Patent ID: 12249962

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Equal or equivalent elements or elements with equal or equivalent functionality are denoted in the following description by equal or equivalent reference numerals even if occurring in different figures.

Method steps which are depicted by means of a block diagram and which are described with reference to said block diagram may also be executed in an order different from the depicted and/or described order. Furthermore, method steps concerning a particular feature of a device may be replaceable with said feature of said device, and the other way around.

In the following description, a plurality of details is set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present invention. In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Throughout the description, all features, functionalities and details described as examples are to be understood as optional and non-limiting.

FIG.1shows a schematic representation of a driver circuit100according to an embodiment. The driver circuit100comprises an amplifier180configured to provide an output signal182based on a control signal122. The driver circuit100further comprises a comparator120to provide the control signal122by comparing an input signal110to a feedback signal162, wherein the feedback signal162is based on the output signal182of the amplifier180. The comparator120is connected to a first voltage supply stage140configured for providing a first supply voltage142to the comparator120. The amplifier180is connected to a second voltage supply stage150configured for providing a second supply voltage152to the amplifier180, wherein the second supply voltage152is higher than the first supply voltage142.

According to the working principle of the driver circuit100, by the receiving the feedback signal162which is based on the output signal182, the comparator is capable of providing the control signal122to the amplifier180so that the amplifier180may control the output signal182according to the input signal110.

As a voltage domain of the control signal122may be independent from a voltage domain of the output signal182, the comparator120configured for providing the control signal122may be provided with the first supply voltage142which may be independent from the second supply voltage152provided to the amplifier180configured to provide the output voltage182.

The driver circuit100according toFIG.1may optionally be complimented by all features, functionalities and details that are described herein with respect to the other driver circuits. The respective features, functionalities and details may optionally be added to the driver circuit100both individually or in any combination thereof.

FIG.2shows a schematic representation of a driver circuit200according to an embodiment. The driver circuit200may, for example, be based on to the driver circuit100.

The driver circuit200is configured to provide the output signal182based on the input signal110. For example, the driver circuit200may be configured to control an optional load290based on the input signal110by driving the load290with the output signal182. For example, the driver circuit200is configured to provide the output signal182to the load290, wherein an amplitude of the output signal182is adapted to drive the load290.

For example, the output signal182may be represented by a variable voltage. The voltage of the output signal182may give rise to a current, wherein the current may be based on the load290, for example an electrical resistance or an impedance of the load290. In other words, the driver circuit may be configured to provide an electric power to the load290by providing the output signal182to the load.

For example, the voltage of the output signal may be in a range of ±24 V. Alternatively, the voltage of the output signal182may be smaller or larger than ±24 V, for example the driver circuit may provide for output voltage in the range of ±400 V. The power provided by the output signal182may be, for example, in the regime of mW. Alternatively, the power provided by the output signal182may be smaller or may be larger than a power in the regime of mW.

The driver circuit200is configured to receive the input signal110. For example, the input signal110may be represented by a variable voltage and a current related to the voltage.

For example, the voltage of the input signal110may be in a range of a low voltage signal or a low level signal, e.g. in a range of ±1 V. Alternatively, the voltage of the input signal110may be smaller or larger than ±1 V.

For example, the amplitude of the output signal182may be equal or larger than the amplitude of the input signal110. In other words, the driver circuit may be configured to amplify the input signal110for providing the output signal182, wherein an amplification factor of the driver circuit200corresponds to a ratio of the amplitude of the output voltage182and the amplitude of the input voltage110.

For example, the input signal110and/or the output signal182are continuous in time. For example, the input signal110and the output signal182may be an analog signal. Alternatively, the input signal110and/or the output signal182are discrete in time.

For amplifying the input signal110to provide the output signal182, the driver circuit200comprises a feedback loop260comprising the comparator120, the amplifier180and a voltage divider261, wherein the comparator120is configured to control the amplifier180based on the feedback signal162which is provided by the voltage divider261based on the output signal182provided by the amplifier.

The voltage divider261is configured to provide the feedback signal162based on the output signal182, so that a ratio between the output signal182and the feedback signal162corresponds to the amplification factor of the driver circuit200within an error range which may arise from a limited accuracy and a limited speed of components of the driver circuit. For example, the ratio between the output signal182and the feedback signal162may be within a range of ±1%, or ±0.1%, or ±0.01% of the amplification factor.

