Abstract: A variable impedance device includes a passive tuner that includes at least one variable component, which is controllable to apply a variable impedance value to an input signal of the passive tuner. A low noise amplifier is configured to supply the input signal to the passive tuner by amplifying an input RF (radio frequency) signal.

Abstract: A spark plug, including an insulator embedding a first metallic electrode axially extending therethrough from a high voltage outer end terminal to the center of the inner end of the insulator from which it protrudes; a metallic ground electrode isolated from the first electrode and having an extended inner termination facing toward the first electrode extending from the insulator tip for defining therebetween a spark gap, a resistive element connected to the ground electrode such that upon mounting the spark plug in an internal combustion engine, the ground electrode electrically connects to the engine body through the resistive element; and to a second outer termination of the ground electrode, adapted to constitute an accessible sensing terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for performing thermal cycles has a frame (131-134, 137, 147) enclosing a thermal chamber (110) laterally delimited by delimitation walls (103, 154a, 154b) and configured so as to be delimited at the bottom by a reaction holder (104) carrying a plurality of reaction chambers (107) designed to receive chemical reaction substances. A lid (105), of transparent material, is fixed to the frame and delimits the thermal chamber at the top. A source of light radiation (165) is arranged outside the thermal chamber (110) facing the lid (115) and is configured to generate an excitation light radiation. A detector of light radiation (166) is arranged outside the thermal chamber facing the lid and is configured to collect a light radiation emitted in use by the reaction chambers (107). A processor (171) is connected to the detector of light radiation (166) and is configured to detect, in use, a feature of the light radiation emitted.

Abstract: A method for defining an insulator in a semiconductor substrate includes forming a trench in the substrate, forming in the trench an insulating material having its upper surface arranged above the surface of the substrate, and forming a diffusion barrier layer in a portion of the insulating material located above the surface of the semiconductor substrate. Such insulators can be used, for example, to insulate and delineate electronic components or portions of components formed in the substrate.

Abstract: An electronic power supply circuit for a load composed of at least two independent circuit branches connected in parallel to each other, where a first branch requires a different power supply voltage from the power supply voltage of a second branch. The circuit includes a step-up converter, a timer circuit connected to the step-up converter so that the converter generates, alternately, at least a first output voltage able to power the first circuit branch and a second output voltage able to power a second circuit branch, a regulation circuit able to regulate the overvoltages at the ends of an output capacitor of the converter during commutations between the different output voltages; and a commutation circuit able to activate the step-up converter, according to the timer signals coming from the timer circuit, when the output voltage at the ends of the output capacitor has reached the level needed to power the activated branch and regulate the current flowing thereto.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for enabling display system data transmission during use. An integrated circuit package includes input interface circuitry configured to receive an audio-video data stream having a video signal and timing information and timing extraction circuitry that can identify blanking patterns for the video signal. The package includes input processing circuitry for receiving audio-video signal and converting the audio-video data stream input into a low voltage differential signal (LVDS). The package includes a timing controller having timing extraction circuitry, a set of symbol buffers, a scheduler, and timing control circuitry. All configured to implement LVDS data transfer and in some implementation enable point to point data transfer from data buffers to associated column drivers.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including an intrusion attack detection device. The device includes a single-piece formed of a conductive material and surrounded with an insulating material and includes at least one stretched or compressed elongated conductive track, connected to a mobile element, at least one conductive portion distant from said piece and a circuit for detecting an electric connection between the piece and the conductive portion. A variation in the length of said track in an attack by removal of the insulating material, causes a displacement of the mobile element until it contacts the conductive portion.

Abstract: A method for preparing a multilayer substrate includes the step of deposing an epitaxial ?-Al2O3 Miller index (001) layer on a Si Miller index (001) substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for temperature measurement that includes performing a first ?Vbe measurement of a first temperature of a diode circuit comprising a transistor and, subsequently, performing a first Vbe measurement of a second temperature of the diode circuit. A temperature difference is calculated between the second temperature and the first temperature. If the temperature difference is not greater than a predetermined amount, a second Vbe measurement of a third temperature of the diode circuit is subsequently performed. If the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined amount, a second ?Vbe measurement of the second temperature of the diode circuit is performed.

Abstract: A system and method transcodes an input video bit stream having a first encoding profile into an output video bit stream having a second encoding profile. The system includes a first module and a second module. The system further includes a memory module. The first module decodes the input video bit stream for generating pixel data and macroblock specifications. The second module encodes the pixel data and the macroblock specifications for constructing the output video bit stream. The memory module includes a first buffer module and a second buffer module. The first buffer module stores the pixel data and the second buffer module stores the macroblock specifications.

