Abstract: The invention provides MEMS oscillator designs in which the thermal actuation and piezoresistive detection signals are separated. A first approach splits the frequency of the loop into two distinct components, an actuation frequency and a detection frequency. A second approach modifies the design of the MEMS resonator such that the actuation signal follows a different path through the MEMS resonator than the detection signal.

Abstract: A lighting system for exterior lights of an automobile comprises a first lighting unit (10,12,14,16) primarily for outputting a first automotive light signal and a failure detection system (26) for detecting a failure of the first lighting unit (10,12,14,16). A second lighting unit is primarily for outputting a second automotive light signal. The second lighting unit comprises an LED light unit. A controller (30) is adapted to determine if there is failure of the first lighting unit, and if there is failure of the first lighting unit, to use the second lighting unit to generate the first automotive light signal. This is in response to an output request from the first lighting unit (10,12,14,16).

Abstract: A transceiver includes a transmit pin configured to receive a signal from a microcontroller, a receive pin configured to transmit a signal to the microcontroller, at least one bus pin configured to transmit and receive signalling to or from the network, a wake-up detector, an acknowledge and/or wake-up generator, and at least one switch is operable to put the transceiver in a first mode of operation. In the first mode of operation the transmit pin is connected to the wake-up detector, and the wake-up detector is configured to activate a wake-up code in accordance with configuration information received at the transmit pin, and the receive pin is connected to an acknowledge and/or wake-up generator, which is configured to provide an acknowledge and/or wake-up signal to the receive pin based on a comparison of actual configuration information stored in the transceiver with the received configuration information from the transmit pin.

Abstract: Consistent with example embodiments disclosed, there are switched-mode power supplies (SMPS) in which a signaling capacitor transmits information across a transformer of the power supply. Such embodiments can avoid drawing power from the output capacitor in order to provide communication signals and so do not cause a drop in the output voltage when signaling to the primary side. Further, the switched mode power supply can send signals from the secondary side of the transformer to the primary side via the transformer itself and so may not require the incorporation of an opto-coupler. Such embodiments may reduce production costs, the printed circuit board (PCB) footprint and reduce the no-load power consumption of the SMPS.

Abstract: A smart poster system is provided, which includes a smart poster comprising an NFC device, a mobile device for communicating with the NFC device, and a server unit for providing content to the mobile device, wherein the NFC device is arranged to provide the mobile device with an address of the server unit, the address comprising a counter value, which counter value represents the number of executed read accesses to the NFC device. Also, a method for providing a secure communication channel between a mobile device and a server unit in a smart poster system is conceived, wherein the smart poster system comprises an NFC device for providing the mobile device with an address of the server unit, and wherein the NFC device, upon generating the address, incorporates a counter value into the address, the counter value representing the number of executed read accesses to the NFC device. Thereby, the authenticity of both the NFC device and the server unit is ensured.

Abstract: The invention provides a secure and efficient resource management system and a corresponding method for managing resources of a product that is put on the market by a licensor via a distribution chain. In particular, the number of keys needed for managing said resources can be reduced. At the time that the product is released to the market the exact licensing conditions of the product need not be known yet. The licensing conditions and the associated configuration of resources of the product are managed via a second key which is provided to a licensee. The licensee, however, has no knowledge of the first key and the derivation function which generates said second key based on the first key. Therefore, it is ensured that the licensee cannot claim more resources of the product than the licensor allows.

Abstract: A method for coded data transmission between a base station (10) and at least one transponder (20) within a wireless data transmission system (1), the method comprising the steps of: —providing a set of symbols (S1 . . . S2n) for encoding data (DD), wherein the set of symbols (S1 . . . S2n) is divided into at least two sub-sets (SS1, SS2), and wherein each symbol (S1 . . . S2n) of the complete set is assigned to one of said at least two sub-sets (SS1, SS2); —encoding said data (DD) using symbols (S1 . . . S2n) of said at least two sub-sets (SS1, SS2), wherein at least one encoded symbol (S1 . . . S2n) comprises several bits; —transmitting each encoded symbol (S1 . . . S2n) within a symbol duration (SD) of an encoded data signal (DS) between said base station (10) and at least one transponder (20), wherein the sub-set (SS1, SS2) assigned to each encoded symbol (S1 . . . S2n) is indicated by a value of at least one bit (LB) of each encoded symbol (S1 . . .

Abstract: Presented is an interface circuit for connecting a RF antenna to a RF device. The interface circuit comprises: a first terminal adapted to connect to the RF antenna; a second terminal adapted to connect to the RF device; an inductive load connected to the second terminal; a first switch adapted to connect the inductive load to the first terminal; and a resistive load connected to the second terminal via a second switch.

Abstract: A device for use in electronic article surveillance EAS is disclosed which comprises a resonant circuit, typically designed for 8.2 MHz operation, in addition to a transponder, such as RFID, for non-contact communication with a communication station. The RFID transponder can provide a signal to detune the resonant circuit to disable the EAS and optionally another signal to tune or retune the resonant circuit to enable or re-enable the EAS. The detuning and tuning or retuning may preferably be achieved using phase change memory material, configured as a programmable switch having two states with different resistances.

