Patents by Inventor Dimitar T. Trifonov

Dimitar T. Trifonov 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: 10181857
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter includes an integrator, a single comparator, a successive approximation result register, and correction circuitry. The comparator is coupled to an output of the integrator. The successive approximation result register is coupled to an output of the comparator. The correction circuitry is configured to determine whether a sum of a reference voltage and an output voltage of the integrator changes an output of the comparator. The correction circuitry is also configured to, responsive to the sum of the reference voltage and the output of the integrator not changing the output of the comparator, add twice the reference voltage to the output of the integrator to produce a bit value at the output of the comparator, and select a bit value to be loaded into the successive approximation result register based on the bit value at the output of the comparator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Patent number: 9459352
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source to generate source light through an optically transmissive medium to an object. A receiver includes a near zone light sensor and a far zone light sensor positioned on a substrate with the light source. The near zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the generated source light, receive reflected source light from the object and the optically transmissive medium. The far zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the source light, receive the reflected source light from the object and to receive a reduced quantity of the reflected source light from the optically transmissive medium compared to the near zone light sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James H. Becker, Tony R. Larson, Dimitar T. Trifonov, Zhongyan Sheng
  • Publication number: 20160205066
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for assigning unique addresses to slave devices in a system comprising a host controller and multiple slave devices connected in a daisy chain configuration. The host controller initiates the address programming protocol, resulting in address assignment commands propagating along the daisy chain to each of the slave devices. Upon receiving an address assignment, each slave device issues an updated address assignment for the neighboring downstream slave device in the daisy chain. In this manner, slave devices are uniquely addressed using a single command, such that slave devices do not require factory-programmed device addresses. Also disclosed are communication protocols that allow the host controller to communicate with each of the daisy-chained slave devices or with certain subsets of the slave devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Hussain K. Attarwala, Ankit Khanna, Dimitar T. Trifonov, Vasco D. Polyzoev, Biraja P. Dash
  • Publication number: 20160146938
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source to generate source light through an optically transmissive medium to an object. A receiver includes a near zone light sensor and a far zone light sensor positioned on a substrate with the light source. The near zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the generated source light, receive reflected source light from the object and the optically transmissive medium. The far zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the source light, receive the reflected source light from the object and to receive a reduced quantity of the reflected source light from the optically transmissive medium compared to the near zone light sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: JAMES H. BECKER, TONY R. LARSON, DIMITAR T. TRIFONOV, ZHONGYAN SHENG
  • Patent number: 9003096
    Abstract: A method is provided. A communication is received by an input pin of an IC over a single-wire bus, where the communication includes a command byte. If the command byte is an initialization command byte, a self-addressing operation is performed to identify a bus address for the IC. Alternatively, if the command byte is a data movement command byte, a data movement operation is performed. When data movement operation is performed, the bus interface of the IC is set from the transparent mode to the operational mode if an operation address from the command byte matches the bus address so that a register identified in the command byte can be accessed and data movement with the register can be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Marco A. Gardner, Joe G. Di Bartolomeo
  • Patent number: 8698545
    Abstract: Multiplier circuitry includes first multiplier circuit including a first transistor having an emitter coupled to a first conductor, a base coupled to a second conductor, and a collector coupled to a third conductor, a second transistor having an emitter coupled to the first conductor, a base coupled to a fourth conductor, and a collector coupled to a fifth conductor, a third transistor having an emitter coupled to the second conductor and a base and collector coupled to a supply voltage, and a fourth transistor having an emitter coupled to the fourth conductor and a base and collector coupled to the supply voltage. Chopper includes a first switch to provide a chopped differential signal between the second and fourth conductors and a second switch for un-chopping a first differential output signal produced between the third and fifth conductors to provide an un-chopped differential output signal between the third and fifth conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Tony R. Larson, Srikanth Vellore Avadhanam Ramamurthy, Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Publication number: 20130257507
