Patents by Inventor Steve Martindell

Steve Martindell 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: 8174248
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bit stuffing pulse width modulation are provided. Example embodiments of the systems and methods of bit stuffing pulse width modulation disclosed herein may allow for a significant reduction in the size of the bootstrap capacitor while giving up only a small percentage of output drive, and reduce die space. Included in such systems and methods is the ability to digitally detect inactivity on the PMW signals for a class D power amplifier, and to digitally insert small charge pulses at a fairly low repetition rate relative to the normal switching frequency. The low repetition rate may preserve the maximum output power while still allowing enough charge to transfer to the bootstrap capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Daniel Mavencamp, Dal Yihong, Abdelhalim Alsharqawi, Steve Martindell
  • Publication number: 20100289560
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bit stuffing pulse width modulation are provided. Example embodiments of the systems and methods of bit stuffing pulse width modulation disclosed herein may allow for a significant reduction in the size of the bootstrap capacitor while giving up only a small percentage of output drive, and reduce die space. Included in such systems and methods is the ability to digitally detect inactivity on the PMW signals for a class D power amplifier, and to digitally insert small charge pulses at a fairly low repetition rate relative to the normal switching frequency. The low repetition rate may preserve the maximum output power while still allowing enough charge to transfer to the bootstrap capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Daniel Mavencamp, Dai Yihong, Abdelhalim Alsharqawi, Steve Martindell
  • Patent number: 5961577
    Abstract: A random number generator includes a plurality of fully differential amplifiers (30) configured as a ring oscillator (22). The output of the ring oscillator (22) is input to a comparator/latch circuit (32) for determining the zero crossing for the ring oscillator. The ring oscillator is a self-oscillating structure that has an oscillation frequency with jitter superimposed thereon. This jitter is a result of the internal thermal noise associated with the integrated circuits that are utilized to realize the amplifiers (30). Each of the amplifiers (30) that make up the ring oscillator operate on a substantially constant current and are subsequently isolated from changes in the power supply. As such, the variations in the frequency thereof are caused solely by thermal noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric Soenen, Steve Martindell