For example, the voltage divider261may comprise one or more resistors, one or more transistors and/or one or more capacitors. The voltage divider261may be configured to divide the output signal182by the amplification factor for obtaining the feedback signal162. The amplification factor of the driver circuit may be fixed. Alternatively, the voltage divider261may be tunable, for example by tuning bits, so that the factor between the output signal182and the feedback signal162may be adjusted, for example according to the application of the driver circuit200, for example according to the load290and/or according to the amplitude of the input signal110.

That is, the driver circuit200comprises a feedback loop260configured to obtain the feedback signal162from the output signal182, wherein a ratio of an amplitude of the feedback signal162and an amplitude of the output signal182corresponds to an amplification factor of the driver circuit200.

The comparator120is configured to compare the input signal110to the feedback signal162to obtain the control signal122. For example, the comparator120may provide the control signal122as a digital signal comprising a high level and a low level, wherein the comparator is configured to provide the control signal122in either the high level or the low level in a time instance of the feedback signal162being larger than the input signal110, and in the other level in a time instance of the feedback signal162being smaller than the input signal110.

For example, the comparator is a continuous-time comparator. For example, the comparator120may be configured to provide the control signal122as a continuous-time signal.

Alternatively, the comparator is a discrete-time comparator. For example, the comparator may be configured to provide the control signal122as a discrete-time signal.

For example, the comparator is a discrete-time comparator and the comparator is self-clocked. For example, the comparator120may be configured to provide the control signal122as a discrete-time signal, wherein the control signal122comprises a synchronization information about a clock of the control signal122.

The amplifier180is configured to receive the control signal122and to control the output signal182based on the control signal122. The amplifier180may comprise a push-pull stage. The push-pull stage may comprise at least two complimentary stages.

A stage of the at least two complementary stages may comprise a transistor, for example a field effect transistor (FET), such as a MOSFET or a power FET, or a bipolar junction transistor. The at least two complementary stages of the push-pull stage may comprise a first type of transistor and a second type of transistor complementary to the first type of transistor. For example, complementary types of transistors may comprise opposite types of majority charge carriers. For example, complementary types of transistors may be represented by a p-type FET and a n-type FET, or a npn bipolar junction transistor and a pnp bipolar junction transistor, or a p-type FET and a pnp bipolar junction transistor, or a n-type FET and a npn bipolar junction transistor.

That is, the amplifier182comprises at least one transistor of a first type and at least one transistor of a second type, wherein the first type of transistor and the second type of transistor are complimentary types of transistors, and wherein the first type of transistor and the second type of transistor are one of a FET, a power FET, or a bipolar junction transistor.

A stage of the at least two complimentary stages may be configured to provide a contribution to the output signal182in dependence of a conductance of the stage. For example, a stage of the at least two complimentary stages may be in a conductive state or in a cut-off state, that is a state with a low or vanishing conductance compared to the conductance of the conductive state. The amplifier180may be configured to provide a signal based on the control signal122to the at least two complementary stages, the signal controlling the conductance of the at least two complementary stages to be either in the conductive state or in the cut-off state. For example, the amplifier180may be configured to control a first stage of the at least two complementary stages to be in a conductive state, when the level of the control signal122is within in a first range, and to control a second stage of the at least two complementary stages to be in a conductive state, when the level of the control signal122is within in a second range. For example, the first range and the second range may be opposite, so that for an instant level of the control signal122, for example the high-level or the low-level, either the first stage of the second stage may be configured to be in the conductive state, while the other stage may be in the cut-off stage. For example, the first range and the second range may overlap, so that for a value of the control signal122that is between the high-level and the low-level at a moment of operation, both stages may be in a conductive state. Such an overlap may avoid be beneficial for avoiding artifacts in the output signal.

For example, the comparator120is configured to provide the control signal122, wherein the control signal122comprises a fast slew rate, for example a slew rate higher than 50 MV/s or higher than 100 MV/s or higher than 400 MV/s. Additionally, the overlap of the first range and the second range of the level of the control signal may be small, for example smaller than 10% or smaller than 5% or smaller 1% of the amplitude of the control signal122. This combination enables a very efficient operation of the amplifier with a particularly low power loss.

