Abstract: The power IC includes an output transistor M0 which controls a current flowing into an L load, a dynamic clamp circuit which clamps an overvoltage, and a clamp control circuit which controls the operation of the dynamic clamp circuit. The clamp control circuit activates the dynamic clamp circuit, which is normally inactive, upon detection of a back EMF by the L load.

Abstract: Fine tuned signal phase adjustments are provided by multiple cascaded phase mixers. Each phase mixer outputs a signal having a phase between the phases of its two input signals. With each subsequent stage of phase mixers, the signals generated by the phase mixers have a smaller phase difference, thereby providing finer delay adjustments. Multiple stages of phase mixers can be provided in digital delay-locked loop circuitry to provide additional hierarchical delay adjustment.

Abstract: Methods and Apparatuses for generating and distributing a clock signal between components within a semiconductor chip. According to one embodiment of the invention, a clock generator, distributed over an integrated circuit, includes a plurality of cells each coupled to multiple adjacent ones of the plurality of cells by different clock wires; wherein, for each of the plurality of clock wires, the cell on one end generates the rising edge and the cell on the other end generates the falling edge. According to another embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes a distributed clock generator and a plurality of sets of synchronous logic. The distributed clock generator includes a plurality of cells and a plurality of clock wires. The plurality of clock wires each couple together two of said plurality of cells such that said plurality of cells are coupled together in grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving high-speed signals having a wide common-mode range with low input-to-output latency. In one embodiment, the receiver includes an integrator to accumulate charge in accordance with an input signal during an integration time interval to produce an output voltage. A sense amplifier samples and converts the output voltage of the integrator to a logic signal; and a latch stores the logic signal. In an alternate embodiment, a preamplifier conditions the input signal prior to being integrated. In another embodiment using multiple receivers, circuitry is added to the receiver to compensate for timing errors associated with the distribution of the timing signals. In yet another embodiment, the integrator is coupled to an equalization circuit that compensates for intersymbol interference. In another embodiment, another circuit compensates for accumulated voltage offset errors in the integrator.

Abstract: A dynamic slew rate controlling method and a device is provided to reduce SSO variance generated from voltage noises, which is as a result of a plurality of data bits switching to the same state simultaneously while the I/O bus transmits these data bits. The device and method at first analyzes data patterns, then determines the slew rate controlling setting value based on the slew rate controlling mapping table corresponding to different data patterns, and then transmits the setting value to the I/O buffer with the same voltage level in order to reduce the SSO variance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to generate static logic level outputs without a direct connection from a MOS transistor gate to either a power supply or ground supply are described. The apparatus may include a first circuit comprising a static logic level output. The apparatus may further include a second circuit coupled to the first circuit to drive the first circuit. The second circuit may comprise at least one of a latch and a feedback device.

Abstract: A timing generator capable of improving design efficiency by facilitating adaptation to change in design. The timing generator has work area 9 which outputs parameters in response to control data, and main core 12 to which the parameters are inputted. In the work area, V and H parameters are described. The main core consists of third comparator 11 for comparing a count value of V counter 10 with V parameter and outputting a first control pulse, first comparator 1 for comparing a count value of H counter 3 with H parameter and outputting a second control pulse, second comparator 4 for comparing a count value of high speed counter 8 with H parameter and outputting a third control pulse, first selector 2 for selecting the second control data or the third control data, and first JK flip flop 5 for generating a timing signal from output of the first selector.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a power on reset circuit includes a main circuit and a translation circuit. The main circuit may be configured to receive an external signal and to generate an input signal that is indicative of a state of the external signal. The translation circuit may be configured to receive the input signal and provide a power on reset signal indicative of a brownout condition of the external signal. The external signal may be a relatively high voltage signal compared to the power on reset signal.

Abstract: A delay locked loop circuit and method of operating the same. The delay locked loop circuit comprises a forward delay path having a variable delay portion and a static delay portion, wherein the static delay portion includes a static delay element, a feedback path for generating a feedback signal responsive to an output signal, and a phase detector for comparing the phase of an input signal and the phase of the feedback signal and for generating a variable control signal for controlling the amount of delay provided by the variable delay portion, wherein the static delay element is activated in response to a static control signal indicative of the variable delay portion being unable to lock the output signal to the input signal. Because of the rules governing Abstracts, this Abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

Abstract: High resolution digital delay circuits and methods are provided. A multiplexer receives the outputs of first and second delay elements. At least the second delay element is adjustable using a digital control signal. The multiplexer and the first delay element form a first delay loop. The multiplexer, the first delay element and the second delay element form a second delay loop. A logic circuit monitors the number of times (M) that a signal cycles through the first loop. After M reaches a predetermined value (i.e., when the signal is delayed by a predetermined delay), the multiplexer receives a control signal that causes the second loop to close. A signal cycles through the second loop, which provides additional delay. Preferably, the signal cycles through the second loop only once. Generally, this causes the resolution of the delay circuit to be proportional to the minimum delay adjustment of the second delay element.

