Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a current driver for controlling a current source controlled by an alternating current (AC) signal, including: a current sensor configured to measure an output current from the current source; a threshold detector configured to detect when the measured current is below a threshold value; and a controller configured to control the current source using a duty cycle of the AC signal when the measured current is below the threshold.

Abstract: An adaptive stepped gain amplifier, for example for use in broadband receivers, has a step size which is dynamically compensated (for each received frequency) to cope with step error caused by frequency dependence of the amplifier performance.

Abstract: There is provided a detection arrangement for detecting an attack to internal signals in a semiconductor device. The detection arrangement comprises a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and a comparison unit. The first input terminal is adapted to receive a first signal being indicative for a signal at a first stage of a driver of the semiconductor device, the driver being capable to drive signals internally to the semiconductor device. The second input terminal is adapted to receive a second signal being indicative for a signal at a second stage of the driver of the semiconductor device. The comparison unit is adapted to compare the first signal and the second signal and to determine a time period during which the signals are equal, wherein the determined time period is indicative for a potential attack, if the determined time period is above a predefined threshold.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to an integrated circuit (IC) including: an inventoried flag configured to indicate whether the integrated circuit has been inventoried in a current inventory round; and an event detector configured to detect a tag event at the integrated circuit and reset the inventoried flag based on the tag event. In various embodiments, the IC further includes a timer circuit configured to measure a predetermined time since the inventoried flag was set and to prevent the reset of the inventoried flag until the predetermined time has expired.

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: Various exemplary embodiments relate to an integrated circuit (IC) including: a memory; a radio frequency (RF) interface configured to access the memory; a wired interface connected to a host and configured to access the memory; and an arbitration module configured to prevent concurrent access to the memory by more than one interface. Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method of controlling access in a dual interface tag having a wired interface and a radio frequency (RF) interface operable in an idle state, a wired lock state, and a RF locked state.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a current driver for controlling a safety control device, including: a clamp circuit connected to a first output configured to clamp the voltage at the first output to a clamp voltage value, wherein the first output is configured to be connected to a high voltage switch; a plurality of medium voltage switches; a plurality of switch drivers, wherein each switch driver is connected to one of the medium voltage switches; a plurality of second outputs wherein each of the plurality of second outputs are configured to be connected across one of a plurality of loads; and a controller configured to control the high voltage switch.

Abstract: A current steering Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC), a video adapter including a current steering DAC, and a video circuit including a current steering DAC are described. In one embodiment, a current steering DAC includes multiple DAC unit cells that are connected in parallel with each other. Each of the DAC unit cells includes three output switches connected to a current source. The three output switches are configured to form two differential pairs of switches that are placed in parallel with each other and share a negative output switch of the three output switches. The current steering DAC also includes at least one switch control circuit configured to receive digital input data and to control the three output switches of each of the DAC unit cells to generate differential analog output data based on the digital input data and a current from the current source. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, an authentication system for authenticating the identity of an electronic identification document owner is provided, which comprises an electronic identification document comprising a first communication interface and a storage unit being arranged to store reference biometric information of the electronic identification document owner, and a mobile device comprising a second communication interface being arranged to establish a communication link with the first communication interface, a camera being arranged to take a picture of the electronic identification document owner, and a program element being arranged to extract biometric information from said picture and to initiate a comparison between the reference biometric information and the extracted biometric information.

Abstract: An ADC is disclosed which has, as a first stage, a successive approximation converter, or other compensated, direct comparison converter, followed by a sigma delta modulation converter as a second stage. The sigma delta converter may beneficially be a first order modulator. The resulting ADC combines accuracy with low power consumption per conversion, and thus is particularly suited for use in temperature sensors for applications such as RFID transponders. Such a temperature sensor and an RFID transponder are also disclosed. There is also disclosed a method of analog-to-digital conversion, comprising a first successive approximation register or other compensated, direct comparison conversion stage followed by a sigma delta modulation stage, which, further, may be combined with providing a proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) signal, for low-power, accurate temperature sensing.

Abstract: An ingestible apparatus produces and processes physiological signals representative of a physiological parameter. The apparatus measures the physiological parameter from within the body of a living entity. The apparatus includes a physiological transducer circuit to sense the physiological signals, a processor to process the physiological signals in response to the physiological transducer circuit, and a transmitter that transmits the processed signals during transmission intervals which are alternated with idle intervals. The apparatus further includes a capacitor-based circuit, including at least one capacitor, to accumulate sufficient charge during one of the idle intervals to supply power to the transmitter during one of the transmission intervals.

