Patents Assigned to Microchip Technology Incorporated
  • Printed circuit board comprising an electrode configuration of a capacitive sensor
    Patent number: 9702902
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (P) has an evaluation device (E) and an electrode configuration of a capacitive sensor, wherein the electrode configuration has at least two electrodes, one arranged above the other and spaced apart from each other, which each are formed by portions of at least one electrically conductive layer of the printed circuit board (P), and wherein at least one electrode of the electrode configuration is coupled with the evaluation device (E) via a conductor path of the printed circuit board (P). Furthermore, an electric handheld device may have at least one such printed circuit board (P).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Stefan Burger
  • BLDC adaptive zero crossing detection
    Patent number: 9692331
    Abstract: BLDC adaptive zero crossing detection compares BEMF voltages from a floating phase of a BLDC motor to a reference voltage, measures a rising time interval during a rising BEMF period when the BEMF voltages are greater than the reference voltage, and a falling time interval during a falling BEMF period when the BEMF voltages are less than the reference voltage. The reference voltage is adjusted so that the rising and falling time intervals are substantially the same, thereby causing the drive voltage to be in phase with the motor self-generated voltage, thus ensuring maximum efficiency of the BLDC motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGIES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Ward R. Brown
  • ULTRASOUND T/R ISOLTATION DISOLATOR WITH FAST RECOVERY TIME ON SOI
    Publication number: 20170179226
    Abstract: A semiconductor disolator device is provided. The device may include a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate, a body layer disposed on the SOI substrate, a first p-type well disposed on the body layer, a first n-type well disposed on the first p-type well to form a first p-n junction, and a second p-type well that is spaced a predetermined distance from at least one of the first p-type well and first n-type well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Hua Yang
  • Method and Apparatus for Tuning USB Power Delivery Signals
    Publication number: 20170177523
    Abstract: A USB interface to provide power delivery negotiated through a dedicated transmission channel includes a transmitter circuit including a digital-to-analog converter having an output coupled with an input of a transmission filter, a receiver circuit including an analog-to-digital converter having an input coupled with an output of a receiving filter, and a switching circuit configured in an operating mode of the USB interface to connect an output of the transmission filter and an input of the receiving filter to a connection node of the dedicated transmission channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Christian Rotchford, John Sisto
  • System And Method For Reducing Noise In A Sensor System
    Publication number: 20170176225
    Abstract: A sensor system has an acquisition unit comprising an analog to digital converter generating a series of digital sensor signals, a first evaluation unit receiving the series of digital sensor signals for evaluation, wherein the first evaluation unit generates output signals that correspond to a sensor event, and a second evaluation unit independent from said first evaluation unit receiving the series of digital sensor signals. At least a first and second series of digital sensor signals is processed by the second evaluation unit to generate a control signal that is configured to select a sampling frequency controlling the analog-to-digital converter, wherein the first and second series of digital sensor signals are sampled at different sampling frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Ruben Fontes, Lionel Portmann
  • Compact electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure
    Patent number: 9685432
    Abstract: A multi-gate Schottky depletion-mode field effect transistor (FET), at least one diode and two resistors comprise a compact electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection structure. This ESD protection structure can be laid out in a smaller area than typical multiple diode ESD devices. The multi-gate FET may comprise various types of high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) devices, e.g., (pseudomorphic) pHEMT, (metamorphic) mHEMT, induced HEMT. The multiple gates of the Schottky field effect device are used to form an ESD trigger and charge draining paths for protection of circuits following the ESD protection device. Both single and dual polarity ESD protection devices may be provided on an integrated circuit die for protection of input-output circuits thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Pei-Ming Daniel Chow, Jing Zhu, Yon-Lin Kok, Steven Schell
  • Voltage Measurement Circuit
    Publication number: 20170168096
    Abstract: A method for measuring a voltage using a capacitive voltage divider (CVD) and an analog-to-digital converter includes the steps of measuring a bandgap or reference voltage and determining a first code value of the bandgap or reference voltage, charging a first capacitor to a voltage to be measured and determining a second code value of voltage of the first capacitor, charging a second capacitor to a second known voltage and determining a third code value of voltage of the second capacitor, and determining the voltage to be measured by applying the first, second, and third code values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Ajay Kumar
  • SPI Interface With Slave-Select Fault Detection And Status Signal
    Publication number: 20170168981
    Abstract: A serial peripheral interface (SPI) module includes a transceiver including a clock line, a data line and at least one slave select line. The module also includes an interface circuit configured to monitor the slave select line and assert a fault based upon an incorrect de-assertion of the slave select line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Kilzer, Shyamsunder Ramanathan, Sai Karthik Rajaraman, Justin Milks
  • Method Of Forming A Polysilicon Sidewall Oxide Region In A Memory Cell
    Publication number: 20170170303
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating a memory cell of a semiconductor device, e.g., an EEPROM cell, having a sidewall oxide are disclosed. A memory cell structure may be formed including a floating gate and an ONO film over the conductive layer. A sidewall oxide may be formed on a side surface of the floating gate by a process including depositing a thin high temperature oxide (HTO) film on the side surface of the conductive layer, and performing a rapid thermal oxidation (RTO) anneal. The thin HTO film may be deposited before or after performing the RTO anneal. The sidewall oxide formation process may provide an improved memory cell as compared with known prior art techniques, e.g., in terms of endurance and data retention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack Wong, Sajid Kabeer, Mel Hymas, Santosh Murali, Brad Kopp
  • SPI Interface With Automatic Slave Select Generation
    Publication number: 20170168980
    Abstract: A serial peripheral interface (SPI) module, comprising a transceiver, the transceiver including a clock line, a data line and at least one slave select line. The SPI also comprises an interface circuit configured to operate in an automatic slave select mode, wherein the interface circuit is configured to automatically assert the slave select line at least one clock before a first clock edge is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Kilzer, Shyamsunder Ramanathan, Sai Karthik Rajaraman, Justin Milks
