Abstract: Circuits and methods to realize a power-efficient high frequency buffer. The amplitude of a buffered signal is detected and compared with the amplitude of the input signal. The comparison result can be fed back to the digitally-controlled buffer to keep the output gain constant. By using feedback control, the buffer can be kept at the most suitable biasing condition even if the load condition or signal frequency varies.

Abstract: A drive circuit includes a switching transistor having a design maximum voltage V2 and a cascode transistor having a design maximum voltage V1, wherein the cascode transistor is source-drain coupled in series with the switching transistor. The circuit further includes a current source coupled between an intermediate voltage node and a gate of the cascode transistor. If the drive circuit is a low side driver, the intermediate voltage node receives an intermediate voltage Vmed set below a high supply voltage Vhigh and that meets the following conditions: a) Vmed<=V2 and b) Vhigh?Vmed<=V1. If the drive circuit is a high side driver, the intermediate voltage node receives an intermediate voltage Vmed set below the high supply voltage and that mees the following conditions: a) Vmed<=V1 and b) Vhigh?Vmed<=V2. The circuit may be configured as a push pull driver by coupling a high side driver and low side driver in series.

Abstract: A method for recovering a clock frequency of a CAN bus, the method including: receiving a data signal, wherein the data signal includes at least one state transition; detecting the state transition; and adjusting a frequency of a clocking signal generated by an oscillator circuit, wherein the frequency is adjusted when the state transition is detected and adjusting the frequency is for recovering the clock frequency of the CAN bus.

Abstract: A Local Interconnect Network (LIN) driver circuit employs a charging/discharging current applied to the gate of a driver transistor coupled to an LIN bus. The charging current includes a constant charging current and an additional soft charging current, whereas the discharging current includes a constant discharging current and an additional soft discharging current. As a result of the soft charge/discharge components, there is a significant reduction in electromagnetic emission on the LIN bus.

Abstract: A fully integrated ramp generator circuit includes a first current generator that sources current to first capacitor through a first transistor that is gate controlled by the complement of a periodic signal. The ramping voltage stored on the first capacitor is buffered to an output node as a ramp output signal. A second transistor couples the output node to the first current generator and is gate controlled by the periodic signal. The periodic signal is generated at the output of a flip-flop that receives an input clock signal and reset signal. The reset signal is generated by a comparator circuit operable to compare the voltage on a second capacitor to a reference. The second capacitor is charged by a second current source and discharged by a third transistor that is gate controlled by the periodic signal.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, including a radiation source capable of producing a beam of radiation; a sensor for receiving an image; and an optical element for identifying movement of an object on a first surface to thereby enable a control action to be carried out. The optical element is such that a whole of the imaged area of the first surface is substantially covered by the object in normal use. The device is operable to receive from the object on the first surface an input describing a pattern, to compare the received pattern to a stored reference pattern and to perform a predetermined function if the received pattern and stored reference pattern are substantially similar. The pattern may be a continuous line, the device being operable to store the continuous line as a set of turning points in chronological order.

Abstract: A monitor includes a register configured to store at least two contexts and a context change value. A context selector is configured to select at least one of the two contexts for context monitoring. The selection is made dependent on whether the context change value matches a first part of a memory access address.

Abstract: An image sensor having improved dynamic range includes a signal that is read out for a selection of pixels which act as a calibration to govern the choice of exposure levels to be applied to the rest of the array. In this way, the sensor is operable to adapt to variations in scene intensity. The pixels in the array are vertically and horizontally addressed so as to enable accounted for small areas of intensity variation across an imaged scene.

Abstract: A pixel readout circuit including at least first, second and third memory locations. During an integration period of a pixel, the pixel readout circuit repeatedly samples the pixel output level during the integration period, stores the first sample in the first memory location, and stores each subsequent sample in memory locations other than the first memory location. Each sample is stored with a time corresponding to when that sample was taken, such that at any one time subsequent to the first three samples having been stored, at least the first sample and the two most recent samples are stored. Also disclosed is a corresponding method of reading out of a pixel output over an undefined integration period.

Abstract: A processor module including a processor configured to share data with at least one further processor module processor; and a memory mapped peripheral configured to communicate with at least one further processor memory mapped peripheral to control the sharing of the data, wherein the memory mapped peripheral includes a sender part including a data request generator configured to output a data request indicator to the further processor module dependent on a data request register write signal from the processor; and an acknowledgement waiting signal generator configured to output an acknowledgement waiting signal to the processor dependent on a data acknowledgement signal from the further processor module, wherein the data request generator data request indicator is further dependent on the data acknowledgement signal and the acknowledgement waiting signal generator acknowledgement waiting signal is further dependent on the acknowledgement waiting register write signal.

Abstract: A circuit includes a first n-bit communications block and a second m-bit communications block. A controller is configured to control mode of operation for the first and second communications blocks. In a first mode, the first and second communications blocks function as a single communications block for n+m bit communications. In a second mode, the first and second communications blocks operate as substantially independent communications block for n bit communications and m bit communications.

Abstract: A method distributes personalized circuits to one or more parties. The method distributes a generic circuit to each party, encrypts a unique personalization value using a secret encryption key, and transmits each encrypted personalization value to the corresponding party. Each party then stores the encrypted personalization value in their circuit. The stored encrypted personalization value allows a piece of software to be properly executed by the circuit. A semiconductor integrated circuit is arranged to execute a piece of software that inputs a personalization value as an input parameter. The circuit comprises a personalization memory arranged to store an encrypted personalization value; a key memory for storing a decryption key; a control unit comprising a cryptographic circuit arranged to decrypt the encrypted personalization value using the decryption key; and a processor arranged to receive the decrypted personalization value and execute the software using the decrypted personalization value.

Abstract: A sensor for range finding and ambient light measurement wherein the sensor includes an array of pixels capable of sensing illumination in a plurality of wavelengths and generating a response thereto for each wavelength; the sensor including an ambient light sensing system which includes a module for adjusting the response from the ambient light sensor, such that the response for each wavelength is independent of the wavelength of the illumination.

Abstract: A memory management device including a plurality of outputs, each output configured to interface to respective one of a plurality of memories; and a controller configured to cause each buffer allocated to the memories to be divided up substantially equally between each of the plurality of memories.