Abstract: A method writes data in a non-volatile memory comprising memory cells that are erased before being written. The method comprises the steps of providing a main non-volatile memory area comprising target pages, providing an auxiliary non-volatile memory area comprising auxiliary pages, providing a look-up table to associate to an address of invalid target page an address of valid auxiliary page, and, in response to a command for writing a piece of data in a target page writing the piece of data as well as the address of the target page in a first erased auxiliary page, invalidating the target page, and updating the look-up table.

Abstract: Nanosized filamentary carbon structures (CNTs) nucleating over a catalyzed surface may be grown in an up-right direction reaching a second surface, spaced from the first surface, without the need of applying any external voltage source bias. The growth process may be inherently self-stopping, upon reaching a significant population of grown CNTs on the second surface. A gap between the two surfaces may be defined for CNT devices being simultaneously fabricated by common integrated circuit integration techniques. The process includes finding that for separation gaps of up to a hundred or more nanometers, a difference between the respective work functions of the materials delimiting the gap space, for example, different metallic materials or a doped semiconductor of different dopant concentration or type, may produce an electric field intensity orienting the growth of nucleated CNTs from the surface of one of the materials toward the surface of the other material.

Abstract: A method writes data in a non-volatile memory. The method provides, in the memory, a non-volatile main memory area comprising target pages, a non-volatile auxiliary memory area comprising auxiliary pages, and, in the auxiliary memory area: a current sector comprising erased auxiliary pages usable to write data, a save sector comprising auxiliary pages comprising data linked to target pages to be erased or being erased, a transfer sector comprising auxiliary pages including data to be transferred to erased target pages, and an unavailable sector comprising auxiliary pages to be erased or being erased. The method can be applied in particular to FLASH memories.

Abstract: A substrate-level assembly having a device substrate of semiconductor material with a top face and housing a first integrated device, including a buried cavity formed within the device substrate, and with a membrane suspended over the buried cavity in the proximity of the top face. A capping substrate is coupled to the device substrate above the top face so as to cover the first integrated device in such a manner that a first empty space is provided above the membrane. Electrical-contact elements electrically connect the integrated device with the outside of the substrate-level assembly. In one embodiment, the device substrate integrates at least a further integrated device provided with a respective membrane, and a further empty space, fluidly isolated from the first empty space, is provided over the respective membrane of the further integrated device.

Abstract: A power amplifier formed by a plurality of pairs of transistors, each pair including a first transistor and a second transistor having each a respective input terminal and a respective output terminal. The output terminals of the first and second transistors of each pair are connected to an output distributed active transformer connected to a differential output of the power amplifier. The input terminals of the first and second transistors of each pair are connected to an input distributed active transformer connected to an input of the power amplifier.

Abstract: An integrated network adapter is operable to establish a network interface with a plurality of media types, including at least a power line network and a telephone line network, based on pre-configuration, upon initialization and dynamically during operation. The adapter further is operable to establish network interfaces simultaneously or separately with a plurality of media types and provide that a communications event can occur simultaneously or separately over a plurality of media types.

Abstract: Authentication system comprising an input device comprising a plurality of input elements configured for inputting respectively characters in response to an input of a sequence of at least one character carried out by a user, the input device comprising at least one determination means coupled to at least one input element in order to determine a force exerted on the said at least one input element, the system comprising a recording means for recording a series of at least one force exerted on the said at least one input element, a memory configured for storing a series of at least one reference force, and comparison means configured for comparing the series of at least one exerted force with the series of at least one reference force.

Abstract: A die package is provided, including a die positioned on and in direct contact with a first heat sink element, and also including a package case and leads made of conductive material, protruding from the package case. The die package further includes a second heat sink element shaped as a spring element, in contact between the die and the leads, and emerging from a side of the package case opposite the first heat sink element.

Abstract: An inertial device that is integratable in a portable electronic device includes: an inertial sensor for generating at least one raw acceleration signal in response to accelerations caused by movements of walking and running of a user of the pedometer; and a processing unit, associated to the inertial sensor for counting a number of steps of the user of the pedometer on the basis of the raw acceleration signal. The inertial sensor and the processing unit are both encapsulated within a single package for integrated circuits, which can be coupled to a circuit board of an electronic device and is provided with at least one connection terminal for making the number of steps available to the outside world.

Abstract: A package includes a first die and a second die, at least one of said first and second dies being a memory. The dies are connected to each other through an interface. The interface is configured to transport a plurality of control signals. The number of control signals is greater than a width of the interface. At least one of the first and second dies performs a configurable grouping so as to provide a plurality of groups of control signals. The signals within a group are transmitted across the interface together.

