An interpolator or decimator includes an elastic storage element in the signal path between first and second clock domains. The elastic element may, for example, be a FIFO which advantageously allows short term variation in sample clocks to be absorbed. A feedback mechanism controls a delta-sigma modulated modulo-N counter based sample clock generator. The elastic element combined with a delta-sigma modulator and counter creates a noise-shaped frequency lock loop without additional components, resulting in a much simplified interpolator and decimator.
Interpolator and decimator apparatuses and methods are improved by the addition of an elastic storage element in the signal path. In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic element comprises a FIFO which advantageously allows short term variation in sample clocks to be absorbed, and also provides a feedback mechanism for controlling a delta-sigma modulated modulo-N counter based sample clock generator. The elastic element combined with a delta-sigma modulator and counter creates a noise-shaped frequency lock loop without additional components, resulting in a much simplified interpolator and decimator.
H03L 7/16 - Indirect frequency synthesis, i.e. generating a desired one of a number of predetermined frequencies using a frequency- or phase-locked loop
Improved interpolator and decimator apparatus and methods, including the addition of an elastic storage element in the signal path. In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic element comprises a FIFO which advantageously allows short term variation in sample clocks to be absorbed, and also provides a feedback mechanism for controlling a delta-sigma modulated modulo-N counter based sample clock generator. The elastic element combined with a delta-sigma modulator and counter creates a noise-shaped frequency lock loop without additional components, resulting in a much simplified interpolator and decimator.
A method for realizing a dual interface IC card includes arranging a plastic support having a hole or a recess for housing a micro module, and housing in the IC card an antenna having at least one first and one second terminal or pad for connection to the micro module arranged in the recess. The method also includes distributing a soldering paste on the at least one first and one second pad, so as to form a first and a second contact conductive bump with electric connection contacts of the micro module, and distributing, along the whole perimeter of the micro module or of the recess, a layer of non conductive glue. The method further includes positioning the micro module in the recess with the contacts axially aligned to the terminal of the antenna, and executing a reflow of the soldering paste to form the first and second conductive bump.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
A method for pre-programming an IC card may include transmitting a memory image of a gold version sample IC card to the IC card and storing the memory image in a memory of the IC card. The method may further include dividing the memory image into memory blocks of set size to be transmitted separately to the IC card and by the fact that the storing may include writing at least one memory block in the memory while one or more memory blocks are transmitted.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
6.
Method and device for managing the operation of an apparatus, for example an MB-OFDM apparatus, in presence of an eventual interfering signal
The method is for managing operation of a first apparatus belonging to a first communication system and exchanging within the first communication system a multi-carrier modulated signal on several sub-carriers. The method includes detecting at the first apparatus the presence of an interfering signal emitted from a victim apparatus on a sub-carrier. The method may also include determining at the first apparatus the path loss between both apparatuses, determining from the path loss and from an allowed interference level at the victim apparatus a maximum allowed transmit power on the sub-carrier of a multi-carrier modulated signal to be transmitted from the first apparatus, and adjusting within the first apparatus the processing of the multi-carrier modulated signal to be transmitted in accordance with the maximum allowed transmit power.
A method is for implementing a wireless personal communication protocol between an integrated circuit (IC) card and a reader device. The IC card is hosted in and in communication with a handset through a corresponding handset-IC card communication protocol. The method includes the handset transmitting an Application Protocol Data Unit (APDU) command to the IC card, according to the handset-IC card communication protocol, the IC card detecting an association between the APDU command and an applet stored inside the IC card, the IC card executing the APDU command, and the IC card executing the applet if an association between the APDU command and the applet is detected. The IC card detects data associated to a wireless personal communication with the reader device after the processing of the APDU command.
A method is for controlling access to a data file of an IC card and may include storing a plurality of access conditions to be evaluated for accessing the data file, and enabling access to the file if the access conditions are satisfied. The method may further include ordering the access conditions to be evaluated in a Reverse Polish Notation inside a memory queue of the IC card, and evaluating the access conditions starting from a head of the memory queue.
