Abstract: A charge pump having an input section, and first and second output charge pump sections. The input section includes an input and output node and N input charge pump cells arranged between the input and output nodes. The first output charge pump section includes a first input and output node and M first charge pump cells arranged between the first input and output nodes. The second output charge pump section includes a second input and output node and K second charge pump cells arranged between the second input and output nodes (M, N, K: any integer?1). The output node of the input charge pump section is coupled with the first input node of the first output charge pump section and with the second input node of the second output charge pump section. The charge pump is configured to provide a first output voltage on the first output node and a second output voltage on the second output node.

Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit and a method for providing a reference voltage are disclosed. In an embodiment a bandgap reference circuit includes a voltage generator including a first branch and a second branch and being configured to produce a reference voltage with a temperature coefficient lower than a given threshold, a supply circuit configured to provide a first current to the first branch and a second current to the second branch, and a control loop including a transconductance amplifier configured to provide an output signal representative of a difference between a first voltage of the first branch and a second voltage of the second branch and a filter coupled to an output of the transconductance amplifier, the filter configured to provide an output signal for controlling the first current and second current of the supply circuit.

Abstract: A charge pump having an input section, and first and second output charge pump sections. The input section includes an input and output node and N input charge pump cells arranged between the input and output nodes. The first output charge pump section includes a first input and output node and M first charge pump cells arranged between the first input and output nodes. The second output charge pump section includes a second input and output node and K second charge pump cells arranged between the second input and output nodes (M, N, K: any integer?1). The output node of the input charge pump section is coupled with the first input node of the first output charge pump section and with the second input node of the second output charge pump section. The charge pump is configured to provide a first output voltage on the first output node and a second output voltage on the second output node.

Abstract: A microphone array is disclosed. In an embodiment a microphone array includes a power supply circuit arrangement, at least one microphone circuit and a voltage detector. The power supply arrangement includes a switched-mode power supply circuit configured to generate at least two different levels of output voltage. The at least one microphone circuit includes a microphone transducer, and audio amplifier, a switchable voltage regulator circuit supplying the amplifier. The voltage detector is configured to switch the output voltage of the voltage regulator circuit depending on the voltage supplied by the switched-mode power supply circuit.

Abstract: A negative charge pump without the need for a negative supply potential. The negative charge pump can be manufactured utilizing standard CMOS processes. The charge pump includes a first inverter, a second inverter, a charge storage and a coupling element.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, a circuit assembly and a method for operation the integrated circuit are disclosed. In embodiments an integrated circuit includes at least one supply voltage terminal configured to receive a supply voltage for operation of the integrated circuit, at least one input terminal configured to receive an analog input signal corresponding to an audio signal, at least one output terminal configured to provide an analog output signal, a signal strength detector configured to detect a signal strength of the analog input signal provided at the at least one input terminal and a signaling circuit configured to indicate an amplification setting of the integrated circuit at the at least one output terminal, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to amplify the audio signal based on the detected signal strength and to output a corresponding amplified signal at the at least one output terminal.

Abstract: An integrated circuit, a circuit assembly and a method for operation the integrated circuit are disclosed. In embodiments the integrated circuit includes at least one supply voltage terminal configured to receive a supply voltage for operation the integrated circuit, at least one input terminal configured to receive an analog input signal corresponding to an audio signal, at least one output terminal configured to provide an analog output signal and a signal strength detector configured to detect a signal strength of the analog input signal provided at the at least one input terminal, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to amplify an audio signal based on the detected signal strength and to output a corresponding amplified signal at the at least one output terminal, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a signaling circuit configured to indicate an amplification setting of the integrated circuit at the at least one supply voltage terminal.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive sensor is disclosed. In an embodiment a MEMS capacitive sensor includes a capacitor having a variable capacitance, wherein the capacitor includes a backplate and a membrane being separated from each other by a variable distance, wherein the capacitor is arranged on a substrate, an output terminal configured to provide an output signal, wherein the output terminal is connected to the backplate, a bias voltage input terminal configured to apply a bias voltage, wherein the bias voltage input terminal is connected to the membrane and a supply voltage input terminal configured to apply a supply voltage, wherein the supply voltage input terminal is connected to the substrate, wherein the MEMS capacitive sensor is configured to generate a level of the output signal in dependence on the distance between the membrane and the backplate.

Abstract: An electronic circuit for a microphone and a microphone are disclosed. In an embodiment, the electronic circuit includes a sigma-delta modulator having a configurable resolution and a mode selector, wherein the sigma-delta modulator is selectively operable in at least two operation modes and the mode selector is configured to determine a desired operation mode dependent on an externally provided control signal and to select the resolution of the sigma-delta modulator according to the determined operation mode.

