Abstract: A sample-and-hold circuit is broken down into multiple parallel modules, and an output switch, where each module includes a switch and a capacitor. Each of the switches in the modules and the output switch are controlled by different phases of a clock signal. The sample-and-hold circuit receives an input signal and operates in sample and hold modes to generate a sampled output signal.

Abstract: Fan-Out Wafer Level Packages (FO-WLPs) having Embedded Ground Plane (EGP) connections are provided. In one embodiment, the FO-WLP includes a molded package body having a frontside and an opposing backside. An EGP and a first preformed EGP connection are contained within the molded package body. The first preformed EGP connection is bonded to the EGP and extends therefrom to the backside of the molded package body. The FO-WLP further includes an electrically-conductive structure, such as an Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) shield, provided on the backside of the molded package body. The electrically-conductive structure is electrically coupled to the EGP through the first preformed EGP connection.

Abstract: A pressure sensor device and a method for testing the pressure sensor device is provided. The pressure sensor device includes a first pressure sensor cell having a first capacitance value, and a second pressure sensor cell having a second capacitance value, the second capacitance value being different from the first capacitance value. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a temperature coefficient offset to test for faults in the pressure sensor device. In another embodiment, the method includes determining a differential mode calculation and a common mode calculation. A fault exists if the differential and common mode calculations do not agree.

Abstract: A system for performing an operation in a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, a microcontroller coupled to the BLE module and a transmitter/receiver coupled to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to transmit a wakeup signal at preselected intervals to wake up an electronic key and measure received low frequency (LF) signal strength and Bluetooth signal strength transmitted from the electronic key and based on measured signal strengths determine if the electronic key is approaching the vehicle and to perform a preselected vehicle operation on the vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of a device and method are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for communicating data frames on a bus that operates according to a multi-master bus protocol is disclosed. The method involves beginning transmission of a data frame from a node on the bus when the node gains control of the bus, wherein the multi-master bus protocol specifies a frame format that includes a start portion, a payload portion, and an end portion, during transmission of the payload portion of the data frame, inserting an in-payload arbitration field into the transmission, continuing transmission of the data frame if the node maintains control of the bus after insertion of the in-payload arbitration field, and halting transmission of the data frame before transmission of the data frame is complete if the node losses control of the bus after insertion of the in-payload arbitration field.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for performing physical layer operations in a point-to-point network is disclosed. The method involves receiving, from a link in the communications network, information in an operations, administration, and management (OAM) word, setting an interleaving level, L, in response to the information received in the OAM word, inserting an OAM word into a forward error correction (FEC) frame, the OAM word including the set interleaving level (L), and transmitting, onto the link in the communications network, the FEC frame, which includes the OAM word.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile device for facilitating a transaction is provided, comprising: a secure element configured to contain transaction-related data; an ultra-wideband radio unit operatively coupled to the secure element and configured to carry out ultra-wideband radio communication with an external reader; wherein the ultra-wideband radio unit is configured to operate as an interface between the secure element and said external reader. According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a reader for facilitating a transaction is provided, comprising: an ultra-wideband communication and tracking unit configured to communicate with at least one external mobile device having an ultra-wideband radio unit and to track said mobile device; a processing unit operatively coupled to the ultra-wideband communication and tracking unit, said processing unit being configured to process at least one transaction.

Abstract: In high security devices, like smart cards, the on-board software may be embedded in ROM (read only memory). But, based on flexibility arguments, non-volatile flash memory based software storage can be more preferred. This invention describes a method to recover from a situation of data loss on flash devices by combining the on-device available secure boot-loading with embedded physical unclonable functions (PUF), where the PUF provides the cryptographic key for starting the data recovery procedure.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and devices for Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication are described. In an embodiment, a method for USB communication involves processing received USB data, including searching for a predefined symbol in a version of the received USB data, outputting predefined USB data during the processing of the received USB data and switching from outputting the predefined USB data to outputting recovered USB data in response to a finding of the predefined symbol in the version of the received USB data. The recovered USB data is derived from the received USB data. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A device includes a transistor configured for depletion-mode operation, the transistor having a gate terminal and a drain terminal, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit coupling the gate terminal and the drain terminal. The ESD protection circuit includes a discharge path circuit and a trigger circuit coupled to, and configured to control, the discharge path circuit. The discharge path circuit and the trigger circuit are disposed between the gate terminal and the drain terminal.

