Abstract: One example includes a system is comprised of an elongated transmission line and as module. The elongated transmission line includes an arrangement of transmission line couplers distributed along its length at spaced apart locations. The module has an outer surface and is comprised of a transmitter, and a transmitter coupler. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency signal. The transmitter coupler is on the outer surface of the module, electrically connects with the transmitter, and aligns to couple with a respective one of the transmission line couplers to provide a contactless communication link between the transmitter and the elongated transmission line.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a tapered near field communication (NFC) field confiner located between the substrate and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy produced by the RF transmitter to the port region so that it can be emanated to a port region of an adjacent module.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. The port region is offset laterally from the NFC coupler. The field confiner is skewed to provide a pathway between the NFC coupler and the port region.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. A reflective surface is positioned adjacent the backside of each NFC coupler to reflect back side electromagnetic towards the port region.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module. An artificial magnetic conductor surface is positioned adjacent the backside of each NFC coupler to reflect back side electromagnetic energy with a phase shift of approximately zero degrees.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a tapered near field communication (NFC) field confiner located between the substrate and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy produced by the RF transmitter to the port region so that it can be emanated to a port region of an adjacent module.

Abstract: Disclosed examples include digital isolator modules, isolation circuitry and low-loss multi-order bandpass filter circuits, including a capacitive coupled galvanic isolation circuit with first and second coupling capacitors individually including a first plate and a second plate, and a bond wire connecting the first plates of the coupling capacitors, a first circuit with a first inductor coupled to form a first resonant tank circuit with a first parasitic capacitor associated with the second plate of the first coupling capacitor, and a second circuit with a second inductor coupled to form a second resonant tank circuit with a second parasitic capacitor associated with the second plate of the second coupling capacitor.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module.

Abstract: A regenerative differential receiver includes, for example, a transformer arranged to receive a modulated differential signal. A first detector is arranged to source a first output current for indicating a first power level in response to falling voltage of a first line of the modulated differential signal. A second detector is arranged to sink a second output current for indicating a second power level in response to rising voltage of a first line of the modulated differential signal. A cross-coupled latch is arranged to latch a state in response to the first and second power levels. The cross-coupled latch provides, for example, weak non-linear regeneration for increasing receiver gain and maximum operating frequencies.

Abstract: A high TCR tungsten resistor on a reverse biased Schottky diode. A high TCR tungsten resistor on an unsilicided polysilicon platform geometry. A high TCR tungsten resistor between two parallel polysilicon leads on remaining contact etch stop dielectric. A high TCR tungsten resistor embedded in a intermetal dielectric layer above a lower interconnect layer and below an upper interconnect layer. A method of forming a high TCR tungsten resistor on a reverse biased Schottky diode. A method of forming high TCR tungsten resistor on an unsilicided polysilicon platform geometry. A method of forming high TCR tungsten resistor between two parallel polysilicon leads on remaining contact etch stop dielectric. A method of forming high TCR tungsten resistor embedded in a inter metal dielectric layer above a lower interconnect layer and below an upper interconnect layer.

Abstract: In an example arrangement an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side surface including circuitry and a backside surface opposing the front side surface; a plurality of metal conductors formed over a front side surface of the semiconductor substrate; at least one cavity opening etched in a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a radiator formed in a portion of the metal conductors and configured to radiate signals through the cavity opening in the backside surface. Methods and additional apparatus arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: Isolation circuits for digital communications and methods to provide isolation for digital communications are disclosed. An example isolation circuit includes an isolation barrier, a burst encoder in a first circuit, and an edge pattern detector in a second circuit. The example isolation barrier electrically isolates the first circuit from the second circuit. The example burst encoder generates a first pattern in response to receiving a rising edge on an input signal and generates a second pattern in response to receiving a falling edge on the input signal. The example edge pattern detector detects the first pattern or the second pattern received from the burst encoder via the isolation barrier, sets an output signal at a first signal level in response to detecting the first pattern, and sets the output signal at a second signal level in response to detecting the second pattern.

Abstract: In described examples, an inductive structure includes first and second inductive coils to conduct respective first and second common mode currents induced by a common mode transient between: a first ground coupled to a connection between the first and second inductive coils; and a galvanically isolated second ground.

Abstract: A first inductive structure includes a data coil to transfer data by inductive coupling with a second inductive structure. First and second portions of the data coil are connected to one another at a center tap to conduct respective first and second common mode currents, induced by a common mode transient between: a first ground line coupled to the center tap; and a galvanically isolated second ground line of the second inductive structure.

Abstract: One example includes a system is comprised of an elongated transmission line and as module. The elongated transmission line includes an arrangement of transmission line couplers distributed along its length at spaced apart locations. The module has an outer surface and is comprised of a transmitter, and a transmitter coupler. The transmitter transmits a radio frequency signal. The transmitter coupler is on the outer surface of the module, electrically connects with the transmitter, and aligns to couple with a respective one of the transmission line couplers to provide a contactless communication link between the transmitter and the elongated transmission line.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a first waveguide has a first resonator coupled to an end of the first waveguide. A second waveguide has a second resonator coupled to the second waveguide. The first resonator is spaced apart from the second resonator by a gap distance. Transmission of a signal propagated by the first waveguide across the gap to the second waveguide is enhanced by a confined near field mode magnetic field produced by the first resonator in response to the propagating wave that is coupled to the second resonator.

Abstract: A quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO). The QVCO includes a first node for providing a first quadrature signal, a second node for providing a second quadrature signal, a third node for providing a third quadrature signal, and a fourth node for providing a fourth quadrature signal. The QVCO further includes a first coil connected between the first node and the second node and a second coil connected between the third node and the fourth node. The first coil and second coil are positively magnetically coupled.

Abstract: A quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO). The QVCO includes a first node for providing a first quadrature signal, a second node for providing a second quadrature signal, a third node for providing a third quadrature signal, and a fourth node for providing a fourth quadrature signal. The QVCO further includes a first coil connected between the first node and the second node and a second coil connected between the third node and the fourth node. The first coil and second coil are positively magnetically coupled.

Abstract: In an example arrangement an apparatus includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side surface including circuitry and a backside surface opposing the front side surface; a plurality of metal conductors formed over a front side surface of the semiconductor substrate; at least one cavity opening etched in a backside surface of the semiconductor substrate; and a radiator formed in a portion of the metal conductors and configured to radiate signals through the cavity opening in the backside surface. Methods and additional apparatus arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided in which a set of modules each have a substrate on which is mounted a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and/or an RF receiver coupled to a near field communication (NFC) coupler located on the substrate. Each module has a housing that surrounds and encloses the substrate. The housing has a port region on a surface of the housing. Each module has a field confiner located between the NFC coupler and the port region on the housing configured to guide electromagnetic energy emanated from the NFC coupler through the port region to a port region of an adjacent module.