Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a voltage regulator is provided, comprising: a core and an output stage configured to be coupled to the core, wherein said output stage comprises a set of output stage units; a switch unit comprising a plurality of controllable switches, wherein said controllable switches are configured to couple subsets of the set of output stage units to the core. In accordance with a second aspect of the present disclosure, a corresponding method of configuring a voltage regulator is conceived.

Abstract: A linear voltage regulator includes a converter circuit that provides a serial bitstream having a pulse density that is indicative of a difference between a regulated voltage of the linear voltage regulator and a reference voltage. The linear voltage regulator also includes a digital to analog converter circuit that includes an input to receive the serial bitstream. The digital to analog converter circuit includes an averager circuit that produces an output signal to control a voltage of a control terminal of a power transistor of the linear voltage regulator for regulating the regulated voltage based on the pulse density of the serial bitstream.

Abstract: A power selector for switching power supplies is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement provides power to a circuit by selecting between a first supply and a second supply. The first power circuit provides a regulated level of power to the integrated circuit (IC) having an operating power level specified as a circuit operating level for providing power to the IC. The second power circuit provides power to the IC. A power-signal arbitration circuit for assessing VDDREG and whether the second power circuit is to provide power to the IC as an alternative to the first power circuit providing power to the IC is based on a threshold power level indicative of the specified operating power level and the regulated level of power. Based on the power-signal arbitration circuit's assessment, providing an arbitration-control signal to the power-signal switching circuit.

Abstract: A power selector for switching power supplies is implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present disclosure, an arrangement provides power to a circuit by selecting between a first supply and a second supply. The first power circuit provides a regulated level of power to the integrated circuit (IC) having an operating power level specified as a circuit operating level for providing power to the IC. The second power circuit provides power to the IC. A power-signal arbitration circuit for assessing VDDREG and whether the second power circuit is to provide power to the IC as an alternative to the first power circuit providing power to the IC is based on a threshold power level indicative of the specified operating power level and the regulated level of power. Based on the power-signal arbitration circuit's assessment, providing an arbitration-control signal to the power-signal switching circuit.

Abstract: A micromechanical actuator includes a shaft and at least a first driving mechanism. The shaft and the first driving mechanism are connected by a first joint.

Abstract: A cost-effective technology for implementing a micromechanical component is provided, whose layer construction includes at least one diaphragm on the upper side and at least one counter-element, a hollow space being formed between the diaphragm and the counter-element, and the counter-element having at least one through hole to a back volume. This back volume is formed by a sealed additional hollow space underneath the counter-element and is connected to the upper-side of the layer construction by at least one pressure equalization opening. This component structure permits the integration of the micromechanical sensor functions and evaluation electronics on one chip and is additionally suitable for mass production.

Abstract: A capping technology is provided in which, despite the fact that structures which are surrounded by a silicon-germanium filling layer are exposed using ClF3 etching through micropores in the silicon cap, an etching attack on the silicon cap is prevented, namely, either by particularly selective (approximately 10,000:1 or higher) adjustment of the etching process itself, or by using the finding that the oxide of a germanium-rich layer, in contrast to oxidized porous silicon, is not stable but instead may be easily dissolved, to protect the silicon cap.

Abstract: A capping technology is provided in which, despite the fact that structures which are surrounded by a silicon-germanium filling layer are exposed using ClF3 etching through micropores in the silicon cap, an etching attack on the silicon cap is prevented, namely, either by particularly selective (approximately 10,000:1 or higher) adjustment of the etching process itself, or by using the finding that the oxide of a germanium-rich layer, in contrast to oxidized porous silicon, is not stable but instead may be easily dissolved, to protect the silicon cap.

Abstract: A cost-effective technology for implementing a micromechanical component is provided, whose layer construction includes at least one diaphragm on the upper side and at least one counter-element, a hollow space being formed between the diaphragm and the counter-element, and the counter-element having at least one through hole to a back volume. This back volume is formed by a sealed additional hollow space underneath the counter-element and is connected to the upper-side of the layer construction by at least one pressure equalization opening. This component structure permits the integration of the micromechanical sensor functions and evaluation electronics on one chip and is additionally suitable for mass production.

Abstract: A micromechanical actuator includes a shaft and at least a first driving mechanism. The shaft and the first driving mechanism are connected by a first joint.