A micromechanical device that includes a substrate, a functional layer, and a cap that are situated one above the other in parallel to a main plane of extension. A cavity that is surrounded by a bond frame that extends in parallel to the main plane of extension is formed in the functional layer, the cap being connected to the bond frame. The cavity is situated partially between the bond frame and the substrate in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of extension. A method for manufacturing a micromechanical device is also provided.

A system for detecting and evaluating environmental quantities and events is formed by a detection and evaluation device and a mobile phone, connected through a wireless connection. The device is enclosed in a containment casing housing a support carrying a plurality of inertial sensors and environmental sensors. A processing unit is coupled to the inertial sensors and to the environmental sensors. A wireless connection unit, is coupled to the processing unit and a wired connection port, is coupled to the processing unit. A programming connector is coupled to the processing unit and is configured to couple to an external programming unit to receive programming instructions of the processing unit. A storage structure is coupled to the processing unit and a power-supply unit supplied power in the detection and evaluation device. The mobile phone stores an application, which enables a basicuse mode, an expert use mode, and an advanced use mode.

An optical detector device including: a glass substrate having conductive traces plated thereon; a semiconductor device having an optical detector exposed on a side facing the glass substrate, the semiconductor device further including a plurality of bond pads electrically coupled to a first subset of the conductive traces; a metallic seal structure bonding a side of the glass substrate having the conductive traces with the side of the semiconductor device facing the glass substrate; and a plurality of conductive structures outside of a perimeter of the semiconductor device, the plurality of conductive structures being electrically coupled to a second subset of the conductive traces.

A micromechanical structure for an acceleration sensor includes a movable seismic mass including electrodes, the seismic mass being attached to a substrate with the aid of an attachment element; first fixed counter electrodes attached to a first carrier plate; and second fixed counter electrodes attached to a second carrier plate, where the counter electrodes, together with the electrodes, are situated nested in one another in a sensing plane of the micromechanical structure, and where the carrier plates are situated nested in one another in a plane below the sensing plane, each being attached to a central area of the substrate with the aid of an attachment element.

Systems and methods for maintaining autonomous vehicle operator awareness are provided. A method can include determining, by a computing system, an awareness challenge for an operator of a vehicle. The awareness challenge can be based on object data. The awareness challenge can have one or more criteria. The criteria can include a challenge response interval, a response time, and an action for satisfying the awareness challenge. The method can include initiating, by the computing system, a timer measuring elapsed time from a start time of the challenge response interval. The method can include communicating to the operator, by the computing system, a soft notification indicative of the awareness challenge during the challenge response interval. The method can include determining, by the computing system, whether the operator provides a user input after the response time interval and whether the user input corresponds to the action for satisfying the awareness challenge.

A sensing device includes a micro-electromechanical sensor, a source follower and an amplifier. The source follower includes a first output module including a first transistor and a second transistor. The micro-electromechanical sensor is configured to generate an input signal. A first terminal of the first transistor is configured to receive a first reference voltage. A second terminal and a control of the first transistor are electrically connected to the first output terminal and to a first current source respectively. A first terminal and a second terminal of the second transistor are electrically connected to the second terminal and the control terminal of the first transistor respectively. A control terminal of the second transistor is configured to receive the input signal. A first input terminal and a second input terminal of the amplifier are electrically connected to a first output terminal configured to receive a common-mode voltage respectively.

A system includes a sensor device, a circuit driving he sensor device at a drive frequency, a receiver, and a low pass filter. The sensor device is configured to change its electrical characteristics in response to external stimuli. The sensor device generates a modulated signal proportional to the external stimuli. The receiver is configured to receive the modulated signal and further configured to demodulate the modulated signal to generate a demodulated signal. The demodulation signal has a guard band. The receiver consumes power responsive to receiving the modulated signal. The low pass filter is configured to receive the demodulated signal and further configured to generate a sensor output.

A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor testing device, system and method are provided. The testing device includes a socket having a plurality of pads configured to receive a respective plurality of pins of the MEMS sensor, a body having a plurality of operable positions associated with a respective plurality of orientations of the MEMS sensor and circuitry which performs a method for testing the MEMS sensor in the plurality of operable positions. The method includes, for each position of the plurality of operable positions, outputting an indication of the position to the plurality of operable positions, receiving one or more measurements made by the MEMS sensor at the respective position and determining whether the one or more measurements satisfy a reliability criterion. The method includes generating a report based on the plurality of measurements and indicating whether the plurality of measurements satisfy a plurality of reliability criteria, respectively.

A semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die having a sensor structure disposed at a first side of the semiconductor die, and a first port extending through the semiconductor die from the first side to a second side of the semiconductor die opposite the first side, so as to provide a link to the outside environment. Corresponding methods of manufacture are also provided.

Disclosed are a reader device, system, and method for communicating with a wireless sensor. The reader device may be configured to analyze the strength of a response signal transmitted from the wireless sensor in response to an excitation pulse generated by the reader device. In one embodiment, the reader device may be configured to engage be placed in a plurality of modes to allow the reader to transmit a signal, such as a short pulse of energy or a short burst of radio frequency energy to cause the wireless sensor to output a resonant signal. The reader device may receive the resonant signal from the wireless sensor and evaluate it against predetermined values. The evaluated signals may be used to assess the strength and the proximity of the reader device relative to the wireless sensor as it is implanted in a patient.