Patents Assigned to Broadcom
  • Patent number: 6737898
    Abstract: A static latch can be converted to a dynamic latch by closing a pair of switches. When the switches are open, a first pair of back-to-back transistors serves as the static latch. When the switches are closed, a second pair of back-to-back transistors is connected to the first pair so the two pairs acting together serve as a dynamic latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Morteza Cyrus Afghahi
  • Patent number: 6738601
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention described and shown in the specification and drawings is a transceiver with a receiver, a transmitter, a local oscillator (LO) generator, a controller, and a self-testing unit. All of these components can be packaged for integration into a single IC including components such as filters and inductors. The controller for adaptive programming and calibration of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. The self-testing unit generates is used to determine the gain, frequency characteristics, selectivity, noise floor, and distortion behavior of the receiver, transmitter and LO generator. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran, Shahla Khorram
  • Patent number: 6738072
    Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, and graphics input. The chip includes a single polyphase filter that preferably provides both anti-flutter filtering and scaling of graphics. Anti-flutter filtering may help reduce display flicker due to the interlaced nature of television displays. The scaling of graphics may be used to convert the normally square pixel aspect ratio of graphics to the normally rectangular pixel aspect ratio of video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. MacInnis, Chengfuh Jeffrey Tang, Xiaodong Xie, James T. Patterson, Greg A. Kranawetter
  • Patent number: 6738000
    Abstract: A current source DAC has calibration of the current sources used for providing the analog output. There are two outputs, one of which provides the output current or else a differential output is provided. The calibration is cyclic and the current source outputs switched to the output terminals are selected as a function of the point within the calibration cycle. The current stage of the cyclic calibration process is thus taken into account in the D/A conversion. For example, the average time since calibration for all current sources having outputs switched to the first output may be approximately equal to the average time since calibration for all current sources having outputs switched to the second output. In this way, the average current of the cells switched to one terminal is identical to the average current of the cells switched to the other terminal, and the average current of the cells switched to each terminal remains constant in time irrespective of the digital signal value being converted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Jean Boxho
  • Patent number: 6738419
    Abstract: A method for dynamically regulating the power consumption of a high-speed integrated circuit which includes a multiplicity of processing blocks. A first metric and a second metric, which are respectively related to a first performance parameter and a second performance parameter of the integrated circuit, are defined. The first metric is set at a pre-defined value. Selected blocks of the multiplicity of processing blocks are disabled in accordance with a set of pre-determined patterns. The second metric is evaluated, while the disabling operation is being performed, to generate a range of values of the second metric. Each of the values corresponds to the pre-defined value of the first metric. A most desirable value of the second metric is determined from the range of values and is matched to a corresponding pre-determined pattern. The integrated circuit is subsequently operated with selected processing blocks disabled in accordance with the matching pre-determined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar E. Agazzi, John L. Creigh, Mehdi Hatamian, Henry Samueli
  • Patent number: 6737859
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and a system for controlling a voltage at a node in a circuit such that the node is prevented from having an unknown floating voltage during a steady state of a clock signal. The circuit includes a transmission gate which has input and output terminals, and operates in response to a clock signal. The node is located proximal to the output terminal of the transmission gate. The method includes the operations of driving the node with an input signal when the transmission gate is open during a first steady state of the clock signal and pulling the node to a fixed voltage when the transmission gate is closed during a second steady state of the clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Mehdi Hatamian
  • Publication number: 20040090352
    Abstract: A communications system, having a combination Reed-Solomon encoder and a Turbo-Code encoder Data frame configuration which may be changed to accommodate embedded submarkers of known value are embedded in with the data order to aid synchronization in the receiver system, by providing strings of known symbols. The string of known symbols may be the same as the symbols within a training header that appears at the beginning of a data frame. Frame parameters may be tailored to individual users and may be controlled by information pertaining to receivers, such as bit error rate, of the receiver. Additional headers may be interspersed within the data in order to assist in receiver synchronization. Frames of data may be acquired quickly by a receiver by having a string of symbols representing the phase offset between successive header symbols in the header training sequence in order to determine the carrier offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven T. Jaffe, Kelly B. Cameron
