channels. In certain embodiments, K replacement is performed only when the spectral content of a given pixel falls within a predetermined range of a spectrum.

Abstract: Method for fabrication of on-chip inductors and related structure are disclosed. According to one embodiment, inductors are formed by patterning conductors within a certain dielectric layer in a semiconductor die. Thereafter, the entire dielectric layer in the semiconductor die is subjected to a blanket implantation or sputtering of high permeability material. According to another embodiment, a first area in a semiconductor die is covered, for example, with photoresist. A second area in the semiconductor die includes a patterned conductor which is to be used as an inductor. The patterned conductor is also covered, for example, with photoresist. The second area, excluding the covered patterned conductor, is subjected to implantation or sputtering of high permeability material. According to yet another embodiment, a first area of a semiconductor die is covered, for example, with photoresist. A second area in the semiconductor area includes a patterned conductor which is to be used as an inductor.

Abstract: A method of forming an improved interpoly oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) stricture in stacked gate memory cells is provided. The top oxide layer of an interpoly ONO stack is formed using Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposition (LPCVD) of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). As a result of the relatively low processing temperatures necessary for this step, degradation of the tunnel oxide and memory cell performance associated with high thermal-budget oxide growth processes is greatly reduced. Steam densification of the TEOS layer produces a robust top oxide for the ONO dielectric, and thus, greatly reduces erosion of the top layer TEOS during subsequent processing steps (i.e., in the context of a memory array embedded in CMOS core technology).

Abstract: A driver system for a power amplifier in a wireless communication handset. The driver system includes a driver and a current source. The driver drives the power amplifier at a level of linearity determined responsive to a variable input bias current provided by the current source. The current source varies the bias current, and thus the degree of linearity provided, responsive to the desired output power of the handset.

Abstract: A semiconductor package and a corresponding method of forming this package are provided. The semiconductor package includes a paddle and a semiconductor device mounted on the paddle. A passive electronic component is also mounted on the paddle and spaced apart from the semiconductor device. Interconnects provide a conductive path from a bonding pad of the semiconductor device to a bonding pad of the passive electronic component such that the passive electronic component and semiconductor device are operatively connected.

Abstract: An improved frequency detector circuit and method is disclosed for frequency acquisition. The frequency detector is particularly useful as part of a frequency loop in a standard two loop clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit because, for among other reasons, the frequency detector is not limited in frequency range. Typically a CDR circuit includes a phase loop and a frequency loop. The frequency loop includes an improved frequency detector which can be simplified as having two parts; a frequency too low detector (FTLD) and a dynamic leakage circuit (DLC). The FTLD monitors the incoming NRZ data and the VCO frequency looking for a rising edge of the VCO between two edges of the data. In one embodiment, the FTLD includes one or more flip-flops to detect the rise and fall of the data and to count the data and clock edges. The DLC is essentially a too high detector and includes a double edge sampler. The DLC monitors the beat frequency between the incoming NRZ data and the VCO.

Abstract: A system for testing a microelectronic circuit includes a test bed for mounting a microelectronic circuit, and a signal source for applying a signal to a microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. The system additionally includes a test probe for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic response signals from the microelectronic circuit mounted on the test bed. In a preferred form, the electromagnetic response signals are radio-frequency signals. The test system additionally includes a computer connected to be test probe for analyzing the electromagnetic response signals. An integrated circuit for testing on the test system has a test circuit portion that emits electromagnetic radiation in response to a predetermined signal applied to the test circuit.

Abstract: A modem system includes a programmable synchronization signal format that can be configured at a first modem in response to a request received from a second modem. The synchronization signal format may define a number of parameters of the synchronization signal, such as the sign pattern for symbols transmitted by the first modem during a training sequence. The specific parameters of the synchronization signal format may be associated with the design and operation of the second modem. For example, the particular timing recovery and automatic gain control schemes used by the receiver portion of the second modem may be optimally initialized with a synchronization signal having a specific length, amplitude, or spectrum. In one embodiment, a synchronization signal is configured to convey a single frequency tone for use during a synchronization routine. The modem system may also employ similar techniques to generate, transmit, and analyze a programmable line impairment learning signal.

Abstract: A communication system for monitoring and/or controlling communication parameters of a remote communication device. The communication system monitors a communication channel that is created between the remote communication device and controls the communication device by adjusting internal settings of the communication device that represent communication parameters. The communication device is communicatively coupled to a communication channel to carry out ongoing communications between the communication device and the communication channel. Further, a software module is associated with the communication device, and the software module accesses the internal settings of the communication device from a remote location via the communication channel and performs diagnostics such as monitoring, controlling, and configuring the communication device using the internal settings of the communication device.

