Abstract: A terahertz imager includes an array of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit has an antenna and a detector. The detector is coupled to differential output terminals of the antenna. A frequency oscillator is configured to generate a frequency signal on an output line. The output line is coupled to an input terminal of the antenna of at least one of the pixel circuits.

Abstract: A Silicon On Insulator current source array includes input control for receiving a control voltage, a first reference input for receiving a first reference voltage, and a second reference input for receiving a second reference voltage. A chain of several Silicon On Insulator MOS transistors, of the same type, have control electrodes all connected to the input control, first conduction electrodes are all connected to the first reference input, and second conduction electrodes are respectively connected to the second reference input through several load circuits respectively configured to be traversed by several currents when the several transistors are ON upon application of the control voltage on the input control. An input bias is coupled to a semiconductor well located below an insulating buried layer located below the chain of transistors for receiving a biasing voltage difference.

Abstract: A terahertz imager includes an array of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit has an antenna and a detector. The detector is coupled to differential output terminals of the antenna. A frequency oscillator is configured to generate a frequency signal on an output line. The output line is coupled to an input terminal of the antenna of at least one of the pixel circuits.

Abstract: A terahertz imager includes an array of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit has an antenna and a detector. The detector is coupled to differential output terminals of the antenna. A frequency oscillator is configured to generate a frequency signal on an output line. The output line is coupled to an input terminal of the antenna of at least one of the pixel circuits.

Abstract: A frequency oscillator includes a ring oscillator having N inverters coupled in series, where N is an odd integer equal to three or more. A first filter is coupled between an output node of a first of the inverters and an output line of the frequency oscillator. A second filter is coupled between an output node of a second of the inverters and the output line of the frequency oscillator.

Abstract: A Silicon On Insulator current source array includes input control for receiving a control voltage, a first reference input for receiving a first reference voltage, and a second reference input for receiving a second reference voltage. A chain of several Silicon On Insulator MOS transistors, of the same type, have control electrodes all connected to the input control, first conduction electrodes are all connected to the first reference input, and second conduction electrodes are respectively connected to the second reference input through several load circuits respectively configured to be traversed by several currents when the several transistors are ON upon application of the control voltage on the input control. An input bias is coupled to a semiconductor well located below an insulating buried layer located below the chain of transistors for receiving a biasing voltage difference.

Abstract: Device comprising processing means (MT), transmission channels (VE1, . . . VEn), an antenna array for transmitting signals comprising a number of antennas (A11 . . . A1n) respectively associated with the transmission channels, a number of digital-analog converters (DAC) and a number of phase-shifting means (MD1, . . . MDn) respectively associated with the antennas, said phase-shifting means (MD1, . . . MDn) being placed between the processing means (MT) and the digital-analog converters (DAC) and including digital all-pass filters of FIR type (PT), the processing means comprising control means (MC) configured to adjust the coefficients and/or the order of the all-pass filters of FIR type.

Abstract: A pixel circuit may include a detection circuit having first and second transistors coupled in series between differential output nodes of an antenna. The antenna may be configured to be sensitive to terahertz radiation. The pixel circuit may also include a capacitor coupled to an intermediate node between the first and second transistors, and control circuitry coupled to control nodes of the first and second transistors. The control circuitry may be configured for selectively applying to the control nodes a gate biasing voltage for biasing the control nodes of the first and second transistors during a detection phase of the pixel circuit, and/or a reset voltage for resetting a voltage stored by the capacitor.

Abstract: Transmission/reception device for signals having a wavelength of the microwaves, millimeter or terahertz type, comprising an antenna array. The antenna array comprises a first group of first omni-directional antennas and a second group of second directional antennas disposed around the first group of antennas.

Abstract: A pixel circuit including: a detection circuit having first and second transistors coupled in series between differential output nodes of an antenna, wherein the antenna is configured to be sensitive to terahertz radiation; a capacitor coupled to an intermediate node between the first and second transistors; and control circuitry coupled to control nodes of the first and second transistors, the control circuitry being configured for selectively applying to the control nodes one of: a gate biasing voltage for biasing the control nodes of the first and second transistors during a detection phase of the pixel circuit; and a reset voltage for resetting a voltage stored by the capacitor.

