Patents by Inventor Frank Lambrecht

Frank Lambrecht 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: 7236894
    Abstract: A circuit, system and method adjusts a reference voltage, such as an internal or external reference voltage VREF, in response to a first voltage at a first contact, such as a pin on a memory controller used for reading or writing data, and a second voltage at a second contact in embodiments. Logic is coupled to the first and second contacts to provide a control signal in response to the first and second voltages. A comparator provides an input signal to the logic in response to a target reference voltage and the reference voltage during a calibration or initialization mode of operation. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of data values at a first contact are compared to a predetermined plurality of test data. An up/down signal is then provided to a counter and a register stores a counter value used to provide a reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Frank Lambrecht, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20070088968
    Abstract: A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Applicant: RAMBUS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Best, Abhijit Abhyankar, Kun Chang, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 7162376
    Abstract: A system comprises a master device and a plurality of memory devices coupled to the master device by an interconnect in an embodiment. The master device obtains a plurality of values representing reference voltage values and selects a first value in the plurality of values representing reference voltage values to generate an internal reference voltage value when reading data from a selected memory device in the plurality of memory devices. A method comprises obtaining a plurality of values representing reference voltages for a plurality of memory devices in an embodiment. A first value is selected in the plurality of values representing reference voltages. A reference voltage value is adjusted in response to the first value to an adjusted reference voltage value. Data is transferred to a selected memory device in the plurality of memory devices using the adjusted reference voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Frank Lambrecht, David Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7159136
    Abstract: A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Rambus, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, Kun-Yung Chang, Frank Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20060142959
    Abstract: A system comprises a master device and a plurality of memory devices coupled to the master device by an interconnect in an embodiment. The master device obtains a plurality of values representing reference voltage values and selects a first value in the plurality of values representing reference voltage values to generate an internal reference voltage value when reading data from a selected memory device in the plurality of memory devices. A method comprises obtaining a plurality of values representing reference voltages for a plurality of memory devices in an embodiment. A first value is selected in the plurality of values representing reference voltages. A reference voltage value is adjusted in response to the first value to an adjusted reference voltage value. Data is transferred to a selected memory device in the plurality of memory devices using the adjusted reference voltage value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Kyung Oh, Frank Lambrecht, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20060142977
    Abstract: A circuit, system and method adjusts a reference voltage, such as an internal or external reference voltage VREF, in response to a first voltage at a first contact, such as a pin on a memory controller used for reading or writing data, and a second voltage at a second contact in embodiments. Logic is coupled to the first and second contacts to provide a control signal in response to the first and second voltages. A comparator provides an input signal to the logic in response to a target reference voltage and the reference voltage during a calibration or initialization mode of operation. In an alternate embodiment, a plurality of data values at a first contact are compared to a predetermined plurality of test data. An up/down signal is then provided to a counter and a register stores a counter value used to provide a reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Kyung Oh, Frank Lambrecht, David Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20060044136
    Abstract: A fiber optic based security system is disposed on or in a structure such as a wall, roof, floor, ceiling, container, and/or ground. The security system contains an optical cable having first and second ends and an interface unit connected to both ends of the optical cable. The interface unit generates a specific light signal injected into the first end. The interface unit receives the specific light signal from the second end after the specific light signal propagates through the optical cable. The interface unit then determines if the specific light signal received falls within a given threshold and outputs an alarming signal indicating if the specific light signal received falls outside of the given threshold. An alarm system receives the alarming signal from the interface unit. The alarm system is activated if the interface unit indicates that the specific light signal falls outside of the given threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Inventors: Sandra Kowal, Frank Lambrecht, Edwin Williams
  • Publication number: 20060031698
    Abstract: A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: RAMBUS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Best, Abhijit Abhyankar, Kun-Yung Chang, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 6965768
    Abstract: An optimized utilization of the resources of a mobile radio network including a number of channels suitable both for the transmission of data and of voice is achieved by a mobile radio telecommunication network and a method for allocating a channel requested for a telecommunication link via a telecommunication network between a caller and a called party. Preferentially, a physical channel having a different wanted-to-unwanted signal ratio is selected when a data channel is requested than when a voice channel is requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Martin Keller, Frank Lambrecht, Stefan Leinenbach, Joachim Richter, Robert Wahsner
  • Patent number: 6961862
    Abstract: A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Rambus, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Abhijit M. Abhyankar, Kun-Yung Chang, Frank Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20050210308
    Abstract: A communication channel includes a first component having a transmitter coupled to a normal signal source, and a second component having a receiver coupled to a normal signal destination. A communication link couples the first and second components. Calibration logic provides for setting an operation value for a parameter of the communication channel, such as by executing an exhaustive calibration sequence at initialization of the link. A tracking circuit, including a monitoring function, tracks drift in the parameter by monitoring a feedback signal that has a characteristic that correlates with drift in the communication channel, and updates, or indicates the need for updating of, the operation value of the parameter in response to the monitoring function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: RAMBUS, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Best, Abhijit Abhyankar, Kun-Yung Chang, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 6882593
