Patents by Inventor Akinobu Onishi

Akinobu Onishi 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: 11431348
    Abstract: A two-capacitor digital-to-analog converter circuit having circuitry to compensate for an unwanted capacitance is disclosed. The converter is configured to generate an average voltage on two capacitors for a sequence of bits in a digital word so that when the final bit is reached, the average voltage corresponds to an analog level of the digital word. The converter is configured to input and average the voltage on the two capacitors using different modes to minimize the effects of capacitor mismatch and switching capacitance on the accuracy of the conversion. The converter includes a buffer amp that has an input capacitance that can affect the conversion. Accordingly, the converter further includes capacitance compensation circuitry configured to provide a replica input capacitance that can be charged and discharged according to the bits of the digital word and coupled to the input capacitor to prevent the input capacitance from affecting the conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Abdullah Ahmed, Akinobu Onishi, Taichiro Kawai
  • Publication number: 20210266008
    Abstract: A two-capacitor digital-to-analog converter circuit having circuitry to compensate for an unwanted capacitance is disclosed. The converter is configured to generate an average voltage on two capacitors for a sequence of bits in a digital word so that when the final bit is reached, the average voltage corresponds to an analog level of the digital word. The converter is configured to input and average the voltage on the two capacitors using different modes to minimize the effects of capacitor mismatch and switching capacitance on the accuracy of the conversion. The converter includes a buffer amp that has an input capacitance that can affect the conversion. Accordingly, the converter further includes capacitance compensation circuitry configured to provide a replica input capacitance that can be charged and discharged according to the bits of the digital word and coupled to the input capacitor to prevent the input capacitance from affecting the conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Abdullah AHMED, Akinobu ONISHI, Taichiro KAWAI
  • Publication number: 20210152137
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a digital-to-analog converter. The amplifier circuit may comprise a first operational amplifier with a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may comprise an inverting amplifier circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Patent number: 10951181
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a digital-to-analog converter. The amplifier circuit may comprise a first operational amplifier with a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may comprise an inverting amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Publication number: 20210021244
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may provide a first cross-connect circuit responsive to a first clock signal having a first phase and the third clock signal having a third phase. The amplifier circuit may provide a second cross-connect circuit responsive to a second clock signal having a second phase and a fourth clock signal having a fourth phase. The clock signals have a same frequency with offset phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Patent number: 10868563
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an analog-to-digital converter. Methods and apparatus for an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may be configured as a delta-sigma type ADC and include an integrator circuit formed using two switched-capacitor (SC) circuits that share a single operational amplifier. The switched-capacitor circuits receive various control signals such that one SC circuit performs sampling while the other SC circuit simultaneously performs integration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 10833641
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a first cross-connect circuit configured to receive an input signal at an input terminal and transmit the input signal to an input stage circuit. The amplifier circuit may further comprise a second cross-connect circuit connected between the input stage circuit and an output stage circuit, and a voltage adjustment circuit connected to the input stage circuit. Each cross-connect circuit may comprise a plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Publication number: 20200295777
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an analog-to-digital converter. Methods and apparatus for an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may be configured as a delta-sigma type ADC and include an integrator circuit formed using two switched-capacitor (SC) circuits that share a single operational amplifier. The switched-capacitor circuits receive various control signals such that one SC circuit performs sampling while the other SC circuit simultaneously performs integration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Patent number: 10757504
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage. Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage to an electrical device according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a voltage regulator circuit to generate a first voltage, a clock driver circuit to generate a second voltage, and a charge pump system to generate the bias voltage and supply the bias voltage to the electrical device. The apparatus may be responsive to a control signal that indicates a startup operation of the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Publication number: 20200212858
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a first cross-connect circuit configured to receive an input signal at an input terminal and transmit the input signal to an input stage circuit. The amplifier circuit may further comprise a second cross-connect circuit connected between the input stage circuit and an output stage circuit, and a voltage adjustment circuit connected to the input stage circuit. Each cross-connect circuit may comprise a plurality of switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20200112288
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit. Methods and apparatus for an amplifier circuit according to various aspects of the present invention may be utilized in a digital-to-analog converter. The amplifier circuit may comprise a first operational amplifier with a feedback circuit. The feedback circuit may comprise an inverting amplifier circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20190090054
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage. Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage to an electrical device according to various aspects of the present invention may comprise a voltage regulator circuit to generate a first voltage, a clock driver circuit to generate a second voltage, and a charge pump system to generate the bias voltage and supply the bias voltage to the electrical device. The apparatus may be responsive to a control signal that indicates a startup operation of the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Patent number: 10165356
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage. Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage to an electrical device according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a charge pump and a voltage regulator. A pulse generator may be employed to vary the output voltage of the voltage regulator, which in turn, varies the output voltage (bias voltage) generated by the charge pump. The pulse generator may be activated at the start-up of the electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Publication number: 20180352327
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage. Methods and apparatus for controlling a bias voltage to an electrical device according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a charge pump and a voltage regulator. A pulse generator may be employed to vary the output voltage of the voltage regulator, which in turn, varies the output voltage (bias voltage) generated by the charge pump. The pulse generator may be activated at the start-up of the electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu ONISHI
  • Patent number: 10056915
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit includes a first DAC that produces a first analog output signal based upon a received multi-bit digital signal and upon a received clock. A second DAC that produces a second analog output signal based upon the received multi-bit digital signal and upon the received clock, wherein the first and second DACs are connected in parallel and process the same multi-bit digital signal. In one embodiment, the DACs produce differential signals. A low pass filter connected to receive the first and second analog outputs is configured to sum the first and second analog outputs and to filter the summed first and second analog outputs to produce an ingoing analog signal. An amplifier is connected to receive the ingoing analog signal to produce an amplified ingoing analog signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 9874894
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a constant current includes a first current generator that conducts a first current based upon a supply voltage and a resistive element and that generates a first mirrored current based on the current, a second current generator that generates a second current based on the first current wherein the second mirrored current decreases as the current increases and decreases as the current increases and a summing circuit for summing currents proportional to said first and second currents to generate an output current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 9787320
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for an analog-to digital converter (ADC). Methods and apparatus for an ADC according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a reference voltage that varies according to the frequency of a timing signal. By varying the reference voltage according to the frequency of the timing signal, the ADC generates a digital output having a substantially fixed voltage regardless of the frequency of the timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 9692440
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion system, in some embodiments, comprises: a plurality of integrators coupled to each other, each of said integrators requiring a reference current; and a reference current generation circuit that generates said reference current for the plurality of integrators, the reference current is proportional to the square of the frequency of a clock signal of the reference current generation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 9647679
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and device for a delta-sigma ADC. The method and device may comprise receiving an input signal to at least two parallel-connected first-stage integrators and corresponding feedback DACs, and simultaneously integrating the input signal by each of the first-stage integrators. The method and device may further comprise a second stage integrator connected in series with the first-stage integrators, a quantizer, and digital to analog converters, coupled between the output of the quantizer and the inputs of the first-stage integrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi
  • Patent number: 9641192
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and device for a delta-sigma ADC. The method and device may comprise receiving an input signal to at least two parallel-connected first-stage integrators and corresponding feedback DACs, and simultaneously integrating the input signal by each of the first-stage integrators. The method and device may further comprise a second stage integrator connected in series with the first-stage integrators, a quantizer, and digital to analog converters, coupled between the output of the quantizer and the inputs of the first-stage integrators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Akinobu Onishi