Abstract: Method and apparatus for extending a VCO tuning range. A shunt inductance connected in parallel with a varactor reduces the effective capacitance of the varactor and increases the capacitance ratio. This increases the VCO tuning range without increasing the tuning sensitivity variation and the phase noise.

Abstract: A silicon semi-conductor substrate includes a plurality of sequential devices therein, each sequential device requiring supply of clock pulses thereto at a selected system clock frequency. An infrared laser is disposed to expose the substrate to light pulses occurring at the system clock frequency. A plurality of photosensitive structures are distributed throughout the substrate such that each structure causes a respective sequential element to capture or latch data in response to the detection of the laser light pulses.

Abstract: An improved encoding technique improves the error detection provided in conventional communication systems. Traditional encoding systems for communication systems often utilize channel-coding in the form of block-coding and convolutional encoding. Block-coding typically utilizes parity bits for error detection. These parity bits are typically placed as a block at the end of the data frame. The present invention provides an improved encoder and decoder which utilize parity bits placed within the data and spread within the data bits for higher reliability.

Abstract: A copper bonding pad is directly supported by a copper via pad structure, the copper via pad structure having substantially the same geometry and dimensions as the copper bonding pad. The combination of the copper bonding pad and the copper via pad structure results in an increase in effective thickness of the copper bonding pad. Due to this effective increase in the bonding pad thickness, the bonding pad is more tolerant to the potential dishing problem caused by the CMP process. Additional metal pad structures and via pad structures are used below the bonding pad. The additional metal pad structures and via pad structures comprise alternating segments of interconnect metal and dielectric fillers, and alternating segments of via metal and dielectric fillers, respectively. The alternating segments of interconnect metal and dielectric fillers and the alternating segments of via metal and dielectric fillers prevent or reduce the potential dishing problem that otherwise exists in damascene and CMP processing.

Abstract: A system and method for providing soft modem and soft audio copy protection for hardware interfaces and software code utilized in an AC '97 architecture to prevent against unauthorized copying. The system confirms that a codec connected to the AC '97 architecture is provided by a desired supplier. The system performs a sample rate negotiation to determine an operating sample rate for data transfer. When the system provides a desired sample rate which does not correspond to a sample rate appearing in a predefined set of sample rates supported by an AC '97 architecture, the system expects the codec to echo back a predesignated sample rate during the sample rate negotiation indicating that a desired sample rate has been received which does not correspond to one of the supported sample rates.

Abstract: A system and method for a directional microphone system is disclosed. The directional microphone system can adaptively track and detect sources of sound information, and can reduce background noise. A first monolithic detection unit for detecting sound information and performing local signal processing on the detected sound information is provided. In the detection unit, an integrated transducer is provided for receiving acoustic waves and for generating sound information representative of the waves. A processor is coupled to the transducer for receiving the sound information and for performing local digital signal processing on the sound information to generate locally processed sound information. A base unit is coupled to the first monolithic detection unit and includes a global processor which receives the locally processed sound information and performs global digital signal processing on the locally processed sound information to generate globally processed sound information.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for decoding an incoming symbol stream comprised of a plurality of known missing symbols. Within the incoming symbol stream, those symbols corresponding the known missing symbols are replaced with a first set of values to create a modified symbol stream. The modified symbol stream is convolutionally decoded to produce a first decoded information bit stream. An error detection mechanism is performed on the first decoded information bit stream to determine a “pass” or “fail” indication. If the error detection mechanism produces a “fail” indication, a second set of values replaces the known missing symbols to produce a second modified symbol stream. The second modified symbol stream is convolutionally decoded to produce a second decoded information bit stream. The error detection mechanism is performed on the second decoded information bit stream.

