ESD–RF co-design methodology for the state of the art RF-CMOS blocks

This paper describes an approach to design ESD protection for integrated low noise amplifier (LNA) circuits used in narrowband transceiver front-ends. The RF constraints on the implementation of ESD protection devices are relaxed by co-designing the RF and the ESD blocks, considering them as one single circuit to optimise. The method is applied for the design of 0.25 μm CMOS LNA. Circuit protection levels higher than 3 kV HBM stress are achieved using conventional highly capacitive ggNMOS snapback devices. The methodology can be extended to other RF-CMOS circuits requiring ESD protection by merging the ESD devices in the functionality of the corresponding matching blocks.     

A Dynamic Dictionary for Priced Information with Application

In this paper we design a dynamic dictionary for the priced information model initiated by Charikar et al. Assume that a set S consisting of n elements is given such that each element has an associated price, a positive real number. The cost of performing an operation on elements of S is a function of their prices. The cost of an algorithm is the sum of the costs of all operations it performs. The objective is to design algorithms which incur low cost. In this model we propose a dynamic dictionary, supporting search, insert and delete, for keys drawn from a linearly ordered set. As an application we show that the dictionary can be used in computing the trapezoidal map of a set of line segments, a fundamental problem in computational geometry.     

1.1 GHz oscillator using bondwire inductance

Using the parasitic inductance usually associated with a bondwire in an IC package, a bipolar GHz LC-tuned oscillator is designed. Bondwires have very low series resistance and are thus suitable for high-Q applications. Measured results indicate very low phase noise and low power consumption     

A first-order current-steering sigma-delta modulator

A new architecture is presented for a first-order sigma-delta (ΣΔ) modulator. The system achieves a high sampling frequency, can be used as a building block for higher-order modulators, and uses circuit techniques that are largely independent of a specific technology. The key features of this implementation are that it operates in a continuous-time (as opposed to switched) mode and does not need feedback amplifiers. To test the validity of the concept, the system was realized in 2-μm, n-well, double-metal, single-poly technology. It has a measured resolution of 9 b and a linearity of 13 b at a clock frequency of 20 MHz with an oversampling ratio of 128. It operates from a power supply of ±2.5 V with a power consumption of 3 mW. The circuit occupies an area of 0.92 mm²     

斯芬克司住宅，赫依曾，荷兰

5座斯芬克司住宅的每一栋各容纳了14间为了充分利用地段和阳光而组织起来的公寓。建筑的体量在背向水面的方向被斜切，从而使得从湖岸和公寓所能看到的湖景不被阻隔。当人在从楼里往上走时，公寓的数目逐层递减。结果产生了一种斯芬克司式的轮廓，面向太阳的屋顶退台置于这个神话中的怪兽的脊背上。每个建筑体量的雨篷设计是不同的，从而使其独特的头部产生一种韵律感——从连接新开拓地和现有大陆的stichtse桥上看去的一条激动人心的天际线。     

A 1.8-GHz low-phase-noise CMOS VCO using optimized hollow spiralinductors

A completely integrated 1.8-GHz low-phase-noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) has been realized in a standard silicon digital CMOS process. The design relies heavily on the integrated spiral inductors which have been realized with only two metal layers and without etching. The effects of high-frequency magnetic fields and losses in the heavily doped substrate have been simulated and modeled with finite-element analysis. The achieved phase noise is as low as -116 dBc/Hz at an offset frequency of 600 kHz, at a power consumption of only 6 mW. The VCO is tuned with standard available junction capacitances, resulting in a 250-MHz tuning range     

An optimal usage of NO x in a combined Pt/ceramic foam and a wall-flow monolith filter for an effective NO x -assisted soot oxidation

Topics in Catalysis - An NO2-assisted soot oxidation based filter candidate consists of Pt-coated ceramic foam in combination with a wall-flow monolith is proposed to acquire for an optimal usage...     

Application of reinforcement learning to the game of Othello

Operations research and management science are often confronted with sequential decision making problems with large state spaces. Standard methods that are used for solving such complex problems are associated with some difficulties. As we discuss in this article, these methods are plagued by the so-called curse of dimensionality and the curse of modelling. In this article, we discuss reinforcement learning, a machine learning technique for solving sequential decision making problems with large state spaces. We describe how reinforcement learning can be combined with a function approximation method to avoid both the curse of dimensionality and the curse of modelling. To illustrate the usefulness of this approach, we apply it to a problem with a huge state space—learning to play the game of Othello. We describe experiments in which reinforcement learning agents learn to play the game of Othello without the use of any knowledge provided by human experts. It turns out that the reinforcement learning agents learn to play the game of Othello better than players that use basic strategies.     

Personality profile in adult female fragile X carriers: assessed with the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Profile (MMPI)

To assess if the higher incidence of psychiatric morbidity in fragile X carriers is related to a particular pathological personality profile, we obtained a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Profile from 11 normally intelligent (female) fragile X carriers. The sample mean for the clinical and validity scales all fell within the normal range. Although no pathological profile was found, some unexpected results emerged: low scores for the scales "schizophrenia" and "social introversion" and a so-called faking-good profile on the validity scales. This combination suggests that the subjects might not be aware of some personality characteristics in these areas. Implications for further research are discussed.