Patents by Inventor Paul Brohlin

Paul Brohlin 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: 11837906
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Publication number: 20230326913
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes: a first mold compound partially covering a thermal pad that extends through a pre-molded package substrate formed of a first mold compound, a portion of the thermal pad exposed on a die side surface of the pre-molded package substrate, the pre-molded package substrate having a recess on the die side surface, with an exposed portion of the thermal pad and a portion of the first mold compound in a die mounting area in the recess; a semiconductor die mounted to the thermal pad and another semiconductor die mounted to the mold compound in the die mounting area; wire bonds coupling bond pads on the semiconductor dies to traces on the pre-molded package substrate; and a second mold compound over the die side surface of the pre-molded package substrate and covering the wire bonds, the semiconductor dies, the recess, and a portion of the traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Sreenivasan K. Koduri, Steven R. Tom, Paul Brohlin
  • Publication number: 20230251298
    Abstract: A probe card with a voltage terminal configured to be coupled to a voltage supply and a current terminal configured to be coupled to a current supply. The voltage terminal and the current terminal are configured to be coupled to an input node of a device under test (DUT) field effect transistor (FET) through probe needles. The probe card has an overlap resistor capacitor (RC) element coupled to the input node. The probe card includes an analog to digital (ADC) voltage capture module configured to be coupled to the input node of the DUT FET and to an output node of the DUT FET through the probe needles. The probe card has a resistive element configured to be coupled to the output node of the DUT FET through the probe needles and to an electrically neutral node and an ADC current capture module coupled in parallel to the resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: TREVOR HUBBARD, PAUL BROHLIN
  • Patent number: 11676951
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes: a first mold compound partially covering a thermal pad that extends through a pre-molded package substrate formed of a first mold compound, a portion of the thermal pad exposed on a die side surface of the pre-molded package substrate, the pre-molded package substrate having a recess on the die side surface, with an exposed portion of the thermal pad and a portion of the first mold compound in a die mounting area in the recess; a semiconductor die mounted to the thermal pad and another semiconductor die mounted to the mold compound in the die mounting area; wire bonds coupling bond pads on the semiconductor dies to traces on the pre-molded package substrate; and a second mold compound over the die side surface of the pre-molded package substrate and covering the wire bonds, the semiconductor dies, the recess, and a portion of the traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sreenivasan K. Koduri, Steven R. Tom, Paul Brohlin
  • Publication number: 20230038798
    Abstract: Described embodiments include a rectifier circuit comprising a first resistor with first and second resistor terminals, and a second resistor with third and fourth resistor terminals. The first and third resistor terminals are coupled to an auxiliary power terminal. A current source is coupled between the second resistor terminal and a ground terminal. An amplifier has a first amplifier input coupled to the second resistor terminal, and a second amplifier input coupled to the fourth resistor terminal. A first transistor is coupled between the fourth resistor terminal and a damping terminal, and has a first control terminal coupled to the first amplifier output. A gate drive circuit has an input coupled to the damping terminal. A second transistor is coupled between the damping terminal and a bootstrap supply terminal, and has a second control terminal coupled to an output of the gate drive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Lueders, Cetin Kaya, Johan Strydom, Paul Brohlin
  • Publication number: 20220208745
    Abstract: In a described example, an apparatus includes: a first mold compound partially covering a thermal pad that extends through a pre-molded package substrate formed of a first mold compound, a portion of the thermal pad exposed on a die side surface of the pre-molded package substrate, the pre-molded package substrate having a recess on the die side surface, with an exposed portion of the thermal pad and a portion of the first mold compound in a die mounting area in the recess; a semiconductor die mounted to the thermal pad and another semiconductor die mounted to the mold compound in the die mounting area; wire bonds coupling bond pads on the semiconductor dies to traces on the pre-molded package substrate; and a second mold compound over the die side surface of the pre-molded package substrate and covering the wire bonds, the semiconductor dies, the recess, and a portion of the traces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Sreenivasan K. Koduri, Steven R. Tom, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 11227805
