Abstract: A device includes a memory bit cell, a first current source, and a current comparator electrically connected to the memory bit cell and the first current source. A first transistor has a first terminal electrically connected to a first voltage supply node, a control terminal electrically connected to a controller, and a second terminal electrically connected to the memory bit cell and the current comparator. A sense amplifier is electrically connected to the current comparator and a reference current generator.

Abstract: A circuit that includes a current source and a current comparator is disclosed. The current source is connected to a resistive memory cell to generate a driving current thereto. The current comparator has a sensing node connected to the current source and the resistive memory cell to sense an injection current injected to the current comparator through the sensing node, wherein when a resistive state of the resistive memory cell switches such that the current comparator determines that an amount of the injection current increases to exceed or decreases to reach threshold value, the current comparator turns off the current source.

Abstract: A bit line, which is coupled to a resistive element of a memory cell is set to a first voltage level. The memory cell may be an MRAM cell or an RRAM cell. The resistive element is configured to have a first resistance in a first state of the memory cell and a second resistance in a second state of the memory cell. A source line, which is selectively coupled to the memory cell by an access transistor, is set to a second voltage level. A word line signal is asserted to apply a first bias voltage across the resistive element. The applied first bias voltage initiates a write operation at the memory cell. The word line signal is deasserted after a variable time duration based on a detection, during the write operation, of a current through the resistive element.

Abstract: A device includes first and second current mirrors electrically connected to reference and cell current sources of a memory array. A first inverter is electrically connected to the first current mirror, and a second inverter is electrically connected to the second current mirror. The first and second inverters are cross-coupled.

Abstract: A cell mobility characteristics sensing apparatus including a laser light source, a light sensor, an analyzing chip, and a display is disclosed. The laser light source emits laser beams to a cell sample. The light sensor senses scattered laser beams formed by the cell sample scattering the laser beams at a plurality of time points to obtain a plurality of laser scattering patterns corresponding to the plurality of time points respectively. The analyzing chip obtains a laser scattering pattern fluctuations information of the plurality of laser scattering patterns varied with the plurality of time points to estimate the mobility characteristics of the cells in the cell sample. The display shows the mobility characteristics of the cells in the cell sample estimated by the analyzing chip.

Abstract: A memory access operation on a bit cell of a digital memory, e.g., a static random access memory (SRAM), is assisted by reducing the word line control voltage for reading and boosting it for writing, thus improving data integrity. The bit cell has cross coupled inverters for storing and retrieving a logic state via bit line connections through a passing gate transistor controlled by the word line. A level of a word line signal controlling the passing gate transistor is shifted from a first voltage value to a higher second voltage value to begin a memory access cycle. The level of the word line signal is shifted from the second voltage value to a third voltage value less than the second voltage value during the access cycle. The word line signal is maintained at the third voltage value for a time interval during the access cycle.

Abstract: An optical device for corneal measuring includes a light source module, a first optical module, a second optical module including a reference mirror, a light splitter and an image analysis unit. The light of the light source module is transmitted to the first and second optical modules through the light splitter. The light is transmitted to a cornea through the light splitter and the first optical module and reflected by the cornea to form a first light, the light is transmitted to the reference mirror through the light splitter and reflected by the reference mirror to form a second light. The first and second lights are transmitted to the light splitter and the image analysis unit. The reference mirror moves along a first direction, and when the first light and the second light interfere with each other, a relative optical path length is obtained.

Abstract: An optical device for corneal measuring includes a light source module, a first optical module, a second optical module including a reference mirror, a light splitter and an image analysis unit. The light of the light source module is transmitted to the first and second optical modules through the light splitter. The light is transmitted to a cornea through the light splitter and the first optical module and reflected by the cornea to form a first light, the light is transmitted to the reference mirror through the light splitter and reflected by the reference mirror to form a second light. The first and second lights are transmitted to the light splitter and the image analysis unit. The reference mirror moves along a first direction, and when the first light and the second light interfere with each other, a relative optical path length is obtained.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides resistive random access memory (RRAM) structures and methods of making the same. The RRAM structures include a bottom electrode having protruded step portion that allows formation of a self-aligned conductive path with a top electrode during operation. The protruded step portion may have an inclination angle of about 30 degrees to 150 degrees. Multiple RRAM structures may be formed by etching through a RRAM stack.

Abstract: A device is configured to provide low dropout regulation. An amplifier stage includes a first transistor electrically connected to an output of the device, and a second transistor. A current mirror includes a third transistor electrically connected to the second transistor, and a fourth transistor electrically connected to the third transistor. The auxiliary current source has a control terminal electrically connected to a gate electrode of the fourth transistor. The pull down stage includes a fifth transistor having a gate electrode electrically connected to a drain electrode of the first transistor, and a sixth transistor having a gate electrode electrically connected to the gate electrode of the fourth transistor. The pull up transistor has a gate electrode electrically connected to a drain electrode of the fifth transistor. The first capacitor has a first terminal electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transistor.

