Abstract: System, method and computer program product for setting phase control codes to (in-phase) I and (quadrature) Q rotators to a first code pair, different by enough to produce a phase difference between the rotator outputs sufficient to be detected with minimal error by a phase-to-voltage converter. Auxiliary trim DACs are then adjusted according to calibration logic until a comparator output detects a phase difference between the I and Q rotators are within tolerable limits. The resulting trim codes are stored for both the codes in the pair. These trim codes along with the main codes are subsequently applied whenever the codes are used thereafter. These steps are repeated with each successive code pair having the same separation as the first code pair, e.g. both incremented by same amount until all codes have been calibrated. In this manner having the phase separation between all code pairs forced to the same value.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a self-reference STT-MRAM sensing scheme that uses offset-cancellation to reduce the impact of FET mismatch and thereby allow the sensing of lower read voltages. In some embodiments, the sensing scheme includes a differential amplifier having a first input connected to a memory cell. In some embodiments, a second input of the differential amplifier may be connected to ground, a common mode voltage of the system or a mid-level supply voltage. The present disclosure provides flexibility with respect to the voltage level at which the sensing is performed (e.g., ground, Voc, Vmid, etc.). The present disclosure provides further flexibility with respect to the sense voltage polarity.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for setting phase control codes to (in-phase) I and (quadrature) Q rotators to a first code pair, different by enough to produce a phase difference between the rotator outputs sufficient to be detected with minimal error by a phase-to-voltage converter. Auxiliary trim DACs are then adjusted according to calibration logic until a comparator output detects a phase difference between the I and Q rotators are within tolerable limits. The resulting trim codes are stored for both the codes in the pair. These trim codes along with the main codes are subsequently applied whenever the codes are used thereafter. These steps are repeated with each successive code pair having the same separation as the first code pair, e.g. both incremented by same amount until all codes have been calibrated. In this manner having the phase separation between all code pairs forced to the same value.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for setting phase control codes to (in-phase) I and (quadrature) Q rotators to a first code pair, different by enough to produce a phase difference between the rotator outputs sufficient to be detected with minimal error by a phase-to-voltage converter. Auxiliary trim DACs are then adjusted according to calibration logic until a comparator output detects a phase difference between the I and Q rotators are within tolerable limits. The resulting trim codes are stored for both the codes in the pair. These trim codes along with the main codes are subsequently applied whenever the codes are used thereafter. These steps are repeated with each successive code pair having the same separation as the first code pair, e.g. both incremented by same amount until all codes have been calibrated. In this manner having the phase separation between all code pairs forced to the same value.

Abstract: An approach for a transconductance cell for use in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is provided. The transconductance cell includes a first NFET stack connected in series to a first PFET stack. The transconductance cell includes a second NFET stack connected in series to a second PFET stack. The first NFET stack and the first PFET stack are cross-coupled to the second NFET stack and the second PFET stack. The first NFET stack and the second NFET stack are connected to a tail node. The first PFET stack and the second PFET stack are connected to a power supply node.

Abstract: An approach for a transconductance cell for use in a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is provided. The transconductance cell includes a first NFET stack connected in series to a first PFET stack. The transconductance cell includes a second NFET stack connected in series to a second PFET stack. The first NFET stack and the first PFET stack are cross-coupled to the second NFET stack and the second PFET stack. The first NFET stack and the second NFET stack are connected to a tail node. The first PFET stack and the second PFET stack are connected to a power supply node.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a self-reference STT-MRAM sensing scheme that uses offset-cancellation to reduce the impact of FET mismatch and thereby allow the sensing of lower read voltages. In some embodiments, the sensing scheme includes a differential amplifier having a first input connected to a memory cell. In some embodiments, a second input of the differential amplifier may be connected to ground, a common mode voltage of the system or a mid-level supply voltage. The present disclosure provides flexibility with respect to the voltage level at which the sensing is performed (e.g., ground, Voc, Vmid, etc.). The present disclosure provides further flexibility with respect to the sense voltage polarity.

Abstract: System, method and computer program product for setting phase control codes to (in-phase) I and (quadrature) Q rotators to a first code pair, different by enough to produce a phase difference between the rotator outputs sufficient to be detected with minimal error by a phase-to-voltage converter. Auxiliary trim DACs are then adjusted according to calibration logic until a comparator output detects a phase difference between the I and Q rotators are within tolerable limits. The resulting trim codes are stored for both the codes in the pair. These trim codes along with the main codes are subsequently applied whenever the codes are used thereafter. These steps are repeated with each successive code pair having the same separation as the first code pair, e.g. both incremented by same amount until all codes have been calibrated. In this manner having the phase separation between all code pairs forced to the same value.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing process sensitivity in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication. An integrated circuit structure is provided that includes a first integrated circuit device having at least one parameter influenced by process variation in a first manner. The integrated circuit structure further includes a second integrated device having the least one parameter influenced by the process variation in a second manner. The first manner is opposite of the second manner. The second integrated device is configured to offset or reduce the influence of the process variation on the at least one parameter in the first integrated circuit device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing process sensitivity in integrated circuit (“IC”) fabrication. An integrated circuit structure is provided that includes a first integrated circuit device having at least one parameter influenced by process variation in a first manner. The integrated circuit structure further includes a second integrated device having the least one parameter influenced by the process variation in a second manner. The first manner is opposite of the second manner. The second integrated device is configured to offset or reduce the influence of the process variation on the at least one parameter in the first integrated circuit device.

