Current Driving (e.g., Fan In/out, Off Chip Driving, Etc.) Patents (Class 326/82)
  • Patent number: 9571771
    Abstract: A data transfer circuit includes a plurality of data transfer sections which transfer pixel signals of pixel columns which are different from each other, wherein the plurality of data transfer sections include transfer lines which transfer the pixel signals read from the pixel columns of an image sensor; and amplifying sections which amplify the pixel signals output from the transfer lines, and wherein the plurality of data transfer sections are connected to each other in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shingo Sanada
  • Patent number: 9548723
    Abstract: One or more resistors or resistances are integrated in a 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit. A 7-bit DVR or PVCOM integrated circuit includes a 7-bit DAC. The integrated resistors or resistances (R1, R2, or RSET, or any combination) reduces the number of external components, reduces the number of pins, and increases the accuracy of the DVR or PVCOM circuit. The least significant bit (LSB) of the DAC depends only on ratios of internal resistors, which can be made very accurate and independent of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: IML International
    Inventors: Alberto Giovanni Viviani, ChinFa Kao, Chiayao S. Tung
  • Patent number: 9491394
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an internal buffer may be provided within an integrated circuit (IC) to convert a signal to an output current to be output via a pin of the IC, under control of a switch which can be controlled based on a configuration setting of the IC, and may selectively directly couple the signal to the pin when the IC is coupled to an external driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: András Vince Horvath, Abdulkerim L. Coban, Pio Balmelli, Ramin Khoini-Poorfard, Alessandro Piovaccari
  • Patent number: 9484921
    Abstract: First and second devices may simultaneously communicate bidirectionally with each other using only a single pair of LVDS signal paths. Each device includes an input circuit and a differential output driver connected to the single pair of LVDS signal paths. An input to the input circuit is also connected to the input of the driver. The input circuit may also receive an offset voltage. In response to its inputs, the input circuit in each device can use comparators, gates and a multiplexer to determine the logic state being transmitted over the pair of LVDS signal paths from the other device. This advantageously reduces the number of required interconnects between the first and second devices by one half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Lee D. Whetsel
  • Patent number: 9419616
    Abstract: An LVDS driver includes a plurality of differential signal generators to receive adjustment signals generated by a slew rate adjusting unit and generate a differential signal for transmission to a plurality of LVDS receivers through a transmission line. The slew rate adjusting unit receives slew rate control signals from a slew rate control signal setting unit, and a slew rate of the differential signal is adjusted based on the adjustment signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yohichi Wada, Tohru Kanno
  • Patent number: 9379743
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for boosting a transition edge of a signal, the apparatus comprises: a logic to provide input data having a Unit Interval (UI); a programmable delay unit to receive the input data and operable to delay the input data by a fraction of the UI to generate a delayed input data; and one or more drivers to drive the input data and the delayed input data to a node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Shenggao Li, Xiaoqing Wang
  • Patent number: 9362877
    Abstract: An electronic component includes: a first amplifier configured to amplify one of differential signals; a second amplifier configured to amplify another one of the differential signals; a sensor configured to measure voltages of a first output signal outputted from the first amplifier and a second output signal outputted from the second amplifier; and a controller configured to control, based on the voltages measured by the sensor, either one or both of a current and a resistance value of the first amplifier so that a common voltage of the first output signal and a common voltage of the second output signal are approximate to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masazumi Maeda, Yoshiharu Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 9219479
    Abstract: A through silicon via (TSV) repair circuit of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The TSV repair circuit includes a first chip, at least one second chip, at least two TSVs, at least two data path circuits, and an output logic circuit. Each data path circuit includes an input driving circuit, a short-circuit detection circuit, a bias circuit, and a leakage current cancellation circuit. The input driving circuit transforms an input signal into a pending signal and transmits the pending signal to a first terminal of the corresponding TSV. The short-circuit detection circuit detects a short circuit between the corresponding TSV and a silicon substrate according to the input signal and the first terminal of the TSV and generates a short-circuit detection output signal. The leakage current cancellation circuit prevents a leakage current produced by a first level voltage from entering the silicon substrate according to the short-circuit detection output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Pei-Ling Tseng, Keng-Li Su
  • Patent number: 9209811
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises I/O cells arranged around a core region. Each of the I/O cells comprises a level shifter circuit, an I/O logic circuit, and an I/O buffer circuit. An I/O logic region in which the I/O logic circuit is arranged and an I/O buffer region in which the I/O buffer circuit is arranged overlap with a region in which a pad for the I/O cell is arranged. The I/O logic region and the I/O buffer region are arranged side by side in a direction parallel to a side of the core region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakamoto, Naozumi Morino, Kazuo Tanaka, Hiroyasu Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 9106549
    Abstract: An Ethernet communication circuit includes: a current source; a first transistor coupled between a first node and a third node, and having a control terminal coupled with a first signal pin; a second transistor coupled between the first node and a fourth node, and having a control terminal coupled with a second signal pin; a third transistor coupled between a second node and the fourth node, and having a control terminal coupled with a third signal pin; a fourth transistor coupled between the second node and the third node, and having a control terminal coupled with a fourth signal pin; a first switch coupled between the third node and the current source; a second switch coupled between the fourth node and the current source; and a transconductance circuit for generating an output voltage according to the current passing through the first node and the current passing through the second node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: REALTEK SEMICONDUCTOR CORP.
