Patents by Inventor Brendan Farley

Brendan Farley 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: 11777503
    Abstract: An example programmable device includes a configuration memory configured to store configuration data; a programmable logic having a configurable functionality based on the configuration data in the configuration memory; a signal conversion circuit; a digital processing circuit; an endpoint circuit coupled to the signal conversion circuit through the digital processing circuit; wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first one or more digital processing functions implemented as hardened circuits each having a predetermined functionality, and a second one or more processing functions implemented by the configurable functionality of the programmable logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: John Edward McGrath, Woon Wong, John O'Dwyer, Paul Newson, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 11709275
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a number of operating conditions of a programmable device are disclosed. In some implementations, the system may include a root monitor including circuitry configured to generate a reference voltage, a plurality of sensors and satellite monitors distributed across the programmable device, and a interconnect system coupled to the root monitor and to each of the plurality of satellite monitors. Each of the satellite monitors may be in a vicinity of and coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors via a local interconnect. The interconnect system may include one or more analog channels configured to distribute the reference voltage to each of the plurality of satellite monitors, and may include one or more digital channels configured to selectively route digital data from each of the plurality of satellite monitors to the root monitor as data packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, John K. Jennings, John G. O′Dwyer
  • Patent number: 11605886
    Abstract: An antenna assembly is provided having passive cooling elements that enable compact design. In one example, an antenna assembly is provided that includes a heat sink assembly having an interior side and an exterior side, an antenna array, an antenna circuit board, and a radome. The antenna circuit board includes at least one integrated circuit (IC) die. The IC die has a conductive primary heat dissipation path to the interior side of the heat sink assembly. The radome is coupled to the heat sink assembly and encloses the antenna circuit board and the antenna array between the radome and the heat sink assembly. The heat sink assembly includes a metal base plate and at least a first heat pipe embedded with the metal base plate. The first heat pipe is disposed between the metal base plate and the IC die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Gamal Refai-Ahmed, Chi-Yi Chao, Lik Tsang, Jens Weis, Brendan Farley, Anthony Torza, Suresh Ramalingam
  • Patent number: 11569820
    Abstract: An example programmable device includes a configuration memory configured to store configuration data; a programmable logic having a configurable functionality based on the configuration data in the configuration memory; a signal conversion circuit; a digital processing circuit; an endpoint circuit coupled to the signal conversion circuit through the digital processing circuit; wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first one or more digital processing functions implemented as hardened circuits each having a predetermined functionality, and a second one or more processing functions implemented by the configurable functionality of the programmable logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: John Edward McGrath, Woon Wong, John O'Dwyer, Paul Newson, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 11563435
    Abstract: An example programmable device includes a configuration memory configured to store configuration data; a programmable logic having a configurable functionality based on the configuration data in the configuration memory; a signal conversion circuit; a digital processing circuit; an endpoint circuit coupled to the signal conversion circuit through the digital processing circuit; wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first one or more digital processing functions implemented as hardened circuits each having a predetermined functionality, and a second one or more processing functions implemented by the configurable functionality of the programmable logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: John Edward McGrath, Woon Wong, John O'Dwyer, Paul Newson, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 11196423
    Abstract: An example programmable device includes a configuration memory configured to store configuration data; a programmable logic having a configurable functionality based on the configuration data in the configuration memory; a signal conversion circuit; a digital processing circuit; an endpoint circuit coupled to the signal conversion circuit through the digital processing circuit; wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first one or more digital processing functions implemented as hardened circuits each having a predetermined functionality, and a second one or more processing functions implemented by the configurable functionality of the programmable logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: John McGrath, Woon Wong, John O'Dwyer, Paul Newson, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 11012072
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for monitoring and reconfiguring a programmable device are disclosed. In some implementations, the programmable device may include a processor and a plurality of satellite monitors to determine operating temperatures at various locations throughout the programmable device. When temperatures of at least some of the satellite monitors exceed a threshold, the processor may reconfigure the programmable device using an alternative configuration. The alternative configuration may provide equivalent functionality with respect to an initial configuration through a different arrangement of functional blocks within the programmable device. The new arrangement of functional blocks may reduce operating temperatures by relocating blocks to different regions of the programmable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: John K. Jennings, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 11009597
