Abstract: A power transfer system which includes a power transfer device as well as at least one portable device, and to a method of controlling the power transfer system specifically in case of a dead battery condition of a battery of the portable device. The power transfer device for wireless charging of the battery arranged in the portable device and the power transfer device each comprise a near field communication functionality for data communication by a data communication link between the devices. The method includes a step of starting to establish the data communication link between the power transfer device and the portable device.

Abstract: A communication system for initiating a transaction between a first communication device and a second communication device is disclosed. In an embodiment, one the first and second communication devices generates a transaction initiation code and transmits the transaction initiation code to the other one of the first and second communication devices and at least one of the first and second communication devices outputs output information based on the transaction initiation code to a user. One of the first and second communication devices receives user information from the user, and for initiates the transaction between the first and the second communication device if compatibility is discovered between the transaction initiation code and the user information.

Abstract: A sigma delta receiver achieves increased stability and noise reduction. The sigma delta receiver includes a first integrator stage, an isolation stage, a second integrator stage, and a quantization stage. The first integrator stage receives an analog radio frequency (RF) signal from an antenna and generates an analog baseband signal based on the analog RF signal. The isolation stage is coupled to an output of the first integrator stage. The isolation stage receives the analog baseband signal from the first integrator stage and amplifies the analog baseband signal. The second integrator stage is coupled to an output of the isolation stage to receive the analog baseband signal. The second integrator stage further amplifies the analog baseband signal. The quantization stage converts the analog baseband signal to a digital signal, and outputs the digital signal.

Abstract: An RFID device (100) being operable in a first and a second operating state, the RFID device comprises a control unit (102), wherein the control unit comprises a configuration input terminal for receiving a configuration signal, and a processing unit (101), which is coupled to the control unit, wherein the control unit is adapted for switching the processing unit between the first and the second operating state based on the configuration signal, wherein the control unit (102) comprises an activation input terminal for receiving an activation signal.

Abstract: A circuit for generating a modulated signal is disclosed. The circuit includes a constant current source. The circuit further includes a first switch that is coupled to the constant current source. The circuit also includes a second switch that is coupled to the first switch and a ground. The first switch and the second switch are coupled to a third switch. The third switch is coupled to a first integrated circuit pad. The first integrated circuit pad is defined to be used for coupling the third switch to a resonance circuit.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus (100) comprising a noise detector (102) configured to: receive a stream of information representative of a stream of audio signal samples (112); and detect samples in the received stream of information (112) that are distorted by impulse noise in order to generate a noise detection signal (114), wherein the noise detection signal (114) also identifies preceding and succeeding samples that are undistorted. The signal processing apparatus (100) also comprises a processor (104) configured to replace distorted samples in the received stream of information with composite predicted values (426; 526) to provide a reconstructed stream of audio signal samples (116).

Abstract: An integrated transformer comprising a primary coil and a secondary coil, the primary coil comprising a first subsection and a second subsection, the first subsection extending in a different plane to a plane in which the second subsection extends, the planes spaced from one another, the secondary coil comprising a first subsection and a second subsection, the first subsection extending in a different plane to a plane in which the second subsection extends, the planes spaced from one another, wherein the first subsection of the primary coil is stacked with the second subsection of the secondary coil and the second subsection of the primary coil is stacked with the first subsection of the secondary coil.

Abstract: In order to further develop a magnetoresistive sensor device (100; 100?; 100?) comprising at least one substrate or wafer (10), in particular at least one silicon wafer, and at least one sensing element (30), in particular at least one A[nisotropic]M[agneto]R[esistive] sensing element and/or—at least one G[iant]M[agneto]R[esistive] sensing element, for example at least one multilayer G[iant]M[agneto]R[esistive] sensing element, said sensing element (30) being arranged on and/or under the substrate or wafer (10), as well as a corresponding method of fabricating such magnetoresistive sensor device (100; 100?; 100?) in such way that an external or extra bias magnetic field to preset the sensing element (10) and/or the magnetoresistive sensor device (100; 100?; 100?) can be dispensed with, it is proposed to arrange at least one magnetic layer (20t, 20b) on (20t) and/or under (20b) the substrate or wafer (10) and at least partially on (20t) and/or under (20b) the sensing element (30), said magnetic layer (20t, 20b

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a wireless communications system related method and vehicle including: a first communications device configured for attachment to a vehicle including: a first antenna group, a first receiver configured to receive a first instance of a message via the first antenna group, a first transmitter configured to transmit a second instance of the message via the first antenna group, and a first controller configured to cause transmission of the second instance via the first transmitter in response to the first receiver receiving the first instance; and a second communications device configured for attachment to the vehicle including: a second antenna group, a second receiver configured to receive data via the second antenna group, wherein the second receiver receives both the first instance and the second instance, and message combination circuitry configured to generate combined message by combining the first instance and the second instance.

