Abstract: The present invention provides an equalizer filter for compensating a received distorted signal for frequency dependent signal modifications introduced by a transmission channel, the received signal having an amplitude. The filter comprises at least one amplifying compensation stage having a gain and a saturation level, at least one limiting amplifier, and gain control means for controlling the gain of the at least one amplifying compensation stage, the gain control means comprising at least one comparator circuit comparing filtered input and output signals of the limiting amplifier, the at least one comparator circuit comprising a bias current source. The bias current source is adapted to deliver a variable current.

Abstract: A multistage equalizer filter for compensating a received distorted signal having an amplitude for frequency dependent signal modifications introduced by a transmission channel includes at least one amplifying compensation stage having a gain and a saturation level, the gain being monotonically rising for at least a last decade in frequency below an upper data frequency of the received signal, and a gain control device for controlling the gain of the amplifying compensation stage such that the amplitude of the received signal amplified in the at least one amplifying compensation stage remains below the saturation level of the amplifying compensation stage. The gain may be regulated by separately regulating low frequency gain, mid-frequency gain and higher frequency gain for each of the at least one amplifying compensation stages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for restoring a DC component in a differential digital data stream. The device comprises a first and second peak detector for detecting peaks in the differential digital data stream, a memory element for storing an average of the first and second detected peak signals during rich data patterns, an error signal selector for error signal selection, and a regulator for negative feedback of a selected error signal. The selected error signal is either the average of the detected peak signals stored on the memory element minus the signal at the output of the first peak detector, or the signal at the output of the second peak detector minus the average of the detected peak signals stored on the memory element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an equalizer filter for compensating a received distorted signal for frequency dependent signal modifications introduced by a transmission channel, the received signal having an amplitude. The filter comprises at least one amplifying compensation stage having a gain and a saturation level, at least one limiting amplifier, and gain control means for controlling the gain of the at least one amplifying compensation stage, the gain control means comprising at least one comparator circuit comparing filtered input and output signals of the limiting amplifier, the at least one comparator circuit comprising a bias current source. The bias current source is adapted to deliver a variable current.

Abstract: A method for measuring time of flight of radiation comprises emitting modulated radiation in response to a first modulation signal, projecting the modulated radiation onto a scene, receiving radiation, the received radiation comprising a first portion being the modulated radiation reflected by the scene and a second portion being background radiation, converting the received radiation into a signal on a conversion node, the signal on the conversion node having a first and a second signal component, the first signal component being indicative of the background radiation and the second signal component being dependent on the reflected modulated radiation, and determining the time of flight of the radiation based on the second signal component. A corresponding device is also provided.

Abstract: A receiver for digital data connects to a preceding signal path and the digital data has a lower to upper data frequency range. The receiver includes a received signal input terminal connected to a higher frequency gain circuit that shows highest transfer amplitude at the upper data frequency within the lower to upper data frequency range where the signal has been attenuated in its higher frequency components in the preceding signal path and providing an amplified signal at an amplified signal output terminal. The receiver further includes a latching circuit with two threshold levels, the latching circuit is connected with an input terminal to the amplified signal output terminal and an output terminal providing a digital output signal.

Abstract: A method for measuring time of flight of radiation includes emitting modulated radiation in response to a first modulation signal, projecting the modulated radiation onto a scene, receiving radiation, the received radiation comprising a first portion being the modulated radiation reflected by the scene and a second portion being background radiation, converting the received radiation into a signal on a conversion node, the signal on the conversion node having a first and second signal component, the first signal component being indicative of the background radiation and the second signal component being dependent on the reflected modulated radiation, and determining the time of light of the radiation based on the second signal component. A corresponding device is also provided.

Abstract: A device emits radiation at a predetermined wavelength. The device includes a light-emitting structure which generates the radiation. The device further includes at least one reflective edge in radiative communication with the light-emitting structure, the reflective edge having a dielectric portion. The device further includes at least one electrical contact extending through the dielectric portion of the reflective edge, the contact in electrical communication with the light-emitting structure.

Abstract: A multistage equalizer filter (100) is presented for compensating a received distorted signal having an amplitude for frequency dependent signal modifications introduced by a transmission channel. The filter (100) comprises at least one amplifying compensation stage (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) having a gain and a saturation level, the gain being monotonically rising for at least a last decade in frequency below an upper data frequency of the received signal, and a gain control means (125) for controlling the gain of the amplifying compensation stage (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) such that the amplitude of the received signal amplified in the at least one amplifying compensation stage (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) remains below the saturation level of the amplifying compensation stage (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d). The gain may be regulated by separately regulating low frequency gain, mid-frequency gain and higher frequency gain for each of the at least one amplifying compensation stages (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d).

