Mode-based secure microcontroller
Granted: October 6, 2015
Patent Number:
9152576
Various embodiments of the present invention are related to integrated circuits for processing data at a microcontroller interface. The microcontroller interfaces to a memory. The method is employed to process input data provided by the microcontroller during a memory write operation, or input data extracted from the memory during a memory read operation, respectively. A write/read control is used to indicate the memory write or read operation, and a logic address is translated to at…
Maintain power signature (MPS) powered device (PD)
Granted: October 6, 2015
Patent Number:
9152161
A Maintain Power Signature (MPS) Powered Device (PD) is described. In one or more implementations, the MPS device comprises a current sensor configured to sense current flowing from Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to the PD. The current sense based MPS device also comprises a current generator configured to sink electrical current to prevent the PSE from removing power to the PD. Thus, the electrical current comprises a current amplitude characteristic selected based upon MPS requirements…
Method and apparatus for sensing capacitance value and converting it into digital format
Granted: October 6, 2015
Patent Number:
9151640
A capacitive sensing system are configured to sense a capacitance value and convert the sensed capacitance value to a digital format. The capacitive sensing system provides good selectivity and immunity to noise and interference, which can be further enhanced by enabling spread spectrum excitation. In some embodiments, the capacitive sensing system utilizes a sinusoidal excitation signal that results in low electromagnetic emissions, limited to narrow frequency band. In some embodiments,…
Micro rate of rotation sensor and method for operating a micro rate of rotation sensor
Granted: October 6, 2015
Patent Number:
9151611
The present invention relates to a method for operating a rotation sensor for detecting a plurality of rates of rotation about orthogonal axes (x,y,z). The rotation sensor comprises a substrate, driving masses, X-Y sensor masses, and Z sensor masses. The driving masses are driven by drive elements to oscillate in the X-direction. The X-Y sensor masses are coupled to the driving masses, and driven to oscillate in the X-Y direction radially to a center. When a rate of rotation of the…
Programmable mixed-signal input/output (IO)
Granted: September 29, 2015
Patent Number:
9148147
Techniques are described for providing highly integrated and configurable IO ports for integrated circuits that can be individually configured for a variety of general purpose digital or analog functions, such as multiple channel analog-to-digital converters (ADC), multiple channel digital-to-analog converters (DAC), multiplexers, GPIOs, analog switches, switch and multiplexers, digital logic level translators, comparators, temperature sensors and relays, and so forth. The configurations…
Integrated circuit with precision current source
Granted: September 29, 2015
Patent Number:
9148140
An integrated circuit with precision current source includes a first MOSFET, a second MOSFET, an op-amp and a resistor formed on a common semiconductor substrate. The first MOSFET is characterized by a first multiplier (xM1) and the second MOSFET is characterized by a second multiplier (xM2) where a ratio of xM2 to xM1 is greater than one. An inverting input of the op-amp is coupled to a drain of the first MOSFET and an output of the op-amp is coupled to a gate of the first MOSFET. A…
High-resolution digital to analog converter
Granted: September 22, 2015
Patent Number:
9143156
A system configured to receive bits of data. The bits of data include most significant bits and least significant bits. The system includes a first converter, a voltage-to-current converter, a current converter, and a current-to-voltage converter. The first converter is configured to generate input voltages. The input voltages represent the most significant bits of the bits of data. The voltage-to-current converter is configured to convert a selected one of the input voltages to a first…
Fully capacitive coupled input choppers
Granted: September 22, 2015
Patent Number:
9143092
A method of differential signal transfer from a differential input Vinp and Vinn having a common mode input voltage that can be higher than the power supply voltage by providing an input chopper having Vinp and Vinn as a differential input, providing an output chopper, capacitively coupling a differential output Voutp and Voutn of the input chopper to a differential input of the output chopper, capacitively coupling a clock to the input chopper and coupling the clock to the output…
System and methods for two-stage buck boost converters with fast transient response
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9136756
Various embodiments of the invention provide for single and dual phase charge pump, two stage DC/DC buck-boost converters having fast line and load transient control irrespective of load conditions. In certain embodiments of the invention, this is accomplished by controlling a desired output voltage with an error amplifier that controls a plurality of hysteresis comparators. A dual phase charge pump architecture eliminates ripple currents and mode transitions and increases efficiency by…
Method for trimming segment currents in current steering DAC based on most back gate voltage modulation
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9136864
A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) system includes a DAC and a current trimming module. The DAC includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of drivers. Each of the plurality of segments receives driver signals from a respective one of the plurality of drivers, receives segment currents from a respective one of a plurality of segment current sources, and generates an output current based on the driver signals and the segment currents. The current trimming module stores a plurality…
