Patents by Inventor Firas Azrai

Firas Azrai 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: 11456704
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a circuit having a power converter and an amplifier, wherein the power converter is configured to generate an intermediate voltage, provide the intermediate voltage as an amplifier supply voltage to the amplifier, and share the intermediate voltage with one or more additional circuits external to the circuit, wherein at least one of the one or more additional circuits is configured to generate the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen May, Eric J. King, Firas Azrai
  • Publication number: 20200044611
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a circuit having a power converter and an amplifier, wherein the power converter is configured to generate an intermediate voltage, provide the intermediate voltage as an amplifier supply voltage to the amplifier, and share the intermediate voltage with one or more additional circuits external to the circuit, wherein at least one of the one or more additional circuits is configured to generate the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen MAY, Eric J. KING, Firas AZRAI
  • Patent number: 10530303
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a circuit having a power converter and an amplifier, wherein the power converter is configured to generate an intermediate voltage, provide the intermediate voltage as an amplifier supply voltage to the amplifier, and share the intermediate voltage with one or more additional circuits external to the circuit, wherein at least one of the one or more additional circuits is configured to generate the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen May, Eric J. King, Firas Azrai
  • Patent number: 10356521
    Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for loudspeaker protection. A loudspeaker protection system (1100) is described having a first frequency band-splitter (102) for splitting an input audio signal (Vin) into a plurality of audio signals (v1, v2 . . . ,vn) in different respective frequency bands (?1, ?2 . . . ??). A first gain block (103) is configured to apply a respective frequency band gain (gt1, gt2 . . . ,gt3) to each of the audio signals in the different respective frequency bands and a gain controller (109; 1101) is provided for controlling the respective band gains. A thermal controller (1101) determines, for each of a plurality of the different respective frequency bands, a power dissipation for the loudspeaker in that frequency band and also determines a respective thermal gain setting based on the determined power dissipation for that frequency band. The gain controller is configured to control the respective frequency band gains based on the thermal gain settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason William Lawrence, Roberto Napoli, Roger David Serwy, Jie Su, Stefan Williams, Rong Hu, Firas Azrai
  • Patent number: 10356522
    Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for loudspeaker protection. A loudspeaker protection system (100) is described having a first frequency band-splitter (102) for splitting an input audio signal (Vin) into a plurality of audio signals (v1, v2 . . . , vn) in different respective frequency bands (?1, ?2 . . . , ?n). A first gain block (103) is configured to apply a respective frequency band gain (g1, g2 . . . , g3) to each of the audio signals in the different respective frequency bands and a gain controller (107, 108, 109) is provided for controlling the respective band gains. A displacement modeller (104, 105) determines a plurality of displacement signals (x1, x2 . . . , xn) based on the input audio signal (Vin) and a displacement model (104a) where each displacement signal corresponds to a modelled cone displacement for the loudspeaker for one of said different respective frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason William Lawrence, Roberto Napoli, Roger Serwy, Jie Su, Stefan Williams, Rong Hu, Firas Azrai
  • Patent number: 10284090
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a series combination of a boost converter and a power converter coupled together in series, such that the series combination boosts an input voltage to the series combination to an output voltage greater than the input voltage such that a voltage boost provided by the series combination is greater than a voltage boost provided by the boost converter alone. The system may also include an amplifier, wherein an input of the amplifier is coupled to an output of the series combination of the boost converter and the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Firas Azrai, Eric J. King, Aaron J. Brennan
  • Patent number: 10231050
    Abstract: A predictive brownout prevention system may be configured to prevent brownout of an audio output signal. Particularly, the brownout prevention system may be configured to receive information indicative of an amplitude of the audio input signal, receive information indicative of a condition of the power supply, receive information indicative of one or more of the following: 1) adaptive estimates of power supply conditions; 2) anticipated effects of power supply capacitance; and 3) condition of a load impedance, determine from the received information whether a brownout condition exists, and responsive to determining the brownout condition exists, generate the selectable attenuation signal to reduce an amplitude of the audio output signal such that the signal path attenuates the audio input signal or a derivative thereof in order to prevent brownout prior to propagation to the audio output of a portion of the audio input signal having the brownout condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Serwy, Jason W. Lawrence, Firas Azrai, Jeffrey Allen May
  • Patent number: 10212514
