Abstract: A signal processing circuit. In some embodiments, the signal processing circuit includes a first sample and hold circuit and a second sample and hold circuit. The first sample and hold circuit may include: a hold capacitor; an input switch connected between a common input node and the hold capacitor; a signal path amplifier having an input connected to the hold capacitor; and an output switch connected between an output of the signal path amplifier and a common output node. An input of a voltage feedback amplifier may be connected to the hold capacitor, and an output of the voltage feedback amplifier may be operatively coupled to an internal node of the input switch.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit. In some embodiments, the signal processing circuit includes a first sample and hold circuit and a second sample and hold circuit. The first sample and hold circuit may include: a hold capacitor; an input switch connected between a common input node and the hold capacitor; a signal path amplifier having an input connected to the hold capacitor; and an output switch connected between an output of the signal path amplifier and a common output node. An input of a voltage feedback amplifier may be connected to the hold capacitor, and an output of the voltage feedback amplifier may be operatively coupled to an internal node of the input switch.

Abstract: Disclosed is a time delay generator 200 apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a time delay gate 212, a mixer 216 (a Gilbert cell circuit), and a current digital to analog converter 206. The mixer 216, comprised of first and second transistor differential pairs 218 and 220, receives an analog input signal 202 without a delay as well as a delayed input signal 210 produced by the time gate delay. The digital to analog converter regulates the relative current flow between a first control signal 232 and a second control signal 238, effectively altering the mixing of the undelayed input signal 208 and the delayed input signal 210 to generate a delayed output signal 214 with a time or phase delay substantially equal to the temporal delay represented by the digital signal input 204. The time delay generator exhibits reduced phase noise and a linear time delay response.

Abstract: A high speed divider circuit is disclosed. The circuit contains a plurality of latches and buffers. The maximum input clock frequency of the divider circuit is increased over that implemented with only latches connected in a ring by feed forwarding the output of an early switching latch to the output of a later switching latch through buffers. The feed forward signal aids the later switching latch to complete the next state transition. By choosing the appropriate ratio of the buffer tail current to the latch tail current, the divider circuit can be made into a dynamic divider circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a time delay generator 200 apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a time delay gate 212, a mixer 216 (a Gilbert cell circuit), and a current digital to analog converter 206. The mixer 216, comprised of first and second transistor differential pairs 218 and 220, receives an analog input signal 202 without a delay as well as a delayed input signal 210 produced by the time gate delay. The digital to analog converter regulates the relative current flow between a first control signal 232 and a second control signal 238, effectively altering the mixing of the undelayed input signal 208 and the delayed input signal 210 to generate a delayed output signal 214 with a time or phase delay substantially equal to the temporal delay represented by the digital signal input 204. The time delay generator exhibits reduced phase noise and a linear time delay response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a time delay generator 200 apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a time delay gate 212, a mixer 216 (a Gilbert cell circuit), and a current digital to analog converter 206. The mixer 216, comprised of first and second transistor differential pairs 218 and 220, receives an analog input signal 202 without a delay as well as a delayed input signal 210 produced by the time gate delay. The digital to analog converter regulates the relative current flow between a first control signal 232 and a second control signal 238, effectively altering the mixing of the undelayed input signal 208 and the delayed input signal 210 to generate a delayed output signal 214 with a time or phase delay substantially equal to the temporal delay represented by the digital signal input 204. The time delay generator exhibits reduced phase noise and a linear time delay response.

Abstract: A linearized folding amplifier circuit (30) includes a comparator (40) that has a first state and a second state, and a switched output circuit that has a pair of outputs. The non-linearity in the response of a differential transistor pair to an input signal is partially linearized by a first resistor connecting the emitters of the two input transistors. The input is further linearized in response to the first and second state-controlling pairs of transistors and a differential error voltage therebetween that is replicated from the differential error in the base-voltages emitter voltages of the input differential pair. The output of the circuit is the combination of the partially linearized portion from the first resistor and a linearized transconductor circuit that has an output formed in response to the differential error.

Abstract: There is provided a monitor and method for monitoring the condition of a photoresist film on a wafer in which the phase of high frequency ultrasonic pulses reflected from the wafer/photoresist interface provides an indication of the condition of the photoresist film.

Abstract: There is provided a monitor and method for monitoring the condition of a photoresist film on a wafer during baking in which the phase of high frequency ultrasonic pulses reflected from the wafer/photoresist interface provides an indication of the condition of the photoresist film.