Patents Assigned to NXP
  • Publication number: 20080265906
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing an integrated circuit core or circuitry external to an integrated circuit core using a testing circuit passes a test vector from a parallel input of the testing circuit along a shift register circuit. The shift register circuit is configured to bypass one or more cores not being tested and to provide the test vector to a core scan chain of the core being tested. The bypassed cores are configured such that the associated shift register circuit portion is driven to a hold mode in which storage elements of the shift register circuit portion have their outputs coupled to their inputs. This method provides holding of the shift register stages when a core is bypassed and in a test mode, and this means the shift register stages are less prone to errors resulting from changes in clock signals applied to the shift register stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Tom Waayers
  • Patent number: 7443375
    Abstract: A display device includes pixels arranged in columns and rows, in which the pixels of a row can be selected by means of a row voltage supplied via control lines, and column voltages that correspond to the image data of the selected pixel to be displayed can be supplied via data lines, wherein mutually adjoining pixel groups arranged in a row or column, consisting of adjoining pixels of a row or column, are connected to adjoining control lines or data lines, as applicable, in alternation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Knut Kieschnick, Eckart Rzittka, Marko Radovic
  • Patent number: 7444118
    Abstract: In order that an electronic communications system (100) equipped with: [a.1] at least one base station (10), to which [a.2] at least one LC resonant circuit (13, 16) [a.2.1] with at least one antenna unit (16) in the form of a coil, and [a.2.2] at least one capacitive unit (13) series-connected to the antenna unit (16) is assigned, which base station (10) is arranged, in particular, on an object to be secured against unauthorized use and/or against unauthorized access, such as on a means of locomotion, on an access system or on an entry system, and [b.1] at least one transponder station (40), to which [b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Frank Böh, Jürgen Nowottnick
  • Patent number: 7443264
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an impedance transformation circuit (I10; 11a; 11b; 12) with a first contact pad (51) and a second contact pad (52) being spaced-apart and formed on a substrate (20). The impedance transformation circuit comprises at least first circuit element (40) providing a contact area (41) formed on the substrate (20) which is arranged adjacent and between the first (51) and the second (52) contact pad. A first wire element (31) extends over the substrate (20) connecting the first contact pad (51) and a first end portion (41a) of the contact area of the first circuit element (40), whilst at least a second wire element (32) extends over the substrate (20) connecting the second contact pad (52) and a second end portion (41b) of the contact area of the first circuit element (40). The contact area of the first circuit element (40) is shaped such that it is provided a capacitive connection with a predetermined capacitance between the contact area and a fixed reference poteitial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Igor Ivanovich Blednov
  • Patent number: 7443344
    Abstract: An antenna arrangement for a radio communications apparatus such as a mobile phone, comprises a substantially planar patch conductor having a first feed connection point for connection to radio circuitry and a second feed connection point for connection to a ground plane, a first, differential slot in the patch conductor between the first and second connection points and a second, dual band slot located in the patch conductor outside the area between the first and second connection points. The length of the first slot is greater than a quarter wavelength, and provides a third resonant frequency increasing the bandwidth of the antenna. The width of the patch conductor between the first and the second slots is selected to obtain a low impedance transformation and thereby a low antenna resistance causing detuning the antenna. A user holding the phone increases the antenna resistance thereby tuning the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7443885
    Abstract: A device that supports a plurality n of message objects, including a plurality of registers associated with each message object, including at least one object match ID register that contains a multi-bit object match ID field, and at least one object mask register that contains a multi-bit object mask field; and, a CAN/CAL module that processes incoming messages. The CAN/CAL module assembles a multi-bit screener ID from selected bits of each incoming message to be acceptance filtered, compares the bits comprising the screener ID with corresponding bits of the object match ID field associated with each of at least designated ones of the message objects, disregarding any bits of each object match ID field that are masked by corresponding bits of the associated object mask field, and then determines whether any of the comparisons results in a match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: William J. Slivkoff, Neil Edward Birns, Hong Bin Hao, Richard Fabbri
  • Patent number: 7444530
