Patents by Inventor Stephen G. Tell

Stephen G. Tell 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: 11962312
    Abstract: A glitch detection device includes an oscillator to generate multiple local clocks of multiple different phases and a sampling circuit to oversample, using the multiple local clocks, a system clock to generate multiple samples of the system clock. The device further includes digital logic that in turn includes a glitch detector to monitor a variation in pulse width of the system clock based on counting the multiple samples and to report a glitch in response to detecting a variation in the pulse width that exceeds a threshold value. The digital logic further includes a loop filter coupled between the glitch detector and the oscillator. The loop filter variably adjusts the oscillator based on a frequency of each of the multiple samples to control an output frequency of each of the multiple different phases of the oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: Sanquan Song, Stephen G. Tell, Nikola Nedovic
  • Publication number: 20230387922
    Abstract: A glitch detection device includes an oscillator to generate multiple local clocks of multiple different phases and a sampling circuit to oversample, using the multiple local clocks, a system clock to generate multiple samples of the system clock. The device further includes digital logic that in turn includes a glitch detector to monitor a variation in pulse width of the system clock based on counting the multiple samples and to report a glitch in response to detecting a variation in the pulse width that exceeds a threshold value. The digital logic further includes a loop filter coupled between the glitch detector and the oscillator. The loop filter variably adjusts the oscillator based on a frequency of each of the multiple samples to control an output frequency of each of the multiple different phases of the oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Sanquan Song, Stephen G. Tell, Nikola Nedovic
  • Patent number: 11784835
    Abstract: A circuit includes a set of multiple bit generating cells. One or more adjustable characterization circuits are coupled to inputs to the bit generating cells to affect the outputs of the bit generating cells. Based on the effect of the characterization circuit(s) on the outputs of the bit generating cells, a subset less than all of the bit generating cells is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORP.
    Inventors: Sudhir Shrikantha Kudva, Nikola Nedovic, Carl Thomas Gray, Stephen G Tell
  • Patent number: 11681342
    Abstract: A circuit interface includes one or more processors that generate opcodes, a plurality of interface control circuits, each including a respective processing element responsive to the opcodes generated by one or more processors. Each interface control circuit corresponds to a respective link of a plurality of links of a device-to-device interface (DDI), and each link of the plurality of links of the DDI is for transmitting or receiving signals from one or more sources or one or more destinations external to the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Tell
  • Publication number: 20220271952
    Abstract: A circuit includes a set of multiple bit generating cells. One or more adjustable characterization circuits are coupled to inputs to the bit generating cells to affect the outputs of the bit generating cells. Based on the effect of the characterization circuit(s) on the outputs of the bit generating cells, a subset less than all of the bit generating cells is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Sudhir Shrikantha Kudva, Nikola Nedovic, Carl Thomas Gray, Stephen G Tell
  • Patent number: 11133794
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a circuit comprising a first, second, and third data latch, and an input for a data signal. The first data latch may be configured to sample a delayed version of the data signal in response to a first control signal. The second data latch may be configured to sample the delayed version of the data signal in response to a run clock signal. The run clock signal may be configured to run for a predefined number of clock cycles subsequent to the first control signal. The third data latch may be configured to sample either an output signal of the first data latch or an output signal of the second data latch in response to a second control signal received after the predefined number of clock cycles of the run clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Stephen G Tell, Matthew Rudolph Fojtik, John Poulton
  • Publication number: 20210271301
    Abstract: A circuit interface includes one or more processors that generate opcodes, a plurality of interface control circuits, each including a respective processing element responsive to the opcodes generated by one or more processors. Each interface control circuit corresponds to a respective link of a plurality of links of a device-to-device interface (DDI), and each link of the plurality of links of the DDI is for transmitting or receiving signals from one or more sources or one or more destinations external to the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventor: Stephen G. Tell
