Abstract: Conductions and vias between different, stacked metallic layers of a semiconductor device may be mechanically damaged by mechanical strain. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, this mechanical strain may be transferred through the layer structure to the substrate by a grid of grounding structures and isolation and passivation layers which are connected by the grounding structures. This may provide for an enhancement of the lifetime of the semiconductor devices.

Abstract: An integrated tuner is programmable to optimize its components for either analog signal reception or digital signal reception. Power to the components is increased for analog operation and decreased for digital operation. The tuner also includes a selectable and integrated low noise amplifier that may be selected for single-signal reception and bypassed for multi-signal reception.

Abstract: A method of transferring content (CONT1, CONT2) between at least two devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3), the devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) being capable of outputting said content (CONT1, CONT2), and a device (DEV1) itself is disclosed. First, said devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) are connected via associated interfaces (INT1, INT2, INT3). Then, there is a detection or negotiation which of the devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) is currently outputting content (CONT1, CONT2). Finally, content (CONT1, CONT2), which is currently being output, is transferred from the corresponding outputting device or devices (DEV1, DEV2) to the other device or devices (DEV1, DEV2, DEV3) via said interfaces (INT1, INT2, INT3).

Abstract: One embodiment of the present application includes a microcontroller (30) that has an embedded memory (46), a programmable processor (32), and a test interface (34). The memory (46) is accessible through the test interface (34). In response to resetting this microcontroller (30), a counter is started and the test interface (34) is initially set to a disabled state while an initiation program is executed. The test interface (34) is changed to an enabled state—such that access to the embedded memory (46) is permitted through it—when the counter reaches a predefined value unless the microcontroller (30) executes programming code before the predefined value is reached to provide the disabled state during subsequent microcontroller (30) operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetoresistive sensor with a triangle made of magnetic sensitive material with three corners with two wiring connections, wherein the three sides of the triangle have different or at least substantially equal length.

Abstract: A plurality of data processing tasks with processing elements (10) that contend for a resource (18). Execution of each task comprising executing a series of instructions. During execution indications are measured of the speed of progress of executing the instructions for respective ones of the tasks. Requests to access the resource (18) for different ones of the tasks are arbitrated, a priority for judging arbitration being assigned to each task based on the measured indication of the speed of progress of the task. At least over a part of a range of possible speed of progress values increasingly higher priority is assigned in case of increasingly lower indication of the speed of progress.

Abstract: A mobile telephone comprises a casing housing a telephone set to receive and transmit radiotelephone signals and a television set comprising a main television antenna (MAN) to receive radiotelevision signals, a television receiver arranged to process the received radiotelevision signals to output television signals to be displayed, and a display means display the outputted television signals. The main television antenna (MAN) is made in planar technology, is built-in inside the casing and comprises a filtering slot (FS) having chosen dimensions (D1, D2) to be resonant around the frequency of the radiotelephone signals to reject them at least partly.

Abstract: A non-volatile memory device on a substrate layer (2) comprises source and drain regions (3) and a channel region (4). The source and drain regions (3) and the channel region (4) are arranged in a semiconductor layer (20) on the substrate layer (2). The channel region (4) is fin-shaped and extends longitudinally (X) between the source region and the drain region (3). The channel region (4) comprises two fin portions (4a, 4b) and an intra-fin space (10), the fin portions (4a, 4b) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) and being spaced apart, and the intra-fin space (10) being located in between the fin portions (4a, 4b), and a charge storage area (11, 12; 15, 12) is located in the intra-fin space (10) between the fin portions (4a, 4b).

Abstract: A passive processing device (D) is adapted to be interfaced in a full integrated way on at least a first audio signal path defined between a first audio signal source and an audio signal processing means of an electronic device, such as a mobile communication device. This device (D) comprises a first protection means (DE11; DE12) for rejecting electrostatic discharges on the first path, a first rejection means (CR11, R11; CR12) for rejecting radio signals at least in a chosen frequency band on the first path, and a first AC-coupling means (CC1) for interfacing voltage levels between the first audio signal source and the audio signal processing means.

Abstract: A memory controller (SMC) is provided the for coupling a memory (MEM) to a network (N). The network (N) comprises at least one network interface (PCIEI) having network interface buffers (TPB, FCB) for implementing a flow control across the network (N). The memory controller (SMC) comprises a buffer managing unit (BMU) for managing the buffering of data from the network (N) to exchange data with the memory (MEM) in bursts. The buffer managing unit (BMU) furthermore monitors the network interface buffers (TPB, FCB) in order to determine whether sufficient data is present in the network interface buffers (FCB) such that a burst of data can be written to the memory (MEM) and whether sufficient space is available in the network interface buffers (TPB) such that a burst of data from the memory (MEM) can be buffered in the network interface buffers (TPB). The buffer managing unit (BMU) controls the access to the memory (MEM) according to according to the data and/or space in the network interface buffers (FCB, TPB).