A method may defrag a memory for an IC card having a plurality of files stored in memory portions, each file including respective links to one or more other files. The method may include detecting a start address of a first free memory portion of the memory, detecting an address of a memory portion following the start address and storing one file to be moved, detecting files including links to the address of the file to be moved, moving the file to be moved to the start address of the first free memory portion, updating the links to point at the start address, and repeating the above steps until at least two free memory portions following the moved files are separated by one or more of files.
A communication method is between a handset device having a slot hosting a first IC card, and a second IC card. The method uses a plurality of commands based on a handset device-IC card interface and intended to drive a communication between the first IC card and the handset device. The method may include providing a second device, including a slot for hosting the second IC card, providing the first IC card and the second IC card with a wireless personal interface supporting a wireless communication, and inserting the second IC card inside the slot. A communication between the handset device and the second IC card is driven by forwarding a command received by the first IC card on the handset device/IC card interface to the wireless personal interface.
A method for testing a ZigBee device included in an IC Card includes associating a predetermined Personal Area Network (PAN) Identifier to the ZigBee device, and providing a test device, for initializing a ZigBee network. The method may include connecting the ZigBee device to the ZigBee network and transmitting the corresponding PAN Identifier to the test device. The method may include returning a fault message, indicative of a failure of connecting and transmitting, if the test device does not receive the PAN Identifier. The predetermined PAN Identifier may be stored in a memory portion of the test device and include, in the fault message, the PAN Identifier if the test device does not receive the PAN Identifier, in order to identify the ZigBee device as a defective device.
A method for protecting a CAP file including one or more applets to be installed in an IC Card, includes the applets encoding into the CAP file by a CAP file provider. The method also includes the CAP file downloading into the IC Card by a CAP file issuer, and storing an installation program inside the IC Card. The installation program extracts the applets from the CAP file and installs them in the IC Card, after the downloading. The CAP file provider encrypts the CAP file into a protected CAP file to avoid the applets being extracted before the downloading. The IC Card includes a decryption circuit for decrypting the protected CAP file downloaded into the IC Card. The installation of the applet is enabled by the decryption circuit.
G06F 21/51 - Monitoring users, programs or devices to maintain the integrity of platforms, e.g. of processors, firmware or operating systems at application loading time, e.g. accepting, rejecting, starting or inhibiting executable software based on integrity or source reliability
An IC Card comprises a first device, including a first processor and a first memory unit, to communicate with a handset, and a second device. The second device includes a second processor and a second memory unit, to communicate via a wireless communication with an electronic apparatus external to the handset, the second device providing predetermined services. Each predetermined service is programmed to receive a wireless message from a respective electronic apparatus, to execute a predetermined elaboration, and to return a result to the respective electronic apparatus. The second memory unit stores a plurality of additional programs for executing additional elaborations, each program being associated to one of the predetermined services. The second device has a run-time environment for executing the additional programs when the corresponding predetermined services receives the wireless message.
An apparatus for storing initialization data in an IC Card, including a non-volatile memory, whereto the initialization data is addressed, and a plurality of pins including pins for connecting the apparatus and at least one I/O pin for receiving the initialization data, the apparatus includes an initialization card. The initialization Card includes a respective non-volatile memory unit, wherein the initialization data is stored, and the plurality of pins including the I/O pin and the pins for connecting the apparatus. The I/O pin of the initialization Card is connected to a respective I/O pin of the apparatus for receiving an initialization signal. A connection from at least a predetermined pin of the initialization Card to the at least one pin of the IC Card is provided for transmitting the initialization data from the initialization Card to the IC Card, upon reception of the initialization signal.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
15.
