Patents by Inventor Dirk Pfaff
Dirk Pfaff 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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Publication number: 20240406039Abstract: A communication system includes a receiver device having a continuous time linear equalizer circuitry. The continuous time linear equalizer circuitry includes first gain circuitry, second gain circuitry, second gain circuitry a first capacitor, a first resistive element, a first inductor, and a second resistive element. The first gain circuitry and the second gain circuitry receive an input signal. The first capacitor is connected between an output of the first gain circuitry and an output of the second gain circuitry. The first resistive element is connected between the output of the first gain circuitry and the output of the second gain circuitry. The first inductor is connected to the output of the first gain circuitry, the first capacitor, and the first resistive element. The second resistive element is connected in parallel with the first inductor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2023Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Dirk PFAFF, Jingjing XIA, David A. YOKOYAMA-MARTIN
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Patent number: 12155509Abstract: A communication system includes a receiver device having a continuous time linear equalizer circuitry. The continuous time linear equalizer circuitry includes first gain circuitry, second gain circuitry, second gain circuitry a first capacitor, a first resistive element, a first inductor, and a second resistive element. The first gain circuitry and the second gain circuitry receive an input signal. The first capacitor is connected between an output of the first gain circuitry and an output of the second gain circuitry. The first resistive element is connected between the output of the first gain circuitry and the output of the second gain circuitry. The first inductor is connected to the output of the first gain circuitry, the first capacitor, and the first resistive element. The second resistive element is connected in parallel with the first inductor.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.Inventors: Dirk Pfaff, Jingjing Xia, David A. Yokoyama-Martin
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Publication number: 20240372759Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Patent number: 12119828Abstract: The present disclosure describes circuits (e.g., clock synthesizers) and methods for producing alternating signals. A clock synthesizer includes an oscillator, a voltage control circuit, and a frequency control circuit. The oscillator produces an output signal with a frequency. The voltage control circuit produces a control voltage for the oscillator based on the frequency of the output signal. The frequency control circuit produces a control signal for the oscillator based on (i) an input voltage to the frequency control circuit and (ii) the control voltage. The control signal causes the oscillator to adjust the frequency of the output signal such that the voltage control circuit adjusts the control voltage to be closer to the input voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2023Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.Inventors: Dirk Pfaff, Ralph Mason, Robert Abbott, Christopher Falkingham
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Patent number: 12074737Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Publication number: 20240223413Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 11962441Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Publication number: 20220360476Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 11398933Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Publication number: 20220158878Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Patent number: 11240075Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2021Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Publication number: 20210218605Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Publication number: 20210160107Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2021Publication date: May 27, 2021Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 10911272Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Patent number: 10904044Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Patent number: 10868506Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary line drivers for use in an exemplary wireline transmission device. In some situations, the exemplary line drivers are electrically connected to a wireline communication channel to transmit information. The exemplary line drivers prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel. The exemplary line drivers disclosed herein charge various circuit nodes to various logical values, such as a logical zero or a logical one, to prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Inventors: Xin Jie Wang, Dirk Pfaff
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Publication number: 20200252247Abstract: A multi-tap Differential Feedforward Equalizer (DFFE) configuration with both precursor and postcursor taps is provided. The DFFE has reduced noise and/or crosstalk characteristics when compared to a Feedforward Equalizer (FFE) since DFFE uses decision outputs of slicers as inputs to a finite impulse response (FIR) unlike FFE which uses actual analog signal inputs. The digital outputs of the tentative decision slicers are multiplied with tap coefficients to reduce noise. Further, since digital outputs are used as the multiplier inputs, the multipliers effectively work as adders which are less complex to implement. The decisions at the outputs of the tentative decision slicers are tentative and are used in a FIR filter to equalize the signal; the equalized signal may be provided as input to the next stage slicers. The bit-error-rate (BER) of the final stage decisions are lower or better than the BER of the previous stage tentative decisions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Wei-Li Chen, Po-Hsiang Lan, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh
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Publication number: 20200252248Abstract: An optimized pulse shaping clock data recovery system is provided that includes a slicer configured to receive a signal and provide an initial set of tentative decisions to a decision feedforward equalizer, where the decision feedforward equalizer provides a fully equalized output signal. The slicer may be incorporated as part of decision feedback equalizer to provide better quality tentative decisions. The clock data recovery system also receives the first output signal that is partially equalized in such a way as to optimally shape it for a clock to sample it at an ideal location by providing an adjustment signal to the analog to digital controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Chaitanya Palusa, Rob Abbott, Rolando Ramirez, Wei-Li Chen, Dirk Pfaff, Cheng-Hsiang Hsieh, Fan-ming Kuo
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Publication number: 20200067470Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary line drivers for use in an exemplary wireline transmission device. In some situations, the exemplary line drivers are electrically connected to a wireline communication channel to transmit information. The exemplary line drivers prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel. The exemplary line drivers disclosed herein charge various circuit nodes to various logical values, such as a logical zero or a logical one, to prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Applicant: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.Inventors: Xin Jie WANG, Dirk PFAFF
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Patent number: 10498301Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary line drivers for use in an exemplary wireline transmission device. In some situations, the exemplary line drivers are electrically connected to a wireline communication channel to transmit information. The exemplary line drivers prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel. The exemplary line drivers disclosed herein charge various circuit nodes to various logical values, such as a logical zero or a logical one, to prevent charge sharing with the wireline communication channel.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Xin Jie Wang, Dirk Pfaff