Abstract: A D flip-flop circuit operating in master-slave configuration which has low power consumption and is capable of high-speed operation, and a method for lowering power consumption in such a circuit is provided. The circuit embodiment includes two latches, each with a switching and memory section, and two interlaced current sources. In response to the active high clock signal the master latch memory section uses the current from the first current source while the slave latch switching section uses the current from the second current source, and vice versa. The switching section of each latch is biased with a higher current than the memory section, to provide the circuit with low power consumption. The output current provided to the switching section is preferably substantially twice the magnitude of the current provided to the memory section. The ratio of the currents of the current sources for the switching and memory section is preferably in the range of about 30% to 70%, depending on the clock frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to tune a transconductance stage include a current source and a six inverting amplifier stage. The current source establishes the biasing points of first and second inverting amplifiers, which in turn, provide a signal to a common mode feedback loop. By establishing the biasing points of the first and second inverting amplifiers, the transconductance of these inverting amplifiers may be controlled. Control of the transconductance permits control of the cut-off frequency of the transconductance stage. Furthermore, the ability to control the transconductance allows for control of the DC gain. In addition, establishing the biasing points of third and fourth inverting amplifiers by a second current source further controls the transconductance of these inverting amplifiers. Thus, further control of the transconductance permits further control of the cut-off frequency and DC gain of the transconductance stage. Therefore, tunability of the transconductance stage is provided.

Abstract: A method for detecting nonlinear distortion over communication channels. The method utilizes moment invariants in determining whether nonlinear distortion exists. The method is particularly applicable to detecting the presence of nonlinear distortion over telephone lines that are used for modem communications. The detection of the presence of nonlinear distortion is important in order that appropriate processing operations be performed which are required in the presence of such distortion. The particular processing operations that are performed in the presence of nonlinear distortion function to improve the reliability of data transfer especially at higher data rates. The nonlinearity distortion is detected by calculating high order moment invariants of the error magnitude present at the input to the slicer stage in the receiver. The method of the invention is effective, in part, because the probability density function of the noise is different, i.e.

Abstract: A semiconductor device is provided in the form of a chip carrier (e.g., chip/IC scale carrier for RF applications) that includes an integrated circuit chip attached to a die attach pad. The device has an interconnect substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface, with a plurality of vias passing through the thickness of the interconnect substrate from the upper surface to the lower surface. The die attach pad is located on the upper surface of the interconnect substrate, and a heat spreader is located on the lower surface of the interconnect substrate. A first group of vias is positioned to intersect both the die attach pad and the heat spreader. A second group of vias is positioned away from the die attach pad and the heat spreader. The upper surface has a plurality of bond pads that are abutting the second group of vias and the lower surface has a plurality of lands that are also abutting the second group of vias.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing spectral shaping transmitted samples with a set of predetermined frequency characteristics and a predetermined set of allowable transmitted signal levels are disclosed. The method first calculates, for each of the transmitted samples, a running measure of unwanted components upto the current sample. It then computes, for each block of the transmitted samples, an objective function based on the running measure previously calculated. It then selects, for each block of the transmitted samples, at least one redundant sample to be added or at least one transmitted sample to be modified, at structured or randomized location within the block to optimize the objective function. The location of the dependent sample can further be fixed, scrambled (pseudo random) or randomized. The method of computing can be any one of the following: a Running Filter Sum, a Running Fourier Transform (“RFT”) or Fast FT (“RFFT”), or an RDS, for each transmitted sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the sensitivity of a radio frequency (RF) receiver at certain frequencies suffering from co-channel interference. In the preferred embodiment, when a reference frequency, FREF, generates significant harmonics for a received RF signal in a selected channel, the reference frequency is varied or offset by a small amount, &Dgr;F. The harmonics of the offset reference frequency, F′REF=FREF±&Dgr;F, are thereby shifted away from the frequency of the received RF signal, thus reducing co-channel interference. The offset amount &Dgr;F is chosen such that the same injection frequency synthesized from FREF can still be synthesized from FREF±&Dgr;F by shifting N by an integer amount, preferably to N+1 or N−1. However, the invention encompasses shifting N by other integer amounts.

