Patents by Inventor Gareth Pryce

Gareth Pryce 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: 11916619
    Abstract: A tuning circuit for a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) system suitable for near field communication (NFC) is disclosed. The NFMI system includes a tuning circuit that is configured to measure a phase across a series capacitor coupled between a resonant circuit and a transmit circuit in order to determine a resonant condition of the resonant circuit. When the resonant condition is above resonance or below resonance, the tuning circuit can tune an adjustable capacitor of the resonant circuit. The tuning can continue until the phase measurement indicates that the resonant circuit is at resonance. The phase-based tuning allows for the tuning to operate continuously and concurrently with NFC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Patent number: 11757170
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an antenna may be formed by applying an insulator to a package body and forming at least a portion of the antenna as a conductor on the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Pryce Weale, Joseph Steffler
  • Publication number: 20230254014
    Abstract: A tuning circuit for a near-field magnetic induction (NFMI) system suitable for near field communication (NFC) is disclosed. The NFMI system includes a tuning circuit that is configured to measure a phase across a series capacitor coupled between a resonant circuit and a transmit circuit in order to determine a resonant condition of the resonant circuit. When the resonant condition is above resonance or below resonance, the tuning circuit can tune an adjustable capacitor of the resonant circuit. The tuning can continue until the phase measurement indicates that the resonant circuit is at resonance. The phase-based tuning allows for the tuning to operate continuously and concurrently with NFC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce WEALE
  • Patent number: 11480468
    Abstract: A terahertz detector circuit can include a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) having multiple gates that can be controlled by gate signals to generate a gate-induced modulation pattern in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) of the HEMT. When the gate induced modulation pattern substantially matches a signal induced modulation pattern generated by an incident terahertz signal then a detection efficiency of the incident terahertz signal is improved. Accordingly, an electronically tunable THz detector with high efficiency can be realized. When these THz detectors are arranged in an array and electrically coupled, THz images and/or multi-spectral THz images may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Pryce Weale, Jan Chochol
  • Publication number: 20220082436
    Abstract: A terahertz detector circuit can include a high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) having multiple gates that can be controlled by gate signals to generate a gate-induced modulation pattern in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) of the HEMT. When the gate induced modulation pattern substantially matches a signal induced modulation pattern generated by an incident terahertz signal then a detection efficiency of the incident terahertz signal is improved. Accordingly, an electronically tunable THz detector with high efficiency can be realized. When these THz detectors are arranged in an array and electrically coupled, THz images and/or multi-spectral THz images may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Pryce WEALE, Jan CHOCHOL
  • Patent number: 11239707
    Abstract: A tunable resonant inductive coil system includes an electrical circuit having an alternating current (AC) voltage source, a barium strontium titanate (BST) variable capacitor coupled in series with a first terminal of the AC voltage source, a coil coupled in series with the BST variable capacitor, and a return line coupling the coil with a second terminal of the AC voltage source and/or a ground. The electrical circuit forms an LC circuit (resonant circuit). The electrical circuit adjusts between two configurations. In the first configuration the resonant circuit has a first resonant frequency configured for wireless power transfer and in the second configuration it has a second resonant frequency configured for near field communication (NFC). An entire length of the coil is used for both resonant frequencies. Adjusting between the first and second configurations includes varying a capacitance of the BST variable capacitor in response to receiving a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Publication number: 20210408666
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an antenna may be formed by applying an insulator to a package body and forming at least a portion of the antenna as a conductor on the insulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Pryce WEALE, Joseph STEFFLER
  • Patent number: 11165281
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission (WPT) system. Implementations may include a power source coupled with a first wireless power transmission (WPT) system and a load coupled with a second WPT system including a sense circuit. The second WPT system, using the sense circuit, may be configured to dynamically tune a resonance of the second WPT system with the first WPT system to a desired resonance frequency value to allow transfer of a desired voltage or a desired power to the load. The desired resonance frequency value may be less than a maximum possible resonance frequency value. The first WPT system may be capable of transmitting more voltage or more power than the second WPT system or the load can receive without inducing damage to the second WPT system or the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Abdullah Ahmed, Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Publication number: 20210320102
    Abstract: A passive tunable integrated circuit (PTIC) having an electro-static discharge (ESD) protection circuit is disclosed. The ESD protection circuit includes at least one spark gap that has a breakdown voltage determined by design parameters. The at least one spark gaps are configured to route signals above a breakdown voltage to ground in order to protect a variable capacitor. The design parameters can be based on a material (Barium Strontium Titanate), a structure, and a fabrication process of the PTIC and further based on expected ESD signals for a mobile device application.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce WEALE
  • Patent number: 11139552
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an antenna may be formed by applying an insulator to a package body and forming at least a portion of the antenna as a conductor on the insulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Pryce Weale, Joseph Steffler
  • Patent number: 11049792
