Patents by Inventor Aaron Willey

Aaron Willey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11483185
    Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach for a training approach to implement DFE for an electronic circuit. The inventive concept is particularity suitable to address, for example, circuits that implement high speed parallel data transmission protocols, such as GDDR6, that are used for graphics applications. The training scheme uses minimal hardware when compared to existing schemes by reusing calibration receiver in auto zeroing receiver as error receiver. Further it works for closed eyes by running the algorithm multiple times with gradual increase in complexity of training pattern, where DFE coefficients from previous iteration is used for the current iteration, thereby gradually opening the eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sachin Ramesh Gugwad, Hari Anand Ravi, Aaron Willey, Thomas E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 10848352
    Abstract: Circuits, methods and systems that are to be used for dynamically modulating a high frequency bit duration of data based on a status of one or more previous transmitted bits. One circuit comprises a first data path comprising a first input, a first buffer, and a first output connected to a first multiplexer data input. The circuit further comprises a second data path comprising a second input, a second buffer, a phase interpolator, and a second output coupled to a second multiplexer data input. The circuit further comprises a multiplexer having at least two data inputs, at least one control input, and a common output coupled to a transmitter signal line and wherein the at least one control input is operatively coupled to a generated control signal that is based on the status of one or more previous transmitted bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Balbeer Singh Rathor, Vinod Kumar, Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 10705984
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media to enable design and creation of receiver circuitry. One embodiment is a receiver apparatus comprising a plurality of receiver arrangements, each receiver arrangement having a sampling circuit and a multi-stage differential amplifier connected to the sampling circuit. Each receiver arrangement is configurable via switches between an amplifying mode and an autozero mode. Control circuitry may select output data from a sampling circuit of one or more receiver arrangements that are not in autozero mode. In various embodiments, settings for individual receiver arrangements may be set based on decision feedback equalization (DFE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: H Md Shuaeb Fazeel, Nikhil Sawarkar, Aaron Willey, Thomas Evan Wilson
  • Patent number: 10545895
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to circuits and techniques for interfacing a microprocessor with memory devices, particularly memory devices such as DDR SDRAM in accordance with protocols such as DDR4 and DDR5. Some embodiments particularly relate to a receiver architecture for a DDR memory interface device that provides AC coupling to memory and includes auto-zeroing functionality. These and other embodiments incorporate equalization functionality such as decision feedback equalization and continuous time linear equalization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: CADENCE DESIGN SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Willey, Hari Anand Ravi, H. Md. Shuaeb Fazeel, Thomas Evan Wilson, Moo Sung Chae
  • Patent number: 10545889
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable media to enable design and creation of receiver circuitry. One embodiment is a receiver apparatus comprising a plurality of receiver arrangements, each receiver arrangement having a sampling circuit and a multi-stage differential amplifier connected to the sampling circuit. Each receiver arrangement is configurable via switches between an amplifying mode and an autozero mode. Control circuitry may select output data from receiver arrangements that are not in autozero mode using multiplexer circuitry. In various embodiments, settings for individual receiver arrangements may be set based on decision feedback equalization (DFE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: H Md Shuaeb Fazeel, Nikhil Sawarkar, Aaron Willey, Thomas Evan Wilson
  • Patent number: 10250265
    Abstract: Once a delay locked loop has been locked to a clock signal, an omitted clock cycle is injected into the input of the delay locked loop without stopping the operation of the delay locked loop. The omitted cycle is later detected at an output of the delay locked loop, and the delay between the input and output is determined based on the time the omitted cycle requires to propagate through the delay locked loop. Once determined, the number of cycles of delay for the delay locked loop can be used in conjunction with an internal clock signal to launch data and/or data strobes from memory devices and memory controllers such that the proper phase alignment and clock cycle alignment is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jieming Qi, Aaron Willey
  • Publication number: 20180351560
    Abstract: Once a delay locked loop has been locked to a clock signal, an omitted clock cycle is injected into the input of the delay locked loop without stopping the operation of the delay locked loop. The omitted cycle is later detected at an output of the delay locked loop, and the delay between the input and output is determined based on the time the omitted cycle requires to propagate through the delay locked loop. Once determined, the number of cycles of delay for the delay locked loop can be used in conjunction with an internal clock signal to launch data and/or data strobes from memory devices and memory controllers such that the proper phase alignment and clock cycle alignment is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Everspin Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jieming Qi, Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 9419628
    Abstract: Measurement initialization circuitry is described. Propagation of a start signal through a variable delay line may be stopped by either of two stop signals. One stop signal corresponds to a rising edge of a reference clock signal. A second stop signal corresponds to a falling edge of the reference clock signal. The start signal propagation is stopped responsive to the first to arrive of the first and second stop signals. Accordingly, in some examples, start signal propagation through a variable delay line may be stopped responsive to either a rising or falling edge of the reference clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Willey, Yantao Ma
  • Patent number: 9244479
    Abstract: Current circuits, circuits configured to provide a bias voltage, and methods for providing a bias voltage are described, including a current circuit configured to receive a reference current and having an output at which an output current is provided. One such current circuit includes a first current mirror configured to receive a first portion of the reference current and further configured to mirror the first portion of the reference current to provide a first current. The current circuit further includes a second current mirror configured to receive a second portion of the reference current and receive the first current. The second current mirror is further configured to provide a portion of the first current to the output of the current circuit as the output current and to receive another portion of the first current and mirror the same as the second portion of the reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 9225319
    Abstract: Clock signal timing cells, clock signal timing circuits, clock circuits, memory devices, systems, and method for altering the timing of a clock signal are disclosed. An example method for altering the timing of an output signal provided responsive to an input clock signal includes adjusting a transition of an edge of the output signal from one voltage level to another based at least in part on a bias signal. An example clock signal timing cell includes an inverter and a bias controlled inverter coupled in parallel to the inverter. The bias controlled circuit is configured to provide an output signal wherein a transition of a clock edge of the output signal between first and second voltage levels is based at least in part on a bias signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 9202542
