Patents Assigned to EM Microelectronics-Marin SA
  • Patent number: 9537647
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for processing UHF signals for an EPC communication. The method includes the steps of picking up UHF signals by an antenna of the device for processing UHF signals, creating an envelope signal from the UHF signals picked by the antenna in a demodulator, processing the envelope signal and decoding critical TRcal symbol and data in a logic unit of the device. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of interpreting the critical TRcal symbol and data, storing the interpreted data, encoding transmit data, modulating by encoded data in a modulator, and clocking the steps as above by a local oscillator. In the step of processing the envelope signal, the critical TRcal symbol is processed by a high frequency clock and data are processed by a low frequency clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Tomas Marek, Tomas Hrdy, Lubos Hradecky
  • Patent number: 9535109
    Abstract: A fault detection assembly of an integrated circuit having a supply port, an input port and a ground port. The fault detection assembly includes a first diode connected with one end to the supply port and connected with the other end to the input port, a second diode connected with one end to the input port and connected with the other end to the ground port, at least a first fault detection transistor of MOS type. At least one of first and second diodes includes a first diode-connected MOS transistor whose gate is connected to the gate of the first fault detection transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Lubomir Plavec, Zdenek Lukes
  • Patent number: 9528831
    Abstract: The electronic circuit measures angular speed in a gyroscope, which includes a mass connected to a spring and a damping element, an actuation capacitor for actuating the mass and a detection capacitor for detecting motion of the mass. The electronic circuit includes a measurement resistor, which is connected to the moving mass and has a variation in resistive value equal to the oscillation frequency of the mass. The resistor is polarized to supply a measurement signal, which includes a carrier signal in phase with the oscillation of the mass and an angular speed signal phase shifted by ?/2 relative to the carrier signal The measurement signal is supplied to an integration unit clocked by a clocking signal phase shifted by ?/2 relative to the carrier signal and originating from the drive circuit. The angular speed signal is demodulated at the integration unit output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Christophe Entringer, Alexandre Deschildre, Sylvain Grosjean
  • Publication number: 20160372163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a memory circuit comprising: at least one bit cell for storing data and having a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein one of said terminals is coupled to a bit-line, at least one current switch connected to the bit-line and connected to a current source and being operable to selectively provide a current to the bit cell, a sense amplifier having at least one input connected to a sensing node on the bit-line, wherein the sensing node is located between the bit cell and the at least one current switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Lubomir PLAVEC, Filippo MARINELLI
  • Patent number: 9501731
    Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-frequency transponder for communicating at a first frequency according to a first communication protocol and at a second different frequency according to a second communication protocol. The transponder comprises a first physical memory for storing a first data of the first communication protocol; a second physical memory for storing a second data, different from the first data, of the second communication protocol; and a logic unit for accessing the first and second physical memories. The logic unit comprises a first control unit for handling communications according to the first protocol, and a second control unit for handling communications according to the second protocol. The transponder comprises a mapping memory to store a logical memory map of the first or second physical memories. The logical memory map comprises mapping information for the first or second control unit to access data items in first and second physical memories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Jiri Kolman, Jan Kubis, James Springer
  • Patent number: 9494542
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring circuit comprising a control block for controlling said circuit, a time base for providing a clock signal (fclk) in order to time said circuit, a sensor block which is designed to provide an output signal, said measuring circuit comprising in addition a first counting block which is timed to the clock frequency and a second counting block which is timed by the frequency of the output signal of the sensor block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventor: Pinchas Novac
  • Publication number: 20160301516
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for processing UHF signals for an EPC communication. The method includes the steps of picking up UHF signals by an antenna of the device for processing UHF signals, creating an envelope signal from the UHF signals picked by the antenna in a demodulator, processing the envelope signal and decoding critical TRcal symbol and data in a logic unit of the device. Furthermore, the method includes the steps of interpreting the critical TRcal symbol and data, storing the interpreted data, encoding transmit data, modulating by encoded data in a modulator, and clocking the steps as above by a local oscillator. In the step of processing the envelope signal, the critical TRcal symbol is processed by a high frequency clock and data are processed by a low frequency clock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Tomas MAREK, Tomas HRDY, Lubos HRADECKY
