Patents by Inventor Jeff Berwick

Jeff Berwick 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: 8618882
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. Generally, an input signal is applied across a main path (through an input network) and across a cancellation path (through a cancellation circuit). The cancellation circuit subtracts a cancellation current from the main path as part of the control mechanism, where the magnitude of the cancellation current is based on a gain control signal (that has been linearized to follow a control voltage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Forejt, Jeff Berwick, David J. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 8350623
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. Generally, an input signal is applied across a main path (through an input network) and across a cancellation path (through a cancellation circuit). The cancellation circuit subtracts a cancellation current from the main path as part of the control mechanism, where the magnitude of the cancellation current is based on a gain control signal (that has been linearized to follow a control voltage).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Forejt, Jeff Berwick, David J. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20120235745
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. Generally, an input signal is applied across a main path (through an input network) and across a cancellation path (through a cancellation circuit). The cancellation circuit subtracts a cancellation current from the main path as part of the control mechanism, where the magnitude of the cancellation current is based on a gain control signal (that has been linearized to follow a control voltage).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett Forejt, Jeff Berwick, David J. Baldwin
  • Patent number: 7449947
    Abstract: A path configuration for a power switch and driver can introduce independent parasitic inductance coupled to the power switch to slow a switching speed of the switch and reduce voltage spikes on the switch during switching events. The path for low side supply of the drive to the negative DC voltage reference is separate from the path of the power switch to the reference. The resulting reduction in voltage spikes due to the slowed switching time maintains performance in an audio amplifier without modifying a switch command signal to compensate for voltage spikes. The path configuration avoids reliance on specifying higher rated components that increase application costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Sreenath Unnikrishnan, Mike Tsecouras, Jeff Berwick
  • Publication number: 20080055003
    Abstract: A path configuration for a power switch and driver can introduce independent parasitic inductance coupled to the power switch to slow a switching speed of the switch and reduce voltage spikes on the switch during switching events. The path for low side supply of the drive to the negative DC voltage reference is separate from the path of the power switch to the reference. The resulting reduction in voltage spikes due to the slowed switching time maintains performance in an audio amplifier without modifying a switch command signal to compensate for voltage spikes. The path configuration avoids reliance on specifying higher rated components that increase application costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Sreenath Unnikrishnan, Mike Tsecouras, Jeff Berwick
  • Patent number: 7317355
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting an over-current condition in a power field-effect transistor (FET). In one embodiment, an over-current detection circuit for detecting an over-current condition in a power FET comprises a current generator circuit operative to generate a reference current and a plurality of matched FETs operative to receive the reference current and provide a reference voltage, the matched FETs being matched to each other and to the power FET. The over-current detection circuit also comprises a comparator operative to measure a drain-to-source voltage of the power FET and to provide an output that indicates that the drain-to-source voltage of the power FET has exceeded the reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Shifeng Zhao, Cetin Kaya, James Teng, Claus Neesgaard, Lieyi Fang, Jeff Berwick
  • Publication number: 20060256492
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting an over-current condition in a power field-effect transistor (FET). In one embodiment, an over-current detection circuit for detecting an over-current condition in a power FET comprises a current generator circuit operative to generate a reference current and a plurality of matched FETs operative to receive the reference current and provide a reference voltage, the matched FETs being matched to each other and to the power FET. The over-current detection circuit also comprises a comparator operative to measure a drain-to-source voltage of the power FET and to provide an output that indicates that the drain-to-source voltage of the power FET has exceeded the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Shifeng Zhao, Cetin Kaya, James Teng, Claus Neesgaard, Lieyi Fang, Jeff Berwick