Patents by Inventor Gerhard Schrom

Gerhard Schrom 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: 9046552
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus to trim on-die passive components. The apparatus comprises: a resistor-capacitor (RC) dominated oscillator independent of first order transistor speed dependency, wherein the RC dominated oscillator including one or more resistors and capacitors with programmable resistance and capacitance, and wherein the RC dominated oscillator to generate an output signal having a frequency depending substantially on values of the programmable resistance and capacitance; and a trim-able resistor or capacitor operable to be trimmed, for compensating process variations, according to a program code associated with the programmable resistance and capacitance of the RC dominated oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Fabrice Paillet, Gerhard Schrom, Alexander Lyakhov, George L. Geannopoulos, Ravi Sankar Vunnam, J. Keith Hodgson
  • Patent number: 8994344
    Abstract: A multiphase DC-DC converter is provided that includes a multiphase transformer, the multiphase transformer including a plurality of input voltage terminals and an transformer output voltage terminal, each input voltage terminal associated with a corresponding phase. Each phase is assigned to an input voltage terminal of the plurality of input voltage terminals to minimize a ripple current at the input voltage terminals of the multiphase transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, Peter Hazucha, Jaeseo Lee, Tanay Karnik, Vivek K. De, Fabrice Paillet
  • Publication number: 20150069995
    Abstract: Described are apparatuses and methods of current balancing, current sensing and phase balancing, offset cancellation, digital to analog current converter with monotonic output using binary coded input (without binary to thermometer decoder), compensator for a voltage regulator (VR), etc. In one example, apparatus comprises: a plurality of inductors coupled to a capacitor and a load; a plurality of bridges, each of which is coupled to a corresponding inductor from the plurality of inductors; and a plurality of current sensors, each of which is coupled to a bridge to sense current through a transistor of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Gerhard SCHROM, J. Keith HODGSON, Alexander LYAKHOV, Chiu Keung TANG, Narayanan RAGHURAMAN, Narayanan NATARAJAN
  • Patent number: 8975975
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to vary a clock signal frequency for a first time period between a lower limit of a range of problematic frequencies and a frequency lower than the lower limit, and vary the clock signal frequency for a second period of time between an upper limit of the range of problematic frequencies and a frequency greater than the upper limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, William Dawson Kesling, Alexander Lalexan Lyakhov, Maynard C. Falconer, Harry G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8890737
    Abstract: Described are apparatuses and methods of current balancing, current sensing and phase balancing, offset cancellation, digital to analog current converter with monotonic output using binary coded input (without binary to thermometer decoder), compensator for a voltage regulator (VR), etc. In one example, an apparatus comprises: a plurality of inductors coupled to a capacitor and a load; a plurality of bridges, each of which is coupled to a corresponding inductor from the plurality of inductors; and a plurality of current sensors, each of which is coupled to a bridge to sense current through a transistor of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, J. Keith Hodgson, Alexander Lyakhov, Chiu Keung Tang, Narayanan Raghuraman, Narayanan Natarajan
  • Publication number: 20140266832
    Abstract: Described are apparatuses and methods of current balancing, current sensing and phase balancing, offset cancellation, digital to analog current converter with monotonic output using binary coded input (without binary to thermometer decoder), compensator for a voltage regulator (VR), etc. In one example, apparatus comprises: a plurality of inductors coupled to a capacitor and a load; a plurality of bridges, each of which is coupled to a corresponding inductor from the plurality of inductors; and a plurality of current sensors, each of which is coupled to a bridge to sense current through a transistor of the bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gerhard SCHROM, J. Keith HODGSON, Alexander LYAKHOV, Chiu Keung TANG, Narayanan RAGHURAMAN, Narayanan NATARAJAN
  • Publication number: 20140266119