That is, the first type of transistor and the second type transistor are configured to be in a conductive state or in a cut-off state or to change between the conductive state and the cut-off state or to change their conductivity based on the control signal122.

In other words, the driver circuit200is configured for, during each time instance of a first operating condition, controlling the at least one transistor of the first type either into a conductive state or a cutoff state and the at least one transistor of the second type into to the other state. The driver circuit200comprises a first voltage supply stage configured to provide a first supply voltage142to the comparator120. A level or an amplitude of the first supply voltage142may, for example, correspond to a maximum level or a maximum amplitude of the control signal122. The first voltage supply stage may comprise a first voltage slew to provide the first supply voltage142.

That is, an amplitude of the control signal may be lower than an amplitude of the output signal.

For example, the push-pull stage may be realized as an AB amplifier. For example, the push-pull stage may comprise a standard inverter, for example, comprising a p-type FET and a n-type FET. Alternatively, the push-pull stage may comprise a cascaded inverter with a delayed or a non-overlapping control for avoiding short-circuit currents in a moment of switching. A cascaded inverter may, for example, comprise one or more p-type FETs and one or more n-type FETs in series. Alternatively, the push-pull stage may comprise one or more MOSFETs and/or one or more bipolar junction transistors.

According to embodiments, the amplifier180is configured for self-adjusting a maximum current conducted through or passed through a push-pull stage, wherein the self-adjusting of the maximum current is based on a load290.

For example, the maximum current may be a maximum possible current or an upper limit for a current, for example a current used or consumed for providing the output voltage182. For example, the amplifier180may be configured for self-adjusting the maximum current according to the control signal122, and thus, for example, without external influence. For example, the power that is required to provide the output signal may depend on the load290, and the amplifier180may be configured to obtain an information about a power that is required to provide the output signal182by using the control signal122. Thus, the amplifier180may be configured to self-adjust the maximum current according to a power consumption or a power requirement of the load290.

The driver circuit200comprises a charge pump145. The charge pump145comprises the first voltage supply stage140and the second voltage supply state150. According to the embodiment, the first voltage supply stage140comprises a first charge pump stage configured to provide the first supply voltage142to the comparator120, and the second voltage supply stage150comprises a second charge pump stage configured to provide the second supply voltage152to the amplifier180. For example, the charge pump145, the first charge pump stage and/or the second charge pump stage may comprise a Dickson charge pump.

That is, the first voltage supply stage140comprises a first charge pump stage and/or the second voltage supply stage150comprises a second charge pump stage.

According to alternative embodiments, the first charge pump stage may be part of a first charge pump and the second charge pump stage may be part of a second charge pump.

According to further alternative embodiments, the driver circuit200does not necessarily comprise the charge pump145. According to this alternative embodiment, the first voltage supply stage140may comprise a first voltage source and/or the second voltage supply stage150may comprise a second voltage source. For example, the first voltage source and/or the second voltage source may comprise a boost-converter, a buck-converter, a buck-boost converter, a charge pump, a charge pump stage or a low-dropout regulator (LDO). By non-limiting example, the first voltage supply stage140and/or the second voltage supply stage150may be realized by a separate source and a subsequent controller.

Thus, the first voltage supply stage140may comprise a first voltage source and the second voltage supply stage150comprises a second voltage source.

The first supply voltage142may be adapted to an amplitude of the control signal122, which may be adapted to the amplifier180and/or adapted to the amplitude of the output signal182. For example, the first voltage supply stage140, may be configured to provide the first supply voltage142as a constant or fixed voltage. That is, the first supply voltage142may be constant.

Alternatively, the first voltage supply stage may be configured to modulate the first supply voltage.

For example, the first supply voltage142may be modulated, for example, according to a power consumption of the comparator120or a current amplitude of the control signal during each time instance of operation.

The second supply voltage152may be adapted to a maximum level or maximum amplitude of the output signal182. For example, the second supply voltage152may be equal to or larger than the amplitude of the output signal182.

According to embodiments, the second supply voltage152may be constant.

For example, the second voltage supply stage150may be configured to provide the second supply voltage152as a constant or fixed voltage, wherein the second supply voltage152may correspond to a maximum required amplitude of the output signal, for example, as required by the load290.

Alternatively, the second voltage supply stage150may be configured to modulate the second supply voltage152.

