PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11305984-B2
Application Number: US-202016831706-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Water proofing and water detection schemes for MEMS-based environmental sensing devices

Abstract:
A waterproofed environmental sensing device with water detection provisions includes an environmental sensor to sense one or more environmental properties. The device further includes an electronic integrated circuit implemented on a substrate and coupled to the environmental sensor via a wire bonding. An air-permeable cap structure is formed over the environmental sensor, and a protective layer is formed over the wire bonding to protect the wire bonding against damage.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device comprising:
 an environmental sensor embedded in an electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structure; 
 an electronic integrated circuit (IC); and 
 one or more passive elements, 
 wherein:
 the device is partially enclosed in an enclosure, 
 the enclosure is at least partially filled with a sensor gel, and 
 the one or more passive elements are at least partially exposed above the sensor gel. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more passive elements comprise capacitive elements and are coupled to the electronic IC, and wherein the passive elements are configured to detect presence of at least water and oil above the sensor gel. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , wherein the electronic IC includes a strain isolation provision, and wherein the electronic IC includes resistive routings configured to allow TCO calibration. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a membrane configured to provide strain isolation, wherein the membrane is made of a material including silicone rubber. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , wherein the environmental sensor is coupled to the electronic IC via a wire bonding, and wherein the membrane is formed between the MEMS structure and the electronic IC. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a land grid array (LGA) layer, wherein the MEMS structure is wire bonded to the LGA layer. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the LGA layer or the electronic integrated circuit includes resistive-routing for TCO calibration. 
     
     
       8. A device comprising:
 an environmental sensor configured to sense one or more environmental properties; 
 an integrated circuit (IC) coupled to the environmental sensor via a wire bonding; 
 a protective layer formed over the wire bonding to protect the wire bonding against a potential damage; and 
 interdigitated electrodes implementing capacitors capable of detecting environmental aggressors including water, and wherein the interdigitated electrodes are realized using a top metal layer and passivation. 
 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 8 , further comprising an air-permeable cap structure formed over the environmental sensor and configured to protect a surface of the environmental sensor from environmental aggressors including water and oil. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the air-permeable cap structure is made of a suitable material including silicon, and wherein the air-permeable cap structure includes a coated hydrophobic layer. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 8 , wherein the environmental sensor is formed in an electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structure and wire bonded to the IC through an interposer including through-silicon vias (TSVs). 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the MEMS structure is configured to provide strain isolation for the environmental sensor. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the IC is used as a package substrate, wherein strain isolation provisions are implemented in at least one of the IC or the MEMS structure, and wherein the MEMS structure and the interposer are coupled to the IC via flip-chip bonding. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11 , wherein the IC is implemented side-by-side with the MEMS structure and includes one or more capacitive elements configured to detect presence of at least water and oil.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/147,537 application that claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/566,284 filed Sep. 29, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present description relates generally to sensor technology, and more particularly, to water proofing and water detection schemes for mems-based environmental sensors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Portable communication devices (e.g., smart phones and smart watches) are becoming increasingly waterproof by implementing electronic components inside sealed enclosures. However, certain components such as environmental (e.g., pressure, temperature and humidity) sensors, gas sensors, particulate matter (PM) sensors, speakers and microphones rely on physical interaction with the external environment for proper functionality. The physical interaction can be through a small opening provided on the enclosure. Exposure to the environmental aggressors such as fresh and salt water, skin oil, dust, sunscreens can cause a variety of system integration problems. 
     Port occlusion by water or debris is among the problems, which can result in degradation in user experience, poor device reliability and/or device misreading. As an example, the accuracy of pressure sensors, when detecting external pressure changes, can be greatly reduced if residual water occludes the sensor surface resulting in misreading. As the water evaporates (which can take hours), false pressure-change signals can be detected. For example, when pressure is sensed for measuring height to count the number of stairs climbed by a user, the false pressure-change signals can indicate false or missed flight of stairs, which degrades the user experience. The existing gel-based sensors (e.g., pressure sensors), although may work for their intended applications, but may have a number of shortcomings. For example, the sensor temperature coefficient offset (TCO) may change from the time of testing to the time of integration into a system and continue to drift during the product lifetime. Further, strain induced effects are not addressed in the existing solutions. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Certain features of the subject technology are set forth in the appended claims. However, for purposes of explanation, several embodiments of the subject technology are set forth in the following figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a waterproofed environmental sensor with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a waterproofed environmental sensor with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device with water detection provisions implemented over a land grid array (LGA), in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device with water detection provisions implemented over a land grid array (LGA), in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a process of providing of a waterproofed environmental sensing device with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device, within which one or more environmental sensing devices of the subject technology can be integrated. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, the subject technology is not limited to the specific details set forth herein and may be practiced without one or more of the specific details. In some instances, structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. 