Abstract: A MEMS acceleration device for measurement of the acceleration along three axes. The device includes capacitors, which capacitance changes under the influence of an acceleration acting upon the device. The change of capacitance for acceleration parallel to the substrate are, normally used with distinct capacitors. This device combines capacitors for using the change in capacitance for sensing in two independent and different directions parallel to the substrate thereby reusing the capacitor. Thereby allowing shrinking of the device while maintaining substantially the same sensitivity.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an IC device is disclosed. In the embodiment, the IC device includes an array of bit cells of static random-access memory (SRAM), a multi-level digitization module configured to generate a value in a range of values from a bit cell in the array of bit cells, the range of values including more than two discrete values, an output buffer configured to store the generated values, and an error correction code (ECC) decoder configured to output error corrected values based on the stored values.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to processing signals including data exhibiting characteristics that facilitate assessment of transmission errors. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, parameters are generated based signal transmission characteristics and are indicative of a different types of signal characteristics, including an amount of error correction that has been carried out on the signal. Two or more of the parameters are selected based on properties of signal disturbance under different reception conditions for the signal, and a degree of disturbance in the signal is predicted based on the selected parameters and signal conditions for the respective parameters at which the signal cannot be corrected. An output generated with the signal is then controlled, based on the predicted degree of disturbance and a threshold degree of disturbance.

Abstract: A reference circuit includes an integrated circuit (IC) formed on a semiconductor substrate including a first spiral inductor and a second spiral inductor. The first spiral inductor is formed from a first metal layer over the substrate. The second spiral inductor is formed from a second metal layer. The second spiral inductor is offset from the first spiral inductor and includes a first portion overlapping the first spiral inductor. A first capacitor includes a first terminal coupled to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal and a second terminal coupled to a first terminal of the first spiral inductor, and second capacitor includes a first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first spiral inductor.

Abstract: A load detector for an audio system comprising a closed-loop amplifier is described. The load detector includes a noise detector configured to be coupled to the output of the closed-loop amplifier. The noise detector detects a noise signal at least partially generated by the amplifier. The generated noise signal comprises frequencies outside the audible frequency range due to the noise shaping of the amplifier. The load detector further includes a parameter calculation module having an input coupled to the output of the noise detector and an output. The parameter calculation module is configured to determine a parameter value relating to an impedance of the amplifier output load from the detected noise signal and to output a load detection signal dependent on the determined parameter value. The load detector may detect the presence of a load such as a tweeter without generating a reference signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of inputs, a plurality of receive buffers, a processor and an output. The plurality of inputs are configured to receive a plurality of data streams. Each data stream comprising a respective plurality of data blocks carrying common content. The plurality of receive buffers are each configured to store the data blocks of a respective on of the plurality of data streams including storing quality information associated with each data block. The processor is configured to select stored data blocks from the respective buffers to form an output data stream carrying the common content. The processor is further configured to carry out signal processing on the selected data blocks in dependence on the associated quality information. The output is configured to output the selected and error concealed data blocks.

Abstract: A lead, for a packaged transistor device, having a signal portion and a bias line portion, with the signal portion and the bias line portion each having a proximal end and a distal end. The signal portion and the bias line portions of the lead are integrally formed together as a single conductive component, with the proximal end of the bias line portion integrated into the signal portion of the lead and with the distal ends of the signal portion and the bias line portion physically separate from each other.

Abstract: A multi-bit continuous-time sigma-delta modulator, SDM, includes an input configured to receive an input analog signal; a first summing junction configured to subtract a feedback analog signal from the input analog signal; a loop filter configured to filter an output signal from the first summing junction (304): an analog-to-digital converter, ADC, configured to convert the filtered analog output signal to a digital output signal; and a feedback path for routing the digital output signal to the first summing junction. The feedback path includes a plurality of digital-to-analog converters, DACs, configured to convert the digital output signal to an analog form. The ADC comprises a plurality of N-bit comparator latches that are each locally time-interleaved with at least a pair of latches and configured to function in a complementary manner and provide a combined complementary output.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a public/private key pair on an IC and to provision an IoT device having the IC. In the method, a first entity manufacturers an integrated circuit (IC) for use in a device. The IC, or chip, has a root secret embedded therein. A public key is generated on the IC using a unique identifier (ID) and the root secret. The IC is provided to a second entity for manufacturing the device using the IC. A reference IC is provided to a third entity. The reference IC has the same embedded root secret as the IC. The reference IC is configured to use the unique ID of the IC and the embedded root secret to generate a derived public key. The third entity is enabled to verify that the public key of the IC is associated with the unique ID by using the derived public key of the reference IC. The method allows the IoT device to be provisioned without using a public key infrastructure.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag is described. In an example embodiment, the integrated circuit (101) comprises: a memory (104) for storing data; a transceiver (107) for receiving signals from, and transmitting signals to, an antenna (102); and a controller (103) configured to process signals received via the transceiver (107) and to access data stored in the memory (104); wherein upon receiving, via the transceiver module (107), a lock command referring to a data block in the memory (104), the controller (103) is configured to perform a data integrity check on the data block to determine whether the data block is strongly stored.