For example, the second supply voltage152may be modulated, for example, according to a power consumption of the amplifier180, e.g. a push-pull stage, or according to a current required level of the output signal182during each time instance of operation. For example, the second voltage supply stage150may comprise a low voltage rail and a high voltage rail, and modulating the second supply voltage152may comprise controlling the respective contributions of a voltage of the low voltage rail and a voltage of the high voltage rail based on the control signal122. As the control signal122is based on the feedback signal162, the control signal may comprise an information about a required power of the amplifier180and/or the output signal182. Thus, using the control signal122for modulating the second supply voltage152may provide for an adjustment of the second supply voltage152according to a power consumption of the push-pull stage280. That is, the driver circuit200may be configured for self-adjusting the second supply voltage152. By non-limiting example, the controlling the second supply voltage152based on the control signal122may be realized by two resistors or MOSFETs.

As the second supply voltage152may be adapted to the output signal182and the first supply voltage142may be adapted to the control signal122. The first supply voltage142may be different than the second supply voltage152. In particular, the first supply voltage142may be smaller than the second supply voltage152.

For example, the first supply voltage142is smaller than the second supply voltage152by a factor of at least two, preferably by a factor of at least five, more preferably by a factor of at least ten.

For example, the amplitude of the output signal may be dictated by the application of the driver circuit200, for example, by the load290. Still, the amplitude of control signal122may be smaller than the amplitude of the output signal182. The smaller the amplitude of the control signal122, the more power may be saved during operation of the driver circuit200.

According to embodiments, the driver circuit200forms at least a part of an integrated circuit.

For example, the driver circuit200may optionally be integrated to an integrated circuit, for example, together with the load290and/or together with further components. In particular, the driver circuit200may be integrated into an integrated circuit including the first charge pump stage and the second charge pump stage.

In other words, the driver circuit200may be configured to receive a continuous-time input signal110with variable and small amplitude. The driver circuit may further be configured to amplify the input signal110by a factor dependent on an adjustable resistance divider261to obtain a continuous-time output signal182with variable and equal or higher amplitude compared to the small amplitude of the input signal110. For example, a typical load of MEMS components forming a principal load290of the driver circuit may be represented by a capacitor. The continuous-time output signal182may be generated by a push-pull inverter stage, e.g. the amplifier180, which is connected to a high voltage domain, e.g. the second supply voltage152. Further, the push-pull inverter stage may be configured to be controlled by the comparator120which may be connected to a low voltage domain, e.g. the first supply voltage142. The low voltage domain and the high voltage domain may be generated by an integrated charge pump145and may be fixed at a constant level. An optional, initial voltage source for the charge pump145may be of arbitrary type.

For example, the working principle of the driver circuit200corresponds to the principle of a feedback loop. The driver circuit200may be configured to return the continuous-time output signal182via the adjustable voltage divider261to an input of the comparator120. The comparator120may be configured to receive the input signal110on a second input and is configured to compare the input signal110to the returned feedback signal162. The comparator120may be configured to generate a high- or low-level signal in dependence on its input signals, i.e. the input signal110and the feedback signal162, wherein the comparator120may be configured to generate the high- or low-level signal according to the low voltage domain. The comparator120may be configured to provide the high- or low-level signal at an output of the generator120as the control signal122. The driver circuit200may be configured to control the amplifier180, e.g. a push-pull inverter stage, based on the resulting control signal122, such completing the feedback loop. Further, the driver circuit200may be configured to rely on the capacitance of the MEMS-component, e.g. the load290, for smoothening or filtering the output signal182, so that the driver circuit200may require less or no additional external components or filter stages.

In contrast to conventional class AB amplifiers, which may be optimized for a resistive load, the driver circuit200comprises the second voltage supply stage150configured for providing the second supply voltage152, that is, the voltage domain of the output signal182, wherein the second voltage supply stage is integrated, that is internal, part of the driver circuit200. Further conventional solutions rely on a boost converter, external components, an additional pulse generator, an analog-digital converter and further signal processing units for controlling the output stage, while the driver circuit200comprises a charge pump145, a comparator120, for example an analog or a digital comparator and may be implemented fully integrated. Further conventional solutions require a RC low pass output filter, while the driver circuit200may provide the output signal directly to the load290. Instead of a bipolar high voltage power amplifier, the driver circuit200may comprise MOSFETs and may still provide a high output voltage. Further, the driver circuit200may be operated with a single stage for voltage and power amplification. The driver circuit200comprises two voltage domains, for example, a low voltage domain provided by the first supply voltage142and a high voltage domain provided by the second supply voltage152. Additionally, the driver circuit200may be configured to drive a variable load, for example a variable capacitance. Other than conventional amplifiers of the classes A, B, C, D, AB, G or H, the driver circuit200may efficiently amplify a low voltage input signal and may efficiently control capacitive loads with high, continuous-time voltages. Other than some conventional solutions, the driver circuit200may, for example, be realized without an H-bridge, a digital analog converter, a separate corrector unit and a separate pulse width module.