Abstract: A voltage signal multiplexer includes a control and bias stage to generate at least one control and bias signal as a function of first and second selection signals and first and second input voltage signals. The multiplexer further comprises a switching stage configured to receive the at least one first control and bias signal and to generate therefrom, on an output terminal, an output signal having the first input voltage signal in response to the first and the second selection signals indicating the selection of the first input voltage signal, and having the second input voltage signal in response to the first and the second selection signals indicating the selection of the second input voltage signal. The switching stage is also configured to place the output terminal in a high-impedance condition in response to the first and the second selection signals indicating the high-impedance condition.

Abstract: A system includes analog supply circuitry providing first and second analog potentials. A switch module assumes first or second states to enable and inhibit transfer of an analog electrical signal from a source module to a user module based upon a driving electrical signal. A driving device drives, based upon the driving electrical signal, a control terminal of the switch module, allowing the switch module to assume the first or second state. The driving device allows the switch module to make a first driving transition from the first state to the second state, and a second driving transition from the second state to the first state. The driving device alternately connects the control terminal to a first reference potential, during the first state, and to a second reference potential, during the second state.

Abstract: An area efficient distributed device for integrated voltage regulators comprising at least one filler cell coupled between a pair of PADS on I/O rail of a chip and at least one additional filler cell having small size replica of said device is coupled to said I/O rails for distributing replicas of said device on the periphery of said chip. The device is coupled as small size replica on the lower portion of said second filler cell for distributing said device on the periphery of said chip and providing maximal area utilization.

Abstract: A method of forming a metal-insulator-metal capacitor having top and bottom plates separated by a dielectric layer, one of the top and bottom plates having at least one protrusion extending into a corresponding cavity in the other of the top and bottom plates, the method including the steps of growing one or more nanofibers on a base surface.

Abstract: A method of verifying the integrity of code in a programmable memory, the method including: receiving the code from an insecure memory; generating error detection bits for the code as it is received from the insecure memory; storing the code and the error detection bits in the programmable memory; and verifying the integrity of the code stored in the programmable memory by performing an authentication check on the code and the error detection bits stored in the programmable memory.

Abstract: An embodiment of a resistor formed by at least one first portion and one second portion, electrically coupled to one another and with different crystalline phases. The first portion has a positive temperature coefficient, and the second portion has a negative temperature coefficient. The first portion has a first resistivity, and the second portion has a second resistivity, and the portions are coupled so that the resistor has an overall temperature coefficient that is approximately zero.

Abstract: A leadless semiconductor package includes a package body on a leadframe that includes a die paddle and a plurality of high-aspect-ratio leads, each coupled at a first end to a contact pad of the package, and at a second end to a semiconductor die mounted to the die paddle. During manufacture of the package, molding compound is deposited over a face of the leadframe on which the die paddle and leads are positioned. After the molding compound is cured, a back side of the leadframe is etched to isolate the die paddle and leads, and to thin a portion of each of the leads. Back surfaces of the leads remain exposed at a back face of the body. The thinned portions of the leads are covered with a dielectric. During manufacture of the leadframe, a parent substrate is etched to define the die paddle and a plurality of leads on one side of the substrate and a plurality of cavities on the opposite face.

Abstract: An integrated circuit including an insulating layer having first and second opposite surfaces. The circuit includes, in a first area, first conductive portions of a first conductive material, located in the insulating layer, flush with the first surface and continued by first vias of the first conductive material, of smaller cross-section and connecting the first conductive portions to the second surface. The circuit further includes, in a second area, second conductive portions of a second material different from the first conductive material and arranged on the first surface and second vias of the first conductive material, in contact with the second conductive portions and extending from the first surface to the second surface.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an integrated circuit electrically powered by a supply voltage and comprising a memory electrically erasable and/or programmable by means of a second voltage greater than the supply voltage. The integrated circuit comprises means for receiving the second voltage by the intermediary of a reception terminal of the supply voltage or by the intermediary of a reception or emission terminal of a data or clock signal. Applicable in particular to electronic tags comprising a reduced number of interconnection terminals.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for supplying to at least one integrated circuit a high voltage for erasing and/or programming of a memory. The device includes at least one contact terminal linked to at least one contact terminal of the integrated circuit, a monitor for monitoring a data signal received by the integrated circuit and detecting in the data signal a write command of the memory, and a voltage supplier for applying the high voltage to a terminal of the integrated circuit when a write command of the memory has been detected by the monitor.