Field-effect Transistor Patents (Class 327/416)
  • Patent number: 9503075
    Abstract: A monolithically integrated switch configured to operate at an input signal frequency ranging from 0 Hz to 80 GHz. The switch has an input port and two output ports. A first conduction path is provided from the input port to the first output port. A second conduction path is provided from the input port to the second output port. In addition, a first shunting path is provided between the first output port and a reference and a second shunting path is provided between the second output and the reference. In a first mode, the first conduction path and the second shunting path have a low impedance. The second conduction path and the first shunting path have a high impedance. In a second mode, the first conduction path and the second shunting path have a high impedance. The second conduction path and the first shunting path have a low impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Peregrine Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Raul Inocencio Alidio, Peter Bacon
  • Patent number: 8618863
    Abstract: Disclosed is a signal distribution device which is provided with: supply lines (5) for supplying input signals to switching elements in signal distribution circuits; and distribution lines (6) for distributing the input signals to output terminals via the switching elements. The corresponding one of the supply lines (5) and at least one of the distribution lines (6) each have an extension section (5a) and an extension section (5b) which extend in an extending direction of a control line (13). A selection signal for switching on/off the associated switching element is applied to the control line (13). The extension sections (5a and 5b) are formed at positions that do not overlap the edge portions of the control line (13) in the extending direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Tagawa, Mayuko Sakamoto, Yoshihisa Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8330524
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit which reduces and increase in the level of a harmonic signal of an RF transmission output signal at the time of supplying an RF transmission signal to a bias generation circuit of an antenna switch, including an antenna switch having a bias generation circuit, a transmitter switch, and a receiver switch. The on/off state of a transistor of the transmitter switch coupled between a transmitter port and an I/O port is controlled by a transmit control bias. The on/off state of the transistors of the receiver switch coupled between the I/O port and a receiver port is controlled by a receiver control bias. An RF signal input port of the bias generation circuit is coupled to the transmit port, and a negative DC output bias generated from a DC output port is supplied to a gate control port of transistors of the receiver switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Kaoru Katoh, Shigeki Koya, Shinichiro Takatani, Yasushi Shigeno, Akishige Nakajima, Takashi Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20120275076
    Abstract: A bidirectional switch device, has: a bidirectional switch having a HEMT; and a control circuit which, during a first condition, applies a first voltage lower than a threshold voltage across a gate and one terminal among a source and a drain of the HEMT to turn off a first current path from the other terminal among the source and the drain to the one terminal, and during a second condition, applies a second voltage lower than the threshold voltage across the other terminal and the gate to turn off a second current path from the one terminal to the other terminal, and further during a third condition, applies a third voltage higher than the threshold voltage across the source and the gate and across the drain and the gate of the HEMT to turn on the first and second current paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Ken SHONO
  • Patent number: 8184831
    Abstract: An audio playing system is provided comprising a first processing module, a second processing module, a control module, an output module, and a displaying module. The first and second processing modules amplify an audio signal and respectively generates a first first processed signal, a first second processed signal, a second first processed signal, and a second second processed signal. The control module is coupled to the first processing module and the second processing module and generates a playing signal according to a control signal, the first first processed signal, the first second processed signal, the second first processed signal, and the second second processed signal. The output module is coupled to the control module and amplifies the playing signal to generate an output signal. The displaying module is coupled to the output module and plays the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Wei-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 8013635
    Abstract: Multi-mode circuit (the circuit) and a method for preventing degradation in the circuit. The circuit includes a first transistor that enables functioning of the circuit in a first mode. The first transistor is responsive to a first signal to become inactive when the circuit enters into a second mode, thereby preventing degradation of the first transistor when the circuit enters into the second mode. A second transistor is coupled to the first transistor. The second transistor is responsive to a second signal to generate a third signal. A third transistor is coupled to the second transistor. The third transistor is responsive to the third signal to become inactive when the circuit enters into the second mode, thereby preventing degradation of the third transistor when the circuit enters into the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Palkesh Jain, Nagaraj Savithri, Usha Narasimha
