Patents by Inventor Alan L. Westwick
Alan L. Westwick 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).
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Patent number: 7873856Abstract: The single chip microcontroller unit includes a processing unit having normal power mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. Analog circuitry and digital circuitry are connected to the processing unit. Monitoring circuitry determines if a chip supply voltage level exceeds a threshold level necessary to maintain operation of the digital circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Dazhi Wei, Xiaoling Guo, Jia-Hau Liu
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Patent number: 7873854Abstract: The single chip microcontroller unit includes a processing unit having normal power mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. Analog circuitry and digital circuitry are connected to the processing unit. A power management unit controls power operations of the processing unit, the analog circuitry and the digital circuitry. Power monitoring circuitry provides power control signals to the power management unit. The power monitoring circuitry further includes a system voltage monitoring circuit for generating a system voltage control signal responsive to a system voltage level with respect to a predetermined level. The power monitoring circuitry also includes a supply monitoring circuit for determining if a chip supply voltage level exceeds a threshold level.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Dazhi Wei, Xiaoling Guo, Jia-Hau Liu
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Patent number: 7852061Abstract: An apparatus comprises a band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a band gap voltage. A temperature invariant current generator is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a temperature invariant current. A temperature invariant current correction circuit is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit and adjusts the output voltage responsive to the temperature invariant current without altering temperature characteristics of the temperature invariant current.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Jia-Hau Liu, Alan L. Westwick, Douglas S. Piasecki
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Patent number: 7802113Abstract: An integrated system on a chip includes processing circuitry that performs predefined digital processing functions on the chip. The processing circuitry operates responsive to a regulated voltage. An on-chip boost converter generates the regulated voltage responsive to an off-chip voltage provided by an off chip voltage source. The regulated voltage source has a voltage level greater than the off-chip voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Ka Y. Leung
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Patent number: 7768242Abstract: A DC to DC boost converter circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts it to a DC output voltage at a different voltage level than the DC input voltage. The DC to DC boost converter includes a switching power converter for receiving the input voltage on an input and converting the input voltage to an output as the DC output voltage in response to pulse control signals. A switching controller generates the pulse control signals during a switching cycle. Current sensing circuitry limits a current passing through the switching power converter. The current sensing circuitry generates an overload signal when the current exceeds a reference value. The current sensing circuitry sensing the current with a current sensing resistor having a size of at least approximately 500 ohms.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Dazhi Wei, Alan L. Westwick
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Patent number: 7714674Abstract: The integrated circuit package includes a processing core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. A real time clock circuit provides a system clock for the processing core. The real time clock further comprises an internal oscillator that generates the system clock for the integrated circuit package. The internal oscillator has a factory calibrated bias current. An internal oscillator control register controls the operation of the internal oscillator responsive to control bits of the programmable load capacitor array controlled by the processing core.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Xiaoling Guo, Alan L. Westwick
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Patent number: 7675364Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Black Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Susanne A. Paul
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Patent number: 7622963Abstract: A circuitry comprises a comparator for comparing a signal received on a first input to a signal received on a second input. A control register associated with the first multiplexer stores control values enabling connection of one input of the first multiplexer to the output of the first multiplexer.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventor: Alan L. Westwick
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Publication number: 20090085685Abstract: The integrated circuit package includes a processing core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. A real time clock circuit provides a system clock for the processing core. The real time clock further comprises an internal oscillator that generates the system clock for the integrated circuit package. The internal oscillator has a factory calibrated bias current. An internal oscillator control register controls the operation of the internal oscillator responsive to control bits of the programmable load capacitor array controlled by the processing core.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: XIAOLING GUO, ALAN L. WESTWICK
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Publication number: 20090089599Abstract: A microcontroller includes a processing unit having a processing unit having normal power mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. The processing unit further having digital circuitry connected to the processing unit having a plurality of logic circuits associated therewith for processing digital values. A plurality of retention flip-flops are associated with the digital circuitry for storing a logical state of at least one or more of the logic circuits within the digital circuitry when the processing unit enters the low power mode of operation. The plurality of retention flip flops include a first type of transistors for operating in both the low and high power modes of operation and a second type of transistors for operation only in the normal mode of operation and wherein substantially the remainder of the digital circuitry in the processing unit comprises the second type of transistors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: ALAN L. WESTWICK, DONELSON A. SHANNON, DAZHI WEI, XIAOLING GUO, GABRIEL VOGEL