    Abstract: A radar system includes a transmitter to transmit a sequence of pulses, a receiver to receive reflections of the transmitted pulses, and velocity detection circuitry to determine a velocity of an object in a path of the transmitted pulses based at least in part on the transmitted pulses and the reflected pulses. The transmitter includes a plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to generate the sequence of pulses in response to a clock signal. The receiver includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to sample the reflected pulses in response to the clock signal. Accordingly, the ADCs are locked in phase with the DACs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, Christophe Erdmann, Bob W. Verbruggen
  • Patent number: 11003204
    Abstract: Examples described herein provide for a relaxation oscillator and corresponding methods of operation. In an example, a circuit includes a dynamically controllable current source, a capacitor, and an oscillator generation circuit. The dynamically controllable current source includes a digitally tunable current mirror configured to generate a current. The digitally tunable current mirror includes multiple transistors configured to be selectively electrically connected in parallel to alter a gain of the digitally tunable current mirror to control the current. The capacitor is selectively electrically connected to the dynamically controllable current source. The oscillator generation circuit is electrically connected to the capacitor. The oscillator generation circuit is configured to generate an oscillation signal in response to a voltage of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Ionut C. Cical, Edward Cullen, Brendan Farley
  • Publication number: 20210011172
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a number of operating conditions of a programmable device are disclosed. In some implementations, the system may include a root monitor including circuitry configured to generate a reference voltage, a plurality of sensors and satellite monitors distributed across the programmable device, and a interconnect system coupled to the root monitor and to each of the plurality of satellite monitors. Each of the satellite monitors may be in a vicinity of and coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of sensors via a local interconnect. The interconnect system may include one or more analog channels configured to distribute the reference voltage to each of the plurality of satellite monitors, and may include one or more digital channels configured to selectively route digital data from each of the plurality of satellite monitors to the root monitor as data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, John K. Jennings, John G. O'Dwyer
  • Patent number: 10862500
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to maintaining a total current of a switch cell in a digital-to-analog converter at a controllable operating point by adjusting shunt current control signals applied to programmable shunt current sources in opposite polarity with respect to a tail current control signal applied to a programmable tail current source. In an illustrative example, the total current may flow through differential legs of a switch cell. The programmable shunt current sources may, for example, be configured to compensate for adjustments to the programmable tail current source. In an illustrative example, tail current and shunt currents may flow through a pair of cascode transistors. In various examples, controlling the programmable shunt current sources to compensate adjustments to the tail current source may, for example, permit controlled common mode voltage or operating point so as to reduce device voltage stress over a wider dynamic range of output voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Roberto Pelliconi, Bob Verbruggen, Brendan Farley, Christophe Erdmann
  • Patent number: 10826517
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit comprises an analog-to-digital converter circuit configured to receive an input signal at an input and generate an output signal at an output; and a monitor circuit coupled to the output of the analog-to-digital converter circuit, the monitor circuit configured to receive the output signal and to generate integration coefficients for the analog-to-digital converter circuit; wherein the integration coefficients are dynamically generated based upon signal characteristics of the output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit. A method of receiving data in an integrated circuit is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Bruno Miguel Vaz, John E. McGrath, Conrado K. Mesadri, Woon C. Wong, Ali Boumaalif, Christopher Erdman, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 10720926
    Abstract: An example programmable device includes a configuration memory configured to store configuration data; a programmable logic having a configurable functionality based on the configuration data in the configuration memory; a signal conversion circuit; a digital processing circuit; an endpoint circuit coupled to the signal conversion circuit through the digital processing circuit; wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first one or more digital processing functions implemented as hardened circuits each having a predetermined functionality, and a second one or more processing functions implemented by the configurable functionality of the programmable logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: John McGrath, Woon Wong, John O'Dwyer, Paul Newson, Brendan Farley
  • Publication number: 20200191937