  • Publication number: 20110181342
    Abstract: A high-frequency switch module includes a switch element, high-frequency circuits, and a GND circuit. The switch element includes an antenna port, switch ports, and an FET switch. The FET switch switches connection between the switch ports and the antenna port. The high-frequency circuits connect any of the switch ports to a signal processing circuit. In the GND circuit, the switch port, which is not connected to the high-frequency circuits, is directly connected to a GND electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takanori UEJIMA, Shinya WATANABE
  • Patent number: 7948295
    Abstract: A demultiplexer includes an input terminal for providing an input signal, a plurality of output terminals for outputting the input signal, and a switching circuit coupled among the input terminal and the plurality of output terminals, and outputting the input signal selectively from the plurality of output terminals according to a plurality of control signals provided to a plurality of control terminals. For miniaturizing the demultiplexer, the switching circuit includes one or more switch elements connected between the input terminal and each of the output terminals in series, wherein at least two of the switch elements coupled to different output terminals are simultaneously switched in response to one control signal from the plurality of control terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Chimei Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Keitaro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20110115291
    Abstract: A redundant power system includes a redundant power source, a first switch, a second switch, and a control circuit. The first switch connects between the redundant power source and a low priority remote system, where the first switch has a characteristic of turning off faster than the first switch turns on. The second switch connects between the redundant power source and a high priority remote system, where the second switch has a characteristic of turning off faster than the second switch turns on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: JUNIPER NETWORKS INC.
    Inventors: Curtis BRADFORD, Surendra PATEL
  • Patent number: 7863964
    Abstract: A radio frequency semiconductor switching device (S) is formed on an MMIC structure (C) including a switching circuit element (12) having four semiconductor switching units (68, 70) with each adapted for receiving a gate control signal. A level shift circuit (10) generates a biasing voltage signal communicated of the switching units (68, 70) for biasing the switching units (68), and provides an output that swings between approximately one diode drop above ground and a negative voltage to bias the switching circuit elements (68 and 70) for reduced loss. The level shift circuit (10) is responsive to an externally provided control signal (58). The switching units (68, 70) are formed into a grouping of at least, a first and a second set (76, 78) of interconnected semiconductor switching units (68, 70) with each set (76, 78) having gates of at least two of the interconnected switching units (68, 70) connected with the level shift circuit output (60, 62).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Scott K. Suko, Andrew R. Passerelli, Gregory D. Nachtreib
  • Publication number: 20100259312
    Abstract: A circuit topology in accordance with a system, method and device for an active power splitter with an input and at least two outputs which allows the use of negative feedback and thus improving stability and linearity without substantially increasing the noise figure of the system is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: VIASAT, INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Menon, Nitin Jain, David W. Corman
  • Publication number: 20100225376
    Abstract: A semiconductor switch for switching a signal according to input power and maintaining performance of a receiver system with a simple configuration. The semiconductor switch comprises: a first FET connected between a first input/output terminal and a second input/output terminal; a first transmission line connected between the first input/output terminal and a third input/output terminal; a second transmission line parallel to the first transmission line; and a detector circuit connected to one end of the second transmission line, for outputting a DC voltage corresponding to power level of the high frequency signal, branched by the second transmission line. The first FET is controlled and switched according to an output from the detector circuit to switch between a route from the first input/output terminal to the second input/output terminal and a route from the first input/output terminal to the third input/output terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Tsukahara
  • Publication number: 20100148849
