Abstract: A resistive memory apparatus including a memory cell array, at least one dummy transistor and a control circuit is provided. The memory cell array includes a plurality of memory cells. Each of the memory cells includes a resistive switching element. The dummy transistor is electrically isolated from the resistive switching element. The control circuit is coupled to the memory cell array and the dummy transistor. The control circuit is configured to provide a first bit line voltage, a source line voltage and a word line voltage to the dummy transistor to drive the dummy transistor to output a saturation current. The control circuit is further configured to determine a value of a second bit line voltage for driving the memory cells according to the saturation current. In addition, an operating method and a memory cell array of the resistive memory apparatus are also provided.

Abstract: Semiconductor structure and methods of forming the same are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving a workpiece including a magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ) and a conductive capping layer disposed on the MTJ, depositing a first dielectric layer over the workpiece, performing a first planarization process to the first dielectric layer, and after the performing of the first planarization process, patterning the first dielectric layer to form an opening exposing a top surface of the conductive capping layer, selectively removing the conductive capping layer. The method also includes depositing an electrode layer to fill the opening and performing a second planarization process to the workpiece such that a top surface of the electrode layer and a top surface of the first dielectric layer are coplanar.

Abstract: A memory device and a method for manufacturing the memory device are provided. The memory device includes a stack and a plurality of memory strings. The stack is disposed on the substrate, and the stack includes a plurality of conductive layers and a plurality of insulating layers alternately stacked. The memory strings pass through the stack along a first direction, wherein a first memory string in the memory strings includes a first conductive pillar and a second conductive pillar, a channel layer, and a memory structure. The first conductive pillar and the second conductive pillar respectively extend along the first direction and are separated from each other. The channel layer is disposed between the first conductive pillar and the second conductive pillar. The memory structure surrounds the second conductive pillar, and the memory structure includes a resistive memory material.

Abstract: A video compression system includes a video encoder and a bitstream processing circuit. The video encoder is hardware that performs hardware video encoding upon frames to generate a first bitstream. The first bitstream is output from an entropy encoding circuit of the video encoder. The bitstream processing circuit performs a bitstream post-processing operation upon the first bitstream to produce a second bitstream that is different from the first bitstream, and outputs the second bitstream as a compression output of the frames.

Abstract: A video compression system includes a video encoder and a bitstream processing circuit. The video encoder is hardware that performs hardware video encoding upon frames to generate a first bitstream. The first bitstream is output from an entropy encoding circuit of the video encoder. The bitstream processing circuit performs a bitstream post-processing operation upon the first bitstream to produce a second bitstream that is different from the first bitstream, and outputs the second bitstream as a compression output of the frames.

Abstract: A porous aerostatic bearing includes a bearing seat and a plurality of porous plunger assemblies. The bearing seat is furnished with a plurality of accommodating holes. By locking the porous plunger assemblies individually into the corresponding accommodating holes, the porous aerostatic bearing with adjustable stiffness can thus be formed, difficulty in maintenance thereof can be lowered, and the entire service expense therefor can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: A protection circuit applied to an alternating current (AC) power source includes a sample-and-hold unit, a detection unit, and a discharge signal generation unit. The sample-and-hold unit samples a peak value of a direct current (DC) voltage during each period of a corresponding AC voltage, wherein the AC power source provides the AC voltage. The detection unit generates a detection signal when the DC voltage crosses a reference voltage corresponding to the peak value. The discharge signal generation unit generates a count signal when the discharge signal generation unit does not receive the detection signal within a predetermined time of a period of the AC voltage, accumulates the count signal, and generates a discharge signal to a discharge unit when a number of accumulated count signals is greater than a predetermined value, wherein the discharge unit discharges an X capacitor according to the discharge signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding of video data incorporating loop filtering are disclosed. The method and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention determines an initial loop filter level for a frame of the video data according to quality setting of the frame. The information associated with the initial loop filter level is incorporated in the bitstream corresponding to compressed video data. The loop filtering is applied to a macroblock without the need to wait for the whole frame reconstruction to complete. In another embodiment according to the present invention, the initial loop filter level may be refined according to stability associated with the frame. In yet another embodiment according to the present invention, the method may include determining whether segment mode is on or off and determining a frame-level or segment-level initial loop filter level accordingly.

Abstract: A protection circuit applied to an alternating current (AC) power source includes a sample-and-hold unit, a detection unit, and a discharge signal generation unit. The sample-and-hold unit samples a peak value of a direct current (DC) voltage during each period of a corresponding AC voltage, wherein the AC power source provides the AC voltage. The detection unit generates a detection signal when the DC voltage crosses a reference voltage corresponding to the peak value. The discharge signal generation unit generates a count signal when the discharge signal generation unit does not receive the detection signal within a predetermined time of a period of the AC voltage, accumulates the count signal, and generates a discharge signal to a discharge unit when a number of accumulated count signals is greater than a predetermined value, wherein the discharge unit discharges an X capacitor according to the discharge signal.

Abstract: A polymorph, a polymorph screening system, and a polymorph preparing and screening method are disclosed. The polymorph preparing and screening method includes the following steps: providing a plurality of substrates of different materials; causing an organic material to grow crystals on the plurality of substrates through solution-cooling crystallization process, so that a plurality of polymorphs with different characteristics are prepared; and screening the plurality of polymorphs prepared in the previous step to obtain polymorphs with desired characteristics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding of video data incorporating loop filtering are disclosed. The method and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention determines an initial loop filter level for a frame of the video data according to quality setting of the frame. The information associated with the initial loop filter level is incorporated in the bitstream corresponding to compressed video data. The loop filtering is applied to a macroblock without the need to wait for the whole frame reconstruction to complete. In another embodiment according to the present invention, the initial loop filter level may be refined according to stability associated with the frame. In yet another embodiment according to the present invention, the method may include determining whether segment mode is on or off and determining a frame-level or segment-level initial loop filter level accordingly.

Abstract: A polymorph, a polymorph screening system, and a polymorph preparing and screening method are disclosed. The polymorph preparing and screening method includes the following steps: providing a plurality of substrates of different materials; causing an organic material to grow crystals on the plurality of substrates through solution-cooling crystallization process, so that a plurality of polymorphs with different characteristics are prepared; and screening the plurality of polymorphs prepared in the previous step to obtain polymorphs with desired characteristics.

Abstract: A polymorph, a polymorph screening system, and a polymorph preparing and screening method are disclosed. The polymorph preparing and screening method includes the following steps: providing a plurality of substrates of different materials; causing an organic material to grow crystals on the plurality of substrates through solution-cooling crystallization process, so that a plurality of polymorphs with different characteristics are prepared; and screening the plurality of polymorphs prepared in the previous step to obtain polymorphs with desired characteristics.