Abstract: A sample and hold circuit includes a plurality of capacitors, a network of switches and a control circuit. The control circuit is operable to control the network of switches so as to sample an incoming signal onto at least some of the plurality of capacitors. In such an operation, each capacitor takes a sample of the incoming signal at a different time. The sample and hold circuit outputs a signal corresponding to an average of the samples.

Abstract: A system for testing multi-clock domains in an integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of clock sources coupled to a plurality of clock controllers. Each of the clock sources generates a fast clock associated with one of the multi-clock domains. Each of the clock controllers is configured to provide capture pulses to test one clock domain. The capture pulses provided to a clock domain are at a frequency of a fast clock associated with the clock domain. The clock controllers operate sequentially to provide the capture pulses to test the clock domains.

Abstract: A multilevel interconnect structure for a semiconductor device includes an intermetal dielectric layer with funnel-shaped connecting vias. The funnel-shaped connecting vias are provided in connection with systems exhibiting submicron spacings. The architecture of the multilevel interconnect structure provides a low resistance connecting via.

Abstract: A conductive paint electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield for an electronic module or device. The conductive paint is composed of metal particles suspended in a fluidic carrier. In one embodiment, the conductive paint is sprayed onto exterior surfaces of an electronic module or device from a spray gun. The sprayed conductive paint is cured to remove the fluidic carrier, leaving a metal film coated to the outside of the module or device. In one embodiment used with electronic packages in array form, grooves are cut into an encapsulation material of a module so that the shield protection includes sidewalls of the package. In another embodiment used with camera modules, masking is used to selectively shield portions of the module. In a further embodiment, the shield is electrically connected to a ground conductor of a circuit of the electronic module.

Abstract: A manual pointing device for a computer system, the device having at least one key that can be actuated manually by a user, a click-event detection module coupled to the key to detect actuation thereof on first, second, and third detection axes via an inertial sensing circuit elastically coupled to a casing with a board, the inertial-sensor circuit structured to be carried on the board so as to oscillate and to rotate about the second detection axis.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a substrate provided with a passing opening and a MEMS device including an active surface wherein a portion of the MEMS device is integrated sensitive to chemical/physical variations of a fluid. The active surface of the MEMS device faces the substrate and is spaced therefrom, the sensitive portion being aligned to the opening. A protective package incorporates at least partially the MEMS device and the substrate, leaving at least the sensitive portion of the MEMS device, and the opening of the substrate exposed. A barrier element is positioned in an area which surrounds the sensitive portion to realize a protection structure for the MEMS device, so that the sensitive portion is free.

Abstract: An image sensor captures an image of a scene. This captured image has a pincushion distortion relative to an undistorted image of the scene. The distortion is corrected based on an approximation of the distortion D which satisfies the following equation for a given pixel in the captured image: D=(R?R?)/R=Da*(y2?x2+yoffset)+Db*R4, where R is the distance between a pixel, which corresponds in the undistorted image to the given pixel in the captured image, and the center of the undistorted image, R? is the distance between the given pixel and the center of the captured image, Da and Db are respective distortion parameters of the image sensor, x and y are coordinates of the given pixel in the captured image, R satisfies the following equation: R2=x2+y2 and yoffset corresponds to a constant value.

Abstract: A multiphase voltage regulator provides a voltage to an output terminal. The voltage regulator includes N parallel switches providing respective current phases that are added together to generate a total current for a general load coupled to the output terminal. The voltage regulator also includes N inductive circuits. Each inductive circuit is between an output node of a respective switch and the output terminal. A sense circuit adds the voltages in each of the output nodes of the N switches. An amplifier circuit has an input receiving the added voltage, and outputs a current proportional to the total current. A controller with two pins reads the total current. The two pins are connected to the inputs of the amplifier.

Abstract: An integrated circuit for a smart card in accordance with an exemplary embodiment includes at least one data terminal for providing communications with a host device and a processor for providing an attachment signal on the at least one data terminal for recognition by the host device. Further, the processor also cooperates with the host device to perform an enumeration based upon at least one default descriptor. In addition, based upon a system event, the processor selectively removes the attachment signal from the at least one data terminal and thereafter again provides the attachment signal on the at least one data terminal and cooperates with the host device to perform a new enumeration based upon at least one alternate descriptor.

Abstract: An inertial device that is integratable in a portable electronic device includes: an inertial sensor for generating at least one raw acceleration signal in response to accelerations caused by movements of walking and running of a user of the pedometer; and a processing unit, associated to the inertial sensor for counting a number of steps of the user of the pedometer on the basis of the raw acceleration signal. The inertial sensor and the processing unit are both encapsulated within a single package for integrated circuits, which can be coupled to a circuit board of an electronic device and is provided with at least one connection terminal for making the number of steps available to the outside world.