Abstract: Gain control for delta sigma analog-to-digital converter. A method is disclosed for driving the input of an integrator in a delta-sigma converter having an amplifier with a non-inverting input, an output and a positive input connected to a reference voltage and an integration capacitor connected between the non-inverting input and the output. An input voltage is sampled at a first rate onto an input sampling capacitor and then charge is dumped from the input sampling capacitor to the non-inverting input of the amplifier at a second time and at the first rate. A reference voltage is sampled onto a feedback sampling capacitor at substantially the first rate, and charge stored on the feedback sampling capacitor is dumped to the non-inverting input of the amplifier at a second rate different than the first rate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for combining outputs of multiple DACs for increased bit resolution. A method for providing an increased bit resolution to a data converter operable to convert digital information to analog values. A first current Digital-to-Analog (IDAC) converter is controlled to provide current to a first output node, the first IDAC having a first current step size associated with the Least Significant Bit (LSB) thereof. A second IDAC is controlled to provide current to the first output node, the second IDAC having a second current step size associated with the LSB thereof that is smaller than the first current step size. The combination of the first and second IDACs increases the bit resolution of the first IDAC when driving the first output node with the second IDAC.

Abstract: A cross-bar matrix includes a plurality of matrix cells arranged in rows and columns wherein each row of cells is associated with a signal input and each column of cells is associated with a common signal output. An enable input controls whether at least a portion of the cells couple a signal on the associated common signal input to a signal output associated with a cell or couple an LCD signal to a signal output and exclude control of the at least portion of said plurality of cells by the control input.

Abstract: SAR analog-to-digital converter with abort function. A method for increasing the throughput of a data converter decision is disclosed. First, a data conversion operation is initiated to convert analog signals on an analog input on a data converter to digital data by sampling the analog signals on the analog signal input and then converting the sampled analog signals to digital data with a predetermined data conversion algorithm in a data conversion operation. The digital output of the data converter is compared to a threshold voltage value. When the output of the data converter is determined by the step of comparing to meet a predetermined relationship relative to the threshold voltage, the data conversion operation is terminated prior to the complete execution of the data conversion operation on the sampled analog signals.

Abstract: USB integrated module. A modularized serial data module is disclosed for interfacing with a serial data line operating in accordance with a first serial data protocol that transmits/receives data and also provides power to the modularized serial data module. The module includes a connector housing for providing a physical interface with the serial data line. A processor housing is disposed adjacent the connector housing and operable to interface therewith. A processor is disposed within the processor housing and operable to be powered by the serial data line through the connector housing and is also operable to interface with the data portion of the serial data line through the connector housing. The processor is operable to provide processing of information based upon data received from the serial data line through the connector housing or processing of information for transmission to the serial data line through the connector housing.

Abstract: The method of mounting a semiconductor device 200 on a supporting structure 101, the semiconductor device having a surface 201 including a defined area 202 for receiving photons and a plurality of conductors 203/204 for establishing connections to the device. An aperture 301 is formed through the supporting structure, the aperture sized to correspond to a size of the defined area of the semiconductor device. Conductors 302 are formed on the supporting structure adjacent to the aperture in a pattern corresponding to the pattern of the conductors on the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is mounted to the supporting structure such that the conductors on the semiconductor device contact the conductors on the supporting structure where the defined area of the semiconductor device is exposed to photons through the aperture.