Patents by Inventor Lane A. Smith

Lane A. Smith 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).

  • Methods and apparatus for detecting a loss of lock condition in a clock and data recovery system
    Patent number: 8208521
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting a loss of lock condition in a clock and data recovery system. A loss of lock condition is detected in a clock and data recovery system that generates a recovered clock signal from a received signal by sampling the received signal for a plurality of different phases using one or more latches clocked by the recovered clock; evaluating the samples to monitor a data eye associated with the received signal; and detecting the loss of lock condition if the data eye does not satisfy one or more predefined conditions. Generally, the predefined conditions identify a loss of the data eye (e.g., when the data eye cannot be substantially detected), for example, based on a degree of opening of the data eye. The clock and data recovery system can optionally be restarted if the loss of lock condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad S. Mobin, Gregory W Sheets, Lane A. Smith, Paul H. Tracy
  • Methods and apparatus for serializer/deserializer transmitter synchronization
    Patent number: 8165253
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for serializer/deserializer transmitter synchronization. A plurality of channels are synchronized in one or more serializer/deserializer devices by generating a synchronization request in one or more of the channels; generating an enable signal in response to the synchronization request; and generating a gated synchronization signal for only one or more periods of a synchronization signal in response to the enable signal. The gated synchronization signal can optionally be deasserted after the one or more periods of a synchronization signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Abel, Vladimir Sindalovsky, Lane A. Smith
  • Method and Apparatus for Regulating a Power Supply of an Integrated Circuit
    Publication number: 20120068762
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for adjusting a voltage supplied to an IC by a power supply circuit that produces a regulated-output voltage based on an output-control signal generated by a resistive voltage divider. The circuit includes a PVT detector configured to generate an interface control signal and an interface circuit (i) connected to PVT detector and to the resistive voltage divider and (ii) configured to adjust its resistance in response to the interface control signal. Adjusting the resistance of the interface circuit causes the voltage of the output-control signal to be adjusted, thus causing the power supply circuit to adjust the regulated output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: AGERE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Kouros Azimi, Mohammad S. Mobin, Gregory W. Sheets, Lane A. Smith
  • Methods and apparatus for evaluating the eye margin of a communications device using a data eye monitor
    Patent number: 8126039
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for evaluating the eye margin of a communications device using a data eye monitor. The quality of a data eye associated with a signal is evaluated by sampling the signal for a plurality of different phases; evaluating the samples to evaluate one or more of a height and width of the data eye; and determining whether the one or more of the height and width satisfy one or more predefined criteria. One or more parameters of the communications device can optionally be adjusted if the communications device does not satisfy the one or more predefined criteria. The communications device can optionally be assigned to a quality category based on the evaluation. A phase offset between a first clock signal used to sample the signal and one or more clocks used to sample data is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad S. Mobin, Gregory W. Sheets, Lane A. Smith, Craig B. Ziemer
  • METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTATION OF CONTINUOUS TIME-DECISION FEEDBACK EQUALIZERS WITH PROGRAMMABLE ADAPTATION PATTERNS
    Publication number: 20120027073
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adaptation of continuous time-decision feedback equalizers with programmable adaptation patterns. A continuous time-decision feedback equalizer is adapted by obtaining at least one programmable signature pattern that triggers adaptation of one or more of a pole and a gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer; detecting the at least one programmable signature pattern in an incoming signal; and adapting one or more of the pole and the gain of the continuous time-decision feedback equalizer when the at least one programmable signature pattern is detected in the incoming signal. The programmable signature pattern can be selected to ensure an unambiguous direction of change in an error sample when a corresponding one of the pole and the gain are modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Christoher J. Abel, Lane A. Smith, Philip N. Jenkins, Brett D. Hardy, Vladimir Sindalovsky
  • Methods and apparatus for determining receiver filter coefficients for a plurality of phases
    Patent number: 8107522
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining receiver filter coefficients for a plurality of phases. One or more coefficients for a receiver filter are determined by determining a first coefficient for a first phase of a data eye; and determining a second coefficient for a second phase of the data eye. The receiver filter may be, for example, a decision-feedback equalizer. The first and second coefficients may be determined by performing an LMS adaptation of decision-feedback equalization coefficients. In another embodiment, the first and second coefficients may be determined by obtaining eye opening metrics from a data eye monitor corresponding to each of the respective first phase and the second phase; and determining the respective first and second coefficients based on the eye opening metrics. The first and second phases can correspond to odd and even phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Agere Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Pervez M. Aziz, Mohammad S. Mobin, Lane A. Smith
  • Method and apparatus for regulating a power supply of an integrated circuit
    Patent number: 8081011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit for adjusting a voltage supplied to an IC by a power supply circuit that produces a regulated-output voltage based on an output-control signal generated by a resistive voltage divider. The circuit includes a PVT detector configured to generate an interface control signal and an interface circuit (i) connected to PVT detector and to the resistive voltage divider and (ii) configured to adjust its resistance in response to the interface control signal. Adjusting the resistance of the interface circuit causes the voltage of the output-control signal to be adjusted, thus causing the power supply circuit to adjust the regulated output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems
    Inventors: Kouros Azimi, Mohammad S. Mobin, Gregory W. Sheets, Lane A. Smith
  • Method of calibrating an apparatus for measuring radon and/or its progeny in an air sample
    Patent number: 8074487
    Abstract: A method of calibrating an apparatus for measuring Radon and/or its progeny in an air sample, includes providing an apparatus for measuring Radon in an air sample that includes a preset offset voltage corresponding to a threshold conductivity value and a preselected reading value for indicating a concentration of Radon and/or its progeny, exposing the apparatus to a calibration area for measuring conductivity of the air therein, comparing the measured conductivity value of the air with the preset offset value for conductivity, and setting a lower threshold conductivity value and corresponding threshold reading value same as the preselected reading value, if the measured conductivity of the air is determined to be lower than the preset offset value for conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Durridge Company Inc.
