Abstract: A driver circuit (10) for a light emitting diode comprises a first driver circuit (32, 32?, 32?) for generating a first current output for driving the light emitting diode, wherein the first driver circuit has a control switch for interrupting the supply of the first current output. A second driver circuit (50) is for generating a second current output for driving the light emitting diode, and the second driver circuit also has a control switch for interrupting the supply of the second current output. The overall output of the driver circuit comprises a pulse width modulated output current which alternates between a high current (Ihigh) generated by the first driver circuit and a low current (Ilow) generated by the second driver circuit. By providing separate driver circuits for two different current requirements, the circuits can be optimised for each function. For example the high current value can comprise an LED operation current, and the low current value can comprise a non-zero measurement current.

Abstract: A method for a digital Communications receiver. The method comprises receiving a signal transmitted from a transmitter. The transmitted signal includes a first modulated carrier representing one or more data bits and a second modulated modulated carrier optionally representing one or more padding bits only. The padding bits are inserted at the transmitter and have predefined values known to both the transmitter and receiver. The method further comprises determining whether the one or more padding bits were inserted at the transmitter; if so, analysing the second modulated carrier in the received signal, using knowledge of the predetermined values of the one or more padding bits; and, using information determined from the analysis, estimating the values of the one or more data bits from the first modulated carrier.

Abstract: A controller for a test head module (106) of a test cell (100) includes a control signal generator, an electronic memory device, and a signal evaluation module. The control signal generator to provide control signals to a plurality of magnetic stimulator heads, which provide magnetic stimulus signals to singulated devices for testing in response to the control signals. The electronic memory device stores instructions for controlling concurrent activation of at least two of the magnetic stimulator heads for parallel testing of the singulated devices. The signal evaluation module receives electrical signals from the singulated devices. The electrical signals from the singulated devices are dependent on the magnetic stimulus signals applied to the singulated devices.

Abstract: A multiple application smart card (102) uses hardware firewalls (130) and an internal communications scheme to isolate applications from different service providers. A first application (116) from a first service provider is stored within a first supplemental security domain (SSD) (126) of a memory device on the multiple application smart card (102). A second application (116) from a second service provider is stored within a second SSD (128) of the memory device. A hardware firewall (130) is located between the first and second applications (116) of the first and second SSDs (128). The hardware firewall (130) prevents direct data access between the first and second applications (116) of the first and second SSDs (128).

Abstract: A data processing apparatus (30) comprising: a local source of data (4); a first controller (31); and a tamper-resistant second controller (32) configured to communicate with the first controller, the first controller being configured to control and receive data from the local source of data and from a sensing unit connected to the first controller via a communication interface and to perform a series of calculation operations on the data, wherein the second controller is configured to verify the integrity of a selected subset of the operations performed by the first controller.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating local oscillator signals for a mixer. The method includes providing a reference frequency signal and generating a differential in-phase signal and a differential quadrature signal from the reference frequency signal. The method further includes re-clocking each of the differential in-phase and differential quadrature signals using the reference frequency signal. The re-clocked differential in-phase and differential quadrature signals are then provided as the local oscillator signals for the mixer.

Abstract: A sensor device is disclosed, which depends on discrimination in time between groups of binding events of target particles to nano-electrodes. The target particles may be in the liquid phase or in suspension. The nano-electrodes form part of a sensor arrangement having a plurality of sensors. The sensor device is arranged such that different species of target particles arrive at the nano-electrodes at different times, using techniques such as chromatography or application of a field such as an electric, magnetic, or gravitational field. The particles may be labelled or unlabeled. The invention is particularly suited, but not limited, to sensing bioparticles.

Abstract: An amplifier comprising at least one amplifying element (20a, 25a) and a biasing circuit (32a, 32b) for biasing the or each amplifying element with a bias voltage is disclosed. The biasing circuit (32a, 32b) is adapted to vary the bias voltage such that the or each amplifying element switches between non-switching and switching modes of operation in response to a bias control signal (4) passing through a threshold value.

Abstract: A counter/timer circuit and method of generating timed output signals using the counter/timer circuit, uses multiple counters that are configurable to operate as one or more counters. The counters are controlled by control signals from a control logic circuitry of the counter/timer circuit, where at least some of the control signals are dependent on event signals generated by an event generation module of the counter/timer circuit. The generated event signals are based on at least one of: an input signal, an output signal, and a counter match, qualified by a state value associated with the counters.