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus having a non-linear control to manage power supply droop at an output of a voltage regulator. The apparatus comprises: a first inductor for coupling to a load; a capacitor, coupled to the first inductor, and for coupling to the load; a first high-side switch couple to the first inductor; a first low-side switch coupled to the first inductor; a bridge controller to control when to turn on and off the first high-side and first low-side switches; and a non-linear control (NLC) unit to monitor output voltage on the load, and to cause the bridge controller to turn on the first high-side switch and turn off the first low-side switch when a voltage droop is detected on the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Edward A. BURTON, Gerhard SCHROM, Michael W. ROGERS, Alexander LYAKHOV, Ravi Sankar VUNNAM, Jonathan P. DOUGLAS, Fabrice PAILLET, J. Keith HODGSON
  • Publication number: 20140269848
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus for providing spread-spectrum to a clock signal. The apparatus comprises: an oscillator to generate an output clock signal, the oscillator to receive an adjustable reference signal to adjust frequency of the output clock signal; a first circuit to provide a first signal indicative of a center frequency of the output clock signal; a second circuit to generate a switching waveform to provide spread-spectrum for the output clock signal; and a third circuit, coupled to the first and second circuits, to provide the adjustable reference signal according to the first signal and the switching waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gerhard SCHROM, Alexander LYAKHOV, Michael W. ROGERS, Dawson W. KESLING, Jonathan P. DOUGLAS, J. Keith HODGSON
  • Publication number: 20140266486
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus to trim on-die passive components. The apparatus comprises: a resistor-capacitor (RC) dominated oscillator independent of first order transistor speed dependency, wherein the RC dominated oscillator including one or more resistors and capacitors with programmable resistance and capacitance, and wherein the RC dominated oscillator to generate an output signal having a frequency depending substantially on values of the programmable resistance and capacitance; and a trim-able resistor or capacitor operable to be trimmed, for compensating process variations, according to a program code associated with the programmable resistance and capacitance of the RC dominated oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Fabrice PAILLET, Gerhard SCHROM, Alexander LYAKHOV, George L. GEANNOPOULOS, Ravi Sankar VUNNAM, J. Keith HODGSON
  • Publication number: 20140210517
    Abstract: Described herein is a high-voltage level-shifter (HVLS) that can be used for both NMOS and PMOS bridges, exhibits a higher voltage tolerance for over-clocking than traditional level-shifters, has reduced crowbar current in its input driver, and no contention in its output driver. The HVLS comprises an input driver including a first signal conditioning unit, the input driver operating on a first power supply level and for conditioning an input signal as a first signal in the first signal conditioning unit; and a circuit to receive the first signal and to provide a second signal based at least in part on the first signal, the second signal being level-shifted from the first power supply level to a second power supply level, wherein the second power supply level is higher than the first power supply level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, Ravi Sankar Vunnam
  • Patent number: 8773233
    Abstract: Multiple-inductor embodiments for use in substrates are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Hazucha, Trang T. Nguyen, Gerhard Schrom, Fabrice Paillet, Donald S. Gardner, Sung T. Moon, Tanay Karnik
  • Publication number: 20140136860
    Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and system for generating a signal with phase angle configuration. The apparatus comprises an array of switch-resistors, each switch resistor to receive a control signal, wherein the array of switch-resistors to generate an output signal; and a circuit to configure phase angle of the output signal. The apparatus can be used for different package and inductor configurations. The apparatus provides flexibility to mitigate switching noise by adjusting phase angles, and provides the ability to enable and disable switch-resistors on the fly without ripples. The apparatus also saves power consumption by selectively turning off switch-resistors when phases are disabled. The output signal of the apparatus has smooth triangular waveforms for improving the quality of power supply generated using the output signal. Overall, the apparatus exhibits reduced sensitivity to process variations compared to traditional signal generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, Naravanan Raghuraman, Fabrice Paillet
  • Patent number: 8694816
    Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes a load, a voltage regulator circuit coupled to the load a power supply, a load coupled to the power supply to receive one or more voltages from the power supply, and a digital bus, coupled between the power supply and the load. The digital bus transmits power consumption measurements from the load to the power supply and transmits power consumption measurements from the power supply to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Shekhar Borkar, Tanay Karnik, Peter Hazucha, Gerhard Schrom, Greg Dermer
