Abstract: An image processor system for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes a histogram-based automatic gain control (AGC) circuit which first controls gain by adjusting said CCD system and then for yet a higher gain level makes gain adjustments in said CDSVGA circuit and a digital gain circuit to produce a combined target gain level. A processing system for an imager device includes a camera system for producing an imager signal, a correlated double sample (CDS) circuit for receiving data from an imager, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said CDS circuit, a digital gain circuit (DGC) coupled to said ADC, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupled to said DGC for controlling the CDS circuit and the DGC, as well as shutter timing for shutter gain.

Abstract: The computational load of using a sequencer system and the memory allocation requirements demanded for sequencer operation are reduced in operation with functional models that do not require the services of a sequencer. The computational overhead introduced by the sequencer is reduced, and memory resources for a sequencer are diminished. Functional models that do not require sequencing are created with the same framework as functional models that do require sequencing, while eliminating the sequencer's computational overhead for functional models that do not require sequencing, and allowing functional models that to not require sequencing to be created without allocating the memory required to support the sequencer. Further, both sequenced and un-sequenced functional models coexist in the same sequenced verification framework, permitting the un-sequenced functional models to avoid the computational and memory allocation overhead otherwise incurred by the sequencer.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) output stage has an operational amplifier, an integrating path, a direct or data path, and a differentiated path. The integrating path is coupled in parallel to the operational amplifier. Each of the ends of the integrating path is respectively coupled to an input and an output of the operational amplifier. The direct or data path samples data during a first time sampling phase and is coupled in parallel with the integrating path during a second time sampling phase. The differentiated path is coupled in series with a data input voltage to the input of the operational amplifier.

Abstract: An event sequencer for a functional mechanism contains a list of signatures and corresponding priority designations, and an event list containing event information from race condition events that are to be re-ordered. A method for sequencing race condition events, includes storing signatures for identifying predetermined events, storing priority designations corresponding to the signatures to enable identification of relative priorities between identified events, detecting at least first and second events and information about each event, storing only upon signature match the events and event information associated with each event, sorting the events, and sending the sorted events to a functional mechanism. Events are compared with stored signatures, and signature matches are determined. The arrival of events is detected, events are compared with stored signatures, and matches between events and signatures are established.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating a mismatch noise shaper into the main loop of a delta-sigma modulator are disclosed. The mismatch noise shaper output is fed back to the summer and is responsive to the mismatch noise shaper. At appropriate times, the mismatch noise shaper selectively overrides the quantizer so that the mismatch noise shaper changes output values of the mismatch noise shaper from values representative of a corresponding output value of the quantizer to other values representative of a different output value of the quantizer. The overriding feature distinguishes the present Invention from a DEM, as the output of a DEM is only a reordering of the same number of elements as its input. The mismatch noise shaper selectively overrides the quantizer when the quantizer output has prevented the mismatch noise shaper from controlling selection of elements at the mismatch noise shaper output for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A processing system for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes a multi-mode, multiple current level, correlated double sample and variable gain (CDS/VGA) circuit for receiving data from a CCD system, subject to horizontal and vertical timing signals for the system which are locally generated by the processing system itself. The processing system particularly includes programmable timing circuitry for controlling the detection of pixel intensity values from elements of a two-dimensional pixel array, with a programable low-frequency master vertical timing circuit driving a high-frequency horizontal timing circuit, wherein the vertical and horizontal timing signals are independently locally provided to the array from the analog processor actually sampling the array. The architecture of the processing system further includes a correlated double sampler, a black level clamp, and an A/D conversion module.

Abstract: A gain characteristic correctable dynamic range enhancement system (DRES) receives input signals from an imager device connected to a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit for receiving the video signal from the CCD imaging device. The dynamic range enhancement system includes a variable gain amplifier (VGA), and a limited bit-width analog-to-digital converter (ADC) which digitizes the analog signal received from the VGA. The output of the ADC is provided to an initial bit range position of a wider bit-width shifter connected to the output of the ADC. The DRES system correctably extends the dynamic range of the imager device, subject to offsets providing linearity corrections at predetermined trip points, subject to determined offset values, to ensure that there are no discontinuities in the system transfer function.

Abstract: Stereo recovery circuitry for a digital receiver is disclosed that provides increased accuracy and efficiency in recovering stereo signal information from transmitted stereo signals. The stereo decoder includes a digitally controlled oscillator that recovers a pilot tone signal from transmitted stereo signal information. By processing demodulated stereo signals on the digital side and digitally controlling the oscillator, the stereo decoder has increased efficiency and accuracy. In one embodiment, the oscillator may be a phase-locked-loop having a loop filter and an amplitude stabilized tunable resonator. Additional circuitry is disclosed for utilizing the pilot tone signal to recover left and right channel signal information from the demodulated stereo signals.

Abstract: Energy expenditure is reduced in a wireless subscriber station operating in a Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) system by deleting the operation of decoding the Forward Error Correction (FEC) blocks. The decoding of the FEC blocks can be deleted by virtue of using opening and closing Temporary Equipment Identifier (TEI) messages having a minimum hamming distance from all the other TEI messages. Base Error Rate (BER) is measured to determine when the necessity of decoding an FEC block exists. By limiting this operation, battery life for wireless subscriber stations is prolonged.

Abstract: A loop filter device and method for implementing a loop filter for a phase locked loop (“PLL”) circuit, which locks a frequency of a signal to a reference frequency, are disclosed. The loop filter includes a proportional path circuit and an integral path circuit. The proportional path circuit receives a charge pump output and determines and holds a charge to be directed to or taken from a PLL circuit throughout an update period based on a detected phase difference for the update period for locking a frequency of a signal for a PLL circuit to a reference frequency. The integral path circuit is coupled to the proportional path circuit, and the integral path circuit receives another charge pump output and tracks a total charge level for the PLL circuit based on phase differences for present and prior update periods.