    Inventor: Derek R. Lane-Smith
  • Method for use of a double-structured tissue implant for treatment of tissue defects
    Patent number: 8070827
    Abstract: A method for use of a double-structured tissue implant or a secondary scaffold stand alone implant for treatment of tissue defects. The double-structured tissue implant comprising a primary scaffold and a secondary scaffold consisting of a soluble collagen solution in combination with a non-ionic surfactant generated and positioned within the primary scaffold. A stand alone secondary scaffold implant or unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Histogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Sonya Shortkroff, Laurence J. B. Tarrant, Eric J. Roos, Robert Lane Smith, Hans Peter Ingemar Claesson
  • Method for repair and reconstruction of ruptured ligaments or tendons and for treatment of ligament and tendon injuries
    Patent number: 8070810
    Abstract: A method and a means for repair and reconstruction of ruptured ligaments and tendons by in vivo or ex vivo repair and reconstruction surgical procedures. The method comprises providing a biodegradable sleeve placed around the frayed edges of an injured ligament or tendon for protecting the ligament or tendon injury with a protective shield. A composition comprising a biodegradable tissue adhesive applied on top of, around and/or between the frayed edges of the injured ligament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Histogenics Corporation
    Inventors: Laurence J. B. Tarrant, Akihiko Kusanagi, Robert Lane Smith
  • Voltage controlled delay loop and method with injection point control
    Patent number: 8067966
    Abstract: A voltage controlled delay loop and method are disclosed for clock and data recovery applications. The voltage controlled delay loop generates clock signals having similar frequency and different phases. The voltage controlled delay loop comprises a plurality of delay elements; and an input that selectively injects a reference clock into any one of the plurality of delay elements. The plurality of delay elements are connected in series, such as in a loop. In one exemplary implementation, each delay element has an associated multiplexer that selects one of the reference clock and a signal from a previous delay element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Freyman, Vladimir Sindalovsky, Lane A. Smith
  • Method and Apparatus for Non-Disruptive Telecommunication Loop Condition Determination
    Publication number: 20110274266
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a low cost, simple circuit for detecting an off-hook condition of a telecommunication line comprising tip and ring signal lines is provided. The circuit comprises a voltage divider for coupling between the tip and ring lines without an intervening transistor and having a node at which is presented a scaled version of a voltage across the voltage divider. The circuit further comprises a transistor having a control terminal coupled to the node, a first current flow terminal coupled to a voltage source, and a second current flow terminal coupled to an output terminal, wherein the output terminal bears a value that is indicative of a voltage across the tip and ring lines and thus whether the telecommunication line is off-hook.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: AGERE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Fischer, Donald R. Laturell, Lane A. Smith
  • Adaptive equalization employing pattern recognition
    Patent number: 8045608
    Abstract: In described embodiments, an adaptive equalizer employed by a receiver in a communication channel, such as Fibre Channel, employs pattern recognition. When a repeating pattern, such as an IDLE or ARBFF pattern, is employed by a standard to, for example, maintain a communication link, an equalizer of the receiver might adaptively set its equalizer parameters based on characteristics of the signal energy of the repeating pattern rather than adaptively set its equalizer parameters based on characteristics of the signal energy of generally random user data carried on the link. Pattern recognition by the receiver allows for maintaining adaptive equalizer parameters at settings preferred for data detection of the typical random data, improving data detection performance of the receiver when the channel transitions from a preset or synchronization repeating pattern to a user random data pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Xingdong Dai, Geoffrey Zhang, Max Olsen, Dwight Daugherty, Gary Schiessler, Mohammad Mobin, Lane Smith, Dennis Farley
  • Peer-to-peer network communications using SATA/SAS technology
    Patent number: 8046481
    Abstract: A conventional serial communications protocol that is limited to supporting only host-to-slave communications, such as SATA or SAS, is extended to support peer-to-peer communications, e.g., by adding a memory-map layer into the conventional protocol stack between the link layer and the protocol layer. The addition of the memory-map layer enables two (or more) non-host devices (i.e., peer devices) to communicate with one another without using a host computer and without relying on conventional protocol-bridging techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ali U. Ahmed, Gregory W. Sheets, Lane A. Smith, David W. Thompson
  • Methods and apparatus for improved jitter tolerance in an SFP limit amplified signal
    Patent number: 8040984
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improving the jitter tolerance in an SFP limit amplified signal. Jitter tolerance is improved in a communications receiver by applying a received signal to an SFP limiting amplifier; and applying an output of the SFP limiting amplifier to a low pass filter to improve the jitter tolerance. The low pass filter optionally applies a programmable amount of attenuation to high frequency components of the output. The low pass filter slew rate controls (i.e., rotates) a data eye representation of the received signal to increase the data eye representation along a time axis. The noise margin of the received signal can optionally be improved by applying an output of the low pass filter to an all pass filter. A slew rate controller can evaluate the data eye statistics to determine a setting for the low pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Agere System Inc.
