Abstract: An electronic device is provided, which comprises at least one processing unit (CPU) for processing at least one application, an operating system (OS) for controlling the at least one application performed by the at least one processing unit (CPU), at least one workload build-up detector (WBD) for detecting a build-up of the workload of the at least one processing unit (CPU), at least one workload decrease detector (WDD) for detecting a decrease of the workload of the at least one processing unit (CPU), and at least one power management unit (SPM) for controlling an operating frequency and/or an operating voltage of the at least one processing unit in dependence on the detected workload build-up or the detected workload decrease.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method for integrity protected calculation of a cryptographic function including: performing an operation c=a?b in a cryptographic function f(x1, x2, . . . , xn) defined over a commutative ring R; choosing a? and b? corresponding to a and b such that a? and b? are elements of a commutative ring R?; computing c?=a???b?; computing a?=CRT(a, a?) and b?=CRT(b, b?), where CRT is the Chinese Remainder Theorem; computing c?=a???b?; mapping c? into R?; and determining if the mapping of c? into R? equals c?.

Abstract: A multi-tuner apparatus comprises a splitter (S) for received RF signals. The splitter has a splitter output (U) for connection to a plurality of tuners. To reduce signal degradation and dissipation the output impedance of the splitter output is substantially lower than the input impedance of each of the tuners.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of switching modes in a serial data communication network comprising a plurality of interconnected nodes, each of said nodes comprising a plurality of mode-dependent configurations, the method including, during a first mode, issuing an instruction to said nodes, said instruction identifying a next mode of the data communication network; terminating said first mode; and following said termination, reconfiguring each of said nodes in accordance with the configuration corresponding to said next mode identified by said instruction. A serial data communication network implementing such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrophoretic fluid separation structure (100) comprising a substrate (101) and a plurality of vertical nanowires (102) grown on the substrate (101).

Abstract: One or more embodiments provide circuitry for isolation and communication of signals between circuits operating in different voltage domains using capacitive coupling. The embodiments utilize capacitive structures having increased breakdown voltage in comparison to previous parallel plate implementations. The capacitive isolation is provided by parallel plate capacitive structures, each implemented to have parallel plates of different horizontal sizes. Due to the difference in horizontal size, edges of the parallel plates, where electric fields are the strongest, are laterally offset from the region where the parallel plates overlap. As a result, breakdown voltage between the parallel plates is increased.

Abstract: A method of controlling a loudspeaker of an electronic device provides voice coil temperature protection. When a power supply for the electronic device is first activated, a binding step is performed in which the loudspeaker impedance is determined and a temperature (such as ambient temperature) is accurately measured. These binding step measurements are used during subsequent use of the loudspeaker, to make the temperature measurements (based on voice coil impedance) as accurate as possible.

Abstract: A signal processor for removing at least one unintended signal component from an input signal (ua) is proposed. The signal processor includes a filter device (130) and a processing device (150). The filter device (130) filters the input signal (uâ) and generates a filtered signal (uf), which includes the unintended signal component to be removed. The processing device (150) generates an output signal (um), which indicates a deviation of the input signal (ua) from the filtered input signal (uf). By detecting the unintended signal component first an removing this component from the input signal (uâ), the input signal will not be manipulated directly but the unintended signal component in the input signal (uâ) will be compensated. This allows to remove the unintended component from the input signal (uâ) with less distortions of the interesting components in the input signal (uâ).

Abstract: Duplex communications are facilitated. In connection with various example embodiments, current sources are used to drive transistor-based circuits coupled across a first resistive circuit, to send signals on a communications medium. While driving the transistor-based circuits, the current sources are used to drive reference transistor-based circuits coupled across a second resistive circuit. A differential output signal based upon a power-related value across the first resistive circuit, less a power-related value across the second resistive circuit. This differential output signal characterizes a power-related value corresponding to a received signal on the communications medium, as gleaned from a total signal corresponding to both transmitted and received signals, less a signal corresponding to the transmitted signal.

Abstract: A line driver circuit for a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) transmitter is disclosed. The line driver circuit includes a pre-driver circuit having a pair of pre-driver differential inputs and a pair of pre-driver differential outputs. A driver circuit having a pair of driver differential inputs and a pair of driver differential outputs is also included. Each of the pair of pre-driver differential outputs is coupled to a respective one of the pair of driver differential inputs. Each of the pair of driver differential outputs is coupled to a respective one of a pair of output terminals. The pre-driver further includes a pair of pre-driver cascode transistors. Each of the pre-driver cascode transistors is arranged between one of the pre-driver differential outputs and a respective one of the output terminals and wherein the driver circuit and the pre-driver circuit are operable to receive a current supplied by a HDMI receiver coupled to the pair of output terminals.