Test case automatic generation method for testing proactive GSM application on SIM cards
The present invention relates to a method for the definition of case tests and for the automatic generation of the corresponding scripts able to validate and test the GSM applications on IC or SIM Cards, such method being also able to automatically produce the documentation relative to the designed case test, thus realising an instrument able to evolve in time simultaneously with the applications to be tested. The method has been proposed to reduce the test time, to increase the automation (both the designing and the execution), the possibility of reuse and the maintenance relatively to the instruments offered by the prior art which consist of manual tests of the GSM applications or of tests being manually coded in a script language by a programmer.
A method for writing data in a non volatile memory unit having memory pages includes a predetermined number of memory cells storing a memory word being a predetermined sequence of digital values. An erase operation erases the memory words in the memory page, setting the predetermined sequence of digital values to a sequence of complementary values. A program operation stores in the memory cell a word and sets a sequence of a word to be stored. For the memory cells of the memory page, the memory word is compared with the word to be stored. A positive check is returned if complementary values of the sequence correspond to complementary values of the predetermined sequence. If the check is negative, the erase operation is executed. The memory word is compared with the word to be stored and the program operation is executed if the word to be stored is different.
G11C 11/34 - Digital stores characterised by the use of particular electric or magnetic storage elements; Storage elements therefor using electric elements using semiconductor devices
17.
Transaction method for managing the storing of persistent data in a transaction stack
A transaction method manages the storing of persistent data to be stored in at least one memory region of a non-volatile memory device before the execution of update operations that involve portions of the persistent data. Values of the persistent data are stored in a transaction stack that includes a plurality of transaction entries before the beginning of the update operations so that the memory regions involved in such an update are restored in a consistent state if an unexpected event occurs. A push extreme instruction reads from the memory cells a remaining portion of the persistent data that is not involved in the update operation, and stores the remaining portion in a subset of the transaction entries. The push extreme instruction is executed instead of a push instruction when the restoring of the portion of persistent data is not required after the unexpected event. The restoring corresponds to the values that the persistent data had before the beginning of the update operations.
The IC Card includes a main device having a microprocessor and a memory unit, and an I/O contact pad for a connection between the main device and a read write device, also referred to as a main interconnection. The IC card also includes additional device connectable to the main device via a secondary interconnection including the I/O contact pad, and a switch control for selectively switching between the main interconnection, for a transmission of data between the read write device and the main device, and the secondary interconnection, for a transmission of data between the main device and the additional device.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
19.
Virtual machine or hardware processor for IC-card portable electronic devices
A virtual machine or hardware processor for an IC-card portable electronic device includes a non-volatile memory unit, a remote decryption unit, and associated objects for storing an executable program in an encrypted format in the non-volatile memory. The IC-card stores a licence key to encrypt and decrypt the executable program through an IC-card interface. The IC-card interface extracts and encrypts the operands of the plain executable program into encrypted operands so as to not limit performance. The remote decryption unit detects if an instruction contains encrypted operands, and queries a decryption to the IC-card interface. The IC-card interface decrypts the encrypted operands and re-encrypts the just decrypted operands into obscured operands through a dynamic obscuration key.
A transaction stack for devices with a limited writing cycle memory slides in a transaction buffer. Following any Commit Transaction or, alternatively, any Begin Transaction, the transaction stack is reallocated inside the transaction buffer. Consequently, some memory locations in the transaction buffer are released. The writing accesses to the non-volatile area memory of the transaction buffer are not concentrated in the first address, as in a standard implementation of a transaction stack, but they are spread over the locations of the transaction buffer.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
21.
Method for configuring an IC card in order to receive personalization commands
An IC card is configured to receive personalization commands which are used to transmit data to the IC card. An access control list is associated with the data. The data is stored in the IC card in a record structure that includes a plurality of entries. The access control list is stored in the IC card in the record structure. The personalization commands include a card personalization specification (CPS).