Abstract: A circuit for connecting to a dimmer, the circuit configured to receive an input signal from the dimmer. The circuit comprises a first load and a switch. The switch is operable to automatically engage the first load at a predetermined time from a zero-crossing of the input signal and automatically disengage the first load at other times.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sensor package includes a lead frame with a first portion extending and a second portion extending in a direction inclined with respect to the first potion. The sensor package also includes an application specific integrated circuit and a magneto resistive sensor and a ferrite provided with a molding body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of storing pictures in a memory, a picture being divided into data blocks, said method comprising the step of: computing a transform of an input data block for producing a transformed data block comprising a set of n transformed elements, where n is an integer, entropy coding m first transformed elements of the transformed data block for producing an encoded data block, where m is an integer lower than n, computing a cost function on the basis of a weighted sum of a distortion value between the input data block and the encoded data block and a power consumption required for reading or writing the encoded data block in the memory, iterating the entropy coding and cost function computing steps for different values of m, and storing in the memory the encoded data block corresponding to the value of m that minimizes the cost function.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a tracking system and method. The system includes a transistor switch having a gate node and a source node, a power source circuit connected to the gate node, and a bootstrapping circuit connected to the source node and to the gate node. The power source circuit charges the switch during a first tracking phase, and the bootstrapping circuit charges the switch during a second tracking phase.

Abstract: A magnetic sensing system, including: a magnetic component proximate a movable mechanical component; and a magnetic sensor configured to determine a movement of the mechanical component based on a magnetic field produced by the magnetic component. The magnetic sensor includes: a low-offset magnetic sensing element; a high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element; and an offset compensation circuit configured to: determine a zero-crossing of a sensing field from an output of the low-offset magnetic sensing element; sample an offset value of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element at the zero-crossing; and subtract the offset value from an output of the high-sensitivity magnetic sensing element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for calibrating a transmitting system (1) for transmitting data from a medium access control device (2) via a digital interface (IF1) to a physical layer (PHY) and an antenna (3) to a transmission line (4), wherein the physical layer (PHY) comprises a base band controller (5) and a data processing pipeline (6) comprising a plurality of functional blocks (FB1 to FB13), comprising the following steps: setting a calibration control register (R), thereupon, setting the transmitting system (1) to a calibration mode, wherein the transmitting system (1) generates a predetermined number of single test tones (T) and transmits the test tones (T) sequentially, and after transmission of the test tones (T), detecting the returned test tones (T) and measuring their levels, especially their power levels and the spectrum behavior of the transmission line (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a switched mode power converter and a method of operating such a converter A switched mode power converter according to the invention includes a transformer (2) having a primary winding (2a) and at least one secondary winding (2b) and a secondary side rectifier circuit including an output filter (6, 10) coupled to the at least one secondary winding (2b), and a secondary side active switch device (S3) coupled between the at least one secondary winding and the output filter. The converter further includes primary side and secondary side control means (12, 16, 18) for regulating the switching of the primary side and secondary side switches, respectively, and configured so as to reduce the duty cycle of the primary side switch device (S1) during a lower power mode of operation of the converter, the reduction of the duty cycle of the primary side switch being determined with reference to the duty cycle of the secondary side switch (S3).

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighboring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. The photovoltaic generators may be individual solar cells or a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged as a segment. To compensate for differences in output between segments for instance due to partial shading, power-exchange units, such as DC-DC converters, are arranged across neighboring segments, such that each power-exchange unit effectively sources or sinks current between neighboring segments to current-match the string. To avoid unnecessary “rippling” of power matching along many power-exchange units and the associated power loss due to many power-exchange units operating at less than 100% efficiency, the power-exchange units are arranged in a hierarchical structure.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus comprises a main apparatus portion, a unique identification device for attachment in close proximity to the main apparatus portion and an interrogation system provided as part of the main apparatus portion for wirelessly interrogating the identification device such that the main apparatus portion function is enabled only when in close proximity to the identification device. The identification device is adapted to be made disfunctional by detachment or attempted detachment. In this arrangement, the main apparatus portion is the normal electronic apparatus to be protected from theft. It is provided with an interrogation system so that it can be made to cease functioning if not in close proximity to the identification device.