STMicroelectronics

About: STMicroelectronics is a company organization based out in Geneva, Switzerland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Transistor & Signal. The organization has 17172 authors who have published 29543 publications receiving 300766 citations. The organization is also known as: SGS-Thomson & STM.

A New Combined Methodology for Write-Margin Extraction of Advanced SRAM

Abstract: As SRAM integration scheme becomes more and more aggressive in term of development time, supply voltage and geometric dimension, parameter extraction techniques need to be continuously upgraded to ensure the best support for technology development. An innovative approach for write-margin extraction has recently been published at the ISSCC'2006 conference. This approach makes use of test structure giving access to internal node. Here, this approach is evaluated through our 65 nm process and it is shown that the layout and probing of the innovative test structure induces a write delay. As a consequence an adaptation of this innovative methodology is proposed. The new combined solution gives promising results, in terms of accuracy and spread, to better follow the process development of advanced SRAM.

Narrow array capacitive fingerprint imager

Abstract: A narrow array capacitive semiconductor fingerprint detection system includes an array of capacitive sensing elements. The array has a first dimension about the width of a fingerprint and second dimension less than the length of a fingerprint. A scan control unit is coupled to scan the array at a scan rate determined by the speed of finger movement over the array. The scan control unit scans the array capture partial fingerprint images. Output logic is coupled to the array to assemble the captured fingerprint images into a complete image based upon the direction of finger movement over the array. A mouse device is positioned adjacent the array in the path of finger movement over the array. The mouse device is coupled to provide finger movement speed information to the scan control unit. The mouse device is also coupled to provide finger movement direction information to the output logic.

Nonlinear Modeling of DC/DC Converters Using the Hammerstein's Approach

Abstract: This paper deals with the modelling of highly nonlinear switching power-electronics converters using black-box identification methods. The duty cycle and the output voltage are chosen, respectively, as the input and the output of the model. A nonlinear Hammerstein-type mathematical model, consisting of a static nonlinearity and a linear time-invariant model, is considered in order to cope with the well-known limitations of the more common small-signal models, i.e. the entity of the variations of the variables around a well-defined steady-state operating point and the incorrect reproduction of the steady-state behavior corresponding to input step variations from the above steady-state operating point. The static nonlinearity of the Hammerstein model is identified from input-output couples measured at steady state for constant inputs. The linear model is identified from input-output data relative to a transient generated by a suitable pseudorandom binary sequence constructed with two input values used to identify the nonlinearity. The identification procedure is, first, illustrated with reference to a boost DC/DC converter using results of simulations carried out in the PSpice environment as true experimental results. Then, the procedure is experimentally applied on a prototype of the above converter. In order to show the utility of the Hammerstein models, a PI controller is tuned for a nominal model. Simulation and experimental results are displayed with the aim of showing the peculiarities of the approach that is followed.

Support and decoupling structure for an acoustic resonator, acoustic resonator and corresponding integrated circuit

Abstract: An acoustic resonator assembly includes a layer of high-acoustic-impedance material and a layer of low-acoustic-impedance material made of a low-electrical-permittivity material. This assembly may support the resonator over an interconnect layer or act as a decoupling assembly between two active elements of the resonator. The assembly may alternatively include three low-acoustic impedance layers. Alternatively, the assembly may include three acoustic impedance layers wherein two of the layers are low acoustic impedance layers and the third layer has a higher acoustic impedance than the first two or alternatively is a high-acoustic impedance layer.

Leak Resistant Arithmetic

Abstract: In this paper we show how the usage of Residue Number Systems (RNS) can easily be turned into a natural defense against many side-channel attacks (SCA). We introduce a Leak Resistant Arithmetic (LRA), and present its capacities to defeat timing, power (SPA, DPA) and electromagnetic (EMA) attacks.