Robert Boschgmbh

Akustica, Inc.

Aspinity, Inc.

Matthew A Zeleznik

Brett Mathew Diamond

Kaigham Jacob Gabriel

John Matthew Muza

Brandon David Rumberg

Jan E Vandemeer

Anthony T Zisko

Michael Fuhrman

Steven Andryzcik

Milap J Dalal

Glen Edward Clark

Madhumita Harish

Lorenzo Ponzanelli

Thomas Doyle

Provided is an analog-based machine learning apparatus and method that enables low-power sensing and smarter determinations on a vehicle. As an example, the method may include storing a machine learning model and configuration data for an analog processor in a storage device of a digital processor in a vehicle, receiving, via the analog processor, sensor data from one or more hardware sensors that are communicably coupled to the analog processor, extracting features from the sensor data, determining an event that occurred based on the configuration data and execution of a machine learning model on the extracted features of the sensor data, and storing an identifier of the event in the storage device.

Low-power analog vehicle monitoring system

According to some embodiments, re-programmable and/or reconfigurable analog circuitry monitor an acoustic signal sensed by a sound sensor and selectively generates a tone detection signal in response to an analysis of the acoustic signal and a defined tone detection condition. The tone detection condition may be, for example, associated with presence of at least one pre-determined tone frequency. A digital Microcontroller Unit ('MCU'), coupled to the analog circuitry, may receive the tone detection signal as an interrupt causing the MCU to wake-up, generate a digital timestamp, and/or analyze a series of digital timestamps to detect at least one temporal audio alarm pattern, such as a temporal-three (“T3”) or a temporal-four (“T4”) audio alarm pattern.

Audio tone detection using analog processing

A biasing circuit for a capacitive sensor includes a capacitive sensor element configured to produce a sensor voltage at a sense node, and a preamplifier connected to the sense node and configured to amplify the sensor voltage. The biasing circuit has an auxiliary amplifier connected between an output of the preamplifier and the sense node and configured to set a DC component of an input voltage for the preamplifier to a ratiometric DC bias voltage.

Ratiometric biasing for high impedance capacitive sensing

A bi-directional charge pump cell includes a p-type substrate having a main surface. A first n-well is formed in the p-type substrate that includes n+ doped regions formed in the first n&#x2212; well at the main surface. A first p-well is formed in the first n&#x2212; well that includes p+ doped regions formed in the first p-well at the main surface. A second n-well is formed in the first p-well that includes n+ doped regions and PMOS transistors formed at the main surface. A second p-well is formed in the first n-well that includes p+ doped regions at the main surface. A third p-well is defined in the second p-well that includes p+ doped regions and NMOS transistors at the main surface.

Configurable bi-directional charge pump design

A method of detecting defects in a high impedance network of a MEMs microphone sensor interface circuit. The method includes adding a high-voltage reset switch to a high-voltage high impedance network, closing the high-voltage reset switch during a start-up phase of the MEMs microphone sensor interface circuit, simultaneously closing a low-voltage reset switch of a low-voltage high impedance network during the start-up phase, simultaneously opening the high-voltage reset switch and the low-voltage reset switch at the end of the start-up phase, and detecting a defect in the high-voltage high impedance network or the low-voltage high impedance network immediately after opening the high-voltage reset switch and the low-voltage reset switch.

High-voltage reset MEMS microphone network and method of detecting defects thereof

Systems and methods of generating independent adjustable bias voltages for a differential microphone. The microphone system includes a positive adjustable charge pump, a positive sense capacitor, a negative adjustable charge pump, a negative sense-capacitor, and a differential amplifier. The positive adjustable charge pump is configured to generate a positive bias voltage. The positive sense-capacitor is configured to generate a positive sense voltage based on acoustic pressure from a first direction and the positive bias voltage. The negative adjustable charge pump is configured to generate a negative bias voltage. The negative sense-capacitor is configured to generate a negative sense voltage based on the acoustic pressure from the first direction and the negative bias voltage. The differential amplifier is configured to receive the positive and negative sense voltages. The differential amplifier is also configured to generate a differential voltage based on the positive and negative sense voltages.

Independently charge pumps for differential microphone

An adjustable charge pump system. The system includes a voltage regulator, a clock circuit, a voltage adjustment circuit, and a charge pump. The voltage regulator is configured to receive an input voltage and output a regulated voltage. The clock circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator and receives the regulated voltage. The voltage adjustment circuit is coupled to the voltage regulator and is configured to receive the regulated voltage and to output a driver voltage. The charge pump includes a plurality of stages. The output of the adjustable charge pump system is adjusted by disabling one or more stages of the first stage and the plurality of subsequent stages.

Adjustable biasing circuits for MEMS capacitive microphones

A method of initiating a reset sequence for a MEMS capacitive microphone. The method includes monitoring an output of a microphone and detecting a mute condition in the output of the microphone indicative of a fault condition. The method also includes activating a timing circuit. The timing circuit is configured to indicate when a certain time period since the initiation of the timing circuit has elapsed. Upon expiration of the time period indicated by the timing circuit, a microphone reset sequence is initiated.

Reset circuit for MEMS capacitive microphones

The MEMS switch has a high-impedance state and a low-impedance state for biasing a capacitive sensor, and includes an actuation bias terminal, a sense bias terminal, a switch control terminal, a sense node terminal, and a spring. The actuation bias terminal and the sense bias terminal reside in a released region of the switch. The sense bias terminal is physically coupled to the actuation bias terminal by a dielectric which electrically isolates the sense bias terminal from the actuation bias terminal. The switch control terminal is separated from the sense bias terminal by a first air gap, and the sense node terminal is separated from the sense bias terminal by a second air gap. The spring supports the actuation bias terminal, the sense bias terminal, and the dielectric.

High-impedance MEMS switch

Provided is a micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) device including a substrate; at least one semiconductor layer provided on the substrate; a circuit region including at least one chip containing drive/sense circuitry, the circuit region provided on the at least one semiconductor layer; a support structure attached to the substrate; at least one elastic device attached to the support structure; a proof-mass suspended by the at least one elastic device and free to move in at least one of the x-, y-, and z-directions; at least one top electrode provided on the at least one elastic device; and at least one bottom electrode located beneath the at least one elastic device such that an initial capacitance is generated between the at least one top and bottom electrodes, wherein the drive/sense circuitry, proof-mass, supporting structure, and the at least one top and bottom electrodes are fabricated on the at least one semiconductor layer.

Proof-mass with supporting structure on integrated circuit-MEMS platform and method of fabricating the same

An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor die, the semiconductor die including a semiconductor substrate, driving/control circuitry disposed along a peripheral region of the semiconductor die, a MEMS device disposed within a central region of the semiconductor die, and a barrier disposed between the driving/control circuitry and the MEMS device.

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Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America

Matthew A Zeleznik