    Inventor: Shan-Chih Tsou
  • Patent number: 9094246
    Abstract: A circuit may include a splitter, a controller, and a termination. The splitter may generate, based upon input signals, a plurality of output signals, wherein at least one of the input signals is in more than one different modes at different times and the output signals comprise a first set of the output signals generated based upon comparison of pairs of signals of the first set against each other and a second set of the output signals generated based upon comparison of each signal of the second set to a predetermined threshold voltage. The controller may determine, based upon the second set of the output signals, whether the input signals are in the one of the more than one different modes to generate one or more control signals. The termination may connect loads to each of the input lines, based upon the one or more control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES GLOBAL
    Inventors: Xiaoming Chi, Bin Huo
  • Patent number: 9088444
    Abstract: A signal-transferring device having a first circuit and a second circuit that operate on different ground references, and a third circuit for transferring signals while providing insulation between the first circuit and the second circuit. The second circuit switches a logic level of an output signal in accordance with the logic level of an input signal notified by the first circuit, and notifies the first circuit about the logic level of the output signal. The first circuit notifies the second circuit about the logic level of the input signal not only when the logic level of the input signal has been switched, but also when the logic level of the output signal notified by the second circuit does not match the logic level of the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Sasabe, Hirotaka Takihara, Makoto Ikenaga, Toshiyuki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9083584
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for compensating channel modulation effects. Some embodiments comprise a differential switching circuit, a common mode modulation circuit, and a current compensation circuit. The current compensation circuit compensates for channel modulation effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: VIA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Yeong-Sheng Lee
  • Patent number: 9077320
    Abstract: An offset adjustment circuit of a dynamic comparator has a detection unit and a control unit. The detection unit detects whether a comparator offset possessed by the dynamic comparator is deviated from a target offset setting, and accordingly generates a detection result. The control unit adjusts a voltage setting of at least one input received by the dynamic comparator when the detection result indicates that the comparator offset is deviated from the target offset setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventor: Yun-Shiang Shu
  • Patent number: 9065428
    Abstract: A method is provided for selecting at least one of a plurality of slew rate control settings based at least upon a speed of data transmission and receiving input data where the input data is received at the data transmission speed. The method also includes switching the received input data in accordance with the selected at least one of a plurality of slew rate control settings and sending output data at the data transmission speed. Also provided is data driver device that includes at least one activation portion comprising one or more slew rate controls, a voltage-mode driver portion and at least a first current-mode driver portion. Also provided is a computer readable storage device encoded with data for adapting a manufacturing facility to create the data driver device. Also provided is a system including the data driver device, a data storage device and a processor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Liu, Arvind Bomdica, Ming-Ju Edward Lee
  • Patent number: 9059695
    Abstract: Described is a communication system in a first integrated circuit (IC) communicates with a second IC via single-ended communication channels. A bidirectional reference channel extends between the first and second ICs and is terminated on both ends. The termination impedances at each end of the reference channel support different modes for communicating signals in different directions. The termination impedances for the reference channel can be optimized for each signaling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventor: Kyung Suk Oh
  • Patent number: 9059586
    Abstract: A TSV bidirectional repair circuit of a semiconductor apparatus is provided. The bidirectional repair circuit includes a first and a second bidirectional switches and at least two transmission path modules. The first and the second bidirectional switches determine whether to transmit an input signal of a first chip or a second chip to each of the transmission path modules according to a switch signal. Each transmission path module includes at least two data path circuits and corresponding TSVs. Each data path circuit includes an input driving circuit, a short-circuit detection circuit and a leakage current cancellation circuit. The short-circuit detection circuit detects whether short-circuit on the corresponding TSV and a silicon substrate is present according to the input signal and the corresponding TSV to produce a short-circuit detection output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Pei-Ling Tseng, Keng-Li Su
  • Patent number: 9035677
