Abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) through silicon via (TSV) for three-dimensional (3D) substrate interconnects is described. TSV technologies provide for high performance and high density 3D packages. The CNT-based TSVs provide for integration of analog, RF and mixed-signal integrated circuits. CNT-based TSV provides superior electrical characteristics as compared to conventional TVs filled with conductive metals.

Abstract: A data sampling circuit that employs an oversampling clock to oversample a data signal, a phase tracking circuit for use in such a sampling circuit, and a receiver and system including such a sampling circuit. Preferably, phase tracking is implemented by systematically identifying and rejecting at least one worst sampling position, and sampling the data signal at a non-rejected sampling position. Preferably, phase tracking is accomplished by counting through-transitions of edges of the sampled data signal through each oversampling position, and rejecting an oversampling position having a highest count of through-transitions. In some embodiments, different phase tracking methods (at least one of which includes the step of generating through-transition counts) are used for different types of input data. Other aspects of the invention are methods for determining an oversampling position for oversampling a data signal, and methods for oversampling a data signal including by generating through-transition counts.

Abstract: Methods and Systems to provide services to a mobile device are explained herein. A system receives a request from a supplemental service library that is embedded in a client application program in a mobile device. The supplemental service library is a standard software component that is included in the client application program. The client application program is distributed over a network and stored on the mobile device. Next the system identifies a supplemental service from multiple supplemental services based on the request. Finally, the system communicates a response to the mobile device responsive to receiving the request. Further, a system includes a stand-alone client application program that may work in conjunction with a supplemental service program or a thin client program. Finally, supplemental service interfaces are stored on a computer readable medium for execution on a mobile device in conjunction with a supplemental service library.

Abstract: A test definer, a method for automatically determining functional tests for a printed circuit board (PCB) having analog components and a test system. In one embodiment, the test definer includes: (1) a circuit builder configured to generate a representative circuit of the PCB based on schematic information thereof, (2) a circuit organizer configured to partition the representative circuit into testable sub-circuits and (3) a specification generator configured to automatically determine functionality tests for the PCB based on the sub-circuits, obtain expected values from the functionality tests and generate platform-independent specifications representing the functionality tests and the expected values.

Abstract: A data sampling method and circuit employing an oversampling clock to oversample a data signal, a phase tracker for use with or in a data sampling circuit, and a method for identifying a sequence of best sampling positions for sampling a data signal from signal samples generated using an oversampling clock. In some embodiments, data indicative of the phase of at least one of the oversampling clock's sampling positions relative to the center of the data eye are low-pass filtered in a manner determined by the data signal's bit rate. In other embodiments, the number of dead cycles of the phase tracker decision loop is reduced by generating possible solutions in parallel and moving the feedback point so as to occur as late as practical, or the phase tracker ignores a sample set when updating its determination of the best sampling position when the sample set indicates that the data signal has less than a predetermined number of transitions during a corresponding tracking period.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data in a system including at least one data channel and a separate clock channel is disclosed. The method involves combining a clock signal to be transmitted on the clock channel with a data signal to generate a combined clock and data signal. In one embodiment, the data signal has been generated from data words using an encoding scheme that shifts an energy spectrum of the data signal away from an energy spectrum of the clock signal. In another embodiment, the clock signal has a plurality of pulses each having a front edge and a back edge, and the data signal is modulated onto the clock signal by moving at least one edge (i.e. front or back or both) of the plurality of pulses, thereby to create a combined clock and data signal.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for detecting a defect of a circuit pattern which includes a resonator, a first power supply unit connected to one end of the resonator to apply power to the resonator, a probe connected to the other end of the resonator to contact one end of the circuit pattern, a second power supply unit connected to the other end of the circuit pattern to apply a voltage thereto, and a detection portion connected between the resonator and the probe to measure a voltage generated from the circuit pattern and generate a measurement voltage, and determine presence of a defect in the circuit pattern from the measurement voltage.

