Abstract:
A sinusoidal signal multiplier circuit produces an output sinusoidal signal substantially without any DC component. This sinusoidal signal multiplier circuit includes a first multiplication cell receiving a first sinusoidal signal at a first input and a second sinusoidal signal at a second input. The first multiplication cell delivers a first output signal. The sinusoidal signal multiplier circuit also includes a second multiplication cell, identical to the first multiplication cell, that receives the second sinusoidal signal at its first input and the first sinusoidal signal at its second input, and delivers a second output signal. The sinusoidal signal multiplier circuit also includes an adder circuit to add the first output signal and the second output signal to provide from the sinusoidal signal multiplier circuit an output signal substantially without any DC component.
Abstract:
An inductance device in monolithic structure is formed from a first metallization level layer of lower parallel conductive lines extending along the inductance pattern; next, on a second level, a set of vias is formed over each underlying conductive line being associated with at least two vias; and in a third metallization level, upper conductive lines interconnected to the underlying conductive lines by means of vias, the lower and upper conductive lines being shifted with respect to one another to ensure the electric continuity.
Abstract:
An electrically programmable and erasable memory includes memory cells connected to word lines and to bit lines arranged in columns. Bit lines selection transistors are driven by bit lines selection signals. Column selection latches each includes a locking element for a column selection signal and a circuit for delivering a gate control signal which depends on the output of the locking element. Each column selection latch delivers, in addition to a gate control signal, a bit lines selection signal. This signal depends on the output of the locking element at least during programming and reading phases of the memory cells.
Abstract:
The method is for transmitting data between two devices via a clock wire or line and at least one data wire or line. The clock wire is maintained by default on a logic value A, and each device is capable of tying the clock wire to an electric potential representing a logic value B that is the opposite of A. According to the method, both devices tie the clock wire to B when a datum is transmitted, the device to which the datum is sent does not release the clock wire while it has not read the datum, and the device sending the datum maintains the datum on the data wire at least until an instant when the clock wire is released by the device to which the datum is sent. The method is particularly applicable to communication between a microcomputer and a microprocessor.
Abstract:
A current source includes a current mirror and a core connected together between two supply terminals. The current mirror comprises a pilot transistor and first and second recopy transistors. The core comprises first and second transistors and a resistance. The first transistor and the first recopy transistor are connected together to form a first branch. The resistance and the second recopy transistor are connected together to form a second branch. The pilot transistor and the second transistor are connected together to form a third branch. These branches are connected between the two supply terminals. The first transistor is linked to the second branch between the resistance and the second recopy transistor. The second transistor is connected to the first branch between the first core transistor and the first recopy transistor.
Abstract:
A microprocessor is for detecting an interrupt request during execution of a program, saving contextual data elements of the program being executed, sending an interrupt acknowledge signal, and jumping to an interrupt subroutine if the interrupt request is still present after saving the contextual data. Otherwise, the microprocessor resumes execution of the interrupted program.
Abstract:
The microarchitecture of the arithmetic unit includes two cascaded N bit adders to provide an N bits result in an accumulator. The arithmetic unit also includes a carry save adder, followed by an adder, which, along with the accumulator, are extended to Nnull1 bits. A circuit for determining the output carry value associated with the result is also provided.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a process for protection of the grid of a transistor in an integrated circuit for production of a local interconnection pad straddling over the grid and the silicon substrate on which it is formed. The process consists of applying a double dielectric-conducting layer on the transistor grid into which a polysilicon layer is added in order to use the selectivity principle, which is large considering the etching of polysilicon with respect to the oxide in which the local interconnection pad is formed. Furthermore, with the process according to the invention, a silicidation treatment can be applied beforehand on the active areas of the transistor and the grid.
Abstract:
Semiconductor device comprising a metal circuit with two parts wound into spirals which are formed such that the branches of one of the parts and the corresponding branches of the other part lie on either side of a median longitudinal region and are symmetrical with respect to this region. A common junction connects the inner ends of the parts and lies across the median longitudinal region and the intermediate junctions between the branches of one of the parts pass above or below the intermediate junctions between the branches of the other part. A common external connection is connected to the common junction and separate external connection are connected respectively to the outer ends of the wound parts. The wound parts constitute two symmetrical metal windings formed between the common connection and the separate connection, respectively, and constituting symmetrical inductors.
Abstract:
A microprocessor includes a counter having a counting input and a reset input. The counting input is coupled to a first terminal of the microprocessor for the selection of an operating mode thereof by application of a predetermined number of pulses to the first terminal. The reset input of the counter is driven by a control signal present on a second terminal of the microprocessor. The control signal is maintained by default at a first logic value ensuring the maintaining at zero of the counter during the initialization period by a circuit internal or external the microprocessor. Immunity against electromagnetic perturbations causing the microprocessor to enter into the test mode is provided.