Patents by Inventor Danut Manea

Danut Manea has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11967374
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for voltage-mode bit line precharge for random-access memory cells. A circuit includes an array of random access memory cells; a low-impedance voltage source configured to provide a precharge voltage; and a control circuit configured to precharge a bit line of one of the random access memory cells to the precharge voltage using the low-impedance voltage source prior to reading the one of the random access memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Hefei Reliance Memory Limited
    Inventor: Danut Manea
  • Publication number: 20230019326
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for voltage-mode bit line precharge for random-access memory cells. A circuit includes an array of random access memory cells; a low-impedance voltage source configured to provide a precharge voltage; and a control circuit configured to precharge a bit line of one of the random access memory cells to the precharge voltage using the low-impedance voltage source prior to reading the one of the random access memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventor: Danut MANEA
  • Patent number: 11482281
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for voltage-mode bit line precharge for random-access memory cells. A circuit includes an array of random access memory cells; a low-impedance voltage source configured to provide a precharge voltage; and a control circuit configured to precharge a bit line of one of the random access memory cells to the precharge voltage using the low-impedance voltage source prior to reading the one of the random access memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Hefei Reliance Memory Limited
    Inventor: Danut Manea
  • Publication number: 20210295911
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for voltage-mode bit line precharge for random-access memory cells. A circuit includes an array of random access memory cells; a low-impedance voltage source configured to provide a precharge voltage; and a control circuit configured to precharge a bit line of one of the random access memory cells to the precharge voltage using the low-impedance voltage source prior to reading the one of the random access memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventor: Danut MANEA
  • Patent number: 11024373
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for voltage-mode bit line precharge for random-access memory cells. A circuit includes an array of random access memory cells; a low-impedance voltage source configured to provide a precharge voltage; and a control circuit configured to precharge a bit line of one of the random access memory cells to the precharge voltage using the low-impedance voltage source prior to reading the one of the random access memory cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Hefei Reliance Memory Limited
    Inventor: Danut Manea
  • Publication number: 20210082504
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are disclosed for voltage-mode bit line precharge for random-access memory cells. A circuit includes an array of random access memory cells; a low-impedance voltage source configured to provide a precharge voltage; and a control circuit configured to precharge a bit line of one of the random access memory cells to the precharge voltage using the low-impedance voltage source prior to reading the one of the random access memory cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Danut MANEA
  • Patent number: 10200017
    Abstract: A self-setting/resetting latch circuit is disclosed that includes resistive loads for inverters used for setting and clearing the latch. In a first embodiment, the resistive loads cause the latch circuit to automatically set in response to a power supply voltage going low. In an alternate embodiment, the latch circuit is configured to be self-resetting or self-clearing when the power supply voltage goes low by reversing the set and clear terminals of the latch circuit and selecting a different node to be the output terminal of the latch circuit. The disclosed latch circuit is small and robust and draws zero power in the set state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Kotowski, Danut Manea
  • Publication number: 20180054189
    Abstract: A self-setting/resetting latch circuit is disclosed that includes resistive loads for inverters used for setting and clearing the latch. In a first embodiment, the resistive loads cause the latch circuit to automatically set in response to a power supply voltage going low. In an alternate embodiment, the latch circuit is configured to be self-resetting or self-clearing when the power supply voltage goes low by reversing the set and clear terminals of the latch circuit and selecting a different node to be the output terminal of the latch circuit. The disclosed latch circuit is small and robust and draws zero power in the set state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey P. Kotowski, Danut Manea
  • Patent number: 9882738
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for single-wire communications are described. A described technique includes detecting transitions on a single-wire bus that are produced by a host device, determining an estimated baud rate of the host device based on the transition, and communicating with the host device based on the estimated baud rate. Determining the estimated baud rate can include charging a capacitor based on a charging rate in response to a detection of a first transition of the transitions, sampling a capacitor voltage associated with the capacitor in response to a detection of a second transition of the transitions, and adjusting the charging rate based on a comparison between the capacitor voltage and a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeffrey P. Kotowski
  • Publication number: 20170054572
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for single-wire communications are described. A described technique includes detecting transitions on a single-wire bus that are produced by a host device, determining an estimated baud rate of the host device based on the transition, and communicating with the host device based on the estimated baud rate. Determining the estimated baud rate can include charging a capacitor based on a charging rate in response to a detection of a first transition of the transitions, sampling a capacitor voltage associated with the capacitor in response to a detection of a second transition of the transitions, and adjusting the charging rate based on a comparison between the capacitor voltage and a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeffrey P. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 9501078
    Abstract: In a bandgap voltage reference with low package shift, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage is generated using a single diode biased at two different current levels at two different times. Using the same diode for both current density measurements removes the absolute value of the base-emitter junction voltage (Vbe) and any package shift in the PTAT voltage. The bandgap voltage reference can be implemented in a single or differential circuit topology. In some implementations, the bandgap voltage reference can include circuitry for curvature correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeff Kotowski, Scott N. Fritz, Yongliang Wang
  • Patent number: 9490999
