Patents by Inventor Mark Slamowitz

Mark Slamowitz 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).

  • Publication number: 20120235708
    Abstract: A sense amplifier may be operable to form a current-mirror reference using a first PMOS transistor and a NMOS transistor. Currents at a first internal terminal and a second internal terminal may be generated based on the current-mirror reference. Voltage signals at the first internal terminal and the second internal terminal may be generated based on received differential input signals and the currents at the first internal terminal and the second internal terminal. The sense amplifier may limit voltage excursions of the voltage signals at the first internal terminal and/or of the second internal terminal using a pair of cross coupled PMOS transistors, respectively. Voltage signals at a third internal terminal and a fourth internal terminal may be generated based on voltage signals at the first internal terminal and the second internal terminal. An output signal may be generated based on the voltage signal at the fourth internal terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Mark Slamowitz
  • Patent number: 8076965
    Abstract: A disclosed embodiment is a low leakage data retention flip flop comprising a master circuit for retaining data during sleep mode, wherein the master circuit is configured to receive a reduced supply voltage during the sleep mode. The flip flop includes a slave circuit having low threshold voltage transistors, where the slave circuit is turned off during the sleep mode. In various embodiments, the master circuit might utilize high threshold voltage, standard threshold voltage, or low threshold voltage transistors. Similarly, the slave circuit might utilize high threshold voltage, standard threshold voltage, or low threshold voltage transistors. To begin the sleep mode, the master circuit receives a reduced supply voltage and the slave circuit is coupled to ground and is thus turned off. During the sleep mode, the slave circuit experiences virtually no leakage current, and the master circuit experiences a reduced leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Djaja, Mark Slamowitz, Karthik Chandrasekharan
  • Patent number: 7986570
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20100177581
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Patent number: 7639549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20090256608
    Abstract: A disclosed embodiment is a low leakage data retention flip flop comprising a master circuit for retaining data during sleep mode, wherein the master circuit is configured to receive a reduced supply voltage during the sleep mode. The flip flop includes a slave circuit having low threshold voltage transistors, where the slave circuit is turned off during the sleep mode. In various embodiments, the master circuit might utilize high threshold voltage, standard threshold voltage, or low threshold voltage transistors. Similarly, the slave circuit might utilize high threshold voltage, standard threshold voltage, or low threshold voltage transistors. To begin the sleep mode, the master circuit receives a reduced supply voltage and the slave circuit is coupled to ground and is thus turned off. During the sleep mode, the slave circuit experiences virtually no leakage current, and the master circuit experiences a reduced leakage current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory Djaja, Mark Slamowitz, Karthik Chandrasekharan
  • Publication number: 20080089144
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas Smith, David Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Patent number: 7251175
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously, and a method of making the multi-port register file memory. The storage elements are arranged in N rows and M columns and store data, each column having at least one output channel or circuit. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a plurality of differential sensing devices or circuits. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and at least one of the sensing device. The method of forming the multi-port register file memory comprises determining the number of storage elements and arranging the storage elements in the N rows and M columns, each column having an output channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Patent number: 7227411
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a self-biasing differential amplifier. The self-biasing differential amplifier may include a first input stage and a biasing transistor pair coupled to the first input stage. A second input stage may be coupled to the first input stage and the biasing transistor pair. The first input stage of the self-biasing differential amplifier may include a first PMOS transistor coupled to a first NMOS transistor in an inverter arrangement. The second input stage may include a second PMOS transistor coupled to a second NMOS transistor. The biasing transistor pair may include a third PMOS transistor coupled to a third NMOS transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Slamowitz
  • Patent number: 6903996
    Abstract: The present invention relates to storage element. At least one read port is coupled to the storage element and a sensing device is coupled to the read port, where the read port is coupled to the storage element in an isolated manner. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. The sensing device includes two inverters comprising input offset and gain stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Gregory Djaja
  • Publication number: 20050091477
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas Smith, David Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20040257159
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a self-biasing differential amplifier. The self-biasing differential amplifier may include a first input stage and a biasing transistor pair coupled to the first input stage. A second input stage may be coupled to the first input stage and the biasing transistor pair. The first input stage of the self-biasing differential amplifier may include a first PMOS transistor coupled to a first NMOS transistor in an inverter arrangement. The second input stage may include a second PMOS transistor coupled to a second NMOS transistor. The biasing transistor pair may include a third PMOS transistor coupled to a third NMOS transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventor: Mark Slamowitz
  • Patent number: 6822918
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving speed and increasing performance in a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including at least one storage element and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The method comprises differentially sensing a small voltage swing in the multi-port memory using a two-stage analog-style sense amplifier including at least one trip-level-shifted inverter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20040066687
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Patent number: 6639866
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20030099148
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory including a plurality of storage elements in columns. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. At least one read port is coupled to each of the storage elements and a sensing device is coupled to the read port. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A pair of series transistors coupled together act as the read port while a column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. The sensing device includes two inverters comprising input offset and gain stages. An offset device biases the local bitlines at a voltage close to the sense amplifier trip point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Gregory Djaja
  • Patent number: 6519204
    Abstract: Devices and methods relating to a multi-port register file memory including a plurality of storage elements in columns are disclosed. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. At least one read port is coupled to each of the storage elements and a sensing device is coupled to the read port. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A pair of series transistors coupled together act as the read port while a column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. The sensing device includes two inverters comprising input offset and gain stages. An offset device biases the local bitlines at a voltage close to the sense amplifier trip point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Gregory Djaja
  • Publication number: 20020125585
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory or SRAM including a plurality of storage elements and other circuitry that operate synchronously or asynchronously. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. Two read port pairs are coupled to each of the storage elements and a differential sensing device or circuit. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. Performance is not degraded unusually as the power supply voltage is reduced due to bus drop or inductive effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Myron Buer
  • Publication number: 20020071333
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-port register file memory including a plurality of storage elements in columns. The storage elements are arranged in rows and columns and store data. At least one read port is coupled to each of the storage elements and a sensing device is coupled to the read port. The read port is coupled to the storage elements in an isolated manner, enabling a plurality of cells to be arranged in such rows and columns. The sensing device is adapted to sense a small voltage swing. A pair of series transistors coupled together act as the read port while a column mux circuit is coupled to each column and the sensing device. The sensing device includes two inverters comprising input offset and gain stages. An offset device biases the local bitlines at a voltage close to the sense amplifier trip point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: Mark Slamowitz, Douglas D. Smith, David W. Knebelsberger, Gregory Djaja