Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Hatcher
Geoffrey Hatcher 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).
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Patent number: 11901925Abstract: Transceiver circuitry in an integrated circuit device includes a receive path including an analog front end for receiving analog signals from an analog transmission path and conditioning the analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the conditioned analog signals into received digital signals for delivery to functional circuitry, and a transmit path including a digital front end configured to accept digital signals from the functional circuitry and to condition the accepted digital signals, and a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the conditioned digital signals into analog signals for transmission onto the analog transmission path. At least one of the analog front end and the digital front end introduces distortion and outputs a distorted conditioned signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte LtdInventors: Ray Luan Nguyen, Benjamin Tomas Reyes, Geoffrey Hatcher, Stephen Jantzi
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Patent number: 11750166Abstract: An analog front-end (AFE) device and method for a high baud-rate receiver. The device can include an input matching network coupled to a first buffer device, which is coupled to a sampler array. The input matching network can include a first T-coil configured to receive a first input and a second T-coil configured to receive a second input. The first buffer device can include one or more buffers each having a bias circuit coupled to a first class-AB source follower and a second class-AB source follower. The sampling array can include a plurality of sampler devices configured to receive a multi-phase clocking signal. Additional optimization techniques can be used, such as having a multi-tiered sampler array and having the first buffer device configured with separate buffers for odd and even sampling phases. Benefits of this AFE configuration can include increased bandwidth, sampling rate, and power efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Stephane Dallaire, Ray Luan Nguyen, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Patent number: 11750207Abstract: A multi-instance time-interleaving (TI) system and method of operation therefor. The system includes a plurality of TI devices, each with a plurality of clock generation units (CGUs) coupled to an interleaver network. Within each TI device, the plurality of CGUs provides a plurality of clock signals needed by the interleaver network. A phase detector device is coupled to the plurality of TI devices and configured to determine any phase differences between the clock signals of a designated reference TI device and the corresponding clock signals of each other TI device. To determine the phase differences, the phase detector can use a logic comparator configuration, a time-to-digital converter (TDC) configuration, or an auto-correlation configuration. The phases of the clock signals of each other TI device can be aligned to the reference TI device using internal phase control, retimers, delay cells, finite state machines, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2022Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Ltd.Inventors: Ray Luan Nguyen, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Publication number: 20230035036Abstract: A high-speed data receiver includes interleaver circuitry configured to divide a received data stream into a plurality of interleaved paths for processing, spectral content detection circuitry configured to derive spectral content information from data on each of the plurality of interleaved paths, sorting circuitry configured to bin the derived spectral content information according to energy levels, stream attribute determination circuitry configured to determine, based on sorted spectral content, one or more of path offsets of the interleaved paths, gain mismatch among interleaved paths, signal bandwidth mismatch and pulse width mismatch, and equalization circuitry configured to correct the one or more of the determined offsets, the determined gain mismatch and the determined signal width mismatch.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Ray Luan Nguyen, Dawood Alam, Nong Fan, Geoffrey Hatcher, Morteza Azarmnia
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Publication number: 20230036435Abstract: Transceiver circuitry in an integrated circuit device includes a receive path including an analog front end for receiving analog signals from an analog transmission path and conditioning the analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the conditioned analog signals into received digital signals for delivery to functional circuitry, and a transmit path including a digital front end configured to accept digital signals from the functional circuitry and to condition the accepted digital signals, and a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the conditioned digital signals into analog signals for transmission onto the analog transmission path. At least one of the analog front end and the digital front end introduces distortion and outputs a distorted conditioned signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Inventors: Ray Luan Nguyen, Benjamin Tomas Reyes, Geoffrey Hatcher, Stephen Jantzi
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Publication number: 20220271766Abstract: A multi-instance time-interleaving (TI) system and method of operation therefor. The system includes a plurality of TI devices, each with a plurality of clock generation units (CGUs) coupled to an interleaver network. Within each TI device, the plurality of CGUs provides a plurality of clock signals needed by the interleaver network. A phase detector device is coupled to the plurality of TI devices and configured to determine any phase differences between the clock signals of a designated reference TI device and the corresponding clock signals of each other TI device. To determine the phase differences, the phase detector can use a logic comparator configuration, a time-to-digital converter (TDC) configuration, or an auto-correlation configuration. The phases of the clock signals of each other TI device can be aligned to the reference TI device using internal phase control, retimers, delay cells, finite state machines, or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Ray Luan NGUYEN, Geoffrey HATCHER
