Abstract: The present invention provides a printed wiring board, an IC card module including the printed wiring board, and a method for fabricating the IC card module, for improving reliability of IC cards. The printed wiring board and the IC card module of the invention include: a base having a resin sealing region, clamped regions in a periphery zone of the resin sealing region clamped with a sealing mold, and non-clamped regions in the periphery zone; and terminals for external connection formed on the top surface of the base. The terminals are formed in a region other than any of the resin sealing region, the clamped regions, and the non-claimed regions.

Abstract: A capacity(ies) of a variable capacitor(s) varies with a physical amount. A C-V conversion circuit converts variation in the capacity into a voltage signal. First and second charge holding circuits hold the voltage signal at different timings as first and second charges, respectively. An offset compensating charge holding circuit generates and holds an offset charge for compensation of an offset in the voltage signal. A charge combining and holding circuit combines and holds the first and second charges and the offset charge. An outputting circuit receives the combined charge from the charge combining and holding circuit and outputs an output voltage signal corresponding to the physical amount in accordance with the received charge. The outputting circuit, the offset compensating charge holding circuit, the C=V circuit may be omitted. The variable capacitance may include a capacitor or a differential type capacitors.

Abstract: A capacitive physical-quantity detection apparatus includes a movable electrode (2d) which is displaced in response to a physical quantity. A fixed electrode (3, 4) opposed to the movable electrode forms a capacitor in conjunction with the movable electrode. A signal applying device (23, 24) operates for applying a first signal between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode. The first signal is periodic, and has at least a first time period for detection of a capacity variation and a second time period for displacement of the movable electrode to implement self diagnosis. A C-V conversion circuit (21) operates for generating a voltage which depends on a variation in a capacitance of the capacitor during the first time period. A signal processing circuit (22) operates for processing the voltage generated by the C-V conversion circuit into a second signal depending on the physical quantity.

Abstract: A physical quantity detecting is capable of easily adjusting sensitivity and an offset of a detected output without being increased in size. In a signal processor for driving a sensor element in which fixed electrodes are disposed on both sides of a movable electrode displaced in response to acceleration, a signal generator generates PWM signals PA and PB in which an invalid control period during which the fixed electrodes are both deenergized only during a period corresponding to data M3 stored in a memory, is, at a predetermined ratio, inserted into a valid control period during which the fixed electrodes are alternately energized and their energization ratio is controlled so that the movable electrode is placed in position.

Abstract: A physical amount detecting apparatus, preferably, an acceleration sensor, includes a sensor element, an A/D converter, a control unit and an activation unit. The sensor element is activated by a supply voltage and outputs an electric signal in accordance with a predetermined physical amount. The A/D converter digitizes an analog electric signal and outputs digital data. The control unit calculates a control amount in order to control the sensor element, as the electric signal is set to a predetermined output, based on the digital data, and generates a control signal in accordance with the control amount. The activation unit activates the sensor element in accordance with the control signal. As a result, the control unit outputs a detecting signal indicating a physical amount in accordance with the control amount or the control signal.

Abstract: In an acceleration sensor having movable gates and a movable electrode and having a signal processing portion, the movable gates generate a differential voltage from acceleration in one direction and its output signal is fed back to the movable electrode. The balance of the movable portion is kept using an electrostatic force which cancels the acceleration acting on the movable portion, and signal detection is stabilized using closed loop control. Since signal detection is on a differential basis, acceleration can be detected in only one direction. Since a change in current is detected as a voltage difference, no carrier wave is required. Since MISFETs having movable gates are formed in pairs, there is no influence of temperature drifts. The use of a differential signal similarly cancels the influence of fluctuations of the power supply. Configuration of an acceleration sensor is thus simplified.