Abstract: The present description relates to a vertical power component formed in and on a semiconductor substrate doped with a first conductivity type and coated, on the upper side thereof, with a semiconductor layer doped with the first conductivity type. The component includes: an active region (100A); and first and second groups of first concentric field limiting rings surrounding the active region. Each first ring includes a first semiconductor region doped with a second conductivity type, opposite to the first conductivity type, extending vertically into the thickness of the semiconductor layer from the upper side thereof; and a second field limiting ring laterally interposed between the first and second groups of first field limiting rings (GR). The second ring includes a second doped semiconductor region of the second conductivity type extending vertically into the thickness of the semiconductor layer from the upper face thereof.

Abstract: A memory array includes a plurality of bit-cells arranged as a set of rows of bit-cells intersecting a plurality of columns. The memory array also includes a plurality of in-memory-compute (IMC) cells arranged as a set of rows of IMC cells intersecting the plurality of columns of the memory array. Each of the IMC cells of the memory array includes a first bit-cell having a latch, a write-bit line and a complementary write-bit line, and a second bit-cell having a latch, a write-bit line and a complementary write-bit line, wherein the write-bit line of the first bit-cell is coupled to the complementary write-bit line of the second bit-cell and the complementary write-bit line of the first bit-cell is coupled to the write-bit line of the second bit-cell.

Abstract: A sensor module includes a pattern generator configured to generate a variable frequency self-test signal. The sensor module includes an inertial sensor including a self-test electrode configured to receive the frequency sweep self-test signal. The inertial sensor is configured to generate an analog sensor signal based on the self-test signal. The sensor module includes an analog to digital converter configured to generate a digital sensor signal based on the analog sensor signal and a demodulator including a first input configured to receive the digital sensor signal, a second input configured to receive the self-test signal, and an output configured to output a demodulated signal. The sensor module includes a first low pass filter coupled to the output of the demodulator and configured to generate a baseband signal. The sensor module includes a calibration circuit configured to identify different MEMS characteristics, like resonance frequency, Q-factor, or sensitivity based on the baseband signal.

Abstract: An amplification circuit includes an amplifier circuit (provided by an operational amplifier) that amplifies a signal to be demodulated. A feedback loop of the amplification circuit has a resistance value that is controlled to discretely vary according to a level of an output node of the amplifier circuit. A comparison of the output level with respect to one or a plurality of thresholds, which define out-of-saturation operating ranges of the amplifier circuit, drives selection of the resistance value.

Abstract: Composite material comprising a fluoropolymer matrix and a filler formed of nanoparticles of a ceramic of the BZT-?BXT type wherein X is selected from Ca, Sn, and Mn and a is a molar fraction selected in the range between 0.10-0.90 doped with at least one doping element selected from the group consisting of Nb, La, Mn, Nd and W, wherein when X is Mn, the doping element is not Mn, wherein said nanoparticles have an average diameter comprised between 10 and 25% by weight on the total weight of the composite. The composite material is used to form a thin film usable as a piezoelectric material with inductive properties in electronic components, for example acoustic sensors such as microphones, and energy harvesting transducers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a support plate having a mounting face. An electronic chip, having a rear face and a front face, is mounted on the mounting face with the front face electrically connected to the mounting face of the support plate. A deformable thermally conductive film covers at least one portion of the rear face of the electronic chip so that the film is in contact with the rear face.

Abstract: A memory array includes memory cells arranged in a matrix with cell rows coupled to word lines and cell columns coupled to output bit lines. A control circuit maps a first group of memory cells to a first in-memory compute operation producing computation output signals on first output bit lines from a first matrix vector multiplication of a first input vector with a first group of computation weights stored in the first group of memory cells and maps a second group of memory cells to a second in-memory compute operation producing computation output signals on second output bit lines, different from the first output bit lines, from a second matrix vector multiplication of a second input vector, different from the first input vector, with a second group of computation weights stored in the second group of memory cells. The first and second in-memory compute operations are substantially simultaneously executed.

Abstract: A structure including a base portion (e.g., made of a graphite-based or graphene-based material) with at least one surface that is coated with a homogenous coating layer (e.g., made of silicon-carbide (SiC)). The homogenous coating layer prevents contaminants (e.g., carbon) from being released by the base portion into a cavity of a processing tool when heated to process one or more workpieces (e.g., silicon substrate, silicon wafers, etc.) present within the cavity. The homogenous coating layer includes grains and grain boundaries that are relatively the same size and shape as each other, which further prevents propagation of defects (e.g., cracking, peeling, etc.) that could potentially cause exposure of a region of the first surface of the base portion to the cavity of the processing tool contaminating the one or more workpieces present within the cavity of the processing tool.

Abstract: Provided is a power converter including first, second, third and fourth nodes and a wire bonding test circuit. The wire bonding test circuit includes a multiplexer having a first terminal of a first side coupled to the first node and second and third terminals of a second side. The wire bonding test circuit includes a first switch having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal or the third terminal of the multiplexer and a second terminal coupled to the second node. The wire bonding test circuit includes a second switch having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal or the third terminal of the multiplexer and a second terminal coupled to the third node. The wire bonding test circuit includes a third switch having a first terminal coupled to the second terminal or the third terminal of the multiplexer and a second terminal coupled to the fourth node.

