Abstract: In bipolar CMOS or BiCMOS process technologies, drivers (such as mixed mode or hybrid mode drivers) using both bipolar and CMOS transistors (i.e., field effect transistors or FETs) may have undesirable properties, such as reduced speed, ringing, latch-up, or lower electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance. Here, a mixed or hybrid mode driver is provided that employs a current steering circuit (instead of voltages driven differential pair(s) as is done with conventional drivers) to generate pull-down currents that precisely match the voltages in the pull-up portions of driver. It increases the speed and produces smaller output common-mode voltage fluctuation over conventional drivers. Thus, the driver provided here can be produced in BiCMOS process technologies without the undesirable effects of conventional drivers.

Abstract: In bipolar CMOS or BiCMOS process technologies, drivers (such as mixed mode or hybrid mode drivers) using both bipolar and CMOS transistors (i.e., field effect transistors or FETs) may have undesirable properties, such as reduced speed, ringing, latch-up, or lower electrostatic discharge (ESD) performance. Here, a mixed or hybrid mode driver is provided that employs a current steering circuit (instead of voltages driven differential pair(s) as is done with conventional drivers) to generate pull-down currents that precisely match the voltages in the pull-up portions of driver. It increases the speed and produces smaller output common-mode voltage fluctuation over conventional drivers. Thus, the driver provided here can be produced in BiCMOS process technologies without the undesirable effects of conventional drivers.

Abstract: A self-calibrating, adaptive equalization system for generating an ideal digital signal is disclosed. The adaptive equalization system includes an equalizer and a high-gain buffer. The equalizer includes a first equalizer loop that feeds-back a control voltage to the equalizer and the high-gain buffer that includes a second equalizer loop that feeds-back a high-pass-to-low-pass filter ratio signal. Each of the first and second equalizer loops has a high-pass and a low-pass filter, rectifying circuits for each of the filters, and an integrating circuit that compares signal energy output from the rectifiers. The adaptive equalization system generates an ideal digital signal.

Abstract: For differential signal transmission (especially in high speed applications), intra-pair skew between paths carrying complementary portions of a differential signal can significantly affect performance. Conventional de-skew circuits employ simple filters (i.e., low-pass filters) to operate as delay elements to account for skew; however, these filters can distort the differential signal, which can also adverse affect performance. Here, an all-pass, adjustable delay element and de-skew circuit are provided to allow for compensation of skew without degrading the differential signal as conventional circuit do and, thus, having better performance characteristics.

Abstract: In the many microelectronics applications, delays present in circuitry can affect both the design and the function of the circuitry. One example of delays impacting the function of a circuit is a relaxation oscillator, where delays present in comparator circuits and latches can cause its frequency to vary beyond desired ranges. Here, a relaxation circuit with delay compensation is described.

Abstract: In the many microelectronics applications, delays present in circuitry can affect both the design and the function of the circuitry. One example of delays impacting the function of a circuit is a relaxation oscillator, where delays present in comparator circuits and latches can cause its frequency to vary beyond desired ranges. Here, a relaxation circuit with delay compensation is described.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating voltage for at least one differential transistor pair having a voltage follower buffer, the voltage follower section having a first voltage-temperature response, includes: (a) a differential amplifier having two input loci and an output locus, a first input locus of the two input loci receiving a reference voltage; (b) a temperature responsive unit coupled between the output locus and ground; and (c) a feedback line coupled between the temperature responsive unit and a second input locus of the two input loci. The temperature responsive unit has a second voltage-temperature response similar to the first voltage-temperature response.

