Patents Assigned to R2 Semiconductor
  • Patent number: 9991782
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Eric Bernard Rodal, Jonathan Audy, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20170310205
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Eric Bernard Rodal, Jonathan Audy, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 9716433
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Eric Bernard Rodal, Jonathan Audy, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20160211750
    Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatuses for voltage regulation are disclosed. For an embodiment, a voltage regulator includes a power source block configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage to supply current to an output load, a storage capacitor, and an active filter configured to transfer energy between the output load and the storage capacitor. A conversion ratio of the active filter is controlled by a parameter related to the output voltage, and a conversion ratio of the power source block is at least partially controlled by a parameter related to the voltage on the storage capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Paul Coleman, Eric Bernard Rodal, Jonathan Audy, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 9069365
    Abstract: Embodiments for methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One embodiment of the voltage regulator generates a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element. The voltage regulator further includes a switched output filter that includes a plurality of capacitors for filtering the switching voltage and generating an output voltage. A mode controller is operative to disconnect at least one of the plurality of capacitors upon receiving a first indicator, where disconnecting causes the at least one of the plurality of capacitors to electrically float, wherein while the at least one capacitor is disconnected the output voltage is changed from a first value to a second value, return the output voltage to a first value or a third value upon receiving a second indicator, and reconnect the at least one of the plurality of capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James E.C. Brown, Daniel Dobkin, Pablo Moreno Galbis, Cory Severson, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 9035625
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of generating a regulated voltage are disclosed. One method includes generating the regulated voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and shunt switch element. This method includes closing the series switch element during a first period, the series switch element comprising a plurality of series switch elements segments. The method includes applying a switching gate voltage to gates of series switching transistors of a subset of the plurality of series switch elements segments of the series switch element, wherein only the series switching transistors of the subset of the plurality of series switch elements segments of the series switch element turn on, while series protection transistor of more than the subset of the plurality of series switch elements segments of the series switch element turn on. The shunt switch element during is closed during a second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burns, James E. C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8994347
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating, by a switching controller, a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, and generating an output voltage by filtering the switching voltage with an output inductor and a load capacitor. The method further includes generating an assisting current based on a value of current conducted through the output inductor, and assisting the load current by summing the assisting current with the current conducted through the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Moreno Galbis, James E. C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8975887
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a PWM controller, and a mode controller. The PWM controller includes an error amplifier and a switching controller. The error amplifier generates an error signal based on a difference between a reference voltage and an output voltage. Further, the switching controller is operative to generate switch element control voltages based on the error signal, for controlling opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element, wherein the opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element generates a switching voltage. The mode controller is operative adjust a gain of the error amplifier over a selected range of frequencies based on a parameter indicative of a likelihood of oscillations in the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Moreno Galbis, James E. C. Brown, Cory Severson
  • Patent number: 8917067
    Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for assisting an output current of a voltage converter, are disclosed. One method includes detecting a request for a positive change in an output voltage of the voltage converter, selecting an output current assist value based on the requested positive change in the output voltage, for a predetermined load, and assisting the output current with the selected output assist current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Moreno Galbis, James E. C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8843180
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus includes a switching voltage regulator, wherein the switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a switching controller and a switched output filter. The switching controller is configured to generate a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of the series switch element and the shunt switch element. The switched output filter filters the switching voltage and generates a regulated output voltage, wherein the switched output filter includes a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switched output filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. C. Brown, Daniel Dobkin, Pablo Moreno Galbis, Cory Severson, Lawrence M. Burns
  • Publication number: 20140253065
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus of the voltage regulator includes a series switch element, wherein the series switch element comprises a plurality of partitioned series switch elements, a shunt switch element, and a switching controller. The switching controller is operative to control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in an idle state, wherein none of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in a burst state, wherein N of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, and control the series switch element and the shunt switch element in a transition state, wherein M of the plurality of partitioned series switch elements are active, and wherein M is less than N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: James E. C. Brown, Pablo Moreno Galbis, John O'Boyle, III
  • Patent number: 8773200
