Abstract: Methods of and systems for balancing the capacitance of a common series capacitive circuit in a semiconductor-based sensor, such as a humidity sensor, are described. Relative humidity sensors can provide measurements via a series capacitive circuit including a humidity-sensitive dielectric separating a common top plate and first and second bottom plates associated with a first and second capacitor, Cx1 and Cx2. For proper operation, the common top plate should be in capacitive balance. Capacitive balance can be achieved by creating voids within and/or along the common top plate of the sensor. A system for creating voids can include a precision cutting instrument, a measuring device for enabling the measurement of capacitance of at least one of the common series capacitive circuit, Cx1 and Cx2, and power provided from a voltage source.

Abstract: Methods of and systems providing high reliability relative humidity sensors having integrated signal conditioning are described, providing a series capacitive circuit including a humidity-sensitive dielectric, a common top plate and first and second bottom plates associated with a first and second capacitor, respectively. Changes in humidity affect the humidity-sensitive dielectric thereby causing changes in the capacitive value of said series capacitive circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for generating an offset voltage utilized in generating angular position estimates is disclosed. A first bridge circuit comprising a first plurality of resistors is generally arranged in a bridge configuration, wherein the first plurality of resistors are coupled to a first amplifier, such that a first voltage having a sinusoidal component thereof is generated at an output of the first amplifier. A second bridge circuit comprising a second plurality of resistors can also be arranged in a bridge configuration, wherein the second plurality of resistors are coupled to a second amplifier, such that a second voltage having a cosine component thereof is generated at an output of the second amplifier. Additionally, an offset voltage amplifier circuit is generally coupled to the first bridge circuit and the second bridge circuit.

Abstract: Methods of and systems providing high reliability relative humidity sensors having integrated signal conditioning are described, providing a series capacitive circuit including a humidity-sensitive dielectric, a common top plate and first and second bottom plates associated with a first and second capacitor, respectively. Changes in humidity affect the humidity-sensitive dielectric thereby causing changes in the capacitive value of said series capacitive circuit.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for balancing the capacitance of a common series capacitive circuit in a semiconductor-based sensor, such as a humidity sensor, are described. Relative humidity sensors can provide measurements via a series capacitive circuit including a humidity-sensitive dielectric separating a common top plate and first and second bottom plates associated with a first and second capacitor, Cx1 and Cx2. For proper operation, the common top plate should be in capacitive balance. Capacitive balance can be achieved by creating voids within and/or along the common top plate of the sensor. A system for creating voids can include a precision cutting instrument, a measuring device for enabling the measurement of capacitance of at least one of the common series capacitive circuit, Cx1 and Cx2, and power provided from a voltage source.

Abstract: A noise reducing AM receiver has a receiving stage for receiving an AM signal of carrier frequency separated from that in an adjacent channel by a predetermined spacing and that may have a noise component. A detecting stage is coupled to the receiving stage for detecting at least a first portion of the received AM signal. A filter is coupled to the detecting stage for extracting a spectral component from at least a first portion of the received AM signal. A noise detector is coupled to the filter for detecting the presence of a predetermined amount of noise in the spectral component and for providing a blanking control signal in the presence of at least the predetermined amount of noise. A first noise blanker is responsive to the blanking control signal to process at least one portion of the received signal in response to the control signal to reduce the audibility of the noise component.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit is provided for use in conjunction with a Hall effect element in which the temperature compensating resistors, or epitaxial resistors, are not placed in the signal loop as portions of the feedback loops of amplifiers. The circuit therefore permits a higher degree of linearity and temperature compensation without inducing the problems that are normally caused by varying voltage potentials across the epitaxial resistors. One embodiment of the circuit also provides a means for clamping, or truncating the output voltage of the circuit to a preselected percentage of the supply voltage even though the supply voltage may vary during the operation of the device. The circuit utilizes several external trimmable resistors to perform final adjustment on the circuit in order to permit individual variations from component to component to be compensated.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit is provided for use in conjunction with a Hall effect element in which the temperature compensating resistors, or epitaxial resistors, are not placed in the signal loop as portions of the feedback loops of amplifiers. The circuit therefore permits a higher degree of linearity and temperature compensation without inducing the problems that are normally caused by varying voltage potentials across the epitaxial resistors. One embodiment of the circuit also provides a means for clamping, or truncating the output voltage of the circuit to a preselected percentage of the supply voltage even though the supply voltage may vary during the operation of the device. The circuit utilizes several external trimmable resistors to perform final adjustment on the circuit in order to permit individual variations from component to component to be compensated.

Abstract: A vehicle radio receiver circuit includes two antennas for mounting on the vehicle. The antennas are significantly less than one quarter of a wavelength in length at the desired frequency of operation, and the outputs of the antenna elements are coupled to two inputs of an FM circuit and two inputs of an AM circuit, which includes summing circuitry. The FM circuit has an FM output for providing a received FM signal, and the AM circuit has an output for providing an AM signal that includes a sum of signals derived from the outputs of the antennas.

Abstract: A structure is formed from two layers of material having opposite conductivity types. A first region is formed within the structure, and extends at least in part into a layer to be etched. A surface of the structure is then masked and etched. The result is a microstructure which varies with the conductivity type and geometry of the region formed and etchant used.