Abstract: A modulated signal is translated to a broadcast frequency by a translation phase lock loop. In the translation phase lock loop the output frequency, which is the broadcast frequency, is mixed with a translation frequency, and the resulting translated frequency is compared to the modulated signal. If an amplitude modulator is inserted into the translation loop, the phase comparison/feedback nature of the phase lock loop will tend to cancel the phase noise introduced in the amplitude modulation process. Any other circuits placed within the loop will tend to have any phase noise they introduce, which is in the phase lock loop bandwidth, canceled by the loop.

Abstract: A semiconductor device and method that provides for the manufacture of semiconductor devices using high temperature wire bonding in combination with build-up layers having a low glass transition temperature. Anchors are created to serve as thermal gateways, during wire bonding, for bonding pads located on the upper surface of the build-up layers. The anchors pass through the thickness of the build-up layers and contact the PCB core layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method and apparatus for removing photoresist material from a wafer surface. In particular, the present invention employs a dry strip process to remove photoresist material that remains after conductive material has been etched to form conductive features. The inventive process includes a reactive ion strip process that includes fluorine, which forms salts with conductive material embedded in the photoresist material. The salts are then removed from the wafer surface by dissolving them in a solvent such as deionized water.

Abstract: A variable gain coder-decoder is provided. The variable gain coder-decoder includes a variable gain amplifier in which the amplification gain may be adjusted in one-decibel steps. An analog to digital converter is connected to the variable gain amplifier. The analog to digital converter receives the amplified output of the amplifier, and performs an analog to digital conversion of the amplified output.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of ceramic tantalum nitride and improved structures based thereon is disclosed. According to the disclosed method, an ionized metal plasma (“IMP”) tool is used to create a plasma containing tantalum ions where the plasma is sustained by a mixture of nitrogen and argon gases. The percentage of nitrogen partial flow in the mixture of gases is adjusted so as to result in a layer of tantalum nitride with a nitrogen content of at least 30%. With a nitrogen content of at least 30%, the tantalum nitride becomes ceramic. The ceramic tantalum nitride presents a number of advantages. For example, the fabrication of ceramic tantalum nitride can be easily incorporated into fabrication of semiconductor chips using copper as the interconnect metal. Also, ceramic tantalum nitride can be used as an effective etch stop layer.

Abstract: A compression system and process include adaptive quantization for selection of one quantizer, for each video frame or frame portion, from a group of quantizers, where each quantizer is a set of predefined quantizer values, and coding of the quantized values using a common entropy coding table for all quantizers, or a separate entropy coding table for each quantizer. The entropy coding tables are obtained during a training procedure. The selection of the quantizer is based on a formula which takes into account the distortion and bit rate characteristics of each quantizer. A similar formula, based on the distortion and bit rate characteristics, is used to select the particular quantizer value within the chosen quantizer for each video signal value being coded.

Abstract: A differential oscillator based on a first Colpitts oscillator and a mirror image Colpitts oscillator that is coupled to the first Colpitts oscillator. This differential oscillator outputs differential voltage signals that are about 180 degrees out of phase. The differential oscillator may also be adapted to form a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) such that the differential voltage signals output by the VCO can be varied. A transceiver for telecommunication devices such as cellular phones may use differential oscillators to generate a carrier signal on which a voice or data signal is modulated and the same differential oscillators to assist isolation of the voice or data signal from received signals.

Abstract: Methods and structures are disclosed for advanced interconnects in sub-micron and sub-half-micron integrated circuit devices fabricated using a single damascene process. a dielectric etch-stop layer (e.g., silicon nitride) is deposited subsequent to rather than prior to CMP processing of the previous metallization layer (e.g., the conductive plug). This scheme effectively eliminates the effect of CMP-induced erosion on the etch-stop layer and therefore allows an extremely thin etch stop to be used. Moreover, a high etch-selectivity can be obtained for the trench etch, and all etch-stop material is removed from beneath the interconnect metal, thereby reducing parasitic effects. A patterned dielectric layer is used as a metal cap in place of the standard blanket silicon nitride layer, thus preventing the formation of blisters and bubbles associated with trapped moisture and gasses, and reducing interconnect capacitance.

Abstract: The envelope of a non-constant envelope signal is limited to certain maximum and minimum values. An envelope value is calculated for each pair of I-Q samples of the non-constant envelope signal and then is compared to the maximum and minimum values. If the envelope value lies above or below the maximum and minimum values, the I and Q signals are scaled so that the envelope value lies between these values. In some embodiments, the threshold values are selected to ensure that the probability that the envelope value will exceed these values is less than a predetermined amount (e.g., between 0.01 and 0.001).

Abstract: A communication system according to the present invention includes a first communication device having a first digital signal processor and a first codec and a second communication device having a second digital signal processor and a second codec. The second communication device is communicatively coupled with the first communication device via a communication channel. The first digital signal processor enables frequency division multiplexed sampling of signals from the first codec, and the second digital signal processor enables receipt of the division multiplexed sampling of signals from the first digital signal processor such that the sampling of signals is transmitted to the second codec in a manner so as not to interfere with other communications of the first communication device.