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. The encoder produces a series of LSF (line spectral frequencies) vectors. For filter stability, each LSF vector comprises an ascending sequence of LSF values. Occasionally, pairs of LSF values are produced (or become through an introduction of channel error) out of ascending order. In response, the encoder performs frame erasure, LSF concealment or pair flipping. With a relatively large number of out of order pairs, frame erasure is applied. With a single out of order pair, within the LSF vector, the pair are flipped.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming an improved interconnect structure on a semiconductor body. A first metal layer is deposited on the semiconductor body. A sacrificial layer having a height is deposited on the first metal layer. The sacrificial layer and the metal layer are patterned to form separate metal lines with the sacrificial layer remaining on said metal lines. A low-k material is then deposited to fill the gaps between metal lines and to cover the sacrificial layer. The low-k material is then removed to a level within the height of the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is then removed. A protective layer is deposited on top of the metal lines and the low-k material. A dielectric layer is deposited over the protective layer. The protective layer protects the low-k material from attack by chemicals utilized by subsequent process steps to etch vias in the dielectric layer, to strip photo-resist, and to clean the vias.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating frame voicing decisions for an incoming speech signal having periods of active voice and non-active voice for a speech encoder in a speech communications system. A predetermined set of parameters is extracted from the incoming speech signal, including a pitch gain and a pitch lag. A frame voicing decision is made for each frame of the incoming speech signal according to values calculated from the extracted parameters. The predetermined set of parameters further includes a frame full band energy, and a set of spectral parameters called Line Spectral Frequencies (LSF).

Abstract: The described method and apparatus wirelessly test individual integrated circuit die on a wafer containing multiple die. The method incorporates activating a selected die on the wafer by wirelessly impacting the die with at least two beams of electromagnetic radiation so that the die receives radiation energy having at least a first energy level, thereby activating the die by causing a current to flow in the die. Each beam of electromagnetic energy individually has less than the first energy level required to activate the die. The beams of electromagnetic energy are directed so that they at least partially overlap on the selected die. In the region of overlap, the two beams together impact the die with an energy level at least equal to the first energy level required to activate the die. The method may additionally include detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the die in response to the electromagnetic energy received from the beams of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: An edge device for an ATM system includes a fire wall protection which proactively limits the number of cells per connection provided to the devices connected to the edge device. The edge device may be connected to ethernets, LANs, frame relay networks, communication equipment, work stations, or various other computer and communication equipment. The edge device preferably includes a counter for each connection associated with the ATM system. The counter is decremented each time a memory location in the host memory is utilized and incremented whenever the memory location is relieved of storing the data cell. An SAR unit operates to proactively prevent congestion by limiting each connection to a particular number of storage elements.

Abstract: A unique system for efficiently implementing filtered, phase shifted channels is disclosed. Instead of using separate transmit shaping filters for each channel, and modulating the filtered signals with phase-shifted carrier and one might suppose, the system phase rotates the signals for each channel and modulates such phase rotated signals with a single carrier. In addition, the system decomposes the phase rotations into 90° pre-filter portions and a post-filter portion of, for example, 45°. In an 8 channel system, such as proposed in the IS-95B standard, the channels are divided into two groups and the 90° phase rotations for each group are done at the input of the transmit shaping filters. A 45° phase rotation is then done for one of the groups at the output of the transmit shaping filter. Significantly, no multiplication is required.

Abstract: An improved thin-film capacitor and methods for forming the same on a surface of a substrate are disclosed. The capacitor includes a bottom conducting plate formed by depositing conductive material within a trench of an insulating layer and planarizing the conducting and insulating layers. A dielectric film is then deposited on the substrate surface, such that at least a portion of the dielectric material remains over the bottom conducting plate. A second conductive layer is then deposited over the surface of the substrate, patterned and etched such that at least a portion of the second conducting material resides over at least a portion of the dielectric material.