Patents by Inventor Dan B. Kasha
Dan B. Kasha 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: 11749712Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isolation capacitor structure that reduces the risk of breakdown from high electric fields at the edge of the top metal plate of the capacitor. The capacitor structure includes a bottom metal plate above a substrate. A first dielectric layer of a first dielectric material is formed between the bottom metal plate and the top metal plate. The capacitor structure also includes a thin narrow ring formed of a second dielectric material located under a portion of the top metal plate. The second dielectric material has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material. The thin narrow ring follows the shape of the edge of the top metal plate with a portion of the ring underneath the top metal plate and a portion outside the edge of the top metal plate to thereby be located at a place of the maximum electric field.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Russell Croman, Stefan N. Mastovich, Thomas C. Fowler
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Publication number: 20220115497Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isolation capacitor structure that reduces the risk of breakdown from high electric fields at the edge of the top metal plate of the capacitor. The capacitor structure includes a bottom metal plate above a substrate. A first dielectric layer of a first dielectric material is formed between the bottom metal plate and the top metal plate. The capacitor structure also includes a thin narrow ring formed of a second dielectric material located under a portion of the top metal plate. The second dielectric material has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material. The thin narrow ring follows the shape of the edge of the top metal plate with a portion of the ring underneath the top metal plate and a portion outside the edge of the top metal plate to thereby be located at a place of the maximum electric field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Russell Croman, Stefan N. Mastovich, Thomas C. Fowler
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Patent number: 11205696Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isolation capacitor structure that reduces the risk of breakdown from high electric fields at the edge of the top metal plate of the capacitor. The capacitor structure includes a bottom metal plate above a substrate. A first dielectric layer of a first dielectric material is formed between the bottom metal plate and the top metal plate. The capacitor structure also includes a thin narrow ring formed of a second dielectric material located under a portion of the top metal plate. The second dielectric material has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material. The thin narrow ring follows the shape of the edge of the top metal plate with a portion of the ring underneath the top metal plate and a portion outside the edge of the top metal plate to thereby be located at a place of the maximum electric field.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Russell Croman, Stefan N. Mastovich, Thomas C. Fowler
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Publication number: 20210202375Abstract: An isolation capacitor structure reduces the likelihood of breakdown in the passivation layers by physically re-shaping or dividing the top plate of the isolation capacitor into two segments. In that way, the electric field is driven down and away from the passivation surfaces. One embodiment utilizes a series capacitor formed by the top metal plate of the capacitor and an additional “top hat” plate above the top metal plate that redirects the fields into the main isolation capacitor. Vias may be included between the top hat plate and the top metal plate. Another approach reshapes the top plate to have an integrated top hat structure and achieves similar results of directing charge down and away from the passivation layer surface breakdown paths.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Thomas C. Fowler, Jerome T. Wenske, Ahsanul Islam, Dan B. Kasha
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Publication number: 20210193791Abstract: An integrated circuit has an isolation capacitor structure that reduces the risk of breakdown from high electric fields at the edge of the top metal plate of the capacitor. The capacitor structure includes a bottom metal plate above a substrate. A first dielectric layer of a first dielectric material is formed between the bottom metal plate and the top metal plate. The capacitor structure also includes a thin narrow ring formed of a second dielectric material located under a portion of the top metal plate. The second dielectric material has a higher dielectric constant than the first dielectric material. The thin narrow ring follows the shape of the edge of the top metal plate with a portion of the ring underneath the top metal plate and a portion outside the edge of the top metal plate to thereby be located at a place of the maximum electric field.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Russell Croman, Stefan N. Mastovich, Thomas C. Fowler
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Patent number: 10128930Abstract: In an example, a method includes: in a first mode, causing a first tuner of an entertainment system to receive and process a first RF signal from a first antenna configured for a first band to output a first audio signal of a first radio station and causing a second tuner of the entertainment system to receive a second RF signal from a second antenna configured for the first band to determine signal quality metrics for one or more radio stations of the first band; in a second mode, causing the first tuner to output a first signal representation of the first RF signal and causing the second tuner to receive and process the second RF signal to output a second signal representation of the second RF signal; and causing a phase diversity combining circuit to process the first and second signal representations to output an audio signal of the first radio station, without disruption of output from the entertainment system of a broadcast of the first radio station.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Russell Croman, Nebojsa Stanic, Michael Johnson, Dan B. Kasha, Michael R. May
