Abstract:
A photodetector formed in monolithic form including a first active area of doped single-crystal silicon corresponding to first and second photodiodes having the same surface area as two charge transfer MOS transistors, and as one storage diode; a second active area of doped single-crystal silicon arranged next to the portion of the first active area associated with the second photodiode and corresponding to a precharge switch; and a third active doped single-crystal silicon area arranged next to the portion of the first active area associated with the first photodiode and corresponding to two read MOS transistors in series, in which the surfaces of the second and third active areas exposed to light are substantially identical.
Abstract:
A method and a circuit for masking a digital word by application of a random bijection, including applying at least one first operation including selecting a non-disjoint subset of the word having its position and size depending on a first random quantity, and assigning to each bit of the subset, the state of the bit having a symmetrical position with respect to the middle of the subset, to obtain a masked digital quantity.
Abstract:
A method and a circuit for detecting a modulation factor in a signal received in amplitude modulation, including comparing the received signal with two first values, comparing the received signal with two second values ranging between the first two values, and considering the presence of an insufficient modulation depth if the received signal ranges between at least two of said values.
Abstract:
A circuit for controlling a matrix display formed of light-emitting diodes, capable of successively selecting lines of the screen and, for each line from a set of selected lines, of selecting columns, the voltage of each selected column settling at an operating voltage. The circuit is capable, before selection of each line from said set of lines, of precharging at least the columns to be selected to a precharge voltage. The circuit includes a device for adjusting the precharge voltage including a measurement circuit capable, on each selection of a line from said set of lines, of measuring the maximum operating voltage from among the operating voltages of the selected columns; a circuit capable of storing the maximum measured operating voltage; and a circuit capable of adjusting the precharge voltage based on the maximum stored operating voltage.
Abstract:
A memory cell with at least two detectable states among which is an unprogrammed state, comprising, in series between two terminals of application of a read voltage, at least one first branch comprising: a pre-read stage comprising, in parallel, two switchable resistors having different values with a first predetermined difference; and a programming stage formed of a polysilicon programming resistor, a terminal of the programming resistor being accessible by a programming circuit capable of causing an irreversible decrease in its value.
Abstract:
A terminal for generating an electromagnetic field adapted to communicating with at least one transponder, and a method for controlling such a terminal including: an oscillating circuit adapted to being excited by a remote supply signal of the transponder; a phase demodulator for detecting possible data transmitted by the transponder; circuitry for regulating the signal phase in the terminal's oscillating circuit on a reference value; circuitry for measuring variables linked to the current in the oscillating circuit and to the voltage thereacross; and circuitry for comparing current values of these variables with predetermined values, to determine the presence of a transponder.
Abstract:
An input stage for a video receiver includes a variable gain amplifier, an analog-to-digital converter for sampling a video signal and a digital processing unit for processing digital samples of the video signal. An analog regulating circuit sets an input potential at an input of the variable gain amplifier. A differential architecture is used for the variable gain amplifier and the digital analog converter. A conversion circuit between an input coupling capacitor and the variable gain amplifier allows generating the video signal on two channels in antiphase, which are centered on the common mode voltage. Such differential architecture allows reducing the amplitude of analog signals, which is particularly advantageous in the case of a low voltage supply delivering a few volts. In addition, linearity of the video signal processing is enhanced.
Abstract:
A method for controlling an electromagnetic field generation terminal using a signal for exciting an oscillating circuit, provided with circuitry for regulating the signal phase in the oscillating circuit, including comparing current values of variables linked to the current in the oscillating circuit and to the voltage thereacross with predetermined values, to detect the presence of a transponder in the electromagnetic field.
Abstract:
A process for producing an electronic component includes covering a substrate with a portion defining, with the substrate, a volume at least partly filled with a temporary material. The temporary material is then removed via chimney for access to said volume. A deposition of a fill material is then made in said volume, the fill material being obtained from precursors supplied via the chimney. The process is particularly suitable for producing a gate of an MOS-type transistor. In this case, the fill material is conducting or semiconducting, and an electrically insulating coating material may also be deposited in said volume before the (semi) conducting fill material. The process also includes defining a trench in a substrate filled with a temporary material. The filled trench is then covered with a circuit portion. The temporary material is then removed via a chimney for access to the trench. A deposition of low dielectric fill material is then made in the trench.
Abstract:
A programmable control interface is for circuits using complex commands. The programmable interface includes a memory for storing sampled commands and a sequencing circuit. The sequencing circuit is programmable. Thus, a processor downloads into the programmable interface a sequencing specific to the sequence of commands. Once the programmable interface has been programmed, the processor launches the start of the sequence and the programmable interface manages and controls in a standalone manner the inputs/outputs with the slave circuit. The management and control of the slave circuit is independent of any interrupt specific to the system. The programmable interface uses a software-type upgrade to interface with new slave circuits that may appear on the market.