    Abstract: One example includes a method for surge-testing a gallium nitride (GaN) transistor device-under-test (DUT) that includes at least one GaN transistor device. The method includes inserting the GaN transistor DUT into a test fixture comprising an inductor such that the inductor is coupled to the GaN transistor device to form a switching power regulator. The method also includes operating the switching power regulator at a DUT operating voltage to generate an output current through the inductor based on a DUT input voltage and a duty-cycle. The method also includes controlling an excitation voltage source to provide a voltage surge-strike to the GaN transistor DUT. The method also includes measuring the output current and the DUT input voltage at least one of during and after the voltage surge-strike. The method further includes storing the measured output current and the measured DUT input voltage in a memory to specify device characteristics of the GaN transistor DUT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sandeep Raj Bahl, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 11171570
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20210210981
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 10992177
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Publication number: 20200153343
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20200126874
    Abstract: One example includes a method for surge-testing a gallium nitride (GaN) transistor device-under-test (DUT) that includes at least one GaN transistor device. The method includes inserting the GaN transistor DUT into a test fixture comprising an inductor such that the inductor is coupled to the GaN transistor device to form a switching power regulator. The method also includes operating the switching power regulator at a DUT operating voltage to generate an output current through the inductor based on a DUT input voltage and a duty-cycle. The method also includes controlling an excitation voltage source to provide a voltage surge-strike to the GaN transistor DUT. The method also includes measuring the output current and the DUT input voltage at least one of during and after the voltage surge-strike. The method further includes storing the measured output current and the measured DUT input voltage in a memory to specify device characteristics of the GaN transistor DUT.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: SANDEEP RAJ BAHL, PAUL BROHLIN
  • Publication number: 20200076312
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 10581335
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Patent number: 10439503
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus to facilitate high side control of a switching power converter are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a latch including a first node coupled to a first source of a first switch and an output coupled to a first gate of the first switch; a first diode coupled to the first node and a second node; a second diode coupled to the second node and ground; a second switch coupled to a voltage source and the second node; and a third switch including a third gate coupled to the second switch, a third source coupled to the second node, and a third drain coupled to the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Cetin Kaya, Paul Brohlin, Michael Lueders, Johan Strydom
  • Publication number: 20190214850
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 10224744
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Publication number: 20160301244
    Abstract: A device includes a charge controller to regulate a battery output voltage based on an input voltage and an input current received from a charging circuit. A loop controller monitors the input voltage and the input current to generate a feedback signal to adjust the input voltage to the charge controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen C. Terry, Paul Brohlin
  • Patent number: 9419075
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor substrate, including a primary portion of the substrate. An active component of the semiconductor device is disposed in the primary portion of the substrate. An interconnect region is formed on a top surface of the substrate. Semiconductor material is removed from the substrate in an isolation region, which is separate from the primary portion of the substrate; the isolation region extends from the top surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the substrate. A dielectric replacement material is formed in the isolation region. The semiconductor device further includes an isolated component which is not disposed in the primary portion of the substrate. The dielectric replacement material in the isolation region separates the isolated component from the primary portion of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Dan Carothers, Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay, Paul Brohlin, Benjamin Cook
  • Publication number: 20160218175
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is formed on a semiconductor substrate, including a primary portion of the substrate. An active component of the semiconductor device is disposed in the primary portion of the substrate. An interconnect region is formed on a top surface of the substrate. Semiconductor material is removed from the substrate in an isolation region, which is separate from the primary portion of the substrate; the isolation region extends from the top surface of the substrate to a bottom surface of the substrate. A dielectric replacement material is formed in the isolation region. The semiconductor device further includes an isolated component which is not disposed in the primary portion of the substrate. The dielectric replacement material in the isolation region separates the isolated component from the primary portion of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Dan Carothers, Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay, Paul Brohlin, Benjamin Cook