Abstract: Disclosed is a system and circuit for a multi-channel optoelectronic device driver. The system and circuit include a differential buffer amplifier, an output driver amplifier, a dedicated voltage regulator, a load compensation circuit, a wave shaping circuit and a laser fault detection circuit. In a multi-channel configuration, each channel has a dedicated voltage regulator such that each channel provides a channel-specific drive signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device package is disclosed which includes inter-digitated input and output bond wires configured to increase the negative mutual inductive coupling between the wires, thus reducing the overall parasitic inductance of the device. In one embodiment, the microelectronic component includes a semiconductor device coupled to a substrate, such as a lead frame, a first set of bond wires connected to the semiconductor device for providing current flow into the semiconductor device, and a second set of bond wires that are in a current loop with the first set of bond wires and are connected to the semiconductor device for providing current flow out of the semiconductor device, wherein the first and second set of bond wires are configured in an inter-digitated pattern to increase the magnitude of mutual inductive coupling between the first and second set of bond wires.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for providing operating power and transient suppression power to a microelectronic device are disclosed. The system includes a primary regulator to supply nominal operating power and to respond to relatively slow transient events and a transient suppression regulator to respond to fast transient power events. The system also includes a sense circuit to detect when a transient event occurs and to send a signal to the transient suppression regulator to supply or sink current to the load in response to a sensed transient power event.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power regulation system and method with high speed signal settling capabilities for providing rapid active transient response to a microelectronic device. An active transient response system includes a power supply configured to receive external and/or internal signals indicating the occurrence of transient load conditions and to respond to the transient load conditions based on one or more of these signals. The system may further include a transient suppressor configured for early detection of transients, assisting in transient suppression, and early signaling of transient activity to the power supply. The system provides rapid recovery to steady state operation from the active transient response mode by using a digital compensator to quickly modifying the duty cycle and provide a voltage offset proportional to the transient microprocessor load step. Recovery is further improved by current rephasing techniques.

Abstract: An optical coupler for forming an optical connection between one or more two dimensional photonic array devices and an optical fiber and for forming an electrical connection between the two dimensional photonic array devices and a substrate, a system including the optical coupler and materials, and methods of forming the optical coupler and system are disclosed. The optical coupler includes a light transmission medium and electrical connectors, which are at least partially encapsulated. In addition, the device includes alignment guides configured to receive guide pins from a fiber optic connector, such that when the fiber optic connector is attached to the optical coupler, fibers of the ribbon align with the two dimensional photonic array device(s) via the light transmission medium.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for routing signals in a microelectronic device are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of chip components, such as transient suppression regulators, that are configured to include a transmission path that is routed through the chip component for transmission of any signal, for example, a signal from a communication bus of the microelectronic device.

Abstract: The method and device according to the present invention provides a control system, method and apparatus for synchronizing a reference signal to high frequency data signals. Pulses are accumulated before reaching the integrator. Pulse accumulation is provided in a DLL clock and data recovery circuit. Pulses are accumulated using a ripple divider for rising transitions only. In another exemplary embodiment, pulses are accumulated using a ripple divider for both rising and falling transitions.

Abstract: Disclosed is current driver circuit comprising a bandgap reference circuit for generating a fixed current and a current proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT), a temperature compensator for combining the fixed and PTAT currents and forming first and second temperature compensated currents, a current control circuit for modifying said first and second temperature compensated currents in response to signals representing the characteristics of a load device and a driver circuit for amplifying and supplying a selected one of said first and second temperature compensated currents to said load device. Also disclosed is a method of supplying a precisely controlled current by generating a constant current and a current proportional to absolute temperature (PTAT), combining these two currents and providing temperature compensated currents, modifying the temperature compensated currents with a programmed reference signal and supplying a precisely controlled current to a load device.

Abstract: A transient suppression system is configured for providing power regulation to a microelectronic device. A pre-adjust stage is configured to pre-charge or pre-discharge a bypass capacitor as driven by a predictive transient event signal and in anticipation of a transient event.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a probe head that has reduced voltage droop and improved transient response. One embodiment a cable providing a plurality of signal conductors and a plurality of power conductors including a first power conductor and a second power conductor, a probe head wired to the cable, a plurality of electrical contacts including a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, wherein each one of the plurality of electrical contacts is fixed to the probe head and wherein the first power conductor is connected to the first electrical contact, and a first regulatory device physically residing in the probe head and wired between the second power conductor and the first electrical contact. In some embodiments, the first regulatory device includes an active transient control device that senses an output voltage and sources or sinks an appropriate supplemental amount of current to improve transient response.