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a signal converting device and receiving device in a wireless communication system. The receiving device of the wireless communication system includes a differential signal converter for receiving a single ended radio frequency signal and converting it into a differential radio frequency signal, and a frequency down converter for down converting the differential radio frequency signal to down frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Seung Sik LEE, Bong Hyuk PARK, Seunghyun JANG, Sangsung CHOI, Changwan KIM
  • Patent number: 7671671
    Abstract: A demodulation device (1) in semiconductor technology is disclosed. The device (1) is capable of demodulating an injected modulated current. The device (1) comprises an input node (IN1), a sampling stage (DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) and at least two output nodes (D1, D2). The sampling stage DG1, IG1, GS1, IG2, DG2) comprises transfer means (GL, GM, GR) for transferring a modulated charge-current signal from the input node (IN1) to one of the output nodes (D1, D2) allocated to the respective time interval within the modulation period. The small size and the ability to reproduce the device (1) in standard semiconductor technologies make possible a cost-efficient integration of the device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Buettgen, Michael Lehmann, Simon Neukom, Thierry Oggier, Felix Lustenberger
  • Patent number: 7633329
    Abstract: In an example embodiments, a single signal-to-differential signal converter includes a first inverter for receiving and inverting a single input signal and outputting an inverted single input signal to a first node, and a first differential signal generating portion for generating a first signal and an inverted first signal which have the opposite phases to each other to second and third nodes in response to the single input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youn-Sik Park
  • Patent number: 7626443
    Abstract: A switching circuit includes switching transistors connected to one of an input terminal and an output terminal of the switching circuit, and a control bias supply circuit that supplies a control bias for cutting off all the switching transistors to the switching transistors when all of the switching transistors are in a non-selected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Quantum Devices Limited
    Inventors: Takayaki Kitazawa, Naoyuki Miyazawa
  • Publication number: 20090273388
    Abstract: A demultiplexer includes an input terminal for providing an input signal, a plurality of output terminals for outputting the input signal, and a switching circuit coupled among the input terminal and the plurality of output terminals, and outputting the input signal selectively from the plurality of output terminals according to a plurality of control signals provided to a plurality of control terminals. For miniaturizing the demultiplexer, the switching circuit includes one or more switch elements connected between the input terminal and each of the output terminals in series, wherein at least two of the switch elements coupled to different output terminals are simultaneously switched in response to one control signal from the plurality of control terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Keitaro Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20090256621
    Abstract: There is provided a signal transfer circuit, comprising a first pull-up transistor and a first pull-down transistor configured to drive a first signal transmission line in response to a signal of a second signal transmission line, a first path controlling unit configured to prevent a signal from being transferred through a first path by controlling a gate of the first pull-up transistor and a gate of the first pull-down transistor when a first path enable signal is deactivated, a second pull-up transistor and a second pull-down transistor configured to drive the second signal transmission line in response to a signal of the first signal transmission line, and a second path controlling unit configured to prevent a signal from being transferred through a second path by controlling a gate of the second pull-up transistor and a gate of the second pull-down transistor when a second path enable signal is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Seong-Hwi Song
  • Publication number: 20080048758
    Abstract: To provide an output control circuit having a small circuit scale that still operates stably at high speed, an output control circuit includes a first inverter and a second inverter, connected in series for outputting signals at an inverted voltage level of an input signal, a first output unit, for which output is controlled based on a voltage level of a signal output by the second inverter, a third inverter, an output of which is connected to an output of the first inverter, for outputting a signal at an inverted voltage level of a signal output by the second inverter, and a second output unit for which output is controlled based on a voltage level of a signal output by the first inverter and a voltage level of a signal output by the third inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Daisuke Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 7298197
