Abstract: A WLAN communication system and algorithm that adaptively changes the data transmission rate of a communication channel based on changing channel conditions. The WLAN communication system or algorithm has two modes being a searching mode and a transmission mode. Furthermore, the WLAN communication system or algorithm incorporates an additive increase, multiplicative decrease (AIMD) function into the rate adaptation algorithm.

Abstract: A bio-optical sensor has a surface provided with an array of sensing pixels and calibration pixels. The sensing and calibration pixels are arranged in an interleaved fashion. The sensing and calibration pixels may be interleaved 1:1, or they may be arranged in interleaved blocks. The image plane receives an analyte and a reagent that reacts with the analyte to produce light. The sensing pixels generate signals as a function of the light produced.

Abstract: Very small size true directional couplers have a coupling coefficient that is independent on load VSWR. The coupler uses coupled inductors with a compensation circuit including a resistor and a capacitor, or just a capacitor. Wideband operation is suitable for many portable applications such as power detection and control for GSM, DCS-PCS, CDMA/WCDMA, Bluetooth, and WLAN systems.

Abstract: A digital camera for capturing and processing images of different resolutions and a corresponding method for down-scaling a digital image are provided. The method includes forming an image of a real scene on an image sensor that is made up of a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. The method further includes addressing and reading pixels in the matrix to obtain analog quantities related to the pixels luminance values, converting the analog quantities from the pixels matrix into digital values, and processing the digital values to obtain a data file representing the image of the real scene. To reduce computation time and power consumption, the addressing and reading of the pixels includes selecting a group of pixels from the matrix, and storing the analog quantities related to the pixels of the selected group of pixels into an analog storing circuit. The stored analog quantities are averaged to obtain an analog quantity corresponding to an average pixel luminance value.

Abstract: A method for data communication includes providing an order for assigning bits of an input data stream to tones in a multi-tone modulation scheme, and allocating respective bit-loading values to the tones, such that some of the tones are allocated a first bit-loading value and other tones are allocated at least one second bit-loading value. The order is modified so as to form pairs of the tones that are allocated the first bit-loading value, with one or more of the other tones intervening between at least some of the pairs. The input data stream is modulated by assigning the bits to the tones in accordance with the modified order and the respective bit-loading values, and encoding the bits that are assigned to each of the pairs of the tones as a constellation point.

Abstract: An image plane includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel comprises a photodiode and two transistors, and each pixel is connected by a signal bus to a respective storage node located off the image plane. Each storage node comprises two capacitors and associated switches. One of the transistors applies a reset pulse to the pixel, and the other transistor connects the pixel to a given conductor of the signal bus, which is then connected to the storage node. The pixel transistors can be operated simultaneously, and the sensed values can subsequently be transferred from the storage nodes sequentially.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes a signal processing section, a photo-current generating and collecting section, and a separating region between the signal processing section and the photo-current generating and collecting section. The photo-current generating and collecting section includes a photodiode well having a first type of conductivity, and a contact associated with the photodiode well. A region surrounds the photodiode well, and is adjacent the separating region and has a second type of conductivity.

Abstract: A pipelined arbitration mechanism allows a routing control decision to be effected for a later packet while a current packet is being transferred. The later packet can be issued a fixed number of cycles after the current request. The mechanism has particular advantages when used with a plurality of functional modules connected to a packet router, whereby a single functional module can generate a current request relating to a current packet and a deferred arbitration request relating to a later packet to be issued a fixed number of cycles after the current request.

Abstract: A receiver for receiving an incoming signal over a communication medium includes an echo canceller, which is adapted to receive an outgoing signal transmitted over the communication medium, and to process the outgoing signal using a set of variable processing coefficients in order to generate an echo cancellation signal. A summer combines the incoming signal with the echo cancellation signal so as to generate an echo-cancelled signal. An equalizer applies an equalization operation to the echo-cancelled signal so as to generate an equalized signal. A residual echo cancellation circuit processes the equalized signal so as to adaptively update the variable processing coefficients of the echo canceller.