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Publication number: 20180026701Abstract: In an example, a method includes: in a first mode, causing a first tuner of an entertainment system to receive and process a first RF signal from a first antenna configured for a first band to output a first audio signal of a first radio station and causing a second tuner of the entertainment system to receive a second RF signal from a second antenna configured for the first band to determine signal quality metrics for one or more radio stations of the first band; in a second mode, causing the first tuner to output a first signal representation of the first RF signal and causing the second tuner to receive and process the second RF signal to output a second signal representation of the second RF signal; and causing a phase diversity combining circuit to process the first and second signal representations to output an audio signal of the first radio station, without disruption of output from the entertainment system of a broadcast of the first radio station.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: Russell Croman, Nebojsa Stanic, Michael Johnson, Dan B. Kasha, Michael R. May
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Patent number: 9787388Abstract: In an example, a method includes: in a first mode, causing a first tuner of an entertainment system to receive and process a first RF signal from a first antenna configured for a first band to output a first audio signal of a first radio station and causing a second tuner of the entertainment system to receive a second RF signal from a second antenna configured for the first band to determine signal quality metrics for one or more radio stations of the first band; in a second mode, causing the first tuner to output a first signal representation of the first RF signal and causing the second tuner to receive and process the second RF signal to output a second signal representation of the second RF signal; and causing a phase diversity combining circuit to process the first and second signal representations to output an audio signal of the first radio station, without disruption of output from the entertainment system of a broadcast of the first radio station.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Russell Croman, Nebojsa Stanic, Michael Johnson, Dan B. Kasha, Michael R. May
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Publication number: 20170288764Abstract: In an example, a method includes: in a first mode, causing a first tuner of an entertainment system to receive and process a first RF signal from a first antenna configured for a first band to output a first audio signal of a first radio station and causing a second tuner of the entertainment system to receive a second RF signal from a second antenna configured for the first band to determine signal quality metrics for one or more radio stations of the first band; in a second mode, causing the first tuner to output a first signal representation of the first RF signal and causing the second tuner to receive and process the second RF signal to output a second signal representation of the second RF signal; and causing a phase diversity combining circuit to process the first and second signal representations to output an audio signal of the first radio station, without disruption of output from the entertainment system of a broadcast of the first radio station.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2016Publication date: October 5, 2017Inventors: Russell Croman, Nebojsa Stanic, Michael Johnson, Dan B. Kasha, Michael R. May
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Patent number: 9190975Abstract: A radio receiver and method of operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the radio receiver may include a RF receive path configured to convey a first radio signal within a first band to a radio tuning circuit. The RF receive path may be controllable using a first AGC circuit. The radio receiver may also include a loop-through path configured to convey a second radio signal within a second band between an input and an output of the radio receiver. The second band may be different from the first band. The loop-through path may be controllable using a second AGC circuit.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Russell Croman, Mike R. May, Mark W. May, Navin Harwalkar, Tim Stroud
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Patent number: 9154084Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a low-noise amplifier having a first complex input impedance. The integrated circuit includes a complex attenuator coupled to an input terminal of the integrated circuit. The complex attenuator has a second complex input impedance and a first complex output impedance. The apparatus may include a matching network coupled to the input terminal of the integrated circuit. The matching network is external to the integrated circuit. The matching network may have a first real input impedance and a second complex output impedance. The second complex output impedance is matched to the second complex input impedance.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Navin Harwalkar, Dan B. Kasha