    Abstract: Multiplier circuitry includes first multiplier circuit including a first transistor having an emitter coupled to a first conductor, a base coupled to a second conductor, and a collector coupled to a third conductor, a second transistor having an emitter coupled to the first conductor, a base coupled to a fourth conductor, and a collector coupled to a fifth conductor, a third transistor having an emitter coupled to the second conductor and a base and collector coupled to a supply voltage, and a fourth transistor having an emitter coupled to the fourth conductor and a base and collector coupled to the supply voltage. Chopper includes a first switch to provide a chopped differential signal between the second and fourth conductors and a second switch for un-chopping a first differential output signal produced between the third and fifth conductors to provide an un-chopped differential output signal between the third and fifth conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Tony R. Larson, Srikanth Vellore Avadhanam Ramamurthy, Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Patent number: 8324881
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a band gap reference voltage (VREF) includes circuitry (I3×7) for supplying a first current to a first conductor (NODE1) and a second current to a second conductor (NODE2). The first conductor is successively coupled to a plurality of diodes (Q0×16), respectively, in response to a digital signal (CTL-VBE) to cause the first current to successively flow into selected diodes. The second conductor is coupled to collectors of the diodes which are not presently coupled to the first conductor. The diodes are successively coupled to the first conductor so that the first current causes the diodes, respectively, to produce relatively large VBE voltages on the first conductor and the second current causes sets of the diodes not coupled to the first conductor to produce relatively small VBE voltages on the second conductor. The relatively large and small VBE voltages provide differential band gap charges (QCA-QCB) which are averaged to provide a stable band gap reference voltage (VREF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Jerry L. Doorenbos
  • Patent number: 8304851
    Abstract: Conventional “on-chip” or monolithically integrated thermocouples are very mechanically sensitive and are expensive to manufacture. Here, however, thermocouples are provided that employ different thicknesses of thermal insulators to help create thermal differentials within an integrated circuit. By using these thermal insulators, standard manufacturing processes can be used to lower cost, and the mechanical sensitivity of the thermocouple is greatly decreased. Additionally, other features (which can be included through the use of standard manufacturing processes) to help trap and dissipate heat appropriately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Publication number: 20120239841
    Abstract: A method is provided. A communication is received by an input pin of an IC over a single-wire bus, where the communication includes a command byte. If the command byte is an initialization command byte, a self-addressing operation is performed to identify a bus address for the IC. Alternatively, if the command byte is a data movement command byte, a data movement operation is performed. When data movement operation is performed, the bus interface of the IC is set from the transparent mode to the operational mode if an operation address from the command byte matches the bus address so that a register identified in the command byte can be accessed and data movement with the register can be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Marco A. Gardner, Joe G. Di Bartolomeo
  • Publication number: 20110260708
    Abstract: A circuit for generating a band gap reference voltage (VREF) includes circuitry (I3×7) for supplying a first current to a first conductor (NODE1) and a second current to a second conductor (NODE2). The first conductor is successively coupled to a plurality of diodes (Q0×16), respectively, in response to a digital signal (CTL-VBE) to cause the first current to successively flow into selected diodes. The second conductor is coupled to collectors of the diodes which are not presently coupled to the first conductor. The diodes are successively coupled to the first conductor so that the first current causes the diodes, respectively, to produce relatively large VBE voltages on the first conductor and the second current causes sets of the diodes not coupled to the first conductor to produce relatively small VBE voltages on the second conductor. The relatively large and small VBE voltages provide differential band gap charges (QCA-QCB) which are averaged to provide a stable band gap reference voltage (VREF).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Jerry L. Doorenbos
  • Patent number: 7944287
    Abstract: A programmable offset amplifier includes first (M1) and second (M2) input transistors having differentially connected sources and gates coupled to first (Vin+) and second (Vin?) input voltages. A tail current (Itail1) is shared between the first and second input transistors. First (M3) and second (M4) load devices are coupled between a reference voltage and drains of the first and second input transistors, respectively. An output stage (13) has a first input (+) coupled to the drain of the second input transistor and a second input (?) coupled to the drain of the first input transistor. Programmable voltage changes are produced on input elements of programmable input offset circuitry to cause changes in offset voltages associated with electrodes of the input transistors which are reflected back to the amplifier input to provide a large programmable input-referred offset voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Tony R. Larson, Dimitar T. Trifonov, Jerry L. Doorenbos
  • Publication number: 20100019842
    Abstract: A programmable offset amplifier includes first (M1) and second (M2) input transistors having differentially connected sources and gates coupled to first (Vin+) and second (Vin?) input voltages. A tail current (Itail1) is shared between the first and second input transistors. First (M3) and second (M4) load devices are coupled between a reference voltage and drains of the first and second input transistors, respectively. An output stage (13) has a first input (+) coupled to the drain of the second input transistor and a second input (?) coupled to the drain of the first input transistor. Programmable voltage changes are produced on input elements of programmable input offset circuitry to cause changes in offset voltages associated with electrodes of the input transistors which are reflected back to the amplifier input to provide a large programmable input-referred offset voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Tony R. Larson, Dimitar T. Trifonov, Jerry L. Doorenbos
