Patents by Inventor Erik Pankratz

Erik Pankratz 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: 10193545
    Abstract: A POR circuit for a secondary supply domain of an IC. A bias and reference circuit provides startup current and a reference voltage for a comparator. The comparator compares the reference voltage with a primary supply voltage and develops a bias current. The bias and reference circuit and the comparator includes a VGS loop which mirrors the bias current to develop the reference voltage. When the comparator switches, the bias current is at the low quiescent current level. A level shift and isolation circuit initially isolates a primary POR signal from the secondary domain. When the comparator switches, the primary POR signal is detected and level shifted to control the reset state. The delay circuit senses ramping of the secondary supply voltage and provides a delayed secondary POR signal a predetermined time period after the secondary supply voltage achieves a predetermined voltage threshold to additionally control the reset state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SILICON LABORATORIES INC.
    Inventors: Erik Pankratz, Arnab Dutta
  • Patent number: 9958888
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a controller to control a voltage regulator. The controller may have a first comparator circuit to compare a first reference voltage to a feedback voltage. In turn, the first comparator circuit may include: a first comparator having a first input terminal to receive the feedback voltage and a second input terminal to receive the reference voltage and an output node to output an error signal based on the comparison; and a first pre-charge circuit coupled between the first input terminal and the output node configured to pre-charge a first portion of a compensation network to a pre-charge level. The first controller may further include a second comparator circuit coupled to the first comparator circuit compare the error signal to a ramp signal and to generate a first control output to control a power train of the voltage regulator in a first mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Dazhi Wei, Gang Yuan, Erik Pankratz, Imranul Islam, Praveen Kallam, Axel Thomsen, Kenneth Wilson Fernald, Jinwen Xiao
  • Publication number: 20160370816
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a controller to control a voltage regulator. The controller may have a first comparator circuit to compare a first reference voltage to a feedback voltage. In turn, the first comparator circuit may include: a first comparator having a first input terminal to receive the feedback voltage and a second input terminal to receive the reference voltage and an output node to output an error signal based on the comparison; and a first pre-charge circuit coupled between the first input terminal and the output node configured to pre-charge a first portion of a compensation network to a pre-charge level. The first controller may further include a second comparator circuit coupled to the first comparator circuit compare the error signal to a ramp signal and to generate a first control output to control a power train of the voltage regulator in a first mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Dazhi Wei, Gang Yuan, Erik Pankratz, Imranul Islam, Praveen Kallam, Axel Thomsen, Kenneth Wilson Fernald, Jinwen Xiao