    Abstract: A semiconductor device package includes a heatsink platform, with a ceramic isolation layer bonded to the heatsink platform. A semiconductor die may be disposed on the ceramic isolation layer, with mold material disposed on the ceramic isolation layer and surrounding at least a portion of the semiconductor die. A redistribution layer may be disposed on the semiconductor die and the mold material. Such packages, and similar, enable the use of a thin, inexpensive device substrate, while providing an efficient thermal path to the heatsink platform, while the redistribution layer enables electrical connections that are short, low-resistance, low-inductance, and low-loss connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gareth Pryce Weale, Joseph Steffler, Yik Yee Tan
  • Patent number: 10985734
    Abstract: A radio frequency switch is disclosed. The RF switch uses a combination of transistor technology and a topology to create an RF switch that has a high isolation and a high voltage breakdown at frequencies including those above a gigahertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Patent number: 10971788
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of forming a delay line circuit may include forming a first ferro-electric material between a first conductor and a second conductor wherein the first conductor and the second conductor have a first resistivity. The first conductor may be configured to receive a d.c. bias signal. An embodiment may include forming a third conductor overlying the second conductor, the third conductor having a second resistivity that is less than the first resistivity, the third conductor connected to the second conductor at least at a plurality of points along a length of the third conductor. The third conductor may be configured to receive an RF signal and conduct the RF signal along the length of the third conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Publication number: 20200358427
    Abstract: A radio frequency switch is disclosed. The RF switch uses a combination of transistor technology and a topology to create an RF switch that has a high isolation and a high voltage breakdown at frequencies including those above a gigahertz.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce WEALE
  • Patent number: 10826331
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission (WPT) system. Implementations may include a power source coupled with a first wireless power transmission (WPT) system and a load coupled with a second WPT system including a sense circuit. The second WPT system, using the sense circuit, may be configured to dynamically tune a resonance of the second WPT system with the first WPT system to a desired resonance frequency value to allow transfer of a desired voltage or a desired power to the load. The desired resonance frequency value may be less than a maximum possible resonance frequency value. The first WPT system may be capable of transmitting more voltage or more power than the second WPT system or the load can receive without inducing damage to the second WPT system or the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Abdullah Ahmed, Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Patent number: 10673412
    Abstract: A radio frequency switch is disclosed. The RF switch uses a combination of transistor technology and a topology to create an RF switch that has a high isolation and a high voltage breakdown at frequencies including those above a gigahertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Patent number: 10522896
    Abstract: A directional coupler includes an electrically conductive main line coupled at least partially in and/or on a dielectric layer and having input and output ports. An electrically conductive coupled line separated from the main line includes a coupled port and is at least partially formed in and/or on the dielectric layer. An electrically conductive ground layer couples with the dielectric layer and is electrically isolated from the main and coupled lines. One or more tuning elements, formed of electrically conductive elements arranged in a pattern (but electrically isolated from the main and coupled lines and ground layer) and/or formed using an electrically conductive layer (the electrically conductive layer electrically isolated from the main and coupled lines and ground layer and with or without a pattern of openings therein) are at least partially encapsulated in the dielectric layer and increase a coupling coefficient and/or directivity of the directional coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale
  • Publication number: 20190296587
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission (WPT) system. Implementations may include a power source coupled with a first wireless power transmission (WPT) system and a load coupled with a second WPT system including a sense circuit. The second WPT system, using the sense circuit, may be configured to dynamically tune a resonance of the second WPT system with the first WPT system to a desired resonance frequency value to allow transfer of a desired voltage or a desired power to the load. The desired resonance frequency value may be less than a maximum possible resonance frequency value. The first WPT system may be capable of transmitting more voltage or more power than the second WPT system or the load can receive without inducing damage to the second WPT system or the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Abdullah AHMED, Gareth Pryce WEALE
  • Publication number: 20190089210
    Abstract: A tunable resonant inductive coil system includes an electrical circuit having an alternating current (AC) voltage source, a barium strontium titanate (BST) variable capacitor coupled in series with a first terminal of the AC voltage source, a coil coupled in series with the BST variable capacitor, and a return line coupling the coil with a second terminal of the AC voltage source and/or a ground. The electrical circuit forms an LC circuit (resonant circuit). The electrical circuit adjusts between two configurations. In the first configuration the resonant circuit has a first resonant frequency configured for wireless power transfer and in the second configuration it has a second resonant frequency configured for near field communication (NFC). An entire length of the coil is used for both resonant frequencies. Adjusting between the first and second configurations includes varying a capacitance of the BST variable capacitor in response to receiving a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce WEALE
  • Patent number: 10164483
    Abstract: A tunable resonant inductive coil system includes an electrical circuit having an alternating current (AC) voltage source, a barium strontium titanate (BST) variable capacitor coupled in series with a first terminal of the AC voltage source, a coil coupled in series with the BST variable capacitor, and a return line coupling the coil with a second terminal of the AC voltage source and/or a ground. The electrical circuit forms an LC circuit (resonant circuit). The electrical circuit adjusts between two configurations. In the first configuration the resonant circuit has a first resonant frequency configured for wireless power transfer and in the second configuration it has a second resonant frequency configured for near field communication (NFC). An entire length of the coil is used for both resonant frequencies. Adjusting between the first and second configurations includes varying a capacitance of the BST variable capacitor in response to receiving a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Gareth Pryce Weale