Abstract: A semiconductor body includes a front side and a back side and is configured to support an electronic circuit. A buried region is provided in the semiconductor body at a location between the electronic circuit and the back side. The buried region includes a layer of conductive material and a dielectric layer, where the dielectric layer is arranged between the layer of conductive material and the semiconductor body. A conductive path extends between the buried region and the front side to form a path for electrical access to the layer of conductive material. A capacitor is thus formed with the layer of conductive material providing a capacitor plate and the dielectric layer providing the capacitor dielectric. A further capacitor plate is provided by the semiconductor body, or by a further layer of conductive material in the buried region.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor testing device, system and method are provided. The testing device includes a socket having a plurality of pads configured to receive a respective plurality of pins of the MEMS sensor, a body having a plurality of operable positions associated with a respective plurality of orientations of the MEMS sensor and circuitry which performs a method for testing the MEMS sensor in the plurality of operable positions. The method includes, for each position of the plurality of operable positions, outputting an indication of the position to the plurality of operable positions, receiving one or more measurements made by the MEMS sensor at the respective position and determining whether the one or more measurements satisfy a reliability criterion. The method includes generating a report based on the plurality of measurements and indicating whether the plurality of measurements satisfy a plurality of reliability criteria, respectively.

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: Methods for manufacturing a microfluidic delivery device comprising a semiconductor structure, such as silicon, are provided. In particular, the structure for delivering fluid may be formed from polycrystalline silicon, also called polysilicon, or epitaxial silicon. The microfluidic delivery device that predominantly uses semiconductor material, such as silicon, to form the structures that are in contact with the dispensed fluid results in a device that is compatible with a wide set of fluids and applications.

Abstract: A control circuit is configured to control a power factor correction (PFC) pre-regulator including a power switch and being configured to operate in a transition mode of operation and a valley-skipping mode of operation. The control circuit generates a drive signal to control a switching of the power switch based on a current threshold. A current threshold generator in the control circuit is configured to modulate the current threshold as a function of a number of valleys skipped in the valley-skipping mode of operation.

Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope can include a supporting structure and a mobile mass elastically suspended from the supporting structure in a driving direction and in a sensing direction, mutually perpendicular. A driving structure is coupled to the mobile mass for controlling a driving movement of the mobile mass in the driving direction at a driving frequency. A driving-frequency tuning electrode, distinct from the driving structure, faces the mobile mass. A driving-frequency tuner electrically coupled to the driving-frequency tuning electrode for supplying a tuning voltage to the driving-frequency tuning electrode.

Abstract: A method for detecting the angular position of an electric motor includes: applying a first drive signal with a first polarity between first and second drive terminals that are coupled to respective stator windings of the electric motor; sensing at a third drive terminal a first signal resulting from the application of the first drive signal; applying a second drive signal with a second polarity between the first and second drive terminals, the second polarity being opposite the first polarity; sensing at the third drive terminal a second signal resulting from the application of the second drive signal; and producing a sum signal by summing the first and second signals, wherein the sum signal is indicative of an angular position of a rotor of the electric motor with respect to the stator windings.

Abstract: A Near Field Communication (NFC) device, includes: a device support body comprising at least one antenna coil, an integrated circuit coupled to the at least one antenna coil; and a photoresistive circuit coupled to the at least one antenna coil and comprising a photo-resistance, the photoresistive circuit being configured to increase a resistance of the at least one antenna coil when the at least one photo-resistance is in its high resistance state in a dark condition.

Abstract: An H-bridge circuit includes a supply voltage node, a first pair of transistors and a second pair of transistors. First transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough included in current flow lines between the supply node and, respectively, a first output node and a second output node. Second transistors in each pair have the current paths therethrough coupled to a third output node and a fourth output node, respectively. The first and third output nodes are mutually isolated from each other and the second and fourth output nodes are mutually isolated from each other. The H-bridge circuit is operable in a selected one of a first, second and third mode.

Abstract: A Pseudo-Random Noise code generator module is configured to generate PRN codes operating with different navigation standards for use with a GNSS receiver. The generator includes a number of linear shift registers including a respective number of feedback taps and a channel selection network including an output multiplexer. A first register includes a first number of taps and a second register includes a second number of taps. The first register and second register are associated with a respective feedback network to combine signals at the feedback taps to obtain a feedback signal that is selectably fed back through a selection circuit at an input of the respective register. A network can selectably concatenate the first register with the second register.

