Abstract: An EEPROM consists of a plurality of cells, each including a pair of transistors. An extra select transistor is provided in each of said cells for selecting a predetermined state for that cell in response to an input signal.

Abstract: An optical transducer includes a light-emitting device with a light output that has an angular spatial intensity distribution exhibiting multiple peaks. A lens is closely coupled to the light-emitting device to reduce the angular spread of the spatial intensity distribution, preferably to a single peak on the optical axis. The lens is preferably a ball lens coupled to the light-emitting device by a refractive glue.

Abstract: Charge current in a charge pump of a phase locked loop is equalized by controlling one of the direct current sources with a feedback signal derived from the common mode voltage of a fully differential phase locked loop filter.

Abstract: A functional device is configured to communicate with one or more additional devices over a wireless communications link using wireless circuitry. The device includes a memory for storing information about different wireless characteristics in different geographic locations, a receiver for receiving information about the geographic location of the device, a memory for storing information about different wireless characteristics in different geographic locations, and a control element for retrieving information from the memory based on the geographic location of the device and configuring the wireless circuitry such that its wireless characteristics match the wireless characteristics retrieved from the memory appropriate for the geographic location.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter for ultra low power applications, such as pacemakers, has a digitizer for producing a digital output signal from a sampled analog input signal. The digitizer is normally in off state to save current. A sample-and-hold circuit stores a plurality of successive samples of the analog input signal. A control element turns on the digitizer in response to an activation signal, sequentially applies the stored samples to the digitizer in response to the activation signal and thus reconstructs the signal as it existed prior to the activation signal.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) having asymmetrical optical confinement is described. Polarization of VCSELs having symmetrical structures tend to be unpredictable and switchable. The VCSEL of the present invention has a dielectric stack on top of the emitting distributed Bragg mirror. The stack is made up of two or more layers of dielectric material with each alternate layer having one of two different refractive indexes. In a preferred embodiment an antireflective coating is between the top mirror and the dielectric layers. The stack is preferably smaller than the emitting aperture.

Abstract: A bottom emitting VCSEL where the light emitted can be monitored without obstruction. No additional mountings are required, such as a header, to monitor output, which mountings are necessary in prior art arrangements.

Abstract: An SRAM has a bit cell for storing a data bit in voltage mode at a data node, and a single bit line for respectively writing to and reading from said data node a data bit in reference current controlled mode. The SRAM has ultra low power consumption and can be used in word based SRAMs.

Abstract: A pulse decoder for decoding digitally coded data, each data bit being represented by a coding scheme consisting of a combination of short and long duration pulses having a predetermined interrelationship. The decoder has an input for receiving an input signal defining respective long and short time periods derived from the digitally coded data. An analog signal processing element generates output pulses from the input signal. The output pulses have a variable duty cycle dependent on the input signal and a control parameter. A feedback loop generates a control signal for adjusting the control parameter so that the duty cycle of the output signal matches the predetermined relationship.

Abstract: A photonic device has a semiconductor substrate with an active photosensitive surface generating a photocurrent dependent on the intensity of light falling on it. A light emitting element, typically a VCSEL, having a lower electrode is located on a contact element in the middle of the active surface. The light emitting element covers the contact element. A doped conductive path within the substrate establishes electrical connection between the contact element and a peripheral bonding pad. The doped path preferably constitutes the entirety of the upper layer forming the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: An integrator with a reset mechanism comprises an integration capacitor and a replacement integration capacitor, wherein the integration capacitor is replaced with the replacement integration capacitor during a reset operation. A method of resetting an integrator comprises temporarily removing an integration capacitor and replacing the integration capacitor with a reset capacitor during a reset operation of the integrator. The method may further comprise temporarily removing the integration capacitor and replacing it with a reset capacitor multiple times during a single reset operation of the integrator.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making an active optical device for coupling to optical fibers. Arrays of contacts are formed on the rear face of a substrate, which is preferably transparent, at precisely defined locations. Components are then flip-chip bonded onto the substrate using a solder alignment technique to attach the components to said substrate in precisely predetermined locations determined by the arrays of contacts. At least one of the components is a light emitter or receiver so that it can be optically coupled through the transparent substrate to an external light guide on the front face of the substrate. Preferably, a guide frame for positioning guide pins is bonded to the substrate also using a solder alignment technique.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter for ultra low power applications, such as pacemakers, has a digitizer for producing a digital output signal from a sampled analog input signal. The digitizer is normally in off state to save current. A sample-and-hold circuit stores a plurality of successive samples of the analog input signal. A control element turns on the digitizer in response to an activation signal, sequentially applies the stored samples to the digitizer in response to the activation signal and thus reconstructs the signal as it existed prior to the activation signal.