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Patent number: 9002306Abstract: A method includes receiving a desired channel indication in a radio tuner, determining a band of operation in which the channel is located, and if the channel is within a first band coupling multiple inductors into a resonant tank, and if the desired channel is within a second band coupling a single inductor into the resonant tank.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Jing Li, Dan B. Kasha, Aslamali Rafi
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Publication number: 20150094007Abstract: A radio receiver and method of operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the radio receiver may include a RF receive path configured to convey a first radio signal within a first band to a radio tuning circuit. The RF receive path may be controllable using a first AGC circuit. The radio receiver may also include a loop-through path configured to convey a second radio signal within a second band between an input and an output of the radio receiver. The second band may be different from the first band. The loop-through path may be controllable using a second AGC circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Russell Croman, Mike R. May, Mark W. May, Navin Harwalkar, Tim Stroud
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Publication number: 20150035595Abstract: An apparatus includes an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a low-noise amplifier having a first complex input impedance. The integrated circuit includes a complex attenuator coupled to an input terminal of the integrated circuit. The complex attenuator has a second complex input impedance and a first complex output impedance. The apparatus may include a matching network coupled to the input terminal of the integrated circuit. The matching network is external to the integrated circuit. The matching network may have a first real input impedance and a second complex output impedance. The second complex output impedance is matched to the second complex input impedance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Navin Harwalkar, Dan B. Kasha
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Publication number: 20140342681Abstract: A method includes receiving a desired channel indication in a radio tuner, determining a band of operation in which the channel is located, and if the channel is within a first band coupling multiple inductors into a resonant tank, and if the desired channel is within a second band coupling a single inductor into the resonant tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: JING LI, DAN B. KASHA, ASLAMALI RAFI
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Patent number: 8818309Abstract: A method includes receiving a desired channel indication in a radio tuner, determining a band of operation in which the channel is located, and if the channel is within a first band coupling multiple inductors into a resonant tank, and if the desired channel is within a second band coupling a single inductor into the resonant tank.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Jing Li, Dan B. Kasha, Aslamali A. Rafi
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Patent number: 8750819Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for configuring a single chip radio tuner having a configurable front end, which may be adapted within an integrated circuit (IC). The method may include setting a controller of the tuner with configuration information for a radio in which the tuner is located. Then, control signals responsive to the configuration information can be sent to the configurable front end to configure the tuner.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Dan B Kasha, Jing Li, Russell Croman, Michael Johnson, Scott D. Willingham
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Publication number: 20130244600Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for configuring a single chip radio tuner having a configurable front end, which may be adapted within an integrated circuit (IC). The method may include setting a controller of the tuner with configuration information for a radio in which the tuner is located. Then, control signals responsive to the configuration information can be sent to the configurable front end to configure the tuner.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Inventors: Dan B. Kasha, Jing Li, Russell Croman, Michael Johnson, Scott D. WIllingham
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Patent number: 8538365Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving and processing an incoming radio frequency (RF) signal in a receiver. Based on this signal, an environmental noise level can be determined, where this level corresponds to environmental noise present in an environment in which the receiver is located. Then, if the environmental noise level is substantially greater than receiver-generated noise, power consumption of at least one analog front end component of the receiver can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Russell Croman, Christopher S. Gregg, Dan B. Kasha, Michael R. May, John Khoury, Javier Elenes
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Patent number: 8532601Abstract: An integrated low-IF (low intermediate frequency) terrestrial broadcast receiver and associated method are disclosed that provide an advantageous and cost-efficient solution. The integrated receiver includes a mixer, local oscillator generation circuitry, low-IF conversion circuitry, and DSP circuitry. And the integrated receiver is particularly suited for small, portable devices and the reception of terrestrial audio broadcasts, such as FM and AM terrestrial audio broadcast, in such portable devices.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: G. Tyson Tuttle, Dan B. Kasha