Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple graphics processing capacity, while utilizing unused integrated graphics processing circuitry on a bridge circuit along with an external or discrete graphics processing unit is disclosed. In particular, a bridge circuit includes an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs. The bridge circuit also includes an interface operable according to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit. A controller is included with the bridge circuit and responsive whenever the discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to process a task of the graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process another task of the graphics job. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications assembly having an antenna, a transceiver and a baseband processor, includes: at the transceiver: receiving, from the antenna, a modulated carrier signal having a carrier frequency and containing payload data; demodulating the carrier signal to extract a baseband signal having a baseband frequency and containing the payload data; generating from the baseband signal, at a converter, a digital baseband signal containing the payload data; at an encoder: receiving the digital baseband signal from the converter; generating an encoded digital baseband signal encoding the payload data for transmission at an operating frequency; the encoded digital baseband signal having at least a threshold proportion of signal level transitions that, when transmitted at the operating frequency, have transition frequencies outside a predefined restricted frequency band; and transmitting the encoded digital baseband signal to the baseband processor via an interface at the operating frequency.

Abstract: A method in a wireless communications assembly having an antenna, a transceiver and a baseband processor, includes: at the transceiver: receiving, from the antenna, a modulated carrier signal having a carrier frequency and containing payload data; demodulating the carrier signal to extract a baseband signal having a baseband frequency and containing the payload data; generating from the baseband signal, at a converter, a digital baseband signal containing the payload data; at an encoder: receiving the digital baseband signal from the converter; generating an encoded digital baseband signal encoding the payload data for transmission at an operating frequency; the encoded digital baseband signal having at least a threshold proportion of signal level transitions that, when transmitted at the operating frequency, have transition frequencies outside a predefined restricted frequency band; and transmitting the encoded digital baseband signal to the baseband processor via an interface at the operating frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple graphics processing capacity, while utilizing unused integrated graphics processing circuitry on a bridge circuit along with an external or discrete graphics processing unit is disclosed. In particular, a bridge circuit includes an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs. The bridge circuit also includes an interface operable according to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit. A controller is included with the bridge circuit and responsive whenever the discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to process a task of the graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process another task of the graphics job. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless receiver automatic gain control system includes: a coarse amplification subsystem that receives and amplifies a carrier-modulated signal; a demodulator that generates a baseband signal from the amplified carrier-modulated signal; a fine amplification subsystem that amplifies the baseband signal; and a controller connected to the amplification subsystems. The controller: obtains a unified gain value for the amplification subsystems; based on the unified gain value, selects (i) one of a plurality of coarse gain values defining a set of coarse gain steps each spanning a plurality of unified gain steps, and (ii) one of a plurality of fine gain values defining a set of fine gain steps each spanning a single unified gain step; and sets (i) the gain of the coarse amplification subsystem to the selected coarse gain value, and (ii) the gain of the fine amplification subsystem to the selected fine gain value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple graphics processing capacity, while utilizing unused integrated graphics processing circuitry on a bridge circuit along with an external or discrete graphics processing unit is disclosed. In particular, a bridge circuit includes an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs. The bridge circuit also includes an interface operable according to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit. A controller is included with the bridge circuit and responsive whenever the discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to process a task of the graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process another task of the graphics job. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless receiver automatic gain control system includes: a coarse amplification subsystem that receives and amplifies a carrier-modulated signal; a demodulator that generates a baseband signal from the amplified carrier-modulated signal; a fine amplification subsystem that amplifies the baseband signal; and a controller connected to the amplification subsystems. The controller: obtains a unified gain value for the amplification subsystems; based on the unified gain value, selects (i) one of a plurality of coarse gain values defining a set of coarse gain steps each spanning a plurality of unified gain steps, and (ii) one of a plurality of fine gain values defining a set of fine gain steps each spanning a single unified gain step; and sets (i) the gain of the coarse amplification subsystem to the selected coarse gain value, and (ii) the gain of the fine amplification subsystem to the selected fine gain value.

Abstract: A wireless receiver automatic gain control system includes: a coarse amplification subsystem that receives and amplifies a carrier-modulated signal; a demodulator that generates a baseband signal from the amplified carrier-modulated signal; a fine amplification subsystem that amplifies the baseband signal; and a controller connected to the amplification subsystems. The controller: obtains a unified gain value for the amplification subsystems; based on the unified gain value, selects (i) one of a plurality of coarse gain values defining a set of coarse gain steps each spanning a plurality of unified gain steps, and (ii) one of a plurality of fine gain values defining a set of fine gain steps each spanning a single unified gain step; and sets (i) the gain of the coarse amplification subsystem to the selected coarse gain value, and (ii) the gain of the fine amplification subsystem to the selected fine gain value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple graphics processing capacity, while utilizing unused integrated graphics processing circuitry on a bridge circuit along with an external or discrete graphics processing unit is disclosed. In particular, a bridge circuit includes an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs. The bridge circuit also includes an interface operable according to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit. A controller is included with the bridge circuit and responsive whenever the discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to process a task of the graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process another task of the graphics job. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring integrated circuit (IC) temperature. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a thermal sensor and data processing circuitry. The thermal sensor utilizes switched currents provided to a reference diode and a thermal diode. The ratios of the currents provided to each of these diodes may be chosen to provide a given delta value between the resulting sampled diode voltages. At a later time, a different ratio of currents may be provided to each of these diodes to provide a second given delta value between the resulting sampled diode voltages. A differential amplifier within the data processing circuitry may receive the analog sampled voltages and determine the delta values. Other components within the data processing circuitry may at least digitize and store one or both of the delta values. A difference between the digitized delta values may calculated and used to determine an IC temperature digitized code.

