Patents Assigned to Silicon Laboratories
  • APPARATUS FOR MIXED SIGNAL INTERFACE CIRCUITRY AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20140002184
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of pads adapted to send or receive signals, and a plurality of mixed signal interface blocks, each of which is coupled to a corresponding pad in the plurality of pads. Furthermore, each mixed signal interface block in the plurality of mixed signal interface blocks is adapted to be configurable to provide selected functionality independently of the other mixed signal interface blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Jinwen Xiao, Pavel Konecny, Axel Thomsen, Clayton Daigle, Xiaodong Wang, John Khoury, Alan Westwick, Shahram Tadayon
  • Level-shifting interface for a processor-based device
    Patent number: 8618844
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit, which includes an input terminal, a second terminal to communicate with circuitry external to the integrated circuit, a multiplexer, a level shifter and a processor. The multiplexer is adapted to selectively couple the input terminal, the level shifter and the second output terminal together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas S. David, Paul I. Zavalney
  • System and method for dynamically regulating voltage to minimize power consumption
    Patent number: 8620237
    Abstract: A system includes a voltage regulator connected to a voltage source for providing a regulated voltage at a first level in a first mode of operation and at least one second level in a second mode of operation. The second voltage level is higher than the first voltage level. A control processor provides control signals to select between the first and the second modes of operation. A component associated with the voltage regulator. The component is disabled in the first mode of operation and enabled in the second mode of operation. The control processor generates control signals to configure the voltage regulator to generate the voltage at the first level in the first mode of operation when the component is disabled and to configure the voltage regulator to generate the voltage at the at least one second level in the second mode of operation when the component is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Odland, Brent Wilson
  • Reducing power consumption of a filter
    Patent number: 8615213
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a system that having a low noise amplifier (LNA) to receive and amplify a radio frequency (RF) signal, a mixer to receive and downconvert the RF signal to a second frequency signal, a filter to receive and filter the second frequency signal, a demodulator to receive and demodulate the filtered second frequency signal to output demodulated data, and a quality detector to detect a quality of the demodulated data and output a quality indicator based on the data quality. In addition, the system can include a controller coupled to the filter to cause a state of the filter to be stored into a storage responsive to the quality indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Hendricus De Ruijter, Ping Xiong
  • Low noise amplifier and method of input impedance control for terrestrial and cable modes
    Patent number: 8611844
    Abstract: A low noise amplifier (LNA) for use in a receiver circuit includes an adjustable impedance network including an input for receiving a radio frequency signal, a plurality of control inputs, and an output. The LNA further includes a controller coupled to the plurality of control inputs and configured to control an impedance of the adjustable impedance network. The controller controls the adjustable impedance network to provide a relatively low impedance in a terrestrial mode and to provide a relatively high impedance in a cable mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Yu Su, Mustafa H. Koroglu, Abhishek Kammula, Ramin Khoini-Poorfard
  • Digital interface for tuner-demodulator communications
    Patent number: 8605224
    Abstract: An apparatus may include analog tuner circuitry, a digital unit to process incoming data, an analog interface to receive the processed data for conversion back into analog signals, and a first pin to output the analog signals on a link. A separate digital interface may be present and can be enabled to receive the processed data and encode it into a serial bit stream for transmission via the first pin, avoiding the need for the analog interface to operate when the digital interface is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: David Trager
  • VCO insensitive to power supply ripple
    Patent number: 8604884
    Abstract: A ring oscillator that is more insensitive to power supply ripple utilizes an amplifier circuit having a first input coupled to a reference voltage. A current is generated that represents a control voltage supplied to the oscillator control circuit. That current is mirrored and supplied as a control current to the oscillator. An amplifier is used in a feedback loop to ensure that incremental variations in source to drain voltage of a first transistor of the current mirror is present in a second transistor of the current mirror to make the control current more immune to supply ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Abdulkerim L. Coban, Ravi Kummaraguntla
  • Digital signal processor (DSP) architecture for a hybrid television tuner