Abstract: An extender for an electrical data bus including a power line and signal lines has first and second electrical connectors for connection to respective electrical connectors attached to respective electrical data buses. The electrical connectors include a data interface circuit for communication with the electrical bus, an optical transmitter and optical receiver electrically connected to the data interface circuit, and driver circuits for the optical transmitter and optical receivers. The driver circuits obtain power from the power line on the local electrical data bus. An optic fiber is connected between the optical transmitters and receivers at respective first and second electrical connectors to transfer data optically between the first and second electrical connectors and thereby extend the range of the data bus.

Abstract: A circuit for lowering the effective voltage drop of a semi-conductor diode. The circuit includes a first Metal Oxide Semi-conductor (MOS) device connected in parallel with the diode. A bias voltage which is close to but lower than the threshold voltage is applied to the MOS device. When a forward voltage is applied to the diode, this voltage is added to the source to drain voltage of the MOS device which turns it on. The MOS device then bypasses the diode to effectively overcome the inherent forward voltage drop of the diode. The circuit is advantageously applied to a rectifier circuit to reduce input voltage requirements and improve the efficiency of the rectifier.

Abstract: A composition and a method for the amelioration of Lupus, related rheumatic and autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia and inflammatory joint diseases. The composition consists of a bioflavonoid combined with Bromelain. Vitamin C may be added to the composition to improve its efficacy. The preferred flavonoid is Luteolin or Quercetin. Myricetin may also be used as may be a glycoside such as Rutin that contains either Luteolin, Quercetin or Myricetin as an aglycone. Other effective flavonoids can be selected by their ability to interact with the Kv1.3 channel of lymphocytes. In a preferred method of treatment a mixture of flavonoid, Bromelain and Vitamin C is administered at least daily by an oral route. A mixture of 500 mg Quercetin, 500 mg Bromelain and 500 mg Vitamin C administered three times daily is effective.

Abstract: A photonic device has a semiconductor substrate with an active photosensitive surface generating a photocurrent dependent on the intensity of light falling on it. A light emitting element, typically a VCSEL, having a lower electrode is located on a contact element in the middle of the active surface. The light emitting element covers the contact element. A doped conductive path within the substrate establishes electrical connection between the contact element and a peripheral bonding pad. The doped path preferably constitutes the entirety of the upper layer forming the photosensitive surface.

Abstract: An optical transducer includes a light-emitting device with a light output that has an angular spatial intensity distribution exhibiting multiple peaks. A lens is closely coupled to the light-emitting device to reduce the angular spread of the spatial intensity distribution, preferably to a single peak on the optical axis. The lens is preferably a ball lens coupled to the light-emitting device by a refractive glue.

Abstract: A vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) and monitoring diode combination having reduced parasitic capacitance for use in high bandwidth communications systems. The VCSEL has both p-type and n-type contacts on the same face. This allows the VCSEL to be mounted on a monitor chip or diode without using a metal contact layer. In an embodiment wherein the VCSEL is soldered to the monitor chip for mechanical stability only a small metal pad no larger than the VCSEL is used. The reduction in metallisation results in a lower parasitic capacitance that in turn results in higher potential operational speeds.

Abstract: An electronic device with a power saving circuit incorporates a radio frequency receiver with low power consumption and including a frequency down converter. A functional device, which may be a high power radio receiver, is normally turned off during a period of inactivity. An analyzer detects a predetermined identification code in a received radio frequency signal and outputs a signal to turn on the functional device.