STMICROELECTRONICS INTERNATIONAL N.V. (Netherlands)
Inventor
Dubey, Prashant
Garg, Akhil
Bhaskarani, Sravan Kumar
Abstract
A system and method of sharing testing components for multiple embedded memories and the memory system incorporating the same. The memory system includes multiple test controllers, multiple interface devices, a main controller, and a serial interface. The main controller is used for initializing testing of each of the dissimilar memory groups using a serial interface and local test controllers. The memory system results in reduced routing congestion and faster testing of plurality of dissimilar memories. The present disclosure further provides a programmable shared built in self testing (BIST) architecture utilizing globally asynchronous and locally synchronous (GALS) methodology for testing multiple memories. The built in self test (BIST) architecture includes a programmable master controller, multiple memory wrappers, and an interface. The interface can be a globally asynchronous and locally synchronous (GALS) interface.
A method for an entity different than a manufacturer of an integrated circuit (IC) card to perform a secure personalization phase of the semi-finished IC card is provided. The semi-finished IC card includes a non-volatile memory storing an algorithm for processing data as a finite-state machine, and enabling the entity different from the IC card manufacturer to access the algorithm for storing personalization data and information in the non-volatile memory. The method includes performing a security authentication before enabling the algorithm to receive the personalization data and information, enabling the algorithm to receive the personalization data and information, and storing the personalization data and information in secret memory locations in the non-volatile memory according to a data structure and an access procedure hidden to the entity different from the manufacturer of the integrated circuit card. The enabling and storing may be repeated if the personalization data and information were not correct.
G06K 19/06 - Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
An authentication method between a first IC card and a second IC card interconnected through a terminal includes transmitting an identification number from the second IC card to the first IC card for deriving and storing a key in the first IC card. An authentication number is generated and stored in the first IC card, and is transmitted to the second IC card. The authentication number is encrypted inside the second IC card, and is transmitted to the first IC card. The encrypted authentication number is decrypted through the derived key, and is compared with the authentication number. The second IC card is authorized if the encrypted authentication number in the first IC card is equal to the authentication number. At least one of the transmissions includes an identification and/or authentication number to authorize the first IC card from the second IC card. The identification and/or authentication numbers include a reverse authentication number.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
A key session derivation is provided during a mutual authentication between a master IC card storing a master key, and a user IC card storing a key-seed. The master IC card and the user IC card are connected through a communication interface for a communication session. A first random number associated to the user IC card is generated. First and second sub keys are derived from the key-seed. First and second session sub keys are respectively derived through the first sub key in combination with the first random number, and through the second sub key in combination with the first random number. The first and second session sub keys are joined in at least a session key for the communication session.
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
26.
Method for implementing voice over IP through an electronic device connected to a packed switched network
A method for implementing Voice over IP through an electronic device including the phase of sampling a voice communication in a corresponding sampled communication; encoding the sampled communication into corresponding encoded data; decoding the corresponding encoded data into decoded data; and connecting the electronic device to a packed switched network for transmitting the corresponding encoded data. The method may include a phase for storing an encoder and a decoder inside a portable memory unit of the electronic device for executing the phase of encoding and decoding the sampled communication. The phase of storing the encoder and a decoder may be executed on a IC Card intended to be inserted in the electronic device.
Improved radio frequency (RF) envelope tracking apparatus for use in wireless and wired systems. In one exemplary embodiment, a transmitter upconversion stage receives input digital I and Q values, the output of the upconversion stage being fed to both an envelope tracking circuit and a power amplifier (before or after optional filtering). The envelope tracking circuit controls the operation of a power modulator, which adjusts the power amplifier. The envelope tracking circuit is specifically configured to provide improved linearity and power efficiency. The envelope tracking apparatus and methods of the present invention may be applied to heterodyne/super-heterodyne architectures as well as others.
A plated module is for an IC card and includes a printed circuit having a plurality of conductive areas, delimited by a network of insulating channels, for covering an integrated circuit chip intended to be hosted in a recess of a plastic support of the IC card. At least some of the conductive areas are connected to a corresponding contact points of the integrated circuit chip. At least some of the conductive areas are linked to corresponding extended areas by one or more bridges. The conductive areas are separated from the extended areas by an insulating channel crossed by the bridges. The insulating channels surround the conductive areas as a protection frame for the contact points. At least a major side of at least one of the conductive areas may be curved. Several of the advanced extended areas form a rounded border of the plated module.
