Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating offsets in an interpolator are disclosed. In the method and apparatus, a first number of clock cycles of a first clock signal observed over a first clock cycle of a second clock signal is determined and then stored. Also a second number of clock cycles of the first clock signal observed over a second clock cycle of the second clock signal subsequent to the first clock cycle is determined and stored. The first number of clock cycles and the second number of clock cycles are compared to determine whether they are different from each other. If they are different from each other, a reset signal is asserted under control of the second clock signal to reset at least one of a derivator stage and an integrator stage of an interpolator.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a method for converting a digital image from a first color space to a second color space. The first color space is associated with an electronic source device, and the second color space is associated with a projection apparatus of digital images on a screen and coupled to the source device. The method includes: performing a first conversion on a first triad of parameters associated to the first color space by a first conversion matrix to map such a first triad in a third triad of parameters; the third triad is representative of a color space independent from the first and the second color spaces; performing a second conversion on the third triad of parameters by a second conversion matrix to map such a third triad of parameters in a second triad of parameters representative of the second color space.

Abstract: The process is based upon the steps of: forming a trench in a body including a substrate and at least one insulating layer; and depositing a metal layer above the body for closing the open end or mouth of the trench. The trench is formed by selectively etching the body, wherein the reaction by-products deposit on the walls of the trench and form a passivation layer along the walls of the trench and a restriction element in proximity of the mouth of the trench.

Abstract: A switching converter includes a first electronic switch and a second electronic switch and respective drive circuits for switching on and switching off alternatively the first and second electronic switches. The drive circuits have a supply line for supplying to them a supply voltage. At least one of the drive circuits has, coupled to it, a capacitor for storing the supply voltage. An electronic-switching circuit is provided for selectively disconnecting the drive circuit from the supply line when the electronic switch driven thereby is switched off. In this mode, the drive circuit is supplied by the voltage stored on the capacitor.

Abstract: A radiation hardened memory cell includes an odd number of storage elements configured to redundantly store an input data logic signal. The storage elements include output lines for outputting respective logic signals having respective logic values. A logic combination network receives the respective logic signals and is configured to generate an output signal having a same logic value as a majority of the logic signals output from the storage elements. An exclusive logic sum circuit receives the respective logic signals output from the storage elements and is configured to produce a refresh of the logic data signal as stored in the storage elements when one of the logic signals output from the storage elements undergoes a logic value transition due to an error event.

Abstract: A flexible sheet of organic polymer material, may include a monolithically fabricated array of one or more types of cells juxtaposed among them to form a multi-cell sheet. Each cell may include a self consistent, organic base integrated circuit, replicated in each cell of same type of the array, and shares, in common with other cells of same type, at least a conductor layer of either an electrical supply rail of the integrated circuit or of an input/output of the integrated circuit. A piece of the multi-cell, sheet including any number of self consistent integrated circuit cells, may be severed from the multi-cell sheet by cutting the sheet along intercell boundaries or straight lines, with a reduced affect on the operability of any cell spared by the cutting.

Abstract: An energy harvesting interface receives an electrical signal from an inductive transducer and supplies a supply signal. The interface includes an input branch with a first switch and a second switch connected together in series between a first input terminal and an output terminal. The interface further includes a third switch and a fourth switch connected together in series between a second input terminal and the output terminal. A first electrical-signal-detecting device, coupled across the second switch, detects a first threshold value of an electric storage current in the inductor of the transducer. A second electrical-signal-detecting device, coupled across the fourth switch, detects whether the electric supply current that flows through the fourth switch reaches a second threshold value lower than the first threshold value. The second threshold is derived from the electric storage current.

Abstract: According to an embodiment described herein, a method for testing a memory includes receiving an address and a start signal at a memory, and generating a first detector pulse at a test circuit in response to the start signal. The first detector pulse has a leading edge and a trailing edge. A data transition of a bit associated with the address is detected. The bit is a functional bit. The method further includes determining whether the bit is a weak bit by determining whether the data transition occurred after the trailing edge.

Abstract: A packaged sensor assembly includes: a packaging structure, having at least one opening; a humidity sensor and a pressure sensor, which are housed inside the packaging structure and communicate fluidically with the outside through the opening, and a control circuit, operatively coupled to the humidity sensor and to the pressure sensor; wherein the humidity sensor and the control circuit are integrated in a first chip, and the pressure sensor is integrated in a second chip distinct from the first chip and bonded to the first chip.

Abstract: An embodiment of a testing architecture of integrated circuits on a wafer is described of the type including at least one first circuit of a structure TEG realized in a scribe line providing separation between at least one first and one second integrated circuit. The architecture includes at least one pad shared by a second circuit inside at least one of these first and second integrated circuit and the first circuit, as well as a switching circuitry coupled to the at least one pad and to these first and second circuits.

