Abstract: Frequency synthesizers for use with oscillators that generate an arbitrary frequency are described, as well as related devices and methods. Divider information can be generated or otherwise accessed for use in configuring a phase lock loop device that is adapted for coupling with the oscillator, where the phase lock loop device can include a plurality of integer dividers without utilizing a fractional divider, where the divider information can include frequency deviations corresponding to groups of integer divider settings for the phase lock loop device, and where each deviation of the frequency deviations can be based on a frequency differential between a standard operating frequency and an output frequency for the phase lock loop utilizing one group of integer divider settings from the groups of integer divider settings.
Abstract: The disclosed power-on reset circuit provides an indication of when and whether a supply voltage Vdd has reached a trigger voltage level Vtrig. The disclosed circuit includes a flip-flop circuit and a first comparator circuit. The circuit according to the invention has a D input node of the flip-flop circuit coupled to the supply voltage. The first comparator circuit outputs a clock signal, where the flip-flop circuit is clocked by the clock signal. A Q output node of the flip-flop circuit provides the power-on reset signal, where the power-on reset signal is in a LO state when the supply voltage is at a voltage level that is less than the trigger voltage level Vtrig. The power-on reset signal is in a HI state when the supply voltage is at a voltage level that is greater than the trigger voltage level Vtrig.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 26, 2011
Date of Patent:
April 9, 2013
Assignee:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
Bruce M. Newman, Dean A. Badillo, Reimund Rebel, Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Mohammad Asmani
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for temperature control of devices and mechanical resonating structures are described. A mechanical resonating structure may include a heating element and a temperature sensor. The temperature sensor may sense the temperature of the mechanical resonating structure, and the heating element may be adjusted to provide a desired level of heating. Optionally, additional heating elements and/or temperature sensors may be included.
Abstract: A variable phase amplifier circuit is disclosed and its method of use in tuning devices having resonators. The variable phase amplifier receives an input differential signal pair. The input differential signal pair can be generated by a resonator device. The variable phase amplifier generates a modified differential signal pair in response to receiving the input differential signal pair. The variable phase amplifier provides a means to vary the phase of the modified differential signal pair with respect to the input differential signal pair, in an accurate and stable manner. If the modified differential signal pair with a phase shift introduced in it is fed back to the resonator device, the resonator will change its frequency of oscillation, where the new frequency of oscillation is a function of the phase of the modified differential signal pair.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 16, 2011
Date of Patent:
March 12, 2013
Assignee:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
Dean A. Badillo, Reimund Rebel, Klaus Juergen Schoepf
Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 7, 2011
Date of Patent:
January 29, 2013
Assignee:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
June 18, 2012
Publication date:
December 13, 2012
Applicant:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
Reimund Rebel, Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Jan H. Kuypers
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tuning devices having mechanical resonators are described. In one implementation, a mechanical resonator and a phase shifter are configured in a feedback loop, so that the phase shifter shifts the phase of the resonator output signal. The amount of phase shift induced by the phase shifter may be variable. In another implementation, an LC tuning subcircuit is coupled to a mechanical resonator. In some implementations, the LC tuning subcircuit has a variable capacitance. One or more of the apparatus described herein may be implemented as part, or all, of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS).
Abstract: Devices having piezoelectric material structures integrated with substrates are described. Fabrication techniques for forming such devices are also described. The fabrication may include bonding a piezoelectric material wafer to a substrate of a differing material. A structure, such as a resonator, may then be formed from the piezoelectric material wafer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 8, 2012
Publication date:
November 8, 2012
Applicant:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Pritiraj Mohanty, Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jason Goodelle, Reimund Rebel
Abstract: A differential current signal circuit is described which includes a voltage to differential current converter circuit that generates a differential pair of current output signals in response to receiving a voltage input signal, where the differential pair of current output signals are linearly proportional to the voltage input signal within a voltage operating range from a minimum operating voltage to a maximum operating voltage. The differential pair of current output signals are linear over a wide range of voltage input signals. A correction circuit is included which eliminates voltage offsets in the voltage operating range due to process and temperature variations. The correction circuit also provides the capability to adjust the minimum operating voltage, and eliminates variations in the minimum operating voltage due to process and temperature variations.
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 10, 2010
Date of Patent:
July 24, 2012
Assignee:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
Reimund Rebel, Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Jan H. Kuypers
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 2, 2012
Publication date:
June 28, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Reimund Rebel, Jan H. Kuypers
Abstract: Systems and methods for operating with oscillators configured to produce an oscillating signal having an arbitrary frequency are described. The frequency of the oscillating signal may be shifted to remove its arbitrary nature by application of multiple tuning signals or values to the oscillator. Alternatively, the arbitrary frequency may be accommodated by adjusting operation one or more components of a circuit receiving the oscillating signal.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 6, 2011
Publication date:
June 7, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
Klaus Juergen Schoepf, Reimund Rebel, Jan H. Kuypers
Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures and related methods are described. The mechanical resonating structures may provide improved efficiency over conventional resonating structures. Some of the structures have lengths and widths and are designed to vibrate in a direction approximately parallel to either the length or width. They may have boundaries bounding the length and width dimensions, which may substantially align with nodes or anti-nodes of vibration.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 21, 2010
Date of Patent:
May 8, 2012
Assignee:
Sand 9, Inc.
Inventors:
Jan H. Kuypers, David M. Chen, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Alexei Gaidarzhy
Abstract: Micromechanical resonating devices, as well as related methods, are described herein. The resonating devices can include a micromechanical resonating structure, an actuation structure that actuates the resonating structure, and a detection structure that detects motion of the resonating structure.
Abstract: Devices including integrated components are described. The components may be integrated by being formed on a single substrate. The components may be integrated by being formed on separate chips within a multi-chip module. The components being integrated may include mechanical resonating structures, which in some instances may be piezoelectric mechanical resonating structures.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 27, 2011
Publication date:
March 29, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
Matthew J. Crowley, Guiti Zoliagharkhani, Klaus Juergen Schoepf
Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 7, 2011
Publication date:
March 29, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani
Abstract: A device or system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a resonant structure having a plate, a mass and a set of electrodes. The plate can have an extensional mode at a frequency when excited. The set of electrodes can be used to measure an acceleration of the mass when the acceleration of the mass changes the frequency of the plate. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 16, 2011
Publication date:
March 22, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy
Abstract: Devices having piezoelectric material structures integrated with substrates are described. Fabrication techniques for forming such devices are also described. The fabrication may include bonding a piezoelectric material wafer to a substrate of a differing material. A structure, such as a resonator, may then be formed from the piezoelectric material wafer.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 6, 2010
Publication date:
March 8, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani, Jason Goodelle
Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 7, 2011
Publication date:
March 1, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfagharkhani
Abstract: Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 7, 2011
Publication date:
March 1, 2012
Applicant:
Sand9, Inc.
Inventors:
David M. Chen, Jan H. Kuypers, Alexei Gaidarzhy, Guiti Zolfaghakhani