Abstract: An in-memory computation circuit includes a memory array with memory cells arranged in a matrix in rows and columns. Groups of memory cells store computational weights for an in-memory compute (IMC) operation that is performed with a first multiply and accumulate (MAC) elaboration to produce a first analog signal and a second MAC elaboration to produce a second analog signal. An analog-to-digital converter circuit operates to: increment a count value in a counter circuit in response to the first analog signal; convert the count value in the counter circuit to a negated count value; and increment the count value in the counter circuit starting from the negated count value in response to the second analog signal.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor includes a timing generator generating a timing reference, a first array of TOF-related components including rows of TOF-related components, with each row receiving the timing reference, and a dummy row of TOF-related components. The TOF sensor also includes a second array of TOF-related components including rows of TOF-related components, with each row receiving the timing reference, and a dummy row of TOF-related components. A first path delivers the timing reference to the rows of the first array, the first path passing from the timing generator, through the dummy row of TOF-related components in the second array, to the first array of TOF-related components. A second path delivers the timing reference to the rows of the second array, the second path passing from the timing generator, through the dummy row of TOF-related components in the first array, to the second array of TOF-related components.

Abstract: A method of operating an inertial sensor module includes receiving a stream of inertial sensor data representing activity of a user of an electronic device and generating a plurality of wavelet sub-bands by performing a wavelet transform on the inertial sensor data. The method includes identifying a wavelet sub-band of highest energy from the plurality of wavelet sub-bands, generating augmented inertial sensor data by combining the wavelet sub-band of highest energy to the inertial sensor data, and identifying a first transition in the activity of the user based on the augmented inertial sensor data.

Abstract: A substrate includes electrically conductive leads arranged laterally of a die mounting location. A semiconductor die is mounted at the die mounting location. An electrical coupling member electrically couples the semiconductor die with one or more electrically conductive leads. The electrical coupling member includes one or more electrically conductive pads having first and second electrically conductive ribbons protruding therefrom. The first and second electrically conductive ribbons have proximal ends at the electrically conductive pad and distal ends away from the electrically conductive pad. The distal ends of the first and second electrically conductive ribbons are electrically coupled to the semiconductor die and an electrically conductive lead, respectively, to provide electrical coupling therebetween.

Abstract: An ESD protection device includes at least one semiconductor electronic switch electrically coupled in parallel with a diode. The semiconductor electronic switch and the diode each include at least one finger extending substantially parallel to a first direction. The fingers of the semiconductor electronic switch and of the diode are aligned with each other along this first direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an image sensor comprising an array of pixels arranged in first rows and in first columns. The pixels are arranged in groups of N*N pixels, with N an integer equal to or higher than 2. In each group, the pixels of the group are distributed into one or more sub-groups of a plurality of pixels. Each pixel comprises: a photosensitive element, a first node coupled to the photosensitive element, a second node common to all pixels of a same sub-group, and coupled to a first potential, a first transistor coupling the first and second nodes to each other, a second source-follower transistor having a gate connected to the first node, and a third transistor coupling the source of the third transistor to a reading line.

Abstract: A device includes a first MOS transistor connected between first and second nodes, a selectively activatable current source connected between the second node and a third node and a circuit configured to control the first transistor to regulate a voltage at the second node to a first set point value. The device further includes a second MOS transistor connected between the first node and a fourth node, and having its gate connected to the gate of the first MOS transistor, a third MOS transistor connected between the third and fourth nodes, a switch connected between the second and fourth nodes, and another circuit configured to control the third transistor to regulate a voltage at the fourth node to a second set point value.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection circuit protects a first transistor. The circuit includes N diodes in series between conduction terminals of the first transistor. A second transistor and third transistor are connected in series between the conduction terminals of the first transistor. A control terminal of the third transistor is coupled to an anode of the N diodes. A first inverter couples the control terminals of the first and second transistors. A fourth transistor is connected in parallel with the first transistor. A control terminal of the fourth transistor is coupled to the junction point of the second and third transistors. A capacitor is arranged between the control terminal of the fourth transistor and a conduction terminal of the first transistor.

Abstract: System, method, and circuitry for generating content for a programmable computing device based on user-selected configuration information. A settings registry is generated based on the user's selections. The settings registry and the user selected configuration information is utilized to generate the content, such as code, data, parameters, settings, etc. When the content is provided to the programmable computing device, the content initializes, configures, or controls one or more software and hardware aspects of the programmable computing device, such as boot sequence configurations, internal peripheral configurations, states of the programmable computing device, transitions between states of the programmable computing device, etc., and various combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for fault detection and communication in analog power electronic circuits with a multiplicity of electronic fuses (e.g., a primary fuse and at least one secondary fuse). Current flow is monitored through each fuse. Fault conditions in these electronic fuses are identified. Upon detection, the fault signaling line, which is common to all fuses, is driven to a voltage indicative of the detected fault condition. The primary electronic fuse then latches the voltage on this fault signaling line. A detection and communication circuit enables corrective actions to be performed at the fuse level, dictated by the latched voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a module for monitoring instructions of a microcontroller. The module is adapted to receive instructions that are received at an input terminal of the microcontroller or that are being processed by a code pointer of the microcontroller. The module verifies the instructions received on the input terminal of the microcontroller or that are being processed by the code pointer of the microcontroller.