Abstract: The invention relates to a data modulation method applicable to make data streams tend to have desired properties, useful for clock recovery, making signals more distinguishable, or enforcing run-length conditions. A stream of input data and a corresponding stream of output data are grouped into elements of a finite field. Input elements of said input data are modified by a transform generating output elements of the output data, such that a current output element is a linear combination of a current input element and at least one previous output element. A multiplier applied to at least one previous output element is a non-zero and non-unity element of the finite field. A set of initial conditions inherent to the transform, is selected such that the output elements resulting from the transform tend to have the desired property.

Abstract: An integrated semiconductor chemical microreactor for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) monitoring, has a monolithic body of semiconductor material; a number of buried channels formed in the monolithic body; an inlet trench and an outlet trench for each buried channel; and a monitoring trench for each buried channel, extending between the inlet and outlet trenches thereof from the top surface of the monolithic body to the respective buried channel. Real-time PCR monitoring is carried out by channeling light beams into the buried channels, possibly through one of the inlet or outlet trenches, whereby the light beams impinge on the fluid therein and collecting the emergent light coming out from the monitoring trench.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method for monitoring and controlling power and for identifying an open circuit state at an output port is disclosed. A circuit is implemented to determine whether an open circuit state exists based on a comparison of data received from the output port and attached loads. The data received from the output port and attached loads is compared to a minimum open circuit current value of the output port, wherein the minimum open circuit current value is based on the hardware characteristics of the output port and attached loads. A possible open circuit state at the output port is reported based on the comparison.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating transistors of first and second types in a single substrate. First and second active zones of the substrate are delimited by lateral isolation trench regions, and a portion of the second active zone is removed so that the second active zone is below the first active zone. First and second layers of semiconductor material are formed on the second active zone, so that the second layer is substantially in the same plane as the first active zone. Insulated gates are produced on the first active zone and the second layer. At least one isolation trench region is selectively removed, and the first layer is selectively removed so as to form a tunnel under the second layer. The tunnel is filled with a dielectric material to insulate the second layer from the second active zone of the substrate. Also provided is such an integrated circuit.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a semiconductor wafer including SOI-insulation wells includes forming, in a die region of a semiconductor body, buried cavities and semiconductor structural elements, which traverse the buried cavities and are distributed in the die region. The process moreover includes the step of oxidizing selectively first adjacent semiconductor structural elements, arranged inside a closed region, and preventing oxidation of second semiconductor structural elements outside the closed region, so as to form a die buried dielectric layer selectively inside the closed region.

Abstract: A device for calculating the quotient q and remainder r of the division (y·k1+x)/k2, wherein k1 and k2 are integers and constant, and wherein x and y are integers. The device comprises a first digital circuit for receiving as input values of y and identifying corresponding values of the quotient qy and the remainder ry of the function y·k1/k2, a second digital circuit for calculating the remainder r of the division, by a) calculating a combined value (x+ry) of the remainder ry and the value of x, b) verifying if the combined value (x+ry) is less than k2, c) correcting the combined value (x+ry) if the verification indicates that the combined value (x+ry) is not less than k2, and d) assigning the corrected combined value (x+ry) to the remainder r, a third digital circuit for calculating the quotient q of the division, by a) correcting the quotient qy if the verification (2206) indicates that the combined value (x+ry) is not less than k2, and b) assigning the corrected quotient qy to the quotient q.

Abstract: A MEMS resonant accelerometer is disclosed, having: a proof mass coupled to a first anchoring region via a first elastic element so as to be free to move along a sensing axis in response to an external acceleration; and a first resonant element mechanically coupled to the proof mass through the first elastic element so as to be subject to a first axial stress when the proof mass moves along the sensing axis and thus to a first variation of a resonant frequency. The MEMS resonant accelerometer is further provided with a second resonant element mechanically coupled to the proof mass through a second elastic element so as to be subject to a second axial stress when the proof mass moves along the sensing axis, substantially opposite to the first axial stress, and thus to a second variation of a resonant frequency, opposite to the first variation.

Abstract: A system is provided which includes a key memory storing a group of keys for use in decryption and a programmable memory configured to store a set of rules governing access to the key memory and a first engine for deriving a first key using a second key from the key group. The engine is configured to transmit a request for access to the second key from the key memory. The system further includes logic connected between the engine and the key memory and further connected to the programmable memory. The logic is configured to receive the request from the engine and to use the set of rules to control the access to the second key in the key memory. The programmable memory is writeable in situ to replace the set of rules with an alternative set of rules.