    Abstract: An increasing number of phases in multiphase converters causes an increase in requirements with respect to the control IC. According to the present invention, instead of deriving a new PWM signal for every single phase of the DC-DC converter, the single phases are clustered into groups (22, 24, 26). Within each group, the converters are operated on the basis of one PWM signal (PW M1, PW M2 . . . PW MN). Advantageously, this may allow to reduce the requirements with respect to the control IC and thus may allow the application of cheaper and smaller control ICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Duerbaum, Reinhold Elferich, Tobias Tolle
  • Patent number: 7088139
    Abstract: A tri-level decoder circuit includes a first decoder circuit and a second decoder circuit. The first decoder circuit is configured to compare an input voltage to a first threshold, and the second decoder circuit is configured to compare the input voltage to a second threshold. The first decoder circuit is configured to provide substantially no current to a current mirror if the input voltage is less than the first threshold, and to provide a current to the current mirror otherwise. The current mirror is configured to reflect the current to provide a reflected current. A current source is configured to pull down a first output node to a first logic level if the reflected current is substantially zero. The current mirror is configured to drive the first output node to a second logic level otherwise. The second decoder circuit may operate similarly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: National Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventor: Eric David Blom
  • Patent number: 6891426
    Abstract: A method of providing multiple voltage outputs includes receiving an input signal from a multifunctional pump. The method also includes sending a first output signal based on the input signal using a first switch and sending a second output signal based on the input signal using a second switch and a transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond Zeng, Binh N. Ngo
  • Patent number: 6867635
    Abstract: A transfer switch having a test signal input and first and second ports. The transfer switch includes a first routing switch and first and second port termination switches. The first routing switch has a routing switch input for receiving the test signal input and first and second outputs. Each output is connected to the routing switch input by a first switching element and each output is connected to ground by a second switching element. The first and second port termination switches are connected to the first and second outputs, respectively, of the first routing switch. Each termination switch includes a common-base transistor, and preferably, a Darlington amplifier with feedback. The common-base transistor is connected to the output of the routing switch and the Darlington amplifier has an output connected to a corresponding one of the first and second ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen J. Westerman
  • Patent number: 6737890
    Abstract: A switching circuit device has a first FET and a second FET, and operates with single control terminal. The device also has a common input terminal connected to the drain or source electrode of the two FETs, a first output terminal and a second output terminal connected to the source or the drain electrode of the respective FET, a bias element applying an bias to the first output terminal, a first connection connecting the control terminal to the second FET, a second connection connecting the gate of the second FET to the ground, and a direct current isolation element placed between the two FETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshikazu Hirai, Tetsuro Asano
  • Patent number: 6633196
    Abstract: An integrated circuit die includes a bond pad connected to first and second input buffers in the die through laser fuses. In one operating configuration of the die, the die uses the first input buffer but does not use the second input buffer, so the laser fuse between the bond pad and the second input buffer is blown. In another operating configuration of the die, the die uses the second input buffer but does not use the first input buffer, so the laser fuse between the bond pad and the first input buffer is blown. As a result, the capacitive load on the bond pad is similar to the capacitive load on similar bond pads in the die connected to only one input buffer in the die. Thus, signals propagate into all the bond pads at about the same improved speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph C. Sher
  • Publication number: 20030151446
    Abstract: The present invention provides an analog frequency divider structure that receives an input signal at a selected frequency and generates an output signal at a fraction, e.g. one-half, of the input frequency. In one embodiment, the analog frequency divider structure is implemented as a MEMS device having a vibratory beam extending along a longitudinal axis between two fixed ends and a piezoelectric transducer coupled to the beam. The MEMS structure further includes a conductive layer disposed on at least a portion of the vibratory beam, which is capacitively coupled to a conductive electrode. A longitudinal excitation of the piezoelectric transducer can effect application of a periodic longitudinal deformation force to the vibratory beam. This deformation force causes the beam to vibrate in a transverse direction at its natural transverse vibrational frequency, which is selected to be a fraction of the input frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: DATUM,INC.
