Abstract: Error sources related to aerodynamics of an inertial sensor resonator are detected by modulating the distance between the resonator and the underlying substrate and sensing modulated error signals in the accelerometer that are induced by such modulation. Compensating signals may be provided to substantially cancel errors caused by such error sources.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electronic circuit protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a well having an emitter and a collector region. The well has a doping of a first type, and the emitter and collector regions have a doping of a second type. The emitter region, well, and collector region are configured to operate as an emitter, base, and collector for a first transistor, respectively. The collector region is spaced away from the emitter region to define a spacing. A first spacer and a second spacer are positioned adjacent the well between the emitter and the collector. A conductive plate is positioned adjacent the well and between the first spacer and the second spacer, and a doping adjacent the first spacer, the second spacer, and the plate consists essentially of the first type.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for providing transient electrical event protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a detection and timing circuit, a current amplification circuit, and a clamping circuit. The detection and timing circuit is configured to detect a presence or absence of a transient electrical event at a first node, and to generate a first current for a first duration upon detection of the transient electrical event. The current amplification circuit is configured to receive the first current from the detection and timing circuit and to amplify the first current to generate a second current. The clamping circuit is electrically connected between the first node and a second node and receives the second current for activation. The clamping circuit is configured to activate a low impedance path between the first and second nodes in response to the second current, and to otherwise deactivate the low impedance path.

Abstract: Electronic circuitry comprising operational circuits of active switching type requiring timing signals, and conductive means for distributing said timing signals to the operational circuits, wherein the timing signal distribution means includes a signal path that has different phases of a drive signal are supplied via active means at different positions about the signal path where that path exhibits endless electro-magnetic continuity without signal phase inversion or has interconnections with another signal path having different substantially unidirectional signal flow where there is no endless electromagnetic continuity between those signal paths and generally has non-linear associated circuit means where the signal path is of a transmission line nature.

Abstract: An inertial sensor includes driving piezoelectric transducers for enabling an oscillation of a resonator, sensing piezoelectric transducers for enabling a detection of a movement of the inertial sensor, and piezoelectric compensating elements substantially equidistantly among the driving and the sensing piezoelectric transducers, wherein the compensating elements and the resonator form corresponding capacitors having capacitive gaps, and wherein, during the oscillation of the resonator, changes in electrostatic charges stored in the capacitors are measured with the compensating elements and are modified so as to modify the oscillation of the resonator.

Abstract: Detecting and/or mitigating the presence of particle contaminants in a MEMS device involves including MEMS structures that in normal operation are robust against the presence of particles but which can be made sensitive to that presence during a test mode prior to use, e.g.

Abstract: A method for linearizing a non-linear system element includes acquiring data representing inputs and corresponding outputs of the non-linear system element. A model parameter estimation procedure is applied to the acquired data to determine model parameters of a model characterizing input-output characteristics of the non-linear element. An input signal representing a desired output signal of the non-linear element is accepted and processed to form a modified input signal according to the determined model parameters. The processing includes, for each of a series of successive samples of the input signal, applying an iterative procedure to determining a sample of the modified input signal according to a predicted output of the model of the non-linear element. The modified input signal is provided for application to the input of the non-linear element.

Abstract: Backside recesses in a base member host components, such as sensors or circuits, to allow closer proximity and efficient use of the surface space and internal volume of the base member. Recesses may include covers, caps, filters and lenses, and may be in communication with circuits on the frontside of the base member, or with circuits on an active backside cap. An array of recessed components may a form complete, compact sensor system.

Abstract: An amplifier system has an amplifier for amplifying a plurality of input signals from a plurality of different channels, and a plurality of demodulators each operatively coupled with the amplifier for receiving amplified input signals from the amplifier. Each demodulator is configured to demodulate a single amplified input channel signal from a single channel of the plurality of different channels. The system thus also has a plurality of filters, coupled with each of the demodulators, for mitigating the noise.

Abstract: A stage of a pipelined analog-to-digital converter can include first and second pluralities of digital-to-analog converters (DACs), the first plurality sufficient in number to produce a residue from the stage, the second plurality having their outputs added into an analog output of the stage. A mapping circuit can exchange inputs between selected ones of the first and second pluralities of DACs, and a calibration circuit can provide first and second calibration signals to the selected one of the first plurality and another of the second plurality of DACs. The calibration signals can correlate to each other, but be uncorrelated to an analog input and digital output of the stage, and have unequal and partially offsetting effects on the stage's residue. A correction circuit can correct the digital output of the stage for circuit path errors based on a correlation between the calibration signals and an output of a succeeding stage.