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a clock signal to driver a plurality of memory components in a memory subsystem. The clock driver circuit comprises a clock generator for transmitting a clock signal to drive the plurality of memory components, a memory controller for controlling the plurality of memory components, and an adjustable impedance circuit residing within said memory controller such that the adjustable impedance circuit is programmable in accordance with a control input generated by the memory controller. The clock generator is configured to generate a clock signal with a voltage swing controlled by the impedance of the adjustable impedance circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Frank Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20050002423
    Abstract: A technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic systems is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for determining performance characteristics of electronic systems. The method includes the steps of measuring a first response on a transmission medium from a falling edge transmitted on the transmission medium, and measuring a second response on the transmission medium from a rising edge transmitted on the transmission medium. The method also includes the step of determining worst case bit patterns for transmission on the transmission medium based upon the first response and the second response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Inventors: Frank Lambrecht, Ching-Chao Huang, Michael Fox
  • Patent number: 6836503
    Abstract: An apparatus that reduces sampling errors for data communicated between devices uses phase information acquired from a timing reference signal such as a strobe signal to align a data-sampling signal for sampling a data signal that was sent along with the timing reference signal. The data-sampling signal may be provided by adjustably delaying a clock signal according to the phase information acquired from the strobe signal. The data-sampling signal may also have an improved waveform compared to the timing reference signal, including a fifty percent duty cycle and sharp transitions. The phase information acquired from the timing reference signal may also be used for other purposes, such as aligning received data with a local clock domain, or transmitting data so that it arrives at a remote device in synchronism with a reference clock signal at the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Richard E. Warmke, David B. Roberts, Frank Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20040246811
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for generating a clock signal to driver a plurality of memory components in a memory subsystem. The clock driver circuit comprises a clock generator for transmitting a clock signal to drive the plurality of memory components, a memory controller for controlling the plurality of memory components, and an adjustable impedance circuit residing within said memory controller such that the adjustable impedance circuit is programmable in accordance with a control input generated by the memory controller. The clock generator is configured to generate a clock signal with a voltage swing controlled by the impedance of the adjustable impedance circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Frank Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20040213067
    Abstract: An apparatus that reduces sampling errors for data communicated between devices uses phase information acquired from a timing reference signal such as a strobe signal to align a data-sampling signal for sampling a data signal that was sent along with the timing reference signal. The data-sampling signal may be provided by adjustably delaying a clock signal according to the phase information acquired from the strobe signal. The data-sampling signal may also have an improved waveform compared to the timing reference signal, including a fifty percent duty cycle and sharp transitions. The phase information acquired from the timing reference signal may also be used for other purposes, such as aligning received data with a local clock domain, or transmitting data so that it arrives at a remote device in synchronism with a reference clock signal at the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Richard E. Warmke, David B. Roberts, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 6775809
    Abstract: A technique for determining performance characteristics of electronic systems is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method for determining performance characteristics of electronic systems. The method includes the steps of measuring a first response on a transmission medium from a falling edge transmitted on the transmission medium, and measuring a second response on the transmission medium from a rising edge transmitted on the transmission medium. The method also includes the step of determining worst case bit patterns for transmission on the transmission medium based upon the first response and the second response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Lambrecht, Ching-Chao Huang, Michael Fox
  • Publication number: 20030112909
    Abstract: An apparatus that reduces sampling errors for data communicated between devices uses phase information acquired from a timing reference signal such as a strobe signal to align a data-sampling signal for sampling a data signal that was sent along with the timing reference signal. The data-sampling signal may be provided by adjustably delaying a clock signal according to the phase information acquired from the strobe signal. The data-sampling signal may also have an improved waveform compared to the timing reference signal, including a fifty percent duty cycle and sharp transitions. The phase information acquired from the timing reference signal may also be used for other purposes, such as aligning received data with a local clock domain, or transmitting data so that it arrives at a remote device in synchronism with a reference clock signal at the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Richard E. Warmke, David B. Roberts, Frank Lambrecht
  • Patent number: 6570944
    Abstract: An apparatus that reduces sampling errors for data communicated between devices uses phase information acquired from a timing reference signal such as a strobe signal to align a data-sampling signal for sampling a data signal that was sent along with the timing reference signal. The data-sampling signal may be provided by adjustably delaying a clock signal according to the phase information acquired from the strobe signal. The data-sampling signal may also have an improved waveform compared to the timing reference signal, including a fifty percent duty cycle and sharp transitions. The phase information acquired from the timing reference signal may also be used for other purposes, such as aligning received data with a local clock domain, or transmitting data so that it arrives at a remote device in synchronism with a reference clock signal at the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Richard E. Warmke, David B. Roberts, Frank Lambrecht
  • Publication number: 20020196883
    Abstract: An apparatus that reduces sampling errors for data communicated between devices uses phase information acquired from a timing reference signal such as a strobe signal to align a data-sampling signal for sampling a data signal that was sent along with the timing reference signal. The data-sampling signal may be provided by adjustably delaying a clock signal according to the phase information acquired from the strobe signal. The data-sampling signal may also have an improved waveform compared to the timing reference signal, including a fifty percent duty cycle and sharp transitions. The phase information acquired from the timing reference signal may also be used for other purposes, such as aligning received data with a local clock domain, or transmitting data so that it arrives at a remote device in synchronism with a reference clock signal at the remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Best, Richard E. Warmke, David B. Roberts, Frank Lambrecht