  • Manufacturing a damascene thin-film resistor
    Patent number: 9679844
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for manufacturing a thin film resistor after completing a copper chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process on a copper process module may include: depositing a dielectric barrier layer across at least two structures; depositing a second dielectric layer atop the dielectric barrier as a hard mask; patterning a trench using photo lithography; etching the trench through the hard mask and stopping in or on the dielectric barrier; removing any remaining photoresist from the photo lithography process; etching the trench through the dielectric barrier thereby exposing a copper surface for each of the at least two copper structures; and depositing thin-film resistor material into the trench and bridging across the resulting at least two exposed copper surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Yaojian Leng, Justin Hiroki Sato
  • Capacitor Formed On Heavily Doped Substrate
    Publication number: 20170162648
    Abstract: The teachings of the present disclosure may be applied to the manufacture and design of capacitors. In some embodiments of these teachings, a capacitor may be formed on a heavily doped substrate. For example, a method for manufacturing a capacitor may include: depositing an oxide layer on a first side of a heavily doped substrate; depositing a first metal layer on the oxide layer; and depositing a second metal layer on a second side of the heavily doped substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Greg Dix, Randy Yach, Francesco Mazzilli
  • Reticle Rack System
    Publication number: 20170158429
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor manufacturing, in particular to reticle rack systems. The teachings of the present disclosure may be embodied in a reticle rack unit including a frame with four uprights and multiple crossbars and four turnstiles. The frame may have a longest dimension defining a front side and a back side. The four turnstiles may be mounted to the frame to pivot around a respective rotational axis parallel to the four uprights. Each turnstile may define a plurality of reticle nests sized to hold reticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean Kudel, Andy Escandon, Spencer Read, Gilbert Hernandez, Ryan Irish, Joanne Valestin
  • Stepper Trajectory Driver
    Publication number: 20170163190
    Abstract: A stepper control circuit includes numerical controlled oscillators configured to provide step signals for multiple axes of stepper motor movement. The numerical controlled oscillators are configured to be operated at a same frequency provided by a synchronized clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Keith Curtis
  • Memory cell retention enhancement through erase state modification
    Patent number: 9672909
    Abstract: A method of controlling a resistive memory cell is provided. A resistance threshold value is defined for the memory cell, wherein a circuit identifies the cell as erased if a detected resistance of the cell is above the resistance threshold and identifies the cell as programmed if the detected resistance is below the resistance threshold value. A filament is formed across an electrolyte switching region of the cell by applying an electrical charge, wherein the cell having the formed filament has a first resistance. The cell is then erased to an erased state having a second resistance greater than the first resistance. The cell is then programmed to a quasi-erased state having a third resistance between the first and second resistances, and above the resistance threshold value such that the cell is identified by the circuit as erased. The cell may then be maintained in the quasi-erased state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jim Walls, Santosh Murali
  • Wireless door lock power transfer system having communications capabilities
    Patent number: 9673868
    Abstract: A door frame has a first electromagnetic coil and a door lock has a second electromagnetic coil with a door bolt electromagnetically coupling together the first and second electromagnetic coils, thereby forming a transformer. Power is transferred from the door frame to door lock through the transformer. Communications from the door frame to the door lock may be provided by modulating electromagnetic energy to the first electromagnetic coil and demodulating the modulated electromagnetic energy received at the second electromagnetic coil. Communications from the door lock to the door frame may be provided by varying a load on the second electromagnetic coil and detecting the load change at the first electromagnetic coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Keith Curtis
  • Compensation of a target object coupling to feeding lines in capacitive sensing system
    Patent number: 9671920
    Abstract: An input device has one or more electrodes configured for capacitive sensing, an electronic circuit, one or more conductive feed line(s) connecting the one or more electrode(s) with the electronic circuit, wherein the device is configured to increase or decrease a signal received from at least one of the electrodes through an associated feed line in function of at least one other signal from another electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Lionel Portmann, Axel Heim, Andreas Dorfner, Claus Kaltner
  • Gain control method, module, and wireless signal receiver using the same
    Patent number: 9667212
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a method illustrates a gain control method executed in a wireless signal receiver. The gain control method has the following steps. A wideband channel is continuously monitored to check whether an interference signal exists in a wireless signal. When the interference signal exists in the wireless signal, an interference received signal strength indicator is obtained. A front end gain of the wireless signal receiver is controlled according to the interference received signal strength indicator. When the interference signal exists in the wireless signal, the wireless signal receiver is prohibited from using a maximum front end gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Peng-Sen Chen
  • Continuous circle gesture detection for a sensor system
    Patent number: 9665204
    Abstract: A method for detecting a continuous circle gesture, has the following steps: receiving vectors representative of an object movement by a object detection unit; determining from the received sequence velocity vectors a sequence of velocity vectors or an approximation thereof; estimating an angle between subsequent velocity vectors; and determining a rotation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Axel Heim
  • Gesture based access control method and system
    Patent number: 9665725
    Abstract: Gesturing is used to enter a unique combination of hand positions and/or movements for accessing a secured device having a security entry system requiring that a correct code be entered before allowing access thereto. An authorized user places his/her hand(s) over a gesture sensing structure and executes a series of movement/gestures to unlock and gain access to the secured device. The gesture sensing structure may be placed inside of a visual shield so that visually intercepting the coded positions/movements may be prevented. Left and right gestures may be used to allow using traditional tumbler lock combinations to unlock and gain access to the secured device. A combination of gestures may be used to create a plurality of security combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Keith E. Curtis