Abstract: A correcting asynchronous Successive-Approximation Register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) detects and corrects metastability errors. An analog signal is synchronously sampled by a system clock, but data bits are converted asynchronously. A valid detector compares true and complement outputs of a comparator that compares the sampled voltage to a DAC voltage generated from digital test value from the SAR. Once the true and complement outputs diverge past logic thresholds, the valid detector activates a VALID signal indicating that comparison is completed. The compare result is then latched in as a data bit and the SAR advances to the next test value. Once all bits have been converted, an End-of-Conversion (EOC) is signaled. If the EOC does not occur by the end of the system clock, a metastability error is detected. The current bit that never finished comparison is forced high and all other unconverted bits are forced low.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an snubber circuit and a power converter having an active circuit. The snubber circuit includes a series connection of a first diode and a first inductor connected between a first interfacing point and a first connection point, a second diode connected between a second connection point and a second interfacing point, a series connection of a third diode and a second inductor between a third interfacing point and the second connection point, a switching device connected between the first connection point and the third interfacing point, and a first capacitor connected between the first connection point and the second connection point. The first, the second, and the third diode are forward-biased along a path between the first interfacing point and the second interfacing point and through the third interfacing point.

Abstract: An online system provides an advertisement (“ad”) request including ad content and a prompt to perform an action presented in association with the ad content. For example, the ad content is video data and the prompt for performing an action is presented after the video data is presented or after a portion of the video data is presented. An advertiser may include a custom prompt in the ad request that includes text information and instructions associated with the text information that perform an action when executed. Multiple prompts may be included in the ad request, and the online system selects a prompt based on information maintained by the online system and associated with a user to be presented with the ad content. The selected prompt is communicated to a client device for presentation in association with the ad content.

Abstract: An online system may prevent a content associated with a user from including content that is sponsored by a third party, other than the user, for presentation on by the online system unless the user provides an amount of compensation to the online system. To determine an amount of compensation, the online system determines an amount of reach of the content sponsored by the third party based on characteristics of the content associated with the user. For example, a number of users viewing the content associated with the user is used to determine the amount of reach of the content if it is presented by via the content associated with the user. Based on the amount of reach, the online system determines an amount of compensation to be received from the user to present the content sponsored by the third party via the content associated with the user.

Abstract: A Programmable-Gain Amplifier (PGA) has a digital value that programmably adjusts the gain of the analog amplifier. A variable capacitor has several switched sub-capacitors that are enabled by the digital value. Enabled sub-capacitors are switched between a sampled input and a virtual ground on one terminal, and connect to a summing node on the other terminal. The summing node connects to the inverting input of an op amp either through a switch or through a double-sampling capacitor that stores an offset. A feedback capacitor is in parallel with a sampling capacitor during a second clock phase when direct-charge transfer occurs, reducing power consumption of the amplifier. The feedback capacitor samples the sampled input during the first clock phase. The PGA gain is proportional to the sum of capacitances of enabled sub-capacitors. The gain can be adjusted for sensor inputs to an Analog Front-End (AFE), such as for an electro-cardiogram (ECG).

Abstract: A Programmable-Gain Amplifier (PGA) has a digital value that programmably adjusts the gain of the analog amplifier. A variable capacitor has several switched sub-capacitors that are enabled by the digital value. Enabled sub-capacitors are switched between a sampled input and a virtual ground on one terminal, and connect to a summing node on the other terminal. The summing node connects to the inverting input of an op amp either through a switch or through a double-sampling capacitor that stores an offset. A feedback capacitor is in parallel with a sampling capacitor during a second clock phase when direct-charge transfer occurs, reducing power consumption of the amplifier. The feedback capacitor samples the sampled input during the first clock phase. The PGA gain is proportional to the sum of capacitances of enabled sub-capacitors. The gain can be adjusted for sensor inputs to an Analog Front-End (AFE), such as for an electro-cardiogram (ECG).

Abstract: A bridgeless power factor correction circuit as disclosed can include first and second input inductors, a series connection of a first diode and a first controllable semiconductor switch, and a series connection of a second diode and a second controllable semiconductor switch, the series connections being connected in parallel between positive and negative output terminals of the power factor correction circuit. The power factor correction circuit can include a switching circuit adapted to connect a capacitor between the input terminal and the output terminal such that the capacitor is connected between the first input terminal and a potential of the output terminal when input voltage connectable to the input terminals is positive and the capacitor is connected between the second input terminal and a potential of the output terminal when the input voltage connectable to the input terminals is negative.

Abstract: A system and method for position tagging within an environment includes at least one mobile electronic device adapted to be moved within the environment and a pedestrian dead reckoning module. The at least one mobile electronic device includes an inertial measurement unit and at least one of a near field communication chip, barcode scanner, global positioning system, Bluetooth receiver or WiFi receiver. The pedestrian dead reckoning module is adapted to query and record time stamped readings from the inertial measurement unit and the at least one of the near field communication chip, barcode scanner, global positioning system, Bluetooth receiver or WiFi receiver. The system and method may generate one or more spatial maps of the environment through the collection of radio frequency signal data along with the time stamped readings.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-floor activity classification for a mobile device within a multi-floor environment includes an activity recognition module receiving inertial readings and pressure readings from the mobile device. The activity recognition module classifies activities for the mobile device from the inertial readings and the pressure readings.

