Apparatuses and methods of shielding for capacitance-to-digital code conversion are described. One apparatus includes a capacitance-to-digital converter (CDC) for measuring a self-capacitance of a sensor electrode. The capacitance-to-digital code converter can in a first phase, apply a supply voltage to the sensor electrode. The sensor electrode and a shield electrode, the form a mutual capacitance with the sensor electrode. The CDC, in a second phase, couples the shield electrode to a ground potential and the sensor electrode to a first modulation capacitor. The first modulation capacitor is pre-charged to a reference voltage. The CDC, in a third phase, couples the sensor electrode and the shield electrode to the ground potential. The CDC, in a fourth phase, couples the shield electrode to the ground potential and the sensor electrode to a second modulation capacitor. The second modulation capacitor is pre-charged to the reference voltage.

A method for recognizing the breakdown of an energy reserve device of at least two energy reserve devices of a device for protecting the occupants of a vehicle. The method includes: charging the at least two energy reserve devices to a test voltage level; ascertaining an ambient temperature of the at least two energy reserve devices; acquiring the (overall) capacitance of the at least two energy reserve devices; recognizing the breakdown of an energy reserve device as a function of a floating mean value, which is a function of the ascertained ambient temperature, for the (overall) capacitance and of the acquired (overall) capacitance; updating a floating mean value as a function of the ascertained ambient temperature and the acquired overall capacitance.

A circuit includes an amplifier, a bias voltage node, and a first set of switches configured, based on a first reset signal having a first value, to couple first and second input nodes to the bias voltage node and to couple first and second output nodes of the amplifier. First and second feedback branches each include a respective RC network including a plurality of capacitances. The first and second feedback branches further include a second set of switches intermediate input nodes and the capacitances, and a third set of switches intermediate input nodes and the plurality of capacitances. These switches selectively couple the capacitances to the input nodes and output nodes, based on a second reset signal having a first value. The second reset signal keeps the first value for a determined time interval exceeding a time interval in which the first reset signal has the first value.

A system may include an array of sensor elements, the array of sensor elements each comprising a first type of passive reactive element, a second type of passive reactive element electrically coupled to the array of sensor elements, a driver configured to drive the array of sensor elements and the second type of passive reactive element, and control circuitry configured to control enabling and disabling of individual sensor elements of the array of sensor elements to ensure no more than one of the array of sensor elements is enabled at a time such that when one of the array of sensor elements is enabled, the one of the array of sensor elements and the second type of passive reactive element together operate as a resonant sensor.

A sensor assembly including a capacitive sensor, like a microelectromechanical (MEMS) microphone, and an electrical circuit therefor are disclosed. The electrical circuit includes a first transistor having an input gate connectable to the capacitive sensor, a second transistor having an input gate coupled to an output of the first transistor, a feedforward circuit interconnecting a back-gate of the second transistor and the output of the first transistor, and a filter circuit interconnecting the output of the first transistor and the input gate of the second transistor.

An aerosol-generating device according to an aspect may include a first electrode located adjacent to a first accommodating portion that is configured to receive a first aerosol-generating material; a second electrode located adjacent to a second accommodating portion that is configured to receive a second aerosol-generating material; and a processor configured to adaptively set the polarity of at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode in response to a mode selected from among a plurality of modes.

An aerosol-generating device and a controlling method thereof are provided. The aerosol-generating device may include a heating chamber configured to receive an aerosol-generating article, a heater configured to heat the aerosol-generating article in the heating chamber, an inductance sensor configured to measure an inductance value of a coil, a capacitance sensor configured to measure a capacitance value of a capacitor, and a controller configured to detect whether the aerosol-generating article is inserted based on the inductance value of the coil and the capacitance value of the capacitor.

Apparatus having an array of memory cells and a controller for access of the array of memory cells, wherein the controller is configured to cause the apparatus to apply a reference current to a selected access line, determine a time difference between a voltage level of a near end of the selected access line being deemed to exceed a first voltage level while applying the reference current and the voltage level of the near end of the selected access line being deemed to exceed a second voltage level while applying the reference current, and determine a capacitance value of the selected access line in response to a current level of the reference current, the time difference, and a voltage difference between the second voltage level and the first voltage level.

Circuitry for detecting a capacitive load coupled between a first node and a second node, the circuitry comprising: drive circuitry for applying a first voltage to a first node over a first time period; processing circuitry configured to: measure a second voltage at the first node; and determine that the load is a capacitive load based on the second voltage.

Methods and systems are provided for measuring the capacitive state of an operator. The method includes placing an matrix array of pressure detection sensors in physical contact with the individual. The matrix array is integrated into the seat of the operator and continually measures the operator's presence and movement in the seat based on data received from the matrix array of pressure detection sensors. The breathing, movement and actigraphy patterns of the operator are measured and calculated based on the data received from the matrix array of pressure detection sensors. The breathing, movement and actigraphy patterns of the operator are continually analyzed to determine the capacitive state of the operator.