Abstract: A method for decoding tail-biting convolutional codes. The method includes initializing a correction depth, selecting a first starting state from a set of encoding states, and initializing a metric value for the selected starting state as zero and the other states as infinity. The input bit stream is read and a Search Depth Viterbi algorithm (SDVA) is performed to determine path metrics and identify a minimum-metric path. The ending state for the minimum-metric path is determined and the output for this ending state is identified as “previous output.” A second starting state is set to the ending state of the minimum-metric path, and symbols equal to the correction depth from the previous output are read. The SDVA is performed on the second set of read symbols to generate a corrected output. A decoded output is generated by replacing symbols at the beginning of the previous output with the corrected output.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device that includes a fixed supporting body, at least one semiconductor body, which is movable with respect to the fixed supporting body, and at least one micromotor for moving the semiconductor body with respect to the fixed supporting body, the micromotor having at least one permanent magnet and a coil, which are coupled together and are movable with respect to one another. A ferromagnetic guide is coupled to the magnet and is shaped so as to concentrate lines of magnetic field generated by the magnet towards the coil.

Abstract: Integrated inductive device comprising a central loop arranged between two outer loops mutually coupled to the central loop so as to form two patterns roughly in the form of an eight having a common portion corresponding to said central loop.

Abstract: A touch pad uses a plurality of optical mouse type sensors. The sensors are optimized for detection of motion along the predominant direction of a user's finger as the finger is moved around the touch pad. A first one of the sensors functions to optically sense motion in a first direction, while a second one of the sensors functions to optically sense motion in a second, different, direction. The first and second directions are oriented a closed, for example, circular, path.

Abstract: An analog switch includes a transistor having a current path between an input and an output, a gate coupled to a control terminal, and a bulk terminal, and a switched bulk control circuit coupled to the control terminal, the bulk terminal, and ground to reduce an equivalent capacitance seen from a source terminal or drain terminal of the transistor towards the bulk terminal of the transistor. The bulk control circuit includes an all-NMOS bulk control circuit if an NMOS transistor switch is used.

Abstract: A wafer level packaged integrated circuit includes an array of contacts, a silicon layer and a glass layer. The silicon and glass layers are bonded together to form a bonding material layer therebetween. The bonding material layer includes gaps between the silicon layer and the glass layer at areas where no bonding material is present. An array of contacts is adjacent the semiconductor layer on a side thereof opposite the bonding layer. The wafer level packaged integrated circuit is provided with additional bonding material layer portions within the gaps and aligned with at least some of the contacts. When the wafer level packaged integrated circuit is configured as an image sensor or display having a pixel array, the additional bonding material layer portions are not used in an area of the pixel array.

Abstract: A digital image sensor includes a planar substrate with one or more bonding pads on one side and a silicon chip with one or more bonding pads. The silicon chip is attached on the planar substrate through the one or more bonding pads. The attachment of the silicon chip to the planar substrate is performed in a manner such that the silicon chip, when attached, has a curved shape.

Abstract: A Dynamic Frequency Hopping Community (DFH Community) is formed from a plurality of Wireless Regional Area Network (WRAN) cells wherein each of the plurality of WRAN cells within the DFH Community is a one-hop neighbor of the leader cell. The leader cell sets and distributes a hopping pattern for use among the WRAN cells based on, in part, the number of usable channels and whether a WRAN cell is shared by two groups in the DFH Community.

Abstract: To optimize the performance of DSL modems in the same cable bundle, the size and position of the group of subcarriers used for transmission is intelligently selected when the bit rate necessary for making the transmission is less than the total available bandwidth provided by all subcarriers. By intelligently selecting a minimum number of subcarriers for Digital Multi-tone (DMT) signal transmission, a reduction in line driver power consumption is effectuated. Additionally, by intelligently selecting the position of the groups of subcarriers within the total available subcarriers, near-end crosstalk (NEXT) noise within the cable bundle may be minimized.

Abstract: A system of detecting biometric and non-biometric, standard smart card devices includes a smart card host and smart card device reader, which is operable for receiving an Answer to Reset signal and determining whether the smart card device comprises a biometric or non-biometric, standard smart card device. If a biometric smart card device is detected, the smart card reader is operable for applying power used for standard smart card device operation to a first contact and applying power used by a biometric circuit to a second contact, and if a non-biometric, standard smart card device is detected, applying power only to the first contact.

Abstract: An integrated circuit device and method for classifying electrical devices is disclosed. A reference current response of a plurality of electrical devices is determined and stored in a memory. Real-time current response of a specific electrical device is measured and stored in the memory. A processor compared the measured real-time current response of the specific electrical device to the reference current responses of the plurality of electrical devices. A classification of the electrical device is then made based on the comparison.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure including a first active area under which is buried a first reflective layer and a least one second active area under which is buried a second reflective layer, wherein the upper surface of the second reflective layer is closer to the upper surface of the structure than the upper surface of the first reflective layer.