Patents by Inventor Ernst Muellner

Ernst Muellner 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: 11940863
    Abstract: Described herein is a technology for a wakeup pattern-data stream correlation by a detector to provide a trigger condition for a microcontroller in a wakeup receiver (WuRX). For example, the detector includes a data packet layer with a plurality of index registers that are updated through sampling of data streams. A sample clock is coupled to each of the plurality of index registers to independently activate each of the plurality of index registers. A shared comparator will then compare the updated plurality of index registers to corresponding shift registers that are initialized with rotating wakeup pattern bits. Based upon a number of matching results, the detector generates a triggering signal that facilitates a low-power operating mode to a high-power operating mode change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Andreas Michael Schoch, Ernst Muellner
  • Publication number: 20230184713
    Abstract: In some examples, an integrated circuit comprises: a semiconductor die including a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate, and a metallization structure encapsulated in the dielectric layer, in which the semiconductor substrate includes a transistor having a first current terminal, a second current terminal, and a channel region between the first and second current terminals, and the dielectric layer has a sensing side facing away from the semiconductor substrate; an insulation layer on the sensing side; a sensor terminal on the sensing side and over the channel region; and a restriction structure including an opening and a rigid silicon-based fluidic structure, in which the silicon-based fluidic structure is on the sensing side and encapsulates a fluid cavity on the sensing side, the sensor terminal is in the fluid cavity, and the restriction structure is configured to transport a fluid by microfluidic diffusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sebastian Meier, Ernst Muellner, Helmut Rinck, Scott Summerfelt, Tobias Fritz, Baher Haroun
  • Patent number: 11653568
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein that includes a semiconductor substrate. First and second piezoresistive sensors are on or in the substrate where each have a respective sensing axis extending in first and second directions respectively parallel with a surface of the substrate, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A third piezoresistive sensor is on or in the substrate and has a respective sensing axis extending in a third direction parallel with the surface of the substrate and neither parallel nor perpendicular to the first and second directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instmments Incorporated
    Inventors: Baher Haroun, Tobias Bernhard Fritz, Michael Szelong, Ernst Muellner
  • Publication number: 20220221353
    Abstract: A force sensor including a semiconductor die, and a die pad coupled to the semiconductor die, the semiconductor die configured to detect a force in the die pad. In addition, the force sensor includes a mold compound covering the semiconductor die and having an outer perimeter, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, the outer perimeter extending between the first side and the second side, the die pad exposed out of the mold compound along the first side. Further, the force sensor includes a mounting frame engaged with the die pad along the second side of the mold compound, the mounting frame including multiple mounting pads extended outward in multiple directions from the outer perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias Bernhard FRITZ, Baher S. HAROUN, Benjamin Stassen COOK, Sreenivasan Kalyani KODURI, Michael SZELONG, Ernst MUELLNER
  • Publication number: 20220223486
    Abstract: An example semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die configured to detect a force. In addition, the semiconductor package includes a mold compound covering the semiconductor die. Further, the semiconductor package includes an engagement surface including a pattern of projections adapted to engage with a mounting surface on a member of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Tobias Bernhard FRITZ, Baher S. HAROUN, Benjamin Stassen COOK, Michael SZELONG, Ernst MUELLNER, Jeronimo SEGOVIA-FERNANDEZ
  • Publication number: 20220075442
    Abstract: Described herein is a technology for a wakeup pattern - data stream correlation by a detector to provide a trigger condition for a microcontroller in a wakeup receiver (WuRX). For example, the detector includes a data packet layer with a plurality of index registers that are updated through sampling of data streams. A sample clock is coupled to each of the plurality of index registers to independently activate each of the plurality of index registers. A shared comparator will then compare the updated plurality of index registers to corresponding shift registers that are initialized with rotating wakeup pattern bits. Based upon a number of matching results, the detector generates a triggering signal that facilitates a low-power operating mode to a high-power operating mode change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventors: Andreas Michael Schoch, Ernst Muellner
  • Patent number: 11204638
    Abstract: Described herein is a technology for a wakeup pattern—data stream correlation by a detector to provide a trigger condition for a microcontroller in a wakeup receiver (WuRX). For example, the detector includes a data packet layer with a plurality of index registers that are updated through sampling of data streams. A sample clock is coupled to each of the plurality of index registers to independently activate each of the plurality of index registers. A shared comparator will then compare the updated plurality of index registers to corresponding shift registers that are initialized with rotating wakeup pattern bits. Based upon a number of matching results, the detector generates a triggering signal that facilitates a low-power operating mode to a high-power operating mode change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Andreas Michael Schoch, Ernst Muellner