Abstract: A device for transmitting clock signals to a microprocessor is disclosed. The device is configured to receive a clock signal and distribute the signal synchronically to multiple output sites on the device. The synchronized clock signals are transmitted from the various device sites to multiple sites on the microprocessor.

Abstract: A device for forming an optical connection between an optoelectronic device and an optical fiber, forming an electrical connection between the optoelectronic device and an integrated circuit, and a forming an electrical connection between the microelectronic device and a substrate, a system including the device, and a method of forming the device and system are disclosed. The device for forming an optical connection includes a light transmission medium and electrical connectors, which are at least partially encapsulated. In addition, the device includes guide grooves configured to receive guide pins from a fiber ribbon connector portion of a fiber ribbon cable assembly, such that when the fiber ribbon connector is attached to the device, the transmission medium provides an optical path between the optoelectronic device and the fiber.

Abstract: A method for converting power includes charging an inductor by coupling the inductor to a voltage source for a predetermined amount of time. Thereafter, the inductor is discharged by coupling the inductor to a ground until the current flowing through the inductor equals zero. A method for detecting a zero current flowing through the inductor includes coupling the inductor to a transistor and comparing the output of that transistor to a transistor coupled to ground.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for providing operating power and transient suppression power to a microelectronic device are disclosed. The system includes a primary regulator to supply nominal operating power and to respond to relatively slow transient events and a transient suppression regulator to respond to fast transient power events. The system also includes a sense circuit to detect when a transient event occurs and to send a signal to the transient suppression regulator to supply or sink current to the load in response to a sensed transient power event.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and circuit for a multi-channel optoelectronic device driver. The system and circuit include a differential buffer amplifier, an output driver amplifier, a dedicated voltage regulator, a load compensation circuit, a wave shaping circuit and a laser fault detection circuit. In a multi-channel configuration, each channel has a dedicated voltage regulator such that each channel provides a channel-specific drive signal.

Abstract: A dual loop regulator is configured for improved regulation of a supply voltage for a dynamic load based on the magnitude of changes in the load voltage. An exemplary dual loop regulator comprises a primary voltage regulator configured within a linear loop and a secondary voltage regulator configured within a wideband, non-linear loop. The primary voltage regulator is configured for providing a well-controlled, regulated output voltage to the dynamic load, and for addressing small changes in the output voltage. The secondary voltage regulator is configured for sensing undervoltage and overvoltage conditions at the dynamic load, and for addressing changes greater than a predetermined threshold voltage. To facilitate loop stability, secondary voltage regulator can be configured within the wideband, non-linear loop to have a small gain for small changes, a larger gain for large changes, and/or a substantially finite storage capability such that any large signal oscillations will not be sustained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a four stage transimpedance amplifier having a grounded base transistor preamplifier input stage, a common emitter voltage amplifier stage, and an amplifier stage having a common collector transistor, an output buffer stage, and a bias circuit coupled to the preamplifier stage to prevent the grounded base transistor from going into saturation.

Abstract: Currents flowing in the various channels within a voltage regulator module (VRM) are suitably converted to digital equivalents that can be processed to control each module in a modular power supply. Functions that may be digitally implemented include current balancing between channels, current sharing between various modules in a power supply, and/or the like. By monitoring the current provided on each channel within a module, for example, a controller can determine an average current for the channels, which in turn can be used to identify and compensate for over- or under-production in any particular channel. Active voltage positioning techniques and overload protection may also be implemented using digital techniques.

Abstract: A method and circuit for pre-emphasis equalization of a high speed data communication system can be provided through the use of programmable pulse shaping. A data communication system configured with the pre-emphasis equalization circuit operates by receiving an input data stream and outputting a data stream for transmission through an interconnect or other transmission channel. The data can be passed through an output buffer configured with programmable pre-emphasis equalization, having input inverters at an input stage and output inverters at an output stage. During operation, once an input signal to the input stage transitions, for example from a low to a high state, an input signal to the output stage is configured to a full amplitude to drive the transmission channel. Once the output stage transitions to a full amplitude, the input of the output stage is configured closer to a mid-scale amplitude.

Abstract: A system is provided for supplying current to a dynamic load subject to transient current requirements. A sense unit coupled to the dynamic load is configured to sense the rate of change of supply current required by the dynamic load during a transient event. A current source coupled to the sense unit is configured to supply a current pulse to the dynamic load in response to the sense unit determining that the rate of change of supply current (di/dt) exceeds a predetermined threshold. The current pulse preferably has a shape characterized by a first region and a second region subsequent to the second region, wherein the first region includes a first boost current which exceeds the transient current requirement, and wherein the second region includes a second boost current which is less than the transient current requirement. More generally, a wideband transient suppression system is provided for controlling a wide spectrum of transients.