Abstract: A single ended input circuit can receive an input signal and generate a correction voltage corresponding to a common mode voltage of the input signal. A comparison of the input signal can be adjusted in response to the correction voltage. In one arrangement, an input circuit (100) can include a compare section (102) with first input (104-0) and second input (104-1). The first input (104-0) can receive an input signal (IN). The second input (104-1) can receive a reference voltage generated by a common mode detect and hold (CMDH) section (106). A (CMDH) section (106) can include an integrator circuit (108), an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit (110), a digital hold circuit (112), and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter (114). A correction voltage generated by integrating the input signal can be applied as the generated reference voltage.

Abstract: In a system with an intermittently operating radio, the frequency of which is controlled by a Phase Locked Loop (PLL), a method and system for reducing the power consumed by the PLL by tri-stating the control capacitor in the PLL after the PLL has stabilized at a design frequency. After the capacitor is stabilized, power to some of the components in the PLL is reduced.

Abstract: A compensation circuit is disclosed. The compensation circuit includes a driver stage having an output, a differential output device including a base coupled to the output of the driver stage, and a feedback block coupled to a first emitter of the differential output device. The differential output device includes a second emitter to provide a differential output, and the feedback block generates a feedback signal to adjust the differential output. The first emitter comprises a replicating transistor, and is proximate to the second emitter of the differential output device. By keeping the replicating emitter near the differential output device, the variances of temperature and process over the semiconductor die do not affect the performance of the compensation circuit. The compensation circuit may also compensate for variations in common-emitter current gain.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are described for a voltage tolerant input buffer. An embodiment of an input buffer includes a differential circuit and a plurality of switches coupled with the differential circuit. The plurality of switches applies a voltage to the differential circuit in a first state and isolate the differential circuit from the voltage in a second state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for time and space domain shifting of broadcast signals is disclosed. A broadcast station in a first geographic location transmits in a first time frame a broadcast signal to a local receiver also located in the first geographic location. The local receiver encodes the broadcast signal into an encoded signal capable of being transmitted via a world wide network, and then transmits the encoded signal via the world wide network. The transmitted encoded signal is received by a media player located within a second geographic location outside the first geographic location and coupled to the world wide network, and the encoded signal is decoded by the media player such that information contained within the signal is capable of being reproduced.

Abstract: A system and method comprising automatically detecting signal activity associated with a frequency band having a plurality of channels for wireless communication, automatically identifying at least one channel having a low level of signal activity relative to one or more other channels associated with the frequency band, and selecting at least one of the identified channels for communicating over the frequency band.

Abstract: A Universal Serial Bus (USB) device uses a same elasticity buffer for buffering packets for multiple different ports and only necessary packet detection circuitry is associated with the individual ports. A collision detection circuit is further included corresponding with information received from the packet detection circuitry. This simplified universal elasticity buffer architecture reduces the complexity and cost of the USB device.

Abstract: A bandgap circuit comprising a current generation circuit and a current replication circuit is provided herein. The output current of the current generation circuit is generated as a weighted sum of two currents. The circuit configuration of the current generation circuit allows it to function at low power supply voltages, e.g., on the order of 1 V. The current replication circuit includes an operational amplifier, which when configured in conjunction with MOS cascode current sources and the current generation circuit, significantly increases the accuracy and insensitivity to power supply noise of the bandgap circuit output current. A resistor may be included between the bandgap circuit output node and ground for generating a reference voltage with increased accuracy and insensitivity to power supply noise.

Abstract: A method for patterning a magnetic memory cell junction is provided herein, which includes etching exposed portions of a stack of layers to a level spaced above a tunneling barrier layer of the stack of layers. In addition, the method may include implanting dopants into exposed portions of the stack of layers. For example, the method may include oxidizing and/or nitriding the exposed portions of the stack of layers. In some embodiments, the steps of etching and implanting dopants may form an upper portion of the magnetic cell junction. Alternatively, the method may include alternating the steps of etching and implanting dopants throughout the thickness of the exposed portions of the stack of layers. In either case, the stack of layers may include a magnetic layer which includes a material adapted to prevent the introduction of dopants underlying the tunneling barrier layer during the step of implanting.

Abstract: An active pixel is described comprising a semiconductor substrate and a radiation sensitive source of carriers in the substrate, such as for instance, a photodiode. A non-carrier storing, carrier collecting region in the substrate is provided for attracting carriers from the source as they are generated. At least one doped or inverted region of a first conductivity is provided in or on the substrate for storing the carriers before read-out. At least one non-carrier storing, planar current flow, carrier transport pathway is provided from or through the carrier collecting region to the at least one doped or inverted region to transfer the carriers without intermediate storage to the read-out electronics.