Abstract: A scheme for reducing jitter in high-speed digital communication by adaptively controlling the loop bandwidth of a receiver PLL to reduce the relative jitter between the recovered data and clock. The scheme uses phase pointer activity to represent the relative jitter. The phase pointer activity is measured and used to control the receiver PLL loop bandwidth. The receiver PLL loop bandwidth is repeatedly incremented or decremented by a step size based on the comparison between a newly measured activity value and the old activity value, until the phase pointer activity reaches a minimum. Because the PLL performance requirement of the transmitter can be relaxed, compatibility with legacy transmitters and multi-vendor transmitters is enhanced. Because tight control of fabrication process parameters of PLLs may be relaxed, the fabrication yield may also be improved.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for detecting a defect of a circuit pattern which includes a resonator, a first power supply unit connected to one end of the resonator to apply power to the resonator, a probe connected to the other end of the resonator to contact one end of the circuit pattern, a second power supply unit connected to the other end of the circuit pattern to apply a voltage thereto, and a detection portion connected between the resonator and the probe to measure a voltage generated from the circuit pattern and generate a measurement voltage, and determine presence of a defect in the circuit pattern from the measurement voltage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for protecting digital content during transmission. One version of the invention provides a method for encryption in a high-speed digital video transmission system that includes the steps of: a) performing transition controlled encoding of a first sequence of n bit data words into encoded n+1 bit data characters where the n is a positive integer, b) performing XOR masking of the encoded n+1 bit data characters with an XOR mask to produce masked n+1 bit data characters; c) DC balancing the masked n+1 bit data characters to produce DC balanced, masked n+2 bit data characters; d) scrambling the DC balanced, masked n+2 bit data characters using a scrambling formula to produce encrypted n+2 bit data characters; e) encoding control data into encoded n+2 bit control characters, f) generating a serial data stream in response to the encrypted data characters and encoded control characters, and g) transmitting the serial data stream over a communication link.

Abstract: An electrode (30) implants into live tissue. The electrode has a first layer with a first silicon portion (50) forming a tip of the electrode and a second benzocyclobutene (BCB) portion (52) disposed adjacent to the first portion. A second BCB layer (56) is disposed over the first layer. A third BCB layer (58) is disposed over the second layer. The first layer further includes a third silicon portion (54) disposed adjacent to the second portion. A head-stage (40) has a connector (38) coupled for receiving the electrical signals from the electrode. A flexible substrate (90) has conductors for transmitting the electrical signals. A stiffener (94) supports a portion of the flexible substrate. An electronic circuit (96) is disposed on the flexible substrate above the stiffener and receives the electrical signals. A connector (12) is supported by the stiffener and coupled to an output of the electronic circuit.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data in a system including at least one data channel and a separate clock channel is disclosed. The method involves combining a clock signal to be transmitted on the clock channel with a data signal to generate a combined clock and data signal. In one embodiment, the data signal has been generated from data words using an encoding scheme that shifts an energy spectrum of the data signal away from an energy spectrum of the clock signal. In another embodiment, the clock signal has a plurality of pulses each having a front edge and a back edge, and the data signal is modulated onto the clock signal by moving at least one edge (i.e. front or back or both) of the plurality of pulses, thereby to create a combined clock and data signal.

Abstract: A system for testing interconnects in multi-chip modules including a radio frequency resonator having a resonant circuit with a relatively high quality factor, the output of the resonant circuit being attached to a probe. Electrically coupled to the resonant circuit output is an apparatus to analyze the voltage signal output. The probe is applied to one end of an interconnect. When the probe is applied, the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit and the magnitude of the frequency response are altered due to the additional loading created by the interconnect. Due to the relatively high quality factor of the resonant circuit, the magnitude of the frequency response of the altered resonant circuit is measurably distinct from a predetermined reference magnitude at a predetermined reference frequency, thus indicating the existence of a defect.