Abstract: An arrangement includes a first part and a second part. The first part includes a memory controller for accessing a memory, at least one first cache memory and a first directory. The second part includes at least one second cache memory configured to request access to said memory. The first directory is configured to use a first coherency protocol for the at least one first cache memory and a second different coherency protocol for the at least one second memory.

Abstract: The internal propagation of radiation between a radiation source and radiation detector mounted within a sensor package is prevented by the use of an optical isolator. The optical isolator is formed by the combination of a baffle mounted between the source and detector and a groove formed in an upper surface of the sensor package between the source and detector. A bottom of the groove is positioned adjacent to an upper edge of the baffle.

Abstract: A video frame buffer may enable a high resolution image sensor video stream to be transmitted on a standard communication link at a high frame rate. The buffer may include an image stream input for receiving image frames from the image sensor, and a memory for buffering image frames. A frame processor manipulates portions of each image frame before passing the modified image frame to the memory which selectively buffers the frames before outputting the frames to a communication output. The video frame buffer may be implemented in a FPGA along with a DDR SDRAM memory. The communication link may be a USB2 communication link.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an array of daisy chained image sensors, with each image sensor including a pixel array. A host is coupled to an image sensor at an end of the array and is configured to insert identification codes. The identification codes include embedded data values to thereby indicate specific parts of the image data, and a set of identification codes comprising a first identification code to identify a start of a data stream and a second identification code to identify an end of the data stream.

Abstract: A sensor for a touch screen operates to detect a touch and any associated movement thereof on the screen and determine a required control function for a device on which the touch screen is mounted. The sensor includes integrated control logic. The sensor operates to identify the existence of a feature associated with the touch and movement on the screen. The feature is processed by the logic to determine the location of the touch and any associated movement thereof on the touch screen. The feature location and any associated movement are converted by the logic into an output from which the control function can be derived by the device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a contact angle between a glue and a surface of a substrate during manufacture of microchip packages is disclosed. The method includes applying a glue to a surface of a substrate, and placing an electrode in electrical connection with the glue. A potential difference is applied between the electrode and the substrate. The potential difference is applied across the glue and causes a contact angle between the glue and the surface of the substrate to be altered.

Abstract: An imaging circuit includes at least one photosensitive device that provides an output in response to at least one photon and a compensation circuit configured to provide dark current compensation for the output of said photosensitive device. The applied compensation uses temperature information and temperature dependent calibration information.

Abstract: A video decoding circuit comprising: a first video data processor; a second video data processor; and a connection connecting the first video data processor and the second data processor; wherein the first video data processor is arranged to receive a first signal comprising encoded video data, process the first signal to provide a second signal and output the second signal. The first video data processor being arranged to process the first signal dependent on at least part of the received first signal. The second video data processor is arranged to receive at least a part of the second signal, process the at least a part of the second signal to provide a third signal, and output the third signal, the second and third signals comprising a decoded video image stream. The second video data processor is arranged to process the at least part of the second signal dependent on at least part of the at least part of second signal.

Abstract: Ambient light is detected by a photodiode circuit by measuring the time taken for a digital output of the photodiode circuit to change state in response to exposure of a photodiode of the photodiode circuit to that ambient light. A nominal time for state change is calculated based on photodiode circuit characteristics. Furthermore, an effective time for the photodiode circuit digital output to change state is determined in a calibration mode where the photodiode has been disconnected and a reference current is applied to the circuit. An illumination value of the detected ambient light is then calculated as a function of: the measured time, the effective time and the nominal time.