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Publication number: 20090089605Abstract: The single chip microcontroller unit includes a processing unit having normal power mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. Analog circuitry and digital circuitry are connected to the processing unit. A power management unit controls power operations of the processing unit, the analog circuitry and the digital circuitry. Power monitoring circuitry provides power control signals to the power management unit. The power monitoring circuitry further includes a system voltage monitoring circuit for generating a system voltage control signal responsive to a system voltage level with respect to a predetermined level. The power monitoring circuitry also includes a supply monitoring circuit for determining if a chip supply voltage level exceeds a threshold level.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: ALAN L. WESTWICK, DAZHI WEI, XIAOLING GUO, JIA-HAU LIU
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Publication number: 20090085684Abstract: The integrated circuit package includes a processing core for operating on a set of instructions to carry out predefined processes. An internal oscillator provides a system clock for the integrated circuit package. A programmable load capacitor array provides a programmable load to tune an oscillation frequency of the internal oscillator. An internal oscillator control register for controlling the operation of the programmable load capacitor array responsive to control bits of the programmable load capacitor array controlled by the processing core.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: XIAOLING GUO, ALAN L. WESTWICK
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Publication number: 20090085610Abstract: A circuitry comprises a comparator for comparing a signal received on a first input to a signal received on a second input. A control register associated with the first multiplexer stores control values enabling connection of one input of the first multiplexer to the output of the first multiplexer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventor: ALAN L. WESTWICK
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Publication number: 20090086517Abstract: A DC to DC boost converter circuit receives a DC input voltage and converts it to a DC output voltage at a different voltage level than the DC input voltage. The DC to DC boost converter includes a switching power converter for receiving the input voltage on an input and converting the input voltage to an output as the DC output voltage in response to pulse control signals. A switching controller generates the pulse control signals during a switching cycle. Current sensing circuitry limits a current passing through the switching power converter. The current sensing circuitry generates an overload signal when the current exceeds a reference value. The current sensing circuitry sensing the current with a current sensing resistor having a size of at least approximately 500 ohms.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: DAZHI WEI, ALAN L. WESTWICK
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Publication number: 20090085619Abstract: The single chip microcontroller unit includes a processing unit having normal power mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. Analog circuitry and digital circuitry are connected to the processing unit. Monitoring circuitry determines if a chip supply voltage level exceeds a threshold level necessary to maintain operation of the digital circuitry.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: ALAN L. WESTWICK, DAZHI WEI, XIAOLING GUO, JIA-HAU LIU
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Publication number: 20090085651Abstract: An apparatus comprises a band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a band gap voltage. A temperature invariant current generator is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit for generating a temperature invariant current. A temperature invariant current correction circuit is located within the band gap voltage generator circuit and adjusts the output voltage responsive to the temperature invariant current without altering temperature characteristics of the temperature invariant current.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: JIA-HAU LIU, ALAN L. WESTWICK, DOUGLAS S. PIASECKI
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Patent number: 7446613Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an input structure for a power amplifier. In one example, the input structure has an input network and a predriver circuit to provide an input signal to the power amplifier. The input network includes a transformer for helping to maintain a constant input impedance. The predriver includes a limiting amplifier that provides isolation between the power amplifier and the RF input. A DC feedback circuit is used by the predriver that maintains the DC level of the inverters to a desired level.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 4, 2008Assignee: Black Sand Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Timothy J. Dupuis, Susanne A. Paul
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Patent number: 7421251Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating a non-crystal oscillator in a transceiver unit using a crystal-oscillator includes the step of establishing a time base based upon oscillations of the crystal oscillator. A comparison of the number of oscillations for the non-crystal oscillator and the crystal oscillator is made during a known time period is made. An adjustment is determined based upon the established time base and the compared number of oscillations. The transceiving of the transceiver unit is then controlled based upon this adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Douglas R. Holberg
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Patent number: 7372327Abstract: A method and apparatus provides an input structure for a power amplifier. In one example, the input structure has an input network and a predriver circuit to provide an input signal to the power amplifier. The input network includes a transformer for helping to maintain a constant input impedance. The predriver includes a limiting amplifier that provides isolation between the power amplifier and the RF input. A DC feedback circuit is used by the predriver that maintains the DC level of the inverters to a desired level.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2006Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Timothy J. Dupuis, Susanne A. Paul
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Patent number: 7233199Abstract: A method and apparatus is used to provide DC stabilization and noise reduction in a multistage power amplifier. The invention uses various feedback techniques to stabilize DC levels, which helps to reduce noise. The invention also uses other techniques to reduce noise, and to reduce the noise transfer function in a power amplifier.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Alan L. Westwick, Susanne A. Paul