  • Publication number: 20040090976
    Abstract: A shared buffer packet switching device is provided for receiving data packets via associated ones of a plurality of receive ports, and for transmitting data packets via associated selected ones of a plurality of transmit port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Chuen-Shen Bernard Shung
  • Publication number: 20040091064
    Abstract: Circuits and methods for simplifying clock and data recovery circuits by including a data regeneration circuit as part of a phase detector circuit. Delay elements are added such that the timing of the data recovery is optimized or improved with little or no effect on the clock recovery operation. This allows die area and power supply savings, while retaining the ability to adjust data recovery timing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Cao, Afshin Momtaz
  • Publication number: 20040090971
    Abstract: A system, method and computer program product is provided that allows an end user to monitor and/or control various data streams appearing on one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) interfaces of a residential gateway, even where the data streams are of different types such as voice, video or computer data. The invention provides a user interface, implemented as part of a CPE device or as a stand-alone device, that is accessed by an end user to transmit commands to a residential gateway. A processor within the residential gateway executes gateway monitoring and control software that receives the commands and, in response, performs the necessary routing and conversion of data streams to execute the desired monitoring and/or control functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Charles E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20040090255
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling delay relatively independent of process, supply-voltage, and/or temperature (“PVT”) variations include sensing an output signal after a number of inverters and activating different numbers of transistors and/or adjusting strength of transistors in a delay path to compensate for PVT variations. In an embodiment, a waveform is received, delayed, and output to an output terminal using at least one relatively low-power device. Supplemental output power is provided by at least one relatively high-power device until the output waveform exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Janardhanan S. Ajit
  • Publication number: 20040090241
    Abstract: A line driver selectively drives one of two transmission lines. The line driver includes a differential amplifier connected to first and second differential switches. The first differential switch is connected between an output of the differential amplifier and a first of two transmission lines. The second differential switch is connected to the output of the differential amplifier and to the second of two transmission lines. The first and second differential switches are controlled by respective first and second control signals. The output of the differential amplifier is connected to either the first or the second transmission line in response to the first and second control signals. The differential switches include loopback protection to an prevent an incoming signal from passing from one transmission line to another during power down mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin T. Chan
  • Patent number: 6735302
    Abstract: A CODEC and a SLIC assembly perform current-sensing-voltage synthesis impedance matching and DC feed control functions. Signal processing that does not require high voltage, such as impedance matching and DC feed control, is performed in the digital domain by the CODEC while the SLIC assembly includes high voltage circuitry. This configuration is useful for Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) applications with a short subscriber line loop or other long loop applications. The SLIC includes high voltage operational amplifiers (op amps) to drive ring and tip signals. Bipolar transistors are also provided as bias compensating diodes for bias point stabilization over dynamic operating conditions such as temperature. The high voltage op amps include a composite MOSFET-bipolar complimentary symmetry driver stage that offers the bias control and stability of a bipolar device topology and drive capabilities of a power MOSFET device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Steven L. Caine, Todd L. Brooks
  • Patent number: 6735135
    Abstract: The method and system of the present invention superimposes read and write operations by connecting the global bit lines that are not selected to the Vdd. The respective local sense amplifiers for the non-selected global bit lines just read and refresh the respective memory cells resulting smaller local sense amplifiers and one global sense amplifiers for several memory cells (and local sense amplifiers). In one embodiment, eight global bit lines are shared by one global sense amplifier and are multiplexed. Only one global bit line pair generates voltage development as an input to a respective local sense amplifier during a write operation, while the other three global line pairs are disconnected from their respective local sense amplifiers and thus have no voltage development. Thus, respective activated sense amplifiers amplify only the cell data which reassembles a read and refresh operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Sami Issa
  • Patent number: 6735679
