Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter comprising a digital input; a first thermometer coder for generating a set of first control signals based on a first portion of the digital input; at least one fractional-bit DAC cell controlled by one or more of the first control signals for providing a fractional-bit current based on the first portion of the digital input; at least one second thermometer coder for generating a set of second control signals based on a second portion of the digital input; and at least one multi-bit DAC cell controlled by one or more of the second control signals for providing a multi-bit current based on the second portion of the digital input, wherein the fractional-bit current and the multi-bit current are combined to form an output of the DAC corresponding to the digital input.

Abstract: A waveguide in semiconductor integrated circuit is disclosed, the waveguide comprises a horizontal first metal plate, a horizontal second metal plate above the first metal plate, separated by an insulation material, and a plurality of metal vias positioned in two parallel lines, running vertically through the insulation material in contacts with both the first and second metal plates, wherein the first and second metal plates and the plurality of metal vias form a metal enclosure in a cross-sectional view that can serve as a waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a semiconductor memory having an array of storage cells with at least one PMOS transistor, the semiconductor memory comprising at least one mode bit for representing data stored in the array of storage cells are either true or inverted, a plurality of read-toggle drivers coupled on a plurality of data output paths for inverting the data outputs only when the mode bit indicates that the array of storage cells are storing inverted data, and a plurality of write-toggle drivers coupled on a plurality of data input paths for inverting the data inputs only when the mode bit indicates that the array of storage cells are storing inverted data and for writing back inverted data into the array of storage cells during a refreshing cycle.

Abstract: A sense amplifier for detecting a logic state of a selected electrical fuse cell among a number of unselected electrical fuse cells includes a bias module coupled to a power supply for generating a first current, and a tracking module coupled to the bias module for generating a second current. A current supplier is coupled to the bias module and the tracking module for generating a third current substantially equal to a sum of the first and second currents scaled by a predetermined factor, the third current being diverted into a first sub-current flowing through the selected electrical fuse cell and a second sub-current leaking through the unselected electrical fuse cells. The tracking module is so configured that the second current scaled by the predetermined factor is substantially equal to the second sub-current, thereby avoiding the first sub-current to be reduced by the second sub-current.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter has one or more first stage comparators for generating a set of first stage comparator digital outputs, and a set of first stage comparator analog outputs upon comparing a voltage input with a set of voltage references, a switch network for selectively controlling the first stage comparator analog outputs to pass, a ratio capacitor network shared by the first stage comparators for receiving the first stage comparator analog outputs and providing a second set of intermediate analog outputs for identifying a level of the voltage input among a set of intermediate voltage levels between two voltage references, a number of second stage comparators for outputting the number of second stage comparator digital outputs, and a decoder subsystem for receiving the second stage comparator digital outputs to produce a bits of least significant bits. The ratio capacitor network is shared by more than two first stage comparators.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for converting an analog signal to a digital signal as the following steps. A reference voltage range is divided into a plurality of reference levels. The analog signal is compared with the reference levels to generate first conversion bits. A reference voltage sub-range defined by a first value and a second value of the reference level is selected, wherein the voltage level of the analog signal is higher than the first value and lower than the second value. The reference voltage sub-range is divided into a plurality of reference sub-levels. The analog signal is compared with the reference sub-levels to generate second conversion bits. The digital signal representing the analog signal is generated based on the first-conversion bits and the second conversion bits.

Abstract: A method and system for converting a plurality of input signals being indicative of a signal to be converted to a digital output including: setting a plurality of codes each being indicative of a corresponding reference level; and, for each one of the codes, converting the one code to a first analog signal, and summing the first analog signal with a first of the input signals to provide a first summed signal; complementing the one code to provide a complemented code, converting the complemented code to a second analog signal; summing the second analog signal with a second of the input signals to provide a second summed signal corresponding to the first summed signal. The corresponding first and second summed signals are compared to provide a comparison signal. At least a portion of the digital output is set according to the comparison signal.

Abstract: A method and system for converting a plurality of input signals being indicative of a signal to be converted to a digital output including: setting a plurality of codes each being indicative of a corresponding reference level; and, for each one of the codes, converting the one code to a first analog signal, and summing the first analog signal with a first of the input signals to provide a first summed signal; complementing the one code to provide a complemented code, converting the complemented code to a second analog signal; summing the second analog signal with a second of the input signals to provide a second summed signal corresponding to the first summed signal. The corresponding first and second summed signals are compared to provide a comparison signal. At least a portion of the digital output is set according to the comparison signal.

Abstract: A LED pixel structure that reduces current nonuniformities and threshold voltage variations in a “drive transistor”of the pixel structure is disclosed. The LED pixel structure incorporates a current source for loading data into the pixel via a data line. Alternatively, an auto zero voltage is determined for the drive transistor prior to the loading of data.

Abstract: In an active matrix electroluminescent display, a pixel containing a electroluminescent cell and the switching electronics for the electroluminescent cell where said switching electronics contains two transistors, a low voltage MOS transistor and a high voltage MOS transistor. A low voltage transistor is controlled by signals on a data and a select line. When activated, the low voltage transistor activates the high voltage transistor by charging the gate of the high voltage transistor. The gate charge is stored between the gate electrode of the high voltage transistor and an electric field shield forming a pixel signal capacitor. The pixel signal capacitor is positioned within the layout of the pixel a distance from the drain of the high voltage MOS transistor.

Abstract: A flash-type analog-to-digital converter (ADC) uses only 2.sup.n-m comparators coupled to the analog input line to generate a n-bit digital output signal. Each pair of these actual comparators are coupled, in parallel, to 2.sup.m pseudocomparators which provide values representing comparisons of the input signal value to respective reference values between the reference values used by the actual comparators. The output signals of each pair of actual comparators are combined in respectively different proportions at each of the pseudocomparators. In this manner, the output signals of the actual comparators are averaged to produce the interstitial comparison values. In one embodiment of the invention, the ADC is implemented in BiCMOS technology with a bipolar differential input stage and a CMOS latching comparator. Signals are distributed from the actual comparators to the pseudocomparators via a pair of resistive ladder networks.

Abstract: A twelve bit analog-to-digital converter uses two banks of 31 capacitors each coupled through separate control circuitry to a five bit analog-to-digital converter with plus or minus 1/2 bit accuracy and two separate eight bit analog-to-digital converters each having plus or minus 1/2 bit accuracy to achieve a frequency of operation from at least several MHz to up to about 40 MHz.

Abstract: A memory cell has a pair of cross-coupled inverters, such as a CMOS pair. Diodes are coupled in series with the transistors to reduce the possibility of radiation-induced currents in the transistors causing a change in state of the cell by providing resistance that increases the cell time constant. The transistors and the diodes are formed in the body of a semiconducting material. The diodes require at most only a small additional cell area as compared with a cell that does not have the diodes.