Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual stream processing in videoconferences. For each audiovisual stream in a videoconference, a sound level of the audiovisual stream is detected. If the sound level exceeds a predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a first configuration. If the sound level is below the predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a second configuration. The second configuration is more resource-effective than the first configuration.

Abstract: A method of controlling sound reproduction may include applying an audio signal to a voice coil of the electrodynamic loudspeaker to produce sound, detecting one of an impedance and admittance of the loudspeaker across a predetermined audio frequency range based on a detected voice coil current and voice coil voltage and determining a fundamental resonance frequency of the loudspeaker based on the detected impedance or admittance. The fundamental resonance frequency of the loudspeaker may be compared with a nominal fundamental resonance frequency of the loudspeaker representing a nominal acoustic operating condition of the loudspeaker. A change of operating condition of the loudspeaker may be detected based on a frequency deviation between the determined fundamental resonance frequency and a nominal fundamental resonance frequency of the loudspeaker. The level of the audio signal may be attenuated in response to the frequency deviation meets a predetermined frequency error criterion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method forming a semiconductor device in accordance with some embodiments. The method includes receiving a substrate having a fin protruding through the substrate, wherein the fin is formed of a first semiconductor material, exposing the substrate in an environment including hydrogen radicals, thereby passivating the protruded fin using the hydrogen radicals, and epitaxially growing a cap layer of a second semiconductor material to cover the protruded fin.

Abstract: A distributed automatic level control function is provided, in which information relating to a common automatic level control parameter is transmitted to each of a plurality of microphone devices, wherein the information transmitted to at least one microphone device is derived from an audio sample of at least one different microphone device. Each microphone device produces the common automatic level control parameter based on the information received by the microphone device and applies the common automatic level control parameter produced by the microphone device to a distributed automatic level controller of the microphone device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual stream processing in videoconferences. For each audiovisual stream in a videoconference, a sound level of the audiovisual stream is detected. If the sound level exceeds a predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a first configuration. If the sound level is below the predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a second configuration. The second configuration is more resource-effective than the first configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual stream processing in videoconferences. For each audiovisual stream in a videoconference, a sound level of the audiovisual stream is detected. If the sound level exceeds a predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a first configuration. If the sound level is below the predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a second configuration. The second configuration is more resource-effective than the first configuration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual stream processing in videoconferences. For each audiovisual stream in a videoconference, a sound level of the audiovisual stream is detected. If the sound level exceeds a predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a first configuration. If the sound level is below the predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a second configuration. The second configuration is more resource-effective than the first configuration.

Abstract: Methods of etching and smoothening films by exposing to a halogen-containing plasma and an inert plasma within a bias window in cycles are provided. Methods are suitable for etching and smoothening films of various materials in the semiconductor industry and are also applicable to applications in optics and other industries.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence and location of defects over a substrate is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method may include: forming a semiconductor material in a plurality of openings in a reference wafer using an epitaxial growth process; performing one or more measurements on the reference wafer to obtain a baseline signal; forming a plurality of gate stacks and stressor regions in a plurality of substrates; after forming the plurality of gate stacks, forming the semiconductor material in a plurality of openings in a batch wafer; performing the one or more measurements on the batch wafer to obtain a batch signal; comparing the batch signal to the baseline signal; and determining whether a defect in present in the plurality of substrates based on the comparison.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to audiovisual stream processing in videoconferences. For each audiovisual stream in a videoconference, a sound level of the audiovisual stream is detected. If the sound level exceeds a predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a first configuration. If the sound level is below the predefined threshold level, the audiovisual stream is processed with a second configuration. The second configuration is more resource-effective than the first configuration.

Abstract: A distributed automatic level control function is provided, in which information relating to a common automatic level control parameter is transmitted to each of a plurality of microphone devices, wherein the information transmitted to at least one microphone device is derived from an audio sample of at least one different microphone device. Each microphone device produces the common automatic level control parameter based on the information received by the microphone device and applies the common automatic level control parameter produced by the microphone device to a distributed automatic level controller of the microphone device.

Abstract: A voltage mode transmitter is provided. The voltage mode transmitter includes a control unit and a resistor ladder circuit. The control unit receives a first signal and delays an inverse of the first signal for a time period to obtain a second signal. The resistor ladder circuit is configured to sum up products of the first signal or the second signal and a plurality of weights, thereby generating an output signal. The resistor ladder circuit includes an input terminal, multiple first resistors and a second resistor. The output terminal is configured to output the output signal. Each of the first resistors is coupled between the output terminal and the control unit and receives the first signal or the second signal. The resistances of the first resistors are 2R, 4R . . . and 2nR respectively, where R is a reference resistance. The resistance of the second resistor is 2nR.

