Abstract: This document describes curved image sensors capable of sensing light from a monocentric lens. This curved image sensor receives light focused at a curved focal surface and then provides electric signals from this curved image sensor to a planar computing chip, such as a CMOS chip. By so doing, the higher image quality, smaller size, and often smaller weight of monocentric lenses can be gained while using generally high-quality, low-cost planar chips.

Abstract: Methods and system are described for cancelling interference in a microphone system. A positive bias voltage is applied to a first microphone diaphragm and a negative bias voltage is applied to a second microphone diaphragm. The diaphragms are configured to exhibit substantially the same mechanical deflection in response to acoustic pressures received by the microphone system. A differential output signal is produced by combining a positively-biased output signal from the first microphone diaphragm and a negatively-biased output signal from the second microphone diaphragm. This combining cancels common-mode interferences that are exhibited in both the positively-biased output signal and the negatively-biased output signal.

Abstract: This document describes curved image sensors capable of sensing light from a monocentric lens. This curved image sensor receives light focused at a curved focal surface and then provides electric signals from this curved image sensor to a planar computing chip, such as a CMOS chip. By so doing, the higher image quality, smaller size, and often smaller weight of monocentric lenses can be gained while using generally high-quality, low-cost planar chips.

Abstract: This document describes MEMS-released curved image sensors capable of sensing light from a monocentric lens. This MEMS-released curved image sensor receives light focused on a curved focal surface by releasing a photodetector side of a computing and sensing wafer, such as a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. This releasing is effective to allow the photodetector side to conform to the curved focal surface of the monocentric lens. By so doing, the wider field of view, smaller size, and often smaller weight of monocentric lenses can be gained while using generally high-quality, low-cost computing and sensing wafers by processing these wafers to give them a curved surface at which to sense light from a monocentric lens.

Abstract: Methods and system are described for cancelling interference in a microphone system. A positive bias voltage is applied to a first microphone diaphragm and a negative bias voltage is applied to a second microphone diaphragm. The diaphragms are configured to exhibit substantially the same mechanical deflection in response to acoustic pressures received by the microphone system. A differential output signal is produced by combining a positively-biased output signal from the first microphone diaphragm and a negatively-biased output signal from the second microphone diaphragm. This combining cancels common-mode interferences that are exhibited in both the positively-biased output signal and the negatively-biased output signal.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone. The MEMS microphone includes a substrate, a transducer support that includes or supports a transducer, a housing, and an acoustic channel. The transducer support resides on the substrate. The housing surrounds the transducer support and includes an acoustic aperture. The acoustic channel couples the acoustic aperture to the transducer, and isolates the transducer from an interior area of the MEMS microphone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a bias voltage and gain of the microphone to account for variations in a thickness of a gap between a movable membrane and a stationary backplate in a MEMS microphone due to the manufacturing process. The microphone is exposed to acoustic pressures of a first magnitude and a sensitivity of the microphone is evaluated according to a predetermined sensitivity protocol. The bias voltage of the microphone is adjusted when the microphone does not meet the sensitivity protocol. The microphone is then exposed to acoustic waves of a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude and a stability of the microphone is evaluated according to a predetermined stability protocol. The bias voltage and the gain of the microphone are adjusted when the microphone does not meet the stability protocol.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing an asymmetric sensor array for capturing images. These techniques and apparatuses enable better resolution, depth of color, or low-light sensitivity than many conventional sensor arrays.

Abstract: Extending a microphone interface. One microphone interface extension includes a controller, a parent microphone, and a child microphone. The controller outputs a controller clock signal. The parent microphone receives the controller clock signal and generates a first data signal. The child microphone generates a second data signal and outputs the second data signal to the first parent microphone. The parent microphone receives the second data signal from the child microphone and outputs a combined data signal to the controller based on the first data signal and the second data signal. The parent microphone outputs the combined data signal to the controller on a phase of a microphone clock signal derived from the controller clock signal.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling and adjusting a low-frequency response of a MEMS microphone. The system comprising the MEMS microphone, a controller, and a memory. The MEMS microphone includes a membrane and a plurality of air vents. The membrane configured such that acoustic pressures acting on the membrane cause movement of the membrane. The plurality of air vents are positioned proximate to the membrane. Each air vent of the plurality of air vents are configured to be selectively positioned in an open position or a closed position. The controller determines an integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed positioned, and generate a signal that causes the integer number of air vents to be placed in the closed position and causes any remaining air vents to be placed in the open position.

Abstract: Methods and system are described for cancelling interference in a microphone system. A positive bias voltage is applied to a first microphone diaphragm and a negative bias voltage is applied to a second microphone diaphragm. The diaphragms are configured to exhibit substantially the same mechanical deflection in response to acoustic pressures received by the microphone system. A differential output signal is produced by combining a positively-biased output signal from the first microphone diaphragm and a negatively-biased output signal from the second microphone diaphragm. This combining cancels common-mode interferences that are exhibited in both the positively-biased output signal and the negatively-biased output signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adjusting a bias voltage and gain of the microphone to account for variations in a thickness of a gap between a movable membrane and a stationary backplate in a MEMS microphone due to the manufacturing process. The microphone is exposed to acoustic pressures of a first magnitude and a sensitivity of the microphone is evaluated according to a predetermined sensitivity protocol. The bias voltage of the microphone is adjusted when the microphone does not meet the sensitivity protocol. The microphone is then exposed to acoustic waves of a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude and a stability of the microphone is evaluated according to a predetermined stability protocol. The bias voltage and the gain of the microphone are adjusted when the microphone does not meet the stability protocol.

Abstract: A MEMS microphone. The MEMS microphone includes a substrate, a transducer support that includes or supports a transducer, a housing, and an acoustic channel. The transducer support resides on the substrate. The housing surrounds the transducer support and includes an acoustic aperture. The acoustic channel couples the acoustic aperture to the transducer, and isolates the transducer from an interior area of the MEMS microphone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for changing the frequency response of a filter, such as a hybrid circuit. One or more tunable components are adjustable to provide the hybrid circuit with a frequency response corresponding to the characteristics of an associated communications network, such as a digital subscriber link.

Abstract: A programmable gain amplifier (10) has a differential input (12-13), a differential output (16-17), and a plurality of enable inputs (21, 31-34). The amplifier includes a plurality of transconductor sections (26-29), which each have input nodes coupled to the differential input, output nodes coupled to the differential output, and an enable node coupled to a respective enable signal. The transconductor sections have different gains, which are respective powers of two. Each transconductor section includes a transconductor circuit (51, 56) which is coupled in series with at least one current mirror circuit (52-53, 57-58). Each transconductor circuit has a transistor (121) with a class A quiescent current that is proportional to the corresponding gain, the transistor being sized to achieve an optimum current density for its quiescent current.

Abstract: A programmable gain amplifier (10) has a differential input (12-13), a differential output (16-17), and a plurality of enable inputs (21, 31-34). The amplifier includes a plurality of transconductor sections (26-29), which each have input nodes coupled to the differential input, output nodes coupled to the differential output, and an enable node coupled to a respective enable signal. The transconductor sections have different gains, which are respective powers of two. Each transconductor section includes a transconductor circuit (51, 56) which is coupled in series with at least one current mirror circuit (52-53, 57-58). Each transconductor circuit has a transistor (121) with a class A quiescent current that is proportional to the corresponding gain, the transistor being sized to achieve an optimum current density for its quiescent current.