Abstract: A proximity sensing function is implemented using a collection of core independent peripherals (CIPs) in a microcontroller without software overhead to the central processor during operation thereof. A pulse width modulation (PWM) peripheral generates a high frequency drive signal that is on for a short duration to an ultrasonic transmitting transducer. An ultrasonic receiving transducer receives reflected ultrasonic pulses during an integration time window. The received pulses are detected and integrated into a voltage value. The integrated voltage value is compared to a prior voltage value average, and if different, generates a proximity sense signal of an object. Direction, distance and speed of the object may also be determined from the voltage values.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor manufacturing and the teachings of the present disclosure may be embodied in a semiconductor chip with an interconnect monitor. Some embodiments may include arrays of diodes on the semiconductor chip; each diode with a stack of vertical interconnects and metal contacts, the stack and the diode connected in series and control mechanisms for addressing the diodes. The control mechanisms may include first inverters for applying either a high or a low voltage to columns of the diode stacks, connected at one end of each diode stack.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a secure memory configured to store a programmable key, an interface for programming the programmable key in the secure memory, and a plurality of configurable features of the semiconductor device that are associated with the programmable key, each configurable feature having a set of multiple selectable configurations, wherein a value of the key defines a selection of one of the multiple configurations for each of the configurable features. For example, the key may include multiple sub-keys, each associated with one of the configurable features, wherein a value of each sub-key defines a selection of one of the multiple configurations for the configurable feature associated with that sub-key. In addition, the full programmable key may enable an additional functionality of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A serial transmission peripheral device for transmitting serial transmission data with a variable data length includes a pulse forming unit; and a register programmable to set a desired transmission length. The peripheral device is operable to determine an actual transmission length and calculate a length of a pause pulse and to add the pause pulse at the end of a transmission to generate a transmission having a constant length.

Abstract: In an evaluation method for a capacitive contact sensor with at least one transmitting and at least one receiving electrode, which are able to be brought into a capacitive coupling, —at the at least one receiving or sensor electrode a measurement signal is tapped, which represents the temporal course of the coupling capacitance between the at least one transmitting electrode and the at least one receiving electrode and the temporal course of the capacitive load of the sensor electrode, respectively, —a reference signal is created from the measurement signal, and —at least one detection signal is created, when the reference signal meets at least one detection criterion. An evaluation device may be coupled with at least one transmitting electrode and at least one receiving electrode or with at least one sensor electrode of the capacitive contact sensor and is adapted to carry out the above evaluation method.

Abstract: A temperature sensor peripheral generates an output voltage that is proportional to temperature, whose temperature coefficient can be adjusted to any desired value, whose temperature coefficient can be either positive or negative, whose room temperature voltage can be adjusted to any desired value, and whose temperature coefficient and room temperature voltage adjustments are independent from one another.

Abstract: A method for detecting a continuous circle gesture, has the following steps: receiving vectors representative of an object movement by a object detection unit; determining from the received sequence velocity vectors a sequence of velocity vectors or an approximation thereof; estimating an angle between subsequent velocity vectors; and determining a rotation direction.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor device with an electrode system has a first transmitting electrode and a first reception electrode, wherein the first transmitting electrode can be brought into capacitive coupling with the first reception electrode, and a second transmitting electrode and a second reception electrode, wherein the second transmitting electrode can be brought into capacitive coupling with the second reception electrode, a signal generator for feeding the first transmitting electrode with a first electric alternating signal and the second transmitting electrode with a second electric alternating signal, and a signal processing device, which is coupled with the first reception electrode and with the second reception electrode, and which is adapted to form a first measurement variable from the difference between a first electric value tapped at the first reception electrode and a second electric value tapped at the second reception electrode.

Abstract: A combined power and input/output system for an electronic device includes a host system; a target system operably coupled to the host system via a combined power and I/O line; and a power boost circuit in the target system for enabling a higher voltage target device.

Abstract: A LIN receiver includes a single, low power structure for both sleep and silent modes, with a single comparator for detecting LIN signaling during both sleep and silent modes as well as during active mode. In some embodiments, full receiving capability is implemented with a current as low as 5 microamps. In particular, dominant and recessive levels for the wakeup bloc are identical to those of standard LIN levels, fixed at about 3.5 V. Consequently, full LIN receiving capability is available during sleep mode.

Abstract: A multi-boot device capable of booting from a plurality of boot devices, each storing a boot image. The multi-boot device determines which boot device to load based on sequence numbers assigned to each of the boot devices. Some embodiments will make this determination using only hardware operations. The multi-boot device compares the sequence numbers of the available boot devices in order to determine the boot image to be loaded. The address of the selected boot image is then mapped to the device's default boot vector. The remaining images are likewise mapped to a secondary boot memory. The device then boots from the default boot vector. The user can change the boot device to be loaded by modifying one or more of the boot sequence numbers. The boot images can be updated without resetting the device by switching execution to and from boot images in the secondary boot memory.