    Patent number: 8599312
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a mixed-signal tuner for analog and digital TV reception incorporates a demodulator for analog TV, employing various features for resolving limitations of the analog circuitry and for achieving compatibility with various global TV standards. Such features, which may be present in one or more embodiments, include the use of a variable sample rate in all digital clocks for frequency planning, and use of a microcontroller (MCU) to control various circuitry of the tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Hendrickson, David Trager, Mitch Reid, Li Gao, John Khoury
  • Digitally programmable high voltage charge pump
    Patent number: 8598946
    Abstract: A method of operating a programmable charge pump includes configuring each of a plurality of cascaded charge pump stages to be in a first set of charge pump stages or in a second set of charge pump stages based on an indicator of a target output voltage level. The first set of charge pump stages is configured to level-shift a first voltage level to a second voltage level. Each charge pump stage of the second set of charge pump stages has a disabled pump circuit portion. The second set of charge pump stages is configured to pass a version of the second voltage level to an output node of the programmable charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Brian G. Drost, Aaron J. Caffee
  • 5 volt tolerant voltage regulator
    Patent number: 8593119
    Abstract: A voltage regulator circuit comprises an error amplifier for generating, an error signal responsive to a reference voltage in a feedback signal. A feedback circuit provides the feedback voltage signal to the error amplifier and a driver circuit provides regulated output voltage responsive to the input voltage in the error signal. Short circuit protection circuitry selectively protects transistors within the error amplifier, the feedback amplifier and the driver circuit responsive to a short circuit protection enablement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hulfachor, Bruce Philip Del Signore
  • Apparatus for measuring noise in an analog signal
    Patent number: 8593526
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to video signal-to-noise ratio (VSNR) measurement. In one embodiment, an analog television signal receiver includes a measurement circuit configured to measure noise in a video signal over one or more intervals that correspond to a horizontal control signal of the video signal and a control unit configured to determine a VSNR based on the measurement. In another embodiment, a first noise calculation circuit is configured to determine first noise information from a video signal and a second noise calculation circuit is configured to determine second noise information from a video signal in a manner different from the first noise calculation circuit. A control unit may be configured to generate a VSNR based on one or both of the first noise information and the second noise information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Hendrickson, David Trager, Zhongchun Liu
  • Shielded differential inductor
    Patent number: 8587398
    Abstract: A shielded differential inductor forms a high quality factor (high-Q) inductor that is configured to attenuate frequency spurs and/or noise from magnetic coupling generated by electrical structures on or off of a substrate as well as interference received by other components from magnetic coupling generated by the inductor. The shielded differential inductor includes a differential inductor and a shield that substantially isolates the electrical field between the inductor and the substrate to reduce substrate current loss. The shield includes sets of finger structures that extend beyond the width of the inductor and a hub and spoke configuration of ground conductors that connect the sets of finger structures to ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Sherry X. Wu, Mustafa H. Koroglu, Ramin Khoini-Poorfard, Alessandro Piovaccari
  • Method and apparatus for finding local maxima in a two-dimensional array
    Patent number: 8581872
    Abstract: A method for finding local maxima in a two-dimensional array includes generating a row array for each row in the array and a column array for each column in the array. The values in a given generated row array are indicative of local maxima of values in the corresponding row, and values in a given generated column array are indicative of local maxima of values in the corresponding column. The method may also include the computer multiplying values in the generated row and column arrays to determine local maxima of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Soh Kok Hong
  • Digital signal processor (DSP) architecture for a hybrid television tuner
    Patent number: 8576343
    Abstract: According to one aspect, a mixed-signal tuner for analog and digital TV reception incorporates a demodulator for analog TV, employing various features for resolving limitations of the analog circuitry and for achieving compatibility with various global TV standards. Such features, which may be present in one or more embodiments, include the use of a variable sample rate in all digital clocks for frequency planning, and use of a microcontroller (MCU) to control various circuitry of the tuner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Hendrickson, David Trager, Mitch Reid, Li Gao, John Khoury
