Abstract: A three-dimensional architecture chip includes a base chip including a unit integrated thereon and configured to perform electrical signal operations. An active layer is separately fabricated from the base layer. The active layer includes a component to service the unit of the base chip. The active layer is bonded to the base chip such that the component is aligned in vertical proximity of the unit. An electrical connection connects the unit to the component through vertical layers of at least one of the base chip and the active layer.

Abstract: An IC structure having reduced power loss and/or noise includes two or more active semiconductor regions stacked in a substantially vertical dimension, each active semiconductor region including an active layer. The IC structure further includes two or more voltage supply planes, each of the voltage supply planes corresponding to a respective one of the active layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for data transfer using radio frequency (RF) energy, includes a first software application that sources and links the data transfer, a second software application for controlling a communications hardware for the data transfer, a hardware device for formatting the data and gaining access to a media, and a physical layer interface hardware, coupled to selectively receive a signal representing the data from the hardware device and to provide an output to the hardware device, for sending and receiving a radio frequency communication. The second software application for controlling the communications hardware uses a target data transmission media of infrared light.

Abstract: A data framer capable of supporting at least two different data framing protocols potentially present in a source data stream includes two or more framing circuits and a controller coupled to the framing circuits. Each of the framing circuits is configured to extract user data from the source data stream in accordance with a different data framing protocol associated with the respective framing circuit. The controller is operative to: (i) receive the source data stream and automatically determine which of the at least two different data framing protocols corresponds to the source data stream; and (ii) route the source data stream to one of the first framing circuit and the second framing circuit in response to a match between the determined data framing protocol of the source data stream and one of the first and second data framing protocols.

Abstract: A semiconductor device (and method for forming the device) includes a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer formed on a substrate surface. An isolation trench in the wafer surface surrounds alternating p-type trenches and n-type trenches and electrically isolates the device from the substrate, thereby allowing the device to be effectively utilized as a differential detector in an optoelectronic circuit.

Abstract: A circuit (and method) for correcting offset voltage in high-gain differential amplifier chains includes a detector element for detecting an offset voltage and a current mirror for generating an offset correction voltage. The circuit further has a current switch which outputs the offset correction voltage into the correct arm of the amplifier chain and a logic element which clocks the circuit, inputs a signal from the detector element and outputs a signal to the current switch.

Abstract: A data framer capable of supporting at least two different data framing protocols potentially present in a source data stream includes two or more framing circuits and a controller coupled to the framing circuits. Each of the framing circuits is configured to extract user data from the source data stream in accordance with a different data framing protocol associated with the respective framing circuit. The controller is operative to: (i) receive the source data stream and automatically determine which of the at least two different data framing protocols corresponds to the source data stream; and (ii) route the source data stream to one of the first framing circuit and the second framing circuit in response to a match between the determined data framing protocol of the source data stream and one of the first and second data framing protocols.

Abstract: An integrated circuit-compatible photo detector is disclosed which is particularly compatible with BiCMOS fabrication processes. In a first aspect, the photo detector is formed as a lateral phototransistor having a semiconductor substrate, a base structure formed as a first impurity region in the substrate, an emitter structure formed as a second impurity region in the first impurity region, and a collector structure formed by the substrate and by a pair of third and fourth impurity regions in the substrate on opposite sides of the first and second impurity regions. An emitter contact is electrically connected to the second impurity region, while a pair of collector contacts are electrically connected to the third and fourth impurity regions and to each other. An anti-reflective coating is applied to at least the base structure.

Abstract: An automatic and adaptive threshold setting circuit for an IR receiver is capable of operating over a broad range of frequencies and power levels. The adaptive threshold circuit allows a very sensitive threshold in environments where little sunlight or other ambient light reaches the receiver, but which will increase the threshold of the receiver when large amounts of ambient light fall on the photo diode. The circuit senses the current flowing through the reverse biased IR photo detector due to ambient light levels. This current measurement is used to adjust the sensitivity of the receiver.

Abstract: An optical fiber transmission apparatus for limiting the optical modes which were emitted from a source in such a way to impinge on an optical fiber to extract a high bandwidth from the fiber. The apparatus includes a lens or aperture to control the angle and distribution of light launched into the fiber. The apparatus achieves reproducibly high bandwidths in large core step-index optical fibers of short transmission length distances. The lens or aperture introduces light from the source into the fiber at an angle at which substantially no intermode delay occurs as the light propagates down the fiber. An integral fiber optic coupling assembly that includes an optical electronic component receptacle, the lens and/or aperture, and an optical fiber connector interface which provides low cost easy to manufacture assembly is also disclosed. A unitary plastic housing provides the function of a lens and mechanical reference or locating features for the light source and optical fiber.