Abstract: A self-calibrating, adaptive equalization system for generating an ideal digital signal is disclosed. The adaptive equalization system includes an equalizer and a high-gain buffer. The equalizer includes a first equalizer loop that feeds-back a control voltage to the equalizer and the high-gain buffer that includes a second equalizer loop that feeds-back a high-pass-to-low-pass filter ratio signal. Each of the first and second equalizer loops has a high-pass and a low-pass filter, rectifying circuits for each of the filters, and an integrating circuit that compares signal energy output from the rectifiers. The adaptive equalization system generates an ideal digital signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide an equalizer for analog adaptive control are disclosed. An example equalizer described herein includes a high frequency amplifier to receive an input signal and to amplify a high frequency portion of the input signal, a low frequency amplifier to receive the input signal and to amplify a low frequency portion of the input signal, and a weight factor controller to control a gain of the high frequency amplifier and a gain of the low frequency amplifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling signaling between a sending device and a receiving device includes: (a) a buffering amplifier device having at least one input locus for receiving an input signal from the receiving device and having at least one output locus for presenting an output signal for the receiving device; each respective at least one output locus presents an output signal in response to the input signal received at a respective input locus of the at least one input locus; (b) a feed forward circuit coupling each respective input locus with its respective corresponding output locus to provide a feed forward signal to the respective corresponding output locus; the feed forward signal is in phase with the input signal received at the respective input locus.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an amplifier device when supply voltage provided to the amplifier device varies at an input voltage supply locus. The amplifier device has an operating parameter varying in generally direct proportion with the supply voltage. The apparatus includes: (a) a reference parameter supply providing a reference parameter; (b) a modeling circuit coupled with the input voltage supply locus that models the amplifier device; (c) a comparing circuit coupled with the modeling circuit and the reference parameter supply that compares a model operating parameter from the modeling circuit and the reference parameter and provides a control signal to the modeling circuit and the amplifier device in response to the comparing; the control signal alters operation of the modeling circuit and the amplifier device to reduce variance between the reference parameter and the model operating parameter from a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating operating current in an amplifier device when supply voltage to the amplifier device decreases below a predetermined value at an input voltage supply locus includes: (a) A first control circuit coupled with the input voltage supply locus. The first control circuit generates an output signal at an output locus when the supply voltage decreases below the predetermined value. (b) A second control circuit coupled with the output locus and coupled with the amplifier device. The second control circuit effects the compensating in response to the output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling operation of an amplifier device when supply voltage provided to the amplifier device varies at an input voltage supply locus. The amplifier device has an operating parameter varying in generally direct proportion with the supply voltage. The apparatus includes: (a) a reference parameter supply providing a reference parameter; (b) a modeling circuit coupled with the input voltage supply locus that models the amplifier device; (c) a comparing circuit coupled with the modeling circuit and the reference parameter supply that compares a model operating parameter from the modeling circuit and the reference parameter and provides a control signal to the modeling circuit and the amplifier device in response to the comparing; the control signal alters operation of the modeling circuit and the amplifier device to reduce variance between the reference parameter and the model operating parameter from a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling signaling between a sending device and a receiving device includes: (a) a buffering amplifier device having at least one input locus for receiving an input signal from the receiving device and having at least one output locus for presenting an output signal for the receiving device; each respective at least one output locus presents an output signal in response to the input signal received at a respective input locus of the at least one input locus; (b) a feed forward circuit coupling each respective input locus with its respective corresponding output locus to provide a feed forward signal to the respective corresponding output locus; the feed forward signal is in phase with the input signal received at the respective input locus.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating operating current in an amplifier device when supply voltage to the amplifier device decreases below a predetermined value at an input voltage supply locus includes: (a) A first control circuit coupled with the input voltage supply locus. The first control circuit generates an output signal at an output locus when the supply voltage decreases below the predetermined value. (b) A second control circuit coupled with the output locus and coupled with the amplifier device.

Abstract: An apparatus for regulating voltage for at least one differential transistor pair having a voltage follower buffer, the voltage follower section having a first voltage-temperature response, includes: (a) a differential amplifier having two input loci and an output locus, a first input locus of the two input loci receiving a reference voltage; (b) a temperature responsive unit coupled between the output locus and ground; and (c) a feedback line coupled between the temperature responsive unit and a second input locus of the two input loci. The temperature responsive unit has a second voltage-temperature response similar to the first voltage-temperature response.