     In one or more aspects, the subject technology is directed to a waterproofed sensor that can detect environmental aggressors such as water, oil or other liquids. The sensor of the subject technology is an electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based environmental sensor that can operate without a sensor gel. In certain implementations that the disclosed sensor device includes some amount of sensor gel, the sensor device can be equipped with one or more capacitive elements that enable detection of presence of environmental aggressors above the sensor gel. The subject technology enables addressing shortcomings of the existing solution such as the sensor temperature coefficient offset (TCO) change before sensor production and throughout the product lifetime. Further, strain induced effects present in the existing solutions are mitigated by strain isolation, as described in more detail herein. The subject technology allows achieving waterproofing and clogging-prevention of electronic devices that require exposure to the environment by implementing water detection in the sensor package. The disclosed solution can be applied to electronic devices and components that operate based on being exposed to the environment such as pressure sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, gas sensors, particulate matter (PM) sensors, speakers and microphones in portable devices (e.g., potable communication devices such as smart phones and smart watches). 
     The subject technology can mitigate device degradation and misreading caused by port occlusion in contact with environmental aggressors such as fresh and salt water, skin oil, dust, sunscreen, and other environmental aggressors. In some implementations, the subject environmental sensor (e.g., pressure sensor) can sense one or more environmental properties including pressure, temperature or humidity. The disclosed environmental sensor is coupled to an electronic integrated circuit implemented on a substrate via a wire bonding. An air-permeable cap structure is formed over the environmental sensor, and a protective layer is formed over the wire bonding to protect the wire bonding against a potential damage, for example, mechanical or environmental damages. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. The waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  includes, but is not limited to, a sensor  102 , an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)  110 , an interposer  120 , an air-permeable cap structure  130 , a wire bond  154 , a substrate  160  and a protective layer  140  encapsulating the wire bond  154 . In some implementations, the sensor  102  may be an electro-mechanical system (MEMS)-based pressure sensor, implemented as a membrane in a MEMS structure  150 . In some embodiments, the sensor  102  is a miniature environmental sensor capable of sensing a gas (e.g., carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, volatile organic compounds (VOCs)) or an environmental parameter including pressure, temperature or humidity. 
     The ASIC  110 , may be an electronic integrated circuit that may, for example, provide bias supply for sensor  102  and can perform processing of the signals from the sensor  102 . The ASIC  110  can include, for instance, a microcontroller and associated software and firmware among other components. The sensor  102  is coupled via a wire bonding  154  to the ASIC  110  through the interposer  120 , for example, via a through-silicon via (TSV)  122  of the interposer  120 . The wire bonding  154  is protected from a potential damage using the protective layer  140 , which can be made of, for example, a plastic material or other suitable material that can encapsulate the wire bonding  154  to electrically isolate and mechanically protect the wire bonding  154 , as the sensing device  100  does not use sensor gel in the sensor structure. In one or more implementations, the MEMS structure  150  and the ASIC  110  are not separate pieces and can be integrated into a single die. 
     The air-permeable cap structure  130  can be made of a suitable material such as silicon, silicon carbide or other suitable material. The air-permeable cap structure  130  can have a porous section  132  including vents for allowing the air to reach the sensor  102 , while preventing environmental aggressors such as water, oil and other unwanted substances to enter the sensing volume  134  under the porous section  132 . The porous section  132  may include a microporous structure formed on the air-permeable cap structure  130 . In some embodiments, the air-permeable cap structure  130  can be covered with a hydrophobic layer such as a parylene coating to further protect the sensor  102  against environmental aggressors such as water and oil. 
