Patents by Inventor Axel Thomsen

Axel Thomsen 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).

  • APPARATUS FOR DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERSION WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20160359497
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for digital-to-analog conversion with improved performance. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a DAC to convert a digital input signal to an analog output signal. The DAC includes a decoder to decode the digital input signal and to provide first and second sets of control signals. The DAC also includes a resistor DAC (RDAC) to provide first and second voltages in response to the first set of control signals. The DAC further includes an interpolator coupled to receive the first and second voltages and to provide a first analog signal in response to the second set of control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Alan L. Westwick
  • Apparatus for Offset Trimming and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20160359496
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for gain and offset trimming. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first circuit that includes a first transconductance stage to generate a first current. The first circuit has an output offset. The apparatus further includes an offset trim circuit, which includes a second circuit to provide an output voltage selectable from a plurality of voltage values, and a second transconductance stage to generate a second current in response to the output voltage of the second circuit. The output offset of the first circuit is trimmed by adding the second current to the first current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Alan L. Westwick, Ricky Setiawan, Rex Wong Tak Ying
  • APPARATUS FOR GAIN SELECTION WITH COMPENSATION FOR PARASITIC ELEMENTS AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20160359495
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for gain programming or selection with parasitic element compensation. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first circuit that has a first programmable gain, and includes a first set of components having parasitic elements. The apparatus also includes a second circuit that has a second programmable gain, and includes a second set of components having parasitic elements. The apparatus has a gain that is a product of the first and second programmable gains. A gain error because of the parasitic elements of the first and second sets of components is canceled by setting the first programmable gain as a reciprocal of the second programmable gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Alan L. Westwick, Ricky Setiawan, Rex Wong Tak Ying
  • Apparatus for gain selection with compensation for parasitic elements and associated methods
    Patent number: 9515671
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for gain programming or selection with parasitic element compensation. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first circuit that has a first programmable gain, and includes a first set of components having parasitic elements. The apparatus also includes a second circuit that has a second programmable gain, and includes a second set of components having parasitic elements. The apparatus has a gain that is a product of the first and second programmable gains. A gain error because of the parasitic elements of the first and second sets of components is canceled by setting the first programmable gain as a reciprocal of the second programmable gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Alan L. Westwick, Ricky Setiawan, Rex Wong Tak Ying
  • Apparatus for offset trimming and associated methods
    Patent number: 9503113
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods are disclosed for gain and offset trimming. In one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a first circuit that includes a first transconductance stage to generate a first current. The first circuit has an output offset. The apparatus further includes an offset trim circuit, which includes a second circuit to provide an output voltage selectable from a plurality of voltage values, and a second transconductance stage to generate a second current in response to the output voltage of the second circuit. The output offset of the first circuit is trimmed by adding the second current to the first current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Alan L. Westwick, Ricky Setiawan, Rex Wong Tak Ying
  • RC oscillator
    Patent number: 9438165
    Abstract: A method includes using a current source to provide a charging current to a capacitor of a resistor-capacitor (RC) tank of an RC oscillator. The method includes using a resistor of the current source as a resistor for the RC tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Powell, Axel Thomsen, Nicholas M. Atkinson
  • LINEAR REGULATOR HAVING A CLOSED LOOP FREQUENCY RESPONSE BASED ON A DECOUPLING CAPACITANCE
    Publication number: 20160147239
    Abstract: A method includes using a pass device of a linear regulator to provide an output signal to an output of the linear regulator in response to a signal that is received at a control terminal of the pass device. The method includes using the linear regulator to regulate the signal received at the control terminal based at least in part on the output signal; and controlling a closed loop frequency response of the linear regulator to cause a direct current (DC) gain of the linear regulator to extend to a frequency near or at frequency of a zero that is associated with a decoupling capacitor that is coupled to the output of the linear regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen, Praveen Kallam
  • Apparatus for Mixed Signal Interface Circuitry and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20160126955
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of pads adapted to send or receive signals, and a plurality of mixed signal interface blocks, each of which is coupled to a corresponding pad in the plurality of pads. Furthermore, each mixed signal interface block in the plurality of mixed signal interface blocks is adapted to be configurable to provide selected functionality independently of the other mixed signal interface blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jinwen Xiao, Pavel Konecny, Axel Thomsen, Clayton Daigle, Xiaodong Wang, John Khoury, Alan Westwick, Shahram Tadayon
  • RC OSCILLATOR
    Publication number: 20160105148
    Abstract: A method includes using a current source to provide a charging current to a capacitor of a resistor-capacitor (RC) tank of an RC oscillator. The method includes using a resistor of the current source as a resistor for the RC tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Matthew R. Powell, Axel Thomsen, Nicholas M. Atkinson
  • Apparatus for mixed signal interface circuitry and associated methods
    Patent number: 9236867
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of pads adapted to send or receive signals, and a plurality of mixed signal interface blocks, each of which is coupled to a corresponding pad in the plurality of pads. Furthermore, each mixed signal interface block in the plurality of mixed signal interface blocks is adapted to be configurable to provide selected functionality independently of the other mixed signal interface blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Jinwen Xiao, Pavel Konecny, Axel Thomsen, Clayton Daigle, Xiaodong Wang, John Khoury, Alan Westwick, Shahram Tadayon
  • APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INTERFACE AND ASSOCIATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20150263613
