Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device and method for detecting presence or absence of human speech. The device and method utilize a low-power accelerometer. The device and method generate an acceleration signal using the accelerometer, filter the acceleration signal with a band pass filter or a high pass filter, determine at least one calculation of the filtered acceleration signal, detect a presence or absence of a voice based on the at least one calculation, and output a detection signal that indicates the presence or absence of the voice. The device and method are well suited for portable audio devices, such as true wireless stereo headphones, that have a limited power supply.

Abstract: Test stimulus signals applied to at least one circuit under test are produced in a set of test stimulus generators as a function of test stimulus information loaded in test stimulus registers. Loading of the test stimulus information in the test stimulus registers is controlled as a function of test programming information loaded via a programming interface in a respective control register in a set of control registers. The test stimulus generators are activated as a function of the test programming information loaded in said control registers. Test outcome signals received from the at least one circuit under test are used to produce signature comparison signals, which are compared with respective programmable signature reference signals stored in a set of input signature registers, are produced in response to the signature comparison signals produced from the test outcome signals failing to match with the respective reference signals.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes first and second channels which respectively receive first and second analog signals. The first channel includes a first digital to analog converter having an output coupled to a first input of a first sign comparator, and the second channel includes a second digital to analog converter. A switch network selectively couples, upon reception of a self-test mode signal signaling a test phase, an output of the second digital to analog converter to a second input of the first sign comparator. A ramp generation circuit supplies to the first digital to analog converter and the second digital to analog converter two identical ramps of digital codes, which are shifted by a programmable offset with respect to one another. A checking circuit issues a test status signal based on the output of the first sign comparator.

Abstract: A circuit includes a memory array with memory cells arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, where each row includes a word line connected to the memory cells of the row, and each column includes a bit line connected to the memory cells of the column. Computational weights for an in-memory compute operation (IMCO) are stored in the memory cells. A word line control circuit simultaneously actuates word lines in response to input signals providing coefficient data for the IMCO by applying word line signal pulses. A column processing circuit connected to the bit lines processes analog signals developed on the bit lines in response to the simultaneous actuation of the word lines to generate multiply and accumulate output signals for the IMCO. Pulse widths of the signal pulses are modulated to compensate for cell drift. The IMCO further handles positive/negative calculation for the coefficient data and computational weights.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a detection device includes: an infrared temperature sensor configured to provide a temperature signal associated with an heat emission of at least one individual within a monitored area; an electrostatic-charge-variation sensor configured to provide a charge-variation signal indicative of a variation of electrostatic charge associated with the at least one individual; and a processing unit, coupled to the infrared temperature sensor and to the electrostatic-charge-variation sensor, the processing unit configured to detect a presence of the at least one individual within the monitored area by receiving the temperature signal and the charge-variation signal, and jointly processing the temperature signal and charge.

Abstract: In a non-volatile memory device, a memory sector is provided. The memory sector includes a plurality of tiles arranged horizontally. Each tile includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in horizontal word lines and vertical bit lines. A pre-decoder is configured to receive a set of encoded address signals to produce pre-decoding signals. A central row decoder is arranged in line with the plurality of tiles, receives the pre-decoding signals and produces level-shifted pull-up and pull-down driving signals for driving the word lines. First buffer circuits are arranged on a first side of each tile. Each of the first buffer circuits is coupled to a respective word line, receives a level-shifted pull-up driving signal and a level-shifted pull-down driving signal, and selectively pulls up or pulls down the respective word line as a function of the values of the received signals.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a memory and processing circuitry. The memory stores an Elementary File Test (EFT) file including a record storing information to update a target elementary file (TGF) in a file system of the EFT. The stored information includes a file path identifier identifying a position of the TGF in the file system of the EFT file, which is a concatenation of a parent file identifier followed by an identifier of the TGF, a first length indicator of a first type of data, the data of the first type, a second length indicator to indicate a length of a second type of data, and the data of the second type. The processing circuitry, in operation, identifies the TGF based on the file path identifier and updates the content of the TGF to include the first data and one or more instances of the second data.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to quad flat no-lead (QFN) semiconductor packages, devices, and methods in which one or more electrical components are positioned between a die pad of a QFN leadframe and a semiconductor die. In one embodiment, a device includes a die pad, a lead that is spaced apart from the die pad, and at least one electrical component that has a first contact on the die pad and a second contact on the lead. A semiconductor die is positioned on the at least one electrical component and is spaced apart from the die pad by the at least one electrical component. The device further includes at least one conductive wire, or wire bond, that electrically couples the at least one lead to the semiconductor die.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a wearable electronic device, such as a watch, that includes one or more optical sensors. In order to determine accuracy of measurements by the optical sensors, the device detects whether or not the optical sensors are in physical contact with the user's skin. The device detects a level of contact between the user's skin and the optical sensors based on electrostatic charge variation measurements, and generates a contact reliability index (CRI) based on the level of contact. Operation of the optical sensors are adjusted based on the CRI.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of making a microelectromechanical (MEMS) device. The method includes, in a single structural layer, affixing a tiltable structure to an anchorage portion with first and second supporting arms extending between the anchorage portion and opposite sides of the tiltable structure, and forming first and second resonant piezoelectric actuation structures extending between a constraint portion of the first supporting arm and the anchorage portion, on opposite sides of the first supporting arm. The method further includes coupling a handling wafer underneath the structural layer to define a cavity therebetween, and forming a passivation layer over the structural layer, the passivation layer having contact openings defined therein for routing metal regions for electrical coupling to respective electrical contact pads, the electrical contact pads being electrically connected to the first and second resonant piezoelectric actuation structures.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) structure includes a fixed frame internally defining a cavity, and a mobile mass suspended in the cavity and movable with a first resonant rotational mode about a first rotation axis and with a second resonant rotational mode about a second rotation axis orthogonal to the first. A pair of supporting elements extends in the cavity, is rigidly coupled to the fixed frame, and is elastically deformable to cause rotation of the mobile mass about the first rotation axis. A pair of elastic-coupling elements is elastically coupled between the mobile mass and the first pair of supporting elements. Each of the elastic-coupling elements includes a first and second elastic portions, the first elastic portion being compliant to torsion about the second rotation axis. The second elastic portion is compliant to bending outside of a horizontal plane of main extension of the MEMS structure.