     The MEMS structure  150  may include capacitive elements  158  implemented (e.g., as traces) on the MEMS structure  150  as a detection means for detecting presence of the environmental aggressors such as water and oil in the sensing volume  134 . In some embodiments, the MEMS structure  150  can also include heating elements  156  (e.g., resistive routings) implemented on the MEMS structure  150  to heat up the sensor  102  and the sensing volume  134 . The heat from the heating elements  156  can be utilized for temperature coefficient offset (TCO) calibration of the sensor  102 . The TCO can shift during assembly and during the lifetime of the sensing device  100 , which is a weak point of the existing gel-based pressure sensors and is mitigated by the subject technology. The heat from the heating elements  156  can further be used to evaporate any water in the sensing volume  134 . The heating elements  156  may operate based on a feedback from the capacitive elements  158 . 
     In some implementations, the ASIC  110  may be used as a package substrate and can provide strain isolation for the sensor  102  through a cavity  112  embedded in the ASIC  110 . The strain isolation may also be provided by the MEMS structure  150 , which is placed over the interposer  120  that is flip-chip bonded to the ASIC  110 . The MEMS structure  150  may be coupled to the interposer  120  through a die attach film  125  to the interposer  120 . In some implementations, the MEMS structure  150  incorporates resistive routing for self-heating and TCO calibration. In one or more implementations, the heat from the MEMS structure  150  can be used to eject any water from the air-permeable cap structure  130  and to prevent blocking, by tiny particles, of small holes of the air-permeable cap structure  130 . In some implementations, the ASIC  110  may include capacitive elements  114  implemented using, for example, a top metal of the ASIC  110  and one or more TSVs  116 . The capacitive elements  114  can detect presence of water, oil or other liquids in the space above the ASIC  110  and within the wall structure  170  of the sensing device  100 . The wall structure  170  attaches the sensing device  100  to a system housing  180  of a host system (e.g., a consumer electronic device such as a smart phone or a smart watch) and includes an o-ring  190 . The substrate  160  can be a flexible substrate (e.g., Flex) or a printed circuit board (PCB) and is different from the package substrate. In one or more implementations, the substrate  160  may be semiconductor substrate and can be made of a material such as silicon, silicon oxide, silicon carbide or other substrate materials. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a waterproofed environmental sensing device  200  with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. The waterproofed environmental sensing device  200  is similar to the waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  of  FIG. 1 . For example, the waterproofed environmental sensing device  200  includes the sensor  102  implemented as a membrane in the MEMS structure  150 , the air-permeable cap structure  130 , the ASIC  210 , the substrate  160  and the wall structure  170  and in secured to the system housing  180  of the host device. The ASIC  210  is different from the ASIC  110  of  FIG. 1 , as the ASIC  210  does not include any strain isolation provisions such as the cavity  112  of  FIG. 1 . The ASIC  210  also includes heating elements  216  implemented by resistive traces (e.g., top metal layer). Otherwise, all other components of the waterproofed environmental sensing device  200  of  FIG. 2  have similar structure and functionalities as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 . The strain isolation, in the implementation of  FIG. 2  is provided by the MEMS structure  150 , which is implemented over the interposer  120  that is flip-chip bonded to the ASIC  210 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  300  with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. The gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  300  is similar to the waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  of  FIG. 1 , except for the additional sensor gel  310  that replaces the air-permeable cap structure  130  of  FIG. 1 , and the passive elements  320  (e.g., capacitors). 
     For example, the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  300  includes the sensor  102  implemented as a membrane in the MEMS structure  150 , the ASIC  110 , the substrate  160  and the wall structure  170  secured to the system housing  180  of the host device. The wall structure  170  forms an enclosure for the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  300 . In one or more implementations, the enclosure is partially filled with the sensor gel  310 . The number of passive elements  320  (e.g., capacitors) are not limited to and may change in various implementations. The passive elements  320  are partially exposed above the sensor gel  310  and are coupled to the ASIC  110  using surface mounted technology (SMT). The passive elements  320  can be made, for example, of a conductor strip (e.g., a metal such as copper, aluminum, titanium and other metals) covered with an insulating material. The passive elements  320  can detect presence of water, oil or other liquids above the sensor gel  310 . The wire bonding  354  coupling the MEMS structure  150  to the ASIC  110  are covered by the sensor gel  310  and does not need the encapsulation, as provided by the protection layer  140  of  FIG. 1 . In one or more implementations, the wire bonding can be replaced by through-silicon-via (TSV) to connect the MEMS structure  150  to the ASIC  110 . 