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing access to memory, wherein the method includes the steps of receiving a first request for access to a memory, receiving at least two additional requests for access to the memory, and determining a first clock overhead associated with the first request for access to the memory. The method further includes the steps of determining an additional clock overhead associated with each of the at least two additional requests for access to the memory in conjunction with the first request, determining a combination of requests that can be processed together using an optimized overhead, and processing the combination of requests as a single request with the optimal overhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Herbst, Allan Flippin
  • Publication number: 20040085821
    Abstract: A process of repairing defects in linked list memories is disclosed. One of the linked list memories is selected as a defect marking memory and faults in rows of the defect marking memory are detected. Row addresses having at least one fault in defect address registers are stored; when at least one fault in the rows of the defect marking memory is detected. Faults in rows of other linked list memories are detected, where the other linked list memories are the linked list memories other than the defect marking memory and a marking code is stored for each row address of the other linked list memories in the defect marking memory, where a particular marking code indicates whether a particular row address has at least one fault. The defect address registers and the defect marking memory are searched when addresses of the linked list memories are linked and row addresses indicated as having at least one fault are skipped in the linking process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Hyung Won Kim, Chuen-Shen Shung
  • Publication number: 20040088443
    Abstract: A multi-port SERDES transceiver includes multiple parallel and serial ports, and the flexibility to connect any one of the parallel or serial ports to another parallel or serial port. The ports include programmable pads that are capable of supporting multiple different data protocols, timing protocols, electrical specifications, and input-output functions. A management data IO pad also enables the transceiver to support different electrical requirements and data protocols at the same time. The substrate layout of the transceiver is configured so that the parallel ports and the serial ports are on the outer perimeter. A logic core is at the center, where the logic core operates the serial and parallel data ports, and the bus that connects the data ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the data ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Hoang T. Tran, Howard A. Baumer
  • Publication number: 20040088611
    Abstract: A technique for determining a symbol erasure threshold for a received communication signal containing symbol information is disclosed. The technique begins by performing a first threshold calculation to produce an initial symbol erasure threshold, then performing a first margin calculation to produce an initial symbol erasure margin and then modifying the initial symbol erasure threshold using the initial symbol erasure margin to produce a modified symbol erasure threshold. By then periodically modifying the modified symbol erasure threshold adaptive via updating the symbol erasure threshold and/or symbol erasure margin based on various error quantities, the technique can compensate for time-variant considerations, such as drifting noise levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Miguel Peeters, Geert Arnout Albert Goris
  • Publication number: 20040085235
    Abstract: An analog to digital converter includes a reference ladder, a track-and-hold amplifier tracking an input signal with its output signal during the phase &phgr;1 and holding a sampled value during, a coarse analog to digital converter having a plurality of coarse amplifiers each inputting a corresponding tap from the reference ladder and the output signal, a fine analog-to-digital converter having a plurality of fine amplifiers inputting corresponding taps from the reference ladder and the output signal, the taps selected based on outputs of the coarse amplifiers, a clock having phases &phgr;1 and &phgr;2, a circuit responsive to the clock that receives the output signal, the circuit substantially passing the output signal and the corresponding taps to the fine amplifiers during the phase &phgr;2 and substantially rejecting the output signal and the corresponding taps during the phase &phgr;1, and an encoder converting outputs of the coarse and fine amplifiers to an N-bit digital signal representing the input s
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Jan Mulder
  • Publication number: 20040088444
    Abstract: A multi-port Serdes transceiver includes multiple parallel ports and serial ports, and includes the flexibility to connect any one of the parallel ports to another parallel port or to a serial port, or both. Furthermore, the multi-port transceiver chip can connect any one of serial ports to another serial port or to one of the parallel ports. The substrate layout of the multi-port Serdes transceiver chip is configured so that the parallel ports and the serial ports are on the outer perimeter of the substrate. A logic core is at the center of the substrate, where the logic core operates the serial and parallel data ports, and the bus that connects the data ports. The bus can be described as a “ring” structure (or donut “structure”) around the logic core, and is configured between the logic core and the data ports. The ring structure of the bus provides efficient communication between the logic core and the various data ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Howard A. Baumer