Abstract:
A method of making an integrated circuit (IC) includes forming circuitry over a top surface of a semiconductor substrate having the top surface and an opposite bottom surface. An antenna is formed in an interconnect layer formed above the semiconductor substrate, where the antenna is coupled to circuitry. A seal ring is formed around a periphery of the interconnect layer. The seal ring is disposed around the antenna and the circuitry. A trench with a solid-state insulating material is formed. The trench extends vertically into the semiconductor substrate and extends laterally across the IC.
Abstract:
A switching amplifier includes a first half-bridge PWM modulator, a second half-bridge PWM modulator, and at least one amplifier stage configured to receive input signals. The switching amplifier also includes a PWM control stage configured to control switching of the first PWM modulator and of the second PWM modulator as a function of the input signals, by respective first PWM control signals and second PWM control signals. The amplifier stage and the PWM control stage have a fully differential structure.
Abstract:
A track regulator circuit includes an input terminal for receiving an input signal, an output stage with an output terminal for applying an output signal to a load, an error amplifier coupled to the input terminal, and a feedback resistor between the output terminal and the error amplifier for transferring to the error amplifier a feedback signal indicative of the output signal. The error amplifier is configured for driving the output stage as a function of the difference between the input signal and the output signal so that the output signal tracks the input signal. The circuit includes a current generator coupled to the feedback resistor for injecting into the feedback resistor a soft-start current to unbalance the error amplifier, with the intensity of the soft-start current gradually ramping down to zero.
Abstract:
A pico-projector device includes a light source operable to generate a light beam as a function of an image to be generated, a mirror mechanism operable to direct the light beam towards a displaying surface, and a driving circuit that supplies driving signals for controlling movement of the mirror mechanism. The driving circuit includes a compensation stage that receives angular velocity signals from a gyroscopic sensor coupled to the pico-projector device and generates the driving signals as a function of the angular velocity signals, thereby stabilizing the image projected on the displaying surface with respect to undesired movements of the pico-projector device.
Abstract:
A method for making an integrated circuit (IC) including embedded phase change memory (PCM) may include forming an array of heating elements above a substrate including processing circuitry thereon, and forming a respective PCM chalcogenide glass layer above each heating element. This may be done by forming a tellurium-rich, germanium-antimony-tellurium (GST) layer above the heating element, and forming a germanium-rich GST layer above the tellurium-rich GST layer. In another embodiment, the method may include forming the PCM glass layers to have a nitrogen concentration doping profile that increase in a direction upward from the heating element.
Abstract:
An integrated micro-electromechanical device includes a first body of semiconductor material having a first face and a second face opposite the first surface, with the first body including a buried cavity forming a diaphragm delimited between the buried cavity and the first face. The diaphragm is monolithic with the first body. At least one first magnetic via extends between the second face and the buried cavity of the first body. A first magnetic region extends over the first face of the first body. A first coil extends over the second face of the first body and is magnetically coupled to the first magnetic via.
Abstract:
A battery charger includes an input supply terminal configured to receive a supply signal and a battery terminal configured to be connected to a battery. A supply switching circuit is arranged between the battery terminal and the input supply terminal. A control device generates a control signal to control operation of the supply switching circuit. A fuel gauge device provide a digital estimation of a voltage signal across the battery. A correction device modifies the control signal in response to the digital estimation of the voltage signal across the battery if that digital estimation is outside of a value range between two thresholds.
Abstract:
An embodiment of an integrated electronic device having a body, made at least partially of semiconductor material and having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface, and a first antenna, which is integrated in the body and enables magnetic or electromagnetic coupling of the integrated electronic device with a further antenna. The integrated electronic device moreover has a coupling region made of magnetic material, which provides, in use, a communication channel between the first antenna and the further antenna.
Abstract:
An input signal is amplified into an output signal that is to be applied to an electrical load including a capacitive component. An amplifier stage includes a pre-amplifier module to receive a first supply voltage, and an output module to receive a second supply voltage. The pre-amplifier module includes a first gain block to pre-amplify the input signal into a first pre-amplified signal, and a second gain block to pre-amplify the input signal into a second pre-amplified signal. A feedback block feeds back the output signal as a feedback signal. A combination element combines the first pre-amplified signal and the feedback signal into a combined signal. The output module combines the combined signal and the second pre-amplified signal into the output signal.
Abstract:
A positioning apparatus includes: a reference device configured to provide a measured current motion angle of a vehicle; an inertial sensor configured to provide a current input angular rate of the vehicle and associated with at least one inertial sensor behavior parameter dependent on inertial sensor temperature; a temperature sensor configured to provide an input temperature variation of the inertial sensor on a time interval; and a digital estimator configured to recursively computing an estimated current motion angle of the vehicle and at least one previously estimated inertial sensor behavior parameter as function of: the measured current motion angle, a previously estimated motion angle, the current input angular rate, and the input temperature variation.