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) adapted to be powered by a positive supply voltage. The IC includes a charge pump that is adapted to convert the positive supply voltage of the IC to a negative bias voltage. The IC further includes a bidirectional interface circuit. The bidirectional interface circuit includes an amplifier coupled to the negative bias voltage to accommodate a bidirectional input voltage of the IC. The bidirectional interface circuit further includes a comparator coupled to the negative bias voltage to accommodate the bidirectional input voltage of the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventor: Axel Thomsen
  • Apparatus for motor control system and associated methods
    Patent number: 9106176
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus to control a motor external to the motor control apparatus includes a microcontroller unit (MCU). The MCU includes mixed signal motor control circuitry adapted to perform back electromotive force (EMF) motor control in a first mode of operation. The mixed signal motor control circuitry is further adapted to perform field oriented control (FOC) in a second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth A Berringer, Axel Thomsen, Pedro Pachuca, Brent Wilson, Jinwen Xiao, Scott Willingham, Kenneth W Fernald, Paul Zavalney
  • Relaxation oscillator
    Patent number: 9099994
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: during a first portion of a cycle of a clock signal generated by an oscillator, pre-charging a first capacitor of a first switched capacitor stage until a first comparator determines that a first node voltage of the first switched capacitor stage is greater than a first reference voltage at a first reference voltage node; applying a second reference voltage to the first reference voltage node; and responsive to a first edge of the clock signal, charging the first capacitor until the first comparator determines that the first node voltage is greater than the second reference voltage at the first reference voltage node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Pavel Konecny, Xiaodong Wang
  • Clock signal timing-based noise suppression
    Patent number: 9083354
    Abstract: A method includes generating one of a first clock signal and a second clock signal from the other clock signal. The first clock signal is configured to be used to synchronize an operation of an analog system, and the second clock signal is configured to be used to synchronize an operation of a digital system. The method includes using a phase detector of the analog system to measure a timing of the first clock signal relative to the second clock signal; and the method includes controlling a delay element of the digital system to regulate the timing based on the measurement by the phase detector to suppress noise in the analog system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.
    Inventors: Imranul Islam, Axel Thomsen, Paul I. Zavalney
  • Apparatus for Mixed Signal Interface Circuitry and Associated Methods
    Publication number: 20150180476
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a plurality of pads adapted to send or receive signals, and a plurality of mixed signal interface blocks, each of which is coupled to a corresponding pad in the plurality of pads. Furthermore, each mixed signal interface block in the plurality of mixed signal interface blocks is adapted to be configurable to provide selected functionality independently of the other mixed signal interface blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Jinwen Xiao, Pavel Konecny, Axel Thomsen, Clayton Daigle, Xiaodong Wang, John Khoury, Alan Westwick, Shahram Tadayon
  • Apparatus for integrated circuit interface and associated methods
    Patent number: 9048777
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC) adapted to be powered by a positive supply voltage. The IC includes a charge pump that is adapted to convert the positive supply voltage of the IC to a negative bias voltage. The IC further includes a bidirectional interface circuit. The bidirectional interface circuit includes an amplifier coupled to the negative bias voltage to accommodate a bidirectional input voltage of the IC. The bidirectional interface circuit further includes a comparator coupled to the negative bias voltage to accommodate the bidirectional input voltage of the IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Axel Thomsen
  • Dual-path comparator and method
    Patent number: 9041584
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a differential voltage signal at first and second inputs of a comparator and selectively providing the differential voltage signal to one of a first conversion path and a second conversion path of the comparator during a conversion phase to determine a digital value corresponding to the differential voltage signal. The first and second conversion paths including first and second pluralities of gain stages, respectively. The method further includes coupling the selected one of the first conversion path and the second conversion path to an output to provide the digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen
  • Dual-Path Comparator and Method
    Publication number: 20150061913
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a differential voltage signal at first and second inputs of a comparator and selectively providing the differential voltage signal to one of a first conversion path and a second conversion path of the comparator during a conversion phase to determine a digital value corresponding to the differential voltage signal. The first and second conversion paths including first and second pluralities of gain stages, respectively. The method further includes coupling the selected one of the first conversion path and the second conversion path to an output to provide the digital value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen
  • Amplifier circuits and methods of amplifying an input signal
    Patent number: 8952751
    Abstract: A method of operating an amplifier circuit having a pre-charge phase and a sample/conversion phase includes, during a pre-charge phase, charging first and second capacitors to first and second bias voltages. The first capacitor is coupled to a first input of an amplifier circuit, which has a second input and an output. The second capacitor is coupled to the second input. During a sample/conversion phase, the first input of the amplifier circuit is coupled to an input signal through the first capacitor to level-shift the input signal according to the first bias voltage and the output of the amplifier is coupled to the second input through the second capacitor to level shift a feedback signal according to the second bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Axel Thomsen, Gang Yuan
  • Successive approximation register analog-to-digital converter with multiple capacitive sampling circuits and method
    Patent number: 8952839
    Abstract: A circuit includes a comparator including a first input, a second input, and an output. The circuit further includes a plurality of capacitive sampling circuits configured to be selectively coupled to the first and second inputs. Each of the plurality of capacitive sampling circuits includes first and second capacitors, and includes first and second conversion switches configured to selectively couple the first and second capacitors to the first and second inputs, respectively. The first and second conversion switches of a selected one of the plurality of capacitive sampling circuits are closed to couple the selected one to the first and second inputs of the comparator during a conversion phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Shouli Yan, Axel Thomsen, Jinwen Xiao