Abstract: A micromechanical device includes a tiltable structure that is rotatable about a first rotation axis. The tiltable structure is coupled to a fixed structure through an actuation structure of a piezoelectric type. The actuation structure is formed by spring elements having a spiral shape. The spring elements each include actuation arms extending transversely to the first rotation axis. Each actuation arm carries a respective piezoelectric band of piezoelectric material. The actuation arms are divided into two sets with the piezoelectric bands thereof biased in phase opposition to obtain rotation in opposite directions of the tiltable structure about the first rotation axis.

Abstract: A method is provided for operating a memory device that includes an array of memory cells coupled to a plurality of bitlines. A memory cell is selected from among the array of memory cells. The selected memory cell is coupled to a selected bitline. During a program operation, a program current pulse is injected into the selected memory cell via a first switch coupled to the bitline. At an end of the program current pulse, the selected bitline is discharged via a second switch coupled to the bitline.

Abstract: Tone mapping is performed by digital image processing circuitry on a macro-pixel basis. A luminance value of a macro-pixel of a digital image in a color space is determined. The macro-pixel includes a plurality of individual pixels. Respective tone-mapping gain values of each pixel of the macro-pixel are determined based on the determined luminance value of the macro-pixel. The determined tone-mapping gains are applied to the respective pixels of the macro-pixel. The color space may be a CFA color space, such as a Bayer color space.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for amplifying signals with two components in phase quadrature, which includes: a feedback amplifier with a feedback capacitor; a switch that drives charging and discharging of the feedback capacitor; an additional capacitor; and a coupling circuit, which alternatively connects the additional capacitor in parallel to the feedback capacitor or else decouples the additional capacitor from the feedback capacitor. The switch opens at a first instant, where a first one of the two components assumes a first zero value; the coupling circuit decouples the additional capacitor from the feedback capacitor in a way synchronous with a second instant, where the first component assumes a second zero value.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes an input clock terminal, an output clock terminal, a first input data terminal, and a set of input data terminals having a number of terminals. A divide-by-two block is coupled to the output clock terminal. A modular one-shot clock divider is coupled between the input clock terminal and the divide-by-two block. The modular one-shot clock divider is further coupled to the set of input data terminals. An intermediate clock generation block is coupled between the input clock terminal and the modular one-shot clock divider. The intermediate clock generation block includes a first digital logic block coupled between the input clock terminal and the modular one-shot clock divider. The first digital logic block is further coupled to the first input data terminal, and a clock-blocking block is coupled between the divide-by-two block and the first digital logic block.

Abstract: An electronic system includes a feedback voltage regulator circuit including input terminals receiving a rectified alternating input voltage signal and a feedback input terminal receiving a feedback voltage that is generated based on a load current through an electric load. A sensing element senses the load current through the electric load and generates sensed voltage based upon the sensed load current. A current transducer receives the sensed voltage and provides the feedback voltage based upon the sensed voltage. A current generator receives the alternating input voltage signal and provides a biasing current signal that is a function of the alternating input voltage signal to modulate the feedback voltage on the feedback input terminal based upon the alternating input voltage signal.

Abstract: A video compression framework based on parametric object and background compression is proposed. At the encoder, an object is detected and frames are segmented into regions corresponding to the foreground object and the background. The encoder generates object motion and appearance parameters. The motion or warping parameters may include at least two parameters for object translation; two parameters for object scaling in two primary axes and one object orientation parameter indicating a rotation of the object. Particle filtering may be employed to generate the object motion parameters. The proposed methodology is the formalization of the concept and usability for perceptual quality scalability layer for Region(s) of Interest. A coded video sequence format is proposed which aims at “network friendly” video representation supporting appearance and generalized motion of object(s).

Abstract: A reversible converter includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor coupled in series between a first terminal and a second terminal for a DC voltage. A first thyristor and a second thyristor are coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage. A third thyristor and a fourth thyristor are also coupled in series between the first and second terminals for the DC voltage terminals, but have an opposite connection polarity with respect to the first and second thyristors. A midpoint of connection between the first and second field effect transistors and a common midpoint of connection between the first and second thyristors and the third and fourth thyristors are coupled to AC voltage terminals. Actuation of the transistors and thyristors is controlled in distinct manners to operate the converter in an AC-DC conversion mode and a DC-AC conversion mode.

Abstract: A reversible converter includes a first field effect transistor and a second field effect transistor that are coupled in series between a first terminal and a second terminal for a DC voltage. A first triac and a second triac are also coupled in series between the first and second terminals of the DC voltage. Midpoints of the series coupled devices are coupled, through an inductive element, to first and second terminals for an AC voltage. Actuation of the transistors and triacs is controlled in distinct manners to operate the converter in an AC-DC conversion mode and a DC-AC conversion mode.

Abstract: A method of authenticating a slave device. The method includes initializing, by a host device, a charge retention circuit of the slave device, and receiving, by the host device, an indication of a discharge time of the charge retention circuit. The host device authenticates the slave device based on the received indication of the discharge time of the charge retention device.