Abstract: A bridgeless power factor correction circuit as disclosed can include first and second input inductors, a series connection of a first diode and a first controllable semiconductor switch, and a series connection of a second diode and a second controllable semiconductor switch, the series connections being connected in parallel between positive and negative output terminals of the power factor correction circuit. The power factor correction circuit can include a switching circuit adapted to connect a capacitor between the input terminal and the output terminal such that the capacitor is connected between the first input terminal and a potential of the output terminal when input voltage connectable to the input terminals is positive and the capacitor is connected between the second input terminal and a potential of the output terminal when the input voltage connectable to the input terminals is negative.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to an snubber circuit and a power converter having an active circuit. The snubber circuit includes a series connection of a first diode and a first inductor connected between a first interfacing point and a first connection point, a second diode connected between a second connection point and a second interfacing point, a series connection of a third diode and a second inductor between a third interfacing point and the second connection point, a switching device connected between the first connection point and the third interfacing point, and a first capacitor connected between the first connection point and the second connection point. The first, the second, and the third diode are forward-biased along a path between the first interfacing point and the second interfacing point and through the third interfacing point.

Abstract: A Successive-Approximation Register Analog-to-Digital Converter (SAR-ADC) predicts compensation values for use in a future cycle. A compensation value is applied to capacitors in a calibration Y-side capacitor array to compensate for capacitance errors in a binary-weighted X-side capacitor array. Two compute engines pre-calculate predicted-0 and predicted-1 compensation values for a next bit to be converted. At the end of the current cycle when the comparator determines the current bit, the comparator also controls a mux to select one of the two predicted compensation values. Thus the compensation value is available at the beginning of the next bit's cycle, eliminating a long calculation delay. The compensation value for the first bit to be converted, such as the MSB, is calculated during calibration. Compensation values for other bits are data-dependent. Calibration values are accumulated during calibration to generate the first conversion compensation value for the first bit to be converted.

Abstract: A passive lossless snubber cell for a switched-mode power converter comprises an energy absorbing circuit and an energy resetting circuit coupled to said energy absorbing circuit. The energy absorbing circuit is arranged to release energy stored in a snubber capacitor of the energy absorbing circuit to a storage capacitor of the energy resetting circuit through a resonant pathway of the snubber cell in response to a first switching action of a power converter transistor switch. The energy resetting circuit is arranged to release the energy stored therein to a part of a circuit of the power converter in response to a second switching action of the power converter transistor switch, the second switching action being a successive action to the first switching action. The passive lossless snubber cell has several advantages over existing snubbering techniques.

Abstract: A passive lossless snubber cell for a switched-mode power converter comprises an energy absorbing circuit and an energy resetting circuit coupled to said energy absorbing circuit. The energy absorbing circuit is arranged to release energy stored in a snubber capacitor of the energy absorbing circuit to a storage capacitor of the energy resetting circuit through a resonant pathway of the snubber cell in response to a first switching action of a power converter transistor switch. The energy resetting circuit is arranged to release the energy stored therein to a part of a circuit of the power converter in response to a second switching action of the power converter transistor switch, the second switching action being a successive action to the first switching action. The passive lossless snubber cell has several advantages over existing snubbering techniques.

Abstract: A re-configurable circuit acts as an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and as a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). An array of binary-weighted capacitors stores an analog input. Switches connect different capacitors in the array to fixed voltages that cause charge-sharing with a terminal capacitor. The voltage of the terminal capacitor is compared by a re-configurable comparator stage for each different combination of the capacitors. The comparison results are analyzed to determine the closest digital value for the analog input. In DAC mode, the array capacitors are switched based on an input digital value. The switched capacitors connect to a charge-sharing line to generate an analog voltage that is applied to the re-configurable comparator stage. A differential amplifier generates a buffered analog voltage that is fed back to the other input of the re-configurable comparator stage for unity gain. The gain of the re-configurable comparator stage adjusts for ADC and DAC modes.

Abstract: A re-configurable circuit acts as an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and as a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). An array of binary-weighted capacitors stores an analog input. Switches connect different capacitors in the array to fixed voltages that cause charge-sharing with a terminal capacitor. The voltage of the terminal capacitor is compared by a re-configurable comparator stage for each different combination of the capacitors. The comparison results are analyzed to determine the closest digital value for the analog input. In DAC mode, the array capacitors are switched based on an input digital value. The switched capacitors connect to a charge-sharing line to generate an analog voltage that is applied to the re-configurable comparator stage. A differential amplifier generates a buffered analog voltage that is fed back to the other input of the re-configurable comparator stage for unity gain. The gain of the re-configurable comparator stage adjusts for ADC and DAC modes.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel polycarbonate-based block polymer, and to fibers and bioresorbable implantable medical devices fabricated from said fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical devices formed totally or in part from homopolymers or copolymers comprising recurring carbonate moieties.

Abstract: This invention relates to medical devices formed totally or in part from homopolymers or copolymers comprising recurring carbonate moieties.

Abstract: Nerve channels made from high molecular weight lactic acid polymers, preferably polymers having a molecular weight between about 234,000 and 320,000, provide an unexpectedly beneficial effect on cell growth and regeneration of function.