Abstract: A method of forming a trench isolation (e.g., an STI) for an integrated circuit includes forming a pad oxide layer and then a nitride layer over a semiconductor substrate, performing a trench etch through the structure to form a trench, depositing a trench oxide layer over the structure to form a filled trench, depositing a sacrificial planarizing layer, which is etch-selective to the trench oxide layer, over the deposited oxide, performing a planarizing etch process that removes the sacrificial planarizing layer and decreases surface variations in an upper surface of the trench oxide layer, performing an oxide etch process that is selective to the trench oxide layer to remove remaining portions of the trench oxide layer outside the filled trench, and removing the remaining nitride layer such that the remaining oxide-filled trench defines a trench isolation structure that projects above an exposed upper surface of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A proximity-activated gesture circuit includes an activation receiver electrode, a transmitter electrode, additional receiver electrodes, a control circuit, and a signal processor circuit. The control circuit is configured to activate the transmitter electrode and additional receiver electrodes when a capacitance measurement by the activation receiver electrode reaches a threshold. The signal processor circuit is configured to interpret measurements from the additional receiver electrodes as a gesture.

Abstract: A receiver stage of a sensor system includes a receiver electrode and a loop filter. The loop filter is configured to activate electrical oscillation and thus the receiver stage when a capacitance measurement reaches a threshold and issue the capacitance measurement upon activation of the receiver stage. The capacitance measurement includes capacitance with respect to an inactive transmitter electrode.

Abstract: A system, method and device for providing over-current protection to USB ports comprised in a USB hub, whereby a single switch is used to control the power supply to one or more groups of USB ports based on determinations whether the current drawn by a group of USB ports has exceeded a predefined current limit. Embodiments provide the cost savings associated with gang mode power port switching and the reduced stress on USB components and individualized protection of USB ports associated with individual mode power switching. Embodiments utilize a plurality of current measurement units to measure the current drawn by each group of USB ports supported by a switch and further utilize a power port control logic unit to control the switch based on whether the current measurements have exceeded a current limit.

Abstract: Systems and method for a time-triggered communication channel in a synchronous network are disclosed. The systems and methods may include communicating in a repeated cycle wherein each of the plurality of nodes has a dedicated slot, wherein a cycle comprises n subsequent slots, and wherein each slot comprises a plurality of frames, defining a centralized schedule that associates each node to an associated slot comprising a start frame and an end frame, and transmitting by each node only during the associated slot comprising said start frame.

Abstract: A pulse oximetry measurement system uses a pseudo-random noise generator to stimulate one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The light amplitudes from these LEDs, after passing through a part of a body, are detected by a phototransistor or photodiode and digitized with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The digitized ADC light amplitude values are re-correlated with the outgoing pseudo-random noise stimulus. Spread spectrum techniques are known for their noise mitigation properties, and ability to pass multiple signals through the same medium without interference. Thus, these measurements can be performed substantially simultaneously with minimal interference from each other.

Abstract: In a system and method for wireless communication with a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter is operable to wirelessly transmit digital information to the receiver with a plurality of data transmission rates using a modulation format, wherein the digital information is transmitted using a transmission frame including a header part and a payload part, and the header part comprises a preamble, wherein the modulation format is the same for all data transmission rates and wherein the data transmission rate is at least encoded into the preamble of the frame, and wherein the receiver is configured to determine the data transmission rate when receiving the preamble.

Abstract: A blue-tooth communication system and a broadcasting method therefor are provided. The broadcasting method includes: detecting N blue-tooth receivers in a blue-tooth range of a blue-tooth transmitter; broadcasting a data package during at least one transmitting timing window by the blue-tooth transmitter; and receiving N returned data packages which are respectively returned by the corresponding blue-tooth receivers by the blue-tooth transmitter during N receiving timing windows. At least one of the N returned data packages includes an acknowledge message which is recorded in a header field of the corresponding returned data package.

Abstract: Offline power converters draw very small amounts of power when unloaded or inactive (no load demand), power consumption may be further reduced by allowing the start-up controller and/or secondary-side controller to enter into a sleep mode (functions within the controllers shut down). When the energy storage capacitors for either the start-up controller or the secondary-side controller reach a low state-of-charge, either controller can wake itself and the other controller, thereby allowing the power converter to become active until both energy storage capacitors are refreshed enough for the controllers to go back into a low power sleep mode. This cycle, which draws very little average power from the AC line, continues until the power converter is required to remain awake (operational mode) and deliver power to the load.