Abstract: A pixel circuit including: a differential detection circuit having first and second transistors coupled in series between differential output nodes of an antenna, the antenna being configured to be sensitive to terahertz radiation, and wherein: a first main conducting node of the first transistor is coupled to a first of the differential output nodes of the antenna; and a first main conducting node of the second transistor is coupled to a second of said differential output nodes of the antenna, wherein second main conducting nodes of the first and second transistors are formed by a common semiconductor region.

Abstract: A frequency oscillator includes a ring oscillator having N inverters coupled in series, where N is an odd integer equal to three or more. A first filter is coupled between an output node of a first of the inverters and an output line of the frequency oscillator. A second filter is coupled between an output node of a second of the inverters and the output line of the frequency oscillator.

Abstract: A terahertz imager includes an array of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit has an antenna and a detector. The detector is coupled to differential output terminals of the antenna. A frequency oscillator is configured to generate a frequency signal on an output line. The output line is coupled to an input terminal of the antenna of at least one of the pixel circuits.

Abstract: The digital delta-sigma modulator includes a signal input for receiving digital samples of N bits, and a digital filter connected to the signal input. The digital filter performs addition/subtraction and integration operations according to a redundant arithmetic coding for delivering digital filtered samples. A quantizer performs a nonexact quantization operation so as to deliver digital output samples of n bits, with n being less than N. The input of the quantizer is connected within the digital filter.

Abstract: A logarithmic analog to digital conversion method for an analog input signal includes a logarithmic amplification with progressive compression of the input signal delivering a sequence of several secondary analog signals. The trend of the values of at least some of the secondary signals is a function of the values of the analog input signal including regions corresponding to a linear trend of the secondary signals as a function of that of the input signal expressed in a logarithmic scale. The method also includes a comparison of at least some of the secondary signals of the sequence with a common reference signal whose value lies within each of regions, supplying a thermometric code information item, and a generation of a first digital word from the thermometric code information item.

Abstract: A bulk acoustic wave resonator has an adjustable resonance frequency. A piezoelectric element is provided having first and second electrodes. A switching element is provided in the form of a MEMS structure which is deformable between a first and second position. The switching element forms an additional electrode that is selectively disposed on top of, and in contact with, one of the first and second electrodes. This causes a total thickness of the electrode of the resonator to be changed resulting in a modification of the resonance frequency of the resonator.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes input circuitry for receiving a radio frequency digital signal, output circuitry capable of delivering a radio frequency analog signal, and a processing stage coupled between the input circuitry and the output circuitry and including several processing channels in parallel. Each processing channel may include a voltage switching block the input of which is coupled to the input circuitry and a transmission line substantially of the quarter-wave type at the frequency of the radio frequency analog signal coupled in series between the output of the voltage switching block and the output circuitry.

Abstract: Device comprising processing means (MT), transmission channels (VE1, . . . VEn), an antenna array for transmitting signals comprising a number of antennas (A11 . . . A1n) respectively associated with the transmission channels, a number of digital-analogue converters (DAC) and a number of phase-shifting means (MD1, . . . MDn) respectively associated with the antennas, said phase-shifting means (MD1, . . . MDn) being placed between the processing means (MT) and the digital-analogue converters (DAC) and including digital all-pass filters of FIR type (PT), the processing means comprising control means (MC) configured to adjust the coefficients and/or the order of the all-pass filters of FIR type.

Abstract: Transmission/reception device for signals having a wavelength of the microwaves, millimeter or terahertz type, comprising an antenna array. The antenna array comprises a first group of first omni-directional antennas and a second group of second directional antennas disposed around the first group of antennas.

Abstract: System for generating a pulsed signal of the ultra wideband type, comprising a device for direct digital frequency synthesis (DDS) comprising a phase accumulator (ACCP) able to deliver at a first frequency (Fclk) phases coded on i bits and spaced apart by a phase increment (?p) differing by a power of two and situated in the vicinity of 2i?1, processing means (MT) able to receive said phases and arranged so as to deliver an amplitude-modulated output signal (SG) whose envelope exhibits a succession of regions respectively delimited by zones of zero amplitude (ZA, ZB), each amplitude-modulated signal part situated in one of said regions forming a pulse of the ultra wideband type (IMP) whose central frequency is equal to said first frequency and whose width depends on the value of the phase increment, and control means (MC) able to regulate the operation of the digital synthesis device so as to selectively deliver one or more pulses of the ultra wideband type.