Abstract: Overvoltage protection circuits are provided. In some embodiments, an overvoltage protection circuit includes a first diode made of a first semiconductor material having a bandgap width greater than that of silicon. A second diode is included and is electrically cross-coupled with the first diode. The second diode is made of a second semiconductor material different from the first semiconductor material.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator includes a series resonant circuit having a resonance frequency and an active voltage driving device coupled to the series resonant circuit. The active voltage driving device provides a driving voltage and has an output negative resistance in an operative voltage range at the resonance frequency. The active voltage driving device includes a cross-coupled differential pair having voltage supply terminals providing the driving voltage. The series resonant circuit is coupled between the voltage supply terminals of the cross-coupled differential pair.

Abstract: A method of producing electronic components including at least one circuit having coupled therewith electrical connections including metallic wire bondable surfaces encased in a packaging, the method including bonding stud bumps, in particular copper stud bumps, at determined areas of said wire bondable surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a detection structure for a vertical-axis resonant accelerometer. The detection structure includes an inertial mass suspended above a substrate and having a window provided therewithin and traversing it throughout a thickness thereof. The inertial mass is coupled to a main anchorage, arranged in the window and integral with the substrate, through a first and a second anchoring elastic element of a torsional type. The detection structure also includes at least a first resonant element having longitudinal extension, coupled between the first elastic element and a first constraint element arranged in the window. The first constraint element is suspended above the substrate, to which it is fixedly coupled through a first auxiliary anchoring element which extends below the first resonant element with longitudinal extension and is integrally coupled between the first constraint element and the main anchorage.

Abstract: An earphone device has a casing having a measurement portion dedicated to acquisition of at least one measurement quantity with the earphone device arranged outside an ear of a subject. The earphone device is provided with at least one sensor, operatively coupled to the measurement portion within the casing for acquiring signals indicative of the measurement quantity, and a processing module that processes the signals acquired by the sensor so as to provide a processed output signal for monitoring the measurement quantity, as a function of the acquired signals. Electrical-connection elements define electrical paths within the casing in electrical connection with the sensor.

Abstract: A signal decode circuit is coupled to a buffer for each signal channel. A memory includes a shared area configured to store waveform data sets, each waveform data set including a sequence of coded waveform values specifying waveform step states. The shared area further stores delay data sets, each delay data set including a digital delay value for each signal channel defining a delay profile. A signal pointer addresses the shared area to read one waveform data set from the memory with the sequence of coded waveform values being selectively loaded into one or more of the buffers. A delay pointer addresses the shared area to read one delay data set from the memory with the digital delay values used to control delayed actuation of the signal decode circuits to decode the sequence of coded waveform values from the buffers and generate waveform signals in accordance with the delay profile.

Abstract: Signal processing is applied to a digital audio input signal to provide an analog audio output signal using a switching converter circuit driven by a pulse-width-modulated (PWM) signal. The analog audio output signal is sensed to provide an analog feedback signal. The signal processing that is applied includes: converting the digital audio input signal to producing an analog replica; producing an analog error signal indicative of a difference between the analog replica of the digital input signal and the analog feedback signal; converting the analog error signal to produce a digital error signal; digitally filtering the digital error signal to produce a filtered digital error signal; and generating the PWM signal from the filtered digital error signal.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a device and method for lid angle detection that is accurate even if the device is activated in an upright position. While the device is in a sleep state, first and second sensor units measure acceleration and angular velocity, and calculate orientations of respective lid components based on the acceleration and angular velocity measurements. Upon the device exiting the sleep state, a processor estimates the lid angle using the calculated orientations, sets the estimated lid angle as an initial lid angle, and updates the initial lid angle using, for example, two accelerometers; two accelerometers and two gyroscopes; two accelerometers and two magnetometers; or two accelerometers, two gyroscopes, and two magnetometers.

Abstract: A device includes a multiplier, an accumulator and a floating point adder. The multiplier generates a product of a first factor having a sign bit and exponent bits and a second factor having a sign bit and exponent bits. The multiplier includes a sign multiplier and a subtractor. The sign multiplier generates a product of the sign bit of the first factor and the sign bit of the second factor. The subtractor subtracts the exponent bits of the first factor from the exponent bits of the second factor. The accumulator stores a current accumulation value. The floating-point adder is coupled to the multiplier and to the accumulator, and, in operation, the adder generates an updated accumulation value based a sum of the product and the current accumulation value, and stores the updated accumulation value in the accumulator. The first factor may be a weight of a neural network.