Giuseppe Palmisano

The collective complaints procedure was created in 1995 as an optional quasi-jurisdictional monitoring mechanism specific for the protection of social rights, within the framework of the Council of Europe treaty system of the European Social Charter. In recent years, the importance and use of this procedure has increased considerably, in the context of a number of serious economic and social crises which are impacting negatively on the effective enjoyment of social rights in Europe. This short monograph explores and clarifies the specific features, the potential and limits of the collective complaints procedure, intended as a sui generis instrument for the protection of social rights, in the light of its evolutive application by the European Committee of Social Rights (the monitoring body of the European Social Charter) and its real impact on the state and conditions of social rights in the European countries concerned.

In recent years, advances in radio detection and ranging technology, sustained by new achievements in the fields of signal processing and electronic components, have permitted the adoption of radars in many civil and defense applications. This resource discusses how highly integrated radar has been adopted by several new markets such as contactless vital sign monitoring (heart rate, breath rate) or harbor traffic control, as well as several applications for vehicle driver assistance. You are provided with scenarios, applications, and requirements, while focusing on the trade-offs between flexibility, programmability, power consumption, size and weight, and complexity.

CMOS Current Amplifiers presents design strategies for high performance current amplifiers based on CMOS technology. After an introduction to various architectures of operational amplifiers, the operating principles of the current amplifier are outlined. This book provides the reader with simple and compact design equations for use in a pencil and paper design and the following simulation step. Chapter 1 introduces the general aspects of current amplifiers. After a preliminary classification of operational amplifiers, ideal blocks and models are discussed for different architectures and a first high-level comparison is made between traditional amplifiers and current amplifiers. Analysis and examples of basic circuits, as well as signal processing applications involving current amplifiers, are also given. Non-idealities and second- order effects causing limitations in performance are then discussed and evaluated. Chapter 2 focuses on low-drive current amplifiers. Several design examples for current conveyors and class A current amplifiers are discussed in detail and design equations are presented for the main performance parameters, which allows a good trade-off between requirements. High-performance solutions for high bandwidth and low voltage capability are also considered, and, finally, current comparators with progressively enhanced performance are reported and analyzed critically. Chapter 3 deals with current amplifiers for off-chip loads. Several class AB current-mode output stages are discussed and design strategies which improve performance are presented. A detailed analysis of non-ideal effect is carried out with particular emphasis on linearity. Design examples are given and circuit arrangements for further developments are included. CMOS Current Amplifiers serves as an excellent reference for researchers and professionals of analog IC design, and may also be used as an advanced text on current amplifiers.

With the ability to improve performance, reduce fabrication costs, and increase integration levels of both RX and TX sections of the RF/mm-wave front-end, passive inductive components have experienced extraordinary growth in ICs. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of monolithic inductors and transformers has become essential for all process engineers and circuit designers. Supplying balanced coverage of the technology and applications, Integrated Inductors and Transformers: Characterization, Design and Modeling for RF and mm-Wave Applications provides a complete overview of the design, fabrication, and modeling of monolithic inductors and transformers. It considers the underlying physics and theoretical background of inductive components fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. Deals with both inductors and transformers and their application in RF/mm-wave ICsFocuses on silicon-based inductive components and their performance optimization in RF/mm-wave ICsProvides insight into lumped scalable modeling of both inductors and transformersCovers concepts of system calibration, test pattern parasitics, and de-embedding for on-wafer measurements of passive devicesIllustrates practical applications of theoretical concepts by means of meaningful circuit design examplesHighlighting the pressing requirements of the wireless market and evolving communication standards, the text provides a comprehensive review of recently developed modeling techniques and applications. It also includes helpful rule-of-thumb design guidelines and commonly employed optimization strategies to help kick-start your design, fabrication, and modeling efforts.

CMOS Current Amplifiers presents design strategies for high performance current amplifiers based on CMOS technology. After an introduction to various architectures of operational amplifiers, the operating principles of the current amplifier are outlined. This book provides the reader with simple and compact design equations for use in a pencil and paper design and the following simulation step. Chapter 1 introduces the general aspects of current amplifiers. After a preliminary classification of operational amplifiers, ideal blocks and models are discussed for different architectures and a first high-level comparison is made between traditional amplifiers and current amplifiers. Analysis and examples of basic circuits, as well as signal processing applications involving current amplifiers, are also given. Non-idealities and second- order effects causing limitations in performance are then discussed and evaluated. Chapter 2 focuses on low-drive current amplifiers. Several design examples for current conveyors and class A current amplifiers are discussed in detail and design equations are presented for the main performance parameters, which allows a good trade-off between requirements. High-performance solutions for high bandwidth and low voltage capability are also considered, and, finally, current comparators with progressively enhanced performance are reported and analyzed critically. Chapter 3 deals with current amplifiers for off-chip loads. Several class AB current-mode output stages are discussed and design strategies which improve performance are presented. A detailed analysis of non-ideal effect is carried out with particular emphasis on linearity. Design examples are given and circuit arrangements for further developments are included. CMOS Current Amplifiers serves as an excellent reference for researchers and professionals of analog IC design, and may also be used as an advanced text on current amplifiers.