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Publication number: 20220224302Abstract: An analog front-end (AFE) device and method for a high baud-rate receiver. The device can include an input matching network coupled to a first buffer device, which is coupled to a sampler array. The input matching network can include a first T-coil configured to receive a first input and a second T-coil configured to receive a second input. The first buffer device can include one or more buffers each having a bias circuit coupled to a first class-AB source follower and a second class-AB source follower. The sampling array can include a plurality of sampler devices configured to receive a multi-phase clocking signal. Additional optimization techniques can be used, such as having a multi-tiered sampler array and having the first buffer device configured with separate buffers for odd and even sampling phases. Benefits of this AFE configuration can include increased bandwidth, sampling rate, and power efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Stephane DALLAIRE, Ray Luan NGUYEN, Geoffrey HATCHER
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Patent number: 11309904Abstract: A multi-instance time-interleaving (TI) system and method of operation therefor. The system includes a plurality of TI devices, each with a plurality of clock generation units (CGUs) coupled to an interleaver network. Within each TI device, the plurality of CGUs provides a plurality of clock signals needed by the interleaver network. A phase detector device is coupled to the plurality of TI devices and configured to determine any phase differences between the clock signals of a designated reference TI device and the corresponding clock signals of each other TI device. To determine the phase differences, the phase detector can use a logic comparator configuration, a time-to-digital converter (TDC) configuration, or an auto-correlation configuration. The phases of the clock signals of each other TI device can be aligned to the reference TI device using internal phase control, retimers, delay cells, finite state machines, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2021Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Ltd.Inventors: Ray Luan Nguyen, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Patent number: 9673783Abstract: A device includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter that includes a control input and a first array of elements. The controller generates a digital word responsive to a time constant and compares a select bit of the digital word to a corresponding reference word to generate a control bit. The controller includes a duplicate array of elements, and applies the control bit to an adjustable element of the duplicate array of elements to modify the time constant. The controller provides the output word to the control input of the adaptive continuous-time filter to generate a filter response that accounts for effects of semiconductor process variation in the first array of elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David L. Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Publication number: 20160087605Abstract: A device includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter that includes a control input and a first array of elements. The controller generates a digital word responsive to a time constant and compares a select bit of the digital word to a corresponding reference word to generate a control bit. The controller includes a duplicate array of elements, and applies the control bit to an adjustable element of the duplicate array of elements to modify the time constant. The controller provides the output word to the control input of the adaptive continuous-time filter to generate a filter response that accounts for effects of semiconductor process variation in the first array of elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David L. Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Patent number: 9236851Abstract: A direct conversion radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter. The adaptive continuous-time filter receives a multiple-bit control signal generated by the controller to adjust a characteristic of the continuous-time filter. The controller generates the multiple-bit control signal in response to process variation in the semi-conductor material used to implement the controller and the adaptive continuous-time filter. A method for tuning an adaptive continuous-time filter comprises determining a RC time constant, converting the RC time constant to a digital word, comparing a select bit of the digital word to a respective bit of a predetermined reference word to generate a control bit, applying the control bit to an adjustable element to modify the RC time constant, repeating the determining, converting, comparing and applying steps until the control bits generate an output word and providing the output word to the adaptive continuous-time filter.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Publication number: 20120133426Abstract: A direct conversion radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter. The adaptive continuous-time filter receives a multiple-bit control signal generated by the controller to adjust a characteristic of the continuous-time filter. The controller generates the multiple-bit control signal in response to process variation in the semi-conductor material used to implement the controller and the adaptive continuous-time filter. A method for tuning an adaptive continuous-time filter comprises determining a RC time constant, converting the RC time constant to a digital word, comparing a select bit of the digital word to a respective bit of a predetermined reference word to generate a control bit, applying the control bit to an adjustable element to modify the RC time constant, repeating the determining, converting, comparing and applying steps until the control bits generate an output word and providing the output word to the adaptive continuous-time filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: May 31, 2012Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Patent number: 8135365Abstract: A direct conversion radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter. The adaptive continuous-time filter receives a multiple-bit control signal generated by the controller to adjust a characteristic of the continuous-time filter. The controller generates the multiple-bit control signal in response to process variation in the semiconductor material used to implement the controller and the adaptive continuous-time filter. A method for tuning an adaptive continuous-time filter comprises determining a RC time constant, converting the RC time constant to a digital word, comparing a select bit of the digital word to a respective bit of a predetermined reference word to generate a control bit, applying the control bit to an adjustable element to modify the RC time constant, repeating the determining, converting, comparing and applying steps until the control bits generate an output word and providing the output word to the adaptive continuous-time filter.