Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) receive circuit is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment, the RF receive circuit includes a mixer configured to receive an RF input signal to down-convert the RF input signal into a base-band or intermediate frequency (IF) band, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and a signal processing chain coupled between the mixer and the ADC. The signal processing chain includes at least two circuit nodes. The RF receive circuit further includes an oscillator circuit that is configured to generate a test signal. The oscillator circuit is coupled to the signal processing chain and is configured to selectively feed the oscillator signal into one of the at least two circuit nodes.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a switched capacitor circuit includes pre-charging a capacitor using a voltage buffer having an input coupled to an input node of the switched capacitor circuit and an output coupled to the capacitor, coupling the input node to the capacitor, wherein a first charge is collected on the capacitor, and integrating the first charge using an integrator.

Abstract: System and method for detecting a glitch is disclosed. An embodiment comprises increasing a bias voltage of a first capacitor, sampling an input signal of a first plate of the first capacitor with a time period, mixing the input signal with the sampled input signal, and comparing the mixed signal with a reference signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a charge pump includes providing a first programmable voltage to a plurality of clock generators having outputs coupled to first nodes of corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors, and selecting a second node of one capacitor from one of the corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors. The clock generators produce a plurality of clock signals having amplitudes proportional to the first programmable voltage.

Abstract: System and method for detecting a glitch is disclosed. An embodiment comprises increasing a bias voltage of a first capacitor, sampling an input signal of a first plate of the first capacitor with a time period, mixing the input signal with the sampled input signal, and comparing the mixed signal with a reference signal.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes determining an amplitude of an input signal provided by a capacitive signal source, compressing the input signal in an analog domain to form a compressed analog signal based on the determined amplitude, converting the compressed analog signal to a compressed digital signal, and decompressing the digital signal in a digital domain to form a decompressed digital signal. In an embodiment, compressing the analog signal includes adjusting a first gain of an amplifier coupled to the capacitive signal source, and decompressing the digital signal comprises adjusting a second gain of a digital processing block.

Abstract: A packaged MEMS device and a method of calibrating a packaged MEMS device are disclosed. In one embodiment a packaged MEMS device comprises a carrier, a MEMS device disposed on the substrate, a signal processing device disposed on the carrier, a validation circuit disposed on the carrier; and an encapsulation disposed on the carrier, wherein the encapsulation encapsulates the MEMS device, the signal processing device and the memory element.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes determining an amplitude of an input signal provided by a capacitive signal source, compressing the input signal in an analog domain to form a compressed analog signal based on the determined amplitude, converting the compressed analog signal to a compressed digital signal, and decompressing the digital signal in a digital domain to form a decompressed digital signal. In an embodiment, compressing the analog signal includes adjusting a first gain of an amplifier coupled to the capacitive signal source, and decompressing the digital signal comprises adjusting a second gain of a digital processing block.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiment, a method includes amplifying signal provided by a microphone to form an amplified signal. The method also includes converting the amplified signal into a frequency-based signal having a frequency dependent on an amplitude of the amplified signal. The frequency-based signal is converted into a pulse code modulated bitstream.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes a first voltage follower device, a second voltage follower device, and a first capacitor. The first voltage follower device includes an input terminal configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and the second voltage follower device includes an input terminal coupled to the first output terminal of the first voltage follower device, and an output terminal coupled to a second output terminal of the first voltage follower device. Furthermore, first capacitor has a first end coupled to a first output terminal of the first voltage follower device, and a second end configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method includes determining an amplitude of an input signal provided by a capacitive signal source, compressing the input signal in an analog domain to form a compressed analog signal based on the determined amplitude, converting the compressed analog signal to a compressed digital signal, and decompressing the digital signal in a digital domain to form a decompressed digital signal. In an embodiment, compressing the analog signal includes adjusting a first gain of an amplifier coupled to the capacitive signal source, and decompressing the digital signal comprises adjusting a second gain of a digital processing block.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a charge pump includes providing a first programmable voltage to a plurality of clock generators having outputs coupled to first nodes of corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors, and selecting a second node of one capacitor from one of the corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors. The clock generators produce a plurality of clock signals having amplitudes proportional to the first programmable voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes an impedance converter having an input node configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and an adjustable capacitive network having a first node configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source and a second node coupled to an output node of the impedance converter.

Abstract: A packaged MEMS device and a method of calibrating a packaged MEMS device are disclosed. In one embodiment a packaged MEMS device comprises a carrier, a MEMS device disposed on the substrate, a signal processing device disposed on the carrier, a validation circuit disposed on the carrier; and an encapsulation disposed on the carrier, wherein the encapsulation encapsulates the MEMS device, the signal processing device and the memory element.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a charge pump includes providing a first programmable voltage to a plurality of clock generators having outputs coupled to first nodes of corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors, and selecting a second node of one capacitor from one of the corresponding groups of charge pump capacitors. The clock generators produce a plurality of clock signals having amplitudes proportional to the first programmable voltage.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source to form an amplified signal, detecting a peak voltage of the amplified signal, and adjusting a controllable impedance coupled to an output of the capacitive signal source in response to detecting the peak voltage. The controllable impedance is adjusted to a value inversely proportional to the detected peak voltage.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a system for amplifying a signal provided by a capacitive signal source includes an impedance converter having an input node configured to be coupled to a first terminal of the capacitive signal source, and an adjustable capacitive network having a first node configured to be coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive signal source and a second node coupled to an output node of the impedance converter.

Abstract: A packaged MEMS device and a method of calibrating a packaged MEMS device are disclosed. In one embodiment a packaged MEMS device comprises a carrier, a MEMS device disposed on the substrate, a signal processing device disposed on the carrier, a validation circuit disposed on the carrier; and an encapsulation disposed on the carrier, wherein the encapsulation encapsulates the MEMS device, the signal processing device and the memory element.

Abstract: System and method for detecting a glitch is disclosed. An embodiment comprises increasing a bias voltage of a first capacitor, sampling an input signal of a first plate of the first capacitor with a time period, mixing the input signal with the sampled input signal, and comparing the mixed signal with a reference signal.