Abstract: A comparison circuit can reduce the amount of power consumed when searching a load queue or a store queue of a microprocessor. Some embodiments of the comparison circuit use a comparison unit that performs an initial comparison of addresses using a subset of the address bits. If the initial comparison results in a match, a second comparison unit can be enabled to compare another subset of the address bits.

Abstract: A generator of a voltage logarithmically variable with temperature may include a differential amplifier having a pair of transistors, each coupled with a respective bias network adapted to bias in a conduction state the transistors first and second respectively with a constant current and with a current proportional to the working absolute temperature. The pair of transistors may generate between their control nodes the voltage logarithmically variable with temperature. The differential amplifier may have a common bias current generator coupled between the common terminal of the differential pair of transistors and a node at a reference potential, and a feedback line to provide a path for the current difference between the sum of currents flowing through the transistors of the differential pair and the common bias current.

Abstract: A MOS transistor includes an etch stop layer presenting a density of less than a determined threshold value, below which the material of said stop layer is permeable to molecules of dihydrogen and/or water. The material may comprise a nitride. A material used for the etch stop layer preferably has a density value of less than about 2.4 g/cm3.

Abstract: A six field address scheme identifies both the originating point and the endpoint of a data frame enabling multiple hop forwarding through a plurality of intermediate mesh points in a wireless mesh network. Data frames originating or ending at a point outside of the wireless mesh network access the wireless network at a mesh access point using a legacy address scheme. The legacy address schemes are converted to a six address scheme using a proxy address table at the access point. Each mesh access point includes not only a routing table but a proxy address table as well as enabling the mesh access point, and/or mesh portal points, to convert address schemes having less than six address fields to the six field format. Subsequent to the conversion, mesh points within the wireless mesh network need only the routing table to facilitate the forwarding of the data frame.

Abstract: A cyclic digital-to-analog converter includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor. Switching circuitry is selectively configurable to connect the first and second capacitors is at least two modes of operation, wherein a first mode uses the first capacitor during conversion of a bit as a sampling capacitor and uses the second capacitor during conversion of that bit as a holding capacitor, and wherein a second mode uses the second capacitor during conversion of a bit as a sampling capacitor and uses the first capacitor during conversion of that bit as a holding capacitor. A controller swaps converter operation between the first and second modes based on the bit values of a digital word to be converted. If adjacent bits of the digital word to be converted have different logical values, the converter swaps from the first mode to the second mode (or from the second mode to the first mode). Otherwise, the converted remains in the current first or second mode.

Abstract: Fair usage of working channels in a wireless network is disclosed. A base station associated with a cell within a wireless community monitors the congestion of the working channel of neighboring communities. Upon determining that the congestion of the working channel of a neighboring community is less than that of its existing working channel, the base station initiates a switch to the neighboring community's working channel. Upon joining the new community, the frame structure and other networking parameters and attributes are adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for controlling leakage power consumption at a System on Chip (SoC) level during a normal run or a boot-up mode. The leakage power reduction is achieved by incorporating a central programmable controller in the SoC architecture and test structures of idle SoC peripherals to place them into an Absolute Minimum Power consumption state with respect to static and dynamic power.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes an infra red LED, a photodetector and a lock in charge amplifier. The photodetector passes charge to a feedback capacitor of the charge amplifier following an illumination cycle during which the LED is emitting and also following an illumination cycle during which the LED does not emit. An amplifier presents an output indicative of the difference between the charge generated at the photodetector during the illuminated and non-illuminated cycles.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a MOS device and the MOS device manufactured thereby are disclosed. The process includes in a semiconductor layer forming a gate structure above the semiconductor layer; forming a first doped region within a first surface portion of the semiconductor layer; and irradiating the first doped region with electromagnetic radiation, to carry out annealing thereof. Prior to the irradiating step, a dielectric mirror is formed above a second surface portion of the semiconductor layer. The dielectric mirror, which may be of the Bragg-reflector type, reflects at least in part the electromagnetic radiation, and protects underlying regions from the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A MEMS microbalance that includes a substrate made of semiconductor material with a cavity, and a resonator, which is suspended above the cavity of the substrate and is formed by a mobile body, by at least one first arm connected between the substrate and the mobile body, which has a first thickness and which enables oscillations of the mobile body with respect to the substrate, by an actuation transducer connected to the mobile body for generating the oscillations at a resonance frequency, and by a detection transducer for detecting a variation of the resonance frequency, wherein the mobile body possesses at least one thin portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first arm.