Abstract: An NFC device for contactless communication comprises transmitter means being adapted to generate an electromagnetic carrier signal and to modulate the carrier signal according to transmitting data, and an antenna having an inductor, which antenna is connected to and driven by the transmitter means with the modulated carrier signal. AC coupling capacitors are coupled to the inductor of the antenna, wherein the AC coupling capacitors are further connected to inputs of switches. The outputs of these switches can be switched between ground potential and inputs of rectifier means. The outputs of the rectifying means are fed to power supply rails of the NFC device.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, a resonant converter comprises a signalling transformer that is used to transfer information between the secondary winding and primary winding of the converter whilst maintaining mains isolation between the two sides. In the embodiment, according to the disclosure, the use of a signalling transformer (in addition to a switching, or resonant, transformer) eliminates the need for an opto-coupler to transfer information and so allows for the construction of a simpler, more reliable and/or cheaper resonant converter. Other embodiments described herein may be suitable for use in dimmable LED driver applications, for example.

Abstract: Near-field communication (NFC) is effected in a manner that ensures that messages are read. In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus includes a NFC antenna, a NFC tag and a host connected to the NFC tag via both a data communication circuit and a field detection circuit. The NFC tag stores and transmits an NFC data exchange format (NDEF) message via the NFC antenna. The NFC tag includes first and second registers respectively having data indicative of a read status of the NDEF message and data indicative of a last portion/byte of the NDEF message data. When the NDEF message is accessed (e.g., transmitted), the NFC tag sets the data in the first register to indicate that the NDEF message has been read (e.g., sets a bit value). The trigger circuit generates a trigger signal in response to the status, indicating that the NDEF message has been read.

Abstract: It is described a magnetic field differential sensor system for measuring rotational movements of a shaft. The described magnetic field sensor system (200) comprises (a) a biasing magnet (210, 510) configured for generating a biasing magnetic field; (b) a magnetic wheel (230) having a wheel axis and a circumferential surface which comprises a regular structure of teeth (231) and gaps (232) arranged in an alternating manner, wherein (i) the magnetic wheel (230) is attachable to the shaft and (ii) the magnetic wheel (230) can be magnetized by the biasing magnetic field; and (c) a magnetic sensor arrangement (220) comprising four magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) being connected with each other in a Wheatstone bridge configuration. Respectively two of the magnetic sensor elements (221, 222, 223, 224) are assigned to one half bridge of the Wheatstone bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for non-galvanic connection between two electrical circuits is described. A base-unit has an RF power source, a data link and an authentication controller. A contactless unit for communication with a base unit has an RF power receiver, a data link and an authentication controller. The base unit and contactless unit can form a non-galvanic connection to replace conventional connectors, for example in a USB wired bus connection.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for processing a semiconductor wafer are described. In one embodiment, a method for processing a semiconductor wafer involves performing laser stealth dicing on the semiconductor wafer to form a stealth dicing layer within the semiconductor wafer and after performing laser stealth dicing, cleaning the semiconductor wafer from a back-side surface of the semiconductor wafer with a blade to remove at least a portion of the stealth dicing layer. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an semi-conductor device comprising a first surface and neighboring first and second electric elements arranged on the first surface, in which each of the first and second elements extends from the first surface in a first direction, the first element having a cross section substantially perpendicular to the first direction and a sidewall surface extending at least partially in the first direction, wherein the sidewall surface comprises a first section and a second section adjoining the first section along a line extending substantially parallel to the first direction, wherein the first and second sections are placed at an angle with respect to each other for providing an inner corner wherein the sidewall surface at the inner corner is, at least partially, arranged at a constant distance R from a facing part of the second element for providing a mechanical reinforcement structure at the inner corner.

Abstract: A mobile communication device (1) is connectable to a memory device (MIF) that comprises a plurality of memorysectors (0-F), wherein at least one application is stored in at least one memory sector. the memory sectors are protected against unauthorized access 5 by sector keys (key A, key B, 4). The mobile communication device (1) comprises an applications manager (MAM) being adapted to disable the stored applications (TK1, AC1, AC2, TR2, TR3, CP1, TR4, AC3, TK3) when triggered by an external trigger event.

Abstract: A switched mode power converter is disclosed, together with a method for operating the same. The power converter is adapted to be operable in the boundary conduction mode, and operation is interruptible in the absence of any load requirement.

Abstract: A substrate for an electronic circuit is provided wherein the substrate comprises a plurality of contact areas (304), a plurality of dielectric areas (307), and a conductor path (301), wherein each of the plurality of contact areas is surrounded by a respective one of the dielectric areas, and wherein at least two of the contact areas are connected with each other by the conductor path. Furthermore, the conductor path is formed at the dielectric area in such a way that it completely covers the dielectric area.