Abstract: An integrated circuit 100 is provided, which is configured for authentication itself and technical information concerning the integrated circuit or its installed software to an external computing device 200. The integrated circuit 100 comprises a signer 130 for producing a signature over the information and a challenge using a cryptographic signing key, and a communication module 110 for providing the information and the signature to the computing device 200. In response to receiving the information and the authentication, the computing device 200 may install new application code on the integrated circuit. After the installation, the integrated circuit may authenticate information concerning the new application code to other computing devices. The integrated circuit is advantageously a multiple application smart card, since it allows application providers to obtain trust in the multiple application smart card without having a relationship with its manufacturer.

Abstract: An antenna arrangement comprises an electric antenna (4) configured to receive a reception signal from a sender and at least one conductive loop (3, 25) with two terminals (16, 17) to be connected to a receiver circuit (2, 24) which is configured to process an electric signal generated by the at least one conductive loop (3, 25). The at least one conductive loop (3, 25) is spaced within a distance from and magnetically coupled to the electric antenna (4) such that the at least one conductive loop (4, 25) generates the electric signal in response to the reception signal received by the electric antenna (4). Alternatively, the antenna arrangement may be used as a sending antenna used with a transmitter.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to an isolation device including a semiconductor layer and an insulation layer. The insulation layer insulates a central portion of the semiconductor layer. A high voltage terminal connects to the insulation layer, a first low voltage terminal connects to a first non-insulated portion of the semiconductor layer, and a second low voltage terminal connects to a second non-insulated portion of the semiconductor layer. The first and second low voltage terminals are electrically connected via the semiconductor layer. A voltage applied to the high voltage terminal influences the conductance of the semiconductor layer. The high voltage terminal is galvanically isolated from the first and second low voltage terminals.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for testing a Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) analog controller of a Direct Current (DC)/DC converter and a PID analog controller of a DC/DC converter are described. In one embodiment, a method for testing a PID analog controller of a DC/DC converter involves setting an analog regulation loop, which is formed by an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) of the PID analog controller and a feedback network of the PID analog controller, to a stable condition and testing a DC parameter of the PID analog controller and setting the analog regulation loop to an unstable condition and testing an Alternate Current (AC) parameter of the PID analog controller. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A capacitive position sensor system is provided for determining the position of an object, wherein the object is positioned within a sensitive area of the capacitive position sensor system and changes the capacitance of capacitors being arranged underneath the object.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a module for a biosensor is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate. The substrate includes a trench and a bond pad. The trench is filled with an electrically conductive material and the bond pad is arranged within the substrate. The method also includes removing a part of the electrically conductive material from the trench such that a recess is formed in a surface of the substrate, forming a biocompatible electrode in the recess, and removing a part of the substrate such that the bond pad is accessible through the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An environmental sensor is disclosed. The environmental sensor includes a semiconductor substrate including a light sensor, a surface through which ambient light can pass to reach a light sensor and a light source operable to illuminate the surface, whereby at least some of the light from the light source is reflected by the surface onto the light sensor. The environmental sensor is operable to determine the presence of a fouling layer on the surface by comparing measurements of ambient light and reflected light by the at least one light sensor.

Abstract: The invention refers to an RF front-end (100) adapted to perform either in a receiving mode or in a transmitting mode and adapted to receive or transmit signals located in at least two separated frequency bands, respectively comprising an input and an output and further comprising an input matching circuit (1) comprising a first input coupled to the input of the RF front-end (100), an output matching circuit (2) coupled to the output; the input matching circuit (1) being coupled to the output matching circuit (2) via respective first amplifier (3) and second amplifier (4), and a phase shifter (5) coupled either to the input of the RF front-end (100) in a receiving mode, or to the output of the RF front-end (100) in a transmitting mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system are disclosed. One embodiment is a method for controlling operations in a mobile communication device that is enabled for near field communication (NFC). The method involves starting an NFC service in the mobile communication device, starting an initialization process of a secure element (SE), e.g., a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), of the mobile communication device in response to starting the NFC service, and once the initialization process of the SE has begun, monitoring an SE-specific session ID for an indication of the status of the initialization process of the SE. If the SE-specific session ID indicates that the initialization process is not complete, the method involves continuing to monitor the SE-generated session ID and if the SE-specific session ID indicates that the initialization process is complete, the method involves notifying the NFC service that the initialization process of the SE is complete.

Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, there is an integrated circuit device (IC) built on a substrate of a thickness. The IC comprises an active device region of a shape, the active device region having a topside and an underside. Through silicon vias (TSVs) surround the active device region, the TSVs having a depth defined by the substrate thickness. On the underside of and having the shape of the active device region, is an insulating layer. A thin-film conductive shield is on the insulating layer, the conductive shield is in electrical contact with the TSVs.

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.