Abstract: In an embodiment a processing system includes a plurality of storage elements, each storage element comprising a latch or a flip-flop and being configured to receive a write request comprising a data bit and to store the received data bit to the latch or the flip-flop, a non-volatile memory configured to store data bits for the plurality of storage elements, a hardware configuration circuit configured to read the data bits from the non-volatile memory and generate write requests in order to store the data bits to the storage elements and a hardware circuit configured to change operation as a function of a logic level stored to a latch or a flip-flop of a first storage element of the plurality of storage elements, wherein the first storage element comprises a further latch or a further flip-flop and is configured to store, in response to the write request, an inverted version of the received data bit to the further latch or the further flip-flop.

Abstract: Uncompensated upper and lower reference-currents are generated for first and second branches of a high-frequency half-bridge within an interleaved-totem-pole PFC.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a semiconductor body with a cavity and forming an anchor portion, a tiltable structure elastically suspended over the cavity, first and second support arms to support the tiltable structure, and first and second piezoelectric actuation structures biasable to deform mechanically, generating a rotation of the tiltable structure around a rotation axis. The piezoelectric actuation structures carry first and second piezoelectric displacement sensors. When the tiltable structure rotates around the rotation axis, the displacement sensors are subject to respective mechanical deformations and generate respective sensing signals in phase opposition to each other, indicative of the rotation of the tiltable structure. The sensing signals are configured to be acquired in a differential manner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method, including attaching a semiconductor chip to a chip mounting portion on at least one leadframe portion, and attaching a passive component on a passive component mounting portion of the at least one leadframe portion. The method further includes forming a laser direct structuring (LDS) activatable molding material over the semiconductor chip, passive component, and the at least one leadframe portion. Desired patterns of structured areas are formed within the LDS activatable molding material by activating the LDS activatable molding material. The desired patterns of structured areas are metallized to form conductive areas within the LDS activatable molding material to thereby form electrical connection between the semiconductor chip and the passive component. A passivation layer is formed on the LDS activatable molding material.

Abstract: A circuit includes an amplifier, a bias voltage node, and a first set of switches configured, based on a first reset signal having a first value, to couple first and second input nodes to the bias voltage node and to couple first and second output nodes of the amplifier. First and second feedback branches each include a respective RC network including a plurality of capacitances. The first and second feedback branches further include a second set of switches intermediate input nodes and the capacitances, and a third set of switches intermediate input nodes and the plurality of capacitances. These switches selectively couple the capacitances to the input nodes and output nodes, based on a second reset signal having a first value. The second reset signal keeps the first value for a determined time interval exceeding a time interval in which the first reset signal has the first value.

Abstract: A circuit for decoding a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal generates an output signal switching between a first and second logic values as a function of a duty-cycle of the PWM signal. Current generating circuitry receives the PWM signal and injects a current to and sinks a current from an intermediate node as a function of the values of the PWM signal. A capacitor coupled to the intermediate node is alternatively charged and discharged by the injected and sunk currents, respectively, to generate a voltage. A comparator circuit coupled to the intermediate node compares the generated voltage to a comparison voltage and drives the logic values of the output signal as a function of the comparison.

Abstract: Blood pressure signals are reconstructed from PhotoPlethysmoGraphy (PPG) signals by: receiving PPG signals including systolic, diastolic and dicrotic phases; and determining first and second derivatives of the PPG signals and: a first set of values indicative of lengths of the signal paths of the PPG signal, the first derivative and the second derivative thereof in the systolic, diastolic and dicrotic phases; a second set of values indicative of relative durations of the PPG signal and the first and second derivatives thereof in the systolic, diastolic and dicrotic phases; and a third set of values indicative of the time separation of peaks and/or valleys in subsequent waveforms of the PPG signal. Reconstruction also includes applying artificial neural network processing to the first, second and third set of values. The artificial neural network processing includes artificial neural network training as a function of blood pressure signals to produce reconstructed blood pressure signals.

Abstract: A first node of converter circuit receives an input, provides an output at a second node, and has a third node coupled by an inductance to ground. A first switch has a current path between the first and third nodes and a second switch has a current path between the third and second nodes. The converter circuit operates in a first state (with the first switch conductive and the second switch non-conductive) and a second state (with the first switch non-conductive and the second switch conductive). Current flowing through the first switch is sensed during the first state to produce a sensing signal indicative of inductance current. The sensing signal is averaged to produce an averaged sensing signal indicative of an average value of the current. The averaged sensing signal is then weighted by a time during which the second switch is conductive to produce a weighted signal.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing the operating state of a MEMS sensor includes a stimulation circuit, external to the MEMS sensor, configured to generate a stimulation signal designed to be detected by the MEMS sensor. The system has control circuitry, operatively coupled to the stimulation circuit and to the MEMS sensor, so as to control the stimulation circuit to generate the stimulation signal and receive a diagnostic signal generated by the MEMS sensor in response to the stimulation signal. The control circuitry determines an operating state of the MEMS sensor based on the diagnostic signal and an expected response to the stimulation signal by the MEMS sensor.

Abstract: A time based boost DC-DC converter generates an output voltage using an inductor. A voltage error between the output voltage and a reference voltage is determined and processed in a) an integral control branch which converts the voltage error into an integral control current signal used to control a current controlled oscillator, and b) a proportional branch which converts the voltage error into a proportional control current signal used to control signal a delay line. Current flowing in the inductor is sensed, attenuated and used to apply adjustment to the integral and proportional control current signals. The output from the current controlled oscillator is passed through the delay line and phase detected in order to generate pulse width modulation (PWM) control signaling driving switch operation in the converter.

