A monolithic 2.5 Gb/s clock and data recovery circuit based on Silicon bipolar technology

A monolithic Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) circuit for SDH STM-16 (2.5 Gb/s) digital receivers has been designed and fabricated using Maxim GST-2 27 GHz Silicon bipolar technology. The main functions carried out by the IC are: signal amplification (40 dB) and limitation, clock recovery and decision. The design is intended to achieve a complete 2.5 Gb/s receiver by using the IC and a low noise preamplifier (transimpedance stage), mounted in a DIL package. The integrated circuit comprises about 400 active devices, used both for analog and digital blocks, and uses two supply voltages of 5 and -4.5 V. The input port is decoupled by external capacitors and matched to 50 Omega using on-chip resistors, whereas clock and data outputs are open collector type. The die size is 2 x 2 mm(2) and the chip has been packaged using a TQFP 48 pins plastic package. Measurements under 2(31)-1 PRBS data stream have shown an input sensitivity below 5 mVpp, rms output jitter below 7 ps and total power consumption of 0.8 W

High CMRR GaAs single-input to differential convertor

In this paper a new topology for Single Input to Differential convertors is presented. Among the capabilities of convertors realised with this topology, 6 dB of extra conversion gain respect to a single differential cell and suppression of the common mode can be mentioned. An exact model of the circuit and considerations about design optimisation are also presented

Wearable Systems for Personalised Health Care

Smartex Srl and the University of Pisa has jointly developed several new textile-based systems for vital signs monitoring, upper limb gesture, and posture capturing, to be mostly used in medical applications. The conductive and the basal yarn, used to realize the piezoresistive domains, behave as strain gage sensors and show piezoresistive properties in response to an external mechanical stimulus. The device uses fabric sensors, which improve the comfort and wearability of health care devices, enabling to obtain signals and performances comparable to gold standards. The Kinematic Sensor System (KSS), which integrates both signal acquisition and processing, provides a visualization of joint segment motion in a tridimensional interactive environment. The sensing glove, in its posture detection functionality, has been tested in movements involving the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint of the forefinger. The main advantage ensured by these prototypes is the possibility of wearing them for a long period without discomfor