Abstract: A method comprises molding laser direct structuring material onto at least one semiconductor die, forming resist material on the laser direct structuring material, producing mutually aligned patterns of electrically-conductive formations in the laser direct structuring material and etched-out portions of the resist material having lateral walls sidewise of said electrically-conductive formations via laser beam energy, and forming electrically-conductive material at said etched-out portions of the resist material, the electrically-conductive material having lateral confinement surfaces at said lateral walls of said etched-out portions of the resist material.

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: A sense amplifier and a method for accessing a memory device are disclosed. In an embodiment a sense amplifier for a memory device includes a first input node selectively coupled to a first memory cell through a first local bitline and a first main bitline, a second input node selectively coupled through a second local bitline and a second main bitline to a second memory cell or to a reference generator configured to generate a reference current, a first current generator controllable so as to inject a first variable current into the first input node, a second current generator controllable so as to inject a second variable current into the second input node, a first branch coupled to the first input node and comprising a first switch circuit, a first sense transistor and a first forcing transistor and a second branch coupled to the second input node and including a second switch circuit, a second sense transistor and a second forcing transistor.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light-emitter device formed in a body of solid-state material with wide band gap having a surface. The light-emitter device includes a cathode region having a first conductivity type and an anode region having a second conductivity type. The anode region extends into the cathode region from the surface of the body. The anode region and the cathode region define a junction, and the cathode region has, near the junction, a peak defectiveness area accommodating vacancies in the crystalline structure due to non-bound ions or atoms of Group IV or VIII of the periodic table, which may include carbon, silicon, helium, argon, or neon. The vacancies are at a higher concentration with respect to mean values of vacancies in the anode region and in the cathode region. For example, the vacancies in the peak defectiveness area have a concentration of at least 1013 atoms/cm?3.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices such as integrated circuits comprises: providing one or more semiconductor chips having first and second opposed surfaces, coupling the semiconductor chip or chips with a support substrate with the second surface towards the support substrate, embedding the semiconductor chip or chips coupled with the support substrate in electrically-insulating packaging material by providing in the packaging material electrically-conductive passageways. The electrically-conductive passageways comprise: electrically-conductive chip passageways towards the first surface of the at least one semiconductor chip, and/or electrically-conductive substrate passageways towards the support substrate.

Abstract: A protection circuit for an automotive wiring harness includes an input node receiving a sensing signal indicating intensity of current in a conductor, an output node emitting a current control output signal to reduce the current and/or emitting a warning signal indicating the current intensity having reached a limit value. Signal processing circuitry coupled to the input node compares the current intensity with a reference value, and produces a comparison signal indicating whether the current intensity exceeds the reference value. A counting circuitry driven by the comparison signal counts in a first count direction as a result of the comparison signal indicating that the current intensity exceeds the reference value. Latching circuitry coupled to the counter circuitry generates the output signal at the output node as a result of the count value of the counter circuitry reaching a limit value.

Abstract: An integrated magnetoresistive device includes a substrate of semiconductor material that is covered, on a first surface, by an insulating layer. A magnetoresistor of ferromagnetic material extends within the insulating layer and defines a sensitivity plane of the sensor. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material includes at least one arm that extends in a transversal direction to the sensitivity plane and is vertically offset from the magnetoresistor. The concentrator concentrates deflects magnetic flux lines perpendicular to the sensitivity plane so as to generate magnetic-field components directed in a parallel direction to the sensitivity plane.

Abstract: Embodiments of a Coriolis-force-based flow sensing device and embodiments of methods for manufacturing embodiments of the Coriolis-force-based flow sensing device, comprising the steps of: forming a driving electrode; forming, on the driving electrode, a first sacrificial region; forming, on the first sacrificial region, a first structural portion with a second sacrificial region buried therein; forming openings for selectively etching the second sacrificial region; forming, within the openings, a porous layer having pores; removing the second sacrificial region through the pores of the porous layer, forming a buried channel; growing, on the porous layer and not within the buried channel, a second structural portion that forms, with the first structural region, a structural body; selectively removing the first sacrificial region thus suspending the structural body on the driving electrode.

Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings, a power oscillator applying an oscillating signal to the primary winding to transmit a power signal to the secondary winding, a rectifier obtaining an output DC voltage by rectifying the power signal at the secondary winding, and comparison circuitry generating an error signal representing a difference between the output DC voltage and a reference voltage value. A transmitter connected to the secondary winding performs an amplitude modulation of the power signal at the secondary winding to transmit an amplitude modulated power signal to the primary winding, the amplitude modulation based upon the error signal and modulating a stream of data to the primary winding. A receiver coupled to the primary winding demodulates the amplitude modulated power signal to recover the error signal and the stream of data. An amplitude of the oscillating signal is controlled by the error signal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor die, comprising the steps of: providing a MEMS device having a structural body, provided with a cavity, and a membrane structure suspended over the cavity; coupling the structural body to a filtering module via direct bonding or fusion bonding so that a first portion of the filtering module extends over the cavity and a second portion of the filtering module extends seamlessly as a prolongation of the structural body; and etching selective portions of the filtering module in an area corresponding to the first portion, to form filtering openings fluidically coupled to the cavity. The semiconductor die is, for example, a microphone.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to solutions for operating a flyback converter comprising an active clamp. The flyback converter comprises two input terminals and two output terminals. A first electronic switch and the primary winding of a transformer are connected in series between the input terminals. An active clamp circuit is connected in parallel with the primary winding. The active clamp circuit comprises a series connection of a clamp capacitor and a second electronic switch. A third electronic switch and the secondary winding of the transformer are connected in series between the two output terminals. In particular, the present disclosure relates to solutions for switching the first, second and third electronic switch in order to achieve a zero-voltage switching of the first electronic switch.