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: Disclosed is a sensor for detecting a component (20) of an atmosphere, the sensor comprising a sensing surface (14, 16) covered by a barrier layer (18) of a material switchable between respective layer orientations that have permeability to the component. A NFC device comprising such a sensor, a package incorporating the NFC device and a method of manufacturing the sensor are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for converting an analog input signal into a digital code (b1-bN), comprising a delay circuit adapted to generate a periodical signal having a delay as a function of the analog input signal value; and a quantization stage for converting the delayed periodical signal into the digital code. The circuit converts an analog voltage or current into the time-domain, thus facilitating the implementation of high-speed analog-to-digital converters into submicron technologies, in particular CMOS technologies. A method of converting an analog input signal into a digital code (b1-bN) is also disclosed.

Abstract: An assembly (100) is provided comprising a first chip (20) and a second chip (30) which are interconnected through solder connections. These comprise, at the first chip, an underbump metallization and a solder bump, and, at the second chip, a metallization. In this case the solder bump is provided as a fluid layer with a contact angle of less than 90° C., and an intermetallic compound is formed on the basis of the metallization at the second chip, and at least one element of the composition is applied as the solder bump.

Abstract: A resonator comprises a resonator mass (34), a first connector (30) on a first side of the mass connected between the resonator mass and a first fixed mounting and a second connector (32) on a second, opposite, side of the mass connected between the resonator mass and a second fixed mounting. Drive means drives the mass (34) into a resonant mode in which it oscillates in a sideways direction, thereby compressing one of the first and second connectors while extending the other of the first and second connectors.

Abstract: Method for setup of parameter values in a RF power amplifier circuit arrangement (200), wherein the amplifier circuit arrangement (200) comprises a first (210) and a second (220) amplification branch and is operated in an out-phasing configuration for amplification of RF input signals with modulated amplitude and modulated phase and respective circuit arrangements are disclosed. According to a first aspect a re-optimization of the dead-time or conversely the duty-cycle, respectively, the phase of the output signal after the combiner can be kept linear with respect to the out-phasing angle. Further, according to a second aspect, additionally to introduction of an optimally chosen dead-time, a non-coherent combiner (Lx, Lx*) can reduce crowbar current and switching losses due the output capacitance (Cds). Furthermore, according to a third aspect the reactive compensation can, additionally or alternatively, be controlled by operating both amplification branches at different duty-cycles.

Abstract: A method is provided of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a first, n-type field effect transistor (1) and a second, p-type field effect transistor (2). The method comprises depositing a gate dielectric layer over a substrate; depositing a gate metal layer (22) over the gate dielectric layer, depositing a solid metal oxide layer (15) over the gate dielectric layer; removing a portion of the solid metal oxide layer (15) over an area of the substrate corresponding to the n-type transistor; and completing gate stacks for the n-type and p-type transistors and forming source and drain regions. The invention thus provides a device which is compatible with IC technology and easy to manufacture. The deposition of a solid metal oxide layer provides a simplified manufacturing process, by avoiding the complexity of gas exposure to form an oxide layer.

Abstract: A differential amplifier circuit comprises a differential pre-amplifying stage which is designed to allow an input signal with a first common mode voltage range, and to generate an output which has a narrower common mode voltage variation. This pre-amplifier stage is designed to accept a large common mode input voltage and to process the signal so that it can be amplified by a main amplifying stage which is designed to allow an input signal with a smaller common mode voltage range.

Abstract: A hearing device is disclosed, in which antenna diversity is provided by means of including an antenna in each of two sub-units or earpieces, one being for each ear. The antennae communicate with a further communication device by conventional wireless RF transmission. The two sub-units communicate by means of near field communication, NFC. The two sub-units act in co-operation so as to ensure that a relatively higher quality baseband stream is extracted from either one or a combination of the receivers associated with the antennae. Deleterious effects from e.g. local disturbances to the electromagnetic field of the transmission may thereby be mitigated or overcome. Methods of operating such hearing devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprises a processor, a connection to the processor, a monitoring component arranged to monitor the connection to the processor, a performance counter connected to the monitoring component and arranged to establish a ratio between processor idle time and processor busy time, and a policy component connected to the performance counter and the processor, and arranged to adjust the processor frequency according to the established ratio of processor idle time to processor busy time.

Abstract: In a method of inventorying data carriers by means of a communication station, whereby the communication station and each data carrier are brought into communicative connection, and each data carrier brought into communicative connection with the communication station is capable of generating a response signal that renders possible an inventorying of the data carrier and is capable of delivering a generated response signal with the use of a transmission start moment that can be selected from a plurality of transmission start moments, each data carrier tests whether another data carrier is already giving its response signal. Each data carrier subsequently discontinues the generation or delivery of its response signal if another data carrier is already providing its response signal.