Abstract: An integrated MEMS gyroscope, is provided with: at least a first driving mass driven with a first driving movement along a first axis upon biasing of an assembly of driving electrodes, the first driving movement generating at least one sensing movement, in the presence of rotations of the integrated MEMS gyroscope; and at least a second driving mass driven with a second driving movement along a second axis, transverse to the first axis, the second driving movement generating at least a respective sensing movement, in the presence of rotations of the integrated MEMS gyroscope. The integrated MEMS gyroscope is moreover provided with a first elastic coupling element, which elastically couples the first driving mass and the second driving mass in such a way as to couple the first driving movement to the second driving movement with a given ratio of movement.

Abstract: Channel-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by inserting an insulating layer between the semiconducting channel and the substrate during fabrication of the device. Similarly, source/drain-to-substrate leakage in a FinFET device is prevented by isolating the source/drain regions from the substrate by inserting an insulating layer between the source/drain regions and the substrate. Forming such an insulating layer isolates the conduction path from the substrate both physically and electrically, thus preventing current leakage. In an array of semiconducting fins made up of a multi-layer stack, the bottom material is removed thus yielding a fin array that is suspended above the silicon surface. A resulting gap underneath the remaining top fin material is then filled with oxide to better support the fins and to isolate the array of fins from the substrate.

Abstract: A system for interfacing an LC sensor includes a starter configured to selectively start an oscillation of the LC sensor. The system also includes an analog peak detector configured to determine a signal (Vpeak) being indicative of a peak voltage of the oscillation of the LC sensor and a detector configured to determine a state of the LC sensor as a function of the signal (Vpeak) determined by the analog peak detector.

Abstract: An embodiment circuit includes a first reference source configured to provide a first reference signal to an analog-to-digital convertor (ADC). The circuit also includes a filter coupled to an output of the first reference source and configured to filter the first reference signal to produce a filtered first reference signal. The circuit further includes a second reference source coupled to an output of the filter. The second reference source is configured to provide a second reference signal to the ADC, and the second reference signal is generated based on the filtered first reference signal.

Abstract: An improved transistor with channel epitaxial silicon. In one aspect, a method of fabrication includes: forming a gate stack structure on an epitaxial silicon region disposed on a substrate, a width dimension of the epitaxial silicon region approximating a width dimension of the gate stack structure; and growing a raised epitaxial source and drain from the substrate, the raised epitaxial source and drain in contact with the epitaxial silicon region and the gate stack structure. For a SRAM device, further: removing an epitaxial layer in contact with the silicon substrate and the raised source and drain and to which the epitaxial silicon region is coupled leaving a space above the silicon substrate and under the raised epitaxial source and drain; and filling the space with an insulating layer and isolating the raised epitaxial source and drain and a channel of the transistor from the silicon substrate.

Abstract: A method and a controller for controlling a converter are provided. In the method and controller, a capacitance is charged simultaneously using a first current and a second current that is different than the first current or discharged simultaneously using the first current and the second current. Sourcing and sinking transistors source or sink the first current for charging or discharging the capacitance. An operational transconductance amplifier determines a level of the second current based on a level of current flowing through the resonant tank. The operational transconductance amplifier sources or sinks the second current for charging or discharging the capacitance. Further, logic is provided to output a switching signal for operating the converter based on a voltage across the capacitance.

Abstract: A method is for controlling a change of an electromechanical component between a first operating state and a second operating state. The method may include changing from the first operating state to the second operating state by generating a first current flowing through the electromechanical component, prior to the generation of the first current, charging a capacitor, and simultaneously with the generation of the first current, partial discharging the capacitor through the electromechanical component to cause an additional current to flow in the electromechanical component, the additional current being added to the first current. The method may include changing from the second operating state to the first operating state by generating a second current flowing in a direction opposite to the first current in the electromechanical component, and prior to the flowing of the second current, discharging the capacitor.

Abstract: An image sensor arranged inside and on top of a semi-conductor substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, the sensor including a plurality of pixels, each including: a photosensitive area, a reading area, and a storage area extending between the photosensitive area and the reading area; a vertical insulated electrode including an opening of transfer between the photosensitive area and the storage area; and at least one insulation element among the following: a) a layer of an insulating material extending under the surface of the photosensitive area and of the storage area and having its front surface in contact with the rear surface of the electrode; and b) an insulating wall extending vertically in the opening, or under the opening.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a current sense circuit includes a copy transistor having a gate configured to be coupled to a gate of an output transistor, and a drain coupled to an input terminal. The drain of the copy transistor is configured to be coupled to a drain of the output transistor. A first transistor has a current path coupled to a current path of the copy transistor. An error amplifier has a non-inverting input coupled to a source of the copy transistor, an inverting input configured to be coupled to a source of the output transistor, an output coupled to a gate of the first transistor, a positive power supply terminal coupled to the input terminal and a negative power supply terminal coupled to a reference supply terminal. A current-to-voltage converter has an input coupled to the current path of the copy transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a touch screen controller for controlling touch sensing in a touch screen display, the touch screen display having a display layer controlled as a function of horizontal sync and vertical sync signals and a capacitive touch array comprised of drive lines and sense lines. The touch screen controller includes a driver and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to cause the driver to generate a driving signal on the drive lines during assertion of the horizontal sync signal, and cause the driver to generate the driving signal on the drive lines during assertion of the vertical sync signal. Analog touch sensing circuitry is configured to generate analog touch data as a function of signals on the sense lines resulting from generation of the drive signal on the drive lines.