Abstract: A reference voltage generator is provided. In an example, the reference voltage generator includes a temperature-dependent device, a processing module configured to process a digital representations of first and second voltages derived from the temperature-dependent device and a reference voltage to determine a value, and a digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a reference voltage based on the value. The first voltage is proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) and the second voltage is complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) and the reference voltage is substantially independent of absolute temperature in an operating temperature range of the reference voltage generator.

Abstract: A wireless receiver automatic gain control system includes: a coarse amplification subsystem that receives and amplifies a carrier-modulated signal; a demodulator that generates a baseband signal from the amplified carrier-modulated signal; a fine amplification subsystem that amplifies the baseband signal; and a controller connected to the amplification subsystems. The controller: obtains a unified gain value for the amplification subsystems; based on the unified gain value, selects (i) one of a plurality of coarse gain values defining a set of coarse gain steps each spanning a plurality of unified gain steps, and (ii) one of a plurality of fine gain values defining a set of fine gain steps each spanning a single unified gain step; and sets (i) the gain of the coarse amplification subsystem to the selected coarse gain value, and (ii) the gain of the fine amplification subsystem to the selected fine gain value.

Abstract: A method and circuitry for determining a temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage are disclosed. The method includes determining a quantity proportional to an internal series resistance of a p-n junction diode and determining the temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage using the quantity proportional to an internal series resistance.

Abstract: A reference voltage generator is provided. In an example, the reference voltage generator includes a temperature-dependent device, a processing module configured to process a digital representations of first and second voltages derived from the temperature-dependent device and a reference voltage to determine a value, and a digital to analog converter (DAC) configured to generate a reference voltage based on the value. The first voltage is proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT) and the second voltage is complementary to absolute temperature (CTAT) and the reference voltage is substantially independent of absolute temperature in an operating temperature range of the reference voltage generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing multiple graphics processing capacity, while utilizing unused integrated graphics processing circuitry on a bridge circuit along with an external or discrete graphics processing unit is disclosed. In particular, a bridge circuit includes an integrated graphics processing circuit configured to process graphics jobs. The bridge circuit also includes an interface operable according to interface with a discrete graphics processing circuit. A controller is included with the bridge circuit and responsive whenever the discrete graphics processing circuit is coupled to the interface to cause the integrated graphics processing circuit to process a task of the graphics job in conjunction with operation of the discrete graphics processing circuit that is operable to process another task of the graphics job. Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides embodiments of an apparatus that includes a pad configurable for connection to a voltage source that provides a first voltage and a buffer connected to the pad. The buffer includes a plurality of transistors that have nominal breakdown voltages that are less than the first voltage. The buffer is configured to maintain voltage differentials on the plurality of transistors that are less than the break-down voltage of the plurality of transistors during pull-down of a pad voltage from the first voltage to a selected low voltage level or during pull-up of the pad voltage from the selected low voltage level to the first voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides embodiments of an apparatus that includes a pad configurable for connection to a voltage source that provides a first voltage and a buffer connected to the pad. The buffer includes a plurality of transistors that have nominal breakdown voltages that are less than the first voltage. The buffer is configured to maintain voltage differentials on the plurality of transistors that are less than the break-down voltage of the plurality of transistors during pull-down of a pad voltage from the first voltage to a selected low voltage level or during pull-up of the pad voltage from the selected low voltage level to the first voltage.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is capable of controlling a communication signal by using power ramp controlled communication buffer logic to generate an outgoing communication signal based on a detected voltage on a voltage source. The voltage source is necessary to supply power for power ramp controlled communication buffer logic. The voltage on the voltage source may be detected using power ramp sensor logic. The outgoing communication signal is based on a core logic output signal if the detected voltage is greater than or equal to a predetermined voltage level. If, the detected voltage is less than the predetermined voltage level, the outgoing communication signal is predetermined to be one of: a tristate outgoing communication signal, a logic one outgoing communication signal and a logic zero outgoing communication signal. Power ramp controlled communication buffer logic may also generate a core logic input signal based on an incoming communication signal in response to the detected voltage.

Abstract: A method and circuitry for determining a temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage are disclosed. The method includes determining a quantity proportional to an internal series resistance of a p-n junction diode and determining the temperature-independent bandgap reference voltage using the quantity proportional to an internal series resistance.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating integrated circuit (IC) temperature measurement circuits. An integrated circuit (IC) includes a thermal sensor and data processing circuitry. The IC may have a temperature measurement mode of operation and a calibration mode of operation. During the calibration mode, one or more stable reference voltages, rather than sensed voltages from a thermal sensor, are selected as input voltages to the data processing circuitry. Electronic components within the data processing circuitry receive the stable reference voltages and generate a temperature digital code. The generated temperature digital code may be compared to an expected temperature digital code based on theoretical ideal gains for each of the components within the data processing circuitry. The comparison leads to an updated value for a scaling factor to be stored and used in subsequent temperature measurements.