Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for providing multi-point calibration of an adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) system. A plurality of Reference Calibration Codes (RCCs) within a multi-point calibration table is provided. Each code is associated with one of the clock frequencies of the adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) system. The present invention provides multi-point calibration by calibrating a Reference Calibration Code (RCC) for each operating point (clock frequency) of the adaptive voltage scaling (AVS) system.

Abstract: Semiconductor package assemblies having integrated circuits mounted onto passive electrical components. The assemblies each include an inductor having a magnetic core and an wire wrapped around the magnetic core. An integrated circuit die is positioned either on or within a recess formed in the magnetic core of the inductor. Electrical traces are formed on the magnetic core. The electrical traces are configured to electrically couple the inductive wire of the inductor with the integrated circuit die positioned on or recessed within the inductor.

Abstract: Leakage current at the inputs of an integrated circuit can be reduced by providing a master/slave arrangement wherein a plurality of slave inputs are controlled by an enable input acting as a master. When the enable input is deactivated, the slave inputs break their leakage current paths. An input structure with improved hysteresis can be provided by coupling a follow-on inverter to the output of the input stage, and coupling a hysteresis feedback circuit to the output of the follow-on inverter. The hysteresis feedback circuit is also connected to a node of the input stage other than the output thereof.

Abstract: Leakage currents at IC inputs can be avoided while the IC is disabled by providing a switch that is responsive to deactivation of an enable input to isolate functional circuitry of the IC from one of the power supply nodes of the IC. This eliminates power supply current while the IC is disabled. Further unwanted current flow can be avoided while the IC is disabled by providing a switch that is responsive to the enable input for selectively connecting and disconnecting the base of a reference voltage transistor to and from the transistor's grounded collector, which collector is defined by the substrate of the IC. Disconnection of the base from the grounded substrate/collector eliminates base current and thus prevents emitter-to-collector current flow through the transistor when the IC is disabled.

Abstract: A method for minimizing power consumption in a mobile device using cooperative adaptive voltage and threshold scaling is provided that includes receiving a supply voltage, a PMOS back bias voltage, and an NMOS back bias voltage. A clock signal is received. The clock signal is propagated through a timing comparison circuit. An output of the timing comparison circuit is examined. A determination is made regarding whether to request more power based on the output of the timing comparison circuit. A voltage control signal is sent to request more power when a determination is made to request more power based on the output of the timing comparison circuit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a circuit to implement an on-chip resistor with desired temperature coefficient behavior. In some embodiments, a circuit may comprise an amplifier, with a reference controlled by ratioed amounts of one or more positive temperature coefficient (TC+) and/or negative temperature coefficient (TC?) circuits, coupled to a controllable resistor device to control it as temperature changes to track the desired temperature coefficient behavior.

Abstract: A hard saturation mode of operation can be avoided in an LDO regulator by providing an additional feedback control loop. The additional control loop cooperates with the LDO regulator's amplifier stage and output stage to maintain at least a minimum desired voltage drop across the output stage from the power supply to the load.

Abstract: On-chip AC noise suppression is provided for a target circuit within an integrated circuit chip. A power supply line filter is provided in the power supply line that feeds the target circuit. The filter includes a polysilicon resistor formed over a charged substrate well, with a dielectric material interposed between the well and the resistor. This decreases capacitive coupling between the substrate and the resistor, thereby suppressing AC noise that is injected via the substrate. For an on-chip bandgap reference circuit, AC noise suppression can be achieved by providing matched AC impedances in the PTAT and inverse PTAT branches of the circuit. This technique exploits the common-mode rejection capability of the error amplifier within the bandgap reference circuit. Also, the inputs of the error amplifier can be capacitively coupled together to exploit the amplifier's common-mode rejection capability for the suppression of AC noise that is injected at the amplifier inputs.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a multi-phase converter with dynamic phase adjustment is provided.

Abstract: The performance of a bandgap reference circuit is improved by increasing the ?VBE, and thereby correspondingly decreasing the input sensitivity of the error amplifier in the control loop. The ?VBE can be increased by presenting stacked diode configurations at the amplifier inputs, by increasing the diode ratio presented at the amplifier inputs, and by providing a higher current in the CTAT leg than in the PTAT leg. The stacked diode configuration is achieved by producing isolated diodes with a triple well CMOS process. The stacked diode configuration and the triple well CMOS process also permit the input stage of the amplifier to use N-channel transistors operating in the threshold region.