Abstract: A method for speech encoding and decoding usable in a Digital Telephone Answering Machine/Voice Memo for a cellular radiotelephone is provided. The apparatus uses parameter-based speech compression and decompression modules. These modules perform decimation of standard-type speech parameter frames before storing the message, and interpolation before playing the message, in order to substantially reduce the number of parameter bits in parameter frames of the stored speech signal. The result is a decreased demand for storage space and increased speed of speech compression and decompression.

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. For each bit rate mode selected, pluralities of fixed or innovation subcodebooks are selected for use in generating innovation vectors. The speech coder distinguishes various voice signals as a function of their voice content. For example, a Voice Activity Detection (VAD) algorithm selects an appropriate coding scheme depending on whether the speech signal comprises active or inactive speech. The encoder may consider varying characteristics of the speech signal including sharpness, a delay correlation, a zero-crossing rate, and a residual energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the reduction of poisoned vias in a submicron process technology semiconductor wafer by reducing the occurrence of over-etched vias through the inclusion of an etch-stop layer. Vias are created to connect conductive portions of a semiconductor wafer and if the vias are over-etched, the connection may be poor. In order to prevent the over-etching of vias, a three-step etch process is completed on a semiconductor wafer having an insulating layer, an etch-stop layer, a low dielectric constant layer, a conductive layer and a foundation layer. A via is first non-selectively etched such that the etch terminates within the insulating layer. The via is subsequently selectively etched such that the etch terminates at the etch-stop layer. Lastly, the via is again non-selectively etched through the etch-stop layer and the low dielectric constant layer such that the etch terminates at the conductive layer.

Abstract: A power management system for a mobile unit wherein the frequency of detecting a paging message may be controlled. The quality of the signal transmitted by a base station and the acceptable delay are determined by the mobile unit. The mobile unit compares these factors to the current paging message monitoring rate. If a further delay is acceptable, the present invention inhibits monitoring of at least one cycle of the paging message. Each cycle of the paging message inhibited conserves battery power in the mobile unit. The mobile unit also includes a technique for the user to disable the power savings feature.

Abstract: A single multi-layer carrier module is disclosed which carries the power amplifier components in a GSM mobile digital cellular telephone. In a first embodiment of the present invention the power amplifier and the power amplifier controller are placed upon a ceramic or laminate carrier module along with necessary connection circuitry. The carrier module is then connected to the RF board. In a second preferred embodiment of the present invention the power amplifier, the power amplifier controller and a voltage controlled oscillator are placed upon the carrier module.

Abstract: A transistor with a novel compact layout is provided. The transistor has an emitter layout having a track with a first feed point and a second feed point whereby current flows through both the first feed point and the second feed point. A base terminal, a collector terminal, and an emitter terminal are provided. When in operation, current flows from the collector terminal to the emitter terminal based on the amount of current provided to the base terminal. A sub-collector layer is formed on a substrate. A collector layer is formed on the sub-collector layer. A base pedestal is formed on the collector layer. A base contact for coupling to the base terminal and an emitter is formed on the base pedestal. An emitter contact for coupling to the emitter terminal is formed on the emitter. A collector terminal for coupling to the collector contact is deposited in a trench that is formed in the collector layer and the sub-collector layer.

Abstract: Pre-conditioning method and apparatus for mitigating erase-induced stress within flash memory devices are disclosed. The pre-condition method includes subjecting flash memory cell to a short write process to at least partially discharge the cells. The pre-condition process is applied to an entire sector at one time, and is performed immediately prior to erasing (charging) the cells within the sector.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to multiply-accumulate units for use in digital signal processors. Each multiply-accumulate unit includes a multiply unit which is coupled with two or more dedicated accumulators. Because of the coupling configuration, when an instruction specifies which accumulator should be used in executing an operation, the instruction need not specify which multiply unit should be utilized. A scheduler containing a digital signal processor's coupling configuration may then identify the multiply unit associated with the accumulator and may then forward the instruction to the identified multiply unit. Multiply-accumulate units can be configured to execute both scalar and vector operations. For executing vector operations, multiply units and their coupled accumulators are configured such that each may be easily grouped with other multiply units and accumulators.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving RF contact positioning in a RF test socket is disclosed. The RF test socket comprises a housing having a plurality of notches along one side for clamping to a RF test board and postioning a plurality of contacts in the notches between the housing and the RF test board. The plurality of notches are formed in a step fashion wherein when the housing is clamped to the RF test board, the housing deflects such that the plurality of contacts contact the RF test board with equal force. The plurality of notches are lower in a center of the housing and higher along the edges thereby defining a catenary shape of notches along the housing and are further machined to a specific height for applying equal force or the plurality of contacts.

Abstract: An improved microelectronic interconnect structure and methods for forming the structure are disclosed. The microelectronic interconnect structure includes an organic-based coating that facilitates formation of electrical connections to the structure. The coating may be used to reduce oxidation of copper interconnects, which allows wire or bump attachment to the copper interconnect using conventional wire bonding or bump interconnect methods and apparatus. The coating is applied during a post chemical mechanical polishing process by placing the interconnect structure into a solution.