  • Publication number: 20210210473
    Abstract: An integrated circuit is described herein that includes a semiconductor substrate. First and second piezoresistive sensors are on or in the substrate where each have a respective sensing axis extending in first and second directions respectively parallel with a surface of the substrate, where the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. A third piezoresistive sensor is on or in the substrate and has a respective sensing axis extending in a third direction parallel with the surface of the substrate and neither parallel nor perpendicular to the first and second directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: BAHER HAROUN, TOBIAS BERNHARD FRITZ, MICHAEL SZELONG, ERNST MUELLNER
  • Publication number: 20210200300
    Abstract: Described herein is a technology for a wakeup pattern—data stream correlation by a detector to provide a trigger condition for a microcontroller in a wakeup receiver (WuRX). For example, the detector includes a data packet layer with a plurality of index registers that are updated through sampling of data streams. A sample clock is coupled to each of the plurality of index registers to independently activate each of the plurality of index registers. A shared comparator will then compare the updated plurality of index registers to corresponding shift registers that are initialized with rotating wakeup pattern bits. Based upon a number of matching results, the detector generates a triggering signal that facilitates a low-power operating mode to a high-power operating mode change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Andreas Michael Schoch, Ernst Muellner
  • Patent number: 9697391
    Abstract: An RFID transponder having an analog front end receiver having an attenuator coupled to receive an RF-signal from an antenna and to attenuate the RF-signal, an amplifier having a fixed amplifier gain and being coupled to receive and to amplify the attenuated RF-signal and a control unit coupled to control a gain of the attenuator, wherein the control unit is configured to control the attenuator gain in response to a level of the amplified RF-signal, the control unit is configured to have a plurality of predetermined states causing the attenuator to increase (step-up) or to decrease (step-down), its gain by a predefined step size, wherein the step size of a step-up is equal to or smaller than the step size of a step-down and wherein the control unit is further configured to switch, upon reaching or exceeding a predefined threshold value, from a first to a second state having a smaller step size and causing the attenuator to change the gain such that the slope of the RF signal inverts and to switch, upon reachi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Muellner, Carlo Peschke, Andreas Hagl
  • Publication number: 20150145651
    Abstract: An RFID transponder having an analog front end receiver having an attenuator coupled to receive an RF-signal from an antenna and to attenuate the RF-signal, an amplifier having a fixed amplifier gain and being coupled to receive and to amplify the attenuated RF-signal and a control unit coupled to control a gain of the attenuator, wherein the control unit is configured to control the attenuator gain in response to a level of the amplified RF-signal, the control unit is configured to have a plurality of predetermined states causing the attenuator to increase (step-up) or to decrease (step-down), its gain by a predefined step size, wherein the step size of a step-up is equal to or smaller than the step size of a step-down and wherein the control unit is further configured to switch, upon reaching or exceeding a predefined threshold value, from a first to a second state having a smaller step size and causing the attenuator to change the gain such that the slope of the RF signal inverts and to switch, upon reachi
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Ernst Muellner, Carlo Peschke
  • Patent number: 8922267
    Abstract: An electronic device which includes a first stage having an input capacitance, a switch, a buffer and a second stage having an input sensitive to charge injection and/or voltage glitches. An input of the buffer and the input of the second stage are coupled together at a first node which is configured to be coupled to a voltage source for supplying a reference voltage to the input of the first stage having the input capacitance. In a first configuration of the switch, the switch is arranged to either connect the input of the first stage to the first node and to disconnect the input of the first stage from an output of the buffer. In a second configuration of the switch, to connect the input of the first stage to the output of the buffer and to disconnect the input of the first stage from the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Carlo Peschke, Ernst Muellner
  • Patent number: 8923791
    Abstract: An RFID transponder having an analog front end receiver having an attenuator coupled to receive an RF-signal from an antenna and to attenuate the RF-signal, an amplifier having a fixed amplifier gain and being coupled to receive and to amplify the attenuated RF-signal and a control unit coupled to control a gain of the attenuator, wherein the control unit is configured to control the attenuator gain in response to a level of the amplified RF-signal, the control unit is configured to have a plurality of predetermined states causing the attenuator to increase (step-up) or to decrease (step-down), its gain by a predefined step size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Ernst Muellner, Carlo Peschke
  • Patent number: 8629759