    Inventors: Pervez M. Aziz, Adam B. Healey, Mohammad S. Mobin, Gary E. Schiessler, Gregory W. Sheets, Lane A. Smith, Paul H. Tracy, Geoffrey Zhang
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COOLING DATA CENTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
    Publication number: 20110195652
    Abstract: Temperature, humidity, and pressure control systems and methods for enclosed spaces, including data centers. In some embodiments, the rotational frequency of the air supply fans is controlled based on a pressure associated with the enclosed space. In some embodiments, the rotational frequency of the air supply fans is controlled based on a pressure differential between an inlet region and an exhaust region within the enclosed space. In some embodiments, air within the inlet region is segregated from air within the exhaust region. In some embodiments, the cooling capacity of the cooling equipment is controlled responsive to a temperature associated with the enclosed space. In some embodiments, the cooling capacity is controlled based on a temperature associated with the inlet region of the enclosed space. In some embodiments, the humidity within the enclosed space is controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventor: Kenneth Lane Smith
  • Data alignment method for arbitrary input with programmable content deskewing info
    Patent number: 7995695
    Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a data alignment system comprises a First-In First-Out register (FIFO), a programmable pattern generator connected to the FIFO, and a controller connected to the programmable pattern generator and the FIFO. The FIFO is configured to provide data to or receive data from a first data lane of a serial data link having one or more lanes. Each data lane of the serial data link is configured to transmit a respective serial data stream. The programmable pattern generator is configured to generate a plurality of alignment symbols. The controller is configured to manage the alignment of the one or more data lanes of the serial data link and the insertion of a selected one of the plurality of alignment symbols into each of the serial data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yasser Ahmed, Xingdong Dai, Vladimir Sindalovsky, Lane Smith
  • Method and apparatus for non-disruptive telecommunication loop condition determination
    Patent number: 7995743
    Abstract: The invention provides a low cost, simple, circuit for detecting the condition of a telephone line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan H. Fischer, Donald R. Laturell, Lane A. Smith
  • Method and apparatus for detecting and adjusting characteristics of a signal
    Patent number: 7977989
    Abstract: Disclosed is a circuit that adjusts a characteristic of a signal transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver over a communication channel (e.g., a wire, a backplane, etc.). The circuit includes a latch that receives the signal at a predetermined point in the circuit and samples a voltage of the signal many times after a threshold voltage is applied to the latch. The circuit also includes a processor that determines the characteristic of the signal when the sampled voltages indicate a transition point and that adjusts the threshold voltage when the sampled voltages do not indicate a transition point. The processor adjusts the characteristic of the signal by adjusting at least one of a current and a voltage of the transmitter when the characteristic of the signal is outside a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kouros Azimi, Mohammad S. Mobin, Gregory W. Sheets, Lane A. Smith
  • Compensation techniques for reducing power consumption in digital circuitry
    Patent number: 7965133
    Abstract: A compensation circuit for reducing power consumption in at least one digital circuit includes a first sample circuit connected to a first supply voltage, a second sample circuit connected to a second supply voltage, and a controller connected to the first and second sample circuits. The first and second sample circuits are substantially functionally equivalent to one another but optimized for different regions of operation within a specified range of PVT conditions. The controller is operative to receive respective output signals from the first and second sample circuits, to monitor a functionality of the second sample circuit relative to the first sample circuit, and to adjust a level of the second supply voltage to ensure correct operation of the second sample circuit throughout the specified range of PVT conditions. The digital circuit is operative from the second supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Anidjar, Mohammad S. Mobin, Gregory W. Sheets, Vladimir Sindalovsky, Lane A. Smith