Abstract: An image assembly may include a substrate having a face, a first optical layer and at least one spacer member. The imaging assembly may also include an anti-reflection structure. The at least one spacer member may be arranged between the substrate and the first optical layer to define an air gap therebetween. The anti-reflection structure may be coupled to at least part of the face and at least one of the first optical layer and the at least one spacer member. The anti-reflection structure may also include a plurality of projections having dimensions smaller than a wavelength of radiation to be imaged by the imaging assembly.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first n-bit communications block and a second m-bit communications block. A controller is configured to control mode of operation for the first and second communications blocks. In a first mode, the first and second communications blocks function as a single communications block for n+m bit communications. In a second mode, the first and second communications blocks operate as substantially independent communications block for n bit communications and m bit communications.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a fixed focus lens, an image sensor having an image matrix of a plurality of pixels arranged on a semiconductor substrate and supplying image data, and an electronic circuit for reading the image matrix. The image sensor also includes at least two ambient light sensors arranged on the semiconductor substrate on opposite sides of the image matrix, and configured to capture an ambient light intensity through the fixed lens, and the electronic circuit is also configured to read the two ambient light sensors and to supply ambient light data and the image data.

Abstract: A sensor includes a linear array of sensitive photodetectors each forming part of an associated pixel circuit. The pixel circuits accumulate photo-generated charge from their photodetectors simultaneously but with different gains for different pixels. Each pixel circuit comprises an operational amplifier arranged to integrate a photocurrent received from the photodetector over a sampling interval that is substantially the same for all pixels. The gain of each pixel circuit is made variable over time by switching one or more capacitors in and out of the integrating circuit. In one embodiment a gain selection signal is written into each pixel circuit during a data read-out cycle. In another embodiment, the gain of each pixel varies automatically in response to data obtained from the pixel in a previous cycle. Several similar sensors are used to detect touch positions in a touch screen input device.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of pixels. Each pixel has at least one photo-sensitive element. Readout circuitry receives an analog signal from each pixel at a first time and at a second time, between which the analog signal changes. The image sensor further includes associated support circuitry which is a source of time variant noise. The signal level at both first and second times includes pixel noise. Sample and hold circuitry is provided to maintain substantially level at least a proportion of this support circuitry noise time invariant at the sensor output between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: A method distributes personalized circuits to one or more parties. The method distributes a generic circuit to each party, encrypts a unique personalization value using a secret encryption key, and transmits each encrypted personalization value to the corresponding party. Each party then stores the encrypted personalization value in their circuit. The stored encrypted personalization value allows a piece of software to be properly executed by the circuit. A semiconductor integrated circuit is arranged to execute a piece of software that inputs a personalization value as an input parameter. The circuit comprises a personalization memory arranged to store an encrypted personalization value; a key memory for storing a decryption key; a control unit comprising a cryptographic circuit arranged to decrypt the encrypted personalization value using the decryption key; and a processor arranged to receive the decrypted personalization value and execute the software using the decrypted personalization value.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first clock source, a second clock source and circuitry configured to supply a clock signal to a circuit. The circuitry operates to change the clock signal from one frequency to another different frequency. This change is made in a manner whereby no clock signal is supplied during a period of time when the change from the one frequency to the another different clock frequency is being made.

Abstract: A photodetector includes a photodiode and output circuitry coupled to the photodiode. The photodetector is configurable for operation in at least two modes. A first configurable mode operates the photodetector as an integrating sensor. In this first mode, a bias voltage across the photodiode is set below the breakdown voltage of the photodiode and the output circuitry is configured to read an analog integration output voltage from the photodiode. A second configurable mode operates the photodetector as a single photon avalanche detector. In this second mode, the bias voltage across the photodiode is set above the breakdown voltage of the photodiode and the output circuitry is configured to read an avalanche output voltage.

Abstract: A method for detecting multi-path interference in a spread-spectrum signal. A variation of a first signal and a variation of a second signal is compared. The variation of the first signal corresponds to a correlation of the spread-spectrum signal and a spreading code having a first offset. The variation of the second signal corresponds to a correlation of the spread-spectrum signal and the spreading code having a second offset. Multi-path interference is detected in dependence on the comparison.

Abstract: A device including a photon emitter, a photon receiver, and a screen opaque to photons following a direct path from the outside of the device to the photon receiver.

Abstract: An array of photon sensitive devices is configured to provide outputs. Pulse shaping circuits operate to shape a respective output of the array in a normal mode of operation and shape a calibration signal in a calibration mode of operation.