Abstract: An AMR-type integrated magnetoresistive sensor sensitive to perpendicular magnetic fields is formed on a body of semiconductor material covered by an insulating region. The insulating region houses a set/reset coil and a magnetoresistor arranged on the set/reset coil. The magnetoresistor is formed by a magnetoresistive strip of an elongated shape parallel to the preferential magnetization direction. A concentrator of ferromagnetic material is arranged on top of the insulating region as the last element of the sensor and is formed by a plurality of distinct ferromagnetic regions aligned parallel to the preferential magnetization direction.

Abstract: A MEMS manipulation device has first and second manipulation arms carrying respective mutually facing gripping elements. At least the first manipulation arm is formed by a driving arm and by an articulated arm hinged together through an articulation structure. The first driving arm includes a first beam element and a first piezoelectric region on the first beam element. The first articulation structure includes a first connecting element not deformable in the thickness direction, as well as a first hinge structure interposed between the first driving arm, the first articulated arm, and the first connecting element.

Abstract: A MEMS inertial sensor includes a supporting structure and an inertial structure. The inertial structure includes at least one inertial mass, an elastic structure, and a stopper structure. The elastic structure is mechanically coupled to the inertial mass and to the supporting structure so as to enable a movement of the inertial mass in a direction parallel to a first direction, when the supporting structure is subjected to an acceleration parallel to the first direction. The stopper structure is fixed with respect to the supporting structure and includes at least one primary stopper element and one secondary stopper element. If the acceleration exceeds a first threshold value, the inertial mass abuts against the primary stopper element and subsequently rotates about an axis of rotation defined by the primary stopper element. If the acceleration exceeds a second threshold value, rotation of the inertial mass terminates when the inertial mass abuts against the secondary stopper element.

Abstract: A remote access device and methods of operation thereof are provided for accessing a physical object or location. The remote access device includes an accelerometer, a wireless transmitter, and control circuitry. The control circuitry causes the wireless transmitter to transition between a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating a first change in motion states of the remote access device. The control circuitry causes the wireless transmitter to transition between a first operating mode and a second operating mode in response to receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating a second change in motion states of the remote access device. The control circuitry further causes the wireless transmitter to transition between the first operating mode and the second operating mode in response to receiving signals from the accelerometer indicating a third change in motion states of the remote access device.

Abstract: A microfluidic device provided in a body accommodating a fluid containment chamber. A fluidic access channel and a drop emission channel are formed in the body and are in fluidic connection with the fluid containment chamber to form a fluidic path towards the body outside through a nozzle having an outlet section. An actuator is operatively coupled to the fluid containment chamber and is configured to cause ejection of fluid drops through the drop emission channel in an operating condition of the microfluidic device. The drop emission channel comprises a portion of reduced section having a smaller area than the outlet section of the nozzle.

Abstract: A planar Hall sensing element includes a first pair of sensing electrodes mutually opposed in a first direction across the sensing element and a second pair of sensing electrodes mutually opposed in a second direction across the sensing element, with the second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A first pair of bias electrodes is mutually opposed in a third direction and a second pair mutually opposed in a fourth direction across the sensing element, the fourth direction orthogonal to the third direction. The third and fourth directions are rotated 45° with respect to the first and second directions so each sensing electrode is arranged between a bias electrode of the first pair and second pair. A DC bias current is supplied between the first and second pairs of bias electrodes. First and second Hall voltages are sensed at the first and second pairs of sensing electrodes.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving an audio frame; decomposing the received audio frame into M sub-band pulse-code modulation (PCM) audio frames, where M is a positive integer number; predicting a PCM sample of one sub-band PCM audio frame of the M sub-band PCM audio frames; comparing the predicted PCM sample with a corresponding received PCM sample to generate a prediction error sample; comparing an instantaneous absolute value of the prediction error sample with a threshold; and replacing the corresponding received PCM sample with a value based on the predicted PCM sample when the instantaneous absolute value of the prediction error sample is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: A device for monitoring breathing activity of, e.g., athletes while exercising includes a breathing activity sensor configured to be worn by a wearer and to provide a breathing activity signal indicative of the breathing activity of the wearer. A motion sensor is configured to be worn by the wearer and to provide a motion signal indicative of the motion activity of the wearer. A processing arrangement is coupled to the breathing activity sensor to process the breathing activity signal and produce a processed breathing activity signal. The processing arrangement includes filter circuitry having a first filtering bandwidth and a second filtering bandwidth. The first filtering bandwidth is larger than the second filtering bandwidth. The filter circuitry is coupled to the motion sensor and operates with one of the first filtering bandwidth and the second filtering bandwidth selected as a function of the motion signal from the motion sensor.

Abstract: A biosensor is for sensing analytes in a fluid. The biosensor may include a first structural layer having a first hydrogel, a second structural layer having a second hydrogel, and a bioactive region extending between the first structural layer and the second structural layer and having a third hydrogel. The biosensor may include a first electrode coupled to the bioactive region, and a second electrode coupled to the first structural layer and being spaced apart from the bioactive region. The second structural layer may have a through opening adjacent the bioactive region, and the bioactive region may be configured to be in fluid communication with an environment external to the biosensor for receiving the fluid comprising the analytes.