To summarize, the driver circuit200may provide a low complexity circuit design being capable of combining a high output voltage with a low power consumption. Additionally, the driver circuit200may optionally be fully integrated to an integrated circuit and may utilize components that may be manufactured using a CMOS process.

FIG.3shows a schematic representation of a system301according to an embodiment. The system301comprises a driver circuit300. The driver circuit300may correspond to the driver circuit100,200. The system301further comprises a load390which may correspond to the load290. The system301is configured to control the load390based on the output signal182of the driver circuit300.

According to embodiments, the load390comprises a capacity and/or an inductance, and a resistance of the load is higher than 10 kOhm or 100 kOhm or 1 MOhm.

The load390may, for example, be characterized by a capacitance. For example, the load390may be purely or mainly capacitive. Alternatively, the load390may be mainly capacitive and may further comprise or be characterized by a resistance and/or an inductance, so that a resulting resistance of the load390may be in the regime of MOhm or may be larger than 10 kOhm or 100 kOhm or 1 MOhm. The larger the resistance of the load390, the lower the power consumption of the amplifier of the driver circuit300may be for a given amplitude of the output signal182, so that the second supply voltage of the driver circuit300may be provided by a charge pump.

According to embodiments, the system301comprises an integrated circuit, and the integrated circuit comprises the driver circuit300.

For example, the driver circuit300is part of an integrated circuit. For example, the driver circuit300and the load may be part of a joint integrated circuit.

According to embodiments, the load390comprises a MEMS actuator or a piezoelectric actuator or a thermomechanic actuator.

The load390may, for example, comprise a MEMS component and/or a piezoelectric actuator, for example a bending actuator, for example an electrostatic bending actuator (NED-actuator), piezoelectric actuators or thermomechanical actuators.

According to embodiments, the load390comprises at least one of a loudspeaker, a microphone, a pump, a valve, a health assistance system, a positioning system and a mechanical control for moving plates.

According to a further embodiment, the load390comprises an energy storing device.

The output signal182of the driver circuit300may be adapted to the characteristics of the load390. For example, the load390may be mainly capacitive, so that the driver circuit300may be configured to provide a low power to the load390via the output signal182. Thus, the driver circuit300may comprise a second charge pump stage configured for providing the second supply voltage to the amplifier. The amplifier may comprise FETs or MOSFETs of the first type and of the second type, so that the amplifier may be configured to provide the output signal182based on a low power control signal, that is, a current and/or a voltage of the control signal may be small. Thus, the driver circuit300may comprise a first charge pump stage configured for providing the first supply voltage to the comparator configured to provide the control signal. The first charge pump stage, the second charge pump stage, the comparator and the amplifier may be integrated to an integrated circuit, so that the driver circuit300may be fully integrated. Thus, the driver circuit300and optionally also the load390may be manufactured using a CMOS process.

In contrast, conventional driver circuits, such as a classic class AB amplifier, comprise one supply voltage domain corresponding to the level of the desired output voltage. For example, power amplifiers are the main application of AB amplifiers. The dominating power consumption of a power amplifier arises in the output stage, so that the power supply of a power amplifier is configured for providing large powers. Thus, a power amplifier may rely on external components such as external inductors or capacitors.

FIG.4Ashows a diagram of the variation over time of the input signal110, the output signal182, the feedback signal162, and the control signal122according to an embodiment. The diagram shows an exemplary time span of 100 μs.

FIG.4Bshows a zoomed-in view of a time span402of the diagram shown inFIG.4A.