    Inventors: Robert Lutwak, William J. Riley, Kenneth D. Lyon
  • Patent number: 6583740
    Abstract: A calibrated current source includes current source having an output node; a calibration circuit; a load circuit; a cascode switching circuit including a pair of cascode switches, one connected between the local circuit and output node, the other connected between the calibration circuit and the output node; and a bias circuit selectively applying a bias voltage to the cascode switches to selectively connect the load circuit and the calibration circuit to the output node while maintaining a constant voltage at the output node and across the current source to provide a consistent current to the load and calibration circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. J. Schofield, Douglas A. Mercer
  • Patent number: 6480055
    Abstract: A decoder element is provided with an output, whereby an output signal with one of three different possible potentials is produced. The output signal may have a value of either a first potential, a second potential, and a third potential, where the second potential lies between the first potential and the third potential. The output signal is produced according to voltage values of input signals at terminal connections of the decoder element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Thomas Böhm, Georg Braun, Heinz Hönigschmid, Zoltan Manyoki, Ernst Neuhold, Thomas Röhr
  • Patent number: 6420981
    Abstract: An oversampling circuit and method is proposed, which is used for converting an input serial data stream into a parallel data format. The proposed oversampling circuit comprises an array of transmission gates arranged into N cascaded stages of main sampling circuits, each stage of main sampling circuit being composed of M parallel layers of sub-sampling circuits, where N, M are each an integer number; each transmission gate has an input end, an output end, and a control port; and the respective control ports of all the transmission gates are connected to a predefined sequence of sampling pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Faraday Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Shih-ming Yu
  • Patent number: 6377084
    Abstract: Single input receivers and “pseudo differential” amplifiers can conserve scarce chip surface area and still provide fast response times in a low power CMOS environment. A first embodiment includes a single ended receiver. The single ended receiver includes a pair of cross coupled inverters. Each of the inverters includes a pair of output transmission lines. A single signal input node coupled to a source region for one of the pair of cross coupled inverters and to a current mirror such that the single ended receiver is able to convert a single ended input current received at the single signal input node into a differential input signal. A second embodiment includes a pseudo differential amplifier. The pseudo differential amplifier includes a pair of cross coupled transistors. The pseudo differential amplifier includes a pair of signal output nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Leonard Forbes
  • Publication number: 20020008564
    Abstract: A decoder element is provided with an output, whereby an output signal with one of three different possible potentials is produced. The output signal may have a value of either a first potential, a second potential, and a third potential, where the second potential lies between the first potential and the third potential. The output signal is produced according to voltage values of input signals at terminal connections of the decoder element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Bohm, Georg Braun, Heinz Honigschmid, Zoltan Manyoki, Ernst Neuhold, Thomas Rohr
  • Patent number: 6304111
    Abstract: A CMOS switch circuit includes a first stage having PMOS and NMOS transistors arranged and properly sized to provide substantially concurrently switching complementary outputs, and a second stage having PMOS and NMOS transistors arranged and related to counterparts in the first stage so as to provide substantially concurrently switching complementary outputs that are substantially process independent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: ZiLOG, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad R. Pirjaberi
  • Patent number: 6130570
    Abstract: A biasing system for an FET utilizes a source biasing capacitor which is charged to a positive DC ground voltage relative to RF ground. The gate of the FET is thus biased negative to the source without requiring a negative power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric Ting-Shan Pan, Roger Lee Foust
  • Patent number: 6121809
    Abstract: A differential phase splitter circuit for producing opposite phase signals from an input AC signal is provided. A first and second transistor is provided. The source of these transistors are connected to a common first node. Further, these transistors act as a differential amplifier. The gate of the first transistor receives an input AC signal. The drain of the first transistor produces a first output AC signal. Similarly, the drain of the second transistor produces a second output AC signal that is 180 degrees out of phase with the first output AC signal. A source resistor is provided, connected in series to the common first node and ground. Lastly, an LCR feedback circuit is provided. This feedback circuit is connected between the drain of the first transistor and the gate of the second transistor. The LCR feedback circuit couples at least a fraction of the amplitude of the first output AC signal to the gate of the second transistor for amplitude balancing and phase balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Institute of Microelectronics
    Inventors: Huainan Ma, Sher Jiun Fang, Fujiang Lin
  • Patent number: 6114923