Abstract: A method for making an optical fiber transmission apparatus for limiting the optical modes which were emitted from a source in such a way to impinge on an optical fiber to extract a high bandwidth from the fiber. The apparatus includes a lens or aperture to control the angle and distribution of light launched into the fiber. The apparatus achieves reproducibly high bandwidths in large core step-index optical fibers of short transmission length distances. The lens or aperture introduces light from the source into the fiber at an angle at which substantially no intermode delay occurs as the light propagates down the fiber. An integral fiber optic coupling assembly that includes an optical electronic component receptacle, the lens and/or aperture, and an optical fiber connector interface which provides low cost easy to manufacture assembly is also disclosed. A unitary plastic housing provides the function of a lens and mechanical reference or locating features for the light source and optical fiber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing wires bonded between chip contact pads and substrate contact pads using an alternating fluid flow is described. The fluid flow is preferably air. A nozzle having a plurality of air jets within a chip accommodating cavity is disposed over the chip to enclose the chip contact pads, the substrate contact pads and the wires bonded therebetween. Air is forced through the plurality of jets to cause an alternating clockwise and counter clockwise air flow which bends the plurality of wires back and forth until they fatigue at the contact points to the chip contact pads in a substrate contact pads which results in the wires being substantially simultaneously severed therefrom. The nozzle has an aperture out through which the air escapes carrying the severed wires therewith for collection in a filter.

Abstract: An electronic device packaging structure is described wherein an electronic device is electrically connected to a substrate wherein the electronic device subtends a non-normal angle with respect to the substrate. In a more specific embodiment, a plurality of electronic devices are stacked at offset with respect to each other to expose contact locations on the surface of each electronic device at an edge of each electronic device to form a stepped surface exposing a plurality of electronic device contact locations. This surface is disposed against a substrate having a plurality of contact locations thereon. The electronic device contact locations can be electrically interconnected to the substrate contact locations by solder mounds or alternatively by a cylindrical shaped elastomeric body having metallization bands with a spacing corresponding to the electronic device contact locations.

Abstract: A system for testing chips uses a patterned tape having a patterned array of cantilevered contact leads. The tape serves as an interface between the chip under test and a testing unit by providing conductive leads from the I/O terminals on the chip to an off-chip measuring system. The leads on the array may have balls, tips or other shapes on the end to provide contact with the terminals and compensate for height differences. The tape is a single frame or has a series of arrays each positioned around an opening where the chip will be located when a particular pattern is positioned over that chip for test. The pattern on the tape may be the same array or a different array. The tape is indexed to a new pattern when the old one is damaged or no longer needed. Alignment with the chip is by optical sensing and physical pin movement. The tape may have a flap protruding into an aperture and deflectable to provide for planar contact of the leads to the device under test.

Abstract: An interconnecting and mounting technology involving the use of elastomeric properties. A mounting member grips, in a notch, the edge of a device supporting planar member with the device conductors brought to that edge. Conductors are provided at the surface of the mounting member, contacting the device conductors in the notch, and connecting with external wiring conductors on an external wiring planar member. The external wiring to device conductor interconnecting conductors can be on flex tape including elastomeric contact adaptation. Retention force for mounting member compression and mounting member to external wiring planar member retention is provided.

Abstract: An optical bus for interconnecting electronic devices. The bus has a substrate with through-holes therein. An optically conductive material is disposed on one side of the substrate. The material fills the through-holes and forms a layer of predetermined thickness on this side of the substrate. In the outer surface of this layer there are facets or angled regions. The surface and facets are optically reflective. Cards or modules are optically connected by means of optical connectors to the through-holes on the opposite side of the substrate. Light emitted by the connector travels to the associated faceted surface from which it reflects towards other faceted surfaces from which it is partially transmitted and partially reflected to another connector. The arrangement permits optical communication between a plurality of electronic devices.

Abstract: A direct optical connector (DOC) comprised of first and second members, each including a plurality of light emitting and light detecting locations, operative in combination with energy transfer media to form direct optical connections between the light emitting locations and the light detecting locations, wherein said first and second members are adapted for reclosable connection to each other whereupon the light emitting locations on one member are aligned with the light detecting locations on the other member. The first and second members of the preferred DOC are modular. Alternative forms of energy transfer media are used in various embodiments of the invention including lenslet arrays, imaging fiber plates (IFPs), and energy transfer fiber plates (ETFPs). These media have differing alignment criteria, differing degrees of immunity from crosstalk, differing degrees of transfer efficiency, different manufacturing costs, etc.

Abstract: A hitch feeder for a TAB tape is described which comprises: a stationary jas assembly having opposing jaws for gripping edges of the tape when closed, and not gripping the edges when open; a movable gripping assembly which includes a lower movable gripper positioned below the tape and an upper movable gripper positioned above the tape. The lower and upper movable grippers may be moved both towards and away from the tape, each said movable gripper gripping the tape when moved towards it and releasing the tape when moved away from it. Both grippers are physically clear of any features on the tape when moved away from it. A tape feeder is provided for reciprocally moving the movable gripper assembly along the tape length, both towards and away from the stationary jaw assembly.