  • Patent number: 7605646
    Abstract: An instrumentation amplifier includes first (11A) and second (12A) input amplifiers having outputs (15A,B) coupled to an output amplifier (13). A first auto-zero stage (20) in the first input amplifier is auto-zeroed to a first voltage level (VREFL), a first input signal (Vin+) is amplified by a second auto-zero stage (24) in the first input amplifier, and the amplified first input signal is coupled to the output amplifier, during a first phase (A). A third auto-zero stage (44) in the second input amplifier is auto-zeroed to a second voltage level (VREFH), a second input signal (Vin?) is amplified by a fourth auto-zero stage (40) in the second input amplifier, and the amplified second input signal is coupled to the output amplifier, during a second phase (B). The second auto-zero stage is auto-zeroed to the first voltage level, the first input signal is amplified by the first auto-zero stage (20), and the amplified first input signal is coupled to the output amplifier, during a third phase (C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Tony R. Larson, Jerry L. Doorenbos
  • Patent number: 7595676
    Abstract: A comparator (12A,12B) includes a first differential input stage (10) including first (MN2) and second (MN3) input transistors and a load (MP9,MP10), the first input transistor (MN2) having a gate, source, and drain coupled to a first input voltage (Vin?), a first tail current source, and the load, respectively. The second input transistor has a gate and source coupled to a second input voltage (Vin+) and a first tail current source. A second differential input stage (11) includes a third (MN4) and fourth (MN5) input transistors, the third input transistor having a gate and source coupled to a first reference voltage (Vref+) and the second tail current source, respectively. The fourth input transistor (MN5) has a gate and a source coupled to a second reference voltage (Vref?) and the second tail current source, respectively. Drains of the third and fourth input transistors are coupled to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Patent number: 7592867
    Abstract: A differential amplifier includes a differential input pair (2A) coupled to a folded cascode stage (2B) and a common mode feedback circuit (34) including a tracking circuit (30A) coupled to first (Vout?) and second (Vout+) outputs of the folded cascode stage (2B). The first and second outputs are coupled to first terminals of first (31A) and second (31B) tracking capacitors which have second terminals on which a first common mode output signal (VCM1) is produced and also are coupled to first terminals of third (32A) and fourth (32B) tracking capacitors, respectively, which have second terminals on which a second common mode output signal (VCM2) is produced. The first and third tracking capacitors are discharged by first (27A) and second (27B) switches that directly couple the first and second outputs to first and second inputs of a common mode feedback amplifier (4). A desired common mode output voltage (VCM-IN) is applied to a third input of the common mode feedback amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Marco A. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7586368
    Abstract: A chopper-stabilized amplifier (1B) having a first output (25) includes an input chopper (9) for chopping an input signal and applying it to the input of a first amplifier (2) and an output chopper (10) for chopping an output signal of the first amplifier and applying it to the input of a switched capacitor notch filter (30-1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorproated
    Inventor: Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Publication number: 20090153241
    Abstract: A chopper-stabilized amplifier (1B) having a first output (25) includes an input chopper (9) for chopping an input signal and applying it to the input of a first amplifier (2) and an output chopper (10) for chopping an output signal of the first amplifier and applying it to the input of a switched capacitor notch filter (30-1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Patent number: 7518440
    Abstract: A dual path chopper-stabilized amplifier (100) includes first (11) and second (11A) chopping/notch-filtering paths, each including an input chopper (9,9A), a transconductance amplifier (2,2A), and a notch filter (15,15A). Chopping and notch filtering in the first path are controlled by first (CHOPCLK) and second (FILTERCLK) clock signals, respectively. Chopping and notch filtering in the second path are controlled by the second (FILTERCLK) and first (CHOPCLK) clock signals, respectively. Outputs of the first (15) and second (15A) switched capacitor notch filters are combined to provide an amplifier output signal (23A,B) that updates a capacitance (C4) at 4 times the frequency of the filter clock signal, to thereby improve amplifier stability without increasing clock frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Dimitar T. Trifonov
  • Patent number: 7511648
    Abstract: A reconfigurable circuit (10) includes an integrator (30) having switches (SW1-6) for selectively coupling input capacitors (C0,1,2,3,6,7) and integrating capacitors (C4,5) to terminals of the integrator (30) for operation of a hybrid delta-sigma/SAR ADC (400) so as to create a reference voltage value (Vref) equal to the sum of a first voltage (?Vbe) and a second voltage (Vbe). A first integration is performed to reduce the integrator output voltage swing. A residue (Vresidue) of the integrator is multiplied by 2. Then the second voltage (Vbe) is integrated in a first direction if a comparator (22) coupled to the integrator changes state or in an opposite direction if the comparator does not change state. The first voltage (?Vbe) is integrated in a direction that causes the integrator output voltage (Vout) to equal either 2×Vresidue?Vref or 2×Vresidue+Vref.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Dimitar T. Trifonov, Jerry L. Doorenbos