  • Mechanically tuned radio utilizing ratiometric time measurements and related methods
    Patent number: 8577316
    Abstract: Mechanically tuned radios and related methods are disclosed that utilize ratiometric time measurements to detect settings for mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The radio systems and methods disclosed make a first time measurement associated with a mechanically adjusted circuit, make a second time measurement associated with the mechanically adjusted circuit, determine a setting for the mechanical adjustment mechanism based upon a ratio associated with the first and second time measurements, and utilize the setting to select a tuning frequency for signals received by the radio. More generally, ratiometric time measurements can be used to determine a setting for a mechanical adjustment mechanism for a mechanically adjusted circuit, and this setting can be used to at least part control a desired operational feature of a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew B. Henson, Greg Allan Hodgson
  • System and circuit including multiple photo detectors and at least one optical barrier
    Patent number: 8569679
    Abstract: A system includes a plurality of photo detectors, which generate signals proportional to incident light. The system further includes an optical barrier adjacent to a surface and includes a control circuit. The optical barrier partially obstructs reflected light from reaching the plurality of photo detectors to produce a spatially dependent reflectance pattern that is dependent on a position of an object relative to a substrate. The control circuit determines a position of the object during a reflectance measurement cycle using each of the plurality of photo detectors by calibrating to ambient light conditions, measuring ambient plus reflected light, determining the reflected light and detecting the position of the object based on a ratio of the reflected light received by at least two of the plurality of photo detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne T. Holcombe, Miroslav Svajda
  • Implementing a passive rotating harmonic rejection mixer (RHRM) for a TV tuner in an integrated circuit
    Patent number: 8571512
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a passive rotating harmonic rejection mixer (RHRM) is provided that can directly couple to an antenna to receive an incoming radio frequency (RF) signal. This RHRM can have a master RF device to receive the signal and provide first and second RF currents, a master LO device coupled to an output of the master RF device to receive the RF currents and mix them with a master clock signal of multiple polarities to obtain a mixed signal pair. The RHRM may further include a rotating switch coupled to the master LO device to cyclically switch the mixed signal pair to one of multiple virtual ground nodes at an output of the rotating switch, and operational amplifiers each having a first input terminal coupled to one of the virtual ground nodes and having a feedback filter coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Aslamali A. Rafi
  • Circuit devices and methods of providing a regulated power supply
    Patent number: 8564256
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit includes a regulated power supply terminal, a processing circuit coupled to the regulated power supply terminal, and a low frequency responsive circuit having a first transistor adapted to be coupled to a power source and having first circuitry configured to control current flow from the power source through the first transistor to supply a low frequency current to the regulated power supply terminal. The circuit device further includes a high frequency responsive circuit having a second transistor coupled to the regulated power supply terminal and having second circuitry configured to control the second transistor to selectively modulate high frequency current components at the regulated power supply terminal to reduce voltage variations on the regulated power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert May
  • Cancellation of undesired portions of audio signals
    Patent number: 8559570
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for determining when a step change occurs to a control value for a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) providing a mixing signal, mixing the mixing signal with an input radio frequency (RF) signal to obtain an intermediate frequency (IF) signal and demodulating the IF signal into a demodulated signal, generating a correction value based on the step change, and applying the correction value to the demodulated signal. Other embodiments may be used to cancel other undesired signal portions, such as impulse spikes generated from the NCO change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Dana Taipale
  • Techniques to control power consumption in an iterative decoder by control of node configurations
    Patent number: 8555131
    Abstract: A method for controlling power consumption of an iterative decoder based on one or more criteria is described. The method may include progressively enabling and disabling nodes of the iterative decoder to perform iterative decoding on a demodulated signal to provide a decoded signal with minimal variation of a supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: David Rault, Olivier Souloumiac