Abstract: An electric circuit for regulating a bias voltage for a transducer of a microphone, the electric circuit including a bias voltage generator configured to generate the bias voltage for the transducer of the microphone and including a sound pressure detector configured to detect the sound pressure which impacts the transducer of the microphone. The bias voltage generator is configured to generate the bias voltage with a linear increasing gradient or linear decreasing gradient in response to the sound pressure detected by the sound pressure detector exceeding or falling below at least one threshold value of the sound pressure.

Abstract: A bandgap reference circuit and a method for providing a reference voltage are disclosed. In an embodiment a bandgap reference circuit includes a voltage generator including a first branch and a second branch and being configured to produce a reference voltage with a temperature coefficient lower than a given threshold, a supply circuit configured to provide a first current to the first branch and a second current to the second branch, and a control loop including a transconductance amplifier configured to provide an output signal representative of a difference between a first voltage of the first branch and a second voltage of the second branch and a filter coupled to an output of the transconductance amplifier, the filter configured to provide an output signal for controlling the first current and second current of the supply circuit.

Abstract: A microphone array is disclosed. In an embodiment a microphone array includes a power supply circuit arrangement, at least one microphone circuit and a voltage detector. The power supply arrangement includes a switched-mode power supply circuit configured to generate at least two different levels of output voltage. The at least one microphone circuit includes a microphone transducer, and audio amplifier, a switchable voltage regulator circuit supplying the amplifier. The voltage detector is configured to switch the output voltage of the voltage regulator circuit depending on the voltage supplied by the switched-mode power supply circuit.

Abstract: A charge pump assembly allowing MEMS microphones being temperature-compensated in a large temperature range and corresponding microphones are provided. An assembly includes a charge pump and a bias circuit electrically connected to the charge pump. A bias voltage provided by the bias circuit has a temperature dependence.

Abstract: The electronic circuit having an input stage for pre-amplifying an electrical input signal of the electronic circuit provided by a transducer. The electronic circuit has an output stage for providing a microphone output signal by processing an output signal of the input stage. The electronic circuit has an adjustable output load arranged and configured for setting a current draw of the output stage. Additionally, the electronic circuit has a measurement circuit configured to capture the output signal of the input stage and an automatic control circuit configured to adjust the adjustable output load dependent on the captured output signal of the input stage.

Abstract: A low-dropout voltage regulator (LDO) apparatus is disclosed. In an embodiment, the LDO apparatus includes a voltage input connectable to a power supply, an error amplifier coupled to the voltage input and configured to receive a reference signal and a feedback signal and to generate an output control signal dependent on the reference signal and the feedback signal, and a pass transistor coupled to the error amplifier and configured to receive the output control signal of the error amplifier and to provide an output current dependent on the output control signal. The LDO apparatus further includes a detection circuit coupled to the voltage input and configured to provide an output signal on its output and a bias generator coupled to the output of the detection circuit and configured to provide a bias current on a bias input of the current adjusting circuit of the error amplifier.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a microphone that includes a transducer element and an ASIC. The method includes calibrating the frequency characteristic of the ASIC such that the sensitivity (Smic(fLLF)) of the microphone at a predetermined cutoff frequency (fLLF) shows a predefined reduction (?) compared to the sensitivity (Smic(fstandard)) of the microphone at a standard frequency (fstandard). Another aspect of the present invention concerns a microphone.

Abstract: A MEMS capacitive sensor is disclosed. In an embodiment a MEMS capacitive sensor includes a capacitor having a variable capacitance, wherein the capacitor includes a backplate and a membrane being separated from each other by a variable distance, wherein the capacitor is arranged on a substrate, an output terminal configured to provide an output signal, wherein the output terminal is connected to the backplate, a bias voltage input terminal configured to apply a bias voltage, wherein the bias voltage input terminal is connected to the membrane and a supply voltage input terminal configured to apply a supply voltage, wherein the supply voltage input terminal is connected to the substrate, wherein the MEMS capacitive sensor is configured to generate a level of the output signal in dependence on the distance between the membrane and the backplate.

Abstract: An electric circuit for regulating a bias voltage for a transducer of a microphone, the electric circuit including a bias voltage generator configured to generate the bias voltage for the transducer of the microphone and including a sound pressure detector configured to detect the sound pressure which impacts the transducer of the microphone. The bias voltage generator is configured to generate the bias voltage with a linear increasing gradient or linear decreasing gradient in response to the sound pressure detected by the sound pressure detector exceeding or falling below at least one threshold value of the sound pressure.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone with an improved sensitivity, e.g., a reduced temperature dependence of the sensitivity. The microphone includes a MEMS capacitor, a charging circuit and a bias circuit. The bias circuit includes a closed loop control circuit and creates a bias voltage with a temperature dependence.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a microphone that includes a transducer element and an ASIC. The method includes calibrating the frequency characteristic of the ASIC such that the sensitivity (Smic(fLLF)) of the microphone at a predetermined cutoff frequency (fLLF) shows a predefined reduction (?) compared to the sensitivity (Smic(fstandard)) of the microphone at a standard frequency (fstandard). Another aspect of the present invention concerns a microphone.