Abstract: A transistor stack can include a combination of floating and body tied devices. Improved performance of the RF amplifier can be obtained by using a single body tied device as the input transistor of the stack, or as the output transistor of the stack, while other transistors of the stack are floating transistors. Transient response of the RF amplifier can be improved by using all body tied devices in the stack.

Abstract: A positive-logic FET switch stack that does not require a negative bias voltage, exhibits high isolation and low insertion/mismatch loss, and may withstand high RF voltages. Embodiments include a FET stack comprising series-coupled positive-logic FETs (i.e., FETs not requiring a negative voltage supply to turn OFF), series-coupled on at least one end by an “end-cap” FET of a type that turns OFF when its VGS is zero volts. The one or more end-cap FETs provide a selectable capacitive DC blocking function or a resistive signal path. Embodiments include a stack of FETs of only the zero VGS type, or a mix of positive-logic and zero VGS type FETs with end-cap FETs of the zero VGS type. Some embodiments withstand high RF voltages by including combinations of series or parallel coupled resistor ladders for the FET gate resistors, drain-source resistors, body charge control resistors, and one or more AC coupling modules.

Abstract: Various methods and circuital arrangements for biasing one or more gates of stacked transistors of an amplifier are possible where the amplifier is configured to operate in at least an active mode and a standby mode. Circuital arrangements can reduce bias circuit and stacked transistors standby current during operation in the standby mode and to reduce impedance presented to the gates of the stacked transistors during operation in the active mode while maintaining voltage compliance of the stacked transistors during both modes of operation.

Abstract: Integrated circuits (ICs) that avoid or mitigate creation of changes in accumulated charge in a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, particularly an SOI substrate having a trap rich layer. In one embodiment, a FET is configured such that, in a standby mode, the FET is turned OFF while maintaining essentially the same VDS as during an active mode. In another embodiment, a FET is configured such that, in a standby mode, current flow through the FET is interrupted while maintaining essentially the same VGS as during the active mode. In another embodiment, a FET is configured such that, in a standby mode, the FET is switched into a very low current state (a “trickle current” state) that keeps both VGS and VDS close to their respective active mode operational voltages. Optionally, S-contacts may be formed in an IC substrate to create protected areas that encompass FETs that are sensitive to accumulated charge effects.

Abstract: Visual search in an operating system of a computing device can process and provide additional information on the content being provided for display. The computing device can include an operating system that includes a visual search interface that obtains and processes display data associated with content currently being provided for display. The visual search interface can generate display data based on the current content provided for display, process the display data with one or more on-device machine-learned models, and provide additional information to the user. The visual search interface may transmit data associated with the display data to perform additional data processing tasks. Application suggestions may be determined and provided based on the visual search data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an improved body tie construction are described. The improved body tie construction is configured to have a lower resistance body tie exists when the transistor is “off” (Vg approximately 0 volts). When the transistor is “on” (Vg>Vt), the resistance to the body tie is much higher, reducing the loss of performance associated with presence of body tie. Space efficient Body tie constructions adapted for cascode configurations are also described.

Abstract: Visual search in an operating system of a computing device can process and provide additional information on the content being provided for display. The computing device can include an operating system that includes a visual search interface that obtains and processes display data associated with content currently being provided for display. The visual search interface can generate display data based on the current content provided for display, process the display data with one or more on-device machine-learned models, and provide additional information to the user. The visual search interface may transmit data associated with the display data to perform additional data processing tasks. Application suggestions may be determined and provided based on the visual search data.

Abstract: Various methods and circuital arrangements for biasing one or more gates of stacked transistors of an amplifier are possible where the amplifier is configured to operate in at least an active mode and a standby mode. Circuital arrangements can reduce bias circuit and stacked transistors standby current during operation in the standby mode and to reduce impedance presented to the gates of the stacked transistors during operation in the active mode while maintaining voltage compliance of the stacked transistors during both modes of operation.

Abstract: FET designs that exhibit low leakage in the presence of the edge transistor phenomenon. Embodiments includes nFET designs in which the work function ?MF of the gate structure overlying the edge transistors of the nFET is increased by forming extra P+ implant regions within at least a portion of the gate structure, thereby increasing the Vt of the edge transistors to a level that may exceed the Vt of the central conduction channel of the nFET. In some embodiments, the gate structure of the nFET is modified to increase or “flare” the effective channel length of the edge transistors relative to the length of the central conduction channel of the FET. Other methods of changing the work function ?MF of the gate structure overlying the edge transistors are also disclosed. The methods may be adapted to fabricating pFETs by reversing or substituting material types.

Abstract: Structures and methods for better optimizing the performance of all the circuitry of an SOI IC. Embodiments include SOI IC having dual-thickness active areas, such that digital and non-RF analog circuitry may be fabricated on a relatively thin active layer while RF circuitry may be fabricated on a relatively thick active layer. Fabrication of RF circuitry on the relatively thick active layer allows for improvements to the RON*COFF figure of merit for the FET devices, and for optimizations not feasible for RF circuitry fabricated on a relatively thin active layer. Structures and methods for two-level shallow-trench isolation (STI) structures and electrical contacts are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a substrate contact extending from the substantially planar upper surface of a dielectric layer overlaying the thin and thick active areas to at least the BOX layer.