    Abstract: An RFID transponder comprises an antenna for receiving data in a downlink mode and transmitting data in an uplink mode, with a modulation stage for modulating uplink data and a demodulation stage for demodulating downlink data. A class C amplifier is provided, which has a resonant circuit, a plucking device coupled to the resonant circuit, and a controllable pulse width generator coupled to the plucking device. The controllable pulse width generator is adapted to periodically switch the plucking device on and off so as to maintain an oscillation of the resonant circuit. The transponder further comprises a phase locked loop configured to be locked to an oscillating signal received through the antenna and to be switched into a free running mode without being locked to the oscillating signal received through the antenna, thereby being adapted to output an independent internal clock signal for the RFID transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmBH
    Inventor: Ernst Muellner
  • Patent number: 8629763
    Abstract: An RFID transponder is provided which includes an automatic gain control (AGC) stage for amplifying a radio frequency (RF) signal and for providing an amplified RF signal. The AGC stage has a control signal indicating an increase of the amplitude of the RF signal. A demodulator is coupled to receive the amplified RF signal for demodulating the amplified RF signal. The demodulator provides a data signal. A burst detector is coupled to receive the control signal of the AGC stage and adapted to provide a start signal in response to a change of the control signal. A wake pattern detector is coupled to receive the data signal and the start signal. The wake pattern detector is adapted to detect a predefined wake pattern in the data signal after having received the start signal and to issue a wake signal if the predefined wake pattern is detected for switching the RFID transponder from a first operating mode into a second operating mode having higher power consumption than the first operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hagl, Ernst Muellner
  • Patent number: 8558612
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising an amplifier having at least a first input transistor of a first doping type. A first transistor is coupled with a channel as a feedback path between an output of the amplifier and a control gate of the first input transistor forming an input of the amplifier. A diode-coupled second transistor is coupled with a channel between a first current source and the output of the amplifier wherein a control gate of the first transistor is coupled between the first current source and the diode-coupled second transistor and the first transistor is of a second doping type which is opposite to the first doping type of the first input transistor of the amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Carlo Peschke, Ernst Muellner
  • Publication number: 20130009706
    Abstract: An electronic device comprising an amplifier having at least a first input transistor of a first doping type. A first transistor is coupled with a channel as a feedback path between an output of the amplifier and a control gate of the first input transistor forming an input of the amplifier. A diode-coupled second transistor is coupled with a channel between a first current source and the output of the amplifier wherein a control gate of the first transistor is coupled between the first current source and the diode-coupled second transistor and the first transistor is of a second doping type which is opposite to the first doping type of the first input transistor of the amplifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Carlo Peschke, Ernst Muellner
  • Publication number: 20120161942
    Abstract: An RFID transponder having an analog front end receiver having an attenuator coupled to receive an RF-signal from an antenna and to attenuate the RF-signal, an amplifier having a fixed amplifier gain and being coupled to receive and to amplify the attenuated RF-signal and a control unit coupled to control a gain of the attenuator, wherein the control unit is configured to control the attenuator gain in response to a level of the amplified RF-signal, the control unit is configured to have a plurality of predetermined states causing the attenuator to increase (step-up) or to decrease (step-down), its gain by a predefined step size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENT DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Ernst Muellner, Carlo Peschke
  • Publication number: 20120092055
    Abstract: An electronic device which includes a first stage having an input capacitance, a switch, a buffer and a second stage having an input sensitive to charge injection and/or voltage glitches. An input of the buffer and the input of the second stage are coupled together at a first node which is configured to be coupled to a voltage source for supplying a reference voltage to the input of the first stage having the input capacitance. In a first configuration of the switch, the switch is arranged to either connect the input of the first stage to the first node and to disconnect the input of the first stage from an output of the buffer. In a second configuration of the switch, to connect the input of the first stage to the output of the buffer and to disconnect the input of the first stage from the first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Carlo Peschke, Ernst Muellner
  • Patent number: 7855595
    Abstract: An ASK demodulator for use in an RFID transponder having a limiter circuit associated with the antenna circuit and converting the ASK antenna field strength modulation into an ASK limiter current modulation by limiting the antenna voltage to a fixed value and thereby causing the limiter current to be substantially proportional to the ASK antenna field strength, and a current discriminator circuit that discriminates the ASK limiter current modulation. By converting the field strength modulation into a proportional limiter current and discriminating that limiter current, a linear relationship and a stable demodulator sensitivity are achieved. The current discrimination can be made accurately under low-voltage conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Nehrig, Carlo Peschke, Ernst Muellner, Adolf Baumann, Jens Graul