Abstract:
An encoder allows generating, starting from a sequence of digital video pictures, a time-scalable encoded bitstream obtained by applying to the pictures, a hierarchical prediction wherein the pictures are organized in Groups Of Pictures (GOPs). The GOPs may include base time layer pictures or Key Pictures for encoding as Inter or Intra, with and without motion-compensated prediction respectively. The GOPs may also include higher time layer pictures adapted to be selectively eliminated to effect time scalability of the encoded scalable bitstream. The encoder may detect scene changes in the sequence of digital video pictures, and, in the presence of a scene change, a first Key Picture after the scene change may be encoded as Intra.
Abstract:
A notch filter suitable for attenuating certain frequencies of a radio-frequency signal includes an input for receiving the radio-frequency signal and an output for the output of a portion of the radio-frequency signal, first and second capacitive means, at least one inductor and a negative resistance circuit suitable for compensating the resistive losses of said at least one inductor. The inductor and the first and second capacitive means are placed to produce a resonator and the filter comprises a control device suitable for controlling the negative resistance circuit. The input impedance of the filter comprises a pole and a zero, with the pole depending on the second capacitive means and the zero depending on both the first and second capacitive means. The first and second capacitive means are variable and the control device is suitable for controlling the first and second capacitive means.
Abstract:
A method is for designing an accelerator for digital signal processing including defining a software programmable fully pre-laid out macro by pre-laying out with a fixed topology a control logic of the DSP accelerator to obtain a fully pre-laid out control logic. The method further includes defining a hardware programmable partially pre-laid out macro by customizing a configurable layout area, thereby mapping a computational logic based on computation kernels related to an application of the DSP accelerator. A partially pre-laid out computational logic is therefore obtained.
Abstract:
An embodiment of a semiconductor power device provided with: a structural body made of semiconductor material with a first conductivity, having an active area housing one or more elementary electronic components and an edge area delimiting externally the active area; and charge-balance structures, constituted by regions doped with a second conductivity opposite to the first conductivity, extending through the structural body both in the active area and in the edge area in order to create a substantial charge balance. The charge-balance structures are columnar walls extending in strips parallel to one another, without any mutual intersections, in the active area and in the edge area.
Abstract:
One embodiment is a phase change memory that includes a heater element transversely contacting a storage element of phase change material. In particular, an end of the storage element contacts an end of the heater element. A first pair of dielectric spacers is positioned on opposite sides of the first heater element and a second pair of dielectric spacers is positioned on opposite sides of the first storage element. The storage element, heater element, and first and second pairs of dielectric spacers can be made by a spacer patterning technique.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a device for emission of optical radiation integrated on a substrate of a semiconductor material includes the steps of forming a first mirror, a second mirror of a dielectric type, and an active layer comprising a main zone designed to be excited to generate the radiation. First and second electrically conductive layers are formed and arranged to produce a generation electric signal of an electric field to which an excitation current of the main zone is associated. A dielectric region is formed between the first and the second layers by partially oxidizing the first electrically conductive layer to and thereby obtaining a thermal oxide layer, to space out corresponding peripheral portions of the first and second layers so that the electric field present in the main zone is greater than that present between the peripheral portions thus favouring a corresponding generation of the excitation current in the main zone.
Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to the use of a nitroaniline derivative of Formula (I) for the production of nitric oxide and for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of a disease wherein the administration of nitric oxide is beneficial. The present disclosure furthermore relates to a method for the production of NO irradiating a nitroaniline derivative of Formula (I), a kit comprising a nitroaniline derivative of Formula (I) and a carrier and to a system comprising a source of radiations and a container associated to a nitroaniline derivative of Formula (I). In Formula (I), R and RI are each independently hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group; RII is hydrogen or an alkyl group.
Abstract:
A method of driving a sensorless brushless motor in PWM mode includes tristating a winding during a time window for detecting a zero-cross of the back electromotive force induced in the winding by rotation of a rotor, monitoring voltage of the tristated winding during an unmasked portion of the time window, and detecting during the time window a zero-cross event of the induced back electromotive force. The method includes verifying whether the zero-cross event occurred during the unmasked portion, modifying for the next cycle the duration of the time window and/or of the unmasked portion thereof based upon the verification, defining a safety interval in the unmasked time window, modifying the duration of the time window and/or of the unmasked portion thereof depending on whether the zero-cross event has been detected during the safety interval.
Abstract:
A method for estimating the state of a system, as well as an extended Kalman filter (EKF), allows nonlinear mathematical models to be used for describing the system. Accurate precision is provided since the method is based on an EKF technique while using a filter that implements a first degree Stirling approximation formula. The method may be used for estimating position and speed of a brushless motor, and may be implemented in a relative device. Such a device may be introduced in a control loop of a brushless motor of a power steering system for a vehicle to provide a countering torque on the steering wheel based on speed of the vehicle and a steering angle of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A memory has an array of k-level cells, organized into pages of words, each storing a string of bits. The memory device includes a coding circuit input with strings of N bits, and generates corresponding k-level strings. A program circuit is input with the k-level strings to stores in groups of c cells with k levels. A read circuit reads data stored in groups of c cells with k levels and generates k-level strings. A read decoding circuit is input with k-level strings read from groups of c cells with k levels to generate strings of N bits. The words of each page are grouped in groups of words, each word including groups of c cells with k levels, and at least one remaining bit of the word being stored, with corresponding remaining bits of other words of the page, in a group of c cells with k levels.