Abstract: A processing system for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes a correlated double sample (CDS) circuit for receiving data from an imager, a variable gain amplifier (VGA) having amplifiers of selectable current level to enable reduced data resolution in a preview display, a low power mode analog-to-digital converter (ADC) having a selectable narrow bit-width output and coupled to said VGA circuit, and a gain circuit coupled to said ADC. The single chip low-power analog front end produces digitized CCD data in either 13-bit, 12-bit or 10-bit formats at a first current level and 9-bit, 8-bit, or 6-bit formats at a second current level. The VGA amplifier includes symmetrical subcircuits which are independently actuable to enable full or reduced data resolution levels respectively for still image capture operation and video previewing on a separate preview screen.

Abstract: Power available to an amplifier is controlled so that relatively high power is provided during one phase of operation, such as during an interval when slewing could normally occur and relatively low power is provided during another phase. Increased power is provided by switching in parallel current mirrors when power demands are expected to be high, whether or not high power is actually needed in particular interval. A control circuit provides switching of the current mirrors in a way which minimizes disruption of amplifier operation.

Abstract: Quadrature sampling architecture and method are disclosed for analog-to-digital converters that provide improved digital output signals over prior quadrature mixing implementations. Sampling circuitry according to the present invention samples an input signal with a first and second sampling signals to produce real and imaginary sampled output signals. The first sampling signal, which is associated with the real sampled output signal, is delayed by one-fourth cycle with respect to the second sampling signal, which is associated with the imaginary sampled output signal. This one-fourth cycle sampling signal difference allows for simplified construction of the sampling circuitry. In addition, filter circuitry according to the present invention processes the real and imaginary digital data output signals so that the imaginary digital data output signal is advanced by one-fourth cycle with respect to the real digital data output signal.

Abstract: A selectable threshold multimode gain control apparatus and method for a charge coupled device (CCD) or CMOS imaging system includes an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit which continuously controls gain in said CCD system to produce a mutually continuous combined target gain level. A processing system for an imager device includes a camera system for producing an imager signal, a correlated double sample (CDS) circuit for receiving data from an imager, a variable gain amplifier (VGA), an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to said CDS circuit, a digital gain circuit (DGC) coupled to said ADC, and an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit coupled to said DGC for controlling the CDS circuit and the DGC, as well as shutter timing for shutter gain.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a codec in an operational mode are disclosed. The codec is operated in a digital centric mode. The digital centric mode involves the following: An analog mixer of the codec first mixes analog signals, if any, to produce a mixed analog signal. An analog-to-digital converter converts the mixed analog signal into a converted digital signal. A digital mixer mixes the converted digital signal with digital signals that are otherwise generally unavailable as analog signals to the codec without additional conversions to produce a mixed digital signal. A digital-to-analog converter converts the mixed digital signal into a mixed analog signal. A digital processor may perform digital effects processing on the mixed digital signal to add digital effects to the mixed digital signal. The codec is still able to alternatively operate in an analog centric mode, a host processing mode, or a multi-channel mode.

Abstract: A method and system for powering down an analog-to-digital converter (“ADC”) into a sleep mode are disclosed. If the ADC receives a normal set of pulses for a serial clock signal of the ADC, a serial interface controller outputs converted data requested by a user through a serial interface. Also, if the ADC receives a sleep set of pulses for the serial clock signal, a state machine of the ADC powers down the ADC into a sleep mode in which at least parts of the ADC are operated at a reduced power consumption level. Furthermore, if the ADC is in the sleep mode and the ADC receives a wake-up set of pulses for the serial clock signal, the state machine powers back up the ADC from the sleep mode.

Abstract: A phase locked loop in an imaging system is used to generate signals on one of eight equal phase steps within a clock period. The phase locked loop outputs eight clock phases, or four clock phases and their complements, each running at the pixel rate, eliminating the need for higher speed circuitry. According to one embodiment, the phase locked loop employs an oscillator with three inverting stages and one non-inverting stage. The output of each stage is shifted in phase 45 degrees from the previous one, in terms of pixel clock rate. Differential stages are employed so that the delay of the inverting and non-inverting stage are the same. According to the present invention, the output of the last stage is swapped onto the input of the first stage, making it non-inverting without path delay, permitting oscillation with each stage's output remaining at 45 degrees of the previous stage's phase.

Abstract: Power available to an integrator circuit is controlled so that relatively high power is provided during one phase of operation, such as during an interval when slewing in a device is expected and relatively low power is provided during another phase. In one implementation, increased power is provided by switching in parallel current mirrors when power demands are expected to be high, whether or not high power is actually needed in a particular interval. The techniques are particularly useful when applied to clocked integrator circuits.

Abstract: A digital parallel multiplier has encoders for each segmented bit pair of the multiplier input data which select one of 4 coefficients, based on the sum of the bit pair, that are then applied to the multiplicand input data. The addition of the rows of the scaled multiplicand input data is performed with adders with two data inputs (plus carryin). These adders are cascaded such that normally invalid data ripples through the adder before the final result is achieved. By controlling the time power is applied to the adders most of the intermediate states are eliminated.

Abstract: A network arrangement uses a poll select control protocol and a loop back arrangement at each node for equalizing transmission delay from each node to a central station. Delays at each node can be adjusted to start timing in response to a broadcast signal indicating an amount of delay to be applied from the start of a synchronization interval to the beginning of transmission of data collected at the nodes. The arrangement is particularly useful in the field of data acquisition and particularly in the area of seismic sensing.