Abstract: Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a control method which reduces the steps: instead of a constant on-time for the switch, the duration of the on-time is increased each time an additional valley to be skipped. The predetermined increase may be either a fixed fractional increase or a further additional increment; it may be determined by a small regulation loop that multiplies the on-time from the main loop with a factor equal to the ratio between measured period time and the sum of primary and secondary stroke times.

Abstract: A method for server-based managing of unique memory device identifications, such as serial numbers, of memory devices having unique memory device identifications, such as emulated MIFARE devices like SmartMX cards, which memory devices are arranged in mobile communication devices, comprises keeping a repository (DB) of available memory device identifications; fetching a memory device identification from the repository and sending it to a specific mobile communication device; and instructing the mobile communication device to change the memory device identification of its associated memory device from its present value to the received new value. Further, the server instructs the mobile communication device to return the previous value of the memory device identification of its associated memory device. Finally, the server will add the returned memory device identification value to the repository of memory device identifications.

Abstract: A received OFDM signal is demodulated by sampling the OFDM signal at successive time instants and computing a Fourier transform of the samples for a block of time instants. In addition, a sliding Fourier transform is computed at every new one of the same input samples, to extract a pilot frequency tone. From results of the sliding Fourier transform a frequency error signal is detected. This signal is fed back the in a frequency synchronization feedback loop. The frequency synchronization feedback loop may be used to track the pilot tone by adjusting a phase correction signal and/or to track sample clock frequency variations.

Abstract: A collaboration request may be sent to a host or a peripheral when a job is to be processed. The job may include one or more tasks. The host determines which device is better suited to act as host by analyzing the type of task or job to be executed and the capabilities of the host and peripheral. If the peripheral is better suited to act as host, the host and peripheral swap roles and control of a task or job is transferred to the peripheral. The host and peripheral may return to their default roles once the task or job is complete.

Abstract: A driver for driving an LED uses PWM in a sequence of the periods. The driver has a modulo counter, that is reset after each period. The driver has a first adder for combining the count value with a quantity indicative of a shift of the LED's control pulse relative to the start of the period; a second adder for combining the count value with a width quantity indicative of a width of the control pulse; and a logic gate receiving the MSBs at the outputs of the adders and supplying the control pulse.

Abstract: A novel Si MEMS piezoresistive resonator is described. The resonator has a shape of a frame, such as a ring or a polygon frame, which has two or more anchors. Electrodes located at the outer or inner rim of the resonant structure are used to excite the structure electrostatically into resonance with a desired mode shape. One or plurality of locally doped regions on the structure is used for piezoresistive readout of the signal. In the most preferred embodiments, the structure is a ring, which has four anchors, two electrodes and four piezoresistive regions at different segments of the structure. The piezoresistive regions are alternatively located at the outer rim and inner rim of the structure in such a way that the piezoresistive signals of the same sign from different regions can be collected. Advantages of this device are large readout signal, large electrode area, robustness, suppressed out-of-plane vibration and larger usable linear range.

Abstract: A satellite digital radio receiver for receiving first and second radio services. The first and second radio services are broadcast in first and second respective different radio frequency bands. At least one radio programme is broadcast substantially simultaneously on both radio services and one of the frequency bands can produce interference in the other frequency band.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a structure (1100), the method comprising forming a cap element (401) on a substrate (101), removing material (103) of the substrate (101) below the cap element (401) to thereby form a gap (802) between the cap element (401) and the substrate (101), and rearranging material of the cap element (401) and/or of the substrate (101) to thereby merge the cap element (401) and the substrate (101) to bridge the gap (802).

Abstract: MEMS oscillators, which include a silicon-type, in particular piezoresistive resonators, can be used to provide a fixed, stable output frequency. Silicon has a natural temperature dependence of Young's modulus, therefore, as ambient temperature changes and/or the piezoresistive resonator is powered, the resonator temperature changes, and the resonance frequency of the resonator drifts. In order to account for the temperature drift of the piezoresistive resonator, the piezoresistive resonator itself is used as a temperature sensor. The relative resistance change of the piezoresistive resonator depends only on the relative temperature change and material property of the resonator. Therefore, an accurate temperature can be sensed directly on the piezoresistive resonator. The temperature drift information is provided to a frequency adjuster, which corrects the output frequency of the circuit.

Abstract: Capacitive circuits are implemented with desirable quality factors in various implementations. According to an example embodiment, a fringe capacitor includes two capacitive circuits (e.g., plates), respectively having a plurality of capacitive fingers extending from an end structure, and respectively having a connecting pin that is adjacent the connecting pin of the other capacitive circuit, on a common side fringe capacitor. The capacitive fingers are arranged in stacked layers, with vias connecting the fingers in different layers back to the connecting pins.

