Abstract: A photodiode current comparison circuit has a first current source coupled to a circuit node configurable to operate in a first mode, a second current source coupled to the circuit node configurable to operate in a second mode opposite the first mode, and a third current source switchable to route a current to the circuit node in response to a data signal using a transistor coupled between the circuit node and the third current source. A photodiode is coupled to the circuit node. In a first configuration, an anode of the photodiode is coupled to the circuit node and a cathode of the photodiode is coupled to a power supply terminal. In a second configuration, a cathode of the photodiode is coupled to the circuit node and an anode of the photodiode is coupled to a power supply terminal. An amplifier provides an error signal of the photodiode.

Abstract: A photodiode current comparison circuit has a first current source coupled to a circuit node configurable to operate in a first mode, a second current source coupled to the circuit node configurable to operate in a second mode opposite the first mode, and a third current source switchable to route a current to the circuit node in response to a data signal using a transistor coupled between the circuit node and the third current source. A photodiode is coupled to the circuit node. In a first configuration, an anode of the photodiode is coupled to the circuit node and a cathode of the photodiode is coupled to a power supply terminal. In a second configuration, a cathode of the photodiode is coupled to the circuit node and an anode of the photodiode is coupled to a power supply terminal. An amplifier provides an error signal of the photodiode.

Abstract: An OMA controller circuit utilizes a first ADC with an input coupled for receiving a residual error signal indicating a difference between a monitoring signal and a target data signal. A second ADC has an input coupled for receiving the target data signal. A first digital filter has an input coupled to an output of the first ADC, and a second digital filter has an input coupled to an output of the second ADC. A digital multiplier has a first input coupled to an output of the first digital filter and a second input coupled to an output of the second digital filter. An integrator has an input coupled to an output of the digital multiplier and an output providing an average error signal with sign and magnitude. The digital multiplier uses a four quadrant multiplier to perform a cross-correlation on the residual error and the target data signal.

Abstract: A millimeter wave power source module may include N submodules, each of which includes M circuit devices, where M and N are greater than one. Each circuit device may have an output connected to a corresponding radiating element. Each submodule may include a power divider having K input ports and M output ports, where K is a factor of M. Each input port may be coupled to a corresponding receiving element, and each output port may be coupled to an input of a corresponding circuit device. Each submodule may include a heat spreader for removing heat from the circuit devices. The power source module may include a combination RF feed network and heat sink. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may include a wavefront expander to expand the RF input wavefront along at least one axis, and to direct the expanded wavefront to the receiving elements of the N submodules. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may also include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat spreaders of the N submodules.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for implementing an enhanced hand shake protocol for microelectronic communication systems. A transmitter and a receiver is coupled together by a transmission link. The transmitter receives an idle input. The idle input is activated when the transmitter is not transmitting data and the transmitter applies a first common 10 mode level to the receiving unit. The idle input is deactivated when the transmitter is ready to transmit data and the transmitter raises the common mode level to the receiving unit. Responsive to the receiver detecting the common mode level up-movement, then the receiver receives the transmitted data signals. After the desired data has been sent, the 15 transmitter terminates communications, drops the common mode level with the idle input being activated.

Abstract: There is disclosed a millimeter wave power source module which may include a plurality of submodules. Each submodule may include a further plurality of circuit devices. Each circuit device may have an input coupled to a corresponding receiving element and an output coupled to a corresponding radiating element. Each submodule may also include a heat spreader for removing heat from the plurality of circuit devices. A combination RF feed network and heat sink may include a waveguide horn to couple an RF input wave to the receiving elements on each of the plurality of submodules. The combination RF feed network and heat sink may also include a heat exchanger thermally coupled to the heat spreaders of each of the plurality of submodules.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing an enhanced hand shake protocol for microelectronic communication systems. A transmitter and a receiver is coupled together by a transmission link. The transmitter receives an idle input. The idle input is activated when the transmitter is not transmitting data and the transmitter applies a first common mode level to the receiving unit. The idle input is deactivated when the transmitter is ready to transmit data and the transmitter raises the common mode level to the receiving unit. Responsive to the receiver detecting the common mode level up-movement, then the receiver receives the transmitted data signals. After the desired data has been sent, the transmitter terminates communications, drops the common mode level with the idle input being activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing an enhanced hand shake protocol for microelectronic communication systems. A transmitter and a receiver is coupled together by a transmission link. The transmitter receives an idle input. The idle input is activated when the transmitter is not transmitting data and the transmitter applies a first common mode level to the receiving unit. The idle input is deactivated when the transmitter is ready to transmit data and the transmitter raises the common mode level to the receiving unit. Responsive to the receiver detecting the common mode level up-movement, then the receiver receives the transmitted data signals. After the desired data has been sent, the transmitter terminates communications, drops the common mode level with the idle input being activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration.