    Abstract: A predictive brownout prevention system may be configured to prevent brownout of an audio output signal. Particularly, the brownout prevention system may be configured to receive information indicative of adaptive estimates of power supply conditions, wherein the information indicative of adaptive estimates of the power supply conditions comprises information regarding a voltage component and a resistive component received from an adaptive battery model of a battery for providing electrical energy to a power supply for generating the power supply voltage and adapt the adaptive battery model based on a monitored battery voltage output by the battery and loading events of the signal path and excluding loading events of components other than the signal path which are powered from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Serwy, Jason W. Lawrence, Firas Azrai, Jeffrey Allen May, Jie Su
  • Publication number: 20180206034
    Abstract: A predictive brownout prevention system may be configured to prevent brownout of an audio output signal. Particularly, the brownout prevention system may be configured to receive information indicative of adaptive estimates of power supply conditions, wherein the information indicative of adaptive estimates of the power supply conditions comprises information regarding a voltage component and a resistive component received from an adaptive battery model of a battery for providing electrical energy to a power supply for generating the power supply voltage and adapt the adaptive battery model based on a monitored battery voltage output by the battery and loading events of the signal path and excluding loading events of components other than the signal path which are powered from the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger SERWY, Jason W. LAWRENCE, Firas AZRAI, Jeffrey Allen MAY, Jie SU
  • Patent number: 10021485
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information indicative of an amplitude of an audio output signal, receiving information indicative of a predicted voltage of a power supply of a signal path having an audio input for receiving an audio input signal and an audio output for generating the audio output signal based on the audio input signal, predicting from the information indicative of the amplitude of the audio output signal and the information indicative of the predicted voltage of the power supply whether the audio output signal will exceed an available supply voltage generated by the power supply, and responsive to determining the audio output signal will exceed the available supply voltage generated by the power supply, attenuating the audio input signal or a derivative thereof to reduce the amplitude of the audio output signal such that the audio output signal does not exceed the available supply voltage of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Cirrus Logic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen May, Firas Azrai
  • Publication number: 20180115246
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a series combination of a boost converter and a power converter coupled together in series, such that the series combination boosts an input voltage to the series combination to an output voltage greater than the input voltage such that a voltage boost provided by the series combination is greater than a voltage boost provided by the boost converter alone. The system may also include an amplifier, wherein an input of the amplifier is coupled to an output of the series combination of the boost converter and the power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Firas AZRAI, Eric J. KING, Aaron J. BRENNAN
  • Publication number: 20180014121
    Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for loudspeaker protection. A loudspeaker protection system (100) is described having a first frequency band-splitter (102) for splitting an input audio signal (Vin) into a plurality of audio signals (v1, v2 . . . , vn) in different respective frequency bands (?1, ?2 . . . , ?n). A first gain block (103) is configured to apply a respective frequency band gain (g1, g2 . . . , g3) to each of the audio signals in the different respective frequency bands and a gain controller (107, 108, 109) is provided for controlling the respective band gains. A displacement modeller (104, 105) determines a plurality of displacement signals (x1, x2 . . . , xn) based on the input audio signal (Vin) and a displacement model (104a) where each displacement signal corresponds to a modelled cone displacement for the loudspeaker for one of said different respective frequency bands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason William LAWRENCE, Roberto NAPOLI, Roger SERWY, Jie SU, Stefan WILLIAMS, Rong HU, Firas AZRAI
  • Publication number: 20180014120
    Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for loudspeaker protection. A loudspeaker protection system (1100) is described having a first frequency band-splitter (102) for splitting an input audio signal (Vin) into a plurality of audio signals (v1, v2 . . . ,vn) in different respective frequency bands (?1, ?2 . . . ??). A first gain block (103) is configured to apply a respective frequency band gain (gt1, gt2 . . . ,gt3) to each of the audio signals in the different respective frequency bands and a gain controller (109; 1101) is provided for controlling the respective band gains. A thermal controller (1101) determines, for each of a plurality of the different respective frequency bands, a power dissipation for the loudspeaker in that frequency band and also determines a respective thermal gain setting based on the determined power dissipation for that frequency band. The gain controller is configured to control the respective frequency band gains based on the thermal gain settings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason William LAWRENCE, Roberto NAPOLI, Roger David SERWY, Jie SU, Stefan WILLIAMS, Rong HU, Firas AZRAI
  • Publication number: 20170359652