Abstract: A light sensor is used to detect ambient light conditions. According to an example embodiment, a light sensor (112) detects color temperature and, in some instances, intensity characteristics of ambient light (120, 130, 140) in an environment and uses these detected characteristics (116) to determine the location of the sensor relative to natural and artificial light sources. This location determination is used to selectively operate circuits in a device such as a hand-held telephone, computer device or personal data assistant (PDA).

Abstract: A surge protection circuit is disclosed for an electrical Load which may be for instance an LED load which is directly connected to a supply such as mains supply, and comprises a plurality of switches which are distributed across a plurality of semiconductor die. A surge detector detects the start of a spike in the supply, which results from, for example the commencement or interruption of a nearby inductive load, and opens all the switches. By distributing the switches across multiple die the peak voltage across each is reduced relative to using a single die; thereby each die can stay within the absolute maximum voltage capacity. Each die may have its own surge detector; alternatively, a single surge detector may be used which communicates with the switches on each of the die. In an extension the bridge rectifier may be integrated into the circuit distributed across the die. In this embodiment additional inter-die clamping diodes are required to prevent unsafe floating of the edge connections of each die.

Abstract: A control circuit is disclosed for lighting applications having a load and an AC leading-edge phase-cut dimmer comprising a phase-cutting switch, the circuit comprising: a detection circuit for detecting a deadlock state of the dimmer; and an activation circuit configured to, in response to the detection circuit detecting a deadlock state of the dimmer, supply a DC current to the dimmer to exit the deadlock state by activating the dimmer. A method of operating such a control circuit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An immobilizer device is configured for communicating with a base station. The immobilizer device includes an antenna circuit including three orthogonally-oriented antennas configured to receive a signal from a field generated by a base station. A power circuit is configured to draw power via the field on each of the antennas, and a communications circuit is configured to communicate with the base station via any of the antennas. The strength of the signals received via the antennas is evaluated and used to select one of the antennas for use in data communications and, if appropriate, as a power supply.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device comprising an RF-LDMOS transistor (1) and a protection circuit (2) for the RF-LDMOS transistor. The protection circuit (2) comprises: i) an input terminal (Ni) coupled to a drain terminal (Drn) of the RF-LDMOS transistor (1); ii) a clipping node (Nc); iii) a clipping circuit (3) coupled to the clipping node (Nc) for substantially keeping the voltage on the clipping node (Nc) below a predefined reference voltage, wherein the predefined reference voltage is designed to be larger than the operation voltage on the drain terminal (Drn) and lower than a trigger voltage of a parasitic bipolar transistor (100) that is inherently present in the RF-LDMOS transistor; iv) a capacitance (Ct) coupled between the clipping node (Nc) and a further reference voltage terminal (Gnd), and v) a rectifying element (D1, D2) connected with its anode terminal to the input terminal (Ni) and with its cathode terminal to the clipping node (Nc).

Abstract: HDMI devices coupled to interfaces in environments with high voltages, for example in an automotive vehicle, may be damaged by a short circuit between a cable and a large DC voltage. A protection circuit (100) for the high speed TMDS lines of an HDMI interface includes a DC voltage source (22, 24), a pair of capacitors (C1, C2) and a pair of splitters (12, 14). Each splitter is arranged to split a signal from respective one of the pair of electrical conductors between two signal paths, whereby one of the signal paths is coupled to the voltage source, and a second signal path is coupled to a first terminal of a respective one of the pair of capacitors. A signal received from an HDMI source (26) is split between a first path coupled to a first terminal of a respective capacitor and a second path coupled to the DC voltage source.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention an integrated circuit is conceived which comprises a physical unclonable function which is at least partially implemented in a passivation layer of said integrated circuit. According to a further aspect of the invention, a corresponding method for manufacturing an integrated circuit is conceived. According to a further aspect of the invention, an electronic device is conceived which comprises an integrated circuit of the kind set forth.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a method for establishing secure communication between nodes in a network is conceived, wherein the network comprises a key manager which accommodates a key-manager-specific public key and a corresponding key-manager-specific private key; wherein a copy of the key-manager-specific public key is stored in an installation device; wherein the installation device provides a new node with the copy of the key-manager-specific public key; and wherein said new node is registered with the key manager by providing a node-specific public key and an identifier of said new node to the key manager, such that other nodes in the network may setup end-to-end secure connections with said new node by requesting the node-specific public key of said new node from the key manager.

Abstract: A switching circuit and a method of operating the same. The switching circuit comprises: a switching transistor adapted to control operation of the switching circuit according to a control signal applied to the control terminal of the switching transistor; a regulating circuit adapted to generate the control signal; and a detecting circuit adapted to sense a voltage at the control terminal when the switching transistor is in an OFF state and to generate a drive signal according to the sensed voltage. The regulating circuit is adapted to generate the control signal based on the generated drive signal.

Abstract: A microphone and a method for manufacturing the same. The microphones includes a substrate die; and a microphone and an accelerometer formed from the substrate die. The accelerometer is adapted to provide a signal for compensating mechanical vibrations of the substrate die.