    Abstract: A radar system includes a transmitter to transmit a sequence of pulses, a receiver to receive reflections of the transmitted pulses, and velocity detection circuitry to determine a velocity of an object in a path of the transmitted pulses based at least in part on the transmitted pulses and the reflected pulses. The transmitter includes a plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DACs) to generate the sequence of pulses in response to a clock signal. The receiver includes a plurality of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) to sample the reflected pulses in response to the clock signal. Accordingly, the ADCs are locked in phase with the DACs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, Christophe Erdmann, Bob W. Verbruggen
  • Patent number: 10581450
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relating to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) include a programmable resistance network coupled between a voltage supply node VDD and a switch cell circuit to provide a predetermined resistance in response to the VDD and current IS of the switch cell circuit. In an illustrative example, the DAC may include a switch cell circuit comprising one or more switch cells connected in parallel. Each switch cell may include a differential gain circuit having a first branch coupled to a second branch at an input of a current source. The programmable resistance may include a variable resistance configured to adjust a voltage (Vbias) supplied to the switch cell circuit in response to a control signal. By introducing the programmable resistance network, predetermined bias and/or gain values may be dynamically adjusted with a constant board-level power supply VDD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, Bob W. Verbruggen, Christophe Erdmann, Roberto Pelliconi
  • Patent number: 10530379
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit (400) and method of operation are disclosed. In some aspects, the ADC circuit (400) may include a plurality of channels (500), a gain calibration circuit (420), and a time-skew calibration circuit (430). Each of the plurality of channels (500) may include an ADC (520), a switch (510) configured to provide a differential input signal to the ADC (520), a calibration device (530), a multiplier (540), and a pseudorandom bit sequence (PRBS) circuit (550) to provide a pseudorandom number (PN) to the switch (510), to the calibration device (530), and to the multiplier (540). In some embodiments, the calibration device (530) may include first and second offset calibration circuits (531-532) coupled in parallel between a de-multiplexer (D1) and a multiplexer (M1) that alternately route signals to the first and second offset calibration circuits (531-532) based on the pseudorandom number (PN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Bruno Miguel Vaz, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 10489609
    Abstract: Disclosed approaches for limiting use or a programmable IC involve a provider of programmable ICs generating, using one or more private keys of the provider, one or more signed configuration bitstreams from one or more circuit designs received from a customer. The provider changes the general purpose programmable IC into an application programmable IC that can only be programmed by the one or more signed configuration bitstreams. The application programmable IC and the one or more signed configuration bitstreams are provided from the provider to the customer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: John E. McGrath, Brendan Farley, Anthony J. Collins, Matthew H. Klein
  • Patent number: 10476514
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is described. The integrated circuit comprises a first portion having programmable resources; a second portion having hardened circuits including an analog-to-digital converter circuit configured to receive an input signal and generate an output signal; and a monitor circuit configured to receive an output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit; wherein the monitor circuit is configurable to control a calibration of the analog-to-digital converter circuit based upon signal characteristics of the output signal generated by the analog-to-digital converter circuit. A method of receiving data in an integrated circuit is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Xilinx, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruno Miguel Vaz, John E. McGrath, Conrado K. Mesadri, Woon C. Wong, Ali Boumaalif, Christophe Erdmann, Brendan Farley
  • Patent number: 10404265
    Abstract: An example apparatus includes a first transistor coupled between a supply node and a first node, a current mirror having a first side and a second side, and a second transistor coupled between the first node and the first side of the current mirror. The input buffer further includes a third transistor coupled between the first node and the second side of the current mirror, and a first capacitor coupled between a source and a drain of the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, Bruno Miguel Vaz, Darragh Walsh
  • Patent number: 10218372
    Abstract: A time-skew adjustment circuit includes an input to receive a series of samples of an input signal from a plurality of channels of an interleaved ADC. A first subtractor calculates distances between consecutive samples in the received series of samples, and a plurality of average circuit code and a plurality of memory banks to calculate a plurality of first average distance, each corresponding to an average of the distance between consecutive samples from a respective pair of channels of the interleaved ADC. Time-skew detection circuitry calculates respective time skews between each of the pairs of channels by comparing each of the first average distances with an average of the distances between consecutive samples from the plurality of channels. Divergence control circuitry determines an accuracy of the time skews based at least in part on the first average distances and a Nyquist zone associated with the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: XILINX, INC.
    Inventors: Brendan Farley, Christophe Erdmann, John E. McGrath, Bruno Miguel Vaz