Abstract: The present description concerns a switch based on a phase-change material comprising: a region of the phase-change material; a heating element electrically insulated from the region of the phase-change material; and one or a plurality of pillars extending in the region of the phase-change material, the pillar(s) being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than that of the phase-change material.

Abstract: The present description concerns a switch based on a phase-change material comprising: a region of the phase-change material; a heating element electrically insulated from the region of the phase-change material; and one or a plurality of pillars extending in the region of the phase-change material, the pillar(s) being made of a material having a thermal conductivity greater than that of the phase-change material.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to conductive structures that may be utilized in a radio-frequency (RF) switch. The embodiments of the conductive structures of the present disclosure are formed to balance the “on” resistance (Ron) and the “off” capacitance (Coff) such that the Ron·Coff value is optimized such that the conductive structures are relatively efficient as compared to conventional conductive structures within conventional RF switches. For example, the conductive structures include various metallization layers that are stacked on each other and spaced apart in a selected manner to balance the Ron and the Coff as to optimize the Ron·Coff figure of merit as a lower Ron·Coff is preferred.

Abstract: A continuous time digital signal processing (CT DSP) token includes a first signal indicating a change has occurred and a second signal indicating a direction of the change. An amplitude generation circuit operates to generate an amplitude value x in response to the token. A power estimation circuit processes the amplitude value x to generate a digital power signal in accordance with the formula: x2±2x+1.

Abstract: A continuous time digital signal processing (CT DSP) token includes a first signal indicating a change has occurred and a second signal indicating a direction of the change. An amplitude generation circuit operates to generate an amplitude value x in response to the token. A power estimation circuit processes the amplitude value x to generate a digital power signal in accordance with the formula: x2±2x+1.

Abstract: An integrated electronic device is supported by a substrate of a silicon on insulator type. At least one transistor is formed in and on a semiconductor film of the substrate. The transistor includes a drain region and a source region of a first conductivity type and a substrate (body) region of a second conductivity type lying under a gate region. An extension region laterally continues the substrate (body) region beyond the source and drain regions and borders, in contact with, the source region through a border region having the first conductivity type. This supports formation of an electrical connection of the source region and the substrate (body) region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a direct path block with an input and an output, and a feedback block with an input and an output, the input of the direct path block being adapted to receive a multi-channel input signal with a given frequency range and the output of the direct path block being adapted to output an output signal with a base band frequency range, the output of the direct path block being coupled to the input of the feedback block and the input of the direct path block being coupled to the output of the feedback block. The direct path block comprises a first transposing unit (4) adapted to transpose the input signal to the base band frequency range and the feedback block comprises a filtering unit (3) adapted to filter the transposed signal at the output of the direct path block, a second transposing unit (5) adapted to transpose the filtered signal to the given frequency range and to feed back the transposed signal at the input of the direct path block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a direct path block with an input and an output, and a feedback block with an input and an output, the input of the direct path block being adapted to receive a multi-channel input signal with a given frequency range and the output of the direct path block being adapted to output an output signal with a base band frequency range, the output of the direct path block being coupled to the input of the feedback block and the input of the direct path block being coupled to the output of the feedback block. The direct path block comprises a first transposing unit (4) adapted to transpose the input signal to the base band frequency range and the feedback block comprises a filtering unit (3) adapted to filter the transposed signal at the output of the direct path block, a second transposing unit (5) adapted to transpose the filtered signal to the given frequency range and to feed back the transposed signal at the input of the direct path block.

Abstract: A radio frequency stage comprises an analog multiplier cell, and an analog current routing cell coupled thereto. The analog multiplier cell includes an input for receiving an input current having a DC component and a radio frequency dynamic component, and a controllable current source for delivering a DC control current. A current multiplication circuit generates an output current having a radio frequency dynamic component equal to a product of the dynamic component of the input current times a multiplier coefficient dependent on a ratio between a value proportional to that of the DC control current and a value of the DC component of the input current. An output delivers the output current. The analog current routing cell includes an input coupled to the output of the analog multiplier cell. A controllable voltage source delivers a control voltage and a routing circuit for routing a part of the input current to the output of the analog routing cell as a function of the value of the control voltage.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a differential signal into a nondifferential signal comprising first and second inputs respectively receiving first and second components of a differential signal. The circuit comprises a single bipolar transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector. The transistor is biased so as to allow flowing of an emitter d.-c. bias current sufficient to allow a linear conversion of a differential RF signal, for example. Both components of the differential RF signal are respectively injected into the emitter and the base of the bipolar transistor so that a remarkably linear conversion is carried out by means of a very simple circuit. The circuit is particularly adapted to the realization of an integrated RF transmission chain.

