Temic Telefunken Microelectronic Gmbh

Atmel Germany Gmbh

International Business Machines Corporation

Daimler-Benz Ag

Karl Hofmann

Gary W Rubloff

Donald R Young

Reinhard Oelmaier

Helmut Riedel

Willi Platz

Gerald Sobotta

The control voltage for a VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) is produced in a phase locked loop which in turn is controlled by a computer () including an integrated analog circuit (). First the oscillator control voltage is set to a predetermined value. Then, voltage varying steps are performed. For performing these steps, the circuit includes a main frequency divider and a reference frequency divider both functioning as counters. The beginnings of the counting of each divider are synchronized with each other. The oscillator control voltage is increased by a predetermined voltage difference or increment when the reference divider completes its counting period prior to the main divider completing its counting. The oscillator control voltage is decreased by a predetermined voltage difference or decrement when the main divider finishes its counting period prior to the reference divider finishing its count.

Method and circuit for producing a control voltage for a VCO

A PLL circuit arrangement includes a first frequency divider connected to a reference frequency source, a second frequency divider connected to the output of an oscillator controlled by the output of a loop filter, a phase/frequency detector that detects phase/frequency differences between the two divider outputs, a charge pump between the detector and the loop filter, a controller providing a changeable divider ratio to the first and/or second frequency divider, and a regulating signal generator that changes the output voltage of the loop filter applied to the oscillator in a controlled manner in response to a change of the divider ratio. The signal generator preferably has inputs connected to outputs of the controller and the frequency dividers, and an output connected to the charge pump and/or the loop filter to accelerate the recharging thereof in response to a change of the divider ratio.

Circuit and method for faster frequency switching in a phase locked loop

In an image detection device comprising at least one column arrangement consisting of photo detector elements linearly arranged in a row, an image field will be swung alternately across the photo detector elements in both longitudinal directions of the column arrangement. For time-correct summing and output of the detector signals, the photo detector elements of one column arrangement will be connected with a TDI arrangement. The TDI arrangement features a switch arrangement comprising several switches as well as a memory unit containing several memory cells. By appropriate control of the switch arrangement, its switches will be set such that the detector signals generated in the photo detector elements by one and the same image field pixel will be integrated into one and the same memory cell of the memory unit.

Image detection device

An arrangement and method for processing a signal field of sensor signals which originate from the individual sensor elements, for example photodetectors, of a plurality of sensor elements which are regularly spaced in an area and which are each surrounded by six adjacent sensor elements while forming a hexagonal structure. A differential amplifier compares a quantity representing the potential difference and a reference quantity forms a switching quantity (I.sub.Mo) on the output side. A switching comparator, on the input side, receives the switching quantity and, if this switching quantity exceeds the preselectable switching threshold, on the output side emits a switching pulse which causes the 'off' switching condition. Four signal outputs 1, 2, 3, 4 as well as four signal inputs (I.sub.M1 I.sub.M2, I.sub.M3, I.sub.M4) are each connected with a signal input and a signal output of one of the four analog circuits assigned to the four next adjacent switchable resistors, one signal respectively being supplied to the four signal outputs which represents the switching quantity. A switching stage for forming the reference quantity takes into account the signals present at the four signal inputs.

Sensor element array and method for signal or image processing

The insulating and stabiity characteristics of silicon dioxide gate oxide insulator for field effect transistors are enhanced by subjecting the silicon dioxide to an annealing in an ambient that contains a gaseous oxygen-containing species in an amount sufficient to provide a partial pressure from the oxygen-containing material of about 10.sup.-6 torr to about 10 torr during annealing temperatures of about 500.degree. C. to about 1200.degree. C. Such is carried out for a time sufficient to enhance the insulating and stability characteristics of the silicon dioxide insulator.

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Ulm, Germany

Karl Hofmann