    Abstract: A transceiver includes a transmitter and receiver that form a series current path between two power-supply nodes. Powering both the transmitter and receiver with the same supply current saves power. The transmitter functions as a resistive load for the receiver, and thus performs useful work with power that would otherwise be dissipated as waste heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Huy Nguyen, Kambiz Kaviani, Yohan Usthavvia Frans
  • Publication number: 20150130510
    Abstract: An output driver circuit may include a electrically conductive medium, an output logic inverter having a first switch adapted to couple a first positive supply voltage to the electrically conductive medium and a second switch adapted to couple a ground supply voltage to the conductive medium. A first biasing network includes a first input that is coupled to the conductive medium, a second input that receives a clock signal, and a first output that is adapted to couple a second positive supply voltage to each input of the first and the second switch. Based on the second switch coupling the conductive medium to the ground supply voltage and the received clock signal generating a logic low, the biasing network reverse biases the first switch by coupling the second positive supply voltage to the respective input of the first switch causing a leakage current reduction in the first switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Igor Arsovski, Travis R. Hebig
  • Patent number: 9030397
    Abstract: There is disclosed a gate driver, a driving circuit, and a liquid crystal display (LCD), wherein the gate driver comprises input terminals for inputting a CPV signal, an OE signal, and an STV signal, and output terminals for outputting a CKV signal and a CKVB signal, and a processing circuit is connected between the input terminals and the output terminals for processing the CPV signal, the OE signal, and the STV signal such that a preset time interval is present between the falling edge of the CKV signal and the rising edge of the CKVB signal during one period of the CKV signal, or a preset time interval is present between the rising edge of the CKV signal and the falling edge of the CKVB signal during one period of the CKVB signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jieqiong Wang
  • Patent number: 9024653
    Abstract: There is provided an input buffer circuit having hysteresis characteristics. The input buffer circuit includes: a first operating unit performing a NOR operation on an input signal and a first signal; a second operating unit performing a NAND operation on the input signal and a second signal; and an inverting unit inverting outputs of the first and second operating units to generate a second signal and a first signal, respectively, wherein reference levels of the first and second operating units determining a high or low level of the input signal are set to be different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hwan Kim, Sung Man Pang
  • Patent number: 9024671
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for an extraction circuit. In one configuration, an apparatus includes: an edge extraction circuit for receiving a first clock signal and outputting a second clock signal, wherein a duty cycle of the second clock is substantially smaller than a duty cycle of the first clock; a transistor for receiving the second clock signal and outputting a current signal; a transmission line for receiving the current signal on a first end and transmitting the current signal to a second end; a termination circuit for receiving the current signal at the second end and converting the current signal into a voltage signal; and an edge detection circuit for outputting a third clock by detecting an edge of the voltage signal. In one embodiment, the edge detection circuit comprises an inverter. In another embodiment, the edge detection circuit comprises a comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Liang Leon Lin, Joseph Gerchih Chou
  • Patent number: 9024654
    Abstract: An active termination circuit for a differential receiver includes a first receiver element configured to receive a first component of a differential signal, a second receiver element configured to receive a second component of a differential signal, a common mode measurement element configured to receive the differential signal and generate a transmit common mode signal (Vcm) representing an average value of the differential signal, and a receiver (RX) common mode signal node. The termination circuit also comprises an active element configured to receive the transmit common mode signal (Vcm) and provide an output to the receiver common mode signal node, the output configured to drive the value of the signal at the receiver common mode signal node to the value of the transmit common mode signal (Vcm), and a capacitive element coupled to the receiver common mode signal node in parallel with the active element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert Thelen, Michael Farmer, Jade Kizer
  • Patent number: 9024659
    Abstract: A device for passive equalization and slew-rate control of a signal includes a first branch and a second branch. The first branch includes a first driver coupled in series with an equalization capacitor. The second branch includes a second driver coupled in series with a resistor. The second branch may be coupled in parallel to the first branch. The first branch may be configurable to enable either passive equalization or slew-rate control of the signal based on a mode control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Tamer Ali, Hassan Maarefi, Mahmoud Reza Ahmadi, Afshin Momtaz