Abstract: A method may compensate for direct current (DC) offset in a radio frequency reception device. The method may include partitioning an analog portion of the reception device into a plurality of zones, for each zone, calibrating initial DC offset compensation to be applied within an operating range of a respective zone, the operating range of the other zones being limited to a threshold operating range, and determining DC offset compensation to be applied to the reception device throughout the operating range based on the basic DC offset compensations.

Abstract: A manual pointing device for a computer system, the device having at least one key that can be actuated manually by a user, a click-event detection module coupled to the key to detect actuation thereof on first, second, and third detection axes via an inertial sensing circuit elastically coupled to a casing with a board, the inertial-sensor circuit structured to be carried on the board so as to oscillate and to rotate about the second detection axis.

Abstract: A charge pump circuit includes a first power transistor selectively actuated by a first control signal to deliver relatively higher amounts of current to a capacitor and a second non-power transistor connected in parallel with the first power transistor and selectively actuated by a second control signal to deliver relatively lower amounts of current to the capacitor. The charge pump circuit includes a pumped voltage output that is sensed to generate a sensed voltage output. A comparison circuit compares the sensed voltage output to a threshold voltage. A logic circuit receives an output of the comparison circuit and enables the first power transistor and disables the second non-power transistor in a first mode of operation if the comparison is not satisfied. The logic circuit further disables the first power transistor and enables the second non-power transistor in a second mode of operation if the comparison is satisfied.

Abstract: A sensor and/or actuator system in which functional circuitry is embedded in an all organic electromechanical transducer device is disclosed. The electromechanical transducer device exploits the behavior of a flexible sensible ionomeric material sheet as effective sensing or actuating member sandwiched between flexible organic electrodes when undergoing a deformation or being polarized at a certain drive voltage applied to the, electrodes, respectively. The completely embedded all organic system is realized with a process exploiting relatively low cost deposition and patterning techniques. The enhanced flexibility makes the all organic device suitable for new applications in fields ranging from biomedical to aerospace industry.

Abstract: A device for controlling an image sensor including at least one photosensitive cell including a photodiode capable of discharging into a sense node via a first MOS transistor, the sense node being connected to the gate of a second MOS transistor having its source connected to a processing system. The device includes a bias circuit capable of increasing the voltage of the source during the discharge of the photodiode into the sense node.

Abstract: A protective modular package cover has first and second fastening sections located at opposing first and second ends with one or more subassembly receiving sections disposed thereto and is configured to fasten the protective modular package cover to a core. Each fastening section has a foot surface located on a bottom surface of a fastening section and configured to make contact with the core, a mounting hole configured to receive a fastener, and a torque element. Each subassembly receiving section is configured to receive a subassembly and has a cross member formed along the underside of the protective modular package cover. Activation of the first torque element transfers a downward clamping force generated at the fastening element to a top surface of one or more subassemblies disposed in the one or more subassembly receiving sections via the cross member of each of the one or more subassembly receiving sections.

Abstract: A method and a system for qualifying an integrated circuit according to a parasitic supply peak detector that it contains, including: supply of the integrated circuit to be tested under at least a first voltage; checking of a starting of the circuit; application of at least one first noise peak on the circuit power supply, while respecting an amplitude and time gauge; and comparison of average currents consumed by the circuit before and after the peak.

Abstract: An analog switch including at least one first MOS transistor capable of transferring a signal from a first terminal to a second terminal; a connection circuit for bringing a substrate terminal of the first transistor to a voltage which is a function of the voltages of the first and second terminals; and a circuit for controlling a control voltage of the first transistor with the signal.

Abstract: The quality of music output from audio systems is improved by simulating the effect of low frequency signals in the human ear. This thus allows listeners to perceive the lower frequency signals, even though the speakers may be incapable of providing such low frequency outputs. A method is provided for processing enhancing bass effect in audio signals. The method also results in the bass enhancement being computationally less intensive. The bass effect enhancement techniques are based on the response of sine and cosine transfer functions and on the directional independence of low frequency components. The human ear is unable to resolve directions from low frequency components. The bass effect enhancement technique alternatively is based on the response of an exponential transfer function.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for scanning an array of sensors. More particularly, the invention is directed towards scanning an array of sensors to accurately determine actuated sensors on a contact-sensitive surface. In one embodiment, three sets of sensing lines can be incorporated into the sensing area for ghost-free detection of up to two keys. Further in other embodiments, n sets of sensing lines can be incorporated into the sensing area for ghost free detection of up to n?1 keys.