Abstract: Apparatus for generating a first acoustic signal and simultaneously sensing a second acoustic signal. The apparatus comprises: an input (15) for receiving a first electrical signal from a signal source; a loudspeaker terminal, directly or indirectly connected to the input (15), for connection to a loudspeaker (30) for generating the first acoustic signal in response to the first electrical signal and for generating a second electrical signal in response to the second acoustic signal; and an output (35), for outputting the second electrical signal. The loudspeaker terminal is connected to the output (35) via isolation means (25) comprising a first filter which is adapted to suppress a signal component related to the first electrical signal while simultaneously passing the second electrical signal to the output (35).

Abstract: A switched mode power supply (SMPS) is disclosed. The SMPS includes a mechanism for discharging charge stored in an input capacitor, upon the SMPS becoming disconnection from the mains, for instance by being unplugged. The SMPS includes a detector for detecting the disconnection of the mains, and a discharge circuit. The discharge circuit comprises a discharge element. The discharge element may be a part of the SMPS which is used otherwise, for instance, a high-voltage current source, or a bus capacitor or it may be an additional element, for instance a resistance load. The discharge circuit is adapted for, in response to the detector detecting a disconnection of the mains, discharging the input capacitor along a path. The detector controls a switch which engages the discharge circuit upon the detection. The switch forms a part of the discharge path. Also disclosed are methods of operating an SMPS including a safety arrangement, and a controller adapted or configured to operate such methods.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an electronic device having a High-Definition Multimedia Interface port that is shared between an HDMI source function and an HDMI sink function of the electronic device utilizes detecting whether an external HDMI device that is attached to the HDMI port is one of an HDMI source and an HDMI sink. If the external HDMI device is detected as being an HDMI source, the HDMI sink function of the electronic device is enabled. If the external HDMI device is detected as being an HDMI sink, the HDMI source function of the electronic device is enabled.

Abstract: A charge-pump capacitive DC-DC converter (200) is disclosed, which includes a reconfigurable charge-pump capacitor array. The DC-DC converter is configured to provide a continuously variable ratio between its input voltage (Vin) and its output voltage (Vout), by means of at least one of the at least one charge-pump capacitors (C21, C22) forming the reconfigurable array being a variable capacitor. In the embodiments, the one or more variable capacitors (C21, C22) may be a ferroelectric capacitor, an anti-ferroelectric capacitor, or other ferrioc capacitor. The DC-DC converter (200) may provide a bias circuit to the capacitor or capacitors, and may further provide a control loop (220, 230). Alternatively, the capacitor may provide a degree of self-control.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a controller for a Switched Mode Power Supply having opto-coupler-based feedback from secondary to primary side, is disclosed, in which the optocoupler current varies inversely with the output voltage over a voltage control range. The converter is thereby enabled to consume less power than do conventional converters, when in lower-power standby mode. Also disclosed are low-voltage startup and over-voltage protection arrangements combined with such a controller. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention refers to a power converter and to a method for power conversion. The power converter includes a primary winding adapted to receive a primary alternating voltage. The converter further includes a first secondary circuit magnetically coupled to the primary winding, the first secondary circuit generating a first secondary output signal, the power converter further includes a second secondary circuit magnetically coupled to the primary winding. The power converter includes a post regulator adapted to be coupled to the second secondary circuit, the post regulator having a switch which is opened at every zero-crossing of the first output signal.

Abstract: A device for processing an audio signal is provided, wherein the processing device comprises a processing unit, and a determination unit, wherein the processing unit is adapted to receive first data associated with a first subsignal of the audio signal and second data associated with a second subsignal of the audio signal, and wherein the determination unit is adapted to determine a compensation value for one of the subsignals depending on a phase difference between the first subsignal and the second subsignal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a MEMS resonator comprising a first electrode, a movable element (48) comprising a second electrode, the movable element (48) at least being movable towards the first electrode, the first electrode and the movable element (48) being separated by a gap (46, 47) having sidewalls. According to the invention, the MEMS resonator is characterized in that the gap (46, 47) has been provided with a dielectric layer (60) on at least one of the sidewalls.

Abstract: In a data carrier (2) which is provided as a communication partner appliance for a communication system with at least one further communication partner appliance (3, 40), a first communication mode or a second communication mode can be activated. A detection device (32) for detecting the presence of a received carrier signal (RS) transmits a carrier signal present signal (PS) in the event of a carrier signal (RS) being present, and otherwise a carrier signal not-present signal (NPS). A command signal that can be transmitted with the aid of the carrier signal (RS) triggers a determination stage (27) for determining whether after the end of the command signal has occurred, at a given measurement point in time, the carrier signal present signal (PS) is present. If the carrier signal present signal (PS) is present, the data carrier (2) is brought into the first communication mode with the aid of activators (30, 35); otherwise, it is brought into the second communication mode.

Abstract: A wireless device (110) is provided for supporting peer to peer communications. A transceiver (132) is configured to receive and transmit data over a wireless link. A network activity sensor (136) is coupled to the transceiver and configured to sense peer to peer activity by the transceiver and generate a network activity sensor signal. A controller (140) is coupled to the network activity sensor (136) and the transceiver (132), and configured to selectively deactivate a portion of the wireless device based at least in part on the network activity sensor signal. Advantages of the invention include the ability to prolong battery life in wireless devices.