    Abstract: Disclosed is a switching circuit which has: at least one unit circuit connected in series, the unit circuit being composed of two field-effect transistors connected in series and an inductor that has one end connected to a connection point between the two field-effect transistors and another end grounded; wherein the gates of the two field-effect transistors are commonly connected and a bias voltage to control the turning on/off of the two field-effect transistors is equally applied through a resistance to the respective gates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Mizutani
  • Patent number: 6087887
    Abstract: A dual-purpose transmission circuit capable of receiving two or more signals or voltages, or a signal and a voltage, using one input pad, and an input method using the circuit. The dual-purpose transmission circuit includes an internal signal line for transmitting a signal to the inside of the semiconductor device, an internal voltage line for transmitting a voltage to the inside of the semiconductor device, a first transmission portion for connecting the internal signal line to the outside of the semiconductor device in response to a control signal, in a signal input mode, and a second transmission portion for connecting the internal voltage line to the outside of the semiconductor device in response to the control signal, in a voltage input mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-hyoung Lim, Sang-suk Kang
  • Patent number: 5910747
    Abstract: A method is herein provided for placing drivers and repeaters along the interconnect so as to optimize interconnection propagation delay with respect to area and time constraints. The method provided optimizes the propagation delay and simplifies the propagation delay determination by first using drivers to divide an interconnect into forkless branches, then linearizing the delay of each branch by placing repeaters along the length of the branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashwin I. Matta, Larry A. Woodrum, Rajiv Hattangadi
  • Patent number: 5856754
    Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit of this invention includes: a first converter for converting a plurality of input data signals into a composite serial data signal and outputting the composite serial data signal; a second converter for receiving the composite serial data signal via a data signal wiring and converting the composite serial data signal into a plurality of output data signals; and a clock signal supply section for supplying a clock signal for synchronizing an operation of the first converter and an operation of the second converter, wherein the clock signal is input into the first converter and the second converter via a clock signal wiring, the data signal wiring imparts a time delay to the composite serial data signal input into the second converter, and the clock signal wiring imparts a time delay to the clock signal input into the second converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyoji Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5668494
    Abstract: An electronic driver circuit for low-impedance loads, being of a type which comprises an input terminal (IN) to which a voltage signal (Vin) is applied for alternate transfer to an output, and a plurality of output terminals (OUTi), each connected to a corresponding electric load (2), further comprises, between the input terminal and the output terminals, a single operational amplifier (3) having multiple output stages (7), one for each output terminal (OUTi). The operational amplifier (3) is of the single-ended or fully differential multistage type and allows each load to be driven alternately by activation of the corresponding output stage (7i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Germano Nicollini, Sergio Pernici
  • Patent number: 5640117
    Abstract: A digital signal transmission circuit for transmitting an input pulse signal to receiving circuits through transmission lines. The digital signal transmission circuit is provided with a phase converting circuit for outputting a first output signal and a second output signal delayed in phase with respect to the first output signal according to the input of the pulse signal, a first transmission line included in the transmission lines, for transmitting the first output signal, a second transmission line included in the transmission lines, for transmitting the second output signal, and a pair of phase decoding circuits for receiving the first and second output signals from the first and second transmission lines and outputting pulse signals according to the state of reception of the first and second output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1997
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Tanoi
  • Patent number: 5635865
    Abstract: A power driving circuit of a thin film transistor liquid crystal display includes Darlington circuits for generating voltages corresponding to the gate driving voltages required in the displays. Analog switching circuits control the application of voltages used to form the Von and Voff driving waveforms, which have driving voltage levels generated from the Darlington circuits. The phasing of the driving waveforms is controlled by a phasing signal which is received by the analog switching circuits. The power driving circuit of the present invention consumes less power than conventional driving circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hwan Moon, Kyoung-Hoon Shin
  • Patent number: 5631595
    Abstract: A line driver having two halves arranged in a push-pull configuration. Each half has a pass transistor, connected between a power supply rail and an output terminal, and an amplifier with an output coupled to the output terminal. Only one of the pass transistors conducts at any given time. A sense transistor, coupled between the power supply rail and the input of the amplifier, varies the output of the amplifier to compensate for variations in the conductivity of the conducting pass transistor. Preferably, the current density in the sense transistor is substantially the same as in the conducting pass transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Kadaba R. Lakshmikumar