Stacked LED for optical sensor devices
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9136258
An optical sensor device, system, and method are described that include a substrate, an electronic device disposed on the substrate, a molding layer, a lens, and a light-emitting diode (LED) package disposed on the substrate and at least partially over the sensor and molding layer. The LED package can include an LED substrate, an LED, a lens disposed on the LED, and electrical interconnections for coupling the LED to the substrate. In implementations, a process for fabricating the…
Inductive antenna coupling
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9135551
This invention pertains to the connection between a radio frequency circuit and its antenna. Miniaturization of radio frequency integrated circuits has made attaching these circuits to their antennas increasingly difficult and costly. This invention uses magnetic coupling, as performed in transformers, between circuits and antennas as a practical solution to reduce cost and effort in attaching the two sides as well as to protect the circuit against electrostatic discharge. Furthermore a…
Universal direct docking at probe test
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9134357
Techniques are described to provide a universal direct docking tester to prober interface between the test head and a prober of semiconductor wafer prober for testing die within semiconductor wafers. In an implementation, a universal direct docking tester to prober interface includes a tray assembly configured to be mounted within an opening of the prober housing and a stiffener assembly configured to be mounted to a test head to support a load board PCB that includes a probe head. The…
Microelectromechanical z-axis out-of-plane stopper
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9134337
The present invention relates to a microelectromechanical structure, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of incorporating z-axis out-of-plane stoppers that are controlled to protect the structure from both mechanical shock and electrostatic disturbance. The z-axis out-of plane stoppers include shock stoppers and balance stoppers. The shock stoppers are arranged on a cap substrate that is used to package the structure. These shock stoppers are further aligned to a proof…
Method for detecting accelerations and rotation rates, and MEMS sensor
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9134128
The invention concerns a MEMS sensor and a method for detecting accelerations along, and rotation rates about, at least one, preferably two of three mutually perpendicular spatial axes x, y and z by means of a MEMS sensor (1), wherein at least one driving mass (6; 6.1, 6.2) and at least one sensor mass (5) are moveably arranged on a substrate (2) and the at least one driving mass (6; 6.1, 6.2) is moved relative to the at least one sensor mass (5) in oscillation at a driving frequency and…
Method for the measurement and analysis of tyre air pressure with allocation of wheel positions and system for tyre air pressure measurement
Granted: September 15, 2015
Patent Number:
9132705
In a method for the measurement and analysis of tire air pressure with an allocation of wheel positions (I, II, III, IV) of a vehicle (1) for analysis in a tire air pressure measurement system each wheel (2) of the vehicle (1) is allocated an air pressure checking device (10), an LF receiver (11), in particular a magnetic field strength receiver, an analysis unit (13), an RF-transmission device (12) and an individual wheel code. The LF receiver (11) receives electrical LF signals from an…
Dynamic trim method for non volatile memory products
Granted: September 8, 2015
Patent Number:
9129710
A dynamic trim method includes testing a selected number of cells on a die with predetermined testing margins. Data from this testing is used to determine dynamic reference margins for improving yield. Advantageously, yield is improved by allowing functioning fast or slow units to pass wafer sort by applying the dynamic reference margins for varying processes.
LED lighting system and method
Granted: September 8, 2015
Patent Number:
9131565
Various embodiments of the invention allow LED lamp fixtures to pass EMI testing irrespective of whether the lamp fixture is operated by a magnetic transformer or an electric transformer without causing input current waveform distortion and without defeating transformer compatibility. In certain embodiments, the type of transformer is determined based on detecting characteristic voltage waveforms and based that determination an EMI filter is automatically switched in and out of the lamp…
Electronic circuit arrangement for receiving low frequency electromagnetic waves with an adjustable attenuator element
Granted: September 8, 2015
Patent Number:
9130528
An electronic circuit arrangement for receiving low-frequency electromagnetic waves is proposed, having an inductor (L) acting as an antenna for generating a received signal, having a first receiver (2), connected to the inductor (L), for decoding a first component of the received signal and having a second receiver (3), connected to the inductor (L), for decoding a second component of the received signal, wherein at least the second receiver (3) is connected to the inductor (L) via an…
Light sensor having IR cut interference filter with color filter integrated on-chip
Granted: September 8, 2015
Patent Number:
9129874
Techniques are described to furnish a light sensor that includes a patterned IR interference filter integrated with a patterned color pass filter. In one or more implementations, the light sensor includes a substrate having a surface. An IR interference filter configured to block infrared light is disposed over the surface of the substrate. The light sensor also includes one or more color pass filters placed above or below the IR interference filter. The color pass filters are configured…