    Abstract: Examples of circuits and methods for compensating for power supply induced signal jitter in path elements sensitive to power supply variation. An example includes a signal path coupling an input to an output, the signal path including a delay element having a first delay and a bias-controlled delay element having a second delay. The first delay of the delay element exhibits a first response to changes in power applied thereto and the second delay of the bias-controlled delay element exhibits a second response to changes in the power applied such that the second response compensates at least in part for the first response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 9036408
    Abstract: Methods, circuits, and systems for phase change memories. A matching bit line, on which no data-containing PCM cells have been selected, is used to cancel out time-dependent current components due to parasitic capacitive and leakage resistance loading of bit lines. This can effectively allow direct comparison of the current from the phase change memory cell to the desired reference current, at a time before the voltage of the first bit line permits stable operations using DC comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: Ryan Jurasek, Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 8947141
    Abstract: A differential amplifier may be configured to have a duty cycle and/or gain that is adjustable, such as by adjusting the switch points of circuitry in the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier may alternatively or additionally have a hysteresis function by, for example, using a signal feedback from the output of the amplifier to adjust the switch points of circuitry in the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier may be used for a variety of purposes, such as in an input buffer or delay line, either of which may be used, for example, in a clock generator circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Willey
  • Publication number: 20140375366
    Abstract: Measurement initialization circuitry is described. Propagation of a start signal through a variable delay line may be stopped by either of two stop signals. One stop signal corresponds to a rising edge of a reference clock signal. A second stop signal corresponds to a falling edge of the reference clock signal. The start signal propagation is stopped responsive to the first to arrive of the first and second stop signals. Accordingly, in some examples, start signal propagation through a variable delay line may be stopped responsive to either a rising or falling edge of the reference clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Aaron Willey, Yantao Ma
  • Patent number: 8901938
    Abstract: A measure initialization path for a delay line structure includes: a forward path, comprising a plurality of delay stages coupled in series; a first output path coupled to at least an output of a delay stage of the forward path, where at least an output of a delay stage is fed forward to the forward path; and a second output path coupled to at least an output of a delay stage of the forward path, where at least an output of a delay stage is fed forward to the forward path. When a signal is propagated through the measure initialization path, the signal successively propagates through a delay stage of the forward path, a delay stage of the first output path and a delay stage of the second output path for performing measure initialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nanya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Aaron Willey, Yantao Ma
  • Publication number: 20140340069
    Abstract: Current circuits, circuits configured to provide a bias voltage, and methods for providing a bias voltage are described, including a current circuit configured to receive a reference current and having an output at which an output current is provided. One such current circuit includes a first current mirror configured to receive a first portion of the reference current and further configured to mirror the first portion of the reference current to provide a first current. The current circuit further includes a second current mirror configured to receive a second portion of the reference current and receive the first current. The second current mirror is further configured to provide a portion of the first current to the output of the current circuit as the output current and to receive another portion of the first current and mirror the same as the second portion of the reference current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: AARON WILLEY
  • Publication number: 20140320190
    Abstract: Examples of circuits and methods for compensating for power supply induced signal jitter in path elements sensitive to power supply variation. An example includes a signal path coupling an input to an output, the signal path including a delay element having a first delay and a bias-controlled delay element having a second delay. The first delay of the delay element exhibits a first response to changes in power applied thereto and the second delay of the bias-controlled delay element exhibits a second response to changes in the power applied such that the second response compensates at least in part for the first response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Yantao Ma, Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 8841949
    Abstract: Measurement initialization circuitry is described. Propagation of a start signal through a variable delay line may be stopped by either of two stop signals. One stop signal corresponds to a rising edge of a reference clock signal. A second stop signal corresponds to a falling edge of the reference clock signal. The start signal propagation is stopped responsive to the first to arrive of the first and second stop signals. Accordingly, in some examples, start signal propagation through a variable delay line may be stopped responsive to either a rising or falling edge of the reference clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Willey, Yantao Ma
  • Publication number: 20140253193
    Abstract: A differential amplifier may be configured to have a duty cycle and/or gain that is adjustable, such as by adjusting the switch points of circuitry in the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier may alternatively or additionally have a hysteresis function by, for example, using a signal feedback from the output of the amplifier to adjust the switch points of circuitry in the differential amplifier. The differential amplifier may be used for a variety of purposes, such as in an input buffer or delay line, either of which may be used, for example, in a clock generator circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Willey
  • Patent number: 8829882
    Abstract: Current circuits, circuits configured to provide a bias voltage, and methods for providing a bias voltage are described, including a current circuit configured to receive a reference current and having an output at which an output current is provided. One such current circuit includes a first current mirror configured to receive a first portion of the reference current and further configured to mirror the first portion of the reference current to provide a first current. The current circuit further includes a second current mirror configured to receive a second portion of the reference current and receive the first current. The second current mirror is further configured to provide a portion of the first current to the output of the current circuit as the output current and to receive another portion of the first current and mirror the same as the second portion of the reference current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Willey