Abstract: A mirror micromechanical structure has a mobile mass carrying a mirror element. The mass is drivable in rotation for reflecting an incident light beam with a desired angular range. The mobile mass is suspended above a cavity obtained in a supporting body. The cavity is shaped so that the supporting body does not hinder the reflected light beam within the desired angular range. In particular, the cavity extends as far as a first side edge wall of the supporting body of the mirror micromechanical structure. The cavity is open towards, and in communication with, the outside of the mirror micromechanical structure at the first side edge wall.

Abstract: A resonant converter includes a primary switching circuit having a primary winding and a primary switching stage configured to drive the primary winding; a secondary resonant circuit having a secondary winding magnetically coupled to the primary winding, a resonance capacitor connected in parallel to the secondary winding, and first and second secondary inductors respectively coupled between an output terminal of the converter and respective terminals of the resonance capacitor; a rectification stage connected in parallel with the resonance capacitor, and having first and second switches coupled to form a half-bridge; and a feedback command circuit. The command circuit is configured to receive feedback signals representing an output voltage and an output current at the output terminal of the resonant converter, receive voltages at the terminals of the resonance capacitor, and turn on/off, independently with respect to each other, the switches of the rectification stage and the primary switching stage.

Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a body made of semiconductor material having a first type of conductivity and a pressure-sensitive structure having the first type of conductivity defining a suspended membrane. One or more piezoresistive elements having a second type of conductivity (P) are formed in the suspended membrane. The piezoresistive elements form, with the pressure-sensitive structure, respective junction diodes. A temperature sensing method includes: generating a first current between conduction terminals common to the junction diodes; detecting a first voltage value between the common conduction terminals when the first current is supplied; and correlating the detected first voltage value to a value of temperature of the diodes. The temperature value thus calculated can be used for correcting the voltage signal generated at output by the pressure sensor when the latter is operated for sensing an applied outside pressure which deforms the suspended membrane.

Abstract: An embodiment for realizing a power device with trench-gate structure integrated on a semiconductor substrate, and including etching the semiconductor substrate to make a first trench having first side walls and a first bottom; and further etching said semiconductor substrate to make a second trench inside the first trench, realized in a self-aligned way and below this first trench, the first trench and the second trench defining the trench-gate structure with a bird beak-like transition profile suitable for containing a gate region.

Abstract: An integrated AMR magnetoresistive sensor has a magnetoresistor, a set/reset coil and a shielding region arranged on top of each other. The set/reset coil is positioned between the magnetoresistor and the shielding region. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape having a length in a first direction parallel to the preferential magnetization direction and a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The set/reset coil has at least one stretch extending transversely to the magnetoresistive strip. The shielding region is a ferromagnetic material and has a width in the second direction greater than the width of the magnetoresistive strip so as to attenuate the external magnetic field traversing the magnetoresistive strip and increase the sensitivity scale of the magnetoresistive sensor.

Abstract: A microfluidic device, comprising: a semiconductor body, having a first side and a second side, opposite to one another in a first direction; and at least one well, configured for containing a fluid, extending in the semiconductor body starting from the first side and being delimited at the bottom by a bottom surface. The microfluidic device further comprises a stirring structure integrated in the well at the bottom surface, the stirring structure including a first stirring portion coupled to the semiconductor body and provided with at least one first suspended beam configured for being moved in a second direction so as to generate, in use, agitation of the fluid present in said well.

Abstract: A solid state memory unit and method for protecting a solid state memory having a microprocessor are disclosed. The method may include receiving user-input requests for access to blocks of the solid state memory, the blocks of the solid state memory storing ordered virtual files. The user-input requests may have a respective sequence of virtual file position values. The method may include comparing the sequence of virtual file position values with a predetermined sequence of virtual file position values to verify the user-input requests, and when the sequence of virtual file position values equals the predetermined sequence of virtual file position values, responding to, via the microprocessor, requests for access to the blocks of the solid state memory to decrypt and transfer requested files stored. The predetermined sequence may correspond to a predetermined sequence of requests for access to files that can be selected by the user.

Abstract: A digital circuit can be used in a speaker system. An intermediate node provides a speaker protection control signal. A first latch for receives an offset control signal. A first logic gate receives a play control signal, the offset control signal, and the speaker protection control signal. A second logic gate is coupled to the first latch for receiving the play control signal and the speaker protection control signal. A second latch is coupled to the first logic gate for providing a forced mute signal. A third latch is coupled to the second logic gate and to the intermediate node.

Abstract: An embodiment of an integrated electronic device having a body, made at least partially of semiconductor material and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface, and a first antenna, which is integrated in the body and enables magnetic or electromagnetic coupling of the integrated electronic device with a further antenna. The integrated electronic device moreover has a coupling region made of magnetic material, which provides, in use, a communication channel between the first antenna and the further antenna.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a position of a rotor of a DC motor with N phases having a plurality of windings. The apparatus includes circuitry to couple at least two of the windings between a supply voltage and a reference voltage according to a first current path and allow the current stored in the two windings to be discharged through a second current path. The circuitry is configured to force the at least two windings at a short circuit condition in the second current path. The apparatus also includes a measurement circuit configured to measure the time period of discharging the current stored in the two windings and a rotor position detector for detecting the rotor position based on the measured time period.