     The MEMS structure  150  mounted on the ASIC  110  using an isolation membrane  312  made of a material including, for example, silicone rubber. The ASIC  110 , which is used as a package substrate for the device structure, includes strain isolation provisions as described above with respect to  FIG. 1  and further includes heating elements  316  implemented using resistive routings, for instance, the top metal of the ASIC  110 . The heating elements  316  can provide heat for TCO calibration as well as for evaporating water, oil or other liquids accumulated over the sensor gel  310 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  400  with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. The gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  400  is similar to the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  300  of  FIG. 3 , except that the ASIC  510  of  FIG. 4  does not includes strain isolation provisions. For example, the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  400  includes the sensor  102  implemented as a membrane in the MEMS structure  150 , the ASIC  510 , the passive elements  320 , the sensor gel  310 , the substrate  160  and the wall structure  170  secured to the system housing  180  of the host device. The ASIC  410  is used as the package substrate and includes TSVs  442  to electrically couple to the substrate  160 . The strain isolation is provided by the isolation membrane  312  made of a material including, for example, silicone rubber. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  500  with water detection provisions implemented over a land grid array (LGA), in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. The gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  500  is similar to the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  400  of  FIG. 4 , except that the ASIC  510  of  FIG. 5  is implemented over a land grid array (LGA) layer  540 . 
     For example, The gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  500  includes the sensor  102  implemented as a membrane in the MEMS structure  550 , the ASIC  510 , the passive elements  520 , the sensor gel  310 , the substrate  160  and the wall structure  170  secured to the system housing  180  of the host device. The ASIC  510  is coupled, for example, via flip-chip bonding to conductive traces  546  of the LGA  540 , which is used as the package substrate and includes TSVs  542  to electrically couple to the substrate  160 . The strain isolation is provided by the isolation membrane  512  made of a material including, for example, silicone rubber. The sensor gel  310  is similar to the sensor gel  310  of  FIG. 4  and covers the wire bonding  554  and portions of the passive elements  520 , which are coupled to the LGA  540  via SMT. The LGA  540  includes resistive routings  544  used for heating the sensor gel for evaporation of water, oil or other liquids over the sensor gel  310 . The resistive routings  544  can further be used to perform TCO calibration of the sensor  102 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  600  with water detection provisions implemented over a land grid array (LGA), in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. The gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  600  is similar to the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  500  of  FIG. 5 , except that the ASIC  610  of  FIG. 6  is implemented side-by-side with a MEMS structure  650  over the land grid array (LGA) layer  540  and the passive elements  520  of  FIG. 5  are not used. 
     For example, the gel-waterproofed environmental sensing device  600  includes the sensor  102  implemented as a membrane in the MEMS structure  650 , the ASIC  610 , the sensor gel  310 , the substrate  160  and the wall structure  170  secured to the system housing  180  of the host device. The ASIC  610  is coupled, for example, via TSVs  615  to conductive traces  646  of the LGA  540 . The ASIC  610  is thicker than normal and is partially exposed above the sensor gel  310 . In some implementations, the exposed surface of the ASIC  610  includes resistive routings  636  and capacitive elements  638  that are formed using conductive traces such as top metal of the ASIC  610 . The capacitive elements can detect water, oil or other liquids accumulated over the ASIC  610  and the resistive routings  636  can be controlled by control signals based on a feedback from the capacitive elements  638  to heat up and evaporate the liquids. 