Abstract: Recycling energy in a clock distribution network is provided. A circuit includes a clock driver associated with a clock signal and having an output connected to a first load capacitance. The circuit also includes a second load capacitance connected in parallel with the first load capacitance. The circuit further includes a power transfer circuit including an inductor and a transmission gate connected in series between the first load capacitance and the second load capacitance. The power transfer circuit controls a flow of energy between the first load capacitance and the second load capacitance based on the clock signal.

Abstract: Recycling energy in a clock distribution network is provided. A circuit includes a clock driver associated with a clock signal and having an output connected to a first load capacitance. The circuit also includes a second load capacitance connected in parallel with the first load capacitance. The circuit further includes a power transfer circuit including an inductor and a transmission gate connected in series between the first load capacitance and the second load capacitance. The power transfer circuit controls a flow of energy between the first load capacitance and the second load capacitance based on the clock signal.

Abstract: A time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a plurality of ADC blocks each including: at least one ADC unit configured to convert an analog input to a digital output; and a digital gain controller configured to adjust a reference voltage of the at least one ADC unit based on a comparison of an actual output of the at least one ADC unit to an expected output of the at least one ADC unit.

Abstract: A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes an adjustable voltage source that applies an adjustable voltage to an input of a comparator of the ADC to cancel an offset of the ADC. The ADC also includes a control that suspends adjustments of the adjustable voltage when the adjustable voltage converges on the offset. The adjustable voltage source is a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A time-interleaved analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a plurality of ADC blocks each including: at least one ADC unit configured to convert an analog input to a digital output; and a digital gain controller configured to adjust a reference voltage of the at least one ADC unit based on a comparison of an actual output of the at least one ADC unit to an expected output of the at least one ADC unit.

Abstract: A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes an adjustable voltage source that applies an adjustable voltage to an input of a comparator of the ADC to cancel an offset of the ADC. The ADC also includes a control that suspends adjustments of the adjustable voltage when the adjustable voltage converges on the offset. The adjustable voltage source is a digital-to-analog converter.

Abstract: A differential system producing differential signals with offset cancellation utilizing a double differential input pair system is disclosed. It uses two parallel differential transistor pairs which are intentionally skewed. Nominally, the differential pairs are skewed in opposite direction from each, but with equal magnitude, so that the combination of the two differential pairs is nominally balanced. The current through each differential pair is then increased or decreased until any offset is sufficiently cancelled, using a selection means for providing an equi-potential value to first and second differential inputs in a calibration mode of the system and a comparison means for comparing first and second differential outputs in a calibration mode to determine the offset of the system.

Abstract: Method and systems of powering on an integrated circuit (IC) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a region in the IC including functional logic, a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the region when the IC is powered up and a heating element therefor; a processing unit including: a comparator for comparing the temperature against a predetermined temperature value, a controller, which in the case that the temperature is below the predetermined temperature value, delays functional operation of the IC and controls heating of the region of the IC, and a monitor for monitoring the temperature in the region; and wherein the controller, in the case that the temperature rises above the predetermined temperature value, ceases the heating and initiates functional operation of the IC.

Abstract: A circuit for preventing failure in an integrated circuit. The circuit including: an original circuit; one or more redundant circuits; and a repair processor, including a clock cycle counter configured to count pulses of a pulsed signal, the repair processor configured to (a) replace the original circuit with a first redundant circuit or (b) configured to select another redundant circuit, the selection in sequence from a second redundant circuit to a last redundant circuit, and to replace a previously selected redundant circuit with the selected redundant circuit each time the cycle counter reaches a predetermined count of a set of pre-determined cycle counts.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a variable-delay field effect transistor (FET) having multiple source regions that can be individually and selectively biased to provide an electrical connection to a single drain region. Delay is a function of which of the multiple source regions is/are selectively biased as well as a function of gate resistance and capacitance. Such a variable-delay FET can be incorporated into a phase adjusting circuit, which uses gate propagation delays to selectively phase adjust an input signal. The phase adjusting circuit can be tuned by incorporating non-salicided resistances and additional capacitance at various positions on the gate structure. The phase adjusting circuit can further be modified into a phase adjusting mixer circuit that enables a phase adjusted signal to be combined with an additional signal.