Abstract: In providing electrical wire-like connections between at least one semiconductor die arranged on a semiconductor die mounting area of a substrate and an array of electrically-conductive leads in the substrate, pressure force is applied to the electrically-conductive leads in the substrate during bonding the wire-like connections to the electrically-conductive leads. Such a pressure force is applied to the electrically-conductive leads in the substrate via a pair of mutually co-operating force transmitting surfaces. These surfaces include a first convex surface engaging a second concave surface.

Abstract: A UART communication interface manages transmission/reception at a baud rate using a baud-rate detection circuit. An edge detector detects edges in a reception signal and resets a count value in a digital counter circuit indicating a time between two consecutive edges. In the absence of a detected edge, the digital counter circuit increases the count value. At a newly detected edge, a validation circuit verifies the count value by asserting a second control signal when the count value is smaller than a maximum, and otherwise de-asserting the second control signal. A register provides a threshold signal by storing the count value when the second control signal is asserted. The threshold signal stored by the register is updated when the time is in a permitted range corresponding to the duration of a single bit. The baud rate may be determined as a function of the threshold signal.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a MEMS piezoelectric device includes: forming a membrane at a first surface of wafer of semiconductor material further having a second surface (the first and second surfaces being opposite along a vertical axis and extending parallel to a horizontal plane formed by first and second horizontal axes); forming a cavity within the wafer so that the membrane is suspended above the cavity; forming a piezoelectric material layer above a first surface of the membrane; forming an electrode arrangement in contact with the piezoelectric material layer; and forming a proof mass coupled to a second surface of the membrane opposite to the first surface along the vertical axis. The proof mass deforms the membrane in response to environmental mechanical vibrations. Forming the proof mass includes forming a connection element at a central position between the membrane and the proof mass in the direction of the vertical axis.

Abstract: An analysis method of a device through a MEMS sensor is provided in which the MEMS sensor includes a control unit and a sensing assembly coupled to the device. The analysis method includes acquiring, through the sensing assembly, first data indicative of an operative state of the device. Testing is performed for the presence of a first abnormal operating condition of the device. If the first abnormal operating condition of the device is confirmed, a self-test of the sensing assembly is performed to generate a quantity indicative of an operative state of the sensing assembly. The self-test includes acquiring, through the sensing assembly, second data indicative of the operative state of the sensing assembly, generating a signature according to the second data, and processing the signature through deep learning techniques to generate said quantity.

Abstract: In an embodiment a non-volatile memory device includes a memory array having a plurality of memory cells, a control unit operatively coupled to the memory array, a biasing stage controllable by the control unit and configured to apply a biasing configuration to the memory cells to perform a memory operation and a reading stage coupled to the memory array and controllable by the control unit, the reading stage configured to verify whether the memory operation has been successful based on a verify level, wherein the control unit is configured to adaptively modify a value of the verify level based on an ageing of the memory cells.

Abstract: A embodiment method, for linearizing a transmission signal resulting from a quadrature amplitude modulation of an analog baseband signal and a radiofrequency amplification, comprises a demodulation of a feedback signal taken from the transmission signal, a comparison between the demodulated feedback signal and the baseband signal, a digital calculation of a predistortion control signal based on the comparison, and an analog predistortion of the analog baseband signal controlled by the predistortion control signal.

Abstract: A driver circuit includes an input node to receive an input signal for conversion at the output node of a converter, a driver node to provide to a switching power circuit stage in the converter a pulse-width modulated drive signal having an active time, first and second active time generation paths, and a selector circuit coupled to the first and second active time generation paths. The circuit is operable selectively in a first and a second operational mode wherein the driver node receives the pulse-width modulated drive signal having a first active time value generated in the first active time generation path, or a second active time value generated in the second active time generation path. The second active time generation path includes an active time generator network to provide a second active time value with the second active time value adaptively variable to match the first active time value.

Abstract: A control method of an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a control unit coupled to a proximity sensor to detect a first distance of a user in a field of view, and coupled to a charge variation sensor to detect an electric/electrostatic charge variation caused by the user in a detection region. The control method includes acquiring a charge variation signal and generating charge variation parameters as a function of the charge variation signal. The control method further includes determining whether a condition on charge variation parameters is verified, and if the condition on charge variation parameters is verified, activating the proximity sensor and acquiring a proximity signal. Proximity parameters are generated as a function of the proximity signal. If a condition on proximity parameters is verified, one or more functionalities of the apparatus are activated.

Abstract: A button device includes a MEMS sensor having a MEMS strain detection structure and a deformable substrate configured to undergo deformation under the action of an external force. The MEMS strain detection structure includes a mobile element carried by the deformable substrate via at least a first and a second anchorage, the latter fixed with respect to the deformable substrate and configured to displace and generate a deformation force on the mobile element in the presence of the external force; and stator elements capacitively coupled to the mobile element. The deformation of the mobile element causes a capacitance variation between the mobile element and the stator elements. Furthermore, the MEMS sensor is configured to generate detection signals correlated to the capacitance variation.

Abstract: A pointing electronic device is provided with: an inertial measurement module, to generate motion input data, indicative of motion of the pointing electronic device, at an input data rate; a pointing determination unit, to implement a pointing algorithm at a processing data rate based on the motion input data, to generate screen-frame displacement data corresponding to 3D-space movements of the pointing electronic device, the processing data rate being higher than the input data rate. The pointing electronic device is further provided with a rate upscaling unit, interposed between the inertial measurement module and the pointing determination unit, to implement a data-rate upscaling of the motion input data, to generate upscaled motion input data to be processed by the pointing determination unit at a data rate matching the processing data rate, via a predictive data reconstruction of missing samples based on the actual motion input data.