Abstract: The present invention is related to an adaptive equalizer comprising multiple tuning circuits that generate tuning signals. Each tuning signal can typically induce higher frequency gain up to a limited level, e.g. +5 dB, at the upper data frequency for compensation of high frequency losses in the connected transmission channel. Several tuning signals can tune one adaptive amplifying compensation stage. In its adaptive amplifying compensation stage the tuning signal can generate through its tuning function, non-linear small-signal and large-signal transfer behaviour. However, by limiting the amount of higher frequency gain to maximum +8 dB per tuning function, and by having only one tuning function active at a time the resulting deterministic fitter remains tolerable. Several adaptive amplifying compensation stages introducing non-linear effects in the compensation behaviour and their tuning functions are disclosed. Especially at low power supply voltage the merits of the present invention become apparent.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an adaptive equalizer comprising: an equalizer filter (32) for filtering a distorted signal from a communication channel, having a data input (30) for receiving said distorted signal, a feedback signal input for a feedback control signal, and which generates an output signal at an output node (35); circuitry (46) for processing said output signal and generating said feedback control signal, the circuitry comprising a first means (38) for measuring a short-term-amplitude signal of said output signal, a second means (38) for measuring a long-term-amplitude signal of said output signal, a comparator means (43) that compares said short-term-amplitude signal and said long-term-amplitude signal and that determines the evolution of said feedback control signal, arranged such that said distorted signal is compensated for its higher frequency attenuation in said communication channel.

Abstract: A multistage equalizer filter is presented that, in case of over-compensation leads to an acceptable low level of additional jitter. It has non-saturating data-nodes and output nodes in each of the amplifying compensation stages, even in the envisaged situations of overcompensation where acceptable additional jitter is specified. Up to an upper data frequency, the transfer function of each of the amplifying compensation stages is increasing at least for the last frequency decade. A special embodiment for implementing these conditions uses replica biasing allowing process variations and temperature variations to be taken into account. An auto-gain structure increases the robustness even further, and especially an auto-gain function driving the gain of all amplifying compensation stages in parallel is advised to be implemented. In this way, several types of equalizer filters can be designed, including fixed, programmable and self-adaptive ones, featuring the tuning tolerance due to allowed overcompensation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel photo-detector structure and method whereby light is detected in a semiconductor substrate. Through the use of a small current of majority carriers an electrical field is created that directs photo-generated minority carriers towards a detection region. In this way, a large sensitive area 34 for a detector can be designed with a detection region having low junction area and low associated detector capacitance, thus enhancing output signal to noise ratio and/or speed of attached readout circuits. Simultaneously, the assistant majority current can sweep the minority carriers from deep within the substrate towards the detection region, thus improving the overall detector sensitivity. By making the majority current reconfigurable, a photonic mixer structure with two or more detection regions can be conceived, whereby the direction of the applied current will determine in an efficient way to which detection region the photo-generated minority carriers will be directed.

Abstract: A method for measuring time of flight of radiation includes emitting modulated radiation in response to a first modulation signal, projecting the modulated radiation onto a scene, receiving radiation, the received radiation comprising a first portion being the modulated radiation reflected by the scene and a second portion being background radiation, converting the received radiation into a signal on a conversion node, the signal on the conversion node having a first and second signal component, the first signal component being indicative of the background radiation and the second signal component being dependent on the reflected modulated radiation, and determining the time of light of the radiation based on the second signal component. A corresponding device is also provided.

Abstract: A device emits radiation at a predetermined wavelength. The device includes a light-emitting diode (LED) which generates the radiation. The device further includes at least one edge having a substantially random diffraction grating structure in radiative communication with the LED.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel photo-detector structure and method whereby light is detected in a semiconductor substrate. Through the use of a small current of majority carriers an electrical field is created that directs photo-generated minority carriers towards a detection region. In this way, a large sensitive area 34 for a detector can be designed with a detection region having low junction area and low associated detector capacitance, thus enhancing output signal to noise ratio and/or speed of attached readout circuits. Simultaneously, the assistant majority current can sweep the minority carriers from deep within the substrate towards the detection region, thus improving the overall detector sensitivity. By making the majority current reconfigurable, a photonic mixer structure with two or more detection regions can be conceived, whereby the direction of the applied current will determine in an efficient way to which detection region the photo-generated minority carriers will be directed.

Abstract: A method of texturing a surface of a substrate, includes providing a substrate, and distributing separate particles of an overlayer material in a substantially random pattern over at least a part of a surface of the substrate. The substantially random pattern of separate particles is used as a mask for a subsequent processing of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a receiver for digital data for connection to a preceeding signal path, said digital data having a lower to upper data frequency range, comprising •A received signal input terminal connected to a higher frequency gain circuit that shows highest transfer amplitude at said upper data frequency within said lower to upper data frequency range where the signal has been attenuated in its higher frequency components in said preceding signal path and providing an amplified signal at an amplified signal output terminal; and •a latching circuit with two threshold levels, said latching structure being connected with an input terminal to said amplified signal output terminal and an output terminal providing a digital output signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to disclose a socket that is easy in use for optoelectrical interconnection. The socket of the invention can be handled as a compact device that allows the interconnection between electrical signals and external apparatus for transmitting the optical signals, preferably via a high density of optical channels. The socket of the invention has features and markers for attachment and alignment of optical transfer media such as optical fibers, optical fiber bundles and optical imaging fiber bundles. The alignment features and markers allow to align the optical transfer media to the connection for electrical signals. The markers can be integrated in or can be provided on a fiber optic face plate substrate forming part of the socket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to radiation, preferably light emitting, devices with a high radiation emission efficiency and to fabricating these as small devices in an array of such devices. In one embodiment, the emitting devices can be placed in dense arrays. In another embodiment, outcoupling efficiency of the devices is improved, which leads to a reduced power consumption for a given radiation output power. In another embodiment, the speed of the radiation is increased, hence the serial bandwidth per optical channel is increased. The invention further relates to light emitting devices that exhibit uniform radiation emission characteristics.