     The LGA  540  is used as the package substrate and is formed on the substrate  160 . The strain isolation is provided by the isolation membrane  625  made of a material including, for example, silicone rubber and used between the MEMS structure  650  and the LGA  540 . The sensor gel  310  is similar to the sensor gel  310  of  FIG. 4  and covers the wire bonding  554 . The LGA  540  includes the resistive routings  544  used for heating the sensor gel for evaporation of water, oil or other liquids over the sensor gel  310 . The resistive routings  544  can further be used to perform TCO calibration of the sensor  102 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flow diagram illustrating a process  700  of providing of a waterproofed environmental sensing device (e.g.,  100  of  FIG. 1 ) with water detection provisions, in accordance with one or more aspects of the subject technology. For explanatory purposes, the process  700  is primarily described herein with reference to the waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  of  FIG. 1 . However, the process  700  is not limited to the waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  of  FIG. 1 , and one or more blocks (or operations) of the process  700  may be performed by one or more other components of the waterproofed environmental sensing device  100  of  FIG. 1  or other environmental sensing device disclosed herein. Further, for explanatory purposes, the blocks of the example process  700  are described herein as occurring in serial, or linearly. However, multiple blocks of the example process  700  may occur in parallel. In addition, the blocks of the example process  700  need not be performed in the order shown and/or one or more of the blocks of the example process  700  need not be performed. 
     The process  700  may include providing an environmental sensor (e.g.,  100  of  FIG. 1 ) that can sense one or more environmental properties ( 710 ). An electronic integrated circuit (e.g.,  110  of  FIG. 1 ) can be implemented on a substrate (e.g.,  160  of  FIG. 1 ) ( 720 ). The environmental sensor may be coupled to electronic integrated circuit via wire bonding (e.g.,  154  of  FIG. 1 ) ( 730 ). An air-permeable cap structure (e.g.,  130  of  FIG. 1 ) may be formed over the environmental sensor ( 740 ). A protective layer (e.g.,  140  of  FIG. 1 ) may be formed over the wire bonding to protect the wire bonding against damage ( 750 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating an example wireless communication device, within which one or more environmental sensing devices of the subject technology can be integrated. The wireless communication device  800  may comprise a radio-frequency (RF) antenna  810 , a receiver  820 , a transmitter  830 , a baseband processing module  840 , a memory  850 , a processor  860 , a local oscillator generator (LOGEN)  870  and one or more transducers  880 . In various embodiments of the subject technology, one or more of the blocks represented in  FIG. 8  may be integrated on one or more semiconductor substrates. For example, the blocks  820 - 870  may be realized in a single chip or a single system on a chip, or may be realized in a multi-chip chipset. 
     The receiver  820  may comprise suitable logic circuitry and/or code that may be operable to receive and process signals from the RF antenna  810 . The receiver  820  may, for example, be operable to amplify and/or down-convert received wireless signals. In various embodiments of the subject technology, the receiver  820  may be operable to cancel noise in received signals and may be linear over a wide range of frequencies. In this manner, the receiver  820  may be suitable for receiving signals in accordance with a variety of wireless standards, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and various cellular standards. In various embodiments of the subject technology, the receiver  820  may not require any SAW filters and few or no off-chip discrete components such as large capacitors and inductors. 
     The transmitter  830  may comprise suitable logic circuitry and/or code that may be operable to process and transmit signals from the RF antenna  810 . The transmitter  830  may, for example, be operable to up-convert baseband signals to RF signals and amplify RF signals. In various embodiments of the subject technology, the transmitter  830  may be operable to up-convert and amplify baseband signals processed in accordance with a variety of wireless standards. Examples of such standards may include Wi-Fi, WiMAX, Bluetooth, and various cellular standards. In various embodiments of the subject technology, the transmitter  830  may be operable to provide signals for further amplification by one or more power amplifiers. 
     The duplexer  812  may provide isolation in the transmit band to avoid saturation of the receiver  820  or damaging parts of the receiver  820 , and to relax one or more design requirements of the receiver  820 . Furthermore, the duplexer  812  may attenuate the noise in the receive band. The duplexer may be operable in multiple frequency bands of various wireless standards. 
