Abstract:
A device described herein includes a movable MEMS mirror, with a driver configured to drive the movable MEMS mirror with a periodic signal such that the MEMS mirror oscillates at its resonance frequency. A feedback measuring circuit is configured to measure a signal flowing through the movable MEMS mirror. A processor is configured to sample the signal at first and second instants, generate an error signal as a function of a difference between the signal at the first instant in time and the signal at the second instant in time, and determine the opening angle of the movable MEMS mirror as a function of the error signal.
Abstract:
A process for assembly of an integrated device, envisages: providing a first body of semiconductor material integrating at least one electronic circuit and having a top surface; providing a second body of semiconductor material integrating at least one microelectromechanical structure and having a bottom surface; and stacking the second body on the first body with the interposition, between the top surface of the first body and the bottom surface of the second body, of an elastic spacer material. Prior to the stacking step, the step is envisaged of providing, in an integrated manner, at the top surface of the first body a confinement and spacing structure that confines inside it the elastic spacer material and supports the second body at a distance from the first body during the stacking step.
Abstract:
An image sensor may have a pixel array and an imaging lens for forming an image on the pixel array. The sensor may also include a pixel readout unit for enabling individual pixel values to be readout. The sensor may further include a pixel selection unit wherein at least one pixel sub-array is selected according to the pixel values readout and the at least one sub-array is used for reading the image.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the demultiplexing of a digital data stream in a receiver so as to retain only those parts of the digital data stream required by the receiver. Such demultiplexing is particularly useful when applied to a receiver circuit in a television system having a digital set-top-box.A memory in the receiver stores packet identifiers of data packets required by the receiver, which are stored in the memory under the control of a first control circuit. A second control circuit extracts packet identifiers from incoming data packets in an input digital data stream. A third control circuit receives the extracted packet identifier and determines whether this matches one of the packet identifiers stored in the memory. A match signal is set by the third control circuit to the second control circuit responsive to a match. The second control circuit demultiplexes the input data packet responsive to the match signal.
Abstract:
An image sensor includes a power supply ripple rejection circuit having an input connected to a supply voltage reference, and an output connected to an output voltage reference. The power supply ripple rejection circuit reduces the affect of variance in the supply voltage reference on the output voltage reference.
Abstract:
Digital data is transmitted in a block-based hyperframe that consists of N frames. Each frame carries multiplexed data from one or more user data channels and a control channel. Control channel information is unequally allocated among the N frames, the amount of information carried in each frame varying according to the frame's position in the hyperframe. All of the user data channels except one carry a predetermined number of transmission units in each frame. The excepted user data channel carries a calculated amount needed to round out the particular frame. Following multiplexing, a block encoder defines the frames and adds error detection or error correction information. The number of frames per hyperframe and the total number of transmission units for the control channel are available to a receiver, which can then demultiplex the hyperframe.
Abstract:
An image sensor includes an array of digital pixels, a first frame store for storing reference data, and a second frame store for storing image data. The reference and image data are combine to cancel an off-set of the pixels in the array. A re-set and a calibration phase are performed while a shutter is closed to obtain reference data during a calibration phase. A comparator measures an off-set time to gather information on the off-set of the pixels. During or after an exposure phase a conversion time is measured representative of the illumination on the pixel. During the calibration phase the off-set is measured. This digital technique requires a much smaller voltage swing on the pixel, and known techniques and can be performed in a shorter time. This increases the overall frame rate of the image sensor since the time taken for the reset and calibration phases is less than the time taken for the exposure phase.
Abstract:
A method for forming a sensor is provided, together with a sensor formed according to the method. Photoresist material is deposited on a surface of the sensor, and is then patterned and etched to form an array of microlens structures. The structures are spaced close together in a predetermined pattern so that when a reflow process is performed, the structures melt and coalesce to form a barrier. The barrier defines a region for constraining or channeling the flow of reagent and analyte samples used in bio-optical sensors.
Abstract:
A circuit for monitoring information put onto an interconnect by one or more modules, said circuit comprising circuitry for determining if the information on the interconnect matches one or more conditions; and circuitry for preventing a module from putting further information onto said interconnect if it is determined that information on the interconnect matches said one or more conditions.
Abstract:
A polarization sensitive solid state image sensor includes an integrated photodetector and polarizing assembly. The polarizing assembly is formed directly on an upper dielectric surface of the photodetector as a metal grid. The integral form of the device improves polarization operation and reduces manufacturing costs.