Abstract: An illustrative driver embodiment supplies an electrical transmit signal to an emitter module in response to an input bit stream. The illustrative driver embodiment includes: a voltage supply node which may be powered via a parasitic series inductance; a transmit signal buffer that drives the electrical transmit signal with current from the voltage supply node, the electrical transmit signal including transitions at bit intervals as dictated by the input bit stream; and an auxiliary signal buffer that supplies an auxiliary signal with current from the voltage supply node to an auxiliary module having an input impedance matched to an input impedance of the emitter module, the auxiliary signal having a transition at every bit interval where the electrical transmit signal lacks a transition.

Abstract: A multichannel receiver includes multiple receiver modules, each having: a voltage-controlled oscillator that generates a clock signal with a controllable frequency; a phase interpolator that applies a controllable phase shift to the clock signal to provide a sampling signal; a sampling element that produces a digital receive signal by sampling an analog receive signal in accordance with the sampling signal; a timing error estimator that operates on the digital receive signal to provide timing error estimates; a phase control filter that derives, from the timing error estimates, a phase control signal supplied to the phase interpolator, wherein the phase control signal minimizes a phase error between the sampling signal and the analog receive signal; and a frequency control filter that derives, from the timing error estimates, a frequency control signal for controlling the clock signal frequency, wherein the frequency control signal minimizes a frequency offset between the clock signal and the analog receive

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for handling electronic components and a method of adjusting the position of at least one handling device of an apparatus for handling electronic components.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of using cisplatin active agents in which reduced organ toxicity is observed are provided. In the subject methods, an effective amount is administrated to the host before administration of an effective amount of cisplatin active agents. The cisplatin toxicity reducing agent comprising of stable bismuth(III) complexes or pharmaceutically acceptable salts reduces the levels of undesired toxicity of cisplatin active agents without compromising their anticancer activity. Also provided are methods for use in practicing the subject methods in the treatment of different disease conditions.

Abstract: Transmit-receive circuitry for an electronic device capable of wireless communication includes: an antenna input/output, for coupling to an antenna; a transmit path, coupled to the antenna input/output, the transmit path including: a power amplifier, for receiving a transmission signal to be transmitted via the antenna; and a transformer; and a receive path, coupled to the antenna input/output, the receive path including: a low noise amplifier, for receiving a reception signal from the antenna. In a receive mode, the low noise amplifier is configured to receive reception signals via the antenna input/output, and the transmit path is connected to the antenna input/output such that the reception signals experience gain as a result of the transformer in the transmit path.

Abstract: A method has been developed to produce stable cell-matrix microspheres with up to 100% encapsulation efficiency and high cell viability, using matrix or biomaterial systems with poor shape and mechanical stability for applications including cell therapeutics via microinjection or surgical implantation, 3D culture for in vitro expansion without repeated cell splitting using enzymatic digestion or mechanical dissociation and for enhanced production of therapeutic biomolecules, and in vitro modeling for morphogenesis studies. The modified droplet generation method is simple and scalable and enables the production of cell-matrix microspheres when the matrix or biomaterial system used has low concentration, with slow phase transition, with poor shape and mechanical stability.

Abstract: A shielded system for reducing energy dissipation from an RF component into a semiconductor substrate, the shielded system comprising: a semiconductor substrate; an RF component in connection with the semiconductor substrate; an electrically connected shielding structure having a galvanic connection to ground or the semiconductor substrate, the electrically connected shielding structure being electrically connected to the RF component; and an electrically isolated shielding structure having no galvanic connection to ground, the semiconductor substrate or the RF component.

Abstract: A multi-stage Successive-Approximation Register (SAR) pipeline Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) has an amplifier between two switched capacitor networks, each controlled by a SAR. The load capacitance of the amplifier is magnified due to the amplifier's gain. This magnified load capacitance can disproportionately increase power consumption. The back plates of the second-stage switched capacitors are connected to the amplifier input using a feedback switch during an amplification phase, so that the second-stage switched capacitors are connected between the input and output of the amplifier as a feedback capacitor, rather than a load capacitor. Reset switches are added to drive both plates of the second-stage switched capacitors to ground during a reset phase before the amplification phase. Thus the second-stage switched capacitors function as both the feedback capacitor and as the switched capacitors controlled by the second SAR.

Abstract: A modified and improved lithium cobalt oxide sputtering target with reduced resistivity is described. Unique modifications to the composition of the lithium cobalt oxide target allow adjustment or fine-tuning of the resistance of the target not previously possible. Incorporation of a controlled amount of one or more conductive materials into the lithium cobalt oxide composition is described alone or in combination with altering the stoichiometric ratio of Li:Co to significantly reduce resistivity and thereby enhance conductivity of the target. The result is a modified sputtering target capable of sputtering lithium-containing thin films that does not exhibit deterioration of their properties by virtue of elevated levels of conductive containing material incorporated into the target.

Abstract: A method is provided to functionally select cells with enhanced characteristics relevant to cell engraftment, including both spontaneous migration and directional migration towards specific chemo-attractants. The cells are preferably undifferentiated cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells. The method involves entrapping or encapsulating the cells in a biomaterial barrier, optionally inducing cell migration, and selecting cells that migrated through the barrier. The cells selected by this method have better migratory activities and enhanced in vivo engraftment to injured tissues when they are supplemented systemically.