Abstract: A method and device for generating a clock signal with predetermined clock signal properties firstly prepare a number of clock signals with an essentially identical frequency and with a respectively different phase relation with regard to a master clock signal in order to subsequently (on the basis of a control signal, which is prepared according to the clock signal to be generated), select predetermined clock signals from the number of prepared clock signals and to combine the selected clock signals in order to generate the desired clock signal.

Abstract: A high-pressure discharge lamp includes a discharge vessel having a wall of a ceramic material. The lamp also includes at least a feedthrough of an electrode having a cermet rod. The cermet rod is connected at a first end to a first end of a predominantly tungsten electrode pin by a welded joint. The electrode pin is in line with the cermet rod and has, at its first end, a solidified tungsten melt that is located near the interface between electrode pin and cermet rod.

Abstract: The present invention adds an additional feedback loop to a phase locked loop (PLL). The additional feedback loop detects if the actual output frequency of the PLL is above or below the desired output frequency. If the actual output frequency is above the desired output frequency a signal is added to the forward path of the PLL to decrease the frequency of the PLL oscillator. If the actual output frequency is below the desired output frequency a signal is added to the forward path of the PLL to increase the frequency of the PLL oscillator.

Abstract: A variable time constant circuit includes an inverting amplifier which has an amplifier input terminal and an amplifier output terminal connected to a signal output terminal and inverts a signal inputted to the amplifier input terminal, a first and a second resistor which are connected in series between the signal input terminal and the amplifier input terminal, a capacitor connected between the amplifier input terminal and the amplifier output terminal, a field effect transistor including a gate terminal connected to a junction point of the first and second resistors, a source terminal kept at a constant potential, and a drain terminal connected to the amplifier input terminal, the transistor flowing a current through the drain terminal according to a voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal, and a control circuit which controls a voltage-current conversion ratio of the transistor according to a time constant control signal.

Abstract: A capacitor digital-to-analog converter for N-bit digital-to-analog conversion comprises a converter capacitor network comprising 2N capacitors and 2N+1 MOS switches and an output buffer. The MOS switches are connected in a series chain at their respective source/drain, and each of the capacitors has a first electrode connected to a corresponding joining node between two consecutive MOS switches in the series chain and a second electrode connected together to a common node. The output buffer comprises a differential amplifier and an output amplifier, the differential amplifier has 2N discrete inputs each connected to a corresponding one of the first electrodes of the capacitors in the converter capacitor network.

Abstract: A counter having enhanced counting speed is provided. The counter includes first through N-th output signal generators. The first output signal generator responds to a clock signal and outputs a first output signal in which a low level and a high level are output once per cycle of the clock signal. The second output signal generator responds to the clock signal and the first output signal and outputs a second output signal in which a low level and a high level are output every two cycles of the clock signal. The third output signal generator responds to the clock signal and the second output signal and outputs a third output signal in which a low level and a high level are output every four cycles of the clock signal. The N-th output signal generator responds to the clock signal and the N?1th output signal and outputs an N-th output signal in which a low level and a high level are output every 2N?1 (where N is a natural number greater than 1) cycles of the clock signal.

Abstract: The charge pump circuit includes: a charge pump output branch having a first transistor and a second transistor coupled in series; an output branch replica having a third transistor and a fourth transistor coupled in series; a feedback circuit coupled between the output branch and the output branch replica; a charge pump input circuit coupled to the charge pump output branch, and having first and second input branches; and an input circuit branch replica controlled by the feedback circuit and coupled to the charge pump input circuit.

Abstract: A high voltage generator includes a high voltage level detector for comparing a boosted high voltage with a reference voltage and generating an oscillator control signal being a first logic level in response to a comparison result; a clock feedback block for receiving the oscillator control signal and an inverse pumping control signal and keeping an oscillator enable signal in the first logic level for a predetermined period; an oscillator for generating a pumping control signal in response to the oscillator enable signal and outputting the inverse pumping control signal to the clock feedback block, wherein the pumping control signal is periodically toggled; and a charge pumping block for generating the boosted high voltage in response to the pumping control signal.

Abstract: An input circuit has a differential amplification circuit which converts a differential signal to a single end signal to output the single end signal, an attenuation circuit which attenuates a first input signal to output the attenuated signal to the differential amplification circuit, a capacitor in which one end thereof is connected to a first input terminal to which the first input signal is inputted, and another end thereof is connected to an output side of the differential amplification circuit, a buffer to which the single end signal outputted from the differential amplification circuit and a signal transmitted through the capacitor are inputted, and which outputs the output signal, and a feedback circuit which outputs a signal based on an output signal outputted from the buffer and the second input signal to the differential amplification circuit.

Abstract: A circuit for and method of operating a supply tracking clock multiplier is provided. An embodiment of the present invention may permit a less power consuming portion of an integrated circuit to operate at a relatively higher average clock rate than a more power consuming portion operating at a relatively lower clock rate, by adjusting the duration of the cycles of the higher frequency clock. The adjustment may be according to the supply voltage changes that result from logic switching activity of the more power consuming portion, and may be performed in a manner that substantially matches the delay behavior of the logic. The phase of the higher frequency clock remains locked to the lower frequency clock. An embodiment of the present invention may reduce the area and cost of an integrated circuit by minimizing the need for other on-chip power supply noise mitigation approaches, while also improving device throughput and performance.