Abstract: The present disclosure introduces an integrated circuit (IC) device that includes a plurality of metal features in a first metal layer over and electrically connected to a semiconductor substrate, an intermetal dielectric (IMD) layer over the first metal layer, and a second metal layer over the first metal layer and electrically isolated from the first metal layer by the IMD layer. The second metal layer includes a plurality of thermal contacts separated by portions of a top dielectric layer. Each thermal contact has an upper surface with a dielectric-free area.

Abstract: In examples, a sensor device is adapted to be coupled, by a shared power and data connection (SPDC), to other sensor devices in a chain of sensor devices. The sensor device comprises a sensor to sense a parameter, a counter, and a controller coupled to the sensor and the counter. The controller is configured to determine, based on an index position of the sensor device, a time that is to elapse between receipt of a command to convert the sensed parameter to a digital code and a conversion of the sensed parameter to the digital code. The controller is configured to, responsive to receipt of the command, set the counter to the time. The controller is configured to convert the sensed parameter to the digital code upon the counter indicating that the time has elapsed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for data communication using the single wire communication protocol and the universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) communication protocol are disclosed. The method includes receiving by a first device a reset pulse. The method includes operating the first device in a standard speed single wire protocol if the width of the reset pulse is between 480 and 640 micro seconds. The method includes operating the first device in an overdrive speed single wire protocol if the width of the reset pulse is between 48 and 80 micro seconds. The method includes operating the first device in a universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART) protocol if the width of the reset pulse is between 240 and 480 micro seconds. The method includes transmitting by the first device an answer responsive to the reset pulse. The method includes synchronizing the first device with a host device responsive to the reset pulse.