Freescale Semiconductor,inc.

Nxp Usa, Inc.

Matthew Bacchi

Vincent Teil

Ronghua Zhu

Pierre Turpin

Alexis Nathanael Huot-Marchand

Maarten Jacobus Swanenberg

Guillaume Mouret

Pascal Sandrez

Keith Jackoski

Laurent Segarra

Russell Schaller

Alexis Nathanaël Huot-Marchand

A testing method and apparatus is disclosed for testing an integrated circuit device () which has a dedicated ground bias pad () connected across a high voltage electrostatic discharge clamp circuit () to a well-driving ground pad () by applying a first voltage to the dedicated ground bias pad to bias a wafer substrate () while simultaneously applying a second voltage to the well-driving ground pad to bias the well region (), where the first and second voltage create a stressing voltage across a buried insulator layer () in the integrated circuit device so that a screening test can be conducted to screen for a defect () in the buried insulator layer by measuring a leakage current.

Screening method and apparatus for detecting deep trench isolation and SOI defects

A detector () detects an unwanted oscillation generated by a closed-loop system () due to disconnection, improper usage, or absence of a stability-controlling element () necessary for the closed-loop system to function properly. An integrated circuit () includes the closed-loop system, the detector, and a supervisory system () that disables the closed-loop system upon disconnection of the stability-controlling element from the closed-loop system.

Closed-loop system oscillation detector

In the field of step-down voltage conversion, it is known to regulate an output of a DC-DC converter circuit with both a Pulse Wave Modulation voltage signal or a Pulse Frequency Modulation voltage signal, depending upon a current demand made upon the DC-DC converter circuit. Typically, circuits to generate both voltage signals are provided and selection of the appropriate regulation mode is achieved by means of a pin and decision software controlling the pin. However, the use of the pin and the software is an overhead that is desirably avoided. Consequently, the present invention provides a voltage conversion apparatus comprising a signal analyzer to analyze a load current signal and compare a characteristic of the load current signal to at least one predetermined criterion. Regulation by the PWM signal or the PFM signal is selected in response to the evaluation of the comparison with the at least one criterion.

Voltage converter apparatus and method therefor

An electronic switch circuit includes an electronic switch having a first terminal, a second terminal and a third terminal, control means for applying to the first terminal a cyclic drive waveform which causes the electronic switch to conduct between the second and third terminals during a selected portion of each cycle of the waveform, operably coupled to the control means to control synchronisation of the cyclic drive waveform a detector operable to detect a change of direction of current flow at the second terminal of the electronic switch and means for monitoring and, where required, compensating for offset error of the detector. The electronic switch may beneficially be a synchronous rectifier. The synchronous rectifier may be used in DC-DC power converters to improve efficiency.

Electronic switch circuit, converter and method of operation

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Saveres, France

Matthew Bacchi