Abstract: A circuit including a subcircuit having differential signals, and a feedback circuit coupled to the subcircuit. The feedback circuit is configured to measure an offset between the differential signals, to generate a calibration signal in response to the measurement, and to reduce the offset in response to the calibration signal.

Abstract: A method and system for initiating the oscillation of a crystal that controls a crystal oscillator by applying an initiating pulse to said crystal. The initiating pulse having a pulse width less than one half the periodicity of said crystal.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a pair of input signals to form driven output signals while reducing the amount of skew between the driven output signals. In one embodiment, a driver circuit includes a first set of drivers connected in series and receiving the first input signal to produce a first output signal; a second set of drivers connected in series and receiving the second input signal to produce a second output signal; a first transmission gate connecting an input of one of the drivers from the first set of drivers to an output of one of the drivers of the second set of inverters; and a second transmission gate connecting an input of one of the drivers from the second set of drivers to an output of one of the drivers of the first set of drivers. Each transmission gate may be provided with a control for enabling or disabling the transmission gate, thereby permitting the selective application of the de-skew function of the circuit and providing for reduced power consumption when the de-skew function is disabled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a dummy pattern having a plurality of dummy features (e.g., waffles) are employed to help achieve a relatively planar surface by chemical-mechanical planarization (CMP). The dummy features are placed based on a dielectric pattern density of a region of an integrated circuit. The dummy features may be added to the design of the integrated circuit using a one pass or two pass approach. The dummy features in a second pass may be fragmented using an AndNot algorithm, for example.

Abstract: A power control signal controls a low-power mode, a USB connection, and an asynchronous reset function for a bridge circuit. Another power control signal controls both a high power mode and a low power mode for an attached device. The two power control signals reduce the number of pins required on the bridge circuit for controlling its own power related operations and power related operations of the attached device.

Abstract: An amplifier circuit operable to provide symmetric current limiting. The amplifier circuit includes a common source amplifier for sourcing a current and receiving an voltage input, a current source, and a current limiting device coupled between the common source amplifier and the current source. The current limiting device is operable to limit the current sourced by the common source amplifier. A bias network coupled to the current limiting device biases the current limiting device. An output is coupled to the current limiting device. The amount of current that is sourced to the output of the amplifier circuit may be limited, such that current limiting is symmetrical.

Abstract: A memory device can include a group of memory cells, which can be arranged in a column (100) that receives power by way of a first cell supply nodes (106-0 to 106-m). A current limiter (110) can be situated between first cell supply nodes (106-0 to 106-m) and a power supply (VH), and limit a current (llimit) to less than a latch-up holding current (lhold_lu) for the group of memory cells (100). In a particle event, such as an ?-particle strike, a current limiter (110) can prevent a latch-up holding current (lhold_lu) from developing, thus preventing latch-up from occurring. Current limiter (110) can include p-channel transistors and/or resistors, and thus consume a relatively small area of the memory device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a passivation level includes a low-k dielectric. To prevent the low-k dielectric from absorbing moisture when exposed to air, exposed portions of the low-k dielectric are covered with spacers. As can be appreciated, this facilitates integration of low-k dielectrics in passivation levels. Low-k dielectrics in passivation levels help lower capacitance on metal lines, thereby reducing RC delay and increasing signal propagation speeds.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a semiconductor substrate, an isolation trench in the semiconductor substrate, and an alignment trench in the semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The structure also includes a dielectric layer and a metallic layer. The dielectric layer is on the semiconductor substrate and in both the isolation trench and the alignment trench. The dielectric layer fills the isolation trench and does not fill the alignment trench. The metallic layer is on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing an amount of power consumed by a USB device (such as a host/hub/peripheral device which may include a receiver, phy, synchronizer, or other component associated with a data path) adapted to communicate using one or more USB signals each having a synchronization field. In this example, the method may include measuring a length of the synchronization field; associating a power down level for an idle mode based in part on the measuring operation; and disabling one or more portions of the receiver when the USB bus is inactive and/or when the USB device is transmitting data. In this manner, the one or more portions of the receiver are disabled (i.e., powered off or placed in a low power standby mode) during a times when the bus is idle or when transmitting, which can reduce the total amount of power consumed by the USB device.