According to the embodiment shown inFIGS.4A and4B, the feedback signal is derived from the output signal by dividing the output signal by a factor of 10, which may be performed by the voltage divider261. The control signal is generated by comparing the input signal to the feedback signal, so that the level of the control signal corresponds to a low level at a time when the feedback signal is larger than the input signal (e.g. time403inFIG.4B), and so that the level of the control signal corresponds to a high level at a time when the feedback signal is larger than the input signal (e.g. time404inFIG.4B).

For example, the amplifier180may be configured to adapt the output signal based on the control signal, wherein the amplifier180increases the output voltage, if the level of the control signal provided to the amplifier corresponds to the high level, and wherein the amplifier180deceases the output voltage, if the level of the control signal provided to the amplifier corresponds to the low level. For example, the amplifier may be configured for increasing or decreasing the output signal may be performed by switching between two complementary stages of a push-pull stage of the amplifier or by changing a weight between contributions of two complementary stages of a push-pull stage of the amplifier.

FIG.5shows a block diagram of a method5000for controlling a driver circuit, for example the driver circuit100;200;300, according to an embodiment. The method5000comprises operating5100an amplifier180for providing an output signal182based on a control signal122. The method5000further comprises operating5200a comparator120for providing the control signal122by comparing an input signal110to a feedback signal162, wherein the feedback signal162is based on the output signal182. Additionally, the method5000comprises providing5400a first supply voltage142to the comparator120and providing5500a second supply voltage152to the amplifier180, wherein the second supply voltage152is higher than the first supply voltage142.

The order of the steps of the method5000as shown inFIG.5is chosen exemplarily, that is, the steps may be executed in arbitrary order or in parallel. Controlling the driver circuit may be performed particularly efficiently or fast, if the steps of the method5000are executed in parallel.

FIG.6shows a block diagram of a method6000for manufacturing an integrated circuit according to an embodiment. The method6000comprises arranging6800an amplifier180so that the amplifier180is configured to provide an output signal182based on a control signal122. The method6000further comprises arranging6200a comparator120so that the comparator120is configured to provide the control signal120by comparing an input signal110to a feedback signal162, wherein the feedback signal162is based on the output signal182of the amplifier180. Additionally, the method6000comprises arranging6450a first voltage supply stage140and a second voltage supply stage150, so that the first voltage supply stage140is configured for providing a first supply voltage142to the comparator120, and so that the second voltage supply stage150is configured for providing a second supply voltage152to the amplifier180and so that the second supply voltage152is higher than the first supply voltage142.

The order of the steps of the method6000as shown inFIG.6is chosen exemplarily, that is, the steps may be executed in arbitrary order or in parallel.

Although some aspects have been described in the context of an apparatus, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, where a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus.

The above described embodiments are merely illustrative for the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and the details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art. It is the intent, therefore, to be limited only by the scope of the impending patent claims and not by the specific details presented by way of description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

Some or all of the method steps may be executed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, like for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be executed by such an apparatus.

Depending on certain implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or in software or at least partially in hardware or at least partially in software. The implementation can be performed using a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-Ray, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, having electronically readable control signals stored thereon, which cooperate (or are capable of cooperating) with a programmable computer system such that the respective method is performed. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer readable.

Some embodiments according to the invention comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals, which are capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system, such that one of the methods described herein is performed.

Generally, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, the program code being operative for performing one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer. The program code may for example be stored on a machine readable carrier.

Other embodiments comprise the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, stored on a machine readable carrier.

In other words, an embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a computer program having a program code for performing one of the methods described herein, when the computer program runs on a computer.

A further embodiment of the inventive methods is, therefore, a data carrier (or a digital storage medium, or a computer-readable medium) comprising, recorded thereon, the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data carrier, the digital storage medium or the recorded medium are typically tangible and/or non-transitory.

A further embodiment of the inventive method is, therefore, a data stream or a sequence of signals representing the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals may for example be configured to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.

A further embodiment comprises a processing means, for example a computer, or a programmable logic device, configured to or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment comprises a computer having installed thereon the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein.

A further embodiment according to the invention comprises an apparatus or a system configured to transfer (for example, electronically or optically) a computer program for performing one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The receiver may, for example, be a computer, a mobile device, a memory device or the like. The apparatus or system may, for example, comprise a file server for transferring the computer program to the receiver.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example a field programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor in order to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, the methods are performed by any hardware apparatus.

The apparatus described herein may be implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

The methods described herein may be performed using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.