Abstract: A switch module is designed to facilitate user definition of a group of switch modules that control the same lamp. A lamp unit (12) containing the lamp responds selectively to messages from the switch modules (10, 10?) when the messages comprise ID information matching with ID information stored in the lamp unit (12). A group is formed by detecting user control operation of sensors (100) in the switch modules (10, 10?), transmitting messages from the switch modules (10, 10?) in response and determining from the messages whether the switch modules (10?) have both been operated within a time interval with a duration of less than a predetermined threshold. If so, the ID information value in memories (104) of the switch module (10) and/or the further switch module (10?) are set to matching ID values, for use in the messages to control the lamp unit.

Abstract: A semiconductor device comprising at least one active layer on a substrate and a a Schottky contact to the at least one active layer, the Schottky contact comprising a body of at least titanium and nitrogen that is electrically coupled with the at least one active layer.

Abstract: A read out circuit for a sensor uses a feedback loop to bias the sensor to a desired operating point, such as the maximal possible sensitivity, but without the problem of an instable sensor position as known for the conventional read-out with constant charge. The reference bias to which the circuit is controlled is also varied using feedback control, but with a slower response than the main bias control feedback loop.

Abstract: A current monitoring circuit is disclosed. The current monitoring circuit includes a main transistor arrangement for connection in series with a load and a set of one or more measurement branches in parallel with the main transistor arrangement. Each measurement branch comprises a series resistor and switch for controlling the connection of the branch into circuit. A gate controller is provided for controlling the switching of the main transistor arrangement and branch switches and a sense amplifier is included for measuring a current through the load based on the current flowing through the main transistor arrangement or a branch.

Abstract: A Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) power switching circuit and a method for operating a CMOS power switching circuit are described. In one embodiment, a CMOS power switching circuit includes a voltage selection circuit configured to output the highest output voltage between an output voltage of a primary power supply and an output voltage of a backup power supply and a control circuit configured to connect a load circuit to either the primary power supply or the backup power supply by comparing the output voltage of the primary power supply with a power supply switchover level that is set as a function of the highest output voltage. The backup power supply serves as a voltage reference to set the power supply switchover level only when the output voltage of the primary power supply is lower than the output voltage of the backup power supply. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a dimmable driver circuit for a light-emitting diode (LED) load and a method for driving an LED load are described. In one embodiment, a dimmable driver circuit for an LED load includes an alternating current (AC)-direct current (DC) rectifier configured to convert an AC input voltage into a DC voltage, a damper and filter circuit configured to provide a latching current to a phase-cut dimmer and to suppress an inrush current caused by phase-cut dimming, and to filter electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise from the DC voltage, and a switching converter circuit connected to the damper and filter circuit and configured to operate in a boundary conduction mode (BCM) with a constant on-time to generate DC power for the LED load in response to the DC voltage. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a device for performing a method of communication transmission. The device may include a memory; a processor configured to: determine a spreading code with low sidelobe levels in its autocorrelation sequence to be used; create a Start of Frame Delimiter (SOFD) for a packet including the spreading code and a cyclic prefix, wherein the cyclic prefix is a portion of the spreading code; and transmit the packet with the SOFD.

Abstract: A proximity check ensures that a card is physically close to the reader device in order to inhibit relay attacks. The proximity check makes relay attacks more difficult because an additional channel must be intercepted and/or spoofed or relayed. This solution can be used for any kind of short-range communication, including Near Field Communications (NFC).

Abstract: An interpretation engine for an interoperable device is disclosed. The interpretation engine is configured to receive data and to determine a function to be executed in response to the received data and in accordance with a knowledge base that comprises one or more relationships that are structured in triplets. Each triplet comprises a subject, a predicate and an object. The interpretation engine is configured to recognize only a predetermined, fixed plurality of predicate values.

Abstract: A resistive divider circuit for differential signaling is disclosed. The resistive divider includes a first branch and a second branch and each branch has an input, a first resistive component comprised of a number of unit resistors, a second resistive component comprised of a number of unit resistors, and an output connected between the first resistive component and the second resistive component, the output forming a differential mode output. The first resistive component and the second resistive component are comprised of an equal number of unit resistors.

Abstract: A method is provided for initiating broadcasting payload data, the method comprising: wirelessly transmitting a message from a broadcast device to a network device, the message containing configuration information of the broadcasting; receiving the message at the network device and extracting the configuration information at the network device; and configuring the network device for receiving at least a part of the broadcasted payload data based on the configuration information. Further, a broadcast device for broadcasting payload data and a network device for receiving broadcasted payload data are provided.