Abstract: Leakage currents at IC inputs can be avoided while the IC is disabled by providing a switch that is responsive to deactivation of an enable input to isolate functional circuitry of the IC from one of the power supply nodes of the IC. This eliminates power supply current while the IC is disabled. Further unwanted current flow can be avoided while the IC is disabled by providing a switch that is responsive to the enable input for selectively connecting and disconnecting the base of a reference voltage transistor to and from the transistor's grounded collector, which collector is defined by the substrate of the IC. Disconnection of the base from the grounded substrate/collector eliminates base current and thus prevents emitter-to-collector current flow through the transistor when the IC is disabled.

Abstract: A hard saturation mode of operation can be avoided in an LDO regulator by providing an additional feedback control loop. The additional control loop cooperates with the LDO regulator's amplifier stage and output stage to maintain at least a minimum desired voltage drop across the output stage from the power supply to the load.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing leakage currents in an integrated circuit having logic gates containing PMOS devices and NMOS devices. The apparatus comprises a power management unit capable of: i) applying a fixed VDD supply voltage to body connections of said PMOS devices; ii) applying a fixed VSS supply voltage to body connections of said NMOS devices; iii) applying an adjustable PMOS source voltage to sources of said PMOS devices; and iv) applying an adjustable NMOS source voltage to sources of said NMOS devices.

Abstract: A method for providing power management in a radio frequency power amplifier using adaptive envelope tracking is provided that includes receiving an input voltage. A power control signal is received. A feedback signal is received. An amplifier input signal is received. From the input voltage, a regulated power supply signal is generated based on the power control signal, the feedback signal, and the amplifier input signal.

Abstract: A method for providing power management in a radio frequency power amplifier is provided. An input voltage is received. A digital power supply signal is generated. From the input voltage, a regulated power supply signal is generated based on the digital power supply signal.

Abstract: A CMOS reference circuit using field effect transistors (FETs) is described. A first plurality of FETs is coupled in series, source node to drain node. A second plurality of FETs is also coupled in series, source node to drain node. The first and second plurality of FETs are coupled such that a specified total voltage drop across the first plurality of FETs is realizable. The combination of the first and second plurality of FETs are usable as a replacement for a resistor. The circuit can also include a FET configured so that it is usable as a replacement for a diode.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a memory buffer, a first signal buffer, a locked loop circuit and a feedback circuit. The memory buffer provides a data signal to an output terminal of the memory buffer in response to a first clock signal. The first signal buffer is coupled between the output terminal of the memory buffer and a data line of a bus. The first signal buffer introduces a first delay. The locked loop circuit furnishes the first clock signal to establish a predefined relationship between a phase of a second clock signal and a phase of a third clock signal. The feedback circuit produces the second clock signal in response to the first clock signal. The feedback circuit includes a second signal buffer to introduce a second delay to the second clock, and the second delay is approximately the same as the first delay that is introduced by the first signal buffer.

Abstract: A circuit that outputs a stable reference voltage with an operating supply voltage less than the band gap potential and also less than a zero-bias threshold voltage. In one embodiment, the sub-band gap circuit includes an operational amplifier having an N-well input stage operating in the sub-threshold region, and a proportional to absolute temperature (PTA) current source having a forward-biased P-bulk. In another embodiment, the operational amplifier realizes sub-one volt operation by making use of back gating as the input stage, allowing full rail-to-rail input and output swings.

Abstract: A system includes a transmission line, a driver, a load, a compensation capacitor and a compensation resistor. An output terminal of the driver is coupled to one end of the transmission line, and the load is coupled to the other end of the transmission line. The compensation capacitor is coupled in parallel with the output terminal of the driver, and the compensation resistor is coupled in series between the other end of the transmission line and the load.

Abstract: A sub-bandgap reference circuit yielding a reference voltage smaller than the bandgap voltage of silicon. The circuit generates a negative temperature coefficient signal Vbe and an oppositely tracking (positive temperature coefficient) &Dgr;Vbe, and takes the average of two signals related to &Dgr;Vbe-Vbe to yield a temperature-compensated voltage of one-half the bandgap voltage of silicon. The circuit features an unequal area current mirror feeding the diodes and resistors used to generate the &Dgr;Vbe-Vbe signals using low supply voltages (less than 1.5 volts). A standard CMOS implementation provides low power consumption at a supply voltage of only 1 volt with a good temperature coefficient. The averaging circuit may be implemented by a continuous time divider or by using switched capacitor techniques.