Abstract: A multi-rate speech codec supports a plurality of encoding bit rate modes by adaptively selecting encoding bit rate modes to match communication channel restrictions. In higher bit rate encoding modes, an accurate representation of speech through CELP (code excited linear prediction) and other associated modeling parameters are generated for higher quality decoding and reproduction. A speech encoder employing various encoding schemes based upon parameters including an available transmission bit rate. In addition, the speech encoder is operable to identify and apply an optimal encoding scheme for a given speech signal. The speech encoder may be applied code-excited linear prediction when the available bit rate is above a predetermined upper threshold. Pitch preprocessing, including continuous warping, may be applied when it is below a predetermined lower threshold.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for plasma etching both metal and inorganic dielectric layers in a single chamber during deep sub-micron semiconductor fabrication. Fluorine based chemistries, or a mixture of fluorine and chlorine based chemistries, are used to etch the inorganic dielectric layer. A switch is then made to chlorine based chemistries, within the same etching chamber, which are utilized to etch the metal layer. Overetching may also be performed with chlorine based chemistries to clear any residuals.

Abstract: A speech encoding comb codebook structure for providing good quality reproduced low bit-rate speech signals in a speech encoding system. The codebook structure requires minimal training, if any, and allows for reduced complexity and memory requirements. The codebook includes a first and at least one additional sub-codebooks, each having a plurality of code-vectors. The codebook may be randomly populated. All even elements may be set to zero in a first codebook, and all odd elements may be set to zero on a second codebook. The resulting comb codebook includes code-vector combination of the code-vectors from the sub-codebooks. In certain embodiments, the code-vectors of the sub-codebooks may contain zero valued elements. In other embodiments where the code-vectors of the sub-codebooks contain only non-zero elements, zero valued elements may be inserted in between the non-zero elements of the sub-codebooks during the forming of the resultant comb codebook.

Abstract: A via is first etched in a dielectric. Then a conformal layer is deposited over the dielectric and the via to reduce an initial width of the via to a target width. A trench is then etched in the dielectric and the conformal layer. Since the width of the via is reduced from the initial width to the target width, the resulting final via has a high aspect ratio. The via and the trench are then filled with metal which contacts an interconnect metal situated below the via. In one embodiment, copper is used to fill the via and the trench and also as the interconnect metal below the via. In one embodiment, the dielectric is silicon dioxide or fluorinated silicon dioxide and the conformal layer is silicon dioxide. In another embodiment, the dielectric is silicon dioxide or fluorinated silicon dioxide while the conformal layer is silicon nitride. To etch the trench in the dielectric and the conformal layer, a timed exposure to a carbon fluoride based plasma is employed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for acquiring satellite signals to establish the exact spatial position of a cellular radiotelephone, in order to perform a timely dropoff or smooth handoff to another base station or frequency. The cellular radiotelephone is equipped with its own positioning system which uses satellite data to determine its spatial position. The communication system is preferably a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, and the positioning system is preferably a Global Positioning System (GPS). The method of the present invention may be used to determine the base station closest to the cellular radiotelephone. In the alternative, it may be used to compute a distance between the cellular radiotelephone and a location where the quality level of the cellular radiotelephone communication signal is predicted to be less than the predetermined value, and to determine from the computed distance whether the cellular radiotelephone should be handed off.

Abstract: A wireless communications device uses an amplifier module to transmit signals. The amplifier module is configured to amplify a signal. The amplifier module includes an amplifier circuit and a control module. The control module is configured to vary the operating parameters of the amplifier circuit based on a desired output power level. The control module relies on stored data values to dynamically vary the operating parameters of the amplifier circuit so as to increase the efficiency of the amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless voice and computer communications sample voice data from an audio input or telephone line, convert the sampled data with a codec and audio engine to compressed, digital samples, generate RF signals representing the digital samples with a wireless modem, transmit and receive RF frames including such RF signals with a radio transceiver, decompress digital samples with the audio engine, convert the digital samples to analog with the codec and output analog audio signals. The system and method also receive bitstream data from a computer with a communication port or from a telephone line with a modem, generate RF signals representing the bitstream data with the wireless modem, transmit and receive with the radio transceiver RF frames including RF signals representing bitstream data, and output to a computer or telephone line bitstream data.

Abstract: A transfer function generator provides the ability to provide a non-linear response in a feedback loop to compensate for non-linearities introduced elsewhere in the system. The transfer function generator includes a non-linear function generator configured to provide an output current that is a non-linear function of an input signal representing an error to be corrected. The transfer function generator can also include a linear function generator configure to provide a linear output current as a function of an input current representing the error corrected. Tuning devices can be provided to adjust the turn-on level of the non-linear function generator and the output level of the linear function generator to allow the transfer function generator flexibility in implementation.