Abstract: A memory assist apparatus includes a detection circuit and a compensation circuit. The detection circuit is configured to provide a detection signal indicating whether a bit line configured to provide read access to a data bit stored at a memory bit cell has a voltage below a predetermined threshold. The compensation circuit is configured to pull down the voltage of the bit line if the detection signal indicates that the voltage of the bit line is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The propagation delay of a signal through multiple load devices coupled sequentially along a conductor is improved by separating a subset of the load devices that is more distant from the signal source, and coupling the more distant subset to the signal through a fly-over conductor that bypasses the subset that is nearer to the signal source. The technique is applicable to subsets of bit cells in a random access memory (SRAM) coupled to a given word line, or to word line decoder gates coupled sequentially to a strobe signal, as well as other circuits wherein load devices selectable as a group can be divided into subsets by proximity to the signal source. In an SRAM layout with multiple levels, different metal deposition layers carry the conductor legs between the load devices versus the fly-over conductor bypassing the nearer subset.

Abstract: An optical detecting apparatus and an operating method thereof are disclosed. The optical detecting apparatus includes a light path module, an actuating module, and a data processing module. The light path module is used to emit a light source to a substance and receive an optical signal generated by the substance reflecting the light source. The actuating module is used to actuate the substance to generate a vibration. The data processing module is used to record and analyze a detected result related to the material properties of the substance and adjust detecting parameters of the light path module and the actuating module respectively.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a light source, an optical coupling module, a reference light reflection module, and a data processing module. The light source provides an incident light. The optical coupling module divides the incident light into a reference light and a detection light emitting to the reference light reflection module and the object respectively. The reference light reflection module reflects the reference light and rapidly change the optical path of the reference light. The optical coupling module receives a first reflected light generated by the reference light reflection module reflecting the reference light and a second reflected light generated by the object reflecting the detection light and it interferes the first reflected light and second reflected light to generate a light interference signal. The data processing module receives and analyzes the light interference signal to obtain an optical detection result related to the object.

Abstract: A light source module of an optical apparatus is disclosed. The light source module includes a laser pump unit, a lens unit, and a fiber unit. The laser pump unit generates a laser source. The lens unit converts the laser source into a condensed beam. The fiber unit receives the condensed beam and emits an optical signal. The light source module can achieve effects of low cost, large bandwidth, high resolution, and high stability with well-designed pump power of the laser pump unit, and length, doping material, and core size of the fiber unit.

Abstract: An optical apparatus applied to ophthalmology detection is disclosed. The optical apparatus includes a first light source module, a second light source module, and an interference module. The first light source module is formed by a laser light source and lens units and used to emit a first light signal. The second light source module is formed by fiber units and lens units. The second light source module is coupled to the first light source module in series. The second light source module is used to receive a first light signal and emit a second light signal. The interference module is coupled to the second light source module and used to receive the second light signal and provide a first incident light and a second incident light to an object to be detected and a reference mirror respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure which includes a conductive layer and a resistance configurable structure over the conductive layer. The resistance configurable structure includes a first electrode, a resistance configurable layer over the first electrode, and a second electrode over the resistance configurable layer. The first electrode has a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom surface on the conductive layer. A joint between the first sidewall and the second sidewall includes an electric field enhancement structure. The present disclosure also provides a method for manufacturing the above semiconductor structure, including patterning a hard mask on a conductive layer; forming a spacer around the hard mask; removing at least a portion of the hard mask; forming a conforming resistance configurable layer on the spacer; and forming a second conductive layer on the conforming resistance configurable layer.

Abstract: A system and method of cooling a three dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) using at least one thermoelectric cooler which is connected to the 3D IC by a plurality of conductive pillars. In some embodiments a controller controls power supply to the thermoelectric cooler, and a temperature monitor provides a temperature input to the controller. In some embodiments the controller maintains a temperature of a 3D IC within a predetermined range by cycling power to the thermoelectric cooler.

Abstract: A device includes a proportional-to-absolute-temperature (PTAT) current source having a bandgap reference voltage node, and a negative temperature dynamic load having an input terminal electrically connected to the bandgap reference voltage node.

Abstract: A memory assist apparatus includes a detection circuit and a compensation circuit. The detection circuit is configured to provide a detection signal indicating whether a bit line configured to provide read access to a data bit stored at a memory bit cell has a voltage below a predetermined threshold. The compensation circuit is configured to pull down the voltage of the bit line if the detection signal indicates that the voltage of the bit line is below the predetermined threshold.