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a voltage supply are disclosed. One voltage supply apparatus includes a voltage supply, a plurality of power amplifier (PA) decoupling circuits, and a plurality of power amplifiers. Each PA decoupling circuit is connected to the voltage supply and provides a filtered voltage supply to a corresponding one of the plurality power amplifiers. Each PA decoupling circuit configured to suppress noise of the provided filtered voltage supply below a threshold at one or more selected frequencies, wherein the suppression is provided by the PA decoupling circuit operating in conjunction with at least one other of the plurality of PA decoupling circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Cory Severson, Ravi Ramachandran, David Fisher
  • Patent number: 8725218
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating, by a switching controller, a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element. Further, the method includes generating, by a switchable output filter, a regulated output voltage by filtering the switching voltage, wherein the switchable output filter comprises a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switchable output filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. C. Brown, Daniel Dobkin, Pablo Moreno Galbis, Cory Severson, Lawrence M. Burns
  • Patent number: 8648583
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus for controlling timing of switch control signals of a switching voltage regulator disclosed. One method includes generating a regulated output voltage based upon a switching voltage, generating the switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, and controlling, by a delay block, the closing and opening of the series switch element and a shunt switch element. The delay block control includes receiving, by the delay block, a timing signal, generating a one of a series switch control signal and a shunt switch control signal by controllably delaying the timing signal with a first delay, and generating one other of the series switch control signal and the shunt switch control signal by inverting, and controllably delaying the timing signal with a second delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. C. Brown, Bret Rothenberg
  • Patent number: 8634171
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of generating a regulated voltage are disclosed. One apparatus includes a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes regulator circuitry for generating a regulated voltage from a first power supply and a second power supply, and voltage spike protection circuitry for voltage-spike-protecting the regulator circuitry. The voltage spike protection circuitry includes a charge-storage circuit, and at least one switching element, wherein the at least one switching element comprises a plurality of switching block segments. The charge-storage circuit includes charge-storage circuit segments, and each charge-storage circuit segment is physically closer to at least one of the plurality of switching block segments the charge-storage circuit segment protects, than any other switching block segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burns, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20140009130
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, methods and apparatuses of a switching voltage regulator are disclosed. One switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a PWM controller, and a mode controller. The PWM controller includes an error amplifier and a switching controller. The error amplifier generates an error signal based on a difference between a reference voltage and an output voltage. Further, the switching controller is operative to generate switch element control voltages based on the error signal, for controlling opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element, wherein the opening and closing of the series switch element and the shunt switch element generates a switching voltage. The mode controller is operative adjust a gain of the error amplifier over a selected range of frequencies based on a parameter indicative of a likelihood of oscillations in the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Pablo Moreno Galbis, James E. C. Brown, Cory Severson
  • Publication number: 20140009226
    Abstract: Embodiments for at least one method and apparatus of a voltage supply are disclosed. One voltage supply apparatus includes a voltage supply, a plurality of power amplifier (PA) decoupling circuits, and a plurality of power amplifiers. Each PA decoupling circuit is connected to the voltage supply and provides a filtered voltage supply to a corresponding one of the plurality power amplifiers. Each PA decoupling circuit configured to suppress noise of the provided filtered voltage supply below a threshold at one or more selected frequencies, wherein the suppression is provided by the PA decoupling circuit operating in conjunction with at least one other of the plurality of PA decoupling circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Cory Severson, Ravi Ramachandran, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20130321076
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One method includes generating, by a switching controller, a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of a series switch element and a shunt switch element, and generating an output voltage by filtering the switching voltage with an output inductor and a load capacitor. The method further includes generating an assisting current based on a value of current conducted through the output inductor, and assisting the load current by summing the assisting current with the current conducted through the inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: Pablo Moreno Galbis, James E.C. Brown
  • Patent number: 8593128
    Abstract: Another embodiment includes a voltage regulator. The voltage regulator includes a series switch element connected between a first voltage supply and a common node, the series switch element comprising an NMOS series switching transistor, a shunt switch element connected between the common node and a second voltage supply, the shunt switch element comprising an NMOS shunt switching transistor. The voltage regulator further includes means for closing the series switch element during a first period by applying a switching gate voltage to a gate of the NMOS series switch transistor of the series switch element, wherein the switching gate voltage has a voltage potential of at least a threshold voltage greater than a voltage potential of the common node, means for closing the shunt switch element during a second period, the shunt switch element comprising an NMOS shunt switching transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: R2 Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence M. Burns, David Fisher
  • Publication number: 20130267187
    Abstract: Embodiments for at methods, apparatus and systems for operating a voltage regulator are disclosed. One apparatus includes a switching voltage regulator, wherein the switching voltage regulator includes a series switch element, a shunt switch element, a switching controller and a switched output filter. The switching controller is configured to generate a switching voltage through controlled closing and opening of the series switch element and the shunt switch element. The switched output filter filters the switching voltage and generates a regulated output voltage, wherein the switched output filter includes a plurality of capacitors that are selectively included within the switched output filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: R2 SEMICONDUCTOR, INC.
    Inventors: James E.C. Brown, Daniel Dobkin, Pablo Moreno Galbis, Cory Severson, Lawrence M. Burns