Abstract: A frequency synthesis/multiplication circuit and method for multiplying the frequency of a reference signal. In one embodiment, multiple versions of the reference signal are generated having different phases relative to one another, and these multiple versions are combined to form an output signal having a frequency that is a multiple of the frequency of the reference signal.

Abstract: Circuits for regulating a voltage or current to a load(s).

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a differential logic to CMOS logic translator including a level-shifting and buffering stage configured to receive differential inputs and to provide resulting signals with lower common mode voltage. Further, a gain stage is included to receive the resulting signals and to provide increased swing signals. A CMOS buffer is also included and is configured to receive the increased swing signals and to provide a CMOS logic output. Also disclosed is a method of translating a differential logic signal to a CMOS logic signal including level-shifting and buffering differential input signals to provide resulting signals with lower common mode voltage. The method also includes using a gain stage to provide increased swing signals from the resulting lower common mode signals and using a CMOS buffer to provide a CMOS output from the increased swing signals.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for aligning two or more signals including a first and second signal. In one embodiment, a shift register generates two or more shifted copies of the second signal, and each of a plurality of phase detectors receives the first signal and one of the shifted copies of the second signal, each phase detector providing an output indicating whether the first signal is substantially aligned with the shifted copy of the second signal. A multiplexer may also be provided for receiving each of the shifted copies of the second signal, the multiplexer having a plurality of select lines coupled with the output signals of the phase detectors. Some embodiments may include a power saving mode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for coupling a host computer to one or more peripherals or for coupling peripherals to one another. In one example, the apparatus includes a hub having an upstream port for coupling with the host computer and one or more downstream ports for coupling with the one or more peripherals; and a local host dynamically coupled with the upstream port. In one example, when the host computer is not coupled with the upstream port, the local host communicates with the peripherals; and when the host computer is coupled with the upstream port, the local host disconnects from the upstream port so that the host computer communicates with the peripherals through the hub. In this manner, the apparatus may be used to couple peripherals to a host computer, or when a host computer is not present, the data from the peripherals may be communicated through the local host. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A circuit and method for starting up a band-gap reference circuit. In one example, a startup circuit compares a Vbg voltage output of a band-gap reference circuit to a voltage (such as Vbe) across a transistor in order to selectively control whether to inject current into the band-gap reference circuit during startup.

Abstract: A circuit for shifting a signal from a first voltage level to a second voltage level. In one embodiment, a voltage translator circuit has first and second transistors that are cross-coupled; a third transistor having a gate coupled with the input signal, the third transistor being coupled between the gate of the second cross-coupled transistor and the drain of the first cross-coupled transistor; and a fourth transistor having a gate coupled with an inverted version of the input signal, the fourth transistor being coupled between the gate of the first cross-coupled transistor and the drain of the second cross-coupled transistor. In another embodiment, the circuit may have, as part of its output stage, a first and second output transistors connected in series, and a third output transistor coupled between the second output transistor and ground, the third output transistor having a gate coupled with a high voltage supply.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a modular apparatus for carrying armor is provided by utilizing an armor carrier configured for receiving various types of armor, such as an armor plate or soft body armor; a coupling device coupled with the armor carrier and configured for coupling the armor carrier with an article of clothing; wherein the armor carrier is configured as a modular unit so as to permit removal and recoupling of the armor carrier with the article of clothing in multiple positions as desired by the user.

Abstract: A circuit for driving a pair of input signals to form driven output signals while reducing the amount of skew between the driven output signals. In one embodiment, a driver circuit includes a first set of drivers connected in series and receiving the first input signal to produce a first output signal; a second set of drivers connected in series and receiving the second input signal to produce a second output signal; a first transmission gate connecting an input of one of the drivers from the first set of drivers to an output of one of the drivers of the second set of inverters; and a second transmission gate connecting an input of one of the drivers from the second set of drivers to an output of one of the drivers of the first set of drivers. Each transmission gate may be provided with a control for enabling or disabling the transmission gate, thereby permitting the selective application of the de-skew function of the circuit and providing for reduced power consumption when the de-skew function is disabled.

Abstract: A method and device for reducing an amount of power consumed by a USB device (such as a host/hub/peripheral device which may include a receiver, phy, synchronizer, or other component associated with a data path) adapted to communicate using one or more USB signals each having a synchronization field. In this example, the method may include measuring a length of the synchronization field; associating a power down level for an idle mode based in part on the measuring operation; and disabling one or more portions of the receiver when the USB bus is inactive and/or when the USB device is transmitting data. In this manner, the one or more portions of the receiver are disabled (i.e., powered off or placed in a low power standby mode) during a times when the bus is idle or when transmitting, which can reduce the total amount of power consumed by the USB device.

Abstract: An input buffer circuit and associated method operable in a normal mode and a hot-plug mode. In one example, the input buffer has an input and a buffer output, and the input buffer may include a pull-up path coupled between a first circuit supply and the buffer output; a pull-down path coupled between the buffer output and a ground reference voltage; a first transistor coupled between the input and the pull-up path to activate the pull-up path; a second transistor coupled between the input and the pull-down path to activate the pull-down path; and a third transistor for protecting the pull-up path from over-voltage. The input buffer circuit may be configured to prevent an over-voltage condition on each of the plurality of transistors and the input buffer circuit may be configured to allow a hot-plug operation.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for controlling the amplitude of oscillation of a crystal. In one example, a circuit may include a peak detector; a first voltage-to-current converter; a first current-to-voltage converter coupled with the first voltage-to-current converter; a second voltage-to-current converter; a second current-to-voltage converter coupled with the second voltage-to-current converter; and a differential amplifier; wherein a ratio between a size of first voltage-to-current converter and a size of the second voltage-to-current converter is used to control the gain of the circuit.