  • Patent number: 10999051
    Abstract: A receiver circuit includes a clock lane propagating a clock signal. A self-sampled clock applies a delayed version of the clock signal to the clock signal and compensation logic controls an amount of delay of the delayed version of the clock, based on a reference voltage offset (difference) between the receiver and a transmitter. The delayed version of the clock is centered on one unit interval of the clock. An offset correction based on a clock duty cycle error is applied to data receiver front ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Xi Chen, Nikola Nedovic, Carl Thomas Gray, Stephen G Tell
  • Patent number: 10965440
    Abstract: A receiver circuit includes a clock lane propagating a clock signal. A self-sampled clock applies a delayed version of the clock signal to the clock signal and compensation logic controls an amount of delay of the delayed version of the clock, based on a reference voltage offset (difference) between the receiver and a transmitter. The delayed version of the clock is centered on one unit interval of the clock. An offset correction is computed as a global offset value based on a clock duty cycle error, combined with a local offset value for each data lane, and is applied to data receiver front ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Xi Chen, Nikola Nedovic, Carl Thomas Gray, Stephen G Tell
  • Publication number: 20210083837
    Abstract: A receiver circuit includes a clock lane propagating a clock signal. A self-sampled clock applies a delayed version of the clock signal to the clock signal and compensation logic controls an amount of delay of the delayed version of the clock, based on a reference voltage offset (difference) between the receiver and a transmitter. The delayed version of the clock is centered on one unit interval of the clock. An offset correction is computed as a global offset value based on a clock duty cycle error, combined with a local offset value for each data lane, and is applied to data receiver front ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Xi Chen, Nikola Nedovic, Carl Thomas Gray, Stephen G Tell
  • Publication number: 20210083836
    Abstract: A receiver circuit includes a clock lane propagating a clock signal. A self-sampled clock applies a delayed version of the clock signal to the clock signal and compensation logic controls an amount of delay of the delayed version of the clock, based on a reference voltage offset (difference) between the receiver and a transmitter. The delayed version of the clock is centered on one unit interval of the clock. An offset correction based on a clock duty cycle error is applied to data receiver front ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: NVIDIA Corp.
    Inventors: Xi Chen, Nikola Nedovic, Carl Thomas Gray, Stephen G. Tell
  • Publication number: 20210056399
    Abstract: Neural networks, in many cases, include convolution layers that are configured to perform many convolution operations that require multiplication and addition operations. Compared with performing multiplication on integer, fixed-point, or floating-point format values, performing multiplication on logarithmic format values is straightforward and energy efficient as the exponents are simply added. However, performing addition on logarithmic format values is more complex. Conventionally, addition is performed by converting the logarithmic format values to integers, computing the sum, and then converting the sum back into the logarithmic format. Instead, logarithmic format values may be added by decomposing the exponents into separate quotient and remainder components, sorting the quotient components based on the remainder components, summing the sorted quotient components using an asynchronous accumulator to produce partial sums, and multiplying the partial sums by the remainder components to produce a sum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: William James Dally, Rangharajan Venkatesan, Brucek Kurdo Khailany, Stephen G. Tell
  • Patent number: 10884465
    Abstract: Described are a system and method to control interface timing and/or voltage operations of signals transmitted between devices. A processor may be coupled through one or more bus interfaces of a bus to one or more corresponding interface timing and/or voltage comparison circuits and corresponding interface timing and/or voltage adjustment circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Tell
  • Patent number: 10644686
    Abstract: A circuit, method, and system are disclosed for sampling a signal. The system includes a sampler circuit configured to sample input signals when a clock signal is at a first voltage level to produce sampled signals, a detection circuit that is coupled to the sampler circuit, and a feedback circuit that receives an output signal and generates the clock signal. The detection circuit pre-charges the sampled signals when the clock signal is at a second voltage level and, using threshold adjusted inverters, detects voltage levels of each sampled signal to produce detected voltage levels, where a threshold voltage of the threshold adjusted inverters is entirely outside of a transition voltage range of the sampler circuit. In response to one of the detected voltage levels transitioning from the second level to the first level, the detection circuit transitions the output signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Poulton, Sudhir Shrikantha Kudva, Stephen G. Tell, John Michael Wilson