  • Patent number: 9411992
    Abstract: The protocol management method concerns a RFID transponder which comprises first and second field detectors respectively for first and second interrogation fields in order to watch for the reception of these first or second interrogation fields at least respectively during executions of corresponding first and second communication protocols. If during the execution of a communication protocol the reception of the corresponding interrogation field is no more detected by the corresponding field detector while the power provided by the power generator remains equal or superior to the requested power level, then this communication protocol is stopped and the RFID transponder enters a Standby state. When the transponder is in this Standby state, the corresponding field detector continues to watch for the reception of the corresponding interrogation field in order to detect if it is again received and, if this is the case, to trigger a restart of this corresponding communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Tomas Marek, Jan Bicak, Jiri Kolman, Petr Bily
  • Patent number: 9391520
    Abstract: The DC-DC converter includes an inductor cooperating with a first switch and a second switch operating alternately, in order to supply an output voltage of higher, equal or lower level than the level of an input voltage. The converter includes a switching control unit for the switches for determining a first switching time for the first switch and a second switching time for the second switch. The switching control unit includes a voltage-current conversion circuit for converting into current a comparison voltage, which is the difference between the output voltage and the input voltage, a first current being supplied by the conversion circuit for charging a first capacitor to a first voltage threshold to determine the first switching time and a second current being supplied by the conversion circuit for charging a second capacitor to a second voltage threshold to determine the second switching time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Jérôme Saby, Yves Theoduloz
  • Publication number: 20160182128
    Abstract: A communication beacon including a calculation unit associated with a memory module for data storage and with a communication circuit, the beacon being powered by a power unit, the communication circuit including a first interface unit using a first protocol, a second interface unit using a second protocol, the memory unit including a first memory unit and a second memory unit each memory unit being electrically connected to each interface unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventor: Hugues Blangy
  • Patent number: 9360504
    Abstract: An envelope detector circuit, suitable for use in RFID tags, includes a voltage doubler circuit and a biasing voltage generating circuit which comprises components matched respectively to rectifying components of the voltage doubler circuit. A rectifying component of this voltage doubler circuit is formed by a transistor controlled by the biasing voltage generating circuit which provides a biasing voltage to a control gate of this transistor, the biasing voltage generating circuit being arranged so as to permit a determined forward biasing current to flow through the transistor and further rectifying elements of the voltage doubler circuit. This embodiment provides fast, highly sensitive detection of envelope waveforms in input signals. Thanks to the matched rectifying components, efficiency variations due to variations in manufacturing process can be eliminated. The envelope detector circuit is further arranged for maintaining a stable detection independent of variations in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Nicolas Pillin, Goran Stojanovic, Tony Ghueldre
  • Publication number: 20160141052
    Abstract: The electronic memory device comprises a non-volatile memory matrix organized in rows and columns, an address decoder with address input lines for selecting a row according to a particular address given on the address input lines. Additional address mask input lines are provided, each address mask input line being assigned to an address input line, wherein an address mask input line in activated state has the effect of ignoring the assigned address input line. The method for testing said electronic memory device is performed with a significant lower number of read/write operations, since by ignoring a particular address line a plurality of write operations can be performed simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Lubomir PLAVEC, Filippo MARINELLI, Miloslav KUBAR
  • Patent number: 9268414
    Abstract: A method for measuring relative motion between an illuminated surface and an optical sensing device comprising a coherent light source and a photodetector array is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Lawrence Bieber, Michel Willemin
  • Publication number: 20160041226
    Abstract: A circuit configuration for secure application includes several internal frequency detectors arranged in digital units at critical points of an integrated circuit. The clock detectors are concealed in the digital part of the integrated circuit each as a standard cell (flip-flop unit) in order to prevent any external manipulation and in order to hide its function. The clock detectors are preferably disposed in a clock tree topology, which can be at several levels for distributing the clock signal through the different digital unit tree at critical points. Alarms are generated via a clock detector network if at any level an external clock attack has been monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventor: Fabrice WALTER