  • Publication number: 20150109027
    Abstract: A data control circuit includes an output stage circuit, a switch circuit, and an impedance module. The output stage circuit outputs a data signal. An input terminal of the switch circuit is coupled to an output terminal of the output stage circuit, and an output terminal of the switch circuit is coupled to a post-stage circuit. According to a control of a control signal, the switch circuit determines whether to transmit the data signal of the output stage circuit to the post-stage circuit. The impedance module is configured in the output stage circuit, configured between the output stage circuit and the switch circuit, or configured in the switch circuit. Here, the impedance module reduces noise flowing from the switch circuit to the output stage circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Tse-Hung Wu, Chao-Kai Tu, Chia-Wei Su
  • Patent number: 9007101
    Abstract: A driver circuit for driving a power transistor includes a converter having a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in series between a supply node and a reference node. The converter is configured to receive a first signal and in response thereto generate a second signal for selectively controlling status of the power transistor. The ratio of a first leakage current of the first transistor to a second leakage current of the second transistor is used in the generation of the second signal which is applied to the control terminal of a transistor switch that is selectively actuated to turn off the power transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Shenzhen) R&D Co. Ltd
    Inventor: Ni Zeng
  • Patent number: 9000850
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for self-calibration of a driving capability and a resistance of an on-die termination are provided. The apparatus includes an output interface physical layer (PHY) and a ring oscillator. The output interface PHY receives an operation voltage. The ring oscillator surrounds the output interface PHY to sense a work temperature or the operation voltage and accordingly outputs a sensing result. The driving capability or the resistance of the on-die termination of the output interface PHY is adjusted according to the sensing result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Yao-Cheng Chuang, I-Huan Huang
  • Patent number: 8994402
    Abstract: A level shifter and integrated level shifter and metastability resolution flop circuit are disclosed. A circuit includes a generation circuit, in a first voltage domain, coupled to receive a logic signal via a single-ended input and configured to generate true and complementary values of the logic signal. The circuit further includes a storage circuit coupled to receive the true and complementary values of the logic signal from the generation circuit. The storage circuit is configured to store the true and complementary values of the logic signal. The storage circuit is in a second voltage domain. The circuit further includes an output circuit coupled to the storage circuit and configured to provide a differential output signal having true and complementary values corresponding to the true and complementary values of the logic signal. The circuit may be combined with a latch circuit coupled to receive the differential output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Changku Hwang, Robert P Masleid, Hoki Kim, Ha Pham
  • Patent number: 8994398
    Abstract: A high-speed signaling system with adaptive transmit pre-emphasis. A transmit circuit has a plurality of output drivers to output a first signal onto a signal path. A receive circuit is coupled to receive the first signal via the signal path and configured to generate an indication of whether the first signal exceeds a threshold level. A first threshold control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust the threshold level according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level. A drive strength control circuit is coupled to receive the indication from the receive circuit and configured to adjust a drive strength of at least one output driver of the plurality of output drivers according to whether the first signal exceeds the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir M. Stojanovic, Andrew C. Ho, Anthony Bessios, Fred F. Chen, Elad Alon, Mark A. Horowitz
  • Patent number: 8988106
    Abstract: A voltage mode driver circuit able to achieve a larger voltage output swing than its supply voltage. The voltage mode driver circuit is supplemented by a current source or “current booster.” The circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter, and a current source. The first inverter receives a first input and outputs a signal at a node. The second inverter receives a second input signal and outputs an inverted second input signal at the same node. The current source provides current to the node via a first switch, the first switch receiving an input at a first input where the voltage output swing at the node is larger than a power supply voltage applied to the current source. The voltage mode driver circuit uses a stable power supply voltage using a power amplifier with feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wei Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 8981811
