Abstract: RFID system components, such as readers and tags, communicate by a reader transmitting waveforms that encode a calibration symbol and a divide ratio. Tags include a processor to determine a backscatter link period result by dividing a count value representing the calibration symbol by the divide ratio and adding an adjustment. Tags modulate a backscatter waveform that includes symbols using a link period determined from the result.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected. The RF energy can be a signal from another RFID reader. The detected signal is used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy detected in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. The waveform shaping parameter can be additionally stored, and then reconstructed for later use in the same channel. Reconstruction can optionally be also from derived channel performance data. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the reconstructed waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected. The RF energy can be a signal from an RFID tag. The detected signal is used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming a single-poly pFET-based nonvolatile memory cell bias the cell so that band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) is induced and electrons generated by the BTBT are injected onto a floating gate of the cell. Following a predetermined event, the single-poly pFET is biased to induce impact-ionized hot-electron injection (IHEI). The predetermined event may be, for example, the expiration of a predetermined time period or a determination that a channel has been formed by the BTBT injection process that is sufficiently conducting to support IHEI. Employing BTBT permits a previously overerased or stuck bit to be “unstuck” or “removed” and thus be made usable (i.e., able to be programmed) again.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming a single-poly pFET-based nonvolatile memory cell bias the cell so that band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) is induced and electrons generated by the BTBT are injected onto a floating gate of the cell. Following a predetermined event, the single-poly pFET is biased to induce impact-ionized hot-electron injection (IHEI). The predetermined event may be, for example, the expiration of a predetermined time period or a determination that a channel has been formed by the BTBT injection process that is sufficiently conducting to support IHEI. Employing BTBT permits a previously overerased or stuck bit to be “unstuck” or “removed” and thus be made usable (i.e., able to be programmed) again.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for programming a single-poly pFET-based nonvolatile memory cell bias the cell so that band-to-band tunneling (BTBT) is induced and electrons generated by the BTBT are injected onto a floating gate of the cell. Following a predetermined event, the single-poly pFET is biased to induce impact-ionized hot-electron injection (IHEI). The predetermined event may be, for example, the expiration of a predetermined time period or a determination that a channel has been formed by the BTBT injection process that is sufficiently conducting to support IHEI. Employing BTBT permits a previously overerased or stuck bit to be “unstuck” or “removed” and thus be made usable (i.e., able to be programmed) again.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of calibrating an oscillator within a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit for use in an RFID tag. The oscillator has an oscillation frequency. A calibration value is stored within a non-volatile memory associated with the RFID circuit. The oscillator is calibrated in accordance with the calibration value. The storing of the calibration value includes recovering a reference frequency from a test signal supplied to the RFID circuit, calculating the calibration value to correspond to a difference between the recovered reference frequency and the oscillator frequency, and writing the calibration value to the non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Systems, software, devices, and methods are described for an RFID reader system to communicate with RFID tags. RF energy encountered in conjunction with using a selected channel is detected and used to adjust a waveform shaping parameter in combination with a performance requirement. RF waves can be transmitted from the reader to the RFID tags and RF waves can be backscattered from the RFID tags. At least some of the RF waves transmitted to or backscattered from the RFID tags have a waveform with a shape according to the adjusted waveform shaping parameter.

Abstract: Rewriteable electronic fuses include latches and/or logic gates coupled to one or more nonvolatile memory elements. The nonvolatile memory elements are configured to be programmed to memory values capable of causing associated electronic circuits to settle to predetermined states as power-up or reset signals are applied to the fuses. Although not required, the nonvolatile memory elements used in the rewriteable electronic fuses may comprise floating-gate transistors. An amount of charge stored on the floating gate of a given floating-gate transistor determines the memory value and, consequently, the state to which a fuse settles upon power-up or reset of the fuse.

Abstract: Analog-valued floating-gate transistors are used as trimmable circuit components for modifying and/or controlling the gain, phase, offset, frequency response, current consumption, and/or transfer function of signal pathways in parallel and/or serial processing circuits in radio frequency, analog, or mixed-signal integrated circuits.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method to backscatter modulate a first radio-frequency (RF) signal from a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag. An oscillator calibration value is retrieved from a non-volatile memory associated with the RFID tag. An oscillation frequency signal is generated within the RFID tag, the generating of the oscillation signal being performed utilizing the oscillator calibration value. A command signal is generated within the RFID tag, the command signal being based on command data received at the RFID tag in a second radio-frequency signal from an RFID reader. The first radio-frequency signal is backscatter modulated in accordance with both the oscillation frequency signal and the command signal.

Abstract: NVM arrays include rows and columns of NVM cells comprising a floating gate, a programming element, and a logic storage element. During a programming or erase mode, the floating gate of each cell is charged to a predetermined level. At the beginning of a read mode, all storage elements are pre-charged to a high supply voltage level. Following the pre-charge, selected cells are read to determine stored bit values. A charge status of the floating gate of each cell determines whether the storage element is turned on and the pre-charge voltage is pulled down corresponding to a bit value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus may operate to use multiple oscillators to generate a demodulator clock signal and a modulator clock signal within a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit. The demodulator clock signal may be generated from a radio-frequency signal received at the RFID circuit. A modulator clock signal may be generated using a calibration value stored in a non-volatile memory.

Abstract: An RFID tag that receives a calibration instruction from a reader can determine the basic backscatter period of the symbols to be backscattered. According to some embodiments, when the instruction includes a calibration feature that is to be divided by a divide ratio, the tag measures the duration of the feature in terms of numbers of internal pulses, resulting in a binary L-number. Then at least two versions of the L-number (PR1-number, PR2-number) are combined, so as to yield the effective result of the division alternately, even when the divide ratio is a non-integer. The backscatter period can then be determined from the BP-number and the period of the internal pulses.

Abstract: RFID system components, such as readers and tags, communicate where at least a portion of data or a password is transmitted in encrypted form. The reader transmits a command, along with data or a password encrypted using an encryption kernel. In some instances, the tag itself has sent the kernel.

Abstract: Rewriteable electronic fuses include latches and/or logic gates coupled to one or more nonvolatile memory elements. The nonvolatile memory elements are configured to be programmed to memory values capable of causing associated electronic circuits to settle to predetermined states as power-up or reset signals are applied to the fuses. Although not required, the nonvolatile memory elements used in the rewriteable electronic fuses may comprise floating-gate transistors. An amount of charge stored on the floating gate of a given floating-gate transistor determines the memory value and, consequently, the state to which a fuse settles upon power-up or reset of the fuse.

Abstract: Analog-valued floating-gate transistors are used as trimmable circuit components for modifying and/or controlling the gain, phase, offset, frequency response, current consumption, and/or transfer function of signal pathways in parallel and/or serial processing circuits in radio frequency, analog, or mixed-signal integrated circuits.

Abstract: Analog-valued floating-gate transistors are used as trimmable circuit components for modifying and/or controlling the gain, phase, offset, frequency response, current consumption, and/or transfer function of signal pathways in parallel and/or serial processing circuits in radio frequency, analog, or mixed-signal integrated circuits.