Patents by Inventor Mark Allan Shill

Mark Allan Shill 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: 11669120
    Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes a current output terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to a power rail, a second terminal coupled to a current source, and a third terminal coupled to the current source. The second transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the power rail, a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, and a third terminal coupled to the current output terminal. The DAC includes an output terminal coupled to the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Patent number: 11616495
    Abstract: Inter-integrated circuit input circuitry includes a pull-up current circuit and an input circuit. The input circuit includes an output inverter, an input inverter, and a pull-up circuit. The pull-up circuit is coupled to an input of the input inverter, and includes a pull-up transistor and a cascode transistor. The pull-up transistor is coupled to the input of the input inverter. The cascode transistor is coupled to the pull-up current circuit and the pull-up transistor, and configured to isolate the pull-up transistor from capacitance of a conductor coupled to the pull-up current circuit and the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Publication number: 20220308616
    Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes a current output terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to a power rail, a second terminal coupled to a current source, and a third terminal coupled to the current source. The second transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the power rail, a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, and a third terminal coupled to the current output terminal. The DAC includes an output terminal coupled to the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Allan SHILL, Binan WANG
  • Patent number: 11409318
    Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes a current output terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to a power rail, a second terminal coupled to a current source, and a third terminal coupled to the current source. The second transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the power rail, a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, and a third terminal coupled to the current output terminal. The DAC includes an output terminal coupled to the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Publication number: 20210311519
    Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes a current output terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to a power rail, a second terminal coupled to a current source, and a third terminal coupled to the current source. The second transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the power rail, a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, and a third terminal coupled to the current output terminal. The DAC includes an output terminal coupled to the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Allan SHILL, Binan WANG
  • Patent number: 11068010
    Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes a current output terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to a power rail, a second terminal coupled to a current source, and a third terminal coupled to the current source. The second transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the power rail, a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, and a third terminal coupled to the current output terminal. The DAC includes an output terminal coupled to the second transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Publication number: 20210191445
    Abstract: A current mirror circuit includes a current output terminal, a first transistor, a second transistor, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to a power rail, a second terminal coupled to a current source, and a third terminal coupled to the current source. The second transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the power rail, a second terminal coupled to the second terminal of the first transistor, and a third terminal coupled to the current output terminal. The DAC includes an output terminal coupled to the second transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 24, 2021
    Inventors: Mark Allan SHILL, Binan WANG
  • Publication number: 20210184658
    Abstract: Inter-integrated circuit input circuitry includes a pull-up current circuit and an input circuit. The input circuit includes an output inverter, an input inverter, and a pull-up circuit. The pull-up circuit is coupled to an input of the input inverter, and includes a pull-up transistor and a cascode transistor. The pull-up transistor is coupled to the input of the input inverter. The cascode transistor is coupled to the pull-up current circuit and the pull-up transistor, and configured to isolate the pull-up transistor from capacitance of a conductor coupled to the pull-up current circuit and the input circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Allan SHILL
  • Patent number: 10965277
    Abstract: Inter-integrated circuit input circuitry includes a pull-up current circuit and an input circuit. The input circuit includes an output inverter, an input inverter, and a pull-up circuit. The pull-up circuit is coupled to an input of the input inverter, and includes a pull-up transistor and a cascode transistor. The pull-up transistor is coupled to the input of the input inverter. The cascode transistor is coupled to the pull-up current circuit and the pull-up transistor, and configured to isolate the pull-up transistor from capacitance of a conductor coupled to the pull-up current circuit and the input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Patent number: 9692433
    Abstract: A voltage regulation system provides a relatively stable voltage source without introducing the typical costs of a ground buffer. The disclosed voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator that is operative to detect a change of the load current and regulate a current bypass mechanism to stabilize a total supply current. For example, the voltage regulator includes a current sensor and a current compensation circuit. The current sensor is configure to generate a current compensation signal based on the load current change, whereas the current compensation circuit is configured to adjust a bypass current in response to the current compensation signal. As a result, the bypass current dynamically compensates the load current change such that the ground voltage of a variable load becomes relatively stable over a range of load currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Patent number: 9634686
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit has a resistor ladder circuit controlled by high order bits and a resistor string circuit controlled by low order bits. The resistor ladder circuit includes a stem resistor and a branch resistor. The stem resistor has a stem resistance, and the branch resistor has a branch resistance that is substantially equal to two times of the stem resistance. The resistor string circuit includes a string current source, a string resistor, and a bridge resistor. The string current source is configured to generate a string current that is based on a ratio of a reference voltage divided by a predetermined resistance. The string resistor has a string resistance that corresponds to the predetermined resistance, and it is configured to selectively receive the string current based on a selection signal decoded from the low order bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Publication number: 20160344399