    Abstract: An integrated circuit memory device stores a plurality of digital values that specify respective termination impedances. The memory device switchably couples respective sets of load elements to a data input/output (I/O) to apply the termination impedances specified by the digital values, including, applying a first termination impedance to the data I/O during an idle state of the memory device, applying a first one of two non-equal termination impedances to the data I/O while the memory device receives write data in a memory write operation and applying a second one of the two non-equal termination impedances to the data I/O while another memory device receives write data in a memory write operation. When outputting read data via the data I/O in a memory read operation, the memory device switchably couples to the data I/O at least a portion of the load elements included in the sets of load elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Kyung Suk Oh, Ian P. Shaeffer
  • Patent number: 8975920
    Abstract: A multi-function programmable transceiver is described. The transceiver includes a driver circuit and a receiver circuit, which allows an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) device to drive and receive data from other ASIC devices. Both the driver and receiver circuits share a common input/output (I/O) pin. The driver circuit can be programmed to provide one of the several driver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS. Other functional features of the transceiver that can be programmed are driving strengths or output impedance, output power supply voltage, single ended or differential mode of HSTL/SSTL transceivers, and class 1 or class 2 operations for SSTL/HSTL transceivers. The receiver circuit can also be programmed to provide one of the several receiver functions, such as CMOS, TTL, PCI, HSTL, SSTL and LVDS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventor: Jai P. Bansal
  • Patent number: 8970258
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods may include a switch coupled at its gate terminal to an input signal voltage, the input signal voltage for controlling a gate voltage of a gate terminal of a driver device coupled at its non-gate terminals between a rail voltage and an output node. The systems and methods may also include a diode having a first terminal and a second terminal, the diode coupled to a non-gate terminal of the switch such that when the switch is enabled, the first terminal is electrically coupled to the gate terminal of the driver device and the second terminal is electrically coupled to the output node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Shen, Johann Gaboriau, Lingli Zhang, Christian Larsen
  • Patent number: 8970248
    Abstract: A termination network for a receiver device is provided to support both D-PHY signaling and N-factorial signaling. The first end of each of a plurality dynamically configurable switches is coupled to a common node. A first end of each of a plurality of resistances is coupled to a second end of a corresponding switch. A plurality of terminals receive differential signals and each terminal is coupled to a corresponding second end of a resistance. Each of a plurality differential receivers is coupled between two terminals of the termination network, wherein a first differential receiver and a second differential receiver are coupled to the same two terminals, the first differential receiver is used when the differential signals use a first type of differential signal encoding, the second differential receiver is used when the differential signals use a second type of differential signal encoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Shoichiro Sengoku, George Alan Wiley, Chulkyu Lee, Joseph Cheung
  • Patent number: 8947133
    Abstract: A voltage mode driver system includes a plurality of VMD cells, a plurality of auxiliary cells, a control logic and an output node. The plurality of VMD cells are configured to generate a first output. The plurality of VMD cells are configured to generate a calibrated effective resistance at different signal levels according to a calibration signal. The plurality of auxiliary cells are configured to generate a second output. The output node combines the first output and the second output into a driver output. The control logic is configured to control the plurality of auxiliary cells and the second output according to a selected level. The plurality of VMD cells may be configured to generate a calibrated effective resistance at different signal levels according to a calibration signal. A calibration component is configured to determine a voltage dependence effect and to generate a calibration signal according to the determined voltage dependence effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-Nan Shih
  • Patent number: 8941411
    Abstract: A signal transmission circ it includes a main driving unit configured to drive a first signal transmission One in response to an input signal and output a first driven signal, an emphasis driving unit configured to perform an emphasis operation on the first driven signal and output an emphasized signal, and a crosstalk control unit configured to perform an equalizing operation on the emphasized signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignees: SK Hynix Inc., Industry-University Cooperation Foundation Hanyang University
    Inventors: Chun-Seok Jeong, Young-Hoon Kim, Chang-Sik Yoo
  • Patent number: 8941410
