Abstract: A capacitive isolation system, capacitive isolator, and method of operating the same are disclosed. The capacitive isolation system is described to include a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die each having capacitive elements established thereon and positioned in a face-to-face configuration. An isolation layer is provided between the first and second semiconductor die so as to establish an isolation boundary therebetween. Capacitive coupling is used to carry information across the isolation boundary.

Abstract: A capacitive isolation system, capacitive isolator, and method of operating the same are disclosed. The capacitive isolation system is described to include a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die each having capacitive elements established thereon and positioned in a face-to-face configuration. An isolation layer is provided between the first and second semiconductor die so as to establish an isolation boundary therebetween. Capacitive coupling is used to carry information across the isolation boundary.

Abstract: A system for determining power supply noise in an integrated circuit includes a circuit system comprising a circuit element and a power delivery network, the power delivery network comprising at least one impedance, a channel formed by input and output portions of the circuit element, the channel having the impedance of the power delivery network, a signal source for providing an aggressor signal having a known spectrum to the input portion of the circuit element, and an analysis device for measuring the aggressor signal at the output portion of the circuit element, whereby the aggressor signal at the output portion of the circuit element is influenced by the impedance of the power delivery network and indicates power supply noise.

Abstract: A clock-data recovery system and method promotes fast adjustment to large phase changes in the incoming data signal. The system can include phase alignment circuitry, clock generator circuitry, time-to-digital converter circuitry, and sampling circuitry. The phase alignment circuitry uses the incoming data signal and a feedback clock signal to generate an output clock signal. The clock generator circuitry uses the output clock signal to generate base phase clock signals of different phases or polarities. The time-to-digital converter circuitry uses the base phase clock signals and the incoming data signal to generate the feedback clock signal. The time-to-digital converter circuitry bases the feedback clock signal on the base phase clock signal that is aligned more closely in phase with the incoming data signal than the other base phase clock signals. The sampling circuitry re-times or recovers the data signal using one or more of the base phase clock signals.

Abstract: A clock-data recovery system and method promotes fast adjustment to large phase changes in the incoming data signal. The system can include phase alignment circuitry, clock generator circuitry, time-to-digital converter circuitry, and sampling circuitry. The phase alignment circuitry uses the incoming data signal and a feedback clock signal to generate an output clock signal. The clock generator circuitry uses the output clock signal to generate base phase clock signals of different phases or polarities. The time-to-digital converter circuitry uses the base phase clock signals and the incoming data signal to generate the feedback clock signal. The time-to-digital converter circuitry bases the feedback clock signal on the base phase clock signal that is aligned more closely in phase with the incoming data signal than the other base phase clock signals. The sampling circuitry re-times or recovers the data signal using one or more of the base phase clock signals.

Abstract: An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.

Abstract: A system for determining power supply noise in an integrated circuit includes a circuit system comprising a circuit element and a power delivery network, the power delivery network comprising at least one impedance, a channel formed by input and output portions of the circuit element, the channel having the impedance of the power delivery network, a signal source for providing an aggressor signal having a known spectrum to the input portion of the circuit element, and an analysis device for measuring the aggressor signal at the output portion of the circuit element, whereby the aggressor signal at the output portion of the circuit element is influenced by the impedance of the power delivery network and indicates power supply noise.

Abstract: A method of capturing user control inputs for an electronic device comprises sampling an input measurement signal at a capacitive input sensor of the electronic device to capture user control inputs for operating the electronic device. Electromagnetic interference affecting the sampling or the input measurement signal is electronically neutralized.

Abstract: A method of capturing user control inputs for an electronic device comprises sampling an input measurement signal at a capacitive input sensor of the electronic device to capture user control inputs for operating the electronic device. Electromagnetic interference affecting the sampling or the input measurement signal is electronically neutralized.

Abstract: A system and method of providing automatic gain control (AGC) in an imaging device uses accumulated signals stored in active pixels of an image sensor during an exposure period to derive a shutter value for subsequent image capture.

Abstract: A method of capturing user control inputs for an electronic device comprises sampling an input measurement signal at a capacitive input sensor of the electronic device to capture user control inputs for operating the electronic device. Electromagnetic interference affecting the sampling of the input measurement signal is electronically neutralized.

Abstract: An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.

Abstract: Driver circuit that generates an output drive signal that can be used to drive a light source (e.g., a light emitting diode (LED)) is described. The driver circuit includes an output transistor that operates in either a saturation region or a triode region. The driver circuit employs feedback to generate an output drive signal (e.g., an output drive current) that is independent on the operating mode of the output transistor.

Abstract: A system and method of providing automatic gain control (AGC) in an imaging device uses accumulated signals stored in active pixels of an image sensor during an exposure period to derive a shutter value for subsequent image capture.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer for an electronic device having a display screen includes a light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a single chip for receiving the reflected images, generating digital representations of the reflected images, and generating a first set of movement data based on the digital representations of the reflected images. The first set of movement data is indicative of relative motion between the chip and the imaging surface. The single chip includes a serial interface for outputting motion data in a serial format based on the movement data.

Abstract: A mouse for navigating upon grainy surfaces is equipped with at least two optical navigation circuits having different views of the work surface and whose axes may be non-parallel. For each navigation circuit an indication of navigation impairment owing to grain is detected. A suitable algorithm chooses from among the various navigation circuits which one's output to use. The multiple optical navigation circuits can each be separate self-contained mechanisms on separate dies or they can be separate sections of a single integrated circuit. The various metrics used within a navigation circuit for spatial filter selection can be further used by the navigation circuit selection algorithm. Each optical navigation circuit can have its own light source, or they can share a common one. They may also share any imaging optics, although each navigation sensor sees a different image.

Abstract: Sampling systems and methods that enable a photodetector to be sampled and read concurrently are described. This scheme may be used to implement a photocell in which image data from the photodetector may be collected during readout. In this way, the substantial non-integration periods that often characterize sampling schemes in which the sampling and readout functions are performed sequentially, especially when operating in a shuttered, non-rolling imaging mode, may be avoided.

Abstract: A photoelement for an image sensor is described which does not require a charge-to-voltage conversion, but instead outputs a voltage directly related to the intensity of the light impinging on the photoelement. In one embodiment, only parasitic capacitance is used for the integrating function. A transistor connected in a source follower configuration couples the parasitic capacitance to a read transistor. The source follower shields the integrating capacitance from any other parasitic capacitances not intended to be part of the integrating capacitance, thus making the output of the photoelement highly accurate with high gain.

Abstract: A printing device includes a navigation unit for monitoring a cooperative navigation surface and provides data to a navigation engine for processing and generation of a positional signal representative of the position of a moving printer head.

Abstract: Sampling systems and methods that enable a photodetector to be sampled and read concurrently are described. This scheme may be used to implement a photocell in which image data from the photodetector may be collected during readout. In this way, the substantial non-integration periods that often characterize sampling schemes in which the sampling and readout functions are performed sequentially, especially when operating in a shuttered, non-rolling imaging mode, may be avoided.