Abstract: An electronic converter includes first and second inputs, first and second outputs, and a switching cell configured to supply current. The switching cell includes a half-bridge including first and second switches connected in series between the two inputs. The half-bridge includes a intermediate point between the first and second switch, a first inductor directly connected to the first output, a second inductor connected to the intermediate point, a first capacitor connected in series with the first and second inductors, a second capacitor connected between the intermediate point and the second input, and a circuit connected between a terminal of the first inductor and the second output. A circuit path of the converter is configured to couple the second inductor with the first output through the first capacitor and the first inductor, and another circuit path is configured to couple the second capacitor with the first output through the first inductor.

Abstract: A method of processing electrophysiological signals includes: receiving, over a limited time duration, sample electrocardiography (ECG) signals indicative of heart pulsatile activity occurring with a variable heart rate, wherein receiving the sample ECG signals is discontinued at an expiry of the limited time duration; receiving photoplethysmography (PPG) signals indicative of the heart pulsatile activity; determining a correlation between the sample ECG signals and the PPG signals; determining reconstructed ECG signals from the PPG signals as a function of the correlation between the sample ECG signals and the PPG signals; and estimating a heart rate variability of the variable heart rate as a function of the reconstructed ECG signals.

Abstract: A pad forms a connection terminal suitable for coupling circuit elements integrated in a chip to circuits outside the chip itself. At least one inductor is provided for use in the reception/transmission of electromagnetic waves or for supplying the chip with power or both. The connection pad and inductor are combined in a structure which reduces overall occupied area. A magnetic containment structure surrounds the structure to contain a magnetic field of the inductor.

Abstract: A microneedle array device includes a substrate and an array of microneedles on the substrate. Each microneedle includes a redox enzyme and redox mediator and an electrically conductive layer on the substrate. The electrically conductive layer may extend partway up each microneedle exposing the tip thereof.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling current in an inductive load is provided. The circuit includes a driver circuit for driving a load current in the inductive load. The driver circuit includes a switch, which is switched on to increase the load current and a recirculation diode, which re-circulates the load current when the switch is off. The circuit includes a control module that generates a control signal to switch on and off the switch. The control module includes a PWM current controller comprising a negative feedback closed loop implementing at least a proportional control and an integral control. The PWM current controller receives a target current value and an estimated current flowing in the load during a measurement PWM cycle. The PWM current controller generates the control signal for a control input of the switch based on an error between the target current and the estimated current.

Abstract: A microelectronic device includes a chip housing a functional part and carrying first electrical contact regions in electrical connection with the functional part through first protected connections extending over or in the chip. A substrate has a first contact area and a second contact area, which is remote from the first contact area. The first contact area carries second electrical contact regions, and the second contact area carries external connection regions. The second contact regions and the external connection regions are in mutual electrical connection through second protected connections extending over or in the substrate. A protection-ring structure surrounds the first and second electrical contact regions and delimits a first chamber closed with respect to the outside. The first electrical contact regions and the second electrical contact regions are in mutual electrical contact.

Abstract: A MEMS device includes a semiconductor support body having a first cavity, a membrane including a peripheral portion, fixed to the support body, and a suspended portion. A first deformable structure is at a distance from a central part of the suspended portion of the membrane and a second deformable structure is laterally offset relative to the first deformable structure towards the peripheral portion of the membrane. A projecting region is fixed under the membrane. The second deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a first direction, and the first deformable structure is deformable so as to translate the central part of the suspended portion of the membrane along a second direction.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG)-confined 2DEG devices and methods. One such device includes a substrate and a heterostructure on the substrate. The heterostructure includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a 2DEG layer between the first and second semiconductor layers. The device further includes a 2DEG device having a conduction channel in the 2DEG layer. An isolation electrode overlies the heterostructure and at least partially surrounds a periphery of the 2DEG device. The isolation electrode, in use, interrupts the 2DEG layer in response to an applied voltage.

Abstract: An embodiment device comprises a processing circuit and IP circuitry coupled to a power supply line, wherein the IP circuitry has an IP circuitry supply threshold for IP circuitry operation. A supply monitor circuit is coupled to the power supply line to sense the voltage on the power supply line and to switch the processing circuit to a low-power mode as a result of a drop in the voltage on the power supply line. The supply monitor circuit comprises a threshold setting node and is configured to be deactivated as a result of the voltage on the power supply line dropping below a deactivation threshold level set at the threshold setting node. A threshold setting circuit is configured to apply to the threshold setting node of the supply monitor circuit the IP circuitry supply threshold as a result of the processing circuit being in the low-power mode.

Abstract: A device to read a variable resistor has an analog to digital converter (ADC), a first switch and a second switch. The ADC has a first ADC input, a second ADC input and an ADC output. The first switch selectively couples a first voltage indicative of a voltage across a first resistance to the first ADC input. The second switch selectively couples a second voltage indicative of a voltage across a second resistance to the second ADC input. The ADC outputs a signal indicative of a value of the second resistance.