     The baseband processing module  840  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to perform processing of baseband signals. The baseband processing module  840  may, for example, analyze received signals and generate control and/or feedback signals for configuring various components of the wireless communication device  800 , such as the receiver  820 . The baseband processing module  840  may be operable to encode, decode, transcode, modulate, demodulate, encrypt, decrypt, scramble, descramble, and/or otherwise process data in accordance with one or more wireless standards. 
     The processor  860  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable processing data and/or controlling operations of the wireless communication device  800 . In this regard, the processor  860  may be enabled to provide control signals to various other portions of the wireless communication device  800 . The processor  860  may also control transfers of data between various portions of the wireless communication device  800 . Additionally, the processor  860  may enable implementation of an operating system or otherwise execute code to manage operations of the wireless communication device  800 . 
     The memory  850  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of various types of information such as received data, generated data, code, and/or configuration information. The memory  850  may comprise, for example, RAM, ROM, flash, and/or magnetic storage. In various embodiment of the subject technology, information stored in the memory  850  may be utilized for configuring the receiver  820  and/or the baseband processing module  840 . 
     The local oscillator generator (LOGEN)  870  may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to generate one or more oscillating signals of one or more frequencies. The LOGEN  870  may be operable to generate digital and/or analog signals. In this manner, the LOGEN  870  may be operable to generate one or more clock signals and/or sinusoidal signals. Characteristics of the oscillating signals such as the frequency and duty cycle may be determined based on one or more control signals from, for example, the processor  860  and/or the baseband processing module  840 . 
     In operation, the processor  860  may configure the various components of the wireless communication device  800  based on a wireless standard according to which it is desired to receive signals. Wireless signals may be received via the RF antenna  810  and amplified and down-converted by the receiver  820 . The baseband processing module  840  may perform noise estimation and/or noise cancellation, decoding, and/or demodulation of the baseband signals. In this manner, information in the received signal may be recovered and utilized appropriately. For example, the information may be audio and/or video to be presented to a user of the wireless communication device, data to be stored to the memory  850 , and/or information affecting and/or enabling operation of the wireless communication device  800 . The baseband processing module  840  may modulate, encode, and perform other processing on audio, video, and/or control signals to be transmitted by the transmitter  830  in accordance with various wireless standards. 
     The one or more transducers  880  may include an environmental sensor of the subject technology, for example, shown in  FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 , or  6  and described above. The environmental sensor of the subject technology can be readily integrated into the wireless communication device  800 , in particular when the wireless communication device  800  is a smart mobile phone or a smart watch. 
     The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but are to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” refers to one or more. Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. Headings and subheadings, if any, are used for convenience only and do not limit the subject disclosure. 
     The predicate words “configured to”, “operable to”, and “programmed to” do not imply any particular tangible or intangible modification of a subject, but, rather, are intended to be used interchangeably. For example, a processor configured to monitor and control an operation or a component may also mean the processor being programmed to monitor and control the operation or the processor being operable to monitor and control the operation. Likewise, a processor configured to execute code can be construed as a processor programmed to execute code or operable to execute code. 
     A phrase such as an “aspect” does not imply that such aspect is essential to the subject technology or that such aspect applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to an aspect may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as an aspect may refer to one or more aspects and vice versa. A phrase such as a “configuration” does not imply that such configuration is essential to the subject technology or that such configuration applies to all configurations of the subject technology. A disclosure relating to a configuration may apply to all configurations, or one or more configurations. A phrase such as a configuration may refer to one or more configurations and vice versa. 
     The word “example” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. 
     All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200326
Publication Date: 20220419
Grant Date: 20220419
Priority Date: 20170929
Inventors: VUMMIDI MURALI, KRISHNA PRASAD
LEI, KUOLUNG
YEH, RICHARD
MA, YUN X.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B81B7/0029", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2207/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0029", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C2203/0792", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C1/0023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0058", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0278", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0214", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2203/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2207/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0058", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0077", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C2203/0136", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0214", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0278", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0264", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0264", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0077", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2203/0127", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C2203/0136", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C1/0023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C2203/0792", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2207/096", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2207/096", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0077", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0029", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C2203/0136", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B7/0058", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C1/0023", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0214", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0264", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81C2203/0792", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2201/0278", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2203/04", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2203/0127", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B81B2207/012", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 65895881