Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit includes an array of spacers provided between at least a pair of substrates, such as glass substrate. Certain example embodiments relate to a VIG window unit including spacers (e.g., pillars) of or including a metal alloy. The metal alloy of the spacer may be an amorphous metal alloy (e.g., Zr and/or Cu based amorphous alloy). Such metal alloy spacers advantageously reduce the thermal conductivity of the spacer array and can increase the center of glass R-value of the VIG window unit.

Abstract: A vacuum insulated glass (VIG) window unit includes an array of spacers provided between at least a pair of substrates, such as glass substrate. Certain example embodiments relate to a VIG window unit including spacers (e.g., pillars) of or including a metal alloy. The metal alloy of the spacer may be an amorphous metal alloy (e.g., Zr and/or Cu based amorphous alloy). Such metal alloy spacers advantageously reduce the thermal conductivity of the spacer array and can increase the center of glass R-value of the VIG window unit.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. An integrated pump-out tube is formed in a first substrate such that, when viewed in cross-section, the first glass substrate includes (a) first and second channel portions provided adjacent to opposite sides of a through-hole and (b) first and second sealing wall portions defined therebetween. An edge seal seals together the first and second substrates. A cavity is defined by the first and second substrates. Spacers provided between the first and second substrates in the cavity help maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation to one another. The cavity is evacuated to a pressure less than atmospheric. The first and second sealing wall portions are preferentially heating to cause them to sag together and form a bridge covering the through-hole, hermetically sealing the VIG unit.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. The sealing tube or sealing material is provided within the VIG unit, thereby potentially eliminating the need for a protective cap and allowing for more freedom in handling, frame design, hybrid VIG construction, lamination, and the like. The sealing tube may be relocated to an internal area within a recessed pocket of a substrate at least in certain example embodiments. The VIG unit lacks a protruding pump-out tube or the like.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to vacuum insulated glass (VIG) units, and/or methods of making the same. An integrated pump-out tube is formed in a first substrate such that, when viewed in cross-section, the first glass substrate includes (a) first and second channel portions provided adjacent to opposite sides of a through-hole and (b) first and second sealing wall portions defined therebetween. An edge seal seals together the first and second substrates. A cavity is defined by the first and second substrates. Spacers provided between the first and second substrates in the cavity help maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation to one another. The cavity is evacuated to a pressure less than atmospheric. The first and second sealing wall portions are preferentially heating to cause them to sag together and form a bridge covering the through-hole, hermetically sealing the VIG unit.

Abstract: A method of operating a delta-sigma data converter includes receiving an input signal at an input of a delta-sigma modulator having a loop filter including a plurality of integrator stages, a quantizer for generating a quantized output code from outputs of the integrator stages, and a feed-back loop coupling a feed-back signal from the output of the quantizer to the input of the delta-sigma modulator. The input signal is converted to quantized output codes during a conversion period including a plurality of integrator cycles in which at least one of the integrator stages is held in reset for at least one integration cycle at the start of the conversion period to maintain stability of the modulator over a wider range of levels of the input signal.

Abstract: A circuit including a first element sampling noise from and discharging noise to a signal line in response to an input signal transitioning on selected edges of a clock signal. A second element samples noise from and discharges noise to the signal line in response to another input signal transitioning on other edges of the clock signal differing from the selected edges of the clock signal such that noise coupled into substrate and supply are independent of the input signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a delta-sigma data converter includes receiving an input signal at an input of a delta-sigma modulator having a loop filter including a plurality of integrator stages, a quantizer for generating a quantized output code from outputs of the integrator stages, and a feed-back loop coupling a feed-back signal from the output of the quantizer to the input of the delta-sigma modulator. The input signal is converted to quantized output codes during a conversion period including a plurality of integrator cycles in which at least one of the integrator stages is held in reset for at least one integration cycle at the start of the conversion period to maintain stability of the modulator over a wider range of levels of the input signal.

Abstract: A driver circuit with power-down transient suppression includes an amplifier for driving a load coupled to an output of the amplifier, a ramp-down voltage generator having a capacitor and a resistor for generating a ramp-down voltage during power-down of the amplifier, and a differential transistor pair responsive to the ramp-down voltage for pulling-down current at the output of the amplifier during power-down of the amplifier.

Abstract: A charge pump including a differential pair of transistors for controlling a current at a charge pump output node and a replica bias generator for selectively driving a first transistor of the differential pair of transistors into a fully-on state and a second transistor of the differential pair of transistors into a weak inversion state.

Abstract: A driver circuit includes an operational amplifier having an input and an output coupled by a feedback element. A voltage level shifter generates a voltage drop from the operational amplifier output to the operational amplifier input with a current source transistor setting a current controlling the voltage drop across the feedback element. A chopper circuit shifts flicker noise generated by the current source transistor to a higher frequency spectrum.