    Abstract: A voltage regulation system provides a relatively stable voltage source without introducing the typical costs of a ground buffer. The disclosed voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator that is operative to detect a change of the load current and regulate a current bypass mechanism to stabilize a total supply current. For example, the voltage regulator includes a current sensor and a current compensation circuit. The current sensor is configure to generate a current compensation signal based on the load current change, whereas the current compensation circuit is configured to adjust a bypass current in response to the current compensation signal. As a result, the bypass current dynamically compensates the load current change such that the ground voltage of a variable load becomes relatively stable over a range of load currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Publication number: 20160301421
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit has a resistor ladder circuit controlled by high order bits and a resistor string circuit controlled by low order bits. The resistor ladder circuit includes a stem resistor and a branch resistor. The stem resistor has a stem resistance, and the branch resistor has a branch resistance that is substantially equal to two times of the stem resistance. The resistor string circuit includes a string current source, a string resistor, and a bridge resistor. The string current source is configured to generate a string current that is based on a ratio of a reference voltage divided by a predetermined resistance. The string resistor has a string resistance that corresponds to the predetermined resistance, and it is configured to selectively receive the string current based on a selection signal decoded from the low order bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Patent number: 9444478
    Abstract: A voltage regulation system provides a relatively stable voltage source without introducing the typical costs of a ground buffer. The disclosed voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator that is operative to detect a change of the load current and regulate a current bypass mechanism to stabilize a total supply current. For example, the voltage regulator includes a current sensor and a current compensation circuit. The current sensor is configure to generate a current compensation signal based on the load current change, whereas the current compensation circuit is configured to adjust a bypass current in response to the current compensation signal. As a result, the bypass current dynamically compensates the load current change such that the ground voltage of a variable load becomes relatively stable over a range of load currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Patent number: 9397688
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit has a resistor ladder circuit controlled by high order bits and a resistor string circuit controlled by low order bits. The resistor ladder circuit includes a stem resistor and a branch resistor. The stem resistor has a stem resistance, and the branch resistor has a branch resistance that is substantially equal to two times of the stem resistance. The resistor string circuit includes a string current source, a string resistor, and a bridge resistor. The string current source is configured to generate a string current that is based on a ratio of a reference voltage divided by a predetermined resistance. The string resistor has a string resistance that corresponds to the predetermined resistance, and it is configured to selectively receive the string current based on a selection signal decoded from the low order bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Publication number: 20160072519
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) circuit has a resistor ladder circuit controlled by high order bits and a resistor string circuit controlled by low order bits. The resistor ladder circuit includes a stem resistor and a branch resistor. The stem resistor has a stem resistance, and the branch resistor has a branch resistance that is substantially equal to two times of the stem resistance. The resistor string circuit includes a string current source, a string resistor, and a bridge resistor. The string current source is configured to generate a string current that is based on a ratio of a reference voltage divided by a predetermined resistance. The string resistor has a string resistance that corresponds to the predetermined resistance, and it is configured to selectively receive the string current based on a selection signal decoded from the low order bits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Publication number: 20160072516
    Abstract: A voltage regulation system provides a relatively stable voltage source without introducing the typical costs of a ground buffer. The disclosed voltage regulation system includes a voltage regulator that is operative to detect a change of the load current and regulate a current bypass mechanism to stabilize a total supply current. For example, the voltage regulator includes a current sensor and a current compensation circuit. The current sensor is configure to generate a current compensation signal based on the load current change, whereas the current compensation circuit is configured to adjust a bypass current in response to the current compensation signal. As a result, the bypass current dynamically compensates the load current change such that the ground voltage of a variable load becomes relatively stable over a range of load currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Allan Shill, Binan Wang
  • Patent number: 7088274
    Abstract: An improved circuit is provided that buffers the output of a DAC while improving the bandwidth and linearity of the circuit. A DAC comprises an output signal of a switched DAC circuit coupled to an inverting node of an output buffer configured as a difference amplifier, while a non-inverting node of the difference amplifier is coupled to a fixed reference potential. As a result, the difference amplifier buffers the output of the switched DAC circuit while permitting the use of N-type input stages in the amplifier, which can enhance the bandwidth capability of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill
  • Publication number: 20030189506
    Abstract: An improved circuit is provided that buffers the output of a DAC while improving the bandwidth and linearity of the circuit. A DAC comprises an output signal of a switched DAC circuit coupled to an inverting node of an output buffer configured as a difference amplifier, while a non-inverting node of the difference amplifier is coupled to a fixed reference potential. As a result, the difference amplifier buffers the output of the switched DAC circuit while permitting the use of N-type input stages in the amplifier, which can enhance the bandwidth capability of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Allan Shill