  • Patent number: 5559462
    Abstract: A digital signal transmission circuit for transmitting an input pulse signal to receiving circuits through transmission lines. The digital signal transmission circuit is provided with a phase converting circuit for outputting a first output signal and a second output signal delayed in phase with respect to the first output signal according to the input of the pulse signal, a first transmission line included in the transmission lines, for transmitting the first output signal, a second transmission line included in the transmission lines, for transmitting the second output signal, and a pair of phase decoding circuits for receiving the first and second output signals from the first and second transmission lines and outputting pulse signals according to the state of reception of the first and second output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Satoru Tanoi
  • Patent number: 5548239
    Abstract: A radio receiver-transmitter apparatus equipped with a signal changeover switch which is capable of properly dealing with a high-power radio frequency signal and ensuring a desired insertion loss and superior isolation characteristic. The switch has a signal input terminal, a signal output terminal and a signal input-output terminal, and comprises a 1st FET unit connected to the input terminal and the input-output terminal, a 2nd FET unit connected to the input terminal and the ground, a 3rd FET unit connected to the output terminal and the input-output terminal, and a 4th FET unit connected to the output terminal and the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kohama
  • Patent number: 5508650
    Abstract: An apparatus for enabling an IC pin to function in a dual mode, which apparatus includes a first switch for coupling the IC pin to an input terminal when the IC pin operates in an input mode, and a charging circuit for sourcing current to the IC pin during a charging cycle of a timer mode. The inventive apparatus further includes a discharging circuit for sinking current from the IC pin during a discharging cycle of the timer mode. In one embodiment, the inventive apparatus further includes a comparator for generating an activation signal, the activation signal being activated when a potential at the IC pin equals or exceeds a predefined voltage in the timer mode. In another embodiment, the comparator is disabled during the input mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Grimm, Bruce D. Moore
  • Patent number: 5504745
    Abstract: The present invention relates mainly to distribution and/or processing devices for RF signals, in particular devices of the following types: signal combiner, signal splitter or divider, time multiplexer, time demultiplexer, frequency multiplexer, amplifier, attenuator, variable delay lines, and a vector modulator type circuit for signal shaping. A device of the invention comprises switching cells based on respective dual gate FETs, and a control signal generator that controls switching to enable the desired functions to be established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventors: Felix A. Petz, Wolfgang Greiner
  • Patent number: 5497118
    Abstract: The invention is intended to offer a signal selector circuit and a signal-generating circuit which are excellent in linearity between input and output signals at high frequencies and in isolation between input signals and isolation between output signals and which do not produce distortion. When an output signal is taken from OUT.sub.1, a circuit connected with the gate terminal of Q.sub.11 is made to have a high impedance, and a cutoff voltage deeper than the pinchoff voltage is applied to the gate of Q.sub.12. With respect to each of Q.sub.11, Q.sub.12, the gate is connected with the source by R.sub.11 or R.sub.12. Both Q.sub.11 and Q.sub.12 have depletion characteristics. The resistances of R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 are lower than the impedances of Q.sub.15 and Q.sub.16 when they drive the gates so as to turn on Q.sub.11 and Q.sub.12. In this case, therefore, the voltage between the gate and the source of Q.sub.11 is made null and Q.sub.11 conducts. Q.sub.12 is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ueno, Shigeru Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 5420529
    Abstract: A current steering switch circuit responsive to a CMOS signal. In an specific embodiment the switch is incorporated in a hybrid BiCMOS multiplexer circuit using combined CMOS and CML/ECL signal types. The high speed CML/ECL logic signals are multiplexed under the control of a lower speed CMOS signal. A particular aspect of the circuit is that a CMOS to CML/ECL converter is not used. Additionally, a differential, logic commutation signal is not required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Bernard Guay, Michael Altmann
  • Patent number: 5420534
    Abstract: A programmable analog N.times.M switching network that includes a charge-coupled-device (CCD) multiplexer switch means having a plurality of N input leads. The input leads contain signals from typical devices such as video cassette recorders, televisions, video cameras, cable TV telephones or the like. The CCD multiplexer switch means also includes a plurality of M output leads that provide signals to other typical devices which also may be video cassette recorders, televisions, telephones, etc. A programmable read-only memory (PROM) clock generator provides signals to CCD gates in the CCD multiplexer switch means to enable the multiplexer switch means 10 to selectively connect the input signals and leads to the output leads. The programmable PROM is controlled by means of programming request means which may be a computer or an operator console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Loral Fairchild Corporation
    Inventor: Hammam Elabd