Patents by Inventor Jani Mäkipää

Jani Mäkipää 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: 10114442
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operating voltage of an electronic device is presented. The electronic device includes a timing event detector responsive to timing events, such as errors, related to operation of the electronic device. The control system includes a controller for decreasing the operating voltage when the rate of timing events is below a target level and for increasing the operating voltage when the rate of timing events exceeds the target level to search for a threshold voltage that is the smallest operating voltage at which the rate of timing events is substantially at the target level. The control system further includes a controllable clock signal generator for producing a clock signal for operating the electronic device so that the clock frequency is according to an increasing function of the operating voltage. Thus, it is possible to find a voltage-frequency operating point where the energy consumption is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: MINIMA PROCESSOR OY
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Markus Hiienkari, Jani Mäkipää
  • Patent number: 10013295
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising thresholding means adapted to check if an average frequency of occurrence of timing violations is outside a range; and controlling means adapted to control at least one of a clock frequency, a processing, a heat generation, a bias voltage, a current, and a temperature in a direction to bring the average frequency of occurrence of timing violations into the range if the average frequency of occurrence of timing violations is outside the range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MINIMA PROCESSOR OY
    Inventors: Jani Mäkipää, Lauri Koskinen, Matthew Turnquist, Markus Hiienkari
  • Patent number: 9838019
    Abstract: A field effect transistor current mode differential logic circuit comprising load transistors for converting the current output of each differential leg current to voltage output, and means for configuring the bulk of each differential leg's load transistor to be connected to the drain of the load transistor for use the logic circuit in Subthreshold Source Coupled Logic (STSCL) mode, and means for configuring the bulk of each leg load transistor to be connected to a voltage or to source of the same transistor for use in MOS current more logic (MCML) operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Minima Processor Oy
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Jani Mäkipää, Erkka Laulainen
  • Patent number: 9774329
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a clock adapted to provide a clock signal alternating with a cycle between a first level and a second level if a timing violation is not detected; a first latch adapted to be clocked such that it passes a first signal when the clock signal is at the first level; a second combinational logic adapted to output a second signal based on the first signal passed through the first latch; a second latch adapted to be clocked such that it passes the second signal when the clock signal is at the second level; a detecting means adapted to detect the timing violation of at least one of the first signal and of the second signal; a time stretching means adapted to stretch, if the timing violation is detected, the clock such that the clock alternates between the first level and the second level with a delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Minima Processor Oy
    Inventors: Jani Mäkipää, Lauri Koskinen, Matthew Turnquist, Markus Hiienkari
  • Publication number: 20170177056
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an operating voltage of an electronic device is presented. The electronic device includes a timing event detector responsive to timing events, such as errors, related to operation of the electronic device. The control system includes a controller for decreasing the operating voltage when the rate of timing events is below a target level and for increasing the operating voltage when the rate of timing events exceeds the target level to search for a threshold voltage that is the smallest operating voltage at which the rate of timing events is substantially at the target level. The control system further includes a controllable clock signal generator for producing a clock signal for operating the electronic device so that the clock frequency is according to an increasing function of the operating voltage. Thus, it is possible to find a voltage-frequency operating point where the energy consumption is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew Tumquist, Lauri Koskinen, Markus Hiienkari, Jani Mäkipää
  • Publication number: 20160241241
    Abstract: An apparatus, comprising a clock adapted to provide a clock signal alternating with a cycle between a first level and a second level if a timing violation is not detected; a first latch adapted to be clocked such that it passes a first signal when the clock signal is at the first level; a second combinational logic adapted to output a second signal based on the first signal passed through the first latch; a second latch adapted to be clocked such that it passes the second signal when the clock signal is at the second level; a detecting means adapted to detect the timing violation of at least one of the first signal and of the second signal; a time stretching means adapted to stretch, if the timing violation is detected, the clock such that the clock alternates between the first level and the second level with a delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Jani MÄKIPÄÄ, Lauri KOSKINEN, Matthew TURNQUIST, Markus HIENKARI
  • Patent number: 9397662
    Abstract: A sequential circuit with transition error detector including a sequential element with an input that is asserted to the output during the second clock phase of a two phase clock signal, a transition error detector coupled to the sequential element input to assert an error signal if a transition occurs at the sequential element input during the second clock phase but not to assert during the first clock phase, wherein a transition error detection circuit comprises a current mode circuit as a detection circuit for transition timing error detection from signals derived from the sequential element clock signal and input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Jani Mäkipää, Erkka Laulainen
  • Publication number: 20160147588
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising thresholding means adapted to check if an average frequency of occurrence of timing violations is outside a range; and controlling means adapted to control at least one of a clock frequency, a processing, a heat generation, a bias voltage, a current, and a temperature in a direction to bring the average frequency of occurrence of timing violations into the range if the average frequency of occurrence of timing violations is outside the range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Jani MÄKIPÄÄ, Lauri KOSKINEN, Matthew TURNQUIST, Markus HIJENKARI
  • Publication number: 20130207690
    Abstract: A field effect transistor current mode differential logic circuit comprising load transistors for converting the current output of each differential leg current to voltage output, and means for configuring the bulk of each differential leg's load transistor to be connected to the drain of the load transistor for use the logic circuit in Subthreshold Source Coupled Logic (STSCL) mode, and means for configuring the bulk of each leg load transistor to be connected to a voltage or to source of the same transistor for use in MOS current more logic (MCML) operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Jani Mäkipää, Erkka Laulainen
  • Publication number: 20130193999
    Abstract: A sequential circuit with transition error detector including a sequential element with an input that is asserted to the output during the second clock phase of a two phase clock signal, a transition error detector coupled to the sequential element input to assert an error signal if a transition occurs at the sequential element input during the second clock phase but not to assert during the first clock phase, wherein a transition error detection circuit comprises a current mode circuit as a detection circuit for transition timing error detection from signals derived from the sequential element clock signal and input signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Aalto University Foundation
    Inventors: Matthew Turnquist, Lauri Koskinen, Jani Mäkipää, Erkka Laulainen