    Abstract: Buffer circuit embodiments are described. A buffer circuit includes an input configured to receive an input signal and a buffer configured to generate an output signal based on the input signal. In one embodiment, the buffer circuit includes a programmable chopping module coupled with the buffer, wherein the programmable chopping module is programmable with a selected configuration from a plurality of configurations, and wherein the programmable chopping modulates the input signal based on the selected configuration. In another embodiment, the buffer circuit further includes a programmable output filter coupled with the buffer, wherein the programmable output filter is programmable with a selected configuration form a plurality of configurations, and wherein the programmable output filter filters a frequency band of the output signal based on the selected configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Gajender Rohilla, Eashwar Thiagarajan, Harold Kutz, Monte Mar, Mohandas Palatholmana Sivadasan
  • Patent number: 8933729
    Abstract: Differential receivers are “stacked” and independently calibrated to different common-mode voltages. The different common-mode voltages may correspond to the common-mode voltages of stacked transmission circuits. Multiple stacks of samplers are connected to the same channels. The clocking of each stack of sampler circuits is phased (timed) such that the samplers in a given stack are not resolving at the same time. Samplers in a different stack and receiving a different common-mode voltage resolve at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Xudong Shi, Reza Navid, Jason Chia-Jen Wei, Huy M. Nguyen, Kambiz Kaviani
  • Patent number: 8933727
    Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of complementary outputs based upon a plurality of inputs, a first control signal, and a second control signal. The plurality of inputs may be received in parallel in a first mode and as a serial bit stream in a second mode. The second circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of outputs in response to a third control signal and a fourth control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Chengxin Liu, Christopher D. Weigand
  • Patent number: 8928360
    Abstract: Circuits and methods to realize a power-efficient high frequency buffer. The amplitude of a buffered signal is detected and compared with the amplitude of the input signal. The comparison result can be fed back to the digitally-controlled buffer to keep the output gain constant. By using feedback control, the buffer can be kept at the most suitable biasing condition even if the load condition or signal frequency varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics R&D (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Hua Zhao, Wadeo Ou
  • Publication number: 20150002192
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a circuit includes a resistance including first and second terminals. The first terminal of the resistance is coupled to ground. The circuit also includes a first switching element including first, second, and third terminals. The first terminal of the first switching element is coupled to an output of an integrated circuit and the second terminal of the first switching element is coupled to a voltage supply of the integrated circuit. Additionally, the circuit includes a second switching element including first, second, and third terminals. The first terminal of the second switching element is coupled to an enable input of the integrated circuit. Furthermore, the second terminal of the second switching element is coupled to the third terminal of the first switching element and to the second terminal of the resistance. Moreover, the third terminal of the second switching element is coupled to the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Trang VU
  • Patent number: 8922241
    Abstract: Provided is a logic circuit that can reduce the variation of a power supply voltage supplied thereto and a semiconductor integrated circuit including the logic circuit. The logic circuit includes a buffer unit, a voltage detection unit, and a switch unit. The buffer unit is connected between a first power supply or a voltage regulator and a second power supply to receive power supply, and outputs a signal having the same or inverted logic level as an input signal to an output terminal. The voltage detection unit detects a voltage at the output terminal and outputs a detection signal based on a detection result. The switch unit connects the buffer unit to the first power supply or the voltage regulator in accordance with the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tatsuya Urakawa
  • Patent number: 8922246
    Abstract: A system and process overcomes the influence of induced current and/or capacitance in wires and, more particularly, reduces and overcomes induced current and/or capacitance cross-talk between neighboring wire-bonds. A change or toggle in each of a plurality of outputs from a circuit is determined. The change determined for one selected output is compared with the change determined for neighboring outputs. When the change for the neighboring outputs is both the same as that of the selected output, the power of the output or the slew rate of an amplifier that receives the selected output is altered so that the output is increased. When the change for the neighboring outputs is both the opposite of that of the selected output, the power of the output or the slew rate of an amplifier that receives the selected output is altered so that the output is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Marvell Israel (M.I.S.L) Ltd.