Abstract: A distributed automatic level control function is provided, in which information relating to a common automatic level control parameter is transmitted to each of a plurality of microphone devices, wherein the information transmitted to at least one microphone device is derived from an audio sample of at least one different microphone device. Each microphone device produces the common automatic level control parameter based on the information received by the microphone device and applies the common automatic level control parameter produced by the microphone device to a distributed automatic level controller of the microphone device.

Abstract: A dough, dough-based snack, and method of manufacture is disclosed herein. The dough includes a source of slowly available glucose, a viscosity-building ingredient coated with oil, a starch gelatinization inhibitor, and a binding agent that bonds the source of slowly available glucose, the viscosity-building ingredient, and the starch gelatinization inhibitor to form the dough. The dough comprises a moisture content of between 10-23%, and can be used to create a dough-based food product having a moisture content of between about 2.0-4.0% and a RAG:SAG ratio of less than 4.2.

Abstract: A voltage mode transmitter is provided. The voltage mode transmitter includes a control unit and a resistor ladder circuit. The control unit receives a first signal and delays an inverse of the first signal for a time period to obtain a second signal. The resistor ladder circuit is configured to sum up products of the first signal or the second signal and a plurality of weights, thereby generating an output signal. The resistor ladder circuit includes an input terminal, multiple first resistors and a second resistor. The output terminal is configured to output the output signal. Each of the first resistors is coupled between the output terminal and the control unit and receives the first signal or the second signal. The resistances of the first resistors are 2R, 4R . . . and 2nR respectively, where R is a reference resistance. The resistance of the second resistor is 2nR.

Abstract: A throat microphone may include one or more transducers that are in contact with the skin in the region of the larynx of person, and may provide a vibration signal to a processing unit. The vibration signal may also include energy and information relating to secondary physiological phenomena such as breathing and heartbeat, in addition to the desired sonic signal. The processing unit may utilize information relating to the secondary physiological phenomena to control a filter that outputs the desired sonic signal.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a group III-V composite transistor having a switched substrate. Such a group III-V composite transistor includes a composite field-effect transistor (FET) including a depletion mode group III-V high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) situated over a substrate. The depletion mode group III-V HEMT is cascoded with an enhancement mode group IV FET to produce the composite FET. The group III-V composite transistor also includes a transistor configured to selectably couple the substrate of the depletion mode group III-V HEMT to ground and to selectably decouple the substrate from ground. That transistor is configured to ground the substrate when the depletion mode group III-V HEMT is in an off-state and to cause the substrate to float when the depletion mode group III-V HEMT is in an on-state.

Abstract: A voltage mode transmitter includes a resistive network and a de-emphasis value controller. The resistive network receives plural input voltages and provides plural weighting values corresponding to respective input voltages. A sum of the products of the plural input voltages and the corresponding weighting values is equal to an output voltage. The de-emphasis value controller receives a first signal. After the first signal is inverted as an inverted first signal and the inverted first signal is delayed for a time period, the de-emphasis value controller generates a second signal. The de-emphasis value controller further receives a value control signal. At least one of the plural input signals is provided by the first signal and at least one of the plural input signals is provided by the second signal according to the value control signal.

Abstract: A clock data recovery system is provided. A CTLE generates a first equalized signal. An adder superposes the first equalized signal and a feedback equalization signal and generates a superposed signal. A first error slicer slices the superposed signal according to a clock signal and a reference voltage and generates a first error signal. A second error slicer slices the superposed signal according to the clock signal and a second slicing voltage. A data slicer slices the superposed signal according to the clock signal and a third slicing voltage and generates a data signal. A CDR circuit generates the clock signal. An adaptive filter receives the data signal and the first error signal, and generates the reference voltage and a DFE coefficient set. A DFE receives the data signal and the DFE coefficient set, and generates the feedback equalization signal.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a group III-V high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) having a selectably floating substrate. Such a group III-V HEMT is situated over a substrate, and includes a transistor configured to selectably couple the substrate to ground and to selectably decouple the substrate from ground. The transistor is configured to ground the substrate when the group III-V HEMT is in an off-state and to cause the substrate to float when the group III-V HEMT is in an on-state.