Abstract: A method of selective formation of silicide on a semiconductor wafer, wherein the metal layer is deposited over the entire wafer prior to application of the SiProt mask such that any etching of the mask does not cause any surface deterioration of the silicon wafer.

Abstract: The invention provides an audio signal processing system in which a magnitude spectrum of a frequency domain audio signal is processed based on a measure of multipath interference. The processing keeps the magnitude spectrum approximately fixed during periods of multipath interference, for example by replacing it with a temporally smoothed version of the magnitude spectrum. The magnitude spectrum (processed if required) and the phase spectrum are combined to derive a frequency domain output, which is transformed to the time domain.

Abstract: A pass-gate has a passageway between an input node and an output node. The pass-gate selectively opens or closes the passageway for a signal at the input node under control of a voltage. The pass-gate has a field-effect transistor with a gate electrode and a current channel. The current channel is arranged between the input node and the output node. The gate electrode receives the voltage. The pass-gate is configured so as to have the voltage at the control electrode substantially follow the signal at the input node when the passageway is open to the signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a packaged semiconductor device with no leads are disclosed. One embodiment includes a semiconductor chip and a no leads package structure defining a boundary and having a bottom surface and includes three or more pads exposed at the bottom surface of the package structure. Each of the pads is located in a single inline row.

Abstract: A symbol clock recovery circuit comprising an ADC, a controllable inverter and a timing detector. A timing detector input terminal is configured to receive an ADC output signal from an ADC output terminal; a timing detector output terminal is configured to provide a digital output signal; and a first timing detector feedback terminal is configured to provide a first feedback signal to the inverter control terminal. The timing detector is configured to determine an error signal associated with the received ADC output signal, and set the first feedback signal in accordance with the error signal.

Abstract: “Click-assembly” methods of assembling a sensor for sensing biologically-active molecules by measuring impedance changes, are disclosed, comprising supporting a bio-sensor on a carrier, the bio-sensor comprising an electronic component having at least one micro-electrode and at least one electrical contact, functionalizing the bio-sensor by physically or chemically coupling a bio-receptor molecule to each of the at least one micro-electrode, and subsequently assembling the bio-sensor with a micro-fluidic unit by means of a clamp which clamps the bio-sensor with the micro-fluidic unit, such that in use a fluid introduced into the micro-fluidic unit is able to contact the bio-receptor and is isolated from the electrical contact. The clamp may be a spring, and the method may avoid a requirement for sealing by chemical or thermal means and thereby avoid damaging the bio-receptor. Sensors which can be assembled according to such methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes an enclosure having a loudspeaker mounted therein. The apparatus also includes an IC package mounted inside the enclosure. The IC package includes an amplifier configured to amplify an input audio signal, received at an input of the amplifier, to produce a drive signal. The amplifier is configured to drive the loudspeaker with the drive signal via an output of the amplifier. The IC package also includes a pressure sensor configured to output a status signal, indicative of a sound pressure level inside the enclosure, from an output terminal of the pressure sensor. The apparatus also includes an audio processing circuit connected to the amplifier and configured to adjust strength of the drive signal produced by the amplifier, as a function of the sound pressure level indicated by the status signal.