    Inventor: Liav Ben Artsi
  • Patent number: 8901971
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing differential line drivers include a device having an input configured to receive an input signal and a driver circuit configured to generate a first output and a second output from the input signal. The second output is a complementary output to the first output, wherein the first output has a first transfer characteristic and the second output has a second transfer characteristic different than the first transfer characteristic. The first and second transfer characteristics include an offset from respective input values of the input signal. The device further includes an output configured to output as a differential signal the first output and the second output generated by the driver circuit, wherein the offset in the first and second transfer characteristics defines a fail-safe output state for the differential signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Edward K. Chan
  • Patent number: 8901955
    Abstract: This disclosure provides examples of circuits, devices, systems, and methods for providing high speed operation with high noise immunity. In one implementation, a circuit includes a first buffer configured to receive an incoming signal and to generate a first output signal. The circuit also includes a second buffer configured to receive the incoming signal and to generate a second output signal. The second buffer exhibits hysteresis with lower and upper thresholds. The circuit also includes an output block configured to receive the first and second output signals and to generate a third output signal. The output block is configured to switch a logic state of the third output signal in response to a transition of a logic state of the first output signal, and to lock the logic state of the third output signal until the output block receives a transition of a logic state of the second output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: SanDisk Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Ekram H. Bhuiyan
  • Patent number: 8896353
    Abstract: A population of drivers is provided in parallel to a driver output and a population of pre-emphasis path drivers is provided in parallel to the driver output. The population of drivers is updated and the population of pre-emphasis path drivers is updated in an inverse relation to the updating of the population of pre-emphasis path drivers. Optionally, the population of drivers has an initial value of n and the population of pre-emphasis path drivers has an initial value of m, and the sum of n and m is P. Optionally, the updated population of n is n? and the updated population of m is m?, and n? is approximately equal to P?m?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Madjid Hafizi, Jie Xu
  • Patent number: 8896341
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device comprising at least one calibration module for calibrating an impedance of at least one on-die interconnect line driver in order to adaptively match an impedance between the at least one on-die interconnect line driver and at least one on-die interconnect line conjugated thereto. The at least one calibration module is arranged to receive an indication of an output signal of the at least one line driver, compare the received indication of an output signal to a reference signal and detect a presence or an absence of a voltage overshoot of the output signal of the at least one line driver, and upon detection of a presence or an absence of a voltage overshoot of the output signal of the at least one line driver, cause the adjustment of power supply of the at least one line driver, to be decreased or increased correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Sofer, Yefim-Haim Fefer, Pavel Livshits
  • Patent number: 8890565
    Abstract: A logic signal transmission circuit includes a driving circuit, an isolation section, and a latch section. The driving circuit converts an input digital signal to a differential digital signal. The isolation section blocks direct current and passes the differential digital signal. The latch section has even numbers of inverters which are connected in a loop and output a logic signal by turning ON and OFF a power supply voltage in a complementary manner. An input impedance of the latch section is set so that when a logic level of the differential digital signal changes, a transient voltage inputted through the isolation section to the latch section changes across a threshold voltage of the latch section. When the transient voltage changes across the threshold voltage, a logic level of the logic signal changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutaka Honda, Tetsuya Makihara
  • Patent number: 8878568
    Abstract: A high speed transmit driver is provided, along with methods to improve driver slew rate, decrease transmit jitter, improve termination accuracy, and decrease sensitivity to supply noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Semtech Corporation
    Inventors: Kamran Farzan, Mehrdad Ramezani, David Cassan, Angus McLaren, Saman Sadr
  • Patent number: 8872560
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device that includes: a first circuit configured to operate on a first power voltage to produce a first set of slew rate control signals; a second circuit configured to operate on a second power voltage to produce a second set of slew rate control signals in response to the first set of slew rate control signals; and a third circuit configured to operate on the second power voltage to produce a signal at a rate that is controllable in response to the second set of slew rate control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Morishita, Tetsuya Arai