Abstract: A removable wafer expander for die bonding equipment for a singularized wafer supported by a flexible sticky substrate, the removable wafer expander provided with a first ring member to be coupled with a second ring member for remote expansion of the flexible sticky substrate therebetween before the mounting of the wafer expander onto the die bonding equipment.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensing structure includes a photodiode, in which an epitaxial layer is on a P-type substrate. The photodiode includes an N-well collection node in the epitaxial layer. An isolation trench is provided around the collection node to provide better control of the width of the collection node. The collection node can be surrounded by P-wells or by epitaxial material. It can also be surrounded by epitaxial material with the isolation trench being outwardly extended to ensure compliance with existing design rules.

Abstract: A method for designing an integrated circuit where the integrated circuit includes a plurality of modules and where each module includes an initiator port and a target port coupled to a distributed routing network. The initiator port is implemented by configuring whether the initiator or the distributed routing network is responsible for ordering responses to requests issued by the initiator port and defining the maximum number of requests that are permitted to be outstanding at the same time. The initiator port is further configured to define whether a delay stage is required in said initiator port. The distributed routing network is defined by the number of routing resources between the initiator and the target, an arbitration method for arbitrating between requests and an association between the routing resources and the targets.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor has an array of pixels in which each column has a reset voltage line and a read line. The sensor is reset and read a row at a time, with reset-related values held in a frame buffer for subsequent subtraction from read values. Reset-related values are derived in each column by sampling the voltage during reset on one capacitor and the voltage on release of reset on a second capacitor, and differencing these values to provide an output for the frame buffer. This provides a reduction in the size of frame buffer which would otherwise be required.

Abstract: A method for forming a sensor is provided, together with a sensor formed according to the method. Photoresist material is deposited on a surface of the sensor, and is then patterned and etched to form an array of microlens structures. The structures are spaced close together in a predetermined pattern so that when a reflow process is performed, the structures melt and coalesce to form a barrier. The barrier defines a region for constraining or channeling the flow of reagent and analyte samples used in bio-optical sensors.

Abstract: An optical mouse includes a base and a lens for forming an image on an image sensor package. An LED projects light into the field of view of the lens via a prism. The prism enables the LED to be set horizontally, which reduces optical losses. The prism and lens may form part of a single molding.

Abstract: A circuit for monitoring information put onto an interconnect by one or more modules, said circuit comprising circuitry for determining if the information on the interconnect matches one or more conditions; and circuitry for preventing a module from putting further information onto said interconnect if it is determined that information on the interconnect matches said one or more conditions.

Abstract: The image sensor makes use of a distributed amplifier having its non-inverting input provided by a pixel amplifier transistor, and its inverting input and output provided in the pixel's column circuitry. The distributed amplifier is directly integrated with the image sensor's ADC circuit, and sampling and autozero are performed in a single step, thus reducing the number of noise contributions made by the components of the image sensor's readout chain.

Abstract: A light monitor includes a single semiconductor substrate. A light to frequency (LTF) converter is on the single semiconductor substrate, a threshold comparator is on the single semiconductor substrate and coupled to an output of the light to frequency converter, and a light intensity calculator is on the single semiconductor substrate and coupled to an output of the threshold comparator.

Abstract: In a system comprising an interconnect and a plurality of modules connected to said interconnect for putting information onto the interconnect, a circuit comprising circuitry for receiving at least part of said of said information; circuitry for determining if said at least part of said information satisfies one or more conditions; and circuitry for performing one or more actions in response to the determination that at least part of the information satisfies one or more conditions.

Abstract: The optical biometric sensor apparatus and methods for analyzing images of biometric features such as fingerprints are adapted to distinguish between live body members and inanimate objects, and to detect spoofing devices applied to live body members. Live body members are detected by transmitting IR light from a first IR light source through an object to an image sensor. The IR transmission characteristics of a live body member vary with the human heartbeat, and multiple images are analyzed to verify whether the object is a genuine live body member. A visible light source illuminates the object for obtaining a detailed image from the sensor for conventional biometric analysis. Transmitted IR images and reflected visible light images are also processed to detect the presence of spoofing devices applied to live body members. Multiple IR and visible light sources of different wavelengths may be used for this purpose.