Abstract: An amplifier control system for regulating the gain of a controlled amplifier. The control system comprises a first signal source for generating a first reference signal. A replica amplifier representative of the controlled amplifier generates an output signal in dependence on the first reference signal. A second signal source generates a second reference signal representative of the product of the first reference signal and a worst case value of the gain of the controlled amplifier. A comparator generates an error signal in dependence on any difference between the second reference signal and the output from the replica amplifier. A negative feedback loop varies the gain of the controlled amplifier and the replica amplifier in dependence on the error signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electro-migration, and reducing the deleterious effects thereof, are disclosed. Embodiments provide for reversal of an applied voltage to an integrated circuit when a measurement indicative of an extent of electro-migration indicates that a healing cycle of operation is warranted. During the healing cycle, circuits of the integrated circuit function normally, but electro-migration effects are reversed. In one embodiment, micro-electro-mechanical switches are provided at a lowest level of metallization to switch the direction of current through the levels of metallization of the integrated circuit. In another embodiment, if the measurement indicative of the extent of electro-migration exceeds a reference level by a specifiable amount, then the voltage applied to the integrated circuit is reversed in polarity to cause current to switch directions to counter electro-migration.

Abstract: There is described a semiconductor Type Two phased locked loop filter having a passive capacitor part and a variable active resistor part, the variable active resistor part being integrated with the passive capacitor part. Integrating an active variable resistor will apply the same change to both poles and has no effect on the loop gain. The variable active resistor part is controlled by a resistor regulator circuit operating from a voltage that follows the type two phased locked loop voltage. The resistor regulator circuit is bootstrapped to the phased locked loop voltage using a voltage follower configured op-amp.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, microprocessor device and computer program for configuring a termination network of a communication device includes a voltage comparator for comparing a voltage across the termination network with a reference voltage; a logic arrangement for setting a digital control vector in response to a state returned by said voltage comparator; and a first switching apparatus for activating a first weighted-value resistor in response to the setting of the digital control vector. At least a second switching apparatus for activating a second weighted-value resistor, and wherein each of the first and the second weighted-value resistors is represented by a value in the digital control vector may be provided, the first and second resistors are connected in series or in parallel. The digital control vector may be stored in a logic register and distributed to a plurality of termination networks. The logic arrangement may include a finite state machine.

Abstract: Described is a system for trimming the value of an electronic component. The system comprises: at least one trimming component, each trimming component having an associated switch for selectively connecting that trimming component to the electronic component in response to a corresponding bit in a control vector. A comparator is included for generating an output bit having a first value if a net value of the electronic component and any connected trimming components differs from a desired value. A controller connected to the switches and the comparator generates the control vector in dependence on the output of comparator, the controller comprising a shift register for sequentially receiving successive output bits from the comparator; wherein the control vector comprises the contents of the shift register and wherein a bit of said first value in control vector effects switching of the corresponding switch.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator circuit and method comprising: a harmonic oscillator having a cross-coupled NFET devices (T1, T2) and an LC tank circuit (L1, L2, C) performing oscillation; a series voltage regulator (210) regulating voltage applied to the harmonic oscillator via a PFET device (T3) and differential amplifier (R); and a tuning circuit (220) having voltage controlled capacitance ‘Zero-Vt’ NFET devices (T4, T5) controlling oscillation of the harmonic oscillator. A differential output buffer (B) provides output buffering to a subsequent stage. This provides advantages that: operation at low supply voltages is facilitated and the sensitive oscillator cell is decoupled from the main supply noise offering improved phase noise performance; the output swing of the oscillator has a well controlled common-mode value which can be selected to most efficiently drive a following stage; and using ‘Zero-Vt’ NFETs facilitates the use of a lower supply voltage.

Abstract: A Clock and Data Recovery (CDR) system includes a phase rotator which shifts the phases of signals received from a phase lock loop (PLL) to generate signals for oversampling a serial data stream. The signals derived from oversampling are processed to capture data and generate control signals for adjusting the phase rotator.

Abstract: There is described a semiconductor Type Two phased locked loop filter having a passive capacitor part and a variable active resistor part, the variable active resistor part being integrated with the passive capacitor part. Integrating an active variable resistor will apply the same change to both poles and has no effect on the loop gain. The variable active resistor part is controlled by a resistor regulator circuit operating from a voltage that follows the type two phased locked loop voltage. The resistor regulator circuit is bootstrapped to the phased locked loop voltage using a voltage follower configured op-amp.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator circuit and method comprising: a harmonic oscillator having a cross-coupled NFET devices (T1, T2) and an LC tank circuit (L1, L2, C) performing oscillation; a series voltage regulator (210) regulating voltage applied to the harmonic oscillator via a PFET device (T3) and differential amplifier (R); and a tuning circuit (220) having voltage controlled capacitance ‘Zero-Vt’ NFET devices (T4, T5) controlling oscillation of the harmonic oscillator. A differential output buffer (B) provides output buffering to a subsequent stage. This provides advantages that: operation at low supply voltages is facilitated and the sensitive oscillator cell is decoupled from the main supply noise offering improved phase noise performance; the output swing of the oscillator has a well controlled common-mode value which can be selected to most efficiently drive a following stage; and using ‘Zero-Vt’ NFETs facilitates the use of a lower supply voltage.