Abstract:
A read only memory (ROM) device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first type of conductivity, and a plurality of memory cells on the semiconductor substrate. Each memory cell includes first and second regions of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type. A first dielectric layer is on the plurality of memory cells, and a plurality of first contacts extend through the first dielectric layer for contacting the first regions. A second dielectric layer is on the first dielectric layer and the plurality of first contacts. A plurality of second contacts extend through the second dielectric layer and overlie the corresponding second regions. The plurality of second contacts define interconnection contacts by further extending through the first dielectric layer for contacting the second regions for memory cells programmed in a conductive state, and false interconnection contacts by not extending through the first dielectric layer for contacting the second regions for memory cells programmed in a non-conductive state.
Abstract:
A multilevel nonvolatile memory includes a supply line supplying a supply voltage, a voltage boosting circuit supplying a boosted voltage, higher than the supply voltage, a boosted line connected to the voltage boosting circuit and a reading circuit including at least one comparator. The comparator includes a first and a second input, a first and a second output, at least one amplification stage connected to the boosted line, and a boosted line latch stage connected to the supply line.
Abstract:
A lateral DMOS transistor having a drain region which comprises a high-concentration portion with which the drain electrode is in contact and a low-concentration portion which is delimited by the channel region. In addition to the conventional source, drain, body and gate electrodes, the transistor has an additional electrode in contact with a point of the low-concentration portion of the drain region which is close to the channel. The additional electrode permits a direct measurement of the electric field in the gate dielectric and thus provides information which can be used both for characterizing the transistor and selecting its dimensions and for activating devices for protecting the transistor and/or other components of an integrated circuit containing the transistor.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit for storing data, and for application in a memory card that operates in cooperation with at least one of an external acquisition system and an external processing system includes input/output terminals for receiving the data to be stored, and an electrically programmable non-volatile memory for storing the data in digital format. The memory includes a first terminal for receiving a programming signal for enabling storage of the data, and a second terminal for receiving a reading signal for enabling output of the stored data via the input/output terminals. A memory control circuit is connected to the first and second terminals of the electrically programmable non-volatile memory, and to the input/output terminals for generating programming and reading signals based upon the command signal. The electrically programmable non-volatile memory is erasable by electromagnetic radiation for permitting a non-electrical erasure of the stored data.
Abstract:
An interleaved memory having an interleaved data path includes an array of memory cells divided into a first bank of memory cells and a second bank of memory cells, first and second arrays of sense amplifiers respectively coupled to the first and second bank of memory cells, and first and second read registers respectively coupled to the first and second arrays of sense amplifiers. A control and timing circuit is connected to the first and second arrays of sense amplifiers and has inputs for receiving externally generated command signals, and outputs for providing path selection signals and a control signal. A third register is connected to the first and second read registers and has inputs for receiving read data therein as a function of the path selection signals. An array of pass-gates are connected to the third register and are controlled in common by the control signal for enabling a transfer of the read data stored in the third register to an array of output buffers.
Abstract:
An operational amplifier includes a first stage, and a second stage with an input connected to an output of the first stage and an output connected to a load. The second stage includes between its input and its output a first signal path for driving the load in a first direction, and a second signal path for driving the load in the opposite direction. The first and second signal paths have substantially equal gains for small signals, substantially equal output impedances for small and large signals, and substantially equal output-current capabilities.
Abstract:
A method for accessing memory cells in an array of memory cells storing respective data signals, wherein memory cells in the array of memory cells have a first, resp. second, node selectively couplable to respective bitline branches in a first, resp. second, set of bitline branches, wherein the first and the second set of bitline branches provide at least one bitline capacitance configured to store a bias level of charge in response to being charged.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit is configured to vary an intensity of a drive current of a resistive heater element based on the digital control signal. The circuit includes and output circuit configured to control a respective slew rate and an electric energy dissipated in the resistive heater element independently of a resistance value of the resistive heater element.
Abstract:
A control circuit for a switching stage of an electronic converter includes a PWM signal generator that generates a PWM signal to drive the switching stage of the electronic converter. A loop comparator circuit receives the regulated output voltage of the electronic converter and receives a sum signal from an adder circuit. The loop comparator circuit generates a comparison signal having a first or second logic value in response to the regulated output voltage reaching the sum signal or failing to reach the sum signal. The adder circuit generates the sum signal as a sum of a reference voltage and a programmable offset voltage that is generated by a programmable voltage generator based on a digital word signal. A feedback circuit is coupled to the loop comparator circuit and the PWM signal generator, and provides the digital word signal to the programmable voltage generator.
Abstract:
In accordance with an embodiment, a system includes a phase-locked loop (PLL) configured to provide a first local oscillator (LO) signal and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) signal; a first quadrature demodulator configured to downconvert global navigation satellite system signals to produce a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal; a first signal processing chain configured to pass the first IF signal; a second signal processing chain comprising a first frequency divider configured to produce a second LO signal based on the first LO signal, and a second quadrature demodulator configured to convert the first IF signal to a second IF signal using the second LO signal; and a third signal processing chain comprising a second frequency divider configured to produce a third LO signal based on the VCO signal, and a third quadrature demodulator configured to convert the first IF signal to a third IF signal using the third LO signal.