  • Publication number: 20140091845
    Abstract: III-N high voltage MOS capacitors and System on Chip (SoC) solutions integrating at least one III-N MOS capacitor capable of high breakdown voltages (BV) to implement high voltage and/or high power circuits. Breakdown voltages over 4V may be achieved avoiding any need to series couple capacitors in an RFIC and/or PMIC. In embodiments, depletion mode III-N capacitors including a GaN layer in which a two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is formed at threshold voltages below 0V are monolithically integrated with group IV transistor architectures, such as planar and non-planar silicon CMOS transistor technologies. In embodiments, silicon substrates are etched to provide a (111) epitaxial growth surface over which a GaN layer and III-N barrier layer are formed. In embodiments, a high-K dielectric layer is deposited, and capacitor terminal contacts are made to the 2DEG and over the dielectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Han Wui THEN, Sansaptak DASGUPTA, Gerhard SCHROM, Valluri R. RAO, Robert S. CHAU
  • Publication number: 20140089687
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) package is disclosed. The IC package includes a first die; and a second die bonded to the CPU die in a three dimensional packaging layout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Siva G. Narendra, James W. Tschanz, Howard A. Wilson, Donald S. Gardner, Peter Hazucha, Gerhard Schrom, Tanay Karnik, Nitin Borkar, Vivek K. De, Shekhar Y. Borkar
  • Patent number: 8629667
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are pulse width modulator (PWM) solutions with comparators not relying on a variable reference to adjust duty cycle. In accordance with some embodiments, a pulse width modulator having a comparator with an applied adjustable waveform to generate a bit stream with a controllably adjustable duty cycle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Fabrice Paillet, Peter Hazucha, Gerhard Schrom, Tanay Karnik, Sung T. Moon, Donald S. Gardner
  • Publication number: 20140002049
    Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: a low-side switch coupled to an output node for providing regulated voltage supply; and a first driver operable to cause the low-side switch to turn off when the output node rises above a first transistor threshold voltage. Described is also a voltage regulator which comprises: a signal generator to generate a pulse-width modulated (PWM) signal; a bridge having a low-side switch coupled to an output node for providing regulated voltage supply according to the PWM signal; a first driver operable to cause the low-side switch to turn off when the output node rises above a first transistor threshold voltage; and a bridge controller to provide control signals to the first driver. The voltage regulator may operate without diode clamps and its operation is self-timed. The voltage regulator also provides tolerance against process variation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, Mark S. Milshtein, Alexander Lyakhov
  • Publication number: 20130335151
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to vary a clock signal frequency for a first time period between a lower limit of a range of problematic frequencies and a frequency lower than the lower limit, and vary the clock signal frequency for a second period of time between an upper limit of the range of problematic frequencies and a frequency greater than the upper limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, William Dawson Kesling, Alexander Lalexan Lyakhov, Maynard C. Falconer, Harry G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130271105
    Abstract: A method is described comprising conducting a first current through a switching transistor. The method also comprises conducting a second current through a pair of transistors whose conductive channels are coupled in series with respect to each other and are together coupled in parallel across the switching transistor's conductive channel. The second current is less than and proportional to the first current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Gerhard Schrom, Peter Hazucha, Vivek K. De, Tanay Karnik
  • Patent number: 8513750
    Abstract: Methods and associated structures of forming microelectronic devices are described. Those methods may include forming a first layer of magnetic material and at least one via structure disposed in a first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer disposed on the first magnetic layer, forming at least one conductive structure disposed in the second dielectric layer, forming a third layer of dielectric material disposed on the conductive structure, forming a second layer of magnetic material disposed in the third layer of dielectric material and in the second layer of dielectric material, wherein the first and second layers of the magnetic material are coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Donald S. Gardner, Gerhard Schrom, Peter Hazucha, Fabrice Paillet, Tanay Karnik