Abstract: A transistor stack can include a combination of floating and body tied devices. Improved performance of the RF amplifier can be obtained by using a single body tied device as the input transistor of the stack, or as the output transistor of the stack, while other transistors of the stack are floating transistors. Transient response of the RF amplifier can be improved by using all body tied devices in the stack.

Abstract: Integrated circuit structures that significantly reduce the resistance associated with the body contact region and substrate region contact of a field-effect transistor (FET) compared to conventional designs. Embodiments include a FET having a body contact region, and optionally a substrate region contact, that includes germanium (Ge) alone or as an alloy with silicon (SiGe) and/or as a layered combination with silicon (e.g., a layer of Ge on a layer of Si). A first method includes fabricating a body contact region of a field-effect transistor by fabricating the field-effect transistor with an Si body contact region, and diffusing or implanting Ge within the Si. A second method includes fabricating a body contact region of a field-effect transistor by fabricating the field-effect transistor with an Si body contact region, etching away at least part of the Si body contact region to form a well, and depositing Ge within the well.

Abstract: Methods and structures for mitigating back-gate effects in a radio frequency (RF) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, RF-SOI, are presented. According to one aspect, a first implant or junction is formed in a region of a trap-rich layer (TRL) of the RF-SOI that is located below a first circuit/device to protect. The first implant or junction is fully contained within the TRL. A planar surface area of the first implant and/or junction fully contains a projection of a planar surface area of the first circuit and/or device. The first implant or junction is biased via a through BOX contact (TBC) that penetrates the BOX layer at a shallow trench isolation region formed in the RF-SOI. According to another aspect, a second implant or junction is formed in a region of the TRL below a second circuit/device. The first and second implants or junctions are disjoint and separated by an undoped region of the TRL.

Abstract: An X-ray device includes: an X-ray source configured to emit X-rays; a scintillator, the scintillator being configured to emit light in response to absorption of the X-rays; a detector; a frame enclosing the X-ray source and the detector; standoffs positioned on the frame; shielding panels comprising lead; one or more brackets with fasteners configured to attach to the standoffs; and exterior panels with fasteners configured to attach to the one or more brackets. The standoffs form a datum structure for the one or more brackets. Each of the standoffs has a length and a cross-sectional size, and each of the shielding panels includes holes having a cross-sectional size greater than the cross-sectional size of the standoffs by an amount that ensures the standoffs will pass through the holes. The length of the standoffs is greater than a maximum thickness possible for the given shielding panel due to variations in thickness.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an improved body tie construction are described. The improved body tie construction is configured to have a lower resistance body tie exists when the transistor is “off” (Vg approximately 0 volts). When the transistor is “on” (Vg>Vt), the resistance to the body tie is much higher, reducing the loss of performance associated with presence of body tie. Space efficient Body tie constructions adapted for cascode configurations are also described.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3-D) integrated circuit structures and circuits that enable high performance FET switch arrays while consuming less planar area than conventional 2-D IC dies. In one embodiment, an integrated FET switch circuit includes a first wafer/die including a first set of groups of FET cells, and a second wafer/die joined to the first wafer/die through hybrid bonding interconnects and including a second set of groups of FET cells, wherein a first side drain bus of each group in the first wafer/die is connected through the hybrid bonding interconnects to a second side source bus of a first corresponding group in the second wafer/die; and wherein a second side source bus of each group in the first wafer/die is connected through the hybrid bonding interconnects to a first side drain bus of a second corresponding group in the second wafer/die.

Abstract: Electronic circuits and methods encompassing an RF switch comprising a plurality of series-coupled (stacked) integrated circuit (IC) SOI MOSFETs having a distributed back-bias network structure comprising groups of substrate contacts coupled to a bias voltage source through a resistive ladder. The distributed back-bias network structure sets the common IC substrate voltage at a fixed DC bias but resistively decouples groups of MOSFETs with respect to RF voltages so that the voltage division characteristics of the MOSFET stack are maintained. The distributed back-bias network structure increases the voltage handling capability of each MOSFET and improves the maximum RF voltage at which a particular MOSFET is effective as a switch device, while mitigating loss, leakage, crosstalk, and distortion. RF switches in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful as antenna switches.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for an improved protection from charge injection into layers of a device using resistive structures are described. Such resistive structures, named s-contacts, can be made using simpler fabrication methods and less fabrication steps. In a case of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistors (FETs), s-contacts can be made with direct connection, or resistive connection, to all regions of the transistors, including the source region, the drain region and the gate.

Abstract: One example method for integrating software application content into video conferences includes receiving, by a video conferencing application executed by a client device from a video conference provider, one or more participant video streams, each participant video stream corresponding to a participant in a video conference; receiving, by the video conferencing application from a software application, software application content; receiving, by the video conferencing application from the software application, display layout information; generating, by the video conferencing application, a graphical representation of the video conference according to the display layout information, the graphical representation comprising at least a portion of the software application content and at least one of the one or more participant video streams; and displaying, by the video conferencing application, the graphical representation of the video conference.

Abstract: Visual search in an operating system of a computing device can process and provide additional information on the content being provided for display. The computing device can include an operating system that includes a visual search interface that obtains and processes display data associated with content currently being provided for display. The visual search interface can generate display data based on the current content provided for display, process the display data with one or more on-device machine-learned models, and provide additional information to the user. The visual search interface may transmit data associated with the display data to perform additional data processing tasks. Application suggestions may be determined and provided based on the visual search data.