Abstract: An amplifier includes an amplifier section having selectable signal paths to provide discrete gain settings, and logic to incrementally select the signal paths. The logic may be configured to increment the gain in response to digital gain control signals or an analog gain control signal. Another amplifier has an input section with one or more input cells and an output section with one or more output cells. Either the input section or the output section includes at least two cells that may be selected to provide discrete gain settings. A loop amplifier is configured in a feedback arrangement with the input section. The input and output sections may have multiple selectable cells to provide coarse and fine gain steps. The gain of the loop amplifier may be coordinated with the gain of the input section to provide constant bandwidth operation.

Abstract: A microphone module has a substrate with an aperture to allow sound waves to pass through the substrate, a lid mounted to the substrate to define a first interior volume, a microphone mounted to the substrate within the first interior volume, and a housing coupled to the substrate and covering the aperture. The housing forms a second interior volume and includes an acoustic port configured to allow sound to enter the second interior volume. The module further includes a pipe extending from the acoustic port in the housing, and at least one exterior interface pad outside of the second interior volume. The pipe has an open end to receive sound waves and direct them toward the acoustic port in the housing. Moreover, the at least one exterior interface pad electrically couples to the microphone.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter includes a plurality of sequentially cascaded stages, each stage including an amplifier and four copies of a circuit block including a flash and capacitors, in which the four copies of the circuit block operate interleavingly in a respective sample mode, pre-gain mode, gain mode, and reset mode of the circuit block, the copies of the circuit block in the sample mode, pre-gain mode, and reset mode are decoupled from the amplifier, and the copy of the circuit block in the gain mode is coupled to the amplifier to produce an output for a next following stage.

Abstract: A microphone is formed to have a diaphragm that is configured to improve signal to noise ratio. To that end, the microphone has a backplate having a hole therethrough, and a diaphragm movably coupled with the backplate. The diaphragm has a bottom surface (facing the backplate) with a convex portion aligned with the hole in the backplate.

Abstract: A pipelined video pre-processor includes a plurality of configurable image-processing modules. The modules may be configured using direct processor control, DMA access, or both. A block-control list, accessible via DMA, facilitates configuration of the modules in a manner similar to direct processor control. Parameters in the modules may be updated on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: A pipelined video pre-processor includes a plurality of configurable image-processing modules. The modules may be configured using direct processor control, DMA access, or both. A block-control list, accessible via DMA, facilitates configuration of the modules in a manner similar to direct processor control. Parameters in the modules may be updated on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: A pipelined video pre-processor includes a plurality of configurable image-processing modules. The modules may be configured using direct processor control, DMA access, or both. A block-control list, accessible via DMA, facilitates configuration of the modules in a manner similar to direct processor control. Parameters in the modules may be updated on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: A pipelined video pre-processor includes a plurality of configurable image-processing modules. The modules may be configured using direct processor control, DMA access, or both. A block-control list, accessible via DMA, facilitates configuration of the modules in a manner similar to direct processor control. Parameters in the modules may be updated on a frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: A housing for integrated devices that includes an air-release mechanism is disclosed. This is achieved, in various embodiments, by forming a vent hole in a package substrate, and arranging a package lid over the package substrate. The vent hole allows air to be released from within the cavity package, thereby ensuring that the package lid remains stably affixed to the package substrate despite increased temperatures during processing. The vent hole may be sealed upon mounting the package onto a mounting substrate.

Abstract: A method of forming a microphone forms a backplate, and a flexible diaphragm on at least a portion of a wet etch removable sacrificial layer. The method adds a wet etch resistant material, where a portion of the wet etch resistant material is positioned between the diaphragm and the backplate to support the diaphragm. Some of the wet etch resistant material is not positioned between the diaphragm and backplate. The method then removes the sacrificial material before removing any of the wet etch resistant material added during the prior noted act of adding. The wet etch resistant material then is removed substantially in its entirety after removing at least part of the sacrificial material.