  • Publication number: 20150260781
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fault detection assembly of an integrated circuit having a supply port, an input port and a ground port. The fault detection assembly comprises a first diode connected with one end to the supply port and connected with the other end to the input port, a second diode connected with one end to the input port and connected with the other end to the ground port, at least a first fault detection transistor of MOS type. At least one of first and second diodes comprises a first diode-connected MOS transistor whose gate is connected to the gate of the first fault detection transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Lubomir PLAVEC, Zdenek LUKES
  • Publication number: 20150176992
    Abstract: The electronic circuit measures angular speed in a gyroscope, which includes a mass connected to a spring and a damping element, an actuation capacitor for actuating the mass and a detection capacitor for detecting motion of the mass. The electronic circuit includes a measurement resistor, which is connected to the moving mass and has a variation in resistive value equal to the oscillation frequency of the mass. The resistor is polarized to supply a measurement signal, which includes a carrier signal in phase with the oscillation of the mass and an angular speed signal phase shifted by ?/2 relative to the carrier signal The measurement signal is supplied to an integration unit clocked by a clocking signal phase shifted by ?/2 relative to the carrier signal and originating from the drive circuit. The angular speed signal is demodulated at the integration unit output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Christophe ENTRINGER, Alexandre DESCHILDRE, Sylvain GROSJEAN
  • Patent number: 9047527
    Abstract: Method for reading a barcode by means of an optical reader arranged to capture at a determined sampling frequency a series of partial images of the barcode by a sensor having at least one line of pixels. According to the invention it is provided to determine in each partial image a logical value as a function of the light intensity received by a central pixel of the line of pixels and a corresponding bar width when this bar is completely incorporated into the partial image in question. By only setting a maximum speed for the speed of movement of the barcode and dimensioning the line of pixels to ensure that each bar of this barcode is completely incorporated into a partial image at least once, the sequence of bits defined by the barcode is determined by means of an algorithm ignoring the duplications detected in consecutive partial images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Christophe Entringer, Julien Coltier
  • Publication number: 20150146329
    Abstract: A circuit (1) is described for detecting a reverse current condition of a DCDC converter (2). This circuit uses a simple logic gate such as an AND gate to sense the voltage on a determined node (7) of the DCDC converter, and the propagation of the gated signal (27) is controlled using the timing control signals SW1 and SW2 of the DCDC converter, together with delay cells (16 and 17), to ensure that the positive or negative state of the sensed voltage at said node (7) is propagated cleanly through the logic gate (18), the flip-flop or latch circuit (19) and the up-down counter (29) to the output timing control circuit (25). The up-down counter is incremented or decremented in dependence on the presence or absence of a reverse current condition at said node, and the count value (24) of the up-down counter determines the duration of the on-period of the second-phase timing control signal SW2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Petr Drechsler, Yves Theoduloz
  • Patent number: 8994356
    Abstract: A method adjusts a reference voltage of an electronic circuit based on a band-gap voltage supplied by a first band-gap stage. The band-gap stage includes in a series arrangement, between two terminals of a voltage supply source, a current source connected to a first branch, which includes a first configurable resistor in series with a first diode, and to a second branch, which includes a second configurable resistor connected to a complementary resistor in series with a second diode. The band-gap voltage is supplied to a connection node between the current source and each branch. The current source is a PMOS transistor controlled by an output voltage of a first operational amplifier of a current control loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Yves Theoduloz, Richard Stary, Petr Drechsler
  • Patent number: 8909847
    Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for accessing a non-volatile watch memory, the watch comprising two supply terminals accessible from the outside that define a potential difference corresponding to a standard supply voltage, and a control circuit of the non-volatile memory produced using a technology supporting a predefined maximum supply voltage, the access procedure consisting of transmitting the following to the control circuit of the non-volatile memory by means of a supply terminal of the watch: a) an opening key to authorize access to the non-volatile memory; b) an instruction for access to the non-volatile memory; the procedure being characterized in that the opening key is a predefined instruction transmitted by modulation of the standard supply voltage such that this does not exceed the predefined maximum supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventor: Pinchas Novac