Abstract: An ultra wide band (UWB) device includes a first control unit for controlling a UWB data stream according to a first operation mode, and a second control unit for controlling the UWB data stream according to a low duty cycle operation mode. An activation unit selectively activates the first and second control units.

Abstract: Successive sequences of interleaved data samples extracted from a virtual memory having L0 columns and C0 rows are de-interleaved. The de-interleaving includes receiving each sequence of the interleaved data samples, and writing row by row the received sequences of interleaved data samples in a de-interleaving memory array having L rows and C columns, with L being greater or equal to L0 and C being greater or equal to C0. The data samples stored in the de-interleaving memory array are de-interleaved sub-array by sub-array. Each sub-array is a square cluster array having a number SQ of rows and columns. A cluster array is a row of the square cluster array comprising SQ data samples, with the number L of rows and the number C of columns of the de-interleaving memory array being multiples of the number SQ of rows and columns.

Abstract: A method is for estimating drift between a first clock used in a digital transmission processing of a first Ultra Wide Band (UWB) pulse train signal and a second clock used in a digital reception processing of a second UWB pulse train signal resulting from a transmission of the first UWB pulse train signal. The method may include sampling the second UWB pulse train signal, and calculating trellis information representative of a trellis having reference paths respectively associated to different reference values of the drift and including sample transitions of a sampled third signal from the sampled second UWB pulse train signal. The method may further include processing the sampled third signal along the trellis for obtaining a path metric for each processed reference path, and selecting the processed reference path having a greatest path metric, the drift being the reference value associated to the selected processed reference path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a TFA image sensor in which a multi-layer arrangement comprising a photo diode matrix is arranged on an ASIC switching circuit provided with electronic circuits for operating the TFA image sensor, such as pixel electronics, peripheral electronics and system electronics, for the pixel-wise conversion of electromagnetic radiation into an intensity-dependent photocurrent, the pixels being connected to contacts of the underlying pixel electronics of the ASIC switching circuit. The method enables conventionally produced ASIC switching circuits to be used without impairing the topography of the photoactive sensor surface. The CMOS passivation layer in the photoactive region and then the upper CMOS metallization are removed and replaced by a metallic layer which is structured in the pixel raster, for the formation of back electrodes.

Abstract: Successive groups of N bits are delivered at a delivery frequency Fe greater than a predetermined frequency PRF. At least one of the successive groups includes at least one subgroup of at least one bit defining at least one digital cue of position and of shape of at least one base pulse within a window of length 1/PRF. This digital cue is converted into the base pulse, and the base pulse is filtered using a high-pass filter for providing a pulse of the ultra wideband type within the window with a temporal accuracy equal to 1/N*Fe.

Abstract: A processor architecture for multimedia applications includes processor clusters providing vectorial data processing capability. Processing elements in the processor clusters process both data with a bit length N and data with bit lengths N/2, N/4, and so on according to a Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) function. A load unit loads into the processor clusters data to be processed according to a same instruction. An intercluster data path exchanges data between the processor clusters. The intercluster data path is scalable to activate selected processor clusters. The processor operates simultaneously on SIMD, scalar and vectorial data.

Abstract: A data cache memory coupled to a processor including processor clusters are adapted to operate simultaneously on scalar and vectorial data by providing data locations in the data cache memory for storing data for processing. The data locations are accessed either in a scalar mode or in a vectorial mode. This is done by explicitly mapping the data locations that are scalar and the data locations that are vectorial.

Abstract: A calibration is performed tone per tone during interframe spacing. A peak detection is used for measuring the level of the corresponding signal, and a gain correction coefficient is stored for correcting the digital complex modulation coefficients provided by the mapping.

Abstract: A device belonging to a wireless communication system and adapted to exchange information with another device of the system within a main band of frequencies includes N different antennas having respectively different antenna characteristics, with N being greater than one. A controllable selector selects one of the antennas. A detector detects through the selected antenna the eventual presence of at least one interferer operating within the main band of frequencies. A controller, upon presence of a detected interferer, controls the selector for selecting another antenna.

Abstract: A method is provided for initiating communications over a channel between a transmitter and a receiver within a specified spectral range, subject to a mask to be applied at the transmitter so as to attenuate at least one segment of the spectral range. The method includes providing to the receiver a definition of the at least one segment and of a level of attenuation to be applied within the at least one segment during a training interval of the communications. A training signal is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver while applying to the training signal the level of attenuation within the at least one segment. The receiver compensates for a response of the channel based on the received training signal and on the definition of the at least one segment and of the level of attenuation.

Abstract: Pulses of a signal, which are respectively contained in successive time windows, may be generated by a generator, and a control device may formulate a control signal for the generator including, for each pulse, an indication of its position in the corresponding window. The control device may include a processor to deliver for each time window, at a delivery frequency Fe greater than the pulse repetition frequency, successive groups of N bits together defining a digital cue of position of a pulse inside the window. Also, a converter may convert this digital position cue into the control signal temporally spread over the length (T) of the window and including the indication of position at an instant corresponding to the digital position cue. This makes it possible to position the pulse inside its window with a temporal precision equal to 1/N*Fe.

