Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brian W. Peterman
  • Patent number: 6225928
    Abstract: A discrete-time strongly cross-coupled complex bandpass modulator is disclosed that achieves the full potential of bandpass delta-sigma conversion by providing a strongly cross-coupled discrete-time complex loop filter structure with very low sensitivity to mismatches and by providing a simple scheme for correcting the effects of modulator mismatches. The complex bandpass modulator includes a plurality of non-linear resonators connected together and acting as a linear complex operator. Each resonator will act as a linear complex operator when an imaginary input signal is delayed by half a sample interval and an imaginary output signal is advanced by half a sample interval. In addition, degradation effects due to modulator mismatches are eliminated by digitally adjusting the relative gain of the real and imaginary paths following the output of the analog-to-digital converter and by adjusting the relative gain of the real and imaginary input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Green
  • Patent number: 6148048
    Abstract: A receive path implementation for an intermediate frequency (IF) transceiver is disclosed that provides increased signal processing integrity and accuracy with an efficient and improved design. A complex filter for a bandpass delta-sigma analog-to-digital converter (ADC) provides efficient complex noise shaping with a combination of real and complex filters. An automatic gain control (AGC) amplifier provides a constant bandwidth and zero variation phase shift for all gain levels. Clock adjust circuitry provides a clock signal with a jitter-free edge and a high percentage duty cycle. A fixed-gain input amplifier provides a matched input impedance. A method for choosing design specifications provides improved anti-aliasing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Kerth, Tod Paulus, Shyam S. Somayajula, Tony G. Mellissinos
  • Patent number: 6137533
    Abstract: A system and method of enhancing dynamic range in images is disclosed that increases the contrast in the resulting image without requiring an increase in the dynamic range of the analog-to-digital converter used to convert the analog image signals to digital information. The system and method disclosed achieve this advantageous result by providing per-pixel gain control circuitry and per-pixel gain selection circuitry. The analog image signal range is segmented into a number (N) of multiple levels, where N is selected to be the desired level of enhancement. Multiple analog gain (G1) levels and multiple digital gain (G2) levels are also provided. The analog gain (G1) is selected for each image pixel based upon the segment in which that pixel falls so that the signal levels may be increased for each segment to utilize the full range (R) of the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventor: S. Khalid Azim
  • Patent number: 6109767
    Abstract: A light trap for a projector, such as an integrated LCD projector, is provided for placement in ventilation channels to prevent escape of light through the channels while allowing free flow of cooling fluid through the channels. The light trap is constructed of material having a honeycomb-like structure, with conduits in the light trap being preferably disposed obliquely between the light source and the duct opening. The light trap may be coated or treated to increase absorption of visible and infrared radiation. A light trap according to this invention not only prevents escape of extraneous light from the projector's ventilation openings, but it assists in controlling the heat load generated by the light source, and it provides less resistance to air flow than does a louvered panel that is typically used to cover a ventilation opening in a projector thus reducing the amount of noise associated with the ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ernesto M. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6094226
    Abstract: A system and method for conversion of graphics from computer graphics formats to television formats is disclosed. More particularly, an improved scaling and flicker reduction system and method is disclosed for scaling personal computer (PC) graphics formats into different resolution television (TV) formats and for reducing flicker due to the conversion process of interlacing non-interlaced PC graphics to match interlaced TV formats. The scaling implementation reduces line buffer requirements by using a conditional scaling technique for converting graphics from a PC resolution format to a TV resolution format. The flicker reduction implementation provides a two-dimensional adaptive filter that selects between multiple filters so that different parts of an image may have different flicker reduction and different levels of trade off between flicker reduction and resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ligang Ke, Juergen M. Lutz
  • Patent number: 5982314
    Abstract: A self-timed multiplier and method are disclosed together with an analog to digital converter (ADC), which reduces ADC latency without requiring large silicon areas for implementation. The self-timed multiplier may be utilized by delta-sigma ADCs to perform gain compensation multiplications at the end of convolution, or may be used by other ADC designs or ADC systems for multiplications required during each convolution. The self-timed multiplier utilizes cascaded adders that produce completion signals to isolate the operation of the self-timed multiplier from the system clock of the ADC. The multiplier disclosed provides a self-timed, asynchronous circuit that will complete the desired multiplication in the time it takes for the required additions to propagate through the cascaded adders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Aryesh Amar, Bruce P. Del Signore
  • Patent number: 5963262
    Abstract: A system and method for conversion of graphics from computer graphics formats to television formats is disclosed. More particularly, an improved scaling and flicker reduction system and method is disclosed for scaling personal computer (PC) graphics formats into different resolution television (TV) formats and for reducing flicker due to the conversion process of interlacing non-interlaced PC graphics to match interlaced TV formats. The scaling implementation reduces line buffer requirements by using a conditional scaling technique for converting graphics from a PC resolution format to a TV resolution format. The flicker reduction implementation provides a two-dimensional adaptive filter that selects between multiple filters so that different parts of an image may have different flicker reduction and different levels of trade off between flicker reduction and resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ligang Ke, Juergen M. Lutz
  • Patent number: 5886658
    Abstract: A novel serial port interface system and method are disclosed. The serial port interface system achieves a three-pin interface mode with only a serial data input pin, a serial data output pin, and a serial clock pin by allocating a bit in an on-chip register to identify a three-pin conversion-done mode. In this three-pin mode, the serial data output pin signals an external device that data is ready to be accessed. Also disclosed with this three-pin conversion-done mode is a single conversion data read and a continuous conversion data read that may be selected through two separate bits in an on-chip register. In another aspect, a multiple register access capability is disclosed that allows multiple on-chip registers to be accessed with a single read/write command. This is accomplished by allocating a register select address in a command register to identify a group of registers, such as all of the set-up registers (gain, offset and configuration).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Crystal Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Aryesh Amar, Jerome E. Johnston, Bruce P. Del Signore