Abstract: A data processor system includes a local memory, a processor core, and an extent monitor. The local memory stores a block of data at a task memory location that is exclusive to a particular task during a duration of time. The processor core accesses the task memory location of the local memory during the execution of the particular task, and modifies to the block of data stored in the task memory location. The extent monitor monitors a write operation the processor core to the local memory to determine a first most-extreme address of the task memory location modified by the execution of the particular task during the duration of time. The processor core also executes a write back instruction to write back to a shared memory location less than the entire block of data based upon the most-extreme address.

Abstract: A mechanism for reducing stiction in a MEMS device by decreasing surface area between two surfaces that can come into close contact is provided. Reduction in contact surface area is achieved by increasing surface roughness of one or both of the surfaces. The increased roughness is provided by forming a micro-masking layer on a sacrificial layer used in formation of the MEMS device, and then etching the surface of the sacrificial layer. The micro-masking layer can be formed using nanoclusters. When a next portion of the MEMS device is formed on the sacrificial layer, this portion will take on the roughness characteristics imparted on the sacrificial layer by the etch process. The rougher surface decreases the surface area available for contact in the MEMS device and, in turn, decreases the area through which stiction can be imparted.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device includes a processor, a memory, a transceiver configured to receive an audio signal, a codec to decode the audio signal, a dynamic range controller and a phoneme processor. The phoneme processor is configured to extract acoustic cues from each frame of the decoded audio signal and to identify a phoneme class in the each frame. The dynamic range controller is configured to apply dynamic range compression on the each frame based on the identified phoneme class.

Abstract: A circuit includes an evaluation node through which current flows from a voltage source node to a sensed switch when the sensed switch is closed. First and second control switches are disposed between the voltage source node and the evaluation node to switch between first and second current paths for the current. The current passes through the first control switch when flowing along the first current path. The second control switch is coupled to a control terminal of the first control switch to deactivate the first control switch and allow the current to flow through the second current path. Multiple passive circuit elements are configured to establish first and second current levels for the current. The passive circuit elements are disposed between the voltage source node and the evaluation node in a circuit arrangement in which no current path to ground is present when the sensed switch is open.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) device including an SRAM module coupled to wrapper logic is disclosed. The wrapper logic includes an error correction code (ECC) encoder configured to encode input data in accordance with an ECC encoding scheme and output the encoded input data to the SRAM module, an ECC decoder configured to decode output data received from the SRAM module, output the decoded output data, and write decoding information back to the SRAM module, an error controller coupled to the ECC decoder that is configured to control the ECC decoder in accordance with the ECC encoding scheme, and a central controller coupled to the components of the wrapper logic and the SRAM module in order to control operations between the components of the wrapper logic and the SRAM module.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a device for reducing noise in a received signal, the device including a memory; a processor configured to: receive a signal containing narrow band noise which was transmitted over a channel and received at an analog front end; add two separate delays to the signal to generate a first delayed signal and a second delayed signal; apply an adaptive noise cancellation using the first delayed signal and the second delayed signal to estimate the narrow band noise; and remove the narrow band noise based upon the estimated narrow band noise.

Abstract: A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a bond pad over a last metal layer of the semiconductor structure wherein the bond pad includes a wire bond region; and recessing the wire bond region such that the wire bond region has a first thickness and a region of the bond pad outside the wire bond region has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A memory device includes a first line coupled to a first terminal of a first memory cell, a second bit line coupled to a first terminal of a second memory cell, a sense amplifier coupled to a second end of the first bit line and a second end of the second bit line, a capacitor including a first terminal coupled to a first input of the sense amplifier and a second terminal coupled to a switch. The switch couples the second terminal of the capacitor to the second bit line during a calibration phase of a read operation and to the first bit line during a sense phase of the read operation. A current/voltage source drives current on the first bit line while the second line is floating during the calibration phase, and drives current on the second bit line while the first bit line is floating during the sense phase.

Abstract: A gain control apparatus for an amplifier is disclosed. The gain control apparatus configured to provide an amplifier gain control signal for setting the gain applied by the amplifier to an amplifier signal comprising an amplifier input signal amplified by the amplifier to generate an amplifier output signal. The apparatus includes a plurality of gain determination elements comprising and a gain controller configured to generate the amplifier gain control signal based on at least the first and second gain control signals.

Abstract: A communication system has a first and a second communicating device operable to send and receive data units through a communication channel. Some of the data are encrypted using a security key. The first device comprises a first key generator generating a first embodiment of the key independently of a second embodiment of the key generated by a second generator of the second device, the second embodiment being generated independently of the first, which depends on parameter(s) characterizing a first transmission quality of the channel when receiving a first set of unencrypted data sent by the second device. The second embodiment depends on parameter(s) characterizing a second transmission quality of the channel when receiving a second set of unencrypted data sent by the first device, the first set being different from the second set.