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Publication number: 20110075777Abstract: A direct conversion radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter. The adaptive continuous-time filter receives a multiple-bit control signal generated by the controller to adjust a characteristic of the continuous-time filter. The controller generates the multiple-bit control signal in response to process variation in the semiconductor material used to implement the controller and the adaptive continuous-time filter. A method for tuning an adaptive continuous-time filter comprises determining a RC time constant, converting the RC time constant to a digital word, comparing a select bit of the digital word to a respective bit of a predetermined reference word to generate a control bit, applying the control bit to an adjustable element to modify the RC time constant, repeating the determining, converting, comparing and applying steps until the control bits generate an output word and providing the output word to the adaptive continuous-time filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Patent number: 7869780Abstract: A direct conversion radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter. The adaptive continuous-time filter receives a multiple-bit control signal generated by the controller to adjust a characteristic of the continuous-time filter. The controller generates the multiple-bit control signal in response to process variation in the semiconductor material used to implement the controller and the adaptive continuous-time filter. A method for tuning an adaptive continuous-time filter comprises determining a RC time constant, converting the RC time constant to a digital word, comparing a select bit of the digital word to a respective bit of a predetermined reference word to generate a control bit, applying the control bit to an adjustable element to modify the RC time constant, repeating the determining, converting, comparing and applying steps until the control bits generate an output word and providing the output word to the adaptive continuous-time filter.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Patent number: 7546100Abstract: A system for generating amplitude matched 45 degree phase separated signals is disclosed. Embodiments of the system for generating amplitude matched 45 degree phase separated signals include a filter arrangement including a plurality of nodes, an adjustable element associated with each node, the adjustable element configured to substantially equalize an amplitude of each vector associated with each node. The adjustable element may be an adjustable resistance or an adjustable capacitance associated with each node.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Zachan, Geoffrey Hatcher, Paul C. Mudge
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Patent number: 7493097Abstract: A mixer is disclosed having an output stage with an amplifier or gain device configured in a feedback loop to maintain a virtual ground at the input to the gain device. The gain device provides significant dynamic range, gain, and the appropriate impedance matching to insure a low noise output signal of a desired magnitude. Use of an amplifying output stage removes the dependence between mixer gain and mixer configuration, such as mixer bias resistor value, while concurrently overcome undesirable flicker noise that results from use of active devices in the mixer bias structure. A stable virtual ground at the mixer output and gain device input provides linearity over frequency. The gain device may comprises an operational amplifier or trans-resistance/trans-conductance device.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Skyworks Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher, Edward Youssoufian, Dave Yates
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Publication number: 20080258806Abstract: A direct conversion radio-frequency (RF) receiver includes a controller and an adaptive continuous-time filter. The adaptive continuous-time filter receives a multiple-bit control signal generated by the controller to adjust a characteristic of the continuous-time filter. The controller generates the multiple-bit control signal in response to process variation in the semiconductor material used to implement the controller and the adaptive continuous-time filter. A method for tuning an adaptive continuous-time filter comprises determining a RC time constant, converting the RC time constant to a digital word, comparing a select bit of the digital word to a respective bit of a predetermined reference word to generate a control bit, applying the control bit to an adjustable element to modify the RC time constant, repeating the determining, converting, comparing and applying steps until the control bits generate an output word and providing the output word to the adaptive continuous-time filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, David Yates, Aly M. Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher
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Publication number: 20070010230Abstract: A mixer is disclosed having an output stage with an amplifier or gain device configured in a feedback loop to maintain a virtual ground at the input to the gain device. The gain device provides significant dynamic range, gain, and the appropriate impedance matching to insure a low noise output signal of a desired magnitude. Use of an amplifying output stage removes the dependence between mixer gain and mixer configuration, such as mixer bias resistor value, while concurrently overcome undesirable flicker noise that results from use of active devices in the mixer bias structure. A stable virtual ground at the mixer output and gain device input provides linearity over frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2005Publication date: January 11, 2007Inventors: Aly Ismail, Geoffrey Hatcher, Edward Youssoufian, Dave Yates
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Publication number: 20060217098Abstract: A system for reducing power consumption of a local oscillator (LO) chain is disclosed. Embodiments of the system for reducing power consumption of a local oscillator chain include adjusting a bias control signal to the local oscillator depending on a noise parameter of the local oscillator. In one embodiment, the measured receive signal level is analyzed to derive an appropriate local oscillator bias control signal, which minimizes power consumption in the local oscillator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2005Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Jeffrey Anderson, Jeffrey Zachan, Geoffrey Hatcher