Abstract: A receiver and a method for receiving a signal including a carrier modulated with a known training sequence is described in which an estimate a carrier frequency offset is obtained from an autocorrelation signal by autocorrelation of the part of the received signal containing a known training sequence. The received signal is compensated with the frequency offset obtained to form a compensated received signal, and a timing reference for the received signal is obtained by cross-correlation of the compensated received signal with a known training sequence.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a photodiode contact for a TFA image sensor which includes a photodiode, produced by deposition of a multilayer system and a transparent conductive contact layer on an ASIC circuit that has been coated with an intermediate metal dielectric component and that has vias in a photoactive zone which are arranged on a pixel grid. Said vias extend through the intermediate metal dielectric component and are linked with respective strip conductors of the CMOS-ASIC circuit. A pixel-grid structured barrier layer, and on top thereof a CMOS metallization, are arranged on the intermediate metal dielectric component. The aim of the invention is to improve the characteristic variables of the photodiode by simple technological means.

Abstract: Improved radio frequency (RF) envelope tracking apparatus for use in wireless and wired systems. In one exemplary embodiment, a transmitter upconversion stage receives input digital I and Q values, the output of the upconversion stage being fed to both an envelope tracking circuit and a power amplifier (before or after optional filtering). The envelope tracking circuit controls the operation of a power modulator, which adjusts the power amplifier. The envelope tracking circuit is specifically configured to provide improved linearity and power efficiency. The envelope tracking apparatus and methods of the present invention may be applied to heterodyne/super-heterodyne architectures as well as others.

Abstract: A method is provided for decoding a turbo-code encoded signal in a receiver. According to the method, the signal is received from a transmission channel, and the signal is digitally turbo-code decoded. Additionally, a quality information representative of conditions of the channel state estimation is dynamically determined, and the quality information is dynamically compared with a predetermined criteria for defining good or bad estimation conditions. A Maximum-A-Posteriori algorithm in the logarithmic domain is dynamically selected for good estimation conditions, or an approximation of the Maximum-A-Posteriori algorithm in the logarithmic domain is dynamically selected for bad estimation conditions. Also provided is a receiver that implements such a decoding method.

Abstract: A correction signal is generated by applying an adjustable gain/attenuation value and an adjustable phase value to a transmission signal sampled on the transmission channel after the transmission frequency transposition. The correction signal is subtracted from the signal present on the receive channel before performing the receiver frequency transposition. Digital information representative of the subtracted signal is generated, and the value of gain/attenuation and the value of phase are adjusted in such a manner as to reduce or minimize the digital information.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of both MOS transistors with extremely low leakage currents at the pn junctions and logic/switching transistors, whose gates are laterally defined by spacers in a p-substrate or a p-well in an n-substrate. The aim of the invention is to provide a method for the production of MOS transistors with extremely low leakage currents that allows for parallel logic/switching transistors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing image sensors on the basis of TFA technology including of an amorphous thin-layer system that has been applied on a crystalline ASIC. The inventive method enables the production of image sensors on the basis of TFA technology, which improve the picture quality at low luminous intensity by reducing the dark currents. The photodiodes in the thin-layer material that are configured as pixels are linked with transistor structures in the crystalline ASIC via back electrodes. The transistor structures have particularly low leakage currents due to implantation technology or optimization of the production process.

Abstract: A signal resampler carries out a time domain interpolation of an input signal for compensating for frequency offset, such as found in an ADSL system. A sample selector interpolator carries out part of the interpolation and a second, e.g. polynomial interpolator carries out the rest of the interpolation. The time interval between samples being interpolated, can be effectively divided between a sample selector interpolator and a small second, e.g. polynomial interpolator. The complexity of the second, e.g. polynomial interpolator can be reduced or its accuracy increased if it is effectively interpolating over a much smaller time interval. The sample selector interpolator can be an oversampling arrangement, and enable the order of the second, e.g. polynomial interpolator to be reduced. Selected ones of the oversampled samples are fed to the second, e.g. polynomial interpolator to keep the operating frequency lower. A chain of upsamplers can be used to generate the oversampled samples.

Abstract: A receiver for high-speed data communications, which receives a differential signal through a pair of signal lines. The receiver includes a common-mode choke, which has first and second signal windings, which are respectively coupled in series to the pair of signal lines so as to attenuate common-mode interference in the differential signal. The choke also has a sampling winding, which is inductively coupled to the signal windings so as to generate a sampled signal responsive to current flowing in the signal windings. Signal processing circuitry is coupled to receive the sampled signal from the sampling winding and to receive the differential signal from the signal windings and to process the differential signal responsive to the sampled signal.