Patents by Inventor Frank Ohnhauser

Frank Ohnhauser 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: 7773024
    Abstract: A method for analog-to-digital conversion is provided using successive approximation and a plurality of capacitors including a first set of capacitors and a second set of capacitors, a first side of each of the plurality of capacitors being coupled to a common node. The method includes sampling an input voltage on the first set of capacitors, after the step of sampling leaving a side of at least one capacitor of the first set of capacitors floating, coupling a capacitor of the first set of capacitors, which is not floating, with a capacitor of the second set of capacitors so as to redistribute the charge on the coupled capacitors, comparing the voltage on the common node with a comparator reference voltage level to receive a comparison result to be used for a bit decision, and switching the floating side of the floating capacitor of the first set of capacitors to either a first reference voltage or a second reference voltage in accordance with the bit decision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Ohnhauser, Andreas Wickmann
  • Publication number: 20090027251
    Abstract: A method for analog-to-digital conversion is provided using successive approximation and a plurality of capacitors comprising a first set of capacitors and a second set of capacitors, a first side of each of the plurality of capacitors being coupled to a common node. The method comprises sampling an input voltage on the first set of capacitors, after the step of sampling leaving a side of at least one capacitor of the first set of capacitors floating, coupling a capacitor of the first set of capacitors, which is not floating, with a capacitor of the second set of capacitors so as to redistribute the charge on the coupled capacitors, comparing the voltage on the common node with a comparator reference voltage level to receive a comparison result to be used for a bit decision, and switching the floating side of the floating capacitor of the first set of capacitors to either a first reference voltage or a second reference voltage in accordance with the bit decision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Ohnhauser, Andreas Wickmann
  • Patent number: 7157945
    Abstract: A window comparator comprising a single comparator circuit that has a positive input, a differential negative input, and an output, wherein limits of a window are defined by a reference voltage and a window condition is defined for a differential voltage between a positive input voltage and a negative input voltage so that the differential voltage is within the limits of the window; including a common mode voltage, a first set of two switched capacitors connected to the positive comparator input, a second set of two switched capacitors connected to the negative comparator input, a switching array capable of assuming a plurality of different switching conditions, and detecting the output of the comparator in relation to the switching conditions of the switching array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Frank Ohnhauser, Mikael Badenius
  • Publication number: 20060119400
    Abstract: A method of providing a window comparator function with a single comparator unit that has a positive input cp, a differential negative input (cn) and an output (cout), wherein limits of a window are defined by a reference voltage (Vref) and a window condition is defined for a differential voltage between a positive input voltage (Vinp) and a negative input voltage (Vinn) so that the differential voltage is within the limits of the window, comprises the steps of providing a common mode voltage (Vmid), providing a first set of two switched capacitors (C1p, C2p) each of which has a first electrode connected to the positive input cp of the comparator unit, providing a second set of two switched capacitors (C1n, C2n) each of which has a first electrode connected to the negative input (cn) of the comparator unit, and providing a switching array capable of assuming a plurality of different switching conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Frank Ohnhauser, Mikael Badenius