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for single-wire communications are described. A described technique includes detecting transitions on a single-wire bus that are produced by a host device; determining an estimated baud rate of the host device based on the transitions by approximating a bit transition rate associated with the transitions by iteratively adjusting a charging rate of a capacitor to match the bit transition rate; and communicating with the host device based on the estimated baud rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeffrey P. Kotowski
  • Patent number: 9483108
    Abstract: A memory device includes a voltage regulator, whose output provides a voltage supply for various other components of the memory device, including a command user interface. The memory device is placed into an ultra-deep power-down mode by providing to the memory device a software command, which causes the output of the voltage regulator to be disabled. To bring the memory device out of the ultra-deep power-down mode, a chip select signal is provided to the memory device, which includes a wake-up circuit that remains powered on even when the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode. Receipt of the chip select signal while the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode causes the output of the voltage regulator to be enabled, thereby providing power to the components that were completely powered down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Artemis Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Richard V. De Caro, Danut Manea, Yongliang Wang, Stephen Trinh, Paul Hill
  • Publication number: 20160218885
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for single-wire communications are described. A described technique includes detecting transitions on a single-wire bus that are produced by a host device; determining an estimated baud rate of the host device based on the transitions by approximating a bit transition rate associated with the transitions by iteratively adjusting a charging rate of a capacitor to match the bit transition rate; and communicating with the host device based on the estimated baud rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeffrey P. Kotowski
  • Publication number: 20150241956
    Abstract: A memory device includes a voltage regulator, whose output provides a voltage supply for various other components of the memory device, including a command user interface. The memory device is placed into an ultra-deep power-down mode by providing to the memory device a software command, which causes the output of the voltage regulator to be disabled. To bring the memory device out of the ultra-deep power-down mode, a chip select signal is provided to the memory device, which includes a wake-up circuit that remains powered on even when the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode. Receipt of the chip select signal while the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode causes the output of the voltage regulator to be enabled, thereby providing power to the components that were completely powered down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Richard V. De Caro, Danut Manea, Yongliang Wang, Stephen Trinh, Paul Hill
  • Publication number: 20150227155
    Abstract: In a bandgap voltage reference with low package shift, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage is generated using a single diode biased at two different current levels at two different times. Using the same diode for both current density measurements removes the absolute value of the base-emitter junction voltage (Vbe) and any package shift in the PTAT voltage. The bandgap voltage reference can be implemented in a single or differential circuit topology. In some implementations, the bandgap voltage reference can include circuitry for curvature correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeff Kotowski, Scott N. Fritz, Yongliang Wang
  • Patent number: 9037890
    Abstract: A memory device includes a voltage regulator, whose output provides a voltage supply for various other components of the memory device, including a command user interface. The memory device is placed into an ultra-deep power-down mode by providing to the memory device a software command, which causes the output of the voltage regulator to be disabled. To bring the memory device out of the ultra-deep power-down mode, a chip select signal is provided to the memory device, which includes a wake-up circuit that remains powered on even when the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode. Receipt of the chip select signal while the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode causes the output of the voltage regulator to be enabled, thereby providing power to the components that were completely powered down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Artemis Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Richard V De Caro, Danut Manea, Yongliang Wang, Stephen Trinh, Paul Hill
  • Patent number: 9013231
    Abstract: In a bandgap voltage reference with low package shift, a proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage is generated using a single diode biased at two different current levels at two different times. Using the same diode for both current density measurements removes the absolute value of the base-emitter junction voltage (Vbe) and any package shift in the PTAT voltage. The bandgap voltage reference can be implemented in a single or differential circuit topology. In some implementations, the bandgap voltage reference can include circuitry for curvature correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Jeff Kotowski, Scott N. Fritz, Yongliang Wang
  • Patent number: 8885413
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for performing write operations on non-volatile memory are described. A described system includes a memory structure including non-volatile memory cells that are arranged on word lines and bit lines and a microcontroller that is communicatively coupled with the memory structure. The memory structure can include non-volatile memory cells that are arranged on word lines and bit lines. The microcontroller can be configured to receive data to write to the memory structure, write the data to the memory structure using a selected word line of the word lines, detect a failure to write the data, apply, based on the failure, a negative bias voltage to one or more unselected word lines of the word lines during a negative bias period, and write the data to the portion of the memory cells using the selected word line during the negative bias period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Danut Manea, Erwin Castillon, Uday Mudumba, Sabina Centazzo, Stephen Trinh, Dixie Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20140032956
    Abstract: A memory device includes a voltage regulator, whose output provides a voltage supply for various other components of the memory device, including a command user interface. The memory device is placed into an ultra-deep power-down mode by providing to the memory device a software command, which causes the output of the voltage regulator to be disabled. To bring the memory device out of the ultra-deep power-down mode, a chip select signal is provided to the memory device, which includes a wake-up circuit that remains powered on even when the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode. Receipt of the chip select signal while the memory device is in the ultra-deep power-down mode causes the output of the voltage regulator to be enabled, thereby providing power to the components that were completely powered down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Atmel Corporation
    Inventors: Richard V. De Caro, Danut Manea, YONGLIANG WANG, Stephen Trinh, Paul Hill