Abstract: A controller for providing within-die body bias includes a signal generator for generating different bias signals and a selector to route the bias signals to one or more specific types of transistors within the sections of the die. The controller may further include a plurality of secondary body bias generators, each disposed in a respective one of the die sections for translating the signals from the generator into local bias values. Through this controller, adaptive body bias techniques may be implemented which improve the bin split and overall performance of fabricated processors or other types of circuits formed on the die.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to select a microprocessor clock frequency responsive to a desired voltage and/or a desired temperature of operation.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality conductive layers with intervening dielectric layers. These layers form a plurality of capacitors which may be connected in parallel to store a charge for powering an electronic circuit or for performing a variety of integrated circuit applications. A plurality of ultracapacitors of this type may be connected in series or may be designed in stacked configuration for attaining a specific charge distribution profile.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for managing power of a main circuitry disposed on a main substrate using a control circuitry disposed on a control substrate, in a stacked relationship with the main substrate, are described herein.

Abstract: An amplification apparatus is provided that includes a plurality of gain stages including a first gain stage having first and second transistors and a second gain stage having third and fourth transistors. A plurality of replica stages may also be provided that includes a first replica stage and a second replica stage. Each replica stage may correspond/match one of the plurality of gain stages. An amplifying device may be provided to adjust a body potential of at least the first transistor of the first gain based on an output of the first replica stage and an output of the second replica stage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for dynamically adjusting one or more performance-related parameters of a processor core based on at least one operation parameter related to an operating condition of the processor core.

Abstract: A communications receiver includes a digital counter to count transitions of a carrier signal subject to on/off keying.

Abstract: A financial transaction system utilizes multi-factor authentication to secure financial transactions.

Abstract: A financial transaction system utilizes multi-factor authentication to secure financial transactions.

Abstract: An ultrawideband radio frequency pulse is generated by shaping a carrier signal having a selected frequency with a window function. The shaped carrier is gated to produce the ultrawideband pulse. In further embodiments, the window function comprises a sinusoidal function, and the ultrawideband pulse is formed via a mixer and a CMOS radio frequency switch.

Abstract: An ultracapacitor formed on a semiconductor substrate includes a plurality conductive layers with intervening dielectric layers. These layers form a plurality of capacitors which may be connected in parallel to store a charge for powering an electronic circuit or for performing a variety of integrated circuit applications. A plurality of ultracapacitors of this type may be connected in series or may be designed in stacked configuration for attaining a specific charge distribution profile.

Abstract: An extraction system detects a voltage stored in a capacitor and then extracts energy from the capacitor when the voltage falls below a predetermined value. The capacitor may be an ultracapacitor formed in silicon or another semiconductor material, and the predetermined value may equal or be based on a minimum operating voltage of a load driven by the ultracapacitor. Once the energy is extracted, the system converts the energy into a voltage sufficient to continue driving the load. Energy extraction may be performed by a variety of circuits including a linear regulator, a switched capacitor voltage converter, an adiabatic amplifier, and a DC-to-DC boost converter. The system may further include a monitoring circuit which detects dynamic changes in the converted ultracapacitor voltage over to maintain the operating voltage of the load.

Abstract: An fully integrated DC-to-DC switching converter having an inductor, where the inductor has magnetic material that may be amorphous CoZrTa, CoFeHfO, CoAlO, FeSiO, CoFeAlO, CoNbTa, CoZr, and other amorphous cobalt alloys. The magnetic material allows for a relatively high switching frequency. In one embodiment, the inductor has two sub-structures, where each of the two sub-structures are parallel to each other and each includes a conductor having upper and lower portions. The conductors of the two sub-structures are electrically connected to each other, and the upper and lower portions are arranged so that magnetic flux from one of the sub-structures couples with the magnetic flux from the other sub-structure so as to provide a relatively high inductance with small form factor. In another embodiment, the inductor is a simple conductor surrounded by high-frequency magnetic material. In both structures, oxide insulates the conductors from the magnetic material.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) die in a package. The IC die may have a metal layer on a back surface of the IC die. The method may also include applying a bias signal to the IC die via the metal layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of modifying an IC design layout of an integrated circuit, comprising: accessing an initial IC design layout, with the initial layout including a plurality of MOSFET devices having a common substrate; and removing a plurality of body contacts of the MOSFET devices to create a first modified IC design layout.

Abstract: Transistor bodies are biased to modify delay in clock buffers.

Abstract: A local bias generator generates forward body bias that tracks variations in a supply voltage of a functional block containing one or more circuits having field-effect transistors. The bias is generated using a single-stage source-follower formed from a pair of matched transistors. In operation, the transistors convert a first bias signal into a second bias signal based on a difference between the supply voltage and a reference voltage. The first bias signal and reference voltage may be generated by a central bias generator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to independently switched inductors in a voltage converter. Each voltage transforming inductor of a voltage converter may be deignated a switch or bridge at each opposing terminal. The function of these switches is to periodically reverse the polarity of voltage across the inductors. By configuring independently switched inductors in series, the frustration of voltage tolerance limitations of the switches is mitigated.

Abstract: An fully integrated DC-to-DC switching converter having an inductor, where the inductor has magnetic material that may be amorphous CoZrTa, CoFeHfO, CoAlO, FeSiO, CoFeAlO, CoNbTa, CoZr, and other amorphous cobalt alloys. The magnetic material allows for a relatively high switching frequency. In one embodiment, the inductor has two sub-structures, where each of the two sub-structures are parallel to each other and each includes a conductor having upper and lower portions. The conductors of the two sub-structures are electrically connected to each other, and the upper and lower portions are arranged so that magnetic flux from one of the sub-structures couples with the magnetic flux from the other sub-structure so as to provide a relatively high inductance with small form factor. In another embodiment, the inductor is a simple conductor surrounded by high-frequency magnetic material. In both structures, oxide insulates the conductors from the magnetic material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to independently switched inductors in a voltage converter. Each voltage transforming inductor of a voltage converter may be designated a switch or bridge at each opposing terminal. The function of these switches is to periodically reverse the polarity of voltage across the inductors. By configuring independently switched inductors in series, the frustration of voltage tolerance limitations of the switches is mitigated.