Abstract: A circuit and method for a bandgap voltage reference operating at 1 volt or below is disclosed, wherein the operational amplifier (A1) drives resistors (R2, R3) only so that both the flicker noise contribution and the process sensitivity due to the conventional metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices used as a current mirror within the proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) loop are eliminated. Two symmetric resistive divider pairs formed by (R1A/R1B, R2A/R2B) are inserted to scale down both the base-emitter voltages (VEB1, VEB2) of bipolar transistors (Q1, Q2) and the PTAT current (IPTAT) so that an output reference voltage (VREF) becomes scalable. Proper bias currents through transistors (M3, M4), which are used to bias (Q1, Q2) and (R1A/R1B, R2A/R2B) respectively, are produced by an additional V-I converter (319) using VREF itself, resulting in a final process, voltage and temperature (PVT) insensitive output reference voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip including: a chip pin configured to direct signals on and off chip; a first signal path from the chip pin to a first electrostatic discharge (ESD) susceptible circuit susceptible to a voltage greater than a first voltage level; a first protection circuit coupled to a first node on the first signal path, the first protection circuit being operable to limit the voltage of a signal directed on chip to a second voltage level, the second voltage level being higher than the first voltage level; and a second protection circuit coupled to a second node on the first signal path between the first node and the first ESD susceptible circuit, the second protection circuit being operable to limit the voltage of the signal directed on chip to the first voltage level.

Abstract: A novel WTi target is described as having a Ti particle size similar to that of the W particle size. The target also contains controlled microstructural multi-phases characterized by an absence of a ? (titanium-tungsten) alloy lamellar phase structure. The combination of controlled microstructural phases and controlled particle size improves overall sputtering performance whereby the sputtered face reduces formation of nodules which can flake off and deposit onto the resultant film to produce film defects during sputtering.

Abstract: An integrated circuit chip including a chip pin configured to direct radio frequency signals on and off chip; a signal path from the chip pin which divides into a first signal path coupled to an input unit and a second signal path coupled to an output unit; a first filter between the chip pin and the input unit on the first signal path; a second filter between the chip pin and the output unit on the second signal path; a first switch coupling the first signal path to ground; and a second switch coupling the second signal path to ground; wherein the first and second switches are controllable to isolate the input unit from the output unit when the integrated circuit chip is transmitting a radio frequency signal, and to isolate the output unit from the input unit when the integrated circuit chip is receiving a radio frequency signal.

Abstract: A system includes an ADC that, based on a first clock signal, converts an analog signal into a digital signal. A first circuit generates a second clock signal based on the digital signal. An interpolator generates a phase delayed version of the second clock signal and a third clock signal. The third clock signal is generated based on the second clock signal and the phase delayed version and includes transitioning from the second clock signal to the phase delayed version. The third clock signal includes pulses each having a first pulse width and a pulse having a second pulse width. The second pulse width is different than the first pulse width due to the transition from the second clock signal to the third clock signal. A second circuit removes the pulse having the second pulse width from the third clock signal to generate the first clock signal.

Abstract: An interface design for a hybrid IC that utilizes dedicated interface tracks to allow signals to interface distributively with the logic blocks of the FPGA portion providing for faster and more efficient communication between the FPGA and ASIC portions of the hybrid IC.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a digital interface for connection to a host controller; an antenna connection for connection to an antenna; a radio frequency transceiver for communicating data in accordance with one or more radio communication protocols, the radio frequency transceiver being configured to communicate radio frequency signals over the antenna connection in response to data exchanged over the digital interface; and radio loop-through circuitry for exchanging radio frequency signals with another integrated circuit, the radio loop-through circuitry being configured to provide radio frequency signals received at the antenna connection to an output connection of the integrated circuit.

Abstract: A transceiver includes a first circuit having a connector for connection to an antenna and receiving circuitry, and a second circuit having transmitting circuitry. The first and second circuits are coupled using a balun, where the balun is arranged so that its unbalanced side is in the first circuit and its balanced side is in the second circuit.

Abstract: A sum-of-delays algorithm in a digital mobile communication bandwidth-varying network is employed to estimate link buffer size and queue length in an undying network connection. In particular, mechanisms associated with the process compensate for link bandwidth variations. In a particular embodiment, passive estimation are employed to implement the process by simply measuring the in-band data packet timings to perform estimation, thus eliminating the need for transmission of extra measurement packets. This method enables the integration of the link buffer size estimation algorithm into existing transport protocols such as TCP to optimize flow and congestion controls. As part of the invention, a new congestion control method called TCP Queue-length-Adaptive (TCP-QA) is developed to employ the sum-of-delays algorithm in the TCP sender computer to control the data flow in a TCP connection.

Abstract: An electronic device bonding apparatus comprises a flip arm for picking up an electronic device, the flip arm being operative to invert an orientation of the electronic device. A collet tool which contacts the electronic device and secures it to the flip arm is detachably mountable onto the flip arm, and a bond arm may pick up the electronic device from the collet tool to bond the electronic device to a bonding surface. Additionally, a tool changer module is operative to detach the collet tool from the flip arm and to mount another collet tool onto the flip arm.