Abstract: A radio frequency stage comprises an analog multiplier cell, and an analog current routing cell coupled thereto. The analog multiplier cell includes an input for receiving an input current having a DC component and a radio frequency dynamic component, and a controllable current source for delivering a DC control current. A current multiplication circuit generates an output current having a radio frequency dynamic component equal to a product of the dynamic component of the input current times a multiplier coefficient dependent on a ratio between a value proportional to that of the DC control current and a value of the DC component of the input current. An output delivers the output current. The analog current routing cell includes an input coupled to the output of the analog multiplier cell. A controllable voltage source delivers a control voltage and a routing circuit for routing a part of the input current to the output of the analog routing cell as a function of the value of the control voltage.

Abstract: A frequency transposition device is connected to a local main oscillator. The main oscillator is incorporated inside a main phase locked loop whereof the reference frequency is supplied by a voltage-controlled auxiliary oscillator, which is itself incorporated into an auxiliary phase locked loop. The reference frequency of the auxiliary phase locked loop is less than the frequency of the auxiliary oscillator for the main phase locked loop. The reference frequency of the main phase locked loop is less than the output frequency of the main oscillator, is greater than 10 times the frequency spacing of the channels reduced to the output frequency of the main oscillator, and is removed by a whole multiple of the send or receive frequency from at least the cut-off frequency of the main phase locked loop.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a differential signal into a nondifferential signal comprising first and second inputs respectively receiving first and second components of a differential signal. The circuit comprises a single bipolar transistor having an emitter, a base and a collector. The transistor is biased so as to allow flowing of an emitter d.-c. bias current sufficient to allow a linear conversion of a differential RF signal, for example. Both components of the differential RF signal are respectively injected into the emitter and the base of the bipolar transistor so that a remarkably linear conversion is carried out by means of a very simple circuit. The circuit is particularly adapted to the realization of an integrated RF transmission chain.

Abstract: The operation of a bipolar transistor is controlled comprising by producing a first voltage that is a product of a static collector current of the bipolar transistor times an emitter resistance. The first voltage is then compared to a predetermined reference voltage to produce a control signal. Current is then injected a base of the bipolar transistor in response to the control signal. In a specific implementation, the first voltage, which is a product of the static collector current (Ic) of the bipolar transistor times its emitter resistance (RE) , is slaved to a predetermined reference voltage (Vref) whose value is substantially equal, to within a tolerance, to 13 mV at a temperature at or about 27° C.

Abstract: The operation of a bipolar transistor is controlled comprising by producing a first voltage that is a product of a static collector current of the bipolar transistor times an emitter resistance. The first voltage is then compared to a predetermined reference voltage to produce a control signal. Current is then injected a base of the bipolar transistor in response to the control signal. In a specific implementation, the first voltage, which is a product of the static collector current (Ic) of the bipolar transistor times its emitter resistance (RE) , is slaved to a predetermined reference voltage (Vref) whose value is substantially equal, to within a tolerance, to 13 mV at a temperature at or about 27° C.

Abstract: A mixer including a stage for inputting a voltage signal to be shifted and a shift and output stage for providing frequency-shifted signals, a biasing network of the output stage including, between a high supply and a biasing node, a constant current source in parallel with an output element of a current mirror, an input element of which receives a bias order from the input stage.

Abstract: A mixer including a stage for inputting a voltage signal to be shifted and a shift and output stage for providing frequency-shifted signals, a biasing network of the output stage including, between a high supply and a biasing node, a constant current source in parallel with an output element of a current mirror, an input element of which receives a bias order from the input stage.