Abstract: Methods for producing System-in-Packages (SiPs) containing embedded Surface Mount Device (SMD) modules are provided, as SiPs containing SMD modules. In one embodiment, the fabrication method includes positioning a semiconductor die and first preassembled SMD module, which contains a plurality of SMDs soldered to an interposer substrate, in predetermined spatial relationship. The preassembled SMD module and the semiconductor die are overmolded to yield a molded panel having a frontside at which the first preassembled SMD module and the semiconductor die are exposed. A Redistribution Layer (RDL) structure can be formed over the frontside of the molded panel containing interconnect lines electrically coupling the semiconductor die and the first preassembled SMD module. The molded panel may then undergo singulation to produce an SiP having a molded body in which the semiconductor die and the first preassembled SMD module are embedded.

Abstract: A data processing device comprises a protection key unit, a dummy key unit, and a control unit. The protection key unit provides a protection key. The dummy key unit provides a dummy key. The dummy key unit has a set of two or more allowed dummy key values associated with it and is configurable by a user or a host device to set the dummy key to any value selected from said set of allowed dummy key values. The control unit is connected to the dummy key unit and to the protection key unit and arranged to set the protection key to the value of the dummy key in response to a tamper detection signal (fatal_sec_vio) indicating a tamper event. The value of the dummy key may notably be different from zero. A method of protecting a data processing device against tampering is also described.

Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for determining the health status of a sensed switch. In general, the embodiments described herein determine a measure of a health status of the sensed switch by comparing a voltage on the sensed switch, ascertaining a first comparator state under one test condition and ascertaining a second comparator state under a second test condition. The first comparator state and the second comparator state are and then compared to determine the measure of the health status of the sensed switch.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated circuit includes first and second pluralities of parallel-connected transistor elements (e.g., transistor fingers). To spread heat in the IC, the first and second pluralities of transistor elements are interleaved with each other and arranged in a first row. The IC also may include third and fourth pluralities of parallel-connected transistor elements arranged in a second row. The transistor elements in the first row may be series and shunt transistors of an RF switch transmit path, and the transistor elements in the second row may be series and shunt transistors of an RF switch receive path. During a transmit mode of operation, the series transistors in the transmit path and the shunt transistors in the receive path are closed. During a receive mode of operation, the shunt transistors in the transmit path and the series transistors in the receive path are closed.

Abstract: In a method of producing a transponder (T1, T2, T3), a substrate (1, 91) is provided. The substrate (9, 91) comprises a first area (2), a second area (3) adjacent to the first area (2), and a first electric contact (8, 98) adjacent to the second area (3). An electric device (50, 80) is placed in or on the first area (2), preferably without touching the first electric contact (8, 98). Subsequently, a conductive glue (12) is applied on the second area (3) and on the first electric contact (8, 98) so that the conductive glue (12) electrically couples the first electric contact (8, 98) with the electric device (50, 80).

Abstract: Distance-based authentication is provided for mitigating undesirable interaction and/or attacks upon ranging systems, such as those involving vehicle entry or secure payment. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, a leading edge of one or more pulses in a waveform of a signal is obscured as part of distance-based authentication. For instance, noise may be generated via a noise modulation circuit and combined with some or all of a leading edge of a pulse. Distance-based authentication is provided by transmitting a signal with a waveform having the obscured portion of the leading edge, which operates to mitigate detection of the polarity of the leading edge or otherwise of the leading edge itself.

Abstract: A method for establishing control relationships between at least two networked devices is conceived. Further a corresponding configuration device, networked device and non-transitory computer program product are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for zero-current crossing detection circuits. In some embodiments, a circuit may include a buck converter comprising a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and an inductor; a zero-current crossing detection circuit comprising a reference switch coupled to a current source, where the reference switch is controllable conjointly with the low-side switch; an amplifier coupled to: (a) a first node between the current source and reference switch, where in operation the first node has a positive voltage value during an interval of interest, and a (b) second node between the low-side switch and the inductor, where in operation the second node has a negative voltage value during the interval of interest; and a comparator coupled to the amplifier, the comparator configured to output a flag in response to a detection that a decreasing current through the inductor has reached a predetermined value.

Abstract: An embodiment of an amplifier system includes a modifiable signal adjustment device with an RF signal adjustment circuit coupled between first and second nodes. The RF signal adjustment circuit includes an adjustable phase shifter and an adjustable attenuator coupled in series with each other. The device also includes a memory and a controller circuit. The controller circuit retrieves a phase shift value and an attenuation value from the memory. The controller circuit then controls the adjustable phase shifter to apply a phase shift corresponding to the phase shift value to an input RF signal received at the first node, and controls the adjustable attenuator to apply an attenuation corresponding to the attenuation value to the input RF signal. Applying the phase shift and the attenuation results in an output RF signal at the second node.

Abstract: An interrupt management system for managing multiple interrupts includes a timer and an interrupt management sub-system. The interrupt management sub-system receives first and second interrupts, determines the first interrupt to be a real-time interrupt and the second interrupt to be a non-real-time interrupt, initializes the timer for a predetermined time period on reception of the first interrupt, and determines whether the second interrupt is either a maskable or non-maskable interrupt. The interrupt management sub-system transmits the first interrupt to an interrupt controller, en-queues the second interrupt during the predetermined time period, and transmits the second interrupt to the interrupt controller after the predetermined time period when the second interrupt is a maskable interrupt. The interrupt management sub-system transmits the second interrupt to the interrupt controller during the predetermined time period when the second interrupt is a non-maskable interrupt.