Abstract: A communication partner appliance is implemented within a near field communication system. The communication partner appliance includes a receiver, a detector, and a processor. The receiver receives a NFC command signal from another communication partner appliance. The detector detects whether a carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver at a time other than during a transmission of the NFC command signal from the other communication partner appliance to the receiver. The processor controls a power supply element based on a determination by the detector whether the carrier signal from the other communication partner appliance is present at the receiver. The power supply element is configured to establish a connection to either a first power supply or a second power supply. The first power supply is dependent on the carrier signal, and the second power supply is independent of the carrier signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed an AC/DC converter circuit. The circuit comprises: an input terminal for receiving an AC supply voltage; a driver circuit adapted to supply a DC drive current or voltage to an output of the circuit based on a signal provided to a control terminal of the driver circuit; and an AC coupling network connected between the input terminal and the control terminal of the driver circuit. The AC coupling network is adapted to derive a signal from an AC supply voltage received by the input terminal and to supply the derived signal to the control terminal of the driver circuit.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide communications between local and remote devices having low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) circuits. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, the local device transmits an LF signal to the remote device, which synchronizes its clock based on the LF signal. Another LF signal is communicated from the local device to the remote device using a reduced quality factor, which can be implemented to facilitate synchronization. The clock is resynchronized based on the second LF signal and used to transmit an HF signal with a time delay. The local device synchronizes its clock based on the HF signal, and transmits another HF signal to the remote device using the clock and another time delay. The remote device re-synchronizes its clock based on the second HF signal while accounting for a trip time for communicating the first and/or second HF signals.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for contact detection in battery packs are disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for contact detection in battery packs are disclosed. The battery pack may comprise at least a first battery cell and a second battery cell, and a power bar for coupling a first electrode of the first battery cell to a second electrode of the second battery cell. The first battery cell comprises a supervisor, which comprises a transmitter/receiver for signal communication with the second battery cell via a communication wire, and a voltage difference detector coupled to the power bar and the communication wire, for detecting a voltage difference between the power bar and the communication wire. The supervisor may indicate degraded contact of the power bar if the detected voltage difference is out of a predetermined threshold range. A battery cell and a method for monitoring a battery pack are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, devices and circuits are provided for power-on-reset circuits with low static power consumption. One such circuit includes a detector that draws current from a supply voltage. The detector detects that the supply voltage has exceeded a trip-point voltage level and then disables current draw from the detector. The detector responds to an enable signal by enabling current draw from the detector. A pulse generator generates a reset signal in response the supply voltage transitioning from a voltage below the trip point voltage level to above the trip point voltage level. A monitor detects that the supply voltage has dropped and provides, in response thereto, the enable signal to the detector to enable current draw from the portion of the detector.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes an LC circuit having a capacitive circuit and an inductive circuit connected in a circuit loop. The inductive circuit includes one or more inductive elements and a switching circuit. In a first mode, the switching circuit provides a direct-current charge voltage across the LC circuit and prevents oscillation of energy between the capacitive circuit and the inductive circuit by opening a switch in the circuit loop of the LC circuit. In a second mode, the switching circuit enables oscillation of energy between the capacitive circuit and the inductive circuit by closing the switch in the circuit loop.

Abstract: A circuit and a method are used estimate quality of the output of a wireless receiver. This quality measure is used to control the supply voltage and thereby provide power savings.

Abstract: An ESD protection circuit comprises a series connection of at least two protection components between a signal line to be protected and a return line (e.g. ground), comprising a first protection component connected to the signal line and a second protection component connected to the ground line. They are connected with opposite polarity so that when one conducts in forward direction the other conducts in reverse breakdown mode. A bias voltage source connects to the junction between the two protection components through a bias impedance. The use of the bias voltage enables the signal distortions resulting from the ESD protection circuit to be reduced.

Abstract: The invention proposes a smart card which comprises a digital signal processing receiver that can automatically identify the type of a smart card reader based on the error vector magnitude of signals received from the reader. The digital signal processing receiver is able to reconfigure itself at runtime in order to optimally minimize its power consumption in dependence on the type of reader it is communicating with. Furthermore, the invention proposes a new preamble structure that comprises a basic part and an optional additional part.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting a transistor is disclosed. The circuit includes a temperature sensing device coupled to the transistor and a tunable clamping circuit connected between transistor terminals, wherein the tunable clamping circuit is configured to provide an adjustable clamping voltage. A temperature controller coupled to the temperature sensing device and the tunable clamping circuit is also included. The temperature controller is configured to trigger a change in a clamping voltage of the tunable clamping circuit based on a feedback from the temperature sensing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of current feedback circuits for Direct Current (DC)-DC converters and methods for operating current feedback circuits for DC-DC converters are described. In one embodiment, a current feedback circuit for a DC-DC converter includes a current replication circuit configured to provide current feedback to the DC-DC converter based on an on-time of the DC-DC converter and an alternating current (AC)-coupling circuit configured to add the current feedback to a regulation circuit of the current feedback circuit and to remove a DC voltage from the current replication circuit. The regulation circuit includes a filter circuit configured to compensate for an offset of an output voltage of the DC-DC converter caused by the current feedback. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method of authorization in a cryptographic system that provides separate authorization for a plurality of different input message groups using a single cryptographic key, including: receiving, by the cryptographic system, a first input message from a first input message group; performing, by the cryptographic system, a keyed cryptographic operation mapping the first input message into a first output message, wherein the keyed cryptographic operation produces a correct output message when the cryptographic system is authorized for the first input message group, wherein the keyed cryptographic operation does not produce a correct output when the cryptographic system is not authorized for the first input message group, and wherein each of the plurality of input message groups has an associated set of input messages wherein the sets of input messages do not overlap.