    Abstract: A predictive brownout prevention system may be configured to prevent brownout of an audio output signal. Particularly, the brownout prevention system may be configured to receive information indicative of an amplitude of the audio input signal, receive information indicative of a condition of the power supply, receive information indicative of one or more of the following: 1) adaptive estimates of power supply conditions; 2) anticipated effects of power supply capacitance; and 3) condition of a load impedance, determine from the received information whether a brownout condition exists, and responsive to determining the brownout condition exists, generate the selectable attenuation signal to reduce an amplitude of the audio output signal such that the signal path attenuates the audio input signal or a derivative thereof in order to prevent brownout prior to propagation to the audio output of a portion of the audio input signal having the brownout condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Roger SERWY, Jason W. LAWRENCE, Firas AZRAI
  • Publication number: 20170346446
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a system may include a circuit having a power converter and an amplifier, wherein the power converter is configured to generate an intermediate voltage, provide the intermediate voltage as an amplifier supply voltage to the amplifier, and share the intermediate voltage with one or more additional circuits external to the circuit, wherein at least one of the one or more additional circuits is configured to generate the intermediate voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen MAY, Eric J. KING, Firas AZRAI
  • Publication number: 20170310280
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure a control circuit may include at least one input for monitoring a respective signal for each of a plurality of amplifiers, an output for outputting at least one control signal for controlling a power supply level of the single signal-variant power supply configured to deliver electrical energy to the plurality of amplifiers, and decision and control logic. The decision and control logic may be configured to monitor the respective signals for each of the plurality of amplifiers and, based on the respective signals, and a respective requirement associated with each of the plurality of amplifiers, setting a power supply level of the single signal-variant power supply and outputting the at least one control signal to control the power supply level such that the respective requirements are satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey LaBUNDY, Anu CHAKRAVARTY, Deepal SHRISHRIMAL, Jeffrey Allen MAY, Firas AZRAI
  • Patent number: 9735671
    Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) may be used to generate a supply voltage for operating a controller, such as a lighting controller for a LED-based light bulb. A base of the BJT may receive current generated from the supply voltage to control operation of the BJT. Although the base of the BJT would be at a lower voltage than the emitter, a base drive circuit may be coupled between the emitter and the base of the BJT to increase the voltage. As one example, the base drive circuit may be a charge pump. In another example, the BJT may function as its own charge pump. In yet another example, a positive and a negative base current of the BJT may be independently controlled to regulate an output supply voltage VDD from the BJT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Ramin Zanbaghi, Jieyeon Choi, Firas Azrai, Rahul Singh, Siddharth Maru
  • Publication number: 20170142518
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information indicative of an amplitude of an audio output signal, receiving information indicative of a predicted voltage of a power supply of a signal path having an audio input for receiving an audio input signal and an audio output for generating the audio output signal based on the audio input signal, predicting from the information indicative of the amplitude of the audio output signal and the information indicative of the predicted voltage of the power supply whether the audio output signal will exceed an available supply voltage generated by the power supply, and responsive to determining the audio output signal will exceed the available supply voltage generated by the power supply, attenuating the audio input signal or a derivative thereof to reduce the amplitude of the audio output signal such that the audio output signal does not exceed the available supply voltage of the power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Cirrus Logic International Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen MAY, Firas AZRAI
  • Patent number: 9504106
    Abstract: A turn-off transition time period, also referred to as a reverse recovery time period, may be compensated for by a controller of a power stage including a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). The reverse recovery time period may be measured in one switching cycle and a subsequent switching cycle may include compensations based on the measured reverse recovery time period. That is the switching on and off of the BJT may be compensated to obtain a desired average output current to a load. When the reverse recovery time period is known, an error in the peak current obtained due to the reverse recovery time period may be calculated. The calculated error may be used to offset the target peak current for controlling the switching of the BJT to begin a turn-off transition of the BJT earlier in a switching cycle and thus reduce error in peak current at the BJT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Melanson, Thirumalai Rengachari, Siddharth Maru, Ramin Zanbaghi, Firas Azrai, Rahul Singh
  • Patent number: 9263964
    Abstract: In accordance with systems and methods of the present disclosure, an apparatus for providing compatibility between a load having a reactive impedance and a secondary winding of an electronic transformer may include a power converter and a circuit. The power converter may be configured to transfer electrical energy from the secondary winding to the load. The circuit may be configured to charge an energy storage device coupled to the power converter following start-up of the electronic transformer in order to increase a voltage of the energy storage device to at least a voltage level sufficient for the electronic transformer to enter steady-state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Philips International, B.V.
    Inventors: Michael A. Kost, Wesley L. Mokry, Prashanth Drakshapalli, Stephen T. Hodapp, Firas Azrai