A radio frequency digital-to-analog converter with a programmable current output. In exemplary aspects of the invention, improved apparatus and methods for providing (i) current mirror matching, (ii) enhanced current pulse rising edge performance, (ii) reduced base voltage swing, and (iv) compensated high voltage swing, are provided. The foregoing apparatus and methods can be applied to any RF signal application (wireless or otherwise), including for example wireless cellular handsets.
An interface is described which has at least one chip side port with a first plurality of pins for conveying fields of a packet and first and second circuit side ports each port having a set of pins with a lower number than the first set of pins in the chip side port. The interface is constructed so that interrupt signals from an off-chip circuit can be conveyed on-chip in a manner such that the interrupt signals are indistinguishable from interrupt signals received from on-chip modules connected to an on-chip communication path. The same principle is applicable to power-down signals.
Improved interpolator and decimator apparatus and methods, including the addition of an elastic storage element in the signal path. In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic element comprises a FIFO which advantageously allows short term variation in sample clocks to be absorbed, and also provides a feedback mechanism for controlling a delta-sigma modulated modulo-N counter based sample clock generator. The elastic element combined with a delta-sigma modulator and counter creates a noise-shaped frequency lock loop without additional components, resulting in a much simplified interpolator and decimator.
A noise-shaping coder with variable or reconfigurable characteristics is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, an improved apparatus for signal modulation is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a noise-shaping coder having programmable coefficients, programmable coder order, programmable oversampling frequency, and/or programmable dither. In a second exemplary embodiment, an improved method for implementing noise shaping coding is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a means for switching from one order coder to another order coder, as well as switching oversampling frequency.
H04B 14/06 - Transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission characterised by the use of pulse modulation using differential modulation, e.g. delta modulation
A radio frequency digital-to-analog converter with a programmable current output. In exemplary aspects of the invention, improved apparatus and methods for providing (i) current mirror matching, (ii) enhanced current pulse rising edge performance, (ii) reduced base voltage swing, and (iv) compensated high voltage swing, are provided. The foregoing apparatus and methods can be applied to any RF signal application (wireless or otherwise), including for example wireless cellular handsets.
A method for separating an event-driven application in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a smart-card, and the application resident in the smart-card may be separated in at least two modules: a central module and one or more complementary modules. The method includes managing the interaction between the modules by a framework of the smart-card, and generating new set of events by the framework at the end of execution of the central module. In this manner, the central module can be developed early in production and in any set of programming languages. It can access any card resources and even in an architecture dependent way.
A resonant power converter for ultra-efficient radio frequency transmission and associated methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the invention is digitally actuated and uses a combination of a noise-shaped encoder, a charging switch, and a high-Q resonator coupled to an output load, typically an antenna or transmission line. Energy is built up in the electric and magnetic fields of the resonator, which, in turn, delivers power to the load with very little wasted energy in the process. No active power amplifier is required. The apparatus can be used in literally any RF signal application (wireless or otherwise), including for example cellular handsets, local- or wide-area network transmitters, or even radio base-stations.
An Nth-order shaping coder with multi-level quantization and dithered quantizer. The coder is inherently stable and produces a purely white quantization error spectrum. In one exemplary embodiment, the coder is first order, and an improved dither scheme is employed including applying a M-times (e.g., M=2) sample-and-hold to the dither sequence, effectively holding a constant dither for multiple clock cycles. This advantageously results in a reduction of instances where the quantizer jumps over two quantization intervals in one clock cycle without first passing through zero for one clock cycle. Methods for implementing the shaping coder are also disclosed.
H03M 7/00 - Conversion of a code where information is represented by a given sequence or number of digits to a code where the same information is represented by a different sequence or number of digits
patents