  • Publication number: 20200106428
    Abstract: A circuit, method, and system are disclosed for sampling a signal. The system includes a sampler circuit configured to sample input signals when a clock signal is at a first voltage level to produce sampled signals, a detection circuit that is coupled to the sampler circuit, and a feedback circuit that receives an output signal and generates the clock signal. The detection circuit pre-charges the sampled signals when the clock signal is at a second voltage level and, using threshold adjusted inverters, detects voltage levels of each sampled signal to produce detected voltage levels, where a threshold voltage of the threshold adjusted inverters is entirely outside of a transition voltage range of the sampler circuit. In response to one of the detected voltage levels transitioning from the second level to the first level, the detection circuit transitions the output signal from the first voltage level to the second voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: April 2, 2020
    Inventors: John W. Poulton, Sudhir Shrikantha Kudva, Stephen G. Tell, John Michael Wilson
  • Patent number: 10601409
    Abstract: A circuit, method, and system are disclosed for sampling a signal. The system includes a sampler circuit configured to sample input signals when a clock signal is at a first level to produce sampled signals, a detection circuit that is coupled to the sampler circuit, and a feedback circuit that receives an output signal and generates the clock signal. The detection circuit pre-charges the sampled signals when the clock signal is at a second level and, using threshold adjusted inverters, detects voltage levels of each sampled signal to produce detected voltage level signals, where a threshold voltage of the threshold adjusted inverters is entirely outside of a transition voltage range of the sampler circuit. In response to one of the detected voltage level signals transitioning from the second level to the first level, the detection circuit transitions the output signal from the first level to the second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Poulton, Sudhir Shrikantha Kudva, Stephen G. Tell, John Michael Wilson
  • Publication number: 20190068203
    Abstract: A circuit, method, and system are disclosed for sampling a signal. The system includes a sampler circuit configured to sample input signals when a clock signal is at a first level to produce sampled signals, a detection circuit that is coupled to the sampler circuit, and a feedback circuit that receives an output signal and generates the clock signal. The detection circuit pre-charges the sampled signals when the clock signal is at a second level and, using threshold adjusted inverters, detects voltage levels of each sampled signal to produce detected voltage level signals, where a threshold voltage of the threshold adjusted inverters is entirely outside of a transition voltage range of the sampler circuit. In response to one of the detected voltage level signals transitioning from the second level to the first level, the detection circuit transitions the output signal from the first level to the second level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: John W. Poulton, Sudhir Shrikantha Kudva, Stephen G. Tell, John Michael Wilson
  • Publication number: 20180348832
    Abstract: Described are a system and method to control interface timing and/or voltage operations of signals transmitted between devices. A processor may be coupled through one or more bus interfaces of a bus to one or more corresponding interface timing and/or voltage comparison circuits and corresponding interface timing and/or voltage adjustment circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventor: Stephen G. Tell
  • Patent number: 9965008
    Abstract: Described are a system and method to control interface timing and/or voltage operations of signals transmitted between devices. A processor may be coupled through one or more bus interfaces of a bus to one or more corresponding interface timing and/or voltage comparison circuits and corresponding interface timing and/or voltage adjustment circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: RAMBUS INC.
    Inventor: Stephen G. Tell
  • Patent number: 9471091
    Abstract: A method and a system are provided for speculative periodic synchronization. A phase value representing a measured phase of the second clock signal relative to the first clock signal measured at least one cycle earlier is received. A period value representing a period of the second clock signal relative to the first clock signal measured at least one cycle earlier is also received. A reduced timing margin is determined based on the phase value and the period value. A speculatively synchronized output signal is generated based on the reduced timing margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Dally, Stephen G. Tell