    Abstract: The invention relates to a standby circuit, an electrical device with a standby circuit, a method for the control of the electrical device and a power supply assembly. Whereas the power supply unit and the control electronics are in permanent operation when conventional devices are in the standby mode and consequently have a high power consumption, the invention proposes a solution for saving energy while retaining convenience of operation by which the power supply unit is switched off in the standby mode. A standby circuit, preferably fed by an energy buffer element, remains active in the standby mode and monitors signal inputs for activation events. When an activation event occurs, the standby circuit switches on the power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Carsten Deppe, Peter Luerkens, Thomas Duerbaum, Matthias Wendt, Christoph Loef, Georg Sauerlaender
  • Patent number: 7443725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for forming a set of floating gates which are isolated from each other by means of slits, as well as semiconductor devices using the floating gate. The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an array of semiconductor devices on a substrate (10), each device having a floating gate (36), comprising: first forming isolation zones (14) in the substrate (10), thereafter forming a floating gate separator (32) on the isolation zones (14) at locations where separations between adjacent floating gates (36) are to be formed, after forming the floating gate separator (32), forming the floating gates (36) on the substrate (10) between parts of the floating gate separator (32), and thereafter removing the floating gate separator (32) so as to obtain slits in between neighboring floating gates (36). This method has an advantage over prior art in that less residues of floating gate material, or less floating gate material shorts between adjacent floating gates occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Robertus Theodorus Fransiscus Van Schaijk, Michiel Slotboom
  • Patent number: 7443648
    Abstract: A driver for an inductive load such as a solenoid coil 92 includes three FETs 4,6,8. Two of the FETs are reversely connected between battery and output terminals 16, 18, and one of the FETs is connected between output and ground terminals 16, 14. A driver circuit 10 having high and low side control circuitry 58,56 is formed in a common substrate with two of the FETs 4,6. In use, a coil 92 is connected to the output terminal 16, and driven in an energize mode in which current in the coil 92 is built up as indicated by arrow 100, a freewheel mode in which current circulates freely as indicated by arrow 102, and then may be switched off. The reversely connected FETs allow both short circuits to be prevented in the energize mode and allow the coil to be rapidly switched off. In spite of the control circuitry being formed in a common substrate with some of the FETs, the arrangement allows the FETs to be properly driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP, B.V.
    Inventors: John R. Cutter, Brendan P. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7442474
    Abstract: A method for determining rotational error portion of total misalignment error in a stepper. In one embodiment, the method comprises a series of steps in a stepper, starting with the step of receiving a wafer, having a first pattern and an error-free fine alignment target, in the stepper. In another step, the wafer is aligned in the stepper using the error-free fine alignment target. Then a second pattern is created on the wafer overlaying said first pattern. In another step, the rotational error portion of the total misalignment error is determined by measuring the circumferential misalignment between the first pattern and the second pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Pierre Leroux
  • Patent number: 7443810
    Abstract: A wireless terminal for use in the transmitting and receiving frequency bands of a frequency duplex system comprises transmitting and receiving stages (Tx, Rx) and signal propagating means (22, 24, 26) coupled to the transmitting and receiving stages. The signal propagating means comprises a narrow band antenna structure (24), such as a Planar Inverted-F Antenna (PIFA), having sufficient bandwidth to cover the larger one of the transmitting and receiving frequency bands and a BAW receiving filter (26) and a BAW transmitting filter (22) coupled by respective feeds to the antenna structure (24). The filters (22, 26) enable the antenna structure to have a small volume and be reusable at different FDD frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Kevin R. Boyle
  • Patent number: 7443144
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for generating an output voltage (Vout) from an input voltage (Vup), said system comprising:—regulation means (T1) for regulating said output voltage (Vout) to a target voltage level (Vcons), said regulation means (T1) comprising a control terminal intended to receive a regulation signal (SR) and an output terminal for delivering said output voltage (Vout),—first control means (COMP1) for delivering a first control signal (SC1) from a comparison between said regulation signal (SR) and a first reference signal (Vref1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Emeric Uguen
  • Publication number: 20080262788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device (11) using a physical token (14), which provides measurable parameters, to derive at least one data set. A plurality of values of one or more of the parameters are measured. From these measured values, a measure of variance is calculated. Quantization intervals into which a measured value is to be quantized are then determined. A possible value of a data set, which subsequently can be derived from a measured value provided by the physical token, is associated with each quantization interval. Further, information which subsequently enables determination of these quantization intervals is stored. Hence, an enrolling phase has been completed. When the preparing phase has been completed, a deriving phase may commence. When a data set is to be derived, for example to be used as a cryptographic key, a value of any one of the parameters provided by the PUF is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Geert Jan Schrijen, Boris Skoric
  • Publication number: 20080261358
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lateral semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body (2) having top and bottom major surfaces (2a, 2b), the body including a drain drift region (6a) of a first conductivity type. The method includes the steps of forming a vertical access trench (20) in the semiconductor body which extends from its top major surface (2a) and has a bottom and sidewalls; forming at least one horizontal trench (16) extending within the drain drift region (6a) which extends from a sidewall of the vertical trench (20) in the finished device; and forming a RESURF inducing structure (22) extending within the at least one horizontal trench. In this way, vertically separated lateral RESURF inducing structures are formed without encountering problems associated with known techniques for forming RESURF structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Sonsky
  • Publication number: 20080258257
    Abstract: The integrated capacitor structure comprises a first branch with a first capacitor (60) and a second branch with a second capacitor (70). The second capacitor (70) has a higher capacitance density and a lower breakdown voltage than the first capacitor (60). The first branch has a shorter RC time constant than the second branch, such that a voltage peak will substantially follow the first branch. This first capacitor (60) has a sufficient capacity to store the charge of the voltage peak. In one embodiment, the second capacitor (70) is a stacked capacitor. The structure is suitable for ESD-protection and may, to this end, additionally comprise diodes (21) and resistors (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Mareike Klee, Rainer Kiewitt, Ulrich Schiebel, Hans-Wolfgang Brand, Ruediger Mauczok
  • Publication number: 20080258296
    Abstract: In a package, a heat slug, encapsulated by molding compound, encases an integrated circuit device (IC). In an example embodiment, a semiconductor package structure comprises a substrate (200) having conductive traces (235) and pad landings (265). The conductive traces have pad landings (265). An IC (230) is mounted on the substrate (200). The IC (230) has bonding pads (245). With conductive wires (225), the IC bonding pads (245) are connected to the pad landings (265), which in turn, are connected to the conductive traces (235). A heat slug (220), having predetermined height, is disposed on the substrate surface (200). The heat slug includes a plurality of mounting feet (210) providing mechanical attachment to the substrate. A cavity (220a) in the heat slug accommodates the IC. A plurality of first-size openings (215) surrounds the IC. A second-size opening (255) constructed from one of the first size-openings, is larger than the first-size opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.B.
    Inventors: Chia-Chun Chen, Kuo-Wen Peng, Ker-Chang Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20080259657
    Abstract: A bi-directional switch for a power converter comprises first and second transistors (SW1, SW2) and a floating supply capacitor (C2) associated with the second transistor (SW2). The drive circuit and/or gate of the first transistor (SW1) is charged by the floating supply capacitor (C2) of the second transistor (SW2). The charging takes place at a predetermined moment in the switching cycle, and in particular at a moment in the switching cycle when the voltage across the bi-directional switch is substantially a minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Dikken, Peter T. J. Degen
  • Publication number: 20080263300
    Abstract: A storage media for storing data and comprising an integral controller configured to control access to the data depending on the location of the storage media. The storage media may further comprise means to determine its location, e.g. such as a GPS receiver or a cellular network positioning solution. Alternatively, the location may be provided by an external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Leonard H.D. Poll
  • Publication number: 20080259217
    Abstract: A method for improvement of contrast in an image shown on a display having a range of displayable video levels. The method comprises providing input video levels representing the image, said levels being within said displayable range; providing a transfer function (120, 121) having a slope greater than one everywhere in a gain region (130) of said displayable range, and a slope greater than zero and less than one everywhere in a softclip region (131) of said displayable range, said regions (130, 131) meeting at a threshold level (125), the transfer function (120, 121) being adapted to transfer any input video level within said displayable range to an output level within displayable said range; and transforming said input levels into output levels within said range, using the transfer function (120, 121). According to the invention, instead of “hardclipping” there is a “softclipping” of levels. Hence, compared to conventional methods, a higher gain may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Den Breejen, Hendrikus Willem Groot Hulze
  • Publication number: 20080259576
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an electronic device or circuit, respectively, comprises providing a flexible substrate (1), defining onto the flexible substrate (1) electric components (2, 3, 3?, 3?, 3??, 7, 11, 12) and interconnects (8), introducing out breaks (4, 4?, 4?, 4a-4s) in the flexible substrate (1) between the electric components and/or interconnects, and forming the flexible substrate (1) into a deformed configuration by deforming, particularly folding, parts of the